Reactive oxygen species and cryopreservation promote DNA fragmentation in equine spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cryopreservation on DNA fragmentation of equine spermatozoa. In experiment 1, equine spermatozoa were incubated (1 hour, 38 degrees C) according to the following treatments: 1) sperm alone; 2) sperm + xanthine (X, 0.3 mM)-xanthine oxidase (XO, 0.025 U/mL); 3) sperm + X (0.6 mM)-XO (0.05 U/mL); and 4) sperm + X (1 mM)-XO (0.1 U/mL). In experiment 2, spermatozoa were incubated (1 hour, 38 degrees C) with X (1 mM)-XO (0.1 U/mL) and either catalase (200 U/mL), superoxide dismutase (SOD, 200 U/mL), or reduced glutathione (GSH, 10 mM). Following incubation, DNA fragmentation was determined by the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. In experiment 3, equine spermatozoa were cryopreserved, and DNA fragmentation was determined in fresh, processed, and postthaw sperm samples. In experiment 1, incubation of equine spermatozoa in the presence of ROS, generated by the X-XO system, increased DNA fragmentation (P <.005). In Experiment 2, the increase in DNA fragmentation associated with X-XO treatment was counteracted by the addition of catalase and GSH but not by SOD, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide and not superoxide appears to be the ROS responsible for such damage. In experiment 3, cryopreservation of equine spermatozoa was associated with an increase (P <.01) in DNA fragmentation when compared with fresh or processed samples. This study indicates that ROS and cryopreservation promote DNA fragmentation in equine spermatozoa; the involvement of ROS in cryopreservation-induced DNA damage remains to be determined.     

Mutant Nbs1 enhances cisplatin-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity in head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair could be a primary cause for development of resistance in tumor cells to cisplatin, which induces crosslinks and DNA DSBs. A protein complex consisting of hMre11, hRad50, and Nbs1 (MRN) has been identified as a critical component in repair of DNA DSBs. The present study investigates whether the expression of a truncated form of Nbs1 interrupts the function of the MRN complex and therefore enhances cisplatin-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS AND MEASURES: Two human HNSCC cell lines, JHU006 and JHU029, were used. A dominant negative recombinant adenovirus expressing domains of Nbs1 was constructed. Adenovirus-mediated mutant Nbs1 (Ad-Nbs1) gene transfer was performed with replication-defective virus (DL312) and no treatment as controls. Transgene expression and cell viability were evaluated in transfected cells. Neutral comet assay was performed and the "tail moment," the product of the amount of DNA in the tail and the distance of tail migration, was analyzed for evaluating DNA DSB damage at 24, 48, and 72 hours. RESULTS: Transgene expression of mutant Nbs1 was confirmed by Western blotting. Ad-Nbs1 gene transfer significantly increased cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity as shown by stunting of 6-day growth curves. Neutral comet analysis revealed that the mean tail moment, indicative of DNA damage, was significantly elevated in cells treated with combined cisplatin and Ad-Nbs1 compared to cisplatin alone in both cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of mutant Nbs1 significantly increases cisplatin-induced DNA DSBs and cytotoxicity. The increase in double-strand DNA damage corresponds to the level of cytotoxicity in the different treatment groups and suggests that tumor chemosensitization occurs through augmentation of DNA DSBs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Alteration of DNA repair may provide a novel approach to enhancing sensitivity of HNSCC to chemotherapy. Our study supports the potential application of Ad-Nbs1 in combination with cisplatin for treatment of advanced and metastatic HNSCC.     

