Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are natural or man-made agents that interfere in some way with human or animal normal endocrine function, and even influence the endocrine function of their offspring. There are many kinds of EDCs, which are widely present in soil, water, and even food. This review elaborates the impact of EDCs on human and animal semen quality from the viewpoint of epidemiology and biology by focusing on pesticides, plasticizers and detergents.
Detergents ; adverse effects ; Endocrine Disruptors ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; adverse effects ; Plasticizers ; adverse effects ; Semen ; drug effects ; Semen Analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different proportions of cryoprotectant to seminal plasma on the motility of post-thaw human sperm.

METHODSDifferent proportions of cryoprotectant to seminal plasma (1:1 and 1:3) were used for freezing sperm, and the forward movement and total motility rates of the frozen-thawed sperm were compared.

RESULTSThe forward movement and total motility rates were (58.60 +/- 5.57)% and (66.17 +/- 5.24)% before cryopreservation. The 1:1 proportion achieved post-thaw forward movement and total motility rates of (40.53 +/- 8.97)% and (51.23 +/- 9. 30)%, while the 1:3 (44.7 +/- 8.67)% and (51.50 +/- 7.40)%, respectively. Significantly decreased sperm motility was observed after cryopreservation (P < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found in the forward movement but not in the total motility of the frozen-thawed sperm between the two proportions.

CONCLUSIONCryopreservation causes obvious damage to human sperm. Higher proportion of cryoprotectant to seminal plasma (1:3) can improve the forward movement of post-thaw sperm as compared with the lower one (1:1).

Adult ; Cryoprotective Agents ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Freezing ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; drug effects ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of apigenin on semen parameters in male mice.

METHODSTotally 100 healthy male mice of Kunming strain were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the body weight: negative control, solvent control, low-dose apigenin, median-dose apigenin and high-dose apigenin, the latter three groups given intragastric apigenin at a fixed time every day for 7 and 14 days. At 35 days after the first medication, all the mice were killed and detected for the sperm motion parameters by computer aided sperm analysis (CASA).

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences in sperm motion parameters, density and motility between the negative control and the three apigenin groups after 7-day medication. At 14 days, the high-dose apigenin group showed remarkable decreases in average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), straightness (STR), wobbliness (WOB), the percentage of grade b sperm and sperm motility, and a significant increase in beat cross frequency (BCF) as compared with the negative control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONApigenin affects sperm motility in male mice to a certain extent.

Animals ; Apigenin ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Semen ; drug effects ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

Spermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 (JZ1) in combination with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) was examined in vitro. The minimum spermicidal concentration of JZ1 decoction, N-9 and their mixture solution in 20 s and 3 min were examined by improved spermicidal test of Sander-cramer in vitro. The percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa and viable spermatozoa were also observed 20 s, 3 min and 30 min after the addition of the liquid medicine. Our results showed that sperms did not recover their activities in a revival test when the minimum spermicidal concentration of either JZ1 decoction, or N-9, or the mixed solution of the two agents, was used. N-9 (JZ1 in the mixed group) showed significant differences in the percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa, and visible spermatozoa in 20 s, 3 min, and 30 min, when compared with N-9 alone (P < 0.01). We are led to conclude that JZ1 decoction can improve N-9 spermicidal action in vitro, and when used in combination with N-9, it has synergic effect.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/*pharmacology ; Nonoxynol/*pharmacology ; Semen/drug effects ; Spermatocidal Agents/*pharmacology ; Spermatozoa/*drug effects

BACKGROUNDFenvalerate (FEN) has been demonstrated to be a reproductive toxicant in humans and rodents. However, little is known about whether short-term exposure to low-dose FEN produces reproductive toxicity.

METHODSWe administered FEN (0.009 375, 0.1875, 3.750, or 45.00 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) by gavage for 30 days) to male ICR mice and compared reproductive toxicity parameters between groups receiving different concentrations of FEN. Reproductive toxicity was evaluated by computer-assisted semen quality analysis (CASA), chlortetracycline (CTC) assay, and histopathology.

