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Y chromosome microdeletions, chromosome karyotypes and reproductive hormones in patients with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia.

Chun-Ling LIU ; Xiao-Yun WU ; Hui-Qi QIU ; Sheng-Sheng SHAO ; Yu-Rong ZHU ; Xiao-Rong LI

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(10):890-895.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia with Y chromosome microdeletions, chromosome karyotype and reproductive hormones in male infertility patients.

METHODSWe collected semen samples from 63 patients with azoospermia, 49 with severe oligozoospermia and 60 men with normal semen parameters, and determined the incidence of Y chromosome microdeletions, chromosome karyotypes and the levels of reproductive hormones.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of Y chromosome microdeletions was 11.11% in the azoospermia and 8.16% in the severe oligozoospermia patients, as compared with 0 in the normal controls (P<0.05). The rate of chromosome abnormalities was 9.52% in the azoospermia group, with statistically significant differences from the severe oligozoospermia and normal control men (both 0) (P<0.05). The levels of FSH and LH were significantly higher in the azoospermia ([20.41 +/- 19.34] IU/L and [11.44 +/- 9.48] IU/L) and the severe oligozoospermia patients ([8.88 +/- 7.04] IU/L and [6.78 +/- 3.85] IU/L) than in the normal males ([3.88 +/- 2.21] IU/L and [4.63 +/- 1.51] IU/L) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONExaminations of genetics and reproductive hormones are necessary for infertile males with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia, which may contribute to early diagnosis and treatment.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Oligospermia ; genetics ; Semen ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development ; blood ; genetics ; Sperm Count

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Pre-freezing equilibration improves post-thaw human semen parameters.

Ya-Nan WANG ; Sha-Sha ZOU ; Qian XIAO ; Yong LIU ; Xiao-Rong CAO ; Zheng LI ; Hong-Liang HU

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(10):886-889.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of pre-freezing equilibration on the cryo-survival of human sperm and to optimize the protocol of direct fumigation for the freeze-thawing of human sperm.

METHODSWe collected 50 semen samples from healthy donors, each subjected to cryopreservation with 3 different methods: non-equilibration freezing (Group A), 10-min equilibration at room temperature before freezing (Group B), and 10-min equilibration at 4 degrees C before freezing (Group C). We examined all the post-thaw semen samples by computer-assisted semen analysis for the sperm motility parameters, and detected the sperm vitality and deformity index (SDI).

RESULTSThe recovery rate of progressive sperm motility was (61.88 +/- 16.94)% in Group C, remarkably higher than in A ([48.61 +/- 16.44]%) and B ([49.41 +/- 13.77]%) (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference between the latter two. And there were no significant differences in sperm vitality and SDI among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONTen-minute equilibration at 4 degrees C before freezing can evidently improve the progressive motility of sperm in addition to its advantages of easy operation and controllable experimental condition.

Adult ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation ; methods ; Sperm Banks ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Young Adult

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Progesterone induction keeps a balanced mitochondrial activity and a low ROS productivity in human sperm.

Yu-Ping FAN ; Jiang-Jing TANG ; Hui LU ; Yu-Chen ZHANG ; Jing-Ling RUAN ; Xiao-Ming TENG ; Yi-Bing HAN

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(10):880-885.

OBJECTIVETo observe the relative activity of sperm mitochondria and the proportion of ROS-positive sperm before and after capacitation and progesterone (Pg)-induced hyperactivation, and investigate the functional characteristics of sperm mitochondria.

METHODSWe collected 20 samples of normal human spermatozoa that met the criteria of WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th ed) and cultured them with the swim-up method in a CO2 incubator at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. We divided the sperm into a pre-capacitation and a capacitated group, and further incubated the capacitated sperm in an upright tube with (Pg-induced group) or without (control group) slow-releasing Pg at 37 degrees C for another hour. Then we determined the relative activity of mitochondria and the percentage of ROS-positive cells in the sperm samples using JC-1 and DCF staining.

