Epididymal secretory function in men with asthenoteratozoospermia

Abstract

Epididymal function was evaluated in normozoospermic men and men with asthenoteratozoospermia using alpha-glucosidase as a secretory parameter. No difference was observed in the total quantity of the enzyme secreted into the ejaculate in spite of major differences between the two groups in the proportion of spermatozoa exhibiting progressive motility and normal morphology. In general, the secretion of alpha-glucosidase was positively correlated with the sperm concentration in the normozoospermic group, but not in asthenozoospermic subjects. The total enzyme contents of the ejaculate were significantly greater in men with asthenoteratozoospermia (sperm concentrations, greater than 35 x 10(6)/ml) than in subjects with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (sperm concentrations less than 10 x 10(6)/ml, P less than 0.01) indicating a higher incidence of epididymal occlusion and/or dysfunction in the latter group. Within normozoospermic individuals, extremes in progressive motility or abnormal morphology could not be related to the quantities of enzyme when expressed per million sperm cells. It is concluded that if alpha-glucosidase is a reliable parameter of human epididymal secretory function, variation in the secretory function of the epididymis cannot explain the poor sperm quality observed in asthenoteratozoospermic individuals.

Why do we determine alpha-glucosidase activity in human semen during infertility work-up?

“…(1990) that α‐glucosidase in semen is a marker of epididymal function and specifically of the development of motility. Purvis et al . (1991) concluded that, if α‐glucosidase is a reliable parameter of human epididymal secretory function, variation in the secretory function of the epididymis cannot explain the poor sperm quality observed in asthenoteratozoospermic individuals.…”

Sperm quality assessed by flow cytometry and accessory sex gland function in spinal cord injured men after repeated vibration-induced ejaculation

“…In general, the decrease in sperm quality in the presence of a normal sperm count can Paraplegia 31 (1993) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] be explained by senile degeneration of the cells due to prolonged storage in the cauda epididymis and vas deferens. Furthermore, ejaculations induced at weekly intervals did not appear to be sufficient to empty the stores of aging sperm, at least in the short term.…”

“…Additional aliquots (50 }.tl) of the samples were subjected to vital staining using eosin Paraplegia 31 (1993) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Y and nigrosin as described by Blom6 as well as Harris' haematoxylin for the assess ment of morphology. Microcephalic, macro cephalic, bicephalic, bicaudal spermatozoa or cells possessing a coiled tail or a de formed or abnormally small acrosome were all classified as abnormal.…”