己酮可可碱对精子活力的体外改善作用

目的体外分析己酮可可碱(Pentoxifylline，PF)对精子活力的改善作用，探讨PF最佳作用浓度和时间，为实施人工授精奠定基础。方法本实验就PF的不同浓度(0．6mmol／L、3．0mmol／L)和不同时间(30min，60min)，恒温下与70例弱精子的体外孵育，并与对照比较，观察精子活力特性的改善情况。结果PF的不同浓度及不同时间对精子活力均有改善作用，而用PF的0．6mmol／L浓度、孵育30min，对体外弱精子的活力有显著增强作用。结论PF对体外弱精子的活力有改善作用，药物浓度和作用时间直接影响孵育效果。     

The effect of cigarette smoking on human seminal parameters,sperm chromatin structure and condensation

Considerable debate still exists regarding the effects of cigarette smoking on male fertility. This work aimed to explore effects of cigarette smoking on semen parameters and DNA fragmentation on 95 infertile patients who were divided into infertile male nonsmokers (45) and infertile male smokers (50). Smokers were subdivided according to a number of cigarettes smoked per day into mild (≤10), moderate (11‐20) and heavy smokers (≥21). Semen analysis, sperm chromatin condensation integrity with aniline blue staining and sperm viability were compared between the study groups. A significant decrease has been shown in sperm count (p = .006), progressive motility (p = <.001), percentage of normal forms (p = <.001) and viability (p = .002) between infertile nonsmoker and infertile smokers. The percentage of abnormal sperm chromatin condensation was significantly higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers (p = <.001). A linear correlation was detected between the extent of cigarette smoking and the degree of worsening in progressive motility (p = .001), total motility (p < .001), viability (p < .001) and normal morphology (p < .001). These results indicate that cigarette smoking has detrimental effects on semen parameters. It negatively affected all conventional semen parameters in addition to sperm chromatin condensation and sperm viability. These abnormalities were also proportional to the number of cigarettes smoked per day and to the duration of smoking.     

司机职业对男性不育患者精子活力和动力学参数的影响及相关性研究

目的 探讨乌鲁木齐地区司机职业对男性不育患者精子活力和动力学参数的影响及相关性研究.方法 应用WLJY-9000型精子质量检测系统对157例不育男性(司机组72例、非司机组85例)和125例正常生育男性精子的直线运动速度(VSL)、曲线速度(VCL)、平均路径速度(VAP)、平均移动角度(MAD)、侧摆幅度(ALH)、鞭打频率(BCF)、前向性(STR)、直线性(LIN)、摆动性(WOB)精子活力及其分级进行检测并分析其相关性.结果 不育组与正常生育组相比,精子活力、VSL、VCL、VAP、LIN和STR显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01);司机组与非司机组相比,精子活力、VSL、VCL、VAP和MAD显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),而BCF显著升高(P<0.01);驾龄10年～组与0年～和5年～两组相比,精子活力、VSL、VCL、VAP、MAD、LIN、WOB和STR显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),而BCF显著升高(P<0.01);司机职业男性不育患者精子活力与VSL、VCL、VAP有显著正相关性,而与BCF有显著负相关性.结论 (1)司机职业可引起男性精子活力和动力学参数异常,驾车车龄对男性精子质量的影响存在时效关系,长时间驾车可能是引起男性不育的重要原因之一;(2)VSL、VCL、VAP和BCF是反映司机职业不育男性精子活力的有效指标.     

Chronic consumption of alcohol and sperm parameters: our experience and the main evidences

The present article describes the recent clinical experience and the main clinical and experimental evidences on this topic. In the first part, we present retrospective data collected over the last year on the semen quality and hormonal characteristics of the alcohol consumers evaluated in our centre. In the second part, we describe the mechanisms by which chronic alcohol intoxication impairs the testicular function (evidences for an ethanol‐mediated effect at pre‐testicular/testicular and post‐testicular level). In the third part, we present data on ethanol taken a male risk factor of infertility, being present as one among other recreational drugs (also called lifestyle). Finally, is discussed the role of individual susceptibility factors and other variables.     

