RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The condensed state of the human sperm's chromatin is essential for the compact structure of the spermatozoon head, which is important for the fertilization process. The enzymes DNA topoisomerases (topo I and topo II) are responsible for the topological structure of the chromatin in somatic cells. The activities and the characterization of topoisomerases in mature human sperm cells have not been previously investigated. METHODS: Sperm cells were purified from the semen of healthy donors by standard procedures and assays measuring the activities, protein size and sensitivity to inhibitors of topoisomerases were performed. RESULTS: Topo I and topo II DNA relaxation activities are present in nuclear extracts derived from human sperm. The sperm topo I activity is inhibited by camptothecin, similarly to the somatic enzyme. An 85 kDa sperm protein, compared with the 100 kDa somatic topo IB enzyme, reacted with anti-human topo I antibody. Sperm topo II lacks the DNA decatenation activity of the somatic enzyme and a 97 kDa protein, compared with the 170 kDa somatic topo IIalpha enzyme, was detected with anti-human topo II antibody. Sperm nuclear extracts contained inhibitors of somatic topo II decatenation activity. CONCLUSIONS: Topoisomerase I and II activities as well as topo I and topo II proteins are present in mature human sperm cells. These enzymes possess unique properties compared with their somatic counterparts.
Asunto(s)
ADN-Topoisomerasas de Tipo II/metabolismo , ADN-Topoisomerasas de Tipo I/metabolismo , Espermatozoides/enzimología , Camptotecina/farmacología , ADN-Topoisomerasas de Tipo I/inmunología , ADN-Topoisomerasas de Tipo I/aislamiento & purificación , ADN-Topoisomerasas de Tipo II/inmunología , ADN-Topoisomerasas de Tipo II/aislamiento & purificación , Etopósido/farmacología , Humanos , Masculino , Peso Molecular , Inhibidores de Topoisomerasa I , Inhibidores de Topoisomerasa IIRESUMEN
Several studies have shown an increased risk for monozygotic twinning after fertilization treatments. We present the clinical and sonographic characteristics of two monozygotic twin cases following blastocyst transfer. It is suggested that delayed transfer of the embryo in the blastocyst stage is a contributing factor to monozygotic twinning.
Asunto(s)
Blastocisto , Transferencia de Embrión , Gemelos Monocigóticos , Adulto , Femenino , Fertilización In Vitro , Humanos , Embarazo , Embarazo Múltiple , Inyecciones de Esperma Intracitoplasmáticas , Ultrasonografía PrenatalRESUMEN
The relatively low pregnancy rates (PR) after treatment of patients with oligoteratoasthenozoospermia (OTA) result in a search for different treatment modalities. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of transcervical intrafallopian insemination (IFI) with husband's semen in comparison to intrauterine insemination (IUI) in couples with OTA. A prospective, randomized study included 30 couples with OTA-related infertility (according to WHO criteria). The female patients underwent individually adjusted controlled ovarian stimulation by gonadotropins. Spermatozoa was prepared using the Percoll 70% technique and insemination was performed 36-40 h after human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration. The Tomcat Catheter was used for IUI and the Jansen-Anderson Catheter for IFI to the fallopian tube leading to the ovary that contained more dominant follicles. The couples were divided according to sperm count, into group A (9 couples): < 10 mill ml-1 and group B (21 couples): > 10 mill ml-1. Within the groups the patients were randomly assigned for IUI or IFI treatment. Among group B couples, two pregnancies out of 15 IUI cycles (13.3% PR) and two pregnancies out of 18 IFI cycles (11.1% PR) were achieved. Group A patients completed 7 IUI and 9 IFI treatment cycles with no pregnancies observed. These data did not demonstrate a statistically significant advantage for either technique.
Asunto(s)
Inseminación Artificial/métodos , Oligospermia , Adulto , Cuello del Útero , Trompas Uterinas , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Embarazo , Índice de Embarazo , Estudios Prospectivos , Semen/fisiologíaRESUMEN
The point prevalence of IgG and IgA antibodies to Chlamydia was analyzed in serum and follicular fluid in 63 patients undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in comparison to sera of 298 healthy women by the single serovar (L2) inclusion immunoperoxidase assay (IPA). The presence of specific IgG and IgA to Chlamydia in follicular fluid was demonstrated. No statistical association was found between the presence of specific Chlamydia IgG and IgA in serum and follicular fluid to oocyte fertilization. The positive predictive value for mechanical infertility of Chlamydia IgG at titers of greater than or equal to 128 and IgA titers at greater than or equal to 16 was 91 and 92%, respectively, in this high-risk group for mechanical infertility. Multiple regression analysis singled out Chlamydia IgG levels as a major contributor to the variance between the groups of infertile patients.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antibacterianos/análisis , Chlamydia trachomatis/inmunología , Fertilización In Vitro , Infertilidad Femenina/inmunología , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Líquido Folicular/inmunología , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina A/análisis , Inmunoglobulina G/análisis , Infertilidad Femenina/etiología , Análisis de RegresiónRESUMEN
This study was undertaken to investigate the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in serum, cervical mucus, and follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). IgG and IgA ASA directed mostly against sperm head were found at similar concentrations in serum, cervical mucus, and FF of 2 of 34 patients. Ninety-one percent fertilization and 100% cleavage rates, respectively, were observed in one of the two patients. No fertilization occurred in the second patient. In both women, in vitro sperm penetration tests revealed hostile mucus and repeated postcoital tests were poor. It is concluded that the sperm-cervical mucus penetration test and mucus ASA measurements are useful in establishing the diagnosis of immunological infertility.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos/análisis , Moco del Cuello Uterino/inmunología , Fertilización In Vitro , Folículo Ovárico/inmunología , Espermatozoides/inmunología , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
Considerable evidence indicates that changes in acid phosphatase (AP) activity at the ovarian level play a role in the process of ovulation. In this study the concentrations of AP were determined in follicular fluids collected from follicles of 52 women at the time of laparoscopy performed in connection with an in vitro fertilization program. In each of the 52 women at least one ovum was harvested. Of the 52 ova, 28 cleaved in vitro, while in 24 ova cleavage was not seen. Levels of AP in follicular fluids of women whose ova did not cleave were significantly lower than those found in follicular fluids of women with at least one ovum undergoing cleavage: 0.45 +/- 0.14 (SE) and 4.78 +/- 0.37 Bess Lowry Units (BLU), respectively. Comparison of AP levels in follicular fluids of women who conceived (5) and women whose ova cleaved, but in whom pregnancy was not achieved (23), did not reveal significant differences: 5.87 +/- 1.29 and 4.55 +/- 0.35 BLU, respectively. Moreover, the enzyme level was typical for a woman and not for a follicle. Fluids of two different follicles of the same woman, when one ovum cleaved and one did not, showed similar AP levels. AP levels were high in all samples follicles of women in whom at least one ovum cleaved. These findings indicate that the presence of certain levels of acid phosphatase represents an important, albeit not the sole, condition for ovum maturation. Moreover, the follicular fluid levels of AP could serve as an indicator of proper timing of the follicular puncture in relation to the human chorionic gonadotropin injection (or the luteinizing hormone peak).