Male Reproductive Function and Semen

I Male Reproductive Function and the Composition of Semen: General Considerations.- 1. Functional Dualism of the Testis.- 2. Male Reproductive Tract: Main Characteristics.- 3. Coordination of Male Reproductive Function by Extragonadal Hormones and Environmental Factors.- 4. Cardinal Properties of Spermatozoa.- 5. General Features of the Seminal Plasma.- 6. Spermatophores and Spermatophoric Reaction.- II Methodological Guidelines in the Study of Male Reproductive Organs.- 1. Andrological Examination of the Testis and Androgen Assays.- 2. Cannulation, Micropuncture, Perfusion and Transplantation Techniques.- 3. Isolation of Seminiferous Tubules and Disaggregation of Germinal Cells and Sertoli Cells.- 4. Cell and Organ Cultures.- III Collection, Examination, Quality Rating and Storage of Ejaculated Semen.- 1. Collection of Whole and Split Ejaculates, and Separation of Spermatozoa from Seminal Plasma.- 2. Separation of Motile from Immotile, and Male-determining from Female-determining Spermatozoa.- 3. Examination of Spermatozoa and Isolated Structural Components.- 4. Quality Rating of Semen in Andrological Practice.- 5. Storage of Semen for Artificial Insemination.- IV Testis and Testicular Semen.- 1. Spermatogenesis.- 2. Steroidogenesis.- 3. Testicular Semen.- V Epididymis and Epididymal Semen.- 1. Functional Characteristics of the Epididymis.- 2. Epididymal Spermatozoa.- 3. Epididymal Plasma.- 4. Metabolism of the Epididymis and Epididymal Semen.- VI Vas Deferens and Vasectomy.- 1. Structural and Functional Features of the Deferent Duct.- 2. Vasectomy and Vasoligation.- VII Secretory Function of the Prostate, Seminal Vesicle, Cowper’s Gland and Other Accessory Organs of Reproduction.- 1. Secretory Mechanisms.- 2. Androgen-dependent Maintenance of Growth, Metabolism andSecretory Activity in Male Accessory Organs.- 3. Overall Pattern and Mechanism of Hormonal Regulation.- 4. Comparative Andrological Aspects.- VIII Biochemistry of Spermatozoa: Chemical and Functional Correlations in Ejaculated Semen, Andrological Aspect.- 1. Chemical and Metabolic Characteristics of Ejaculated Spermatozoa; Comparative Viewpoint.- 2. Sperm Plasma Membrane; Permeability and Binding Properties.- 3. Acrosome and Lysosomal Enzymes.- 4. Sperm Nucleus: Nucleic Acid and Nuclear Proteins.- 5. Mitochondria and their Role in Sperm Metabolism and Energetics.- 6. Flagellum and the Mechanochemical Basis of Motility.- 7. Cyclic Nucleotides and Other Promoters of Sperm Activity.- IX Biochemistry of Seminal Plasma and Male Accessory Fluids; Application to Andrological Problems.- 1. Chemical Analysis of Seminal Plasma and Interpretation of Results.- 2. Ions, Free and Bound.- 3. Proteins and Enzymes.- 4. Peptides, Amino Acids and Nitrogenous Bases.- 5. Fructose, Other Sugars, Polyols and Bound Carbohydrate.- 6. Lipids, Cholesterol and Steroid Hormones.- 7. Prostaglandins and Other Organic acids.- 8. Biochemical Basis of Interactions between the Male Accessory Secretions, and between the Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa.- 9. Examination of Whole Seminal Plasma and Split Ejaculatory Fractions as a Diagnostic Aid in Reproductive Disorders.- X Effects of Pharmacological Agents: Andrological Aspects. Drug Abuse, Therapeutic Agents, Male Contraceptives, Occupational Hazards.- 1. Psycbomimetic and Psycbotberapeutic Drugs.- 2. Ampbetamines, Cocaine and Alcobol.- 3. Passage of Drugs and Otber Substances into Semen.- 4. Control of tbe Ejaculatory Process by Sympatbomimetic, Parasympatbomimetic and Autonomic-blocking Agents.- 5. Chemosterilants as Potential Male Contraceptives.- 6. Dietary Factors, Food Additives and Antimetabolites.- 7. Cadmium-induced Damage in tbe Testis and Countereffect of Zinc and Selenium.- 8. Steroids and Otber Suppressors of Spermatogenesis Acting via tbe Pituitary Gland.- 9. Antiandrogens.- 10. Antimitotic and Antimeiotic Cbemicals; Colcbicine, Alkylating Agents, Heterocyclic Compounds.- 11. Chemotherapeutic Drugs, Industrial Chemicals and Pesticides.- 12. ?-Chlorohydrin.- 13. Biochemical Basis of Spermiostatic and Spermicidal Activity.- References.