Influence of autogenous leucocytes and Escherichia coli on sperm motility parameters in vitro

Urogenital infections are considered important factors in male infertility. In this in vitro study we have evaluated the impact of leucocytes in association with an artificial infection with Escherichia coli on the motility of human spermatozoa. Ejaculates and blood samples were obtained from healthy donors with normal semen parameters. Ejaculates were prepared by swim-up technique and five fractions were isolated for incubation. Leucocyte subtypes were separated from blood samples by gradient centrifugation. Purified sperm suspensions were adjusted to a concentration of 20 x 106 ml-1 and incubated with lymphocytes/ monocytes, polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN), and E. coli. Samples were incubated for up to 6 h at 37 degrees C. Motility analysis was performed using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Spermatozoa incubated with 3 x 106 PMN ml-1 revealed a significant (P=0.003) decrease in progressive motility after 2 h. This decrease remained weakly significant (P=0.024) after 4 and 6 h. Lymphocytes and monocytes had no effect on sperm motility. Spermatozoa incubated with granulocytes and E. coli demonstrated highly significant alterations in motility after 4 and 6 h of incubation (P < 0.001). The PMN indicate an effect on motility of spermatozoa under experimental conditions. However, the results suggest that bacteria are the primary agents that interfere with sperm motility.     

Association of seminal angiotensinogen with sperm motility and morphology in male infertility

Many researchers have shown that renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in various important aspects of male reproduction. In this study, we assessed whether abnormal levels of seminal angiotensinogen (AGT) may be associated with semen parameters in infertile males. A total of 115 male patients were recruited, and semen parameters, seminal AGT and the electrolytes including K⁺, Na⁺, Cl^?, P and Ca were evaluated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 criteria, the patients were divided into two groups: G1 group with normal semen parameters (n = 42) and G2 group with subnormal semen parameters (n = 73). The level of seminal AGT was significantly higher in G2 group compared with G1 group. Moreover, the level of AGT was negatively correlated with the percentage of total motility (r = ?.322, p = .000), progressive motility (PR) (r = ?.339, p = .000) and morphologically normal forms (r = ?.263, p = .004). This study suggests that elevated seminal AGT level is associated with increased risk of asthenospermia and teratozoospermia.     

吸烟对精子染色质结构完整性影响的探讨

目的:探讨吸烟对精子染色质结构完整性的影响。方法:784例男性不育患者从病例库中选取,根据吸烟与否及每日吸烟支数(≤10、11~19、≥20)和吸烟年限(≤5、6~9、≥10)进行分组,比较各组患者精液常规检测参数及精子染色质结构受损和精子核成熟情况。精子染色质结构完整性采用流式细胞仪检测,DNA损伤程度和不成熟精子指数分别以DNA损伤指数(DFI)和高DNA着色性(HDS)来表示。结果:吸烟≥20支/日和吸烟年限≥10年的患者组精液量、前向运动精子比例低于其他组而精子畸形率高于其他组(P<0.05);吸烟组男性的DFI和HDS值均升高(P<0.05);HDS与前向运动精子比例呈负相关(r=-0.18,P<0.05),DFI与HDS均与精子畸形率呈正相关(r=0.31与r=0.39,P均<0.05)。结论:日吸烟量≥20支或吸烟年限≥10年对男性的精液量、前向运动精子比例和精子畸形率都有影响,吸烟影响男性精子DNA完整性和精子核成熟。     

Impact of cigarette‐smoking on sperm DNA methylation and its effect on sperm parameters

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification of the genome. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of cigarette‐smoking on sperm DNA methylation from a genomewide survey of sperm samples and to ascertain its effect on sperm parameters. Twenty‐eight sperm DNA samples (from 14 fertile smokers as a case study and 14 proven fertile nonsmokers as controls) were subjected to Infinium 450K BeadChip arrays to identify the changes in the DNA methylation level between the two groups. Then, deep bisulphite sequencing was used to validate five CpGs on 78 samples. The results from the Infinium 450K found that only 11 CpGs showed a significant difference in DNA methylation between the case and the control groups. Five CpGs of the eleven (cg00648582, cg0932376, cg19169023, cg23841288 and cg27391564) underwent deep bisulphite sequencing where cg00648582, related to the PGAM5 gene, and the cg23841288 CpGs, related to the PTPRN2 gene amplicons, showed a significant increase in their DNA methylation level in more than one CpG in the case group. In contrast, a significant decrease was found at cg19169023 and at its various neighbouring CpGs in the TYRO3 gene‐related amplicons. Furthermore, this study demonstrated a significant correlation between the variation in sperm DNA methylation level and standard sperm parameters in the case group.     