Shortening of alkaline DNA unwinding time does not interfere with detecting DNA damage to mouse and human spermatozoa in the comet assay

The comet assay was performed on mouse and human spermatozoa to examine the effect of alkaline DNA unwinding time. The spermatozoa were treated in vitro with the DNA-damaging agents, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) or hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and then embedded in agarose gel on glass slides. The slides were immersed in alkaline solution (>pH 13) for 1, 5, 10 and 20 min, and then subjected to the electrophoresis under neutral conditions. In mouse spermatozoa, comet tails seen in solvent controls became brighter and longer as the alkaline DNA unwinding time increased. However, in the MMS-treated mouse spermatozoa, a smaller difference in the damage from that in the solvent control was seen with time within a dose. DNA damage induced by H₂O₂ could also be detected accurately after alkali treatment for 1–20 min. In human spermatozoa, DNA damage induced by MMS and H₂O₂ could be detected in a dose-dependent manner after alkali treatment for 1 min. The ability of the comet assay to detect DNA damage was not adversely affected by the short period (1 min) of the alkaline DNA unwinding time.     

阿霉素诱导人胆囊癌细胞凋亡的研究

目的　观察阿霉素 (ADM )对胆囊癌细胞凋亡的影响。方法　在体外培养的胆囊癌细胞中加入不同浓度的阿霉素 ,应用光镜、电镜、DNA凝胶电泳及流式细胞仪检测胆囊癌细胞凋亡的形态学特征、生化学特征、细胞凋亡百分率及细胞周期的变化。结果　在阿霉素作用下 ,凋亡的胆囊癌细胞出现膜小泡、凋亡小体等特征性改变 ;DNA电泳呈现典型的“梯状”条带 ;流式细胞仪测定 ,出现典型的凋亡峰 ,其凋亡百分率随着药物浓度的提高而明显升高 ,分别与对照组比较 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;同时 ,S期细胞含量下降 ,而G2 /M期细胞含量上升。非凋亡细胞则无此表现。结论　ADM可诱导胆囊癌细胞发生凋亡 ,并可使胆囊癌细胞生长受阻于G2 /M期 ,这可能是其杀伤肿瘤的一种重要机制     

Chromatin intact human sperm recovery is higher following glass wool column filtration as compared with density gradient centrifugation

The sperm DNA quality as determined by chromatin integrity has been reported to be associated with in vivo and in vitro fertility. However, previous studies have evaluated preparation procedures to select motile, morphologically normal and mature spermatozoa, but not the spermatozoa with intact sperm chromatin. To determine which technique yields a population of spermatozoa with improved DNA quality, split ejaculate was processed with density gradient centrifugation (DGC) procedure and glass wool column filtration (GWF) procedure. The processed samples were analysed for sperm DNA quality using the acridine orange staining method on flow cytometry. The GWF procedure decreases the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation resulting in more intact chromatin in the processed sample. There is a need to design a clinical study with GWF for assisted reproductive technology.     

DNA integrity in human spermatozoa: relationships with semen quality

The literature contains conflicting evidence regarding the existence of DNA damage in spermatozoa from infertile male patients. To examine this phenomenon, we have studied ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic semen donors and from a group of the unselected male partners of couples attending an infertility clinic for initial investigation. Classical semen analysis according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines was undertaken with computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Spermatozoa were prepared by sequential washing and centrifugation and were analyzed for DNA fragmentation using three assays: 1) a single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay, 2) in situ nick translation with prior chemical decondensation (ISNT-decondensed), and 3) in situ nick translation without prior chemical decondensation (ISNT-condensed). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by spermatozoa was measured, and seminal plasma was analyzed for its total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP). When the donor and patient groups were compared, the latter had lower levels of semen quality and higher levels of DNA damage, which was particularly apparent using the comet assay. Highly significant negative correlations were observed between DNA fragmentation, detected by all three assays, and semen quality, particularly sperm concentration. In addition, multiple regression analysis indicated that other attributes of semen quality, such as sperm movement and ROS generation, were also related to DNA damage. We conclude that a significant proportion of infertile men have elevated levels of DNA damage in their ejaculated spermatozoa.     

