Identification of a transforming growth factor alpha-like molecule in human seminal plasma

Hypothetical Role of Growth Factors to Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Significantly through Trained Biological Transformations

BACKGROUND

Given the evidence of little or no therapeutic benefit of injection-based growth factor therapies, it has been proposed that a naturally triggered uninterrupted blood circulation of the growth factors would be superior.

OBJECTIVE

We seek to stimulate discussions and more research about the possibility of using the already available growth factors found in the prostate gland and endometrium by starting novel educable physiology, known as biological transformations controlled by the mind.

METHODS

We summarized the stretch-gated ion channel mechanism of the cell membrane and offer several practical methods that can be applied by anyone, in order to stimulate and enhance the blood circulation of the growth factors from the seminal fluid to sites throughout the body. This study describes, in detail, the practical application of our earlier published studies about biological transformations.

RESULTS

A previously reported single-patient case study has been extended, adding more from his personal experiences to continually improve this novel physiological training and extending the ideas from our earlier findings in detail.

CONCLUSION

The biological transformation findings demonstrate the need for additional research to establish the benefits of these natural therapies to repair and rejuvenate tissues affected by various chronic diseases or aging processes.

Effects of the purified IGF-I complex on the capacitation and acrosome reaction of rabbit spermatozoa

A protein complex containing IGF-I, purified from rabbit seminal plasma, was used to investigate its effects on the capacitation and acrosome reaction of rabbit spermatozoa. Uncapacitated sperm (Pattern F), capacitated sperm (Pattern B), and acrosome-reacted sperm (Pattern AR) were determined by CTC staining, and the results were validated by PSA-staining. The addition of the IGF-I complex to the capacitative medium directed the spermatozoa to spontaneous acrosome reaction. On the other hand, IGF-I complex, added to capacitated spermatozoa, acted as inducer of the acrosome reaction. Results of IVF experiments showed high rates of fertilization with capacitated spermatozoa, acrosome-reacted by either A23187 or IGF I complex, whereas significantly lower rates were obtained with spermatozoa capacitated in the presence of IGF-I complex.

Identification of insulin-like growth factor I in bovine seminal plasma and its receptor on spermatozoa: influence on sperm motility

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been identified in human seminal plasma. This study was conducted to determine whether IGF-I is present in bovine seminal plasma, whether sperm cells express the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), and whether IGF-I affects sperm motility. Semen samples were collected from bulls by electroejaculation and maintained at 37 degrees C, and motility of sperm was assessed. After centrifugation to separate sperm cells from seminal plasma, the seminal plasma was submitted to a validated heterologous RIA for IGF-I. Significant concentrations of IGF-I (116.29 +/- 40.83 ng/ml expressed as mean +/- SD) were measured in bovine seminal plasma. Sperm cells were washed with buffer and subjected to either radioreceptor assay (RRA) or immunocytochemistry (IC). RRA revealed a single high affinity for the IGF-IR with a Kd of 0.83 nM as determined by the computer program LIGAND. IC, using three monoclonal antibodies, localized the IGF-IR to the acrosomal region of the sperm. Computer-assisted sperm-motion analysis was used to determine the effects of IGF-I and IGF-II on bovine sperm motility parameters. Both IGF-I and IGF-II increased sperm motility and straight-line velocity (p < 0.05) relative to the control. The presence of IGF-IR on sperm, the presence of IGF-I in semen, and the ability of IGF-I to stimulate sperm motility provide evidence that the IGF system may be involved in the fertilization process in the bovine species.

Epidermal growth factor-related peptides in human prostatic fluid: sources of variability in assay results

BACKGROUND

Prostatic fluid (PF) provides a unique medium for noninvasive evaluation of critical growth and differentiation signals in the prostatic microenvironment. The purpose of this study was to establish the feasibility of measuring two prostatic mitogens, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) in PF, and specifically to quantify extraneous variability attributable to the assay itself, sample handling, or biological variation within an individual over time.

METHODS

PF was collected by transrectal massage from consecutive patients attending a urology clinic. Pooled PF and individual samples from 25 men with stable benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were analyzed for EGF and TGF-alpha by radioimmunoassay and for total protein.

RESULTS

Reproducibility was adequate at dilutions as low as 1:50 (2-microliter pooled sample) and 1:5 (20 microliters) for EGF and TGF-alpha, respectively. Results were not affected by freeze-thaw cycles, time in storage, or protease inhibition in fresh PF. EGF and TGF-alpha were detectable in 100% and 92% of individual men, with respective means of 152 and 0.2 ng/ml. Correlations between two samples obtained from the same man within 12 months were highly significant (EGF r = 0.89, TGF-alpha r = 0.71). Protein concentrations were consistent over time; expression of either peptide per weight of protein rather than per volume did not improve within-man correlation. Between-man variability far exceeded within-man variability for both peptides, and was estimated to account for 84% and 61% of the total variability in EGF and TGF-alpha, respectively. There was no correlation between EGF and TGF-alpha in the same samples.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that men with BPH secrete consistent and distinct levels of EGF-related peptides in PF, and that these levels can be detected with acceptable sensitivity and precision by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Measurement of TGF-alpha, which has not been reported previously, requires a relatively larger sample.

Enzymatic properties of adult human Sertoli cells in vitro

The adult human Sertoli cells produced lactate, estradiol-17beta, transferrin and inhibin; germ cells modulate synthesis of these compounds. In order to study the functional features of human Sertoli cells in vitro, the aim of this study was to measure the lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatine kinase activities (CK) in primary cultures of Sertoli cells prepared from young men (mean age: 29 years, n = 11). Five LDH isozymes have been found in Sertoli cells, the main fractions being the LDH3 and LDH4; each of them represented 30% of the total LDH activity. Furthermore, CK and ALP activities were measured in Sertoli cells. It is of note that the Sertoli cell ALP activity was 50% lower than that of germ cells. Whatever the Sertoli cell parameter measured herein, there is a great variability between patients and FSH (dbc AMP, as well as retinol, insulin, testosterone) is poorly effective in improving these enzymatic activities in vitro. We have confirmed that GGT was exclusively present in Sertoli cells and thus may be considered as a specific marker. LDH is involved in Sertoli cell glucose transformation and thus provided energetic substrates for germ cells. In contrast, the roles of CK and ALP remains to be clarified. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the existence of several enzymes namely LDH, GGT, ALP and CK in Sertoli cells prepared from adult human testis.