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation sperm examination is significantly impaired in all categories of male infertility

To study the outcome of FISH sperm examination in cases with sperm pathology and outline the potential correlation with certain chromosomal defects. A retrospective study of prospectively collected data was performed in IAKENTRO, Infertility Treatment Center. Rates of abnormal FISH semen examination were compared between male infertility patients and fertile controls. Detection of abnormal FISH semen examination as well as each chromosomal abnormality detected was correlated with each sperm deficiency (asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia) in a univariate regression model. There were 72 male partners included, of which 52 male infertility patients and 20 controls. The rate of abnormal sperm FISH examination was significantly higher in patients’ group (55.8% vs. 15.0% for controls, p = .002). Asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia and teratozoospermia were significantly correlated with detection of abnormal FISH examination (p = .004, p = .01 and p < .001 respectively). Teratospermia was significantly correlated with increased aneuploidy rate for chromosome 17 (p = .005), chromosome X (p = .05) and Y (p = .03). FISH examination reveals pathology in a significant proportion of patients with sperm defects and should be recommended to achieve early detection of chromosomal defects that may postpone favourable reproductive outcome.     

Are conventional sperm morphology and motility assessments of predictive value in subfertile men?

Sperm morphology and motility are believed to be important prognostic factors for fertility. Results of a group of 67 men investigated for primary infertility who had mean sperm concentrations greater than 5 million per ml and who later produced pregnancies, were compared with those of 67 matched controls who remained infertile. All female partners were potentially fertile. The groups were matched for other known prognostic factors for fertility, namely, wife's age, the duration of infertility, sperm concentration and varicocele size. There were no significant differences between the two groups overall in the (mean +/- SEM)% of sperm with normal morphology (58.3 +/- 2.1; 58.5 +/- 2.2), or motility (40.6 +/- 1.8; 37.0 +/- 2.0). However, among oligospermic men from the two groups, sperm motility was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the subsequently fertile group (43.1 +/- 2.6%) than in the persistently infertile group (33.3 +/- 3.7). These results indicate that sperm morphology as currently assessed may not be important in predicting fertility in subfertile men with a mean sperm concentration over 5 million/ml and the % sperm motility may only be a relevant predictor in oligospermic men.     

Effects of concurrent chronic administration of alcohol and nicotine on rat sperm parameters

The prevalence of cigarette and alcohol consumption is high among young adult males during the reproductive period. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of concurrent chronic administration of nicotine and ethanol on the quality of sperm in the rat. Fifty healthy Wistar male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10) and were given the following for a period of 50 days: ethanol (E), nicotine (N), ethanol and nicotine (E/N); the control group (C) and an intact (I) group. Body weight as well as the weight, volume and dimensions of the testes and the weight of the cauda epididymidis and vas deference were measured. The concentration, motility, viability and membrane integrity of sperm were also assessed. There were no significant differences between body weight and all testis parameters including weight, volume and dimensions. The concentration and motility of sperm in the E/N group was significantly reduced compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Nevertheless, only a marginally significant decrease in sperm viability was found in the E/N group compared with the control group. The study indicates that concurrent chronic administration of ethanol and nicotine may disturb male reproductive function.     

