In order to evaluate the expression of HLA-DR antigen in glandular cells in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in patients with endometriosis, 19 infertile patients with endometriosis were analyzed immunohistochemically by labelled streptavidin biotin (LSAB) method. Nineteen infertile patients without endometriosis were studied as controls. The results showed that the expression of HLA-DR antigen in the glandular cells in both eutopic and ectopic endometrium was increased significantly as compared with that in the controls (P < 0.01). It is likely that aberrant expression of HLA-DR antigen in endometriotic tissue is involved in abnormal immunogenesis of endometriosis.
Endometriosis/complications ; Endometriosis/*immunology ; Endometrium/*immunology ; HLA-DR Antigens/*immunology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infertility/complications ; Infertility/*immunology ; Pelvis

Varicocele is a most common and surgically correctable cause of male infertility, for which varicocelectomy is the major treatment. Recent years have witnessed a lot of efforts devoted to the pathomechanism of varicocele-induced male infertility and rapid progress in researches on its cellular and molecular mechanisms, mainly including apoptotic abnormality and oxidative stress of germ cells. Meanwhile, researchers are coming to a consensus on the indications of varicocelectomy as well as the advantages and disadvantage of different methods of the procedure. This review updates the cellular and molecular mechanisms of varicocele-induced male infertility and its clinical therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Varicocele ; complications ; surgery

Varicocele is one of the most common diseases in the male reproductive system. More and more attention has been drawn to the influence of varicocele on male reproduction recently. Although many experiments and achievements have been made, the mechanism of infertility in varicocele patients has not yet been fully understood. The development of the disease might be related to many factors such as microcirculation of the testis, vasoactive substance, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, hypoxia, immunology and apoptosis. Mostly these changes are not confined to one testis. Thus, it is of great significance to investigate the mechanism of male infertility induced by varicocele. This article updates the studies on the mechanism of infertility in varicocele males.
Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Varicocele ; complications ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo examine the semen quality and the sperm morphology in infertile men with varicocele.

METHODSSemen from 98 infertile men with varicocele were studied and those of 130 normal semen donors were taken as the control. Semen analysis was performed based on the methods described in the WHO manual and sperm morphology was evaluated by WHO criteria.

RESULTSA significantly reduced percentage of normal morphologic sperm and of forward progression were found in patients with varicocele comparing with those of the control (P <0.001). The head defects were observed as the predominant type of sperm malformation.

CONCLUSIONThe varicocele increases malformed sperm in ejaculates, which may result from impaired male fertility by varicocele. Sperm morphologic assessment with WHO criteria provides a sensitive and practical measurement of sperm damage in infertile men with varicocele.

Adult ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Semen ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; pathology ; Varicocele ; complications ; pathology

Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Prostatitis ; complications ; therapy

Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Varicocele ; complications ; therapy

Female ; Gynecology ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; complications ; diagnosis ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Tuberculosis, Female Genital ; complications ; diagnosis

The therapeutic decision for male infertility with varicocele is difficult and controversial, which requires the consideration of the patient's purpose of seeking medical help. The treatment of this condition involves not only surgery, but also medication and assisted reproductive technique (ART), and synergetic effects can be achieved by combination of the three options. In making a therapeutic decision, all related factors should be taken into full consideration.
Clinical Decision-Making ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Varicocele ; complications ; therapy

Leptin, an adipocyte-derived hormone, serves numerous physiological functions in the body, particularly during puberty and reproduction. The exact mechanism by which leptin activates the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons to trigger puberty and reproduction remains unclear. Given the widespread distribution of leptin receptors in the body, both central and peripheral mechanisms involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis have been hypothesized. Leptin is necessary for normal reproductive function, but when present in excess, it can have detrimental effects on the male reproductive system. Human and animal studies point to leptin as a link between infertility and obesity, a suggestion that is corroborated by findings of low sperm count, increased sperm abnormalities, oxidative stress, and increased leptin levels in obese men. In addition, daily leptin administration to normal-weight rats has been shown to result in similar abnormalities in sperm parameters. The major pathways causing these abnormalities remain unidentified; however, these adverse effects have been attributed to leptin-induced increased oxidative stress because they are prevented by concurrently administering melatonin. Studies on leptin and its impact on sperm function are highly relevant in understanding and managing male infertility, particularly in overweight and obese men.
Animals ; Humans ; Infertility, Male/physiopathology* ; Leptin/physiology* ; Male ; Obesity/complications* ; Overweight/complications* ; Reproduction/physiology*

Varicoceles are the most frequent physical findings in infertile men. Although the varicocele is generally regarded to be the most common correctable cause of male infertility, whether varicocelectomy is an effective treatment for male factor infertility has been the focus of intense debate. A great deal of evidence indicates that varicocelectomy is clearly associated with a significant improvement in semen parameters (concentration, motility, and morphology). Varicocelectomy also appears to reduce seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage. In contrast, the positive effect of varicocelectomy on improving natural pregnancy rates is less clear based on a few randomized controlled trials. Therefore, the need persists for well-designed, properly conducted randomized controlled trials to address this issue. Considering the beneficial effects of varicocelectomy on semen parameters, varicocelectomy should be considered in men with palpable lesions, at least one abnormal semen parameter and otherwise unexplained infertility. Microsurgical inguinal or subinguinal varicocelectomy techniques have been shown to result in fewer recurrences and postoperative complications than other techniques.
DNA Damage ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Postoperative Complications ; Pregnancy Rate ; Recurrence ; Semen ; Spermatozoa ; Varicocele