Spermatozoon

Protamines. Strongly basic, low mol. wt. proteins which contain high levels of arginine, but no sulphur-containing amino-acids. They are soluble proteins, associated with nucleic acids and are obtained in large quantity from fish spermatozoa. 

As under most circumstances progesterone action will hold primacy over estrogenic effects, the cervical mucus, endometrium, and probably the fallopian tubes reflect progestational stimulation. The cervical mucus becomes thick and viscous and thus impervious to spermatozoa. The endometrium is in a state that is not receptive for implantation of a fertilized egg. Probably, the progestational impact on the secretory activity and peristalsis in the fallopian tubes also assists the general contraceptive effect. It is difficult, however, to assess the relative contribution of the various effects to the... 

Henry, M.A., Nodes, E.E., Gao, D., Mazur, P., Critser. J.K. (1993). Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa. IV. The effects of cooling rate and warming rate on the maintenance of motility, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function. Fertil. and Steril. 60,911-918. 

Smith, A.U. Polge, C. (1950). Survival of spermatozoa at low temperatures. Nature 166, 668-669. Souzu, H. Mazur, P. (1978). Temperature dependence of the survival of human erythrocytes frozen slowly in various concentrations of glycerol. Biophys. J. 23, 89-100. 

No spermatozoa are seen on the egg surface or on the vitelline coat. After 5 h of treatment with 10 M TBTCl, a few spermatozoa, with very anomalous heads, have been detected. The absence of spermatozoa on the egg surface or on the vitelline coat could be explained by the absence of the follicle cells, which, in S. plicata, primarily play an attracting function. It was previously shown that TBTCl solution, either 10 or 10 M, induces anomalies in spermatozoa, unfertilized, and fertilized eggs of Ascidia malaca. In particular, the follicle cells detach from eggs and the test cells show anomalies in their nucleus and granules. Moreover, damaged spermatozoa are observed in the vitelline coat, but never in... 

Evasion of tolerance to self antigens. Hidden or sequestered antigens do exist, for instance spermatozoa and eye-lens tissue. These are confined to anatomical sites which do not have access to lymphoid tissue, and exposure of the above to lymphoid cells as a result of surgery or accident results in the production of the corresponding antibodies. 

Land PC, Owen EL, Linde HW. 1981. Morphologic changes in mouse spermatozoa after exposure to inhalation anesthetics during early spermatogenesis. Anesthesiology 54 53-56. 

Azoospermic Having no living spermatozoa in the semen, or failure of spermatogenesis. 

Chowdhury et al. (1986) reported that occupational exposure of 10 men to lead caused a significant decrease in sperm count and motility and an increased percentage of abnormal spermatozoa. The average PbB concentration in the lead-exposed group was higher (42.5 pg/dL) compared to controls (14.8 pg/dL). Assennato et al. (1987) reported decreased sperm production in 39 battery factory workers with high PbB levels ranging from 50 to 61 pg/dL, compared to 39 nonexposed workers. Lerda (1992)... 

No adverse effects were noted in the testes. The results of this study indicate that lead affected spermatozoa after release from the germinal epithelium which was possibly protected from the effects of lead by the blood-testes barrier (Barratt et al. 1989). 

Schurmann, A., et al. The glucose transport facilitator GLUT8 is predominantly associated with the acrosomal region of mature spermatozoa. Cell Tissue Res. 2002,... 

ATP is an ideal indicator of cell viability. Blood or blood cell concentrates prepared for transfusion are stored for periods of a few days to several weeks in the blood bank. Viability checking of the blood cells is necessary to avoid posttransfusional reactions [94], This quality control of the conserved red blood cells and platelets can easily be performed by measuring the ATP concentration as an expression of their integrity. By the same measurement it was possible to confirm the diagnosis and monitor the treatment effects in various cases of platelet disease [97], The possibility of determining cells viability can be exploited to examine more free cells or tissue, as in the spermatozoa viability test, based on the correlation between ATP content and mobility. 

The major FSH target in the male is the Sertoli cells, found in the walls of the seminiferous tubules of the testis. They function to anchor and nourish the spermatids, which subsequently are transformed into spermatozoa during the process of spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells also produce inhibin (discussed later), which functions as a negative feedback regulator of FSH. The major physiological effect of FSH in the male is thus sperm cell production. 

Progesterone produces direct membrane effects [16]. These include actions that promote maturation of spermatozoa as well as oocytes and facilitation of the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) (Fig. 52-7). Membrane actions of progesterone also activate oxytocin receptors in the hypothalamus in a way that enables oxytocin to turn on sexual behavior in the estrogen-primed female rat [3],... 

Grossly elevated concentrations of dissolved copper produce teratogenicity in fish embryos. A significant number of malformed fish larvae came from eggs treated with 500 pg Cu/L (Birge and Black 1979). In studies with laboratory animals and elevated concentrations of copper salts, copper penetrates the placental barrier into the fetus intramuscular injection of 4 mg Cu/kg BW early in pregnancy adversely affects fetal central nervous system development (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). In humans, no definitive data are available on whether copper can cause birth defects however, incubation of human spermatozoa with metallic copper results in loss of sperm motility (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). 

Mortality 71% at 6°C in 7 days nil at 21 °C in 9 days — but some with seizures and kidney histopathology. No spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules. Lead residues elevated in bone, liver, and brain in both groups, but more elevated in cold-stressed group... 

Reduction in testes weight and spermatozoa number. No effect on egg production or fertility. Bone lead levels higher than controls especially in females. Significantly higher lead concentrations in bone, liver, and feather in progeny of lead-treated parents than in controls... 

Zinc concentrations in seminal plasma of domestic chickens (Gallus sp.) are about 100 times lower than those for humans and most other mammals, except sheep. Concentrations of zinc in fowl seminal plasma after in vitro storage of spermatozoa for 24 h at 4°C were near the threshold values toxic to spermatozoa (Blesbois and Mauger 1989), suggesting that poultry spermatozoa normally function near their lower lethal zinc threshold. 

Blesbois, E. and I. Mauger. 1989. Zinc content of fowl seminal plasma and its effects on spermatozoa after storage at 4°C. Brit. Poul. Sci. 39 677-685. 

Saito, S., L. Zeitz, I.M. Bush, R. Lee, and W.F. Whitmore, Jr. 1967. Zinc content of spermatozoa from various levels of canine and rat reproductive tracts. Amer. Jour. Physiol. 213 749-752. 

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