RESULTSThe relative activities of mitochondria were significantly increased in the capacitated, control and Pg-induced groups (6.23, 14.36 and 12.33) as compared with the pre-capacitation group (1.42) (P < 0.05), while the percentages of balanced mitochondria (mitochondria with equal amount of high and low electric potentials) remarkably reduced (4.27%, 5.03% and 8.57% vs 21.64%, P < 0.05). The percentages of ROS-positive sperm in the pre-capacitation, capacitated, control and Pg-induced groups were 2.89%, 0.70%, 4.25% and 1.90%, respectively, significantly lower in the capacitated than in the pre-capacitation group (P < 0.01), but dramatically increased in the control group after another hour of swim-up incubation and markedly higher than in the Pg-induced group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONProgesterone induction can hyperactive human sperm motility, inhibit the relative activity of mitochondria, keep mitochondria potential at a more balanced level, and reduce the production of ROS, which may help to raise the rate of in vitro fertilization and improve the quality of embryos.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondria ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; physiology

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Protective effect of pAdxsi-ERbeta adenovirus transfection on penile vascular endothelium in ERbetaKO mice.

Dao-Xian QIU ; Jie-Hua MA ; Lian-Jun PAN ; Yu-Feng HUANG

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(10):873-879.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the overexpression of the ERbeta gene on the penile vascular endothelium of ERbeta knockout (ERbetaKO) mice and its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSWe randomly divided 12 ERbetaKO male mice into groups A (ERbetaKO + TNFalpha + pAdxsi-ERbeta) and B (ERbetaKO + TNFalpha + empty virus), the former treated by pAdxsi-ERbeta adenovirus transfection, the latter with empty virus, and meanwhile both injected intraperitoneally with TNFalpha at 6 microg per kg body weight per d for 14 days. Then we observed the erectile function of the mice by APO, determined the changes of the endothelial markers CD34 and vWF by immunohistochemical staining, and detected the expressions of the relevant molecules in the eNOS-NO pathway by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with group B, group A showed a significantly increased number of penile erections (0.50 +/- 0.55 vs 2.17 +/- 0.41, P < 0.05), shortened erectile latency ([28.83 +/- 1.33] min vs [24.00 +/- 1.27] min, P < 0.05), enriched CD34 and vWF markers (0.67 +/- 0.52 vs 1.50 +/- 0.55 and 0.50 +/- 0.55 vs 1.33 +/- 0.52, both P < 0.05), elevated expressions of eNOS and Cam (RT-PCR: 1.38 +/- 0.03 vs 1.62 +/- 0.05 and 1.02 +/- 0.09 vs 1.42 +/- 0.05, both P < 0.05; Western blot: 1.27 +/- 0.04 vs 1.55 +/- 0.07 and 0.76 +/- 0.05 vs 0.95 +/- 0.08, both P < 0.05), and reduced expression of caveolin-1 (RT-PCR: 2.13 +/- 0.13 vs 1.72 +/- 0.08, P < 0.05; Western blot: 3.99 +/- 0.16 vs 3.40 +/- 0.14, P < 0.05). The results of RT-PCR were consistent with those of Western blot.

CONCLUSIONThe ERbeta gene protects the penile vascular endothelium via the eNOS-NO pathway.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; Estrogen Receptor beta ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Mice, Knockout ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Penis ; blood supply ; metabolism ; Transfection

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Androgen/androgen receptor directly regulates the expression of Caveolin-1 in mouse epididymides.

Shuang-Gang HU ; Guang-Xin YAO ; Yun SUN

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(10):867-872.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanisms of androgen/androgen receptor (AR) regulating the expression of Caveolin-1 in the mouse epididymis.

METHODSThe AR binding sites associated with the Caveolin-1 gene were identified by searching the database of genomewide AR binding sites in mouse epididymides obtained from chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq). Total RNA was extracted from the epididymal tissues of normal and castrated mice and those castrated but supplemented with testosterone propionate, and the expression of Caveolin-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. ChIP was performed with AR antibodies, and ChIP-PCR and ChIP-qPCR were used to determine the in vivo AR occupancies on the two sites associated with Caveolin-1.