Paternal DNA damage resulting from various sperm treatments persists after fertilization and is similar before and after DNA replication

In spite of its highly condensed state, sperm DNA is vulnerable to damage that can originate from oxidative stress, the activity of sperm-specific nucleases, or both. After fertilization, in the oocyte, paternal chromatin undergoes dramatic changes, and during this extensive remodeling, it can be both repaired and degraded, and these processes can be linked to DNA synthesis. Here, we analyzed sperm response to damage-inducing treatments both before and after fertilization and before or after zygotic DNA replication. Epididymal mouse spermatozoa were either frozen without cryoprotection (FT) or treated with detergent Triton X-100 coupled with dithiothreitol (TX+DTT) to induce DNA damage. Fresh, untreated sperm served as control. Immediately after preparation, spermatozoa from 3 groups were taken for comet assay, or for intracytoplasmic sperm injection into prometaphase I oocytes to visualize prematurely condensed single-chromatid chromosomes, or into mature metaphase II oocytes to visualize chromosomes after DNA replication. Comet assay revealed increased DNA fragmentation in treated sperm when compared with control, with FT sperm more severely affected. Chromosome analysis demonstrated paternal DNA damage in oocytes injected with treated, but not with fresh, sperm, with FT and TX+DTT groups now yielding similar damage. There were no differences in the incidence of abnormal paternal karyoplates before and after DNA synthesis in all examined groups. This study provides evidence that subjecting sperm to DNA damage-inducing treatments results in degradation of highly condensed sperm chromatin when it is still packed within the sperm head, and that this DNA damage persists after fertilization. The difference in DNA damage in sperm subjected to 2 treatments was ameliorated in the fertilized oocytes, suggesting that some chromatin repair might have occurred. This process, however, was independent of DNA synthesis and took place during oocyte maturation.     

Protamine/DNA ratios and DNA damage in native and density gradient centrifuged sperm from infertile patients

Protamines are the major nuclear proteins condensing DNA in the sperm nucleus. One of their proposed functions is the protection of the genetic message delivered by the sperm. To date, evidence of their involvement in DNA protection has been obtained by correlating the protamine P1/P2 ratio, protamine concentrations, or chromomycin A3 staining with DNA fragmentation. However, a correlation of the absolute protamine/DNA content with the DNA fragmentation in sperm from the same infertile patients as assessed with the comet assay has not been studied. Protamine/DNA ratios were calculated after protamine and DNA extraction, electrophoresis, and gel quantification of the protamines and DNA quantification in the sperm samples of 66 infertile patients before (native sample) and after a 2-step discontinuous PureSperm density gradient centrifuged (DGC) selection of the sperm. DNA fragmentation was assessed using the alkaline comet assay. In DGC sperm, the total protamine/DNA, P1/DNA, and P2/DNA ratios all correlated inversely with DNA damage in sperm from infertile patients. The detection of this inverse correlation between protamine/DNA ratios and DNA damage in DGC sperm adds support to the hypothesis that defective protamination is related to DNA damage in the clinically relevant subpopulation of sperm from infertile men.     

Comparison of four methods to evaluate sperm DNA integrity between mouse caput and cauda epididymidis

It is well known that transit through the epididymis involves an increase in the compaction of sperm chromatin, which acquires fully condensed status at the caput epididymidis. The purpose of this study was to compare the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay, the comet assay, the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test by analysing spermatozoa from the caput and cauda epididymidis in order to demonstrate the ability of each technique to discriminate between different degrees of sperm maturity related to chromatin compaction and DNA fragmentation. Our results suggest that some populations of DNA-fragmented spermatozoa associated with immature sperm can only be identified using the comet assay and the SCSA but not with the SCD test or the TUNEL assay.     