MicroRNA profiling in spermatozoa of men with unexplained asthenozoospermia

Asthenozoospermia (AZS) which is characterised by decreased sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. Recent studies demonstrated altered microRNAs (miRNAs) in total semen, seminal plasma and spermatozoa of asthenozoospermic men. In line with these studies, it was aimed to evaluate the miRNA expression profile in spermatozoa of unexplained asthenozoospermic men. Thirty‐nine cases with idiopathic AZS and 35 fertile and healthy men as control were included. After total RNA extraction from spermatozoa, high‐throughput sequencing technology was employed to display miRNA profiles in spermatozoa samples pooled from AZS cases and healthy controls. Relative quantification by real‐time PCR was performed to validate RNA‐seq results. SNORD48 was used as normaliser gene, and fold change was calculated by 2^?ΔΔCt method. Profiling results showed that 18 altered miRNAs in AZS men in comparison to controls. Subsequently, seven miRNAs were selected to validate by RT‐PCR that showed MiR‐888‐3p significantly overexpressed in AZS cases (p = 0.014) in comparison with controls. It seems upregulation of miR‐888‐3p was associated with idiopathic AZS. This finding paves the way to the future investigation on the actual molecular role of miR‐888‐3p in aetiology of AZS.     

Coenzyme Q10 effect on semen parameters: Profound or meagre?

Coenzyme Q10 has shown promise in treating male infertility; however, there are inconsistencies across the published data. We undertook a quantitative meta-analysis by pooling data from three placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in order to evaluate the efficacy of CoQ10 in improving semen parameters. Sperm count, sperm motility, sperm forward motility, sperm morphology and CoQ10 level in the seminal plasma were measured and quantitatively correlated with CoQ10 oral administration. Pooled analysis showed a significant impact of CoQ10 in improving sperm motility and forward motility, without a significant impact on sperm count, sperm morphology, ejaculate volume or seminal plasma level of CoQ10. Efficacy assessment suggested that CoQ10 shows better results at higher doses and when administered for a period of more than 3 months but not longer than 6 months. We conclude that CoQ10 has a profound effect on sperm motility and a meagre effect on all other parameters. Therefore, CoQ10 can be used for treating asthenozoospermic infertility with the dosage and duration depending upon the severity of the disorder and the patient's response to the treatment.     

Semen analysis and sperm function testing

Despite controversy regarding the clinical value of semen analysis, male fertility investigation still relies on a standardized analysis of the semen parameters. This is especially true for infertility clinics in both developing and developed countries. Other optional tests or sophisticated technologies have not been widely applied. The current review addresses important changes in the analysis of semen as described in the new World Health Organization (WHO) manual for semen analysis. The most important change in the manual is the use of evidence-based publications as references to determine cutoff values for normality. Apart from the above mentioned changes, the initial evaluation and handling methods remain, in most instances, the same as in previous editions. Furthermore, the review evaluates the importance of quality control in andrology with emphasis on the evaluation of sperm morphology. WHO sperm morphology training programmes for Sub-Saharan countries were initiated at Tygerberg Hospital in 1995. The external quality control programme has ensured that the majority of participants have maintained their morphological reading skills acquired during initial training. This review reports on current sperm functional tests, such as the induced acrosome reaction, and sperm-zona pellucida binding assays, as well as the impact of sperm quality in terms of DNA integrity, and the relationship of sperm function tests to sperm morphology.     

Urogenital infection and sperm motility

Male accessory sex gland infections are considered as potential hazards to male fertility. Various pathophysiological concepts have evolved from experimental and clinical studies that begin to explain the effects of bacteria and immunological events on the function of spermatozoa and sperm motility in particular. Besides direct influences of pathogenic bacteria on spermatozoa whose impact on the motility of human spermatozoa is reviewed herein, recent studies have identified and evaluated infectious mediators that appear to be responsible for specific molecular processes in infections that particularly affect the motility of spermatozoa. This review will focus in detail on direct bacterial effects of sperm motility, the role of seminal leucocytes and the impact of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the motility of spermatozoa.     

