Search results for "Andrology"

CD14+CD16+ Monocyte Binding to Myeloma Cells Is Required for Daratumumab Dependent Killing in Multiple Myeloma Patients

2018

Abstract Recently, the introduction of anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, Daratumumab (DARA), in multiple myeloma (MM) therapy has improved the response rate of relapsed MM patients. However only a fraction of the DARA-treated patients respond, thus further studies on DARA mechanisms of action are needed. Because the antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) mediated by monocyte, is one of the mechanisms through DARA exerts its anti-MM activity, an ex-vivo approach was established in order to investigate which mechanisms or patient's immunological characteristics could influence DARA-mediated killing of MM cells. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) obtained from 25 MM patients (12 new…

2002

Analysis of gonad organization and development revealed that Serranus atricauda is a functional simultaneous hermaphrodite. The ovary is classified as asynchronous. Oocyte growth is divided into five stages: stage I (primary growth stage), stage II (yolk vesicle formation), stage III (vitellogenesis), stage IV (oocyte maturation) and stage V (mature egg). The testis is of the unrestricted or lobular spermatogonial type. Spermatogenic cells include spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids (which form cysts in the seminiferous tubules) and spermatozoa (free in the lumen). The histological structure of the gonad and sperm morphology would seem to indicate that this specie…

Serum inhibin A, inhibin B, pro-alphaC, and activin A levels in women with idiopathic premature ovarian failure.

2003

Serum inhibin A, inhibin B, pro-alphaC, and activin A levels in 30 women with idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF), 30 postmenopausal women, and 30 age-matched fertile women were determined. Women with POF showed low levels of inhibin A and inhibin B, but not of activin A, whereas the levels of pro-alphaC were significantly higher than in postmenopausal women. Thus, the circulating level of pro-alphaC could be a marker for assessing residual ovarian function in women with POF.

Changes in the motility patterns of spermatozoa from the rabbit epididymis as assessed by computer-aided sperm motion analysis

1996

Sperm maturation in the epididymis includes changes in their potential for motility that enables spermatozoa to reach the egg and penetrate its investments. The motility characteristics of spermatozoa from the testis, the epididymis, and vas deferens of the rabbit were investigated by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Various forms of motility were displayed by sperm from different regions of the epididymis released into incubation medium. Testicular sperm were motile, although nonprogressive. The maximum percentage motility was expressed by sperm in the proximal cauda epididymidis, and forward progression was developed by spermatozoa from the distal caput. Once forward progression w…

The Trumorph℗® system: The new univ the morphology of living sperm

2015

Abstract Evaluation of sperm morphology is a fundamental component of semen analysis, but its real significance has been obscured by a plethora of techniques that involve fixation and staining procedures that induce artefacts. Here we describe Trumorph℗ ® , a new method for sperm morphology assesment that is based upon examination of wet preparations of living spermatozoa immobilized by a short 60 °C shock using negative phase contrast microscopy. We have observed samples from five animals of the following species: bull, boar, goat and rabbit. In every case, all the components of the sperm head and tail were perfectly defined, including the acrosome and midpiece (in all its length, includin…

Sperm morphological abnormalities appearing in the male rabbit reproductive tract

1996

The role of the excurrent duct system in producing and/or eliminating morphologically abnormal spermatozoa may modify the semen parameters and interfere with sperm fertilizing capacity. To study this process, changes in the morphology of spermatozoa during their transit through the reproductive tract in sexually mature rabbits were investigated. The incidence of head, midpiece and tail abnormalities as well as of multiple defects in a single spermatozoon, and the position of the cytoplasmic droplet along the sperm midpiece were evaluated in samples from the testis, 6 regions of the epididymis and the vas deferens. Spermatozoa were characterized by rapid migration of the cytoplasmic droplet …

APOPTOTIC ANALYSIS OF CUMULUS CELLS FOR THE SELECTION OF COMPETENT OOCYTES TO BE FERTILIZED BY INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI)

2015

Oocyte quality is one of the main factors for the success of in vitro fertilization protocols. Apoptosis is known to affect oocyte quality and may impair subsequent embryonic development and implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptosis rate of single and pooled cumulus cells of cumulus cell–oocyte complexes (COCs), as markers of oocyte quality, prior to intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI).We investigated the apoptosis rate by TUNEL assay (DNA fragmentation) and caspase-3 immunoassay of single and pooled cumulus cells of COCs. The results showed that DNA fragmentation in cumulus cells was remarkably lower in patients who achieved a pregnancy than in those who di…

Impact on ICSI outcomes of adding 24 h of in vitro culture before testicular sperm freezing: a retrospective study.

2015

To compare sperm parameters and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes for testicular spermatozoa frozen on the day of the biopsy (DO) with those frozen after 24 h of in vitro culture (D1).In this retrospective study, from 1999 to 2012, forty-nine azoospermic patients were included to compare sperm (motility and viability) and outcomes (fertilization (FR), implantation (IR), pregnancy (PR) and delivery rates (DR)).The in vitro culture increased total motility (+2.8 %, p = 0.0161) but decreased viability (-8.3 %, p = 0.007). After 24 h of culture, the post-thaw changes in motility and viability were not significant. Twenty-six couples underwent ICSI: thirty-four ICSI were performed…

Interrelationship between reproductive hormones and acute phase proteins during estrous cycle and pregnancy in Spanish purebred broodmares

2021

Highlights • Steroid hormones and acute phase proteins in cyclic and pregnant mares were evaluated. • SAA and CRP did not discriminate cyclic and pregnant mares. • Pregnancy induced a limited acute phase response in Spanish purebred mares. • SAA, Hp and CRP were independent of E1 and P4 dynamics during pregnancy.

Concentrations of ovarian proteohormones as biological markers for the outcome of assisted reproductive technology

2002

Objective: To assess whether the ovarian proteohormones inhibin A and B, pro-alpha-C and activin A could act as direct biological markers of a poorer or better response to ovulation induction or clinical conception through assisted reproductive technology (ART). Methods: Seventy-seven women who underwent ART were included in the study and were divided into two groups: (i) 46 women with sonographically documented follicular maturation; and (ii) 36 women who demonstrated inadequate follicle development. Blood samples were analyzed for inhibin A, inhibin B, pro-alpha-C, activin A and estradiol (E2) at day 3 of stimulation with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) after pituitary dow…