An evaluation of chromatin condensation and DNA integrity in the spermatozoa of men with cancer before and after therapy

Cancer has been known for a long time to have a depressive effect on sperm number and quality. Cytotoxic agents and radiotherapy have also been shown to impair spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess DNA integrity and chromatin condensation in the spermatozoa of men with cancer before and after treatment. Chromatin condensation was evaluated using flowcytometric assessment with propidium iodide, DNA integrity was determined using the comet assay. Thirty-three men with cancer (testicular cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia) and 14 men with proven fertility took part in the study. The study found that in men with cancer, the percentage of spermatozoa with highly condensed DNA was less than that of controls. DNA integrity when assessed using the comet assay was also reduced by cancer. Percentage head DNA intact and percentage of condensed chromatin in the spermatozoa of men with cancer after treatment were less than those in fertile men. This study, although small, does demonstrate a detrimental effect on chromatin condensation and DNA integrity of cancer and its treatment. These findings are important because of the potential effects impaired chromatin and DNA integrity could have on fertilization, blastocyst and embryo development.     

用SYBR Green I实时逆转录-聚合酶链反应定量检测人、小鼠精子中CatSper1 mRNA

目的:建立并优化SYBR GreenI实时RT-PCR体系,定量检测人、小鼠成熟精子中的CatSper1 mRNA。方法:用TRIzol分别提取人、小鼠成熟精子中的总RNA,逆转录后用SYBR GreenI实时PCR定量检测CatSper1 mRNA。SYBR GreenI实时PCR采用普通PCR试剂,加入SYBR GreenI染料,优化退火温度、Mg2+浓度及上、下游引物比例,并在PCR循环时采用四步法以消除引物二聚体的影响。优化完成后用不同浓度的精子cDNA为模板做标准曲线,以检测SYBR GreenI实时PCR的扩增效率。结果:定量检测CatSper1 mRNA的SYBR GreenI实时PCR体系适宜退火温度、Mg2+浓度及上、下游引物比例分别为63℃、3.0mmol/L和1∶1,四步法中采集荧光的温度为88℃。优化后用人和小鼠精子cDNA为模板做标准曲线分别为Y=-3.402log(X)+25.99和Y=-3.409log(X)+24.09,扩增效率分别为96.8%和96.5%,可定量检测人、小鼠成熟精子中的CatSper1 mRNA。结论:用普通的逆转录及PCR系统和试剂,建立了一种方便、廉价、可靠的SYBR GreenI实时荧光定量RT-PCR系统,可用于人、小鼠精子中CatSper1 mRNA定量检测。     

Antimicrobial endodontic compounds do not modulate alkylation-induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if formocresol, paramonochlorophenol, or calcium hydroxide modulate the genotoxic effects induced by the oxidatively damaging agent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or the alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) in vitro by using single cell gel (comet) assay. STUDY DESIGN: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in culture were exposed directly to formocresol, paramonochlorophenol, or calcium hydroxide (adjusted to 100 microg/mL) for 1 hour at 37 degrees C. Subsequently the cultures were incubated with increasing concentrations (0-10 micromol/L) of MMS in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS) for 15 minutes at 37 degrees C or of H2O2 at increasing concentrations (0-100 micromol/L) in distilled water for 5 minutes on ice. The negative control cells were treated with PBS for 1 hour at 37 degrees C. The parameter from the comet assay (tail moment) was assessed by the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test followed by a post hoc analysis (Dunn test). RESULTS: Clear concentration-related effects were observed for the genotoxin-exposed CHO cells. Increase of MMS-induced DNA damage was not significantly altered by the presence of the compounds tested. Similarly, no significant changes were observed when hydrogen peroxide was used with the endodontic compounds evaluated. CONCLUSION: Formocresol, paramonochlorophenol, and calcium hydroxide are not able to modulate alkylation-induced genotoxicity or oxidative DNA damage as depicted by the single cell gel (comet) assay.     

Genotoxicity in primary human peripheral lymphocytes after exposure to regular and white mineral trioxide aggregate.