Supplementing post-wash asthenozoospermic human spermatozoa with coenzyme Q10 for 1 hr in vitro improves sperm motility,but not oxidative stress

We investigated the effect of supplementing post-wash asthenozoospermic spermatozoa with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in vitro, which may reduce oxidative stress and improve sperm motility. Semen samples were collected from 39 men with asthenozoospermia, and their spermatozoa were isolated by two-layer Percoll density-gradient centrifugation. Kinetic parameters of the isolated spermatozoa (baseline before intervention) were determined immediately by computer-aided semen analysis. Total anti-oxidant capacity and protein carbonyl levels, as markers of oxidative stress, were also measured in the baseline spermatozoa. The baseline spermatozoa suspension was divided equally into two portions, one for CoQ10 supplementation (50 µg/ml for 1 hr) and the other as an un-supplemented vehicle control. The total motility of the CoQ10-supplemented spermatozoa was significantly higher than in the control (p = .009) and progressive motility tended to be higher (p = .053). Immotile sperm concentration in the CoQ10-supplemented spermatozoa was significantly lower than in both the baseline (p = .026) and control (p = .009). Total anti-oxidant capacity and protein carbonyl levels between the baseline, CoQ10-supplemented and control spermatozoa were not significantly different. Our data suggest that CoQ10 treatment reactivated sperm motility. We propose short-term supplementation of post-wash asthenozoospermic spermatozoa with CoQ10 before intrauterine insemination.     

Have androgen receptor gene CAG and GGC repeat polymorphisms an effect on sperm motility in infertile men?

Androgens and a normal androgen receptor (AR) are required for normal spermatogenesis. We investigated polyglutamine (CAG) and a polyglycine (GGC) tract in Italian men with defective spermatogenesis. We studied a group of 40 infertile men with spermatogenesis failure without Y‐chromosome microdeletions compared with 60 normozoospermic ones. The distributions of both polymorphisms, within the normal range of Caucasian populations, were similar among infertile men and controls. Nonetheless, we observed that the frequency comparison of each CAG allele showed a statistical difference in the allele CAG 22; GGC 17 was the more predominant allele in infertile men than in controls. Moreover, to investigate the hypothesis that semen characteristics are perturbed by androgen receptor allele variants, we tried to detect a link between triplets and sperm motility in all subjects (cases plus controls). Subjects were subdivided into three groups, based on calculated allele frequencies. A significantly decreased motility, related to a longer CAG and GGC tracts, and marked differences between the groups exist for both polymorphisms. Our data highlight a probable relationship between the allele CAG 22/GGC 17 and a defective spermatogenesis in infertile men, suggesting that these polymorphisms might have an important effect on AR function.     

Effects of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors on sperm parameters and fertilizing capacity

The aim of this review study is to elucidate the effects that phosphodiesterase 5 （PDE5） inhibitors exert on spermatozoa motility, capacitation process and on their ability to fertilize the oocyte. Second messenger systems such as the cAMP/adenylate cyclase （AC） system and the cGMP/guanylate cyclase （GC） system appear to regulate sperm functions. Increased levels of intracytosolic cAMP result in an enhancement of sperm motility and viability. The stimulation of GC by low doses of nitric oxide （NO） leads to an improvement or maintenance of sperm motility, whereas higher concentrations have an adverse effect on sperm parameters. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have been carried out in order to examine whether PDE5 inhibitors affect positively or negatively sperm parameters and sperm fertilizing capacity. The results of these studies are controversial. Some of these studies demonstrate no significant effects of PDE5 inhibitors on the motility, viability, and morphology of spermatozoa collected from men that have been treated with PDE5 inhibitors. On the other hand, several studies demonstrate a positive effect of PDE5 inhibitors on sperm motility both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro studies of sildenafil citrate demonstrate a stimulatory effect on sperm motility with an increase in intracellular cAMP suggesting an inhibitory action of sildenafil citrate on a PDE isoform other than the PDE5. On the other hand, tadalafil＇s actions appear to be associated with the inhibitory effect of this compound on PDE11. In vivo studies in men treated with vardenafil in a daily basis demonstrated a significantly larger total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate, quantitative sperm motility, and qualitative sperm motility; it has been suggested that vardenafil administration enhances the secretory function of the prostate and subsequently increases the qualitative and quantitative motility of spermatozoa. The effect that PDE5 inhibitors exert on sperm parameters may lead to the improvement of the outcome of assi