To preliminarily investigate the effect of Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets( TGT) combined with traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) on the fertility and female menstruation on persons who have took during childhood. The children with henoch-schonlein purpura( HSP) or henoch-schonlein purpura nephritis( HSPN) who treated with TGT under 18 years old and now older than 18 years old( including 18 years old) during January 1998 to December 2010 were selected in our research. The content of follow-up visit included marriage,marriage age,fertility and child health; and unmarried female patients were asked whether they had menstrual abnormalities. The data of the unmarried female patients,including age,clinical classification,TCM syndrome type,initial dose and other related factors that may affect menstrual cycle,was analyzed by using binary logistic regression analysis. A total of 195 patients who met the criteria were followed up in this study,and 26 patients married for more than 1 year. Among the 26 married patients,1 HSP patient had no birth planning due to rheumatoid arthritis,and the remaining 25 patients all had given birth or were pregnant. The 169 unmarried patients included 89 female patients. Among the 89 female patients,4 cases refused to tell the menstrual situations,72 cases had normal menstruation( 84. 7%),13 cases had abnormal menstruation( 15. 3%),and there was no case of amenorrhea. Logistic regression analysis results showed that the age,clinical classification,TCM syndrome type and initial dose had no correlation with abnormal menstruation. Our results demonstrated that TGT has no effect on adulthood fertility among patients who took TGT combined with traditional Chinese medicine during childhood.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; drug therapy ; Tablets ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is found not only nephrotoxic, teratogenic, neurotoxic, and immunotoxic, but also reprotoxic for human and animals. In the recent decade, more attention has been paid to the impact of OTA on human reproduction and the studies of its underlying mechanisms. Many studies show that OTA affects the function of the reproductive system by acting as an endocrine disrupter and, as a testicular toxin, decreases sperm quality and even induces testis cancer. This review summarizes the toxicological characteristics and toxicokinetic process of OTA as well as recent progress in the studies of various toxic effects of OTA and their underlying mechanisms, hoping to call the attention from more people to the toxicity of OTA to male reproductive health.
Animals ; Endocrine Disruptors ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Ochratoxins ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testicular Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; Testis ; drug effects

As the number of young cancer survivors increases, quality of life after cancer treatment is becoming an ever more important consideration. According to a report from the American Cancer Society, approximately 810,170 women were diagnosed with cancer in 2015 in the United States. Among female cancer survivors, 1 in 250 are of reproductive age. Anticancer therapies can result in infertility or sterility and can have long-term negative effects on bone health, cardiovascular health as a result of reproductive endocrine function. Fertility preservation has been identified by many young patients diagnosed with cancer as second only to survival in terms of importance. The development of fertility preservation technologies aims to help patients diagnosed with cancer to preserve or protect their fertility prior to exposure to chemo- or radiation therapy, thus improving their chances of having a family and enhancing their quality of life as a cancer survivor. Currently, sperm, egg, and embryo banking are standard of care for preserving fertility for reproductive-age cancer patients; ovarian tissue cryopreservation is still considered experimental. Adoption and surrogate may also need to be considered. All patients should receive information about the fertility risks associated with their cancer treatment and the fertility preservation options available in a timely manner, whether or not they decide to ultimately pursue fertility preservation. Because of the ever expanding number of options for treating cancer and preserving fertility, there is now an opportunity to take a precision medicine approach to informing patients about the fertility risks associated with their cancer treatment and the fertility preservation options that are available to them.
Adult Stem Cells ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cryopreservation/*methods ; *Embryo, Mammalian ; Female ; Fertility Preservation/*methods ; Humans ; Neoplasms/drug therapy/*therapy ; *Oocytes ; Ovarian Follicle/drug effects/metabolism/transplantation ; *Ovary/transplantation ; Ovulation Induction/methods ; Precision Medicine

BACKGROUNDAspermia caused by exogenous testosterone limit its usage in late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients desiring fertility. Saikokaryukotsuboreito (SKRBT) is reported to improve serum testosterone and relieve LOH-related symptoms. However, it is unclear whether SKRBT affects fertility. We aimed to examine the effects of SKRBT on spermatogenesis and fertility in aging male mice.

METHODSThirty aging male mice were randomly assigned to three groups. Mice were orally administered with phosphate-buffer solution or SKRBT (300 mg/kg, daily) or received testosterone by subcutaneous injections (10 mg/kg, every 3 days). Thirty days later, each male mouse was mated with two female mice. All animals were sacrificed at the end of 90 days. Intratesticular testosterone (ITT) levels, quality of sperm, expression of synaptonemal complex protein 3 (SYCP3), and fertility were assayed.

RESULTSIn the SKRBT-treated group, ITT, quality of sperm, and expression of SYCP3 were all improved compared with the control group (ITT: 85.50 ± 12.31 ng/g vs. 74.10 ± 11.45 ng/g, P = 0.027; sperm number: [14.94 ± 4.63] × 106 cells/ml vs. [8.79 ± 4.38] × 106 cells/ml, P = 0.002; sperm motility: 43.16 ± 9.93% vs. 33.51 ± 6.98%, P = 0.015; the number of SYCP3-positive cells/tubule: 77.50 ± 11.01 ng/ml vs. 49.30 ± 8.73 ng/ml, P < 0.001; the expression of SYCP3 protein: 1.23 ± 0.09 vs. 0.84 ± 0.10, P < 0.001), but fertility was not significantly changed (P > 0.05, respectively). In the testosterone-treated group, ITT, quality of sperm, and expression of SYCP3 were markedly lower than the control group (ITT: 59.00 ± 8.67, P = 0.005; sperm number: [4.34 ± 2.45] × 106 cells/ml, P = 0.018; sperm motility: 19.53 ± 7.69%, P = 0.001; the number of SYCP3-positive cells/tubule: 30.00 ± 11.28, P < 0.001; the percentage of SYCP3-positive tubules/section 71.98 ± 8.88%, P = 0.001; the expression of SYCP3 protein: 0.71 ± 0.09, P < 0.001), and fertility was also suppressed (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSKRBT had no adverse effect on fertility potential in aging male mice.

Aging ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Nuclear Proteins ; analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood

The objective of this study was to investigate factors that influence the success of resynchronization protocols for bovines with and without progesterone supplementation. Cow synchronized and not found pregnant were randomly assigned to two resynchronization protocols: ovsynch without progesterone (P4) supplementation (n = 66) or with exogenous P4 administered from Days 0 to 7 (n = 67). Progesterone levels were measured on Days 0 and 7 of these protocols as well as 4 and 5 days post-insemination. Progesterone supplementation raised the P4 levels on Day 7 (p < 0.05), but had no overall effect on resynchronization rates (RRs) or pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). However, cows with Body Condition Score (BCS) > 3.5 had increased P/AI values while cows with BCS < 2.75 had decreased P/AI rates after P4 supplementation. Primiparous cows had higher P4 values on Day 7 than pluriparous animals (p = 0.04) and tended to have higher RRs (p = 0.06). Results of this study indicate that progesterone supplementation in resynchronization protocols has minimal effects on outcomes. Parity had an effect on the levels of circulating progesterone at initiation of the protocol, which in turn influenced the RR.
Animals ; Cattle/*physiology ; Dinoprost/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Estrus Synchronization/*drug effects/methods ; Female ; Fertility Agents/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Insemination, Artificial/veterinary ; Ovulation/drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Tromethamine/administration & dosage/*pharmacology