OBJECTIVE: Taking into consideration that DNA damage plays an important role in carcinogenesis, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether regular and white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are able to induce genetic damage in primary human cells. STUDY DESIGN: Human peripheral lymphocytes obtained from 10 healthy volunteers were exposed to 2 presentation forms of MTA at final concentrations ranging from 1 to 1000 microg/mL for 1 hour at 37 degrees C. The negative control group was treated with vehicle control (phosphate buffer solution, PBS) for 1 hour at 37 degrees C and the positive control group was treated with hydrogen peroxide (at 100 microM) for 5 minutes on ice. Results were analyzed by the Friedman nonparametric test. RESULTS: The results pointed out that either regular or white MTA in all concentrations tested did not induce DNA breakage in human peripheral lymphocytes as depicted by the mean tail moment. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results indicate that exposure to MTA may not be a factor that increases the level of DNA lesions in human peripheral lymphocytes as detected by single cell gel (comet) assay.     

细胞增殖对DNA损伤敏感度的影响

目的 观察细胞增殖状态对DNA损伤敏感度的影响.方法 相同时间和强度的紫外线(uV)作用于过以及未经过植物m凝素(PHA)刺激的外周血淋巴细胞(PBLs),荧光标记的磷酸化H2AX组蛋白(γ-H2AX)抗体特异性标记细胞核内DNA双链断裂(DSBs)处的,y-H2AX,然后用流式细胞仪定量检测并分析DNA损伤,用Annexin V-FITC/PI检测细胞凋亡.结果 经PHA刺激PBLs细胞进人增殖状态,UV可引起DNA双链断裂,增殖期的PBLs细胞DNA损伤程度明显大于静止期PBLs细胞.结论 受到相同打击后,处于增殖期的淋巴细胞DNA损伤较静止期更为明显.     

人脂肪细胞的可塑性

目的 探索体外培养环境下人成熟脂肪细胞的去分化现象,旨在挖掘其作为种子细胞的潜能,为组织工程研究开辟新思路.方法 自成人吸脂术后抽吸物提取成熟脂肪细胞及脂肪组织来源干细胞(adipose-derived stromal cells,ASCs),天花板贴壁培养法诱导成熟脂肪细胞去分化,观察细胞形态变化,获得去分化脂肪细胞(dedifferentiated adipocytes,DA).相同的条件下,MTT比色法比较DA、ASCs活性并绘制细胞生长曲线;流式细胞仪鉴定DA、ASCs表面分子的表达;油红O染色、茜素红染色、阿尔辛蓝染色分别鉴定DA、ASCs成脂分化、成骨、成软骨分化能力.结果 人成熟脂肪细胞在体外培养环境下能去分化为成纤维细胞状DA;MTT比色法测细胞活性:DA、ASCs均有很强的增殖能力,两者差异无统计学意义;流式细胞仪测定:DA、ASCs中HLA-ABC、CD29、CD44均为阳性,CD45、CD34、CD106均为阴性;成脂分化2周,油红O染色可见DA、ASCs内出现红色脂滴;成骨分化2周,茜素红染色可见DA、ASCs内红色钙盐沉积;成软骨分化2周,阿尔辛蓝染色可见DA、ASCs内软骨基质沉积.结论 成熟的脂肪细胞在体外培养条件下可成为DA,DA具有很强的增殖活性,表达部分干细胞特征性表面蛋白,有成骨、成软骨及强大的成脂分化能力,有望成为组织工程优秀的种子细胞.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the dedifferentiation phenomenon of human mature adipocytes cultured in vitro and to discuss the possibility of using dedifferentiation adipocytes ( DA ) as seed cells.Methods Mature adipocytes and ASCs were harvested from human fat aspirates. Mature adipocytes were cultured and induced to DA by ceiling adherent culture method. Cell morphology were observed during the whole process. Viabilities of DA and ASCs were compared by MTT chromatometry and cell growth curves were drawn based on it. Cell surface markers of DA and ASCs were detected by flow cytometry. The adipogenic,osteogenic and chondrogenic ability of DA and ASCs were assessed by oil red O staining,alizarin bordeaux staining and alcian blue staining, respectively. Regults Human mature adipocytes can dedifferentiate into fibroblast-shaped DA. MTT chromatometry assay demonstrated that DA and ASCs both had strong reproductive activity, with no significant difference between them. Flow cytometry assay demonstrated that both DA and ASCs expressed HLA-ABC, CD29 and CD44, while didn't express CD45,CD34 and CD106. After two weeks of adipogenic differentiation, lipid droplets could be displayed by oil red O staining in both DA and ASCs. After two weeks of osteogenic differentiation, calcium salts mineralization in DA and ASCs could be detected by alizarin bordeaux staining. After two weeks of chondrogenic differentiation, matrix of cartilage cells in DA and ASCs could be detected by alcian blue staining. Conclusions Mature adipocytes can be dedifferentiated into DA in vitro. DA has strong reproductive activity, as well as osteogenic, chondrogenic ability and strong adipogenic ability. It expresses some of the stem cell-related cell surface proteins and is a promising seed cell for adipose tissue engineering.     