RESULTSTwo AR binding sites associated with Caveolin-1 were found in the database, both located in the second intron region. After castration, the expression of Caveolin-1 was significantly increased, 1.8 +/- 0.17 times that of the control group (P < 0.05), and the fold enrichments of the two AR binding sites were dramatically reduced from 13.5 +/- 1.47 and 10.5 +/- 1.03 to 1.05 +/- 0.17 and 1.4 +/- 0.14, respectively (P < 0.01). After androgen supplement, however, the expression of Caveolin-1 was decreased to normal (P < 0.05), and the fold enrichments of the two AR binding sites significantly increased to 16.4 +/- 2.6 and 10 +/- 0.92, respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCaveolin-1 is a bona fide AR direct target gene in the mouse epididymis, and its expression is negatively regulated by androgen. These findings have provided a new insight into the androgen/AR regulatory network in mouse epididymides.

Androgens ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Caveolin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics

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Risk factors of recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Chun-Hui GU ; Wen-Jun LIANG ; Lu-Lu FU ; Lian-Wen ZHENG

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(8):758-762.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has various complicated causes, and more and more researches are focused on its etiology. Genetic factors are the most common risk factors of RSA; immune factors, infection factors, male factors and female factors play an important role; environmental pollution and some other unknown factors may also be conspirators. This article presents an overview on the possible risk factors of RSA.
Abortion, Habitual ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors

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Current progress in cryopreservation of small numbers of sperm.

Chun-Hua CHEN ; Yan-Wei SHA ; Ping LI

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(8):753-757.

Human sperm cryopreservation is an increasingly mature technique in assisted reproduction. However, conventional sperm cryopreservation is not suitable for the cryopreservation of small numbers of sperm. The solution to the cryopreservation of small numbers of sperm may contribute a lot to the clinical treatment of asthenospermia, oligospermia and azoospermatism. Recently, many researchers focus on searching for appropriate carriers for the cryopreservation of small numbers of sperm. This article outlines the effects of current cryopreservation methods including empty zona pellucida, microdrops, other mocrocarriers, testicular tissue cryopreservation and testicular sperm and epididymal sperm refrigeration.
Cryopreservation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Semen Preservation ; methods ; Testis

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Effects of testosterone supplement therapy on multiple organs and systems and its action duration.

Gang BAI ; Hong-Jun LI

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(8):748-752.

Androgens, which constitute the basis of male health, have a wide variety of physiological functions. Clinically, external testosterones are often prescribed for patients with hypogonadism to supplement their insufficiency in self-secretion. Testosterone supplemental therapy (TST) can raise the levels of internal androgens, relieve the related clinical symptoms, and improve the patients' life quality. Meanwhile, TST also works on multiple organs and systems, and have some effectiveness for a given period of time.
Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; Male ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

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Testosterone deficiency: an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease.

Xing-Rong QING ; Xue-Jun SHANG ; Yu-Feng HUANG

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(8):742-747.

Serum testosterone levels and gonad function decline with the aging of males. Large-scale epidemiological investigations, mechanism researches and clinical studies conducted in recent years have shown that physiological androgens are critical for the protection of the cardiovascular system. Testosterone deficiency in aging males is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors which include hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, thrombogenic and fibrinolytic dysfunction and inflammation. It can also lead to endothelial and vascular dysfunction, accelerate the formation of atherosclerosis and increase the morbidity of cardio-vascular disease.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Testosterone ; deficiency

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Advances in the studies of androgen metabolism and de novo androgen synthesis in castration resistant prostate cancer.

Bin WANG ; Kai-Jie WU ; Da-Lin HE

National Journal of Andrology.2013;19(8):736-741.

Prostate cancer generally relapses into castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after androgen deprivation therapy, which may be associated with androgen metabolism, particularly de novo androgen synthesis apart from the amplification and mutation of androgen receptor and the activation of its signaling pathways. This article focuses on the advances in the studies of the changes in androgen metabolism and de novo androgen synthesis in CRPC as well as their possible mechanisms and clinical significance.
Androgen Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Androgens ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; metabolism

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