Fertility of bull semen frozen with beta-amylase, beta-glucuronidase, and catalase

"Capacitase," a product combining beta-amylase and beta-glucuronidase, was compatible with survival of bull spermatozoa frozen in whole milk-glycerol extender at final concentrations per ml of 0, 5, 10, and 20 mug of beta-amylase combined with 0, 75, 150, and 300 units of beta-glucuronidase, respectively. Bull semen was frozen in whole milk-glycerol extender containing the three lower concentrations of enzymes tested in the previous trial and used to inseminate 9057 first-service cows within 4 mo of freezing. The 60- to 90-day percent nonreturns were 74.6, 75.6, and 75.0. The same treatments plus a fourth one containing 10 mug of catalase per ml were fertility tested in another trial. Insemination of 16,842 cows resulted in 75.6, 74.1, 74.6, and 74.2% nonreturns. In this trial semen was held immersed in liquid nitrogen and distributed for immediate use each mo for 6 mo. There was no change in fertility during 6 mo of continuous storage at --196 C. Under the conditions tested neither catalase nor beta-amylase with beta-glucuronidase enhanced fertility of frozen bull semen.     

Comparisons of intravaginal and intrauterine insemination of bitches with fresh or frozen semen

To compare the importance of the route of insemination when using fresh or frozen semen, six groups of five bitches were inseminated either into the uterus (groups 4, 5 and 6) or the vagina (groups 1, 2 and 3) with fresh (groups 1 and 4) or frozen semen (groups 2, 3, 5 and 6). The fresh semen was collected when needed from the same dog. The frozen semen used in groups 2 and 5 was obtained from seven dogs on the same day, and pooled and processed simultaneously so that the groups were inseminated with exactly the same semen. The frozen semen used in groups 3 and 6 was obtained from different dogs and processed independently to evaluate not only the effect of the route of insemination but also the potential effect of the dog. The mean concentration of the fresh semen was 310 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, its motility was greater than 80 per cent and the percentage of normal live spermatozoa was 80 to 92 per cent. The mean spermatozoal concentration of the frozen semen was 200 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, its motility was greater than 60 per cent and the percentage of normal live spermatozoa was 80 per cent. In all the groups there were fewer than 15 per cent abnormal spermatozoa. The animals inseminated with fresh semen received significantly more spermatozoa than the others. The bitches were inseminated twice, three and five days after the estimated peak of luteinising hormone, with a total volume of 5 ml for the vaginal inseminations and 2 ml for the intrauterine inseminations. Sixty per cent of the bitches inseminated with frozen semen and 100 per cent of the bitches inseminated with fresh semen became pregnant, irrespective of the insemination technique used.     

Serologic and molecular characterization of an abortigenic strain of equine arteritis virus isolated from infective frozen semen and an aborted equine fetus

A virus isolated from an aborted equine fetus was determined to be antigenically distinct from several other strains of equine arteritis virus (EAV) by use of a neutralization assay with a large panel of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. The virus was readily neutralized by polyclonal equine anti-EAV serum. Comparative nucleotide and amino acid sequence analyses indicated that the virus (WA97) isolated from the aborted fetus was virtually identical to a virus (S1971) isolated from imported semen used to inseminate another mare on the farm. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the WA97/S1971 virus was more related to European than to North American strains of EAV. These sensitive molecular procedures may be useful for epidemiologic investigations of EAV infections. Screening and certification of stallions and frozen equine semen would prevent dissemination of pathogenic strains of EAV.     

Partial replacement of chicken semen by turkey semen in artificial insemination of chickens

Chicken semen undiluted, diluted with a diluent containing fructose and/or mixed with turkey semen was used to inseminate Leghorn hens. In two of three experiments there was an improvement in fertility from insemination by mixed semen as compared to semen diluted to the same extent with the diluent.     

Prostasome-like particles in stallion semen

From undetectable basal levels, TNFalpha is produced in the hypothalamus of rats challenged with a systemic low profile endotoxin (LPS) at least 30 min before its release may be detected in the plasma. The cytotoxic activity of this hypothalamic TNFalpha correlates with its immunoreactivity. Injection of BB-1101, a matrix metalloprotease inhibitor, immediately after the LPS totally inhibits the plasma LPS-induced TNFalpha release without affecting the hypothalamic TNFalpha response. Likewise, L-NAME pretreatment, a nitric oxide inhibitor which reportedly crosses the blood-brain barrier, blunts the plasma TNFalpha response by almost 66%, but leaves the hypothalamic TNFalpha response unchanged. The present study thus describes the early occurrence of hypothalamic TNFalpha in response to systemic LPS injection, which is not subjected to the same regulations as plasma TNFalpha.     