RESULTSThe sperm morphology and testis histology of FEN-exposed mice (all doses) were similar to that in controlling mice. Exposure to FEN at a concentration of 0.1875 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) decreased sperm path straightness (STR) and linearity (LIN) (both P < 0.05), but had no significant impact on average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL), lateral amplitude (ALH), beat cross frequency (BCF), or progressive motility (MOT). FEN reduced the rate of mouse sperm capacitation in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONThe present results demonstrate that exposure to low-dose FEN for 30 days reduces semen quality and sperm capacitation in adult mice.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Nitriles ; pharmacology ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Pyrethrins ; pharmacology ; Semen ; drug effects ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential protective effect of water-soluble vitamin E (Trolox) against oxidative stress injury in post-thawing human sperm and its mechanism.

METHODSSemen samples from 16 fertile men were mixed with modified cryoprotectant and each sample was equally divided into groups 0 (G0), 1 (G1), 2 (G2) and 3 (G3) according to the concentration of Trolox measured by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). G0, with no Trolox in the mixed cryoprotectant, served as the control, while G1, G2 and G3 contained 50, 100 and 200 micromol/L of Trolox, respectively. Before and after thawing, the semen samples were subjected to CASA for sperm kinematics, flow cytometry for reactive oxygen species (ROS), and thiobarbituric acid assay for the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA).

RESULTSAfter cryopreservation, sperm motility was markedly decreased in all the groups (P < (0.01), but less in G2 than in the control ([53.33 +/- 5.63]% vs [47.85 +/- 5.09]%, P < 0.05). Curvilinear velocity and average path velocity were remarkably higher in G2 (P < 0.05), and ROS and MDA significantly lower in G2 and G3 than in the control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAddition of vitamin E (Trolox) to freezing extender at a moderate concentration may decrease surplus ROS in the freezing-thawing process, ease ROS-induced oxidative stress injury to the plasma membrane, and improve sperm motility and kinematic parameters after cryopreservation.

Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Semen ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Semen Preservation ; Vitamin E ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the semen quality of the workers exposed to the xenoestrogen bisphenol A (BPA) was explored.

METHODSA cross-sectional study of 20 BPA exposed and 16 control workers with similar age, physical activities was performed. Tests included quantifying BPA in blood samples and investigating the quantity and quality of semen. Semen parameters were determined with the method recommended by WHO.

RESULTS94.4% exposed workers were found BPA in blood, and the median was 101.94 microg/L. However, only 18.8% control subjects were found BPA in blood, and the median level was 0 microg/L. The sperm density of exposed workers [(68.65 +/- 44.00) x 10(6)/ml] was significantly lower than that of control [(118.56 +/- 98.36) x 10(6)/ml]. Relationship analysis showed the positive relationships (r = 0.44, P < 0.01) between the sperm with quick forward progression and BPA level in blood, negative relationships between the percentage of normal sperm and BPA level in blood (r = -0.62, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBPA could affect the sperm density, and may influence the semen quality. More research should be performed on the effect and the mechanism of BPA on man.

Benzhydryl Compounds ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Phenols ; adverse effects ; Pilot Projects ; Semen ; drug effects ; Semen Analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyse the male reproductive toxicity of carbaryl.

METHODSThirty-one male carbaryl exposure workers and 46 male administrators in the office in a pesticide factory were selected as the exposure group and internal control group respectively, and 22 male administrators in a center for disease control and prevention were served as the external control group. In order to evaluate the exposure levels, the concentrations of carbaryl, methyl isocyanate, ammonia and phenol in the ambient air of the work place in these three groups were monitored simultaneously for three consecutive days. Moreover, three workers in the exposure group and the external control group were selected to evaluate the amount of carbaryl of individual and dermal contamination for three consecutive days. After the semen were collected according to the standard method, the workers'semen qualities were analysed with WHO method, the sperm morphology and the sperm motility were evaluated using micro-cell slide spectrum technology and computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) respectively.

RESULTSIn the exposure group, the concentrations of carbaryl and phenol (52.41 mg/m(3) and 0.08 mg/m(3) respectively) were significantly higher than those in the internal and external control group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Furthermore, in the carbaryl exposure area the geometric mean concentration of carbaryl with the individual sampling was 7.38 mg/m(3), and the geometric mean of dermal contamination detected in the carbaryl exposure area was 862.47 mg/m(2). Carbaryl was not found in the external control area (P < 0.01). The seminal volume [(2.39 +/- 1.44) ml] and the sperm motility [(1.77 +/- 0.61) grade] were significantly lower than those in the external control group (P < 0.05), and sperm motion parameters such as linearity (LIN, 39.89% +/- 6.00%), straightness (STR, 71.51% +/- 11.22%), straight line velocity [VSL, (26.29 +/- 7.84) microm/s] and beat cross frequency [BCF, (3.99 +/- 1.55) Hz] were lower than those in the internal and external control group (P < 0.05), while the abnormal rates of viscidity, sperm motility and total aberration rate were higher than those in the external control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOccupational exposure to carbaryl production can affect the workers'sperm and semen quality to certain extent.

