Pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral drugs in anatomical sanctuary sites: the male and female genital tract

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1149-1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J Else ◽  
Stephen Taylor ◽  
David J Back ◽  
Saye H Khoo
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Antiretroviral Drugs ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Genital

scholarly journals Expression of Genes for Drug Transporters in the Human Female Genital Tract and Modulatory Effect of Antiretroviral Drugs

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e0131405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolin Hijazi ◽  
Anna M. Cuppone ◽  
Kieron Smith ◽  
Maria A. Stincarelli ◽  
Julia Ekeruche-Makinde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Drug Transporters ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Antiretroviral Drugs ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Female Genital

Identification of Female Cells in Postcoital Penile Swabs Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (7) ◽  
pp. 1080-1082
Author(s):  
Kim A. Collins ◽  
Stephen J. Cina ◽  
Mark J. Pettenati ◽  
Matthew Fitts
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Male Participant ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Laboratory Evidence ◽  
Penile Swabs ◽  
Female Genital

Abstract Traditionally, the finding of semen, that is, spermatozoa and acid phosphatase, in cervicovaginal specimens has been considered the laboratory evidence needed to prove recent sexual contact. Recent research with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has shown that in the absence of semen, male epithelial and inflammatory cells can be found within the female genital tract. A striking paucity of literature exists pertaining to the examination of the penis of an alleged assailant for potential evidence indicative of sexual assault. The current study uses FISH to analyzepostcoital swabs of the penis for such laboratory evidence. A male and female volunteer couple consented to participate in this study. Following coitus, the male partner presented to one of the investigators for penile swabbing. Swabs were taken at varying postcoital intervals (1–24 hours) subsequent to 10 coital episodes. The male participant was instructed not to shower following coitus, but to otherwise go about daily activities until specimen collection. To obtain each sample, 4 sterile cotton-tipped applicators were slightly moistened in sterile saline and swabbed along the length of the penile shaft and around the base of the penis. From the swabs, 3 air-dried slides were prepared, coded, and blinded. As controls, swabs were taken from the buccal surfaces of both volunteers. Multicolor FISH was performed using dual X- and Y-chromosome probes, and slides were counterstained with 4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Cells were easily visualized under a fluorescent microscope, but only cells with 2 nonoverlapping fluorescent signals were counted. Fluorescence in situ hybridization is highly sensitive and specific, and the dual probes easily distinguished between male and female cells. Female cells were identified on smears from every penile swab over the entire 1- to 24-hour postcoital interval. The FISH technique, previously successful in identifying male cells within the female genital tract, may also be employed on penile swabs. Once the presence of female cells is confirmed by FISH, the identity of the female can be confirmed by DNA analysis. Potentially, with such current molecular analyses, both the assailant and the victim can be positively identified.

scholarly journals Regulation of the sperm calcium channel CatSper by endogenous steroids and plant triterpenoids

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 5743-5748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadja Mannowetz ◽  
Melissa R. Miller ◽  
Polina V. Lishko
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Channel ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Serine Hydrolase ◽  
Pregnenolone Sulfate ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Endogenous Steroids ◽  
Female Genital

The calcium channel of sperm (CatSper) is essential for sperm hyperactivated motility and fertility. The steroid hormone progesterone activates CatSper of human sperm via binding to the serine hydrolase ABHD2. However, steroid specificity of ABHD2 has not been evaluated. Here, we explored whether steroid hormones to which human spermatozoa are exposed in the male and female genital tract influence CatSper activation via modulation of ABHD2. The results show that testosterone, estrogen, and hydrocortisone did not alter basal CatSper currents, whereas the neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate exerted similar effects as progesterone, likely binding to the same site. However, physiological concentrations of testosterone and hydrocortisone inhibited CatSper activation by progesterone. Additionally, testosterone antagonized the effect of pregnenolone sulfate. We have also explored whether steroid-like molecules, such as the plant triterpenoids pristimerin and lupeol, affect sperm fertility. Interestingly, both compounds competed with progesterone and pregnenolone sulfate and significantly reduced CatSper activation by either steroid. Furthermore, pristimerin and lupeol considerably diminished hyperactivation of capacitated spermatozoa. These results indicate that (i) pregnenolone sulfate together with progesterone are the main steroids that activate CatSper and (ii) pristimerin and lupeol can act as contraceptive compounds by averting sperm hyperactivation, thus preventing fertilization.

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