Ethics, women with HIV, and procreation: implications for nursing practice

The spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in women of childbearing age has precipitated discussion of the procreative rights of this population. Ethical principles are cited to support both sides of the argument. Implications for nursing care include the need to (1) examine one's own opinion on the issue, (b) assess the context in which the patient is making her decision, (c) share detailed information, and (d) create a supportive environment.     

Prostasomes are neuroendocrine-like vesicles in human semen

BACKGROUND: Prostasomes are prostate-derived organelles that exist extracellularly in human seminal plasma. METHODS: In this study, we have investigated and characterized human prostasomes with regard to their contents of synaptophysin, members of the chromogranin family, and some neuropeptides. RESULTS: By radioimmunoassay measurement and electron microscopy we show the presence of the neuroendocrine markers chromogranin B, neuropeptide Y, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in about equimolar amount in human prostasomes and chromogranin A in about 2% of that amount. To our knowledge, such a high ratio of chromogranin B to chromogranin A has never before been observed. The membrane-bound protein synaptophysin, a well-established immunocytochemical marker for neuroendocrine cells and neurones, was also detected. Hence, we show that synaptophysin could be used as a marker for intact prostasomes. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of synaptophysin has recently been shown in the serotonincontaining vesicles in platelets. A protein with a similar structure denoted granulophysin has been found in granulocytes and prostasomes. It is suggested that synaptophysin and granulophysin molecules are members of a family of proteins, maybe expressed in all cells that have regulated release of granule content. Our presented data indicate a neurotransmittor function of the prostasomes. The target cells are however not known but could be either the spermatozoa, the epithelial mucous cells of the uterus or tubas or perhaps the ovum.     

Measurement of fibrinogen in frozen plasma

Several large studies have compared fibrinogen measurements determined over a particular time interval. These assays are subject to difficulties encountered by all laboratories on tests carried out over a period of time such as assay drift. To avoid this problem, plasma can be stored frozen and fibrinogen determined in a large number of samples simultaneously. However, a thorough comparison of measurements carried out in fresh and frozen plasma has not yet been performed. Fibrinogen concentration was therefore determined in fresh plasma samples and then at a later date in the same samples after storage at -70 degrees C. A good correlation was observed between the two measurements, however, bias increased at the higher fibrinogen levels which are most critical in the determination of thrombotic risk. An increase in measurement error as a result of freezing was also observed. These effects may, therefore, be important considerations in future studies of this nature.     

Quality control of semen Cassiae

A reversed-phase HPLC method was developed for determination of chrysophanol in Semen Cassiae. The extraction conditions were examined for free and combined chrysophanols. 14 samples collected from 6 different areas were determined. The average recoveries for two kinds of compounds were 101.2% and 103.3% respectively, and the RSDs were 3.5% and 1.8%.     

1997 results of medical assisted procreation with third party donations and autopreservation. CECOS French Federation

During the year 1997, the French Federation of CECOS recorded the results of the 23 CECOS centers and IFRAERES in Toulouse. 1620 first demands of procreation with sperm donors were registed (versus 1,690 in 1996) but only 3,235 patients received at least one donation in the year, 22% less than 1996. From 10,935 cycles (AID or IVFD), 1,333 pregnancies were obtained, scoring the identical amount in terms of pregnancies as in 1996 but with less 30% in terms of cycles. The analysis of the 1,298 deliveries of the 1996 pregnancies show a malformation rate of 1.9%. 419 male volunteers came forward as sperm donors (5% more than 1996). In gamete autocryopreservation, the number of semen preservation is globally increasing (11.2% more than 1996), mainly because the capacity of a better reutilization with ICSI.     

Virally inactivated fresh frozen plasma

Several technologies are now available to treat whole fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) to inactivate transfusion-transmitted viruses, including pasteurisation, solvent/detergent and methylene blue/light. The first two involve creating large plasma pools prior to inactivation, while only pasteurisation clearly destroys both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses. Some of the issues surrounding the use of these products include demonstration of both clinical efficacy and improved viral safety, and the need for product licencing. Potential benefits must be balanced against the risks of plasma pooling, while the increased costs will require comparison with other strategies such as quarantining of plasma. It is also recognised that reducing inappropriate FFP usage will play a role in improved patient safety.