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of antifreeze protein (AFP) supplementation on ovarian vitrification and transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, we researched a total of 182 ovaries from 4-week-old ICR mice. The equilibration solution included 20% ethylene glycol (EG), and the vitrification solution included 40% EG, 18% Ficoll, and 0.3 M sucrose. Intact ovaries were first suspended in 1 mL of equilibration solution for 10 min, and then mixed with 0.5 mL of vitrification solution for 5 min. Ovaries were randomly assigned to 3 groups and 0, 5, or 20 mg/mL of type III AFP was added into the vitrification solution (control, AFP5, and AFP20 groups, respectively). The vitrified ovaries were evaluated after warming and 2 weeks after autotransplantation. The main outcome measurements are follicular morphology and apoptosis assessed by histology and the TUNEL assay. RESULTS: A significantly higher intact follicle ratio was shown in the AFP treated groups (control, 28.9%; AFP5, 42.3%; and AFP20, 44.7%). The rate of apoptotic follicles was significantly lower in the AFP treated groups (control, 26.6%; AFP5, 18.7%; and AFP20, 12.6%). After transplantation of the vitrified-warmed ovaries, a significantly higher intact follicle ratio was shown in the AFP20 group. The rate of apoptotic follicles was similar among the groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that supplementing AFP in the vitrification solution has beneficial effects on the survival of ovarian tissue during cryopreservation and transplantation.
Animals ; Antifreeze Proteins/*pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects ; Cryopreservation/*methods ; Cryoprotective Agents/*pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility Preservation ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Ovarian Follicle/drug effects ; Ovary/*drug effects/*transplantation ; *Vitrification

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of dutasteride inhibiting fertility by studying its effects on the expressions of the epididymal epithelial junction proteins Claudin1 and β-catenin in rats.

METHODSSixteen 3-month-old SD male rats were equally divided into an experimental and a negative control group to be treated intragastrically with dutasteride at 40 mg/kg per day and the same dose of solvent, respectively, for 14 consecutive days. Then, the sperm motility and morphology of the rats were detected by computer-assisted sperm analysis, the serum levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) measured by ELISA, changes in the tight junction of epididymal cells observed under the transmission electron microscope, the protein and gene expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and the conception rate of the mated female rats calculated.

RESULTSDutasteride significantly suppressed the serum DHT level, sperm motility, and fertility of the rats (P <0.05). Interspaces between epididymal epithelial cell tight junctions were observed, the volume of epididymal fluid obviously increased, and the expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin gene and protein remarkably downregulated in the experimental rats (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONDutasteride can significantly inhibit the fertility of male rats by reducing the serum DHT level, suppressing Claudin1 and β-catenin expressions, and damaging epididymal epithelial cell junctions.

Animals ; Azasteroids ; pharmacology ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Dihydrotestosterone ; blood ; Dutasteride ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urological Agents ; pharmacology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-simulated and positive-control trial was used to verify the contribution degree of Bushen Huoxue for the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction caused infertility, which provided scientific basis for clinical treatment.

METHODAccording to diagnostic, inclusion and exclusion criteria, we observed 349 patients which were divided into the treated group (n = 177, treated with Bushen Huoxue ricipe) and control group (n = 172, treated with clomiphene). Ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, clinical effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine, endometrium and diameter of dominant follicle were observed. Serum reproductive endocrine hormones were assayed before and after treatment.

RESULTThe treated group showed ovulation rate of 69.34%, with pregnancy rate of 41.35%. The clinical effective rate of treated group and control group were 91.73% and 80.77%. There was remarkable difference in endometrium (P < 0.05) and remarkbale difference in sex hormones PRL and E₂in treated group at prior-treatment and post-treatment (P < 0.05). No adverse effects were found in the experiment. Security indicators did not show abnormal change.

CONCLUSIONThe comparison between the two groups showed that the treated group was significantly different from control group in the pregnancy rate (P < 0.05), without notable difference in ovulation rate. There was significant difference in clinical effective rate between the treated group and control group. Both the two groups could contribute to the mature development and discharge of the follicles. The growth of endometrium and endometrial receptivity in the treated group were higher than control group. The treated group has regulatory effect on PRL and E₂.

Adult ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fertility Agents, Female ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Ovary ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Guilingji Capsule (GC) on the fertility, liver functions, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of adult male SD rats exposed by 900 MHz cell phone.