Extra-epididymal spermatozoa express nuclear abnormalities

Extra-epididymal spermatozoa account for approximately a third of all spermatozoa found in the normal human ejaculate. Whilst remaining outside of the testes at core body temperature, the functional competence of spermatozoa, including cell motility and fertilizing capacity, diminishes. By examining spermatozoa found in the seminal fluid of recently vasectomized men, this study has investigated the nuclear changes that occur in spermatozoa whilst persisting in sites distal to the epididymis. Spectral recordings of spermatozoa stained with the nucleic acid dye, toluidine blue and the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) were performed. Toluidine blue staining of human sperm DNA is an effective predictor of abnormal protamine disulphide crosslinking and chromatin condensation. Using flow cytometry, the SCSA determines the sensitivity of sperm DNA to acid-induced denaturation, providing a measure of chromatin and DNA damage. Abnormal protamine disulphide crosslinking and chromatin condensation was significantly higher in spermatozoa from patients after vasectomy when compared to normozoospermic controls (p < 0.01). Additionally, spermatozoa from vasectomized donors were significantly more sensitive to acid-induced denaturation than were normozoospermic donors (p < 0.05). The results indicate that spermatozoa surviving in extra-epididymal sites are more likely to possess DNA and chromatin abnormalities than those present in the testes and epididymis. These changes may partly explain the depletion of cell viability and fertilizing capacity of extra-epididymal spermatozoa which has been reported previously.     

镉离子对公牛精子功能损伤的机制

目的:重金属比如镉(Cd)作为工业污染物广泛分布在环境中,研究人员已经鉴定了这些污染物能影响男性生殖系统。本文研究的目的是测试Cd在10~1000μmol/L的浓度范围在体外对荷斯坦(Holstein)公牛精子膜和DNA完整性、活动率和精子顶体胞吐能力的影响。方法:用PBS处理公牛精液样本后进行精液分析。脂质过氧化试验评估精子膜完整性。明胶消化试验测定公牛精子顶体胞吐作用的能力。单细胞凝胶电泳(SCGE)检测单个细胞内DNA断裂和不耐碱的破坏。结果:脂质过氧化(LPO)显著增加,表明了Cd对精子膜完整性的破坏作用。这种影响在Cd浓度为1000μmol/L时特别明显。LPO与活动精子百分率之间呈负相关(r=-0.94,P<0.001)。明胶消化试验表明Cd引起公牛精子顶体胞吐作用的百分率下降。发现在LPO率和消化环百分率之间呈负相关(r=-0.97,P<0.001)。彗星试验获得的数据表明Cd能诱导精子核中的DNA断裂。接近93%的DNA损伤为双股断裂。LPO氧化率与DNA断裂百分率之间的相关性为0.95(P<0.001)。结论:总体上,Cd诱导公牛精子膜损伤、活动率降低、DNA断裂、以及顶体反应率降低而导致精子功能损伤。进入雄性性腺和精浆的Cd可能对动物精子产生了破坏作用。     

Genetic damage in human peripheral lymphocytes exposed to antimicrobial endodontic agents.

OBJECTIVE: Formocresol, paramonochlorophenol, or calcium hydroxide have been widely used in dental practice to eradicate bacteria and consequently to produce root canal disinfection. Taking into consideration strong evidence for a relationship between DNA damage and carcinogenesis, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of antimicrobial endodontic compounds in human peripheral lymphocytes by single-cell gel (comet) assay. This technique detects DNA strand breaks in individual cells. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 10 microL of the tested substance solution (formocreso1, paramonochlorofeno1, and calcium hydroxide at 100-microg/mL concentration) was added to human peripheral lymphocytes from 10 volunteers for 1 hour at 37 degrees C. The negative control group was treated with vehicle control (PBS) for 1 hour at 37 degrees C, as well. For the positive control group, lymphocytes were exposed to hydrogen peroxide at 100 microM during 5 minutes on ice. RESULTS: No DNA breakage was detected after a treatment of peripheral lymphocytes by formocresol, paramonochlorophenol, or calcium hydroxide at 100 microg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our results indicate that exposure to formocresol, paramonochlorophenol, or calcium hydroxide may not be a factor that increases the level of DNA lesions in human peripheral lymphocytes as detected by single-cell gel (comet) assay.     

Ejaculate fractions of asthenozoospermic and teratozoospermic patients have differences in the sperm DNA integrity

The initial fraction of the human ejaculate mainly contains prostatic secretions and the subsequent fraction holds majority of the spermatozoa suspended in the secretions from the seminal vesicle. Apart from large series of proteins, human ejaculate also contains antioxidants and reactive oxygen species that are specific to certain accessory sexual glands; however, the influence of these components on the sperm DNA integrity has not been elucidated till date. The present investigation was conducted using split (first and second) ejaculate fractions of forty-one subjects having various semen abnormalities. Sperm DNA integrity was assessed in the individual fractions by comet assay and quantified. The amount of sperm DNA damage between the split fractions is not significantly different in normozoospermic semen samples. In contrast, split fraction-2 had significantly elevated level of DNA-damaged spermatozoa in asthenozoospermic (P < 0.01) and teratozoospermic groups (P < 0.001) when compared to whole ejaculate. The split fraction analysis using various types of ejaculates demonstrated the difference in sperm DNA integrity, which has not been reported till date. Hence, in a clinical point of view, the use of initial ejaculate fraction may be considered superior to whole ejaculate in assisted conception if the DNA integrity is a concern especially in asthenozoospermic and teratozoospermic samples.     

精囊蛋白Semenogelin抑制精子活动的活性片段分析

目的:制备重组Sem enogelin(Sg)及其不同的氨基酸片段,研究其对精子活动的影响。方法:设计特异性的引物,用分子克隆技术从精囊cDNA文库中扩增精囊蛋白Sg及其N端和C端片段的DNA,再将DNA插入质粒载体PET100,筛选序列正确的阳性克隆,转染BL21(DE3)大肠埃希菌,诱导表达重组人类Sg蛋白及其N端和C端片段,用50%N i-NTA纯化重组蛋白,用上游法筛选出的正常生育男性活动精子行抑制分析,研究重组Sg及其两片段在4种不同浓度(0、1、5、10)ng/μl下对精子活动的影响。结果:重组Sg及其N端片段在5、10 ng/μl浓度下明显抑制精子的运动(P<0.001),C端片段对精子运动无抑制作用(P>0.05)。结论:Sg分子中明显抑制精子运动的活性片段在氨基端,精液液化过程中,必须清除这端抑制片段,精子才能前向运动。