Lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients with moderate-to-severe versus mild plaque psoriasis

In several studies peripheral blood T-cells have been quantified, yet few data are available on lymphocyte subsets in moderate-to-severe psoriasis (in terms of extent and activity of lesions) versus mild psoriasis. The objective is to compare lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of patients with moderate-to-severe disease (PASI-score ≥12) to patients with mild disease (PASI-score <12) and to healthy subjects. By means of flow cytometry method, lymphocytes in peripheral blood of 27 patients with psoriasis and 10 healthy controls were characterized. The absolute number of total lymphocytes was markedly decreased in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis as compared to patients with mild disease and normal subjects. Cellcounts of all analysed subsets were found to be increased in more severe psoriasis, except for CD8+CD45RO+ cells. The under-representation of CD8+CD45RO+ cells is compatible with the dynamics of acquired immunity, which requires a time log after the relapse of the lesions to differentiate from CD45RA+ naive cells

Identification and characterisation of mitochondrial proteins isolated from rabbit epididymal spermatozoa – a preliminary study

This is the first study to identify 23 protein spots corresponding to 13 proteins in mitochondria isolated from rabbit epididymal spermatozoa. In the group of protein spots identified in stress-induced samples, the abundance of 20 protein spots increased, whereas the abundance of three protein spots (GSTM3, CUNH9orf172, ODF1) decreased relative to the control. The results of this study provide valuable inputs for future research into the molecular mechanisms implicated in pathological processes during oxidative stress (OS)

Single nucleotide polymorphism within arylsulfatase D gene (ARSD) is associated with selected kinematic parameters of sperm motility in Holstein-Friesian bulls

The aim of the study was to find out whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within arylsulfatase D (ARSD) gene is associated with kinematic parameters of sperm motility in Holstein- Friesian bulls. 367 Holstein-Friesian bulls kept in one AI center were included in the study. Point mutation C/T at position 139037255 on chromosome X (rs42207167) was identified by PCR-RFLP method (Pflm I). Significant associations were found between ARSD genotypes and CASA-derived sperm motility parameters: average TM (Total Motility), average VSL (Straight Velocity), average VCL (Curvilinear Velocity) and for fraction of sperms showing progressive motility (a) of sperms (VSLa, VCLa and BCFa -Beat Cross Frequency). Most significant differences were observed between alternative homozygotes (CC vs TT). Our results suggest new role of arylsulfatase D gene as being involved in sperm motility

Effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) supplementation in semen extender on viability and ATP content of cryopreserved canine spermatozoa

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) on the quality characteristics of cryopreserved canine spermatozoa. Cryopreserved semen of 5 mixed-breed dogs was treated with different concentrations of exogenous PAF (1 × 10⁻³M, 1 × 10⁻⁴M, 1 × 10⁻⁵M and 1 × 10-6M) and examined at different time intervals (0, 30, 60 and 120 min). Cryopreserved semen treated without PAF was used as the control. Sperm quality was evaluated for motility (computer-assisted semen analysis, CASA), mitochondrial function (JC-1/PI assay) and plasma membrane integrity (SYBR-14/PI assay and Hoechst 33258). Also, ATP content of spermatozoa was determined using a bioluminescence assay. Treatment of cryopreserved semen with 1 × 10⁻³ M PAF at 120 min of incubation resulted in significantly higher total sperm motility compared with the control. It was observed that PAF-improved total sperm motility was concurrent with enhanced sperm motility patterns after treatment of cryopreserved semen. Treatment of cryopreserved semen with PAF did not improve either sperm mitochondrial function or plasma membrane integrity, as monitored by different fluorescent membrane markers. Furthermore, ATP content of cryopreserved spermatozoa was significantly higher when PAF was used at a concentration of 1 × 10⁻³ M compared with the control and other PAF treatments, regardless of the incubation time. The findings of this study indicated that treatment with 1 × 10⁻³ M PAF at 120 min of incubation rendered better quality of cryopreserved canine semen, which was associated with improved sperm motility parameters and ATP content. It can be suggested that exogenous PAF addition is beneficial as a supplement for canine semen extender used for cryopreservation

Selected qualitative and biochemical parameters of cryopreserved semen of Holstein-Friesian (HF) AI bulls

Selected qualitative and biochemical parameters were determined in cryopreserved semen used for artificial insemination, sampled from 120 bulls reared at the Animal Breeding and Insemination Center in Bydgoszcz. The total average motility of the analyzed sperm samples was determined at 62.51%. The percentage of motile spermatozoa displaying progressive forward motility was 21.65%. Analyzed samples were characterized by a high percentage of sperm cells with a intact plasma membrane (71.21%) and active mitochondria (71.32%). High efficiency of the enzymatic antioxidant system of the evaluated sperm cells was demonstrated by high activity of CAT, GPx and SOD (494.37, 2847.83 and 5.31U/1x109 spermatozoa, respectively) values and low values of the DNA Fragmentation Index (9.32). The results of the study, obtained with the involvement of advanced analytical methods, indicate a high fertilizing capability of the analyzed sperm samples

Effects of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) supplementation on ATP content of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa (AI)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PAF supplementation in semen extender on ATP content in cryopreserved bull spermatozoa used for artificial insemination at different time intervals. Cryopreserved semen was treated with different concentrations of PAF: 1x10⁻⁵M, 1x10⁻⁶M, 1x10⁻⁷M, 1x10⁻⁸M and 1x10⁻⁹M at 37°C. In the present work we showed that content of ATP in cryopreserved semen supplemented with 1x10⁻⁹M PAF was statistically significantly higher at 90 and 120 minutes of incubation in comparison to the control group (p≤0.05). Present study indicates the potential influence of PAF on ATP content in male spermatozoa via it’s protective role towards mitochondria metabolic activity