Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Effect of Male Accessory Gland Products on Egg Laying in Gastropod Molluscs
Published on: June 22, 2014
Sperm characteristics and accessory sex gland functions in HIV-infected men
E Umapathy1, T Simbini, T Chipata
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Transkei, Umtata, South Africa.
Abstract:
A comparative study was carried out in the andrology clinic, Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe, to investigate the sperm characteristics and accessory sex gland functions in HIV-infected individuals. Sixty-two patients with infertility problems who attended the clinic were requested to donate semen and blood after consent was obtained. HIV antibodies in paired semen and blood samples, sperm morphology, sperm count, sperm motility, seminal leucocytes, seminal fructose, seminal neutral alpha-glucosidase, and citric acid were analyzed. Nine out of 31 blood samples tested positive, while 21 out of 62 semen samples were positive for HIV. Leucocytospermia was associated with HIV-seropositive men (p < .01). The accessory sex gland function, as evaluated by biochemical markers, was not affected in HIV-seropositive men. HIV causes impairment of sperm motility by activating seminal leucocytes, which in turn induce oxidative stress on the sperm. Leucocytospermia is almost always present in HIV-seropositive men.
Related Concept Videos
Spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...
Accessory Ducts of the Male Reproductive System
The epididymis is a small, comma-shaped organ located at the back of each testicle.
Sperm Transport
The maturation phase occurs in the epididymis, where sperm...
Accessory Glands of the Male Reproductive System
The epididymis is a small, comma-shaped organ located at the back of each testicle. The epididymis can be divided into three main parts: the head, body, and tail. The head of the epididymis...
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition

