Male infertility is a worldwide problem, and about 15% of the cases are associated with spermatogenesis-related gene mutation. The mammalian gene UBE2B is the homolog of the RAD6 gene of yeast, belonging to the ubiquitin proteasome system and playing an important role in spermatogenesis. Mice lacking the UBE2B gene are infertile, with reduced sperm motility, increased morphologically abnormal sperm, and inhibited meiosis of spermatogonia. Accumulated evidence shows that UBE2B gene mutants and single nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with male infertility. This article reviews the relation between the UBE2B gene and male infertility, offering some theoretical evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Animals ; Asthenozoospermia ; genetics ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Meiosis ; Mice ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzymes ; genetics

As an important intracellular messenger, Ca2+ plays a major role in sperm motility. In spermatozoa, multiple Ca2(+)-permeable channels have been identified in the plasma membrane of mammalian sperm, including voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (Cav channels), cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (CNGC), cation channels of sperm (CatSper) and the transient receptor potential (TRP) family. As calcium regulation of sperm motility is mainly mediated by these calcium channels, any aberration of the channels can lead to the decline of sperm activities. Recent progress in the researches on the relationship between sperm motility and calcium-related ion channels is briefly reviewed in this article.
Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; physiology ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Air ; analysis ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; analysis ; Spectrophotometry ; methods ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo identify the expression characteristics of the 1700001022RIK (RIKEN cDNA 1700001022) gene in mice and explore its function by bioinformatic analysis.

METHODSUsing the expression profile of gene microarray, we detected the expression of a new testis-specific gene, 1700001022RIK, in mice. We analyzed its expression characteristics in the testis tissue and their changes in different developmental stages of the testis by RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We performed bioinformatic analysis using a bioinformatic software.

RESULTSThe 1700001022RIK gene was specifically expressed in the mouse testis in an age-dependent manner, most highly in the adult mice. The 1700001022RIK protein was mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of the adult mice. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the 1700001022RIK protein amino acid sequence had a high similarity in human and mice, which indicated that this gene was highly conserved in mammals.

CONCLUSION1700001022RIK is a testis-specific gene mainly expressed in the spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids of seminiferous tubules, which might be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression ; Genomics ; Male ; Mice ; Molecular Chaperones ; genetics ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Spermatids ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Spermatogonia ; Testis

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of expressions of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE) in ejaculated spermatozoa between healthy volunteers and the patients with asthenospermia.

METHODSEjaculated spermatozoa were collected from healthy volunteers and the patients with asthenospermia. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of AC and PDE subtypes in human spermatozoa. The concentrations of cAMP and cGMP in the samples were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSCompared with healthy volunteers, expression of sAC mRNA and concentration of cAMP were significantly decreased in the patients with asthenospermia (P < 0.01) , while the expression of PDE4C mRNA was significantly increased at the same time (P <0.01). There were no marked differences in the expression of ACIII mRNA and concentration of cGMP between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONThe sAC down-regulation and PDE4C up-regulation are possible reasons for asthenospermia.

Adenylyl Cyclases ; biosynthesis ; Asthenozoospermia ; metabolism ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the expressions of ODF1 (outer dense fiber of the sperm tail 1) in ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men with low sperm motility.

METHODSSemen analyses were performed on the semen samples obtained from normozoospermic (n=20) and asthenozoospermic (n=20) volunteers according to the WHO criteria. To rule out the contamination of germ cells and leucocytes, the human ejaculated spermatozoa were purified by a discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of ODF1 in the spermatozoa from the two groups.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed that the expression of ODF1 mRNA was significantly lower in the spermatozoa from the asthenozoospermic patients than in those from the normozoospermic men (1.35 +/- 0.25 vs. 2.79 +/- 0.28, P < 0.05). Western blot confirmed the results from RT-PCR and revealed an obviously decreased expression of ODF1 in the spermatozoa of the asthenozoospermic patients, with statistically significant difference from the normozoospermic group (1.44 +/- 0.26 vs. 3.64 +/- 0.34, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of ODF1 was significantly decreased in the ejaculated spermatozoa of asthenozoospermic men, which might be responsible for low sperm motility.

Asthenozoospermia ; metabolism ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Ropporin has been identified as a spermatogenic cell-specific protein and may be involved in sperm maturation, motility, capacitation, hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. However, latest studies have shown that Ropporin is expressed weakly in normal non-testis tissues and highly in hematologic malignancies. Its highly conservative expression in mammalians demonstrates its importance to life. This paper updates the characterization, expression and its distribution, and biological function of Ropporin, and the advances in the clinical researches of the protein.
Animals ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins ; physiology

OBJECTIVESPAG9, as a member of the MAPK family, plays an important role in sperm-egg fusion. This study aimed to detect the expression of SPAG9 in human ejaculated spermatozoa.

METHODSDifferent human tissues (as from the muscle, liver, esophagus, lung, stomach, kidney, prostate, uterus, testis and epididymis) and semen samples were obtained from healthy volunteers, and semen analyses were performed according to the WHO criteria. Human ejaculated spermatozoa were purified by discontinuous Percoll density gradient centrifugation to rule out the contamination of germ cells and leucocytes. RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of SPAG9 in human spermatozoa.

RESULTSRT-PCR showed that SPAG9 mRNA was expressed in different tissues and human ejaculated spermatozoa. Indirect immunofluorescence studies revealed the location of SPAG9 protein in the equatorial plate and flagella of human spermatozoa.

CONCLUSIONSPAG9 is expressed in ejaculated spermatozoa and may play a role in sperm capacitation and motility.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans ; Male ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

AIMTo detect the expression of VASA in human ejaculated spermatozoa, and to compare the expression of VASA between normozoospermic men and patients with oligozoospermia.

METHODSEjaculated spermatozoa were collected from normozoospermic men and patients with oligozoospermia by masturbation, and subsequently segregated through a discontinuous gradient of Percoll to obtain the spermatozoa. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR), immunoflurescence and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of VASA in mRNA and protein levels.

RESULTSVASA mRNA was expressed in the ejaculated spermatozoa. QRT-PCR analysis showed that VASA mRNA level was approximately 5-fold higher in normozoospermic men than that in oligozoospermic men. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting analysis showed that VASA protein was located on the cytoplasmic membrane of heads and tails of spermatozoa, and its expression was significantly decreased in oligozoospermic men, which is similar to the result of QRT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of VASA mRNA and protein was significantly decreased in the sperm of oligozoospermic men, which suggested the lower expression of the VASA gene might be associated with pathogenesis in some subtypes of male infertility and VASA could be used as a molecular marker for the diagnosis of male infertility.

Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo realize the epidemiological and drug-resistance characteristics of dysentery during 1990 to 2003 in Beijing.

METHODSThe group's characteristics of dysentery were described and analysed by using descriptive study method. Drug sensitivity tests were performed with Kirby-Bauer method recommended by WHO, and data were analyzed with SPSS statistic software.

RESULTSAverage incidence rate was 222.24 /100 000 and incidence rate was high in children and in urban areas. The period of high incidence was found in July 16 to August 3. The equation of index-curve forecast model was gained as Y = e (5.816-0.5845x. It showed some value in predicting the tendency of dysentery. Shigella was sensitive to quinolones and cephalosporins, and there was no significant differences between the middle and high grade in these two kinds of antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONIt should be taken as a measurement for the period of high incidence of dysentery.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Incidence ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Universal Precautions