Analytical validation of five diagnostic tests for the detection of polymorphonuclear cells in stallion semen

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the ability of five diagnostic tests to detect polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in stallion semen, and to determine the concentration of PMNs that affects sperm motility. We hypothesized that all tests have diagnostic value, and even low concentrations of PMNs affect motility. One ejaculate was obtained from six stallions. Aliquots of 50 × 10⁶ purified sperm were incubated, in triplicate, with six concentrations of purified PMNs: 1) no PMNs, 2) 0.25 × 10⁶ PMN/ml, 3) 0.5 × 10⁶ PMN/ml, 4) 2.5 × 10⁶ PMN/ml, 5) 5 × 10⁶ PMN/ml, 6) 10 × 10⁶ PMN/ml. The PMNs were quantified using a hemacytometer, cytology, a leucocyte esterase dipstick test (LEDT), a peroxidase test, and CD13 immunolabeling. Sperm motility was evaluated after 4 h at 38 °C. The number of leucocytes detected with the LEDT differed among treatments (P<0.0001), from negative results in control samples to moderate or large numbers in the samples with the highest PMN concentration. The hemacytometer count and CD13 immunostaining detected differences with the control treatment at the lowest PMN concentration (2.5 × 10⁶ PMN/ml; P<0.001). Sperm motion was lower in samples with ≥5 × 10⁶ PMN/ml (P<0.0001). Thus, a sample was considered leucospermic if it contained ≥5 × 10⁶ PMN/ml. The LEDT had the best sensitivity (100%), followed by cytology (78%), peroxidase test (60%), CD13 immunostaining (56%) and hemacytometer count (47%). The LEDT had the lowest specificity (65%), which was 95% for all other tests. In conclusion, the LEDT was a simple, economic and sensitive stall-side test to screen semen for presence of PMNs. Because of the lower specificity, positive LEDT results should be confirmed with the identification of peroxidase-positive cells or CD13-positive cells.

Pathological aspects of cutaneous mast cell tumors with metastases in 49 dogs

Cutaneous mast cell tumor (MCT) is one of the most frequent cutaneous neoplasms of dogs and may vary from well-differentiated to aggressive tumors with metastasis. The authors retrospectively described the gross and histologic aspects of metastatic MCT in 49 dogs. Primary MCT was most commonly identified in the inguinal region (14/35; 40%), and at necropsy multiple, cutaneous nodules were frequently reported (23/49; 47%). All primary MCT were classified as high-grade neoplasms, and metastases involved the lymph nodes (47/49; 96%), spleen (33/49; 67%), liver (29/49; 59%), bone marrow (20/49; 41%), kidneys (16/49; 33%), and heart (14/49; 29%), while the lungs were less commonly affected (9/49; 18%). The main gross findings included lymphadenomegaly in 47 cases; splenomegaly in 28 cases, with splenic nodules in 13 dogs; hepatomegaly in 28 cases, with white pinpoint foci in 9 cases; nodules on the capsular surface of the kidneys in 9 dogs; and epicardial nodules in 6 cases. Histologically, the lymph nodes were largely obliterated by neoplastic mast cells, while in the spleen, neoplastic cells were multifocally scattered (16/33; 48%), arranged in nodules (10/33; 30%), or obliterated the parenchyma (9/33; 27%). In the liver, the neoplastic cells mainly infiltrated the sinusoids (24/29; 83%), but were also arranged in random nodules (10/29; 34%). Interstitial and nodular metastases were observed in the kidneys and the heart. Grossly unapparent metastases were common in the heart (6/14; 43%), kidneys (4/16; 25%), and lungs (6/9). KIT III and KIT II staining patterns were observed in 29 and 20 cases, respectively.

Round cells do not contaminate or mask human sperm proteome in proteomic studies using cryopreserved samples

Semen contains leucocytes and round cells, besides spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to identify whether the proteins from round cells and leucocytes affect the proteomic analysis of spermatozoa. Cryopreserved human sperm samples were divided into four groups: (1) samples with ≥1 × 10⁶ /ml leucocytes unprocessed; (2) samples with ≥1 × 10⁶ /ml leucocytes processed by 65% density centrifugation; (3) samples with round cells <1 × 10⁶ /ml unprocessed; and (4) samples with round cells <1 × 10⁶ /ml processed by 65% density centrifugation. Samples from each group (1, 2, 3 and 4) were pooled (n = 5) for quantitative proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Comparative analysis revealed nine differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) groups 1 and 2. Moreover, five DEPs were identified between groups 3 and 4. We observed that cylicin-1, Atlastin-1 and vesicle transport protein SFT2B are specific to spermatozoa, and none of them were associated with leucocytes. The number of DEPs in spermatozoa of processed and unprocessed cryopreserved semen samples was negligible. Our results indicate that the presence of round cells (<1 × 10⁶ /ml) in the seminal ejaculation does not interfere in the accurate detection of spermatozoa proteome by LC-MS/MS.

