The effect of bovine serum albumin and fetal calf serum on sperm quality, DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation of the liquid stored rabbit semen

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fetal calf serum (FCS) on sperm quality, DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation of liquid stored rabbit semen stored up to 72 h at 5 C. Ejaculates were collected from five New Zealand male rabbits by artificial vagina and pooled at 37 C following evaluation. Each pooled ejaculate was split into three equal experimental groups and diluted to a final concentration of approximately 40 106 sperm/ml (single step dilution), in an Eppendorf tube, with the Tris based extender containing BSA (5 mg/ml), FCS (10%) or no additive (control) at 37 C, cooled to 5 C and stored for up to 72 h. The extender supplemented with BSA and FCS did not improve the percentages of motility and acrosomal abnormality during 48 h compared to the control. The additives BSA and FCS had a significant effect in the maintaining of plasma membrane integrity between 48 and 72 h storage period, compared to the control (P < 0.01). The supplementation of BSA and FCS had a protective effect on motility (P < 0.05), plasma membrane integrity (P < 0.01) and acrosomal integrity (P < 0.01) at 72 h compared to the control. The supplementations with BSA and FCS led to a reduction in DNA damage of rabbit sperm at 48 and 72 h during storage period, compared to the control (P < 0.001). Although supplementation of BSA and FCS caused significant (P < 0.01) decreases in malondialdehyde (MDA) level at 48 h and 72 h, they significantly (P < 0.01) increased the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) antioxidant activity up to 72 h when compared to the control group. In conclusion, BSA and FCS supplementation to liquid stored rabbit semen provide a protection for spermatozoa against cool storage-induced DNA damage and plasma membrane integrity by their antioxidative properties

Assessment of femoral neck fractures in the elderly with respect to morphology and mineral density.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fractures are among the major orthopaedic problems seen in the elderly and the annual mortality rate is high. The calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) ratio can be used as an indicator of osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the microarchitectural structure of the fractured regions of femoral head as well as bone mineral density in female and male patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bone tissues taken from the fractured regions of 10 male and 9 female patients were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Electron probe microanalyses were carried out to measure mineral ratios. RESULTS: The bone trabeculae in the fractured area were thin and the cavities between trabeculae were seen to have transformed to irregular and broad structures. There were small valleculae reflecting osteoclastic activity. The analysis showed that the Ca/P ratio at the fracture site averaged 2.20/1 in women and 2.16/1 in men. As age increased, the percentage values of Ca and P decreased and the Ca/P ratio increased. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is no significant difference between the parameters of male and female patients, it seems that men can be affected by osteoporosis as much as women

morphology and mineral density

Background: Femoral neck fractures are among the major orthopaedic problems seen in the elderly and the annual mortality rate is high. The calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) ratio can be used as an indicator of osteoporosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the microarchitectural structure of the fractured regions of femoral head as well as bone mineral density in female and male patients.Materials and methods: The bone tissues taken from the fractured regions of 10 male and 9 female patients were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Electron probe microanalyses were carried out to measure mineral ratios.Results: The bone trabeculae in the fractured area were thin and the cavities between trabeculae were seen to have transformed to irregular and broad structures. There were small valleculae reflecting osteoclastic activity. The analysis showed that the Ca/P ratio at the fracture site averaged 2.20/1 in women and 2.16/1 in men. As age increased, the percentage values of Ca and P decreased and the Ca/P ratio increased.Conclusions: Although there is no significant difference between the parameters of male and female patients, it seems that men can be affected by osteoporosis as much as women

In vitro effects of L-carnitine and glutamine on motility, acrosomal abnormality, plasma membrane integrity and DNA damage of rabbit sperm during liquid-storage

This study was designed to evaluate the in vitro effects of L-carnitine and glutamine (Gln) on the sperm quality parameters of liquid-stored rabbit semen maintained up to 24 h at 5 C. Pooled and extended ejaculates were divided into two equal portions. L-Carnitine doses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mM were added to the first portion, and glutamine was added at the same doses to the second portion. All samples were cooled to 5 C and examined at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h of liquid storage. Supplementation of the semen extender with three different doses of L-carnitine provided significant increases in the percentage of motile sperm at 12 h (P < 0.01), and 24 h (P < 0.001) and enabled significant protection of the sperm plasma membrane (P < 0.01) at 12 and 24 h of cool-storage, in comparison to the control samples. Only the 2 mM dose of L-carnitine significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the rate of acrosomal damage when compared to the control group. Furthermore, all doses of Gln caused a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in acrosomal damage at 6 h, and provided significant improvement (P < 0.01) in sperm motility, acrosomal and plasma membrane integrities at 12 and 24 h of liquid storage, when compared to the controls. In conclusion, the supplementation of liquid-stored rabbit semen with L-carnitine and Gln provided a protection for sperm against cool storage-induced functional and structural damages