Role of sequential semen samples in infertile men candidates for assisted reproduction: A prospective study

Objective: To study the beneficial effect of repeated sequential ejaculation in infertile men who are candidates for assisted reproduction.Materials and methods: The study included a total of 237 infertile males attending our infertility and IVF center from January 2016 till December 2017. All patients were asked to provide two semen samples (1–3 h apart) after an abstinence period of 3–7 days. The two consecutive semen samples were analyzed according to the 2010 WHO criteria for semen analysis and their parameters were compared.Results: The mean age for our study group was 35.7 years (20–56 year). Of the 237 subjects, 157 showed oligoasthenozoospermia on their initial semen sample while the remaining 80 were azoospermic. A statistically significant difference was detected between the 2 sequential semen samples regarding all semen parameters except grade A motility. Despite the significant decrease in seminal volume by sequential sampling, there was a statistically significant increase in sperm concentration in the second ejaculate compared to the first (6.2 ± 0.61 versus 3.4 ± 0.52 million/mL, respectively, p = 0.016). The mean normal sperm morphology also demonstrated a significant increase (2.1 ± 1.8–5.1 ± 2.6%, p < 0.002). Mean progressive sperm motility increased from 1.13 ± 0.31 to 1.7 ± 0.31% (p = 0.010) on repeated sampling. Also, we were able to retrieve viable sperm in 15% of the azoospermic patients whom were known to be azoospermic on previous occasions.Conclusions: Obtaining consecutive semen samples leads to improvements in the quality of many semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility and morphology) which may be of special importance for management of infertile couples especially those attempting assisted reproductive techniques

Treatment of collapsible soils by mixing with iron powder

Collapsible soils are meta-stable soils which present a potential for a large deformation and a complete change to the whole particle structure after wetting, with or without loading. Such soils can show high apparent strength in its natural state but collapse takes place as the bonds between grains break down when the soil is wetted or loaded. There are several techniques for treatment of collapsible soils such as chemical stabilization and dry mixing the soil with other material/materials which improve the soil's mechanical properties. This paper discusses a new proposed technique for treating the collapsible soils by dry mixing with iron powder in a specified percentage proportional to the weight (Ad). Experimental tests program was performed on collapsible soils with/without the addition of iron powder. The analysis of results showed the effect of the initial unit weight of soil γd, and the percentage of the weight-related additives on collapse potential (CP). The testing program also presents the effects of the amount of induced rainfall water (Qw), the applied stress on footing model (q), the ratio between depth of improved soils and the footing width (di/B), as well as the degree of compaction (Rc) of the improved portion of collapsible soils. This study presents the obtained results and shows in detail the positive effect of using iron powder for treating the collapsible soils and subsequently reducing the expected collapse settlement. Keywords: Treatment of collapsible soils, Experimental study, Iron powder, Reduction ratio, Soils suctio

Longitudinal analysis of Plasmodium sporozoite motility in the dermis reveals component of blood vessel recognition

Host-parasite interactio