Presence of Round Cells Proteins do not Interfere with Identification of Human Sperm Proteins from Frozen Semen Samples by LC-MS/MS

In sperm proteomic experiments round cells and leukocyte proteins are profiled along with sperm proteome. The influence of round cell and leukocyte proteins on the sperm proteome has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to identify if the proteins from round cells, including leukocytes, interfere with the proteomic analysis of spermatozoa in frozen semen samples. Proteomic profiling of sperm was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in four groups: Group 1 contained neat semen with round cells and leukocytes ≥ 1 × 10⁶/mL, group 2 contained neat semen with round cells ≥ 1 × 10⁶/mL that was processed by 65% density gradient to remove the round cells and leukocytes, group 3 contained neat semen with round cells < 1 × 10⁶/mL, and group 4 contained neat semen with round cells < 1 × 10⁶/mL that was processed by 65% density gradient to remove the round cells. Pure leukocyte culture was used as control group. A total of 1638, 1393, 1755, and 1404 proteins were identified in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Comparative analysis of group 1 vs. 3 revealed 26 (1.18%) differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). On the other hand, only 6 (0.31%) DEPs were observed with group 2 vs. 4. Expression of these DEPs were either absent or very low in the control group. The results of our proteomics analysis failed to show any influence of non-spermatogenic round cell proteins on sperm proteome identification. These results validate the use of neat semen samples for sperm proteomic studies.

Aggressive high-grade Ewing's sarcoma of maxilla: A rare case report

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon malignancy of childhood and adults that constitutes 6%–8% of all primary malignant tumors and the third-most common tumor after osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma, frequently involves the mandible among jaw bones. This article presents a rare case of ES of maxilla in a 22-year-old male patient showing extensive lesion into skull base which was confirmed with computed tomography, dilemmatic histopathologic features in H and E which is not a frequent presentation. Histopathologic features showed monotonous round cells with hypo- and hyper-cellular areas, intralesional hemorrhage and necrosis with lesional cells positive for CD99. Although the prognosis is poor, early diagnosis and long-term follow-up can improve the survival. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry where lesional cells were positive for CD 99 and vimentin. ES of maxilla is a rare and aggressive tumor. Hence, early diagnosis, combined therapy, and long-term follow-up are suggested in such cases.

Ewing's sarcoma of maxilla: A rare case report

Ewing's sarcoma is uncommon malignancy of childhood, frequently involving the mandible. The occurrence in maxilla is rare. It is histopathologically characterized by sheets of round cells positive for CD99. Although the prognosis is poor but early diagnosis and long term follow up can improve the survival.

This article presents a rare case of Ewing's sarcoma of maxilla in a 15 year old male patient showing excessive fibro-osseous response which is not a frequent presentation. A retrospective analysis of cases of Ewings sarcoma of maxilla published in the English litreture is reviewed. In our case, diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry where sheets of round tumor cells were positive for CD 99. Ewings sarcoma of maxilla is a rare and aggressive tumor. Hence early diagnosis, combined therapy and long term follow up is suggested in such cases.

Immature germ cells in semen - correlation with total sperm count and sperm motility

Background:

Current data regarding infertility suggests that male factor contributes up to 30% of the total cases of infertility. Semen analysis reveals the presence of spermatozoa as well as a number of non-sperm cells, presently being mentioned in routine semen report as “round cells” without further differentiating them into leucocytes or immature germ cells.

Aim:

The aim of this work was to study a simple, cost-effective, and convenient method for differentiating the round cells in semen into immature germ cells and leucocytes and correlating them with total sperm counts and motility.

Materials and Methods:

Semen samples from 120 males, who had come for investigation for infertility, were collected, semen parameters recorded, and stained smears studied for different round cells. Statistical analysis of the data was done to correlate total sperm counts and sperm motility with the occurrence of immature germ cells and leucocytes. The average shedding of immature germ cells in different groups with normal and low sperm counts was compared. The clinical significance of “round cells” in semen and their differentiation into leucocytes and immature germ cells are discussed.

Conclusions:

Round cells in semen can be differentiated into immature germ cells and leucocytes using simple staining methods. The differential counts mentioned in a semen report give valuable and clinically relevant information. In this study, we observed a negative correlation between total count and immature germ cells, as well as sperm motility and shedding of immature germ cells. The latter was statistically significant with a P value 0.000.