OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effects of cryopreservation on human sperm chromosome.

METHODSperm chromosome were acquired using in vitro fertilization of zona-free hamster oocytes and human sperm. The frequency of sperm chromosome anomalies and sex chromosomes ratio before and after freezing and with different freezing methods were compared.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences of frequency of sperm chromosome anomalies among fresh, fast frozen and slow frozen sperm (9.40%, 7.48% and 8.74%) (P > 0.75) or ratios of sex chromosomes (P > 0.90).

CONCLUSIONSThese studies indicate that cryopreservation does not exert effects on human sperm chromosome.

Chromosomes ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Sperm cryopreservation is essential link of assisted reproductive techniques. Because of widespread application for AID and establish of human sperm storeroom, the effects of cryopreservation on human sperm genetic substance have been paid more and more attention. This report summarizes the effects of cryopreservation on human sperm genetic substance and preventive measures.
Chromosomes ; Cryopreservation ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

AIMTo evaluate the long-term stability of the fluorescence signals of new fluorescence-based semen analysis assays for clinical application.

METHODSSemen samples from 87 unselected infertile patients were used to perform the following assays: (i) detection of active caspase-3 (n=17); (ii) integrity of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (n=17); (iii) externalization of phosphatidylserine (EPS) (n=16); and (iv) detection of intact acrosomes via CD46 (n=37). After the assays, 4% paraformaldehyde was added to all aliquots. The fluorescence intensity of each sample was evaluated by flow cytometry on days 0, 3, 7, 10 and 14.

RESULTSDifferences of up to +/-5% positive spermatozoa from the value measured at day 0 were estimated as acceptable deviation. The Caspase-3 FLICA showed mean differences<5% at day 3, 7 and 10. At day 14 the mean difference was 7.6%. In contrast, the disrupted MMP and the EPS detection showed differences>5% at day 3. The CD46-FITC labeling displayed absolute differences<5% CD46-positive spermatozoa at days 3, 7, 10 and 14.

CONCLUSIONAlthough immediate analysis of the fluorescence signals is recommended, it is possible to evaluate caspase-3 activation up to 10 days and CD46 up to 14 days after staining of sperm. The FACS evaluation of MMP and EPS detection should be conducted on the same day.

Fluorescent Dyes ; Humans ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Recent studies show that long exposure to high altitude and hypoxia can seriously affect men's reproductive health by reducing their sperm concentration, which decreases with the increase of altitude. High altitude and hypoxia are strongly associated with spermatogenic reduction, sperm DNA damage, sperm apoptosis, and decreased level of sex hormones. This article reviews the mechanisms of high altitude and hypoxia affecting sperm concentration.
Altitude ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Male ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of distilled water in sperm-counting and hypoosmotic swelling test.

METHODSThirty-seven semen samples were collected and each was diluted by distilled water and sodium acid carbonate-formaldehyde solution, respectively. Then the hemacytometer was used for sperm counting. Meanwhile, the percentage of swelled sperm diluted by distilled water was compared with the result of hypoosmotic swelling test recommended by WHO. Another 26 semen samples were diluted by distilled water and hypoosmotic swelling solution respectively, and the percentages of the swelled sperm were compared.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference either between the sperm concentrations obtained by distilled water and sodium acid carbonate-formaldehyde solution (P > 0.05) or between the percentages of the swelled sperm diluted by distilled water and hypoosmotic swelling solution.

CONCLUSIONDistilled water can not only replace sodium acid carbonate-formaldehyde solution for sperm-counting dilution but also be used as a hypoosmotic swelling solution.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Osmotic Pressure ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Water

The existence of RNA has been confirmed in human mature sperm, including mRNA and some members of the microRNA family. Different expressions of sperm mRNA have been found to be correlated with sperm motility and male reproduction. Some sperm specific mRNA and microNA play important roles in the regulation of sperm-oocyte fusion and early embryogenesis. Many published results indicate the variety of sperm RNA in composition and quantity as well as its indispensability for embryogenesis. Further researches on the function of sperm RNA will promote the progress in such fields as male infertility, human assisted reproduction technology and nuclear transfer.
Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; RNA, Messenger ; physiology ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the relationship between the functional integrity of sperm membrane and seminal parameters related to CASA.

METHODSThirty-eight fertile and one hundrend and twenty four infertile males were tested the functional integrity of sperm membrane by the kit and parameters by CASA.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference in the functional integrity of sperm membrane between fertile and infertile group (P < 0.01). The items related to CASA between normal and abnormal group in the functional integrity of sperm membrane had a remarkable difference, except motion degree, seminal volume and pH.

CONCLUSIONSTo determine the functional integrity of sperm membrane can be used as a necessary supplementary method for CASA, and it has clinical significance in diagnosing, treating and researching male infertility.

Adult ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Membranes ; physiology ; Semen ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Germ cells exist in an environment created by Sertoli cells. The differentiation of germ cells from spermatogonia to sperm in the seminiferous epithelium is controlled by many factors such as hormones, growth factors, temperature and interaction with Sertoli cells. Paracrine signaling between these intimately associated cells also regulates the process of germ cell death. Sertoli cells' products play an important role in the process of germ cell differentiation in the testis, in which both the spontaneous and induced germ cell apoptosis often occur.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Sertoli Cells ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Progesterone, as a female hormone, plays an important role in the physiological function and pregnancy maintenance in women. Recent studies show that progesterone and its receptor are also involved in male reproduction, and its receptor mRNA exists in male sexual glands. It is believed that progesterone, binding to its receptor, can regulate spermatogenesis and improve the fertilization of sperm, while the sperm from those with oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratospermia or unexplained infertility exhibit a low fertility due to the deficient expression of the progesterone receptor and insensitive reaction to progesterone. This review focuses on the progress in the studies of progesterone and its receptor in male reproduction.
Fertility ; Humans ; Male ; Progesterone ; physiology ; Receptors, Progesterone ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; physiology ; Testis ; metabolism

Protein kinase C (PKC) is localized in the equatorial segment and the principal piece of the tail of spermatozoa. Activator of PKC results in increasing flagellar motility of sperm that is blocked by PKC inhibitors such as staurosporine. A good correlation (r = 0.9, P < 0.001) is found between the content of PKC in sperm and sperm motility. Zona pellucida (ZP) stimulates the spermatozoa binding the acrosome reaction resulting in the release of hydrolytic enzymes and in the exposure of new membrane domains. ZP binding to receptors in the plasma membrane can regulate adenyl cyclase (AC) leading to elevation of cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) activation. The PKA activates a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel in the outer acrosomal membrane which releases Ca2+ from the interior of the acrosome to the cytosol. Activation of the PLC resulted from the rise in Ca2+ hydrolyze phosphatidyl inositol bisphosphate. The product activate PCK to open a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel (L) in the plasma membrane, leading to the second (II) Ca2+ higher increase which result in membrane fusion and acrosome reaction. It is proposed that PKC would be involved in the regulation of motility and acrosome reaction of sperm.
Acrosome Reaction ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Sperm Motility ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; enzymology ; physiology