Sexual hormone levels in semen and germ cell apoptosis.
- Author:
Mai-Gui YANG
1
;
Yang YANG
;
Ping HUANG
;
Xiao-Ke HAO
;
Zhu-Ying ZHANG
;
Shan-Luan ZHENG
;
Ai-Lin FAN
;
Guo-Zhou RAO
;
Xiao-Ming WEI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Apoptosis; Case-Control Studies; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; metabolism; Germ Cells; pathology; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; metabolism; Humans; Infertility, Male; metabolism; pathology; Luteinizing Hormone; metabolism; Male; Prolactin; metabolism; Semen; metabolism; Testosterone; metabolism
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2006;12(5):432-434
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between sexual hormones in semen and germ cell apoptosis in male population.
METHODSSixty-six infertile patients and thirty fertile males were selected randomly. The levels of folicle stimulating hormone ( FSH), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) in semen were measured by ELISA. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used for the detection of germ cell apoptosis.
RESULTSThe levels of FSH, LH, PRL, T in thirty fertile men were (1.63 +/- 0.15) U/L, (2.18 +/- 0.21) U/L, (6.34 +/- 0.30) nmol/L, (1.85 +/- 0.11) nmol/L, respectively, and germ cell apoptosis rate was (4.61 +/- 1.23)%. FSH, LH, PRL, T levels in infertile group were (1.25 +/- 0.18) U/L, (1.76 +/- 0.32) U/L, (5.86 +/- 0.13) nmol/l, (1.45 +/- 0.13) nmol/, respectively, and germ cell apoptosis rate was (18.36 +/- 2.04)%. There were significant differences in all parameters between infertile group and fertile group. The levels of FSH, LH, PRL, T were negatively correlated with germ cell apoptosis rates( r = -0.88, -0.93, -0.90, -0.98). The volume of apoptotic germ cell decreased, and chromatin was compacted to form cell-membrane blebs and apoptotic bodies.
CONCLUSIONLow concentration of sexual hormones may increase the apoptosis of germ cells, which can induce male infertility.