Adult ; Carbaryl ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Insecticides ; adverse effects ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Semen ; drug effects ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential protective effect of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mitoquinone (MitoQ) on post-thaw human sperm.

METHODSSemen samples were collected from 60 normal fertile men, each divided into six parts of equal volume to be incubated at 37 °C in normal saline (G0, control) or in the extender with 2 nmol/L (G1), 20 nmol/L (G2), 200 nmol/L (G3), 2 µmol/L (G4), and 20 µmol/L of MitoQ (G5). After one hour of incubation, the samples were subjected to computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) for sperm motility, flow cytometry for reactive oxygen species (ROS), thiobarbituric acid assay for the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), and MitoTracker fluorescent staining and flow cytometry for the sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Then, the semen were cryopreserved with none (B0), 200 nmol/L (B1), and 2 µmol/L of MitoQ (B2), followed by detection of the changes in the ROS, MDA, and MMP of the post-thaw sperm.

RESULTSThe percentage of progressively motile sperm and total rate of sperm motility were significantly higher in G3 ([30.8 ± 10.2]% and [70.6 ± 9.0]%) and G4 ([32.7 ± 13.5]% and [70.3 ± 11.9]%) than in G0 ([17.6 ± 5.0]% and [54.9 ± 11.5]%) (P < 0.05). The level of ROS dropped markedly with the increased concentration of MitoQ, 86.5 ± 31.6 in G3, 93.6 ± 42.0 in G4, and 45.1 ± 15.0 in G5, as compared with 160.8 ± 39.7 in G0 (P < 0.05). The content of MDA was remarkably lower in G3 ([0.9 ± 0.5] µmol/mg) and G4 ([0.9 ± 0.5] µmol/mg) than in G0 ([1.9 ± 1.1] µmol/mg) (P < 0.05), but not in G5 ([1.7 ± 0.7] µmol/mg), which was even higher than in G3 and G4 (P < 0.05). The MMP showed a significant reduction in G5 (1156 ± 216) in comparison with G0 (1701 ± 251) (P < 0.05) but exhibited no remarkable difference between G0 and G1 (1810 ± 298), G2 (1995 ± 437), G3 (1950 ± 334), or G4 (1582 ± 314). The percentage of progressively motile sperm and total rate of sperm motility after freezing-thawing were significantly decreased as compared with those of the fresh semen (P < 0.01), but both were remarkably higher in B1 ([3.2 ± 2.3]% and [ 43.0 ± 9.5]%) than in B0 ([0.8 ± 0.6]% and [26.5 ± 11.4]%) (P < 0.05). The ROS level was significantly lower in B1 and B2 than in B0 (34.6 ± 12. 3 and 37.0 ± 10.5 vs 56.9 ± 14.3, P < 0.05), and so was the MDA content ([1.4 ± 0.5] and [1.4 ± 0.6] µmol/mg vs [2.6 ± 1.0] µmol/mg, P < 0.05), but the MMP was markedly higher in B1 and B2 than in B0 (1010.0 ± 130.5 and 880.6 ± 128.6 vs 721.1 ± 24.8, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAddition of MitoQ to the freezing extender at 200 nmol/L may effectively improve the quality of human sperm and MitoQ is a good protective addictive for human sperm cryopreservation.

Antioxidants ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Ubiquinone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

Semenogelin I (Sg I) and the fragments of peptides hydrolyzed from Sg I by prostate-specific antigen have multiple biological activities. There exists a controversy over the inhibitory effect of the key fragment on sperm motility. This article focuses on the sperm-inhibiting and antibacterial activities of the fragments of Sg I-derived peptides and illustrates the supposition concerning the most controversial aspect. A deeper insight into the action mechanisms of Sg I-derived peptides may help improve the methods of sperm screening and provide a new perspective in the management of asthenozoospermia and urinary tract infection.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; drug effects ; Seminal Vesicle Secretory Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects