title: Seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate and intratesticular Doppler flow in fertile and infertile subjects.
abstract: The objective of the present study was prospectively to evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in modulating intratesticular blood flow and sperm function. A total of 56 males, undergoing assisted reproduction, were divided into three groups according to semen analysis: (i) normozoospermic (n = 16); (ii) oligozoospermic (n = 21); and (iii) azoospermic (n = 19). All the subjects were submitted to hormone analysis [luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone, testosterone, androstenedione, insulin], and to ultrasonographic (testicular volume) and Doppler (transmediastinal artery) evaluations. Plasma and seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations, and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I were assayed. All 56 patients completed the study. In normozoospermic patients, significantly greater testicular volume, lower transmediastinal resistances, and higher seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were observed in comparison with both oligo- and azoospermic subjects. Testicular volume was inversely correlated with plasma FSH (r = -0.589; P = 0.005) and pulsatility index of transmediastinal artery (r = -0.402; P = 0.049). Furthermore, the seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were inversely correlated with pulsatility index of transmediastinal artery (r = -0.511; P = 0.015). It was concluded that NO is involved in vascular modulation of testicular vessels and ultimately in sperm output.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, Italy. battagli@mail.unimo.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giulini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Regnani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Girolamo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paganelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volpe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000098:blood supply; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance
chemical_list: D009566:Nitrates; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone