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Papers by jean-claude soufir
Cancer, Mar 15, 1999
Hormonal treatments lasting 2-6 months inhibit spermatogenesis in men and have been proposed as g... more Hormonal treatments lasting 2-6 months inhibit spermatogenesis in men and have been proposed as germ cell protection against anticancer therapy. Because it is unthinkable to delay anticancer treatments, the authors investigated the protection afforded against irradiation of rats by 22 days of hormonal pretreatment. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to an untreated control group (C) or to one of 5 treatments: medroxyprogesterone acetate plus testosterone only (M), 3 or 5 gray of irradiation (R3 and R5), or hormonal treatment prior to 3 or 5 gray of irradiation (MR3 and MR5). Mating trials were conducted 1, 24, 45, 65, 86, and 109 days after treatment. At 122 days, genital organ weights, testis histology, and epididymal spermatozoa were evaluated. Irradiation reduced sperm production and had a clastogenic effect on postmeiotic germ cells. No protective effect of steroid treatment was observed. Moreover, testis weight, tubule diameter, the repopulating index, and the sperm head count decreased more in the MR5 group than in the R5 group. Mating tests showed decreases in positive vaginal smears and fertility at both 45 and 65 days, and an increase in resorption at 109 days. These results indicate that hormonal pretreatment potentiates irradiation damage to germ cells, especially stem cells, as regards survival and genomic alterations, probably because of increased lipoperoxidation of late spermatids.
Frontiers in Neurology
CaseWe report the sperm characteristics of a male patient who developed, when he was 18 years old... more CaseWe report the sperm characteristics of a male patient who developed, when he was 18 years old, a Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, a hereditary optic neuropathy due to mtDNA mutation as well as variants in the nuclear DNA. At the age of 30 years-old, he complained of infertility lasting for 2 years. Semen analyses showed low motility spermatozoa and a high percentage of morphological or ultrastructural abnormalities. Levels of epididymal markers were strongly atypical. Idebenone was prescribed as treatment of his Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in order to improve his visual acuity. After 5 months of this treatment, motility of spermatozoa increased, and their vitality improved. A natural conception occurred.OutcomeThis case is the first description of an anomaly of spermatozoas and of the epididymis epithelium in a patient with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. It draws attention to sperm pathologies in patients with mitochondrial disorders. The role of the mtDNA mutations ...
European Journal of Human Genetics, 1995
Isolated congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is an autosomal recessive disor... more Isolated congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is an autosomal recessive disorder which has recently been shown to be associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) mutations. As part of an effort to understanding the genetic basis of this disorder, we have analysed the entire coding sequence and all the intron/exon boundaries of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene from 45 azoospermic individuals with this phenotype. We were able to detect a CFTR gene defect in 86% of chromosomes from these subjects. In addition to identifying 9 novel CFTR gene mutations, we found that a surprisingly high proportion (84%) of men with CBAVD who are heterozygous for a CF mutation carry the intron 8 polypyrimidine 5T CFTR allele on one chromosome. We hypothesise that this tight and significant (p < 10(-6)) linkage reflects the very mild impact of this mutation on CFTR gene expression. Although genetic heterogeneity cannot be excluded, CBAVD patients in whom no CFTR mutation has been detected are likely to harbour additional unidentified mild mutations. These observations have implications for the genetic counselling of CBAVD patients and CF families, and couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation procedures.
Human Reproduction, 2007
BACKGROUND: Cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to elongated sperm heads are not known. We ... more BACKGROUND: Cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to elongated sperm heads are not known. We have analysed the nuclear status of spermatozoa with elongated heads. METHODS: Fourteen men with at least 30% of spermatozoa with an elongated nucleus were studied and compared with five fertile men as controls. Sperm morphology was analysed by a quantitative ultrastructural analysis. Sperm chromosomal content was assessed by three-colour fluorescence in-situ hybridization (chromosomes X, Y, 18). Y chromosome microdeletion and karyotype were analysed. RESULTS: Elongated sperm head rates of the patients were 46.9% (30-75 versus 0-2% in the control group) by light microscopy and 34.4% by electron microscopy. In all patients, the chromatin was poorly condensed in elongated sperm heads (50% of elongated nuclei). No anomalies of sperm biochemical markers were found. All the men showed normal karyotype (46,XY) and absence of Y chromosome microdeletion. Aneuploidy rates of gonosomes and chromosome 18 were significantly increased in patients (1.64-and 3.6-fold, P 5 0.006 and 0.026, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that impaired chromatin compaction and slightly increased chromosome aneuploidies are found in spermatozoa with an elongated head, suggesting possible mechanisms such as meiotic nondisjunctions or spermiogenesis anomalies.
Medecine Therapeutique Medecine De La Reproduction Gynecologie Et Endocrinologie, 2013
Il existe en France une demande de contraception masculine. Il est possible d’y repondre en utili... more Il existe en France une demande de contraception masculine. Il est possible d’y repondre en utilisant des steroides (androgenes, progestatifs). Des etudes effectuees dans plusieurs pays, dont la France, ont confirme l’efficacite contraceptive de ces traitements, equivalente a celle des contraceptions feminines. On peut utiliser les androgenes retard qui pourraient etre indiques, dans des conditions bien definies, a des couples auxquels ne conviennent pas les methodes traditionnelles de contraception. Deux obstacles limitent un large usage des androgenes : les risques d’un etat d’hyperandrogenie prolonge et le mode d’administration par injection. L’association testosterone transdermique a un progestatif – par voie orale ou transdermique – evite les inconvenients des androgenes retard : la testosterone sanguine peut etre maintenue a des niveaux physiologiques ; la sujetion aux injections est supprimee. Un usage raisonne de la contraception hormonale masculine est possible. Celle-ci exige, comme pour la contraception hormonale feminine, une recherche visant a accroitre son efficacite et a prevenir ses effets indesirables. Pour cela, un engagement de la societe civile – encourageant le pouvoir politique et les industriels – parait necessaire.
To whom correspondence should be addressed Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a cytokine with... more To whom correspondence should be addressed Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a cytokine with autocrine and paracrine action in the testis and potent immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we examined the concentration of latent (acid-activatable) and free (active) TGFβ in seminal plasma from normal subjects (n � 23) and infertile (n � 40) patients, by using a TGFβ specific immunoenzymological assay, and a bioassay (CCL64 cell line growth inhibition) detecting any form of TGFβ. FreeTGFβ1 was present in normal subjects at a concentration (1.82 � 1.06 ng/ml) close to that known to give maximal stimulation in vitro. In pathological groups, the mean concentrations were not significantly different from the normal ones. Latent TGFβ1 was present in normal seminal plasma at a high concentration
The male genital secretions exert complex effects on spermatozoa: 1) helping them to acquire thei... more The male genital secretions exert complex effects on spermatozoa: 1) helping them to acquire their motility, by preserving and by activating it; 2) by protecting them against aggressive agents: bacteria, ROS, vaginal acidity; 3) by preventing them from causing an immunogenic response in the female genital tract; 4) by suppressing the early expression of events which should appear later (capacitation, acrosomal reaction, etc.). This explains the immobilization of spermatozoa in the epididymal cauda or in the seminal coagulum, the decapacitation, the stabilization of their chromatin. These phenomena depend on factors secreted by the prostate (prostasomes, zinc, kallikreins.), seminal vesicles (semenogelin, TGF-beta.), epididymides (carnitine, osidases, protease inhibitors, etc.). The male genital secretions promote the various stages of natural procreation; they may have implications for successful embryo implantation and pregnancy outcome (reduction of risk of preeclampsia and preter...
Medecine Therapeutique Medecine De La Reproduction Gynecologie Et Endocrinologie, Jul 1, 2010
Les secretions genitales masculines exercent sur les spermatozoides des effets complexes : 1) en ... more Les secretions genitales masculines exercent sur les spermatozoides des effets complexes : 1) en les aidant a acquerir leur mobilite, en la preservant et en l'activant ; 2) en les protegeant contre des agents agressifs : bacteries, radicaux libres, acidite vaginale ; 3) en empechant qu'ils ne provoquent une reaction immunogene dans les voies genitales feminines ; 4) en differant l'expression de certaines de leurs proprietes (capacitation, reaction acrosomique, etc.). C'est ainsi que s'expliquent l'immobilisation des spermatozoides dans la queue epididymaire ou dans le coagulum seminal, la decapacitation, la stabilisation de leur chromatine. Ces phenomenes dependent d'elements secretes par la prostate (prostasomes, zinc, kallicreines), les vesicules seminales (semenogeline, TGF-beta), les epididymes (carnitine, osidases, inhibiteurs de proteases). Les secretions genitales masculines favorisent ainsi les differentes etapes de la procreation naturelle ; elles joueraient un role positif sur l'implantation embryonnaire et le deroulement de la grossesse (reduction du risque de preeclampsie et d'accouchement premature).
Fertility and Sterility, 2008
Objective: To examine the relationship between seminal polymorphonuclear (PMN) granulocytes and s... more Objective: To examine the relationship between seminal polymorphonuclear (PMN) granulocytes and sperm functions (particularly sperm motility) in infertile men. Design: A prospective clinical study. Setting: Assisted fertilization program in an academic research environment in France. Patient(s): Infertile men (n ¼ 138) evaluated and classified as follows: group A with no detectable PMN in semen, group B with less than 0.5 Â 10 6 /mL, group C with 0.5-1 Â 10 6 /mL, and group D > 1 Â 10 6 /mL. Intervention(s): Seminal PMN, elastase concentrations, and sperm characteristics were analyzed. Seminal biochemical markers (free L-carnitine, citrate, zinc, acid phosphatase, and fructose) were measured. Main Outcome Measure(s): Relation between seminal markers and sperm motility. Result(s): Grade ''b'' motility and epididymal carnitine were statistically significantly increased in group C. Acid phosphatase was the only seminal marker to be statistically significantly impaired in group D. Elastase was proportional to the degree of leukocytospermia. Conclusion(s): These results suggest that sperm PMN originate from two regions: [1] the epididymis, where in small numbers and activated they may play a favorable role in sperm quality, and the [2] prostate, where their presence in large numbers, reflecting prostatitis, induces decreased secretion, especially of acid phosphatase. (Fertil Steril Ò 2008;90:2257-63.
Basic and Clinical Andrology, 2017
Since the 1970s, international research on male contraception has been actively pursued. Hormonal... more Since the 1970s, international research on male contraception has been actively pursued. Hormonal and nonhormonal methods (thermal, chemical) have been tested, leading to clinical trials of interest to thousands of men and couples. The results showed that it was possible to develop methods of male contraception that inhibited spermatogenesis with good contraceptive efficacy. However, their side effects (mainly loss of libido), poorly accepted modes of administration, and the high frequency of poor responders prevented their widespread use. Based on earlier initiatives, new avenues were explored and significant progress was achieved, allowing the reasoned use of male contraception. For 40 years, several French teams have played an important role in this research. The aim of this paper is to outline the history and the progress of the experimental and clinical works of these teams who addressed hormonal, chemical and thermal approaches to male contraception. These approaches have led to a better comprehension of spermatogenesis that could be useful in fields other than male contraception: effects of toxic compounds, fertility preservation.
Annales de l'anesthésiologie française
La Nouvelle presse médicale
Serum-creatine phosphokinase levels were measured in 32 cases of primary hypothyroidism in adults... more Serum-creatine phosphokinase levels were measured in 32 cases of primary hypothyroidism in adults and compared with the results of other thyroid function test. C.P.K. elevation appeared to be almost completely uniform (31 out of 32 cases) and marked, reaching six times the normal value. This elevation is more marked in 18 myxoedematous patients than in 14 with those with hypothyroidism of mixed aetiology. Close correlation does not seem to exist between the elevation of C.P.K. and the lowering of serum thyroxine. The elevation of C.P.K. above the upper limits of normal seemed more constant than lengthening of the achilles reflex time, a rise in serum cholesterol, or a rise in other enzymes of muscular origin, such as the glutampopyruvic and glutamo-oxalocetic transaminases, lactodehydrogenase and hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase. In 8 cases of hypothyroidism, the isoenzymic study of serum C.P.K. by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate confirmed that the molecular structure was of the muscle type MM. The advantage of such a study shows that a structure MB found in the case of myocardial infarction in a patient with hypothyroidism deserves to be stressed.
Annales d Endocrinologie
The semen characteristics of 215 fertile men (F = fathers requesting vasectomy) and of 409 infert... more The semen characteristics of 215 fertile men (F = fathers requesting vasectomy) and of 409 infertile men (I) have been analysed under strictly identical conditions. The mean values for volume, sperm concentration, and the percentages of motile, vital and morphologically normal spermatozoa were greater in group F than in I. Seminal variations were much greater in cases of testicular lesions (cryptorchidism, hypotrophy) than in varicocele, although there remains a difference between F and I even after exclusion of all clinical lesions suggesting a role for other factors in the origin of much cases of infertility. Other than in cases of azoospermia, there is no difference in the function of the accessory glands detectable by the assay of seminal biochemical markers: fructose (seminal vesicles) acid phosphatase and citrate (prostate); only L-carnitine (epididymal marker) is elevated in the fertile men, however this difference is only a reflection of the observed difference in sperm concentration in combination with the close correlation between sperm concentration and L-carnitine values.
Annales de biologie clinique
The biochemical analysis of human semen is based on assays of certain compounds in the ejaculate,... more The biochemical analysis of human semen is based on assays of certain compounds in the ejaculate, which are secreted by the prostate (acid phosphatase, citrate, zinc), the seminal vesicles (fructose), and the epididymis (free carnitine). The information provided by seminal biochemistry is relevant not only for the investigation of male sterility, but also to endocrinology, urology and pharmacology. In the case of excretory azoospermia, the carnitine level is lower than 300 nmoles, which allows a differentiation between secretory and excretory azoospermia. Occlusions can be located by measuring prostatic and vesicular markers: they are normal if the occlusion is deferential or epididymal; if the fructose level is zero and the level of prostatic markers is high, there is an occlusion in the ejaculatory ducts or a bilateral deferential agenesia. The information provided by seminal biochemistry in the investigation of male sterility remains limited. It will probably be enhanced when spermatozoon biochemistry is better understood.
Reproduction Nutrition Développement, 1988
Acetylcarnitine and spermatozoa : relationship with epididymal maturation and motility in the boa... more Acetylcarnitine and spermatozoa : relationship with epididymal maturation and motility in the boar and man.
Progrès en urologie : journal de l'Association française d'urologie et de la Société française d'urologie, 2007
Phyllodes tumours of the prostate are very rare tumours, as less than 40 cases have been reported... more Phyllodes tumours of the prostate are very rare tumours, as less than 40 cases have been reported in the literature. The authors report the case of a 28-year-old man managed for a phyllodes tumour of the prostate diagnosed in a context of haemospermia. The diagnosis was established by ultrasound, CT MRI and prostatic biopsies. Radical prostatectomy was performed after multidisciplinary discussion. Thirty six months after the operation, the patient was in complete remission, with spontaneous erections and had fathered a child conceived by medically assisted procreation. The authors stress the importance of nerve-sparing radical surgery and early sexual rehabilitation.
Cancer, Mar 15, 1999
Hormonal treatments lasting 2-6 months inhibit spermatogenesis in men and have been proposed as g... more Hormonal treatments lasting 2-6 months inhibit spermatogenesis in men and have been proposed as germ cell protection against anticancer therapy. Because it is unthinkable to delay anticancer treatments, the authors investigated the protection afforded against irradiation of rats by 22 days of hormonal pretreatment. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to an untreated control group (C) or to one of 5 treatments: medroxyprogesterone acetate plus testosterone only (M), 3 or 5 gray of irradiation (R3 and R5), or hormonal treatment prior to 3 or 5 gray of irradiation (MR3 and MR5). Mating trials were conducted 1, 24, 45, 65, 86, and 109 days after treatment. At 122 days, genital organ weights, testis histology, and epididymal spermatozoa were evaluated. Irradiation reduced sperm production and had a clastogenic effect on postmeiotic germ cells. No protective effect of steroid treatment was observed. Moreover, testis weight, tubule diameter, the repopulating index, and the sperm head count decreased more in the MR5 group than in the R5 group. Mating tests showed decreases in positive vaginal smears and fertility at both 45 and 65 days, and an increase in resorption at 109 days. These results indicate that hormonal pretreatment potentiates irradiation damage to germ cells, especially stem cells, as regards survival and genomic alterations, probably because of increased lipoperoxidation of late spermatids.
Frontiers in Neurology
CaseWe report the sperm characteristics of a male patient who developed, when he was 18 years old... more CaseWe report the sperm characteristics of a male patient who developed, when he was 18 years old, a Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, a hereditary optic neuropathy due to mtDNA mutation as well as variants in the nuclear DNA. At the age of 30 years-old, he complained of infertility lasting for 2 years. Semen analyses showed low motility spermatozoa and a high percentage of morphological or ultrastructural abnormalities. Levels of epididymal markers were strongly atypical. Idebenone was prescribed as treatment of his Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in order to improve his visual acuity. After 5 months of this treatment, motility of spermatozoa increased, and their vitality improved. A natural conception occurred.OutcomeThis case is the first description of an anomaly of spermatozoas and of the epididymis epithelium in a patient with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy. It draws attention to sperm pathologies in patients with mitochondrial disorders. The role of the mtDNA mutations ...
European Journal of Human Genetics, 1995
Isolated congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is an autosomal recessive disor... more Isolated congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is an autosomal recessive disorder which has recently been shown to be associated with cystic fibrosis (CF) mutations. As part of an effort to understanding the genetic basis of this disorder, we have analysed the entire coding sequence and all the intron/exon boundaries of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene from 45 azoospermic individuals with this phenotype. We were able to detect a CFTR gene defect in 86% of chromosomes from these subjects. In addition to identifying 9 novel CFTR gene mutations, we found that a surprisingly high proportion (84%) of men with CBAVD who are heterozygous for a CF mutation carry the intron 8 polypyrimidine 5T CFTR allele on one chromosome. We hypothesise that this tight and significant (p < 10(-6)) linkage reflects the very mild impact of this mutation on CFTR gene expression. Although genetic heterogeneity cannot be excluded, CBAVD patients in whom no CFTR mutation has been detected are likely to harbour additional unidentified mild mutations. These observations have implications for the genetic counselling of CBAVD patients and CF families, and couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation procedures.
Human Reproduction, 2007
BACKGROUND: Cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to elongated sperm heads are not known. We ... more BACKGROUND: Cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to elongated sperm heads are not known. We have analysed the nuclear status of spermatozoa with elongated heads. METHODS: Fourteen men with at least 30% of spermatozoa with an elongated nucleus were studied and compared with five fertile men as controls. Sperm morphology was analysed by a quantitative ultrastructural analysis. Sperm chromosomal content was assessed by three-colour fluorescence in-situ hybridization (chromosomes X, Y, 18). Y chromosome microdeletion and karyotype were analysed. RESULTS: Elongated sperm head rates of the patients were 46.9% (30-75 versus 0-2% in the control group) by light microscopy and 34.4% by electron microscopy. In all patients, the chromatin was poorly condensed in elongated sperm heads (50% of elongated nuclei). No anomalies of sperm biochemical markers were found. All the men showed normal karyotype (46,XY) and absence of Y chromosome microdeletion. Aneuploidy rates of gonosomes and chromosome 18 were significantly increased in patients (1.64-and 3.6-fold, P 5 0.006 and 0.026, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that impaired chromatin compaction and slightly increased chromosome aneuploidies are found in spermatozoa with an elongated head, suggesting possible mechanisms such as meiotic nondisjunctions or spermiogenesis anomalies.
Medecine Therapeutique Medecine De La Reproduction Gynecologie Et Endocrinologie, 2013
Il existe en France une demande de contraception masculine. Il est possible d’y repondre en utili... more Il existe en France une demande de contraception masculine. Il est possible d’y repondre en utilisant des steroides (androgenes, progestatifs). Des etudes effectuees dans plusieurs pays, dont la France, ont confirme l’efficacite contraceptive de ces traitements, equivalente a celle des contraceptions feminines. On peut utiliser les androgenes retard qui pourraient etre indiques, dans des conditions bien definies, a des couples auxquels ne conviennent pas les methodes traditionnelles de contraception. Deux obstacles limitent un large usage des androgenes : les risques d’un etat d’hyperandrogenie prolonge et le mode d’administration par injection. L’association testosterone transdermique a un progestatif – par voie orale ou transdermique – evite les inconvenients des androgenes retard : la testosterone sanguine peut etre maintenue a des niveaux physiologiques ; la sujetion aux injections est supprimee. Un usage raisonne de la contraception hormonale masculine est possible. Celle-ci exige, comme pour la contraception hormonale feminine, une recherche visant a accroitre son efficacite et a prevenir ses effets indesirables. Pour cela, un engagement de la societe civile – encourageant le pouvoir politique et les industriels – parait necessaire.
To whom correspondence should be addressed Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a cytokine with... more To whom correspondence should be addressed Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a cytokine with autocrine and paracrine action in the testis and potent immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, we examined the concentration of latent (acid-activatable) and free (active) TGFβ in seminal plasma from normal subjects (n � 23) and infertile (n � 40) patients, by using a TGFβ specific immunoenzymological assay, and a bioassay (CCL64 cell line growth inhibition) detecting any form of TGFβ. FreeTGFβ1 was present in normal subjects at a concentration (1.82 � 1.06 ng/ml) close to that known to give maximal stimulation in vitro. In pathological groups, the mean concentrations were not significantly different from the normal ones. Latent TGFβ1 was present in normal seminal plasma at a high concentration
The male genital secretions exert complex effects on spermatozoa: 1) helping them to acquire thei... more The male genital secretions exert complex effects on spermatozoa: 1) helping them to acquire their motility, by preserving and by activating it; 2) by protecting them against aggressive agents: bacteria, ROS, vaginal acidity; 3) by preventing them from causing an immunogenic response in the female genital tract; 4) by suppressing the early expression of events which should appear later (capacitation, acrosomal reaction, etc.). This explains the immobilization of spermatozoa in the epididymal cauda or in the seminal coagulum, the decapacitation, the stabilization of their chromatin. These phenomena depend on factors secreted by the prostate (prostasomes, zinc, kallikreins.), seminal vesicles (semenogelin, TGF-beta.), epididymides (carnitine, osidases, protease inhibitors, etc.). The male genital secretions promote the various stages of natural procreation; they may have implications for successful embryo implantation and pregnancy outcome (reduction of risk of preeclampsia and preter...
Medecine Therapeutique Medecine De La Reproduction Gynecologie Et Endocrinologie, Jul 1, 2010
Les secretions genitales masculines exercent sur les spermatozoides des effets complexes : 1) en ... more Les secretions genitales masculines exercent sur les spermatozoides des effets complexes : 1) en les aidant a acquerir leur mobilite, en la preservant et en l'activant ; 2) en les protegeant contre des agents agressifs : bacteries, radicaux libres, acidite vaginale ; 3) en empechant qu'ils ne provoquent une reaction immunogene dans les voies genitales feminines ; 4) en differant l'expression de certaines de leurs proprietes (capacitation, reaction acrosomique, etc.). C'est ainsi que s'expliquent l'immobilisation des spermatozoides dans la queue epididymaire ou dans le coagulum seminal, la decapacitation, la stabilisation de leur chromatine. Ces phenomenes dependent d'elements secretes par la prostate (prostasomes, zinc, kallicreines), les vesicules seminales (semenogeline, TGF-beta), les epididymes (carnitine, osidases, inhibiteurs de proteases). Les secretions genitales masculines favorisent ainsi les differentes etapes de la procreation naturelle ; elles joueraient un role positif sur l'implantation embryonnaire et le deroulement de la grossesse (reduction du risque de preeclampsie et d'accouchement premature).
Fertility and Sterility, 2008
Objective: To examine the relationship between seminal polymorphonuclear (PMN) granulocytes and s... more Objective: To examine the relationship between seminal polymorphonuclear (PMN) granulocytes and sperm functions (particularly sperm motility) in infertile men. Design: A prospective clinical study. Setting: Assisted fertilization program in an academic research environment in France. Patient(s): Infertile men (n ¼ 138) evaluated and classified as follows: group A with no detectable PMN in semen, group B with less than 0.5 Â 10 6 /mL, group C with 0.5-1 Â 10 6 /mL, and group D > 1 Â 10 6 /mL. Intervention(s): Seminal PMN, elastase concentrations, and sperm characteristics were analyzed. Seminal biochemical markers (free L-carnitine, citrate, zinc, acid phosphatase, and fructose) were measured. Main Outcome Measure(s): Relation between seminal markers and sperm motility. Result(s): Grade ''b'' motility and epididymal carnitine were statistically significantly increased in group C. Acid phosphatase was the only seminal marker to be statistically significantly impaired in group D. Elastase was proportional to the degree of leukocytospermia. Conclusion(s): These results suggest that sperm PMN originate from two regions: [1] the epididymis, where in small numbers and activated they may play a favorable role in sperm quality, and the [2] prostate, where their presence in large numbers, reflecting prostatitis, induces decreased secretion, especially of acid phosphatase. (Fertil Steril Ò 2008;90:2257-63.
Basic and Clinical Andrology, 2017
Since the 1970s, international research on male contraception has been actively pursued. Hormonal... more Since the 1970s, international research on male contraception has been actively pursued. Hormonal and nonhormonal methods (thermal, chemical) have been tested, leading to clinical trials of interest to thousands of men and couples. The results showed that it was possible to develop methods of male contraception that inhibited spermatogenesis with good contraceptive efficacy. However, their side effects (mainly loss of libido), poorly accepted modes of administration, and the high frequency of poor responders prevented their widespread use. Based on earlier initiatives, new avenues were explored and significant progress was achieved, allowing the reasoned use of male contraception. For 40 years, several French teams have played an important role in this research. The aim of this paper is to outline the history and the progress of the experimental and clinical works of these teams who addressed hormonal, chemical and thermal approaches to male contraception. These approaches have led to a better comprehension of spermatogenesis that could be useful in fields other than male contraception: effects of toxic compounds, fertility preservation.
Annales de l'anesthésiologie française
La Nouvelle presse médicale
Serum-creatine phosphokinase levels were measured in 32 cases of primary hypothyroidism in adults... more Serum-creatine phosphokinase levels were measured in 32 cases of primary hypothyroidism in adults and compared with the results of other thyroid function test. C.P.K. elevation appeared to be almost completely uniform (31 out of 32 cases) and marked, reaching six times the normal value. This elevation is more marked in 18 myxoedematous patients than in 14 with those with hypothyroidism of mixed aetiology. Close correlation does not seem to exist between the elevation of C.P.K. and the lowering of serum thyroxine. The elevation of C.P.K. above the upper limits of normal seemed more constant than lengthening of the achilles reflex time, a rise in serum cholesterol, or a rise in other enzymes of muscular origin, such as the glutampopyruvic and glutamo-oxalocetic transaminases, lactodehydrogenase and hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase. In 8 cases of hypothyroidism, the isoenzymic study of serum C.P.K. by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate confirmed that the molecular structure was of the muscle type MM. The advantage of such a study shows that a structure MB found in the case of myocardial infarction in a patient with hypothyroidism deserves to be stressed.
Annales d Endocrinologie
The semen characteristics of 215 fertile men (F = fathers requesting vasectomy) and of 409 infert... more The semen characteristics of 215 fertile men (F = fathers requesting vasectomy) and of 409 infertile men (I) have been analysed under strictly identical conditions. The mean values for volume, sperm concentration, and the percentages of motile, vital and morphologically normal spermatozoa were greater in group F than in I. Seminal variations were much greater in cases of testicular lesions (cryptorchidism, hypotrophy) than in varicocele, although there remains a difference between F and I even after exclusion of all clinical lesions suggesting a role for other factors in the origin of much cases of infertility. Other than in cases of azoospermia, there is no difference in the function of the accessory glands detectable by the assay of seminal biochemical markers: fructose (seminal vesicles) acid phosphatase and citrate (prostate); only L-carnitine (epididymal marker) is elevated in the fertile men, however this difference is only a reflection of the observed difference in sperm concentration in combination with the close correlation between sperm concentration and L-carnitine values.
Annales de biologie clinique
The biochemical analysis of human semen is based on assays of certain compounds in the ejaculate,... more The biochemical analysis of human semen is based on assays of certain compounds in the ejaculate, which are secreted by the prostate (acid phosphatase, citrate, zinc), the seminal vesicles (fructose), and the epididymis (free carnitine). The information provided by seminal biochemistry is relevant not only for the investigation of male sterility, but also to endocrinology, urology and pharmacology. In the case of excretory azoospermia, the carnitine level is lower than 300 nmoles, which allows a differentiation between secretory and excretory azoospermia. Occlusions can be located by measuring prostatic and vesicular markers: they are normal if the occlusion is deferential or epididymal; if the fructose level is zero and the level of prostatic markers is high, there is an occlusion in the ejaculatory ducts or a bilateral deferential agenesia. The information provided by seminal biochemistry in the investigation of male sterility remains limited. It will probably be enhanced when spermatozoon biochemistry is better understood.
Reproduction Nutrition Développement, 1988
Acetylcarnitine and spermatozoa : relationship with epididymal maturation and motility in the boa... more Acetylcarnitine and spermatozoa : relationship with epididymal maturation and motility in the boar and man.
Progrès en urologie : journal de l'Association française d'urologie et de la Société française d'urologie, 2007
Phyllodes tumours of the prostate are very rare tumours, as less than 40 cases have been reported... more Phyllodes tumours of the prostate are very rare tumours, as less than 40 cases have been reported in the literature. The authors report the case of a 28-year-old man managed for a phyllodes tumour of the prostate diagnosed in a context of haemospermia. The diagnosis was established by ultrasound, CT MRI and prostatic biopsies. Radical prostatectomy was performed after multidisciplinary discussion. Thirty six months after the operation, the patient was in complete remission, with spontaneous erections and had fathered a child conceived by medically assisted procreation. The authors stress the importance of nerve-sparing radical surgery and early sexual rehabilitation.