Absence of Antisperm Antibodies in Anejaculatory Men

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96435/1/j.1939-4640.1990.tb00162.x.pd

Microbiological and physicochemical water quality assessments of river water in an industrial region of the northwest coast of Borneo

Urbanization and ever increasing socioeconomic activities have degraded natural resources globally. This study monitored water quality (WQI) based on physicochemical and microbial qualities of river water in an industrial region northwest coast of Borneo. Microbiological parameters tested included total viable count (TVC), coliform count (TC), faecal coliform count (FC), and Escherichia coli confirmation. Physicochemical constituents evaluated included water temperatures (T), pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS). The mean microbial counts of samples were: TVC (3.9 × 102–3.0 × 104 cfu mL−1), TC and FC (23–>1600 MPN 100 mL−1) (MPN: the most probable number) and Escherichia coli growth was confirmed. The mean values of pH, TDS, salinity, EC and BOD are significantly different (p < 0.05) between the rivers ranged: pH (5.05 ± 0.03–6.10 ± 0.10), TDS (0.0 ± 0.0–38,600 ± 50 mg L−1), salinity (0.01 ± 0.0–3.07 ± 0.07%), EC (650 ± 25–19,566.67 ± 251.66 µS cm−1), and BOD (0.23 ± 0.10–3.12 ± 0.02 mgO2 L−1). The tested parameters of samples exceeded international limits with the exception of COD and TSS. The WQI of river water tested ranged from 65–73 under class III. Most of the river water was slightly polluted and a potential threat to public health

EBV induced loss of sperm quality

Objective: To analyze the presence of Epstein-Barr-virus (EBV) in sperm samples from patients diagnosed with some impairment of the fertility parameters evaluated using seminogram and to observe if there is any difference with the normozoospermic samples. We hypothesize that an EBV infection is responsible for the upregulation of the miRNA 199-3p, which binds to the 3'UTR of endothelin-1 (ET-1). ET-1 is a key factor to produce Vimentin (Vim3), and therefore, it influences the expression of Vim3. Since Vim3 is predominantly detectable in sperms without any structural defects, the newly identified regulation mechanism can be responsible for the loss of sperm quality. Material and methods: This study was performed from January 2017 to December 2020 and included 27 patients who provided ejaculated samples obtained by masturbation. Ejaculates were evaluated according to the Word Health Organization's criteria. Posteriorly, the samples were sorted according to the seminogram diagnosis and further analyzed using different enzyme-linked absorbed immune assays to determine the level or concentration of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA), ET-1, and Vim3. Results: All sperm samples with the impairment of fertility parameters contained the EBNA and presented a downregulation of ET-1 and Vim3. In addition, sperms located in the swim ups are also partially positive for the EBV virus in different clinical aspects. Conclusion: Based on the regulation mechanism here presented, it seems that the EBV induces changes at the miRNA level, which are responsible for the decreasing of sperm quality

Species composition and diversity of fishes from the seagrass habitat of Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia

Aim: To investigate the species composition and diversity of fishes from the seagrass habitat in Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia. Methodology: Fishes were collected with an encircling gillnet net during the dry, wet and intermediate season of the year. Water characteristics were analyzed in-situ through analytical methods. Results: A total of 60 fish species from 37 families were recorded in the seagrass ecosystem. Dominant species with highest total abundance observed were Lethrinus lentjan (12.83%), Hyporhamphus limbatus (8.50%) and Leiognathus equulus (8.33%). Cluster analysis revealed three fish species assemblages; Lethrinus lentjan and Lutjanus fulviflamma (dry season), Nibea soldadu, Platycephalus indicus and L. equulus (intermediate season), while Hyporhamphus limbatus, Gerres erythrourus, Thryssa hamiltonii, Gerres oyena, Sphyraena jello and Gnathanodon speciosus (wet-intermediate season). All indices (no. of species, diversity and evenness) showed an increasing trend from dry, wet to intermediate season. Interpretation: The seagrass ecosystem of Lawas harbours a rich and diverse group of fish communities indicating an important fishery resource habitat. The findings of this study provide baseline information on fish resources from this seagrass ecosystem, which will be useful for the conservation and management of its fish resources in the future

Efficacy of the Oestrogen Antagonist Tamoxifen on Sperm Parameters in Patients with Idiopathic Oligoathenoteratozoospermia

Background: The oestrogen antagonist tamoxifen has been suggested as an empiric treatment option for treating idiopathic oligoathenoteratozoospermia (iOAT). Objectives: To analyse the use of tamoxifen in iOAT. Method: Fifty-seven men receiving tamoxifen for iOAT were recruited from 2016 to 2017 in a retrospective, single-centre setting. Hormone and semen analysis was performed before and after 3 months of treatment. Results: After a 3-month treatment, serum levels of testosterone (3.4 ng/mL [2.7-4.8] vs. 5.3 [3.1-7.1]; p = 0.026), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH; 7.6 [5.9-11.5] vs. 15.9 mIU/mL [8.4-19.9]; p = 0.003) and luteinizing hormone (4.5 [3.3-6.6] vs. 7.6 mIU/mL [4.8-10.7]; p = 0.007) significantly increased. At a cut-off of >8.8 mIU/mL, serum levels of FSH were predictive for an improved sperm motility (OR 0.229 [95% CI 0.068-0.773]; p = 0.018) and serum levels of inhibin B were predictive for an improved total sperm count at a cut-off of <82 ng/L (OR 18.0 [95% CI 1.267-255.744]; p = 0.033). During an 11 month-follow-up, patients receiving tamoxifen showed a clinical pregnancy rate of 42%, leading to a live birth rate of 56% of all pregnant women. Twenty-three per cent of all patients reported non-serious adverse events. Conclusions: Tamoxifen is effective in improving the total sperm count as well as motility and can thus be safely used as empiric medical therapy in iOAT. (C) 2019 S. Karger AG, Base