METHODSTotally 18 adult male SD rats and 36 adult female rats in child-bearing period were selected and randomly divided into three groups according to weight equilibrium principle, i.e., the normal group, the radiated group, and the GC group, 6 males and 12 females in each group. Male rats in the normal group and all female rats were not radiated. Male rats in the radiated group and the GC group received radiation for 4 h per day, lasting for 18 successive days. Rats in the GC group received GC suspension at the daily dose of 0. 15 g/kg by gastrogavage at the same time. Equal volume of normal saline was administrated to other male rats. Then male rats were mated with corresponding female rats from the 14th radiation night to the 18th radiation night in the ratio of 1:2. Male rats were killed following on the next morning of ending the radiation. Female rats were normally fed and then killed before delivery. The pregnant outcomes of female rats in responding groups (the rates of pregnancy and the number of death fetus, birth weight, body length, and tail length) were observed and compared. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), AST/ALT, and LDH levels of the male rats were detected by colorimetry. Histological and morphological changes of liver were observed by HE staining.

RESULTSCompared with the normal group, the pregnancy rates of female rats decreased and the number of death fetus increased, the serum LDH level obviously increased in the radiated group (P < 0.05). Serum levels of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT were no significantly changed in the radiated group. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration appeared. Compared with the radiated group, the pregnancy rates increased, the number of death fetus dropped, and the serum level of LDH decreased in the GC group (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in serum levels of ALT, AST, or AST/ALT. The hepatocyte nuclear atrophy and cytoplasm vacuolar degeneration were significantly attenuated. The histomorphological structures recovered to normal basically in the GC group.

CONCLUSIONSThe pregnancy rates could be decreased, the number of death fetus increased, histomorphological structures abnormal, and serum LDH level increased by exposure toy GSM 900 MHz cell phone. GC could prevent and treat the aforesaid lesion. But there was no statistical difference in serum ALT or AST levels.

Animals ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fertility ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; blood ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Radiation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on the testicular histology and reproductive endocrine function in male rats and investigate the possible mechanism of inflammation affecting male fertility.

METHODSThirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (A) and three LPS intervention groups (B, C, and D) to receive saline and LPS (5 mg/kg i. p, once), respectively. The animals in groups B, C, and D were killed by anesthesia at 12, 24, and 72 hours after treatment. Histopathological changes in the left testis of the rats were observed by HE staining and the levels of the reproductive hormones T, FSH, and LH in the serum were determined by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with group B, group A showed clear structure of seminiferous tubules, orderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, a slightly decreased number of sperm in some seminiferous tubular lumens, and shed spermatogenic cells in the rat testis tissue; group C exhibited thinner seminiferous epithelia, disordered structure of seminiferous tubules, irregular arrangement of spermatogenic cells, decreased number of mature sperm and obvious shedding of spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubular lumens; group D manifested similar findings to those of group C, with even more shed spermatogenic cells that blocked the tubular lumens. The levels of serum T, LH, and FSH were (0.490 +/- 0.028) ng/ml, (6.290 +/- 0.515) ng/L, and (1.837 +/- 0.127) IU/L in group A, (0.460 +/- 0.024) ng/ml, (5.881 +/- 0.124) ng/L, and (1.707 +/- 0.098) IU/L in group B, (0.417 +/- 0.021) ng/ml, (5.123 +/- 0.271) ng/L, and (1.620 +/- 0.115) IU/L in group C, and (0.378 +/- 0.021) ng/ml, (4.504 +/- 0.279) ng/L and (1.562 +/- 0.216) IU/L in group D, all decreased in group B as compared with A (P > 0.05). The decreases of T and LH were extremely significant (P < 0.01) and that of FSH was significant in groups C and D (P < 0.05) in comparison with A.

CONCLUSIONLPS-induced inflammation affects the testicular tissue and reproductive endocrine function of male rats, resulting in decreased levels of serum T, LH, and FSH.

Animals ; Endocrine System ; drug effects ; physiology ; Fertility ; drug effects ; physiology ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Reproduction ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Spermatocytes ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood