SperMD: the expression atlas of sperm maturation.

The impairment of sperm maturation is one of the major pathogenic factors in male subfertility, a serious medical and social problem affecting millions of global couples. Regrettably, the existing research on sperm maturation is slow, limited, and fragmented, largely attributable to the lack of a global molecular view. To fill the data gap, we newly established a database, namely the Sperm Maturation Database (SperMD, http://bio-add.org/SperMD ). SperMD integrates heterogeneous multi-omics data (170 transcriptomes, 91 proteomes, and five human metabolomes) to illustrate the transcriptional, translational, and metabolic manifestations during the entire lifespan of sperm maturation. These data involve almost all crucial scenarios related to sperm maturation, including the tissue components of the epididymal microenvironment, cell constituents of tissues, different pathological states, and so on. To the best of our knowledge, SperMD could be one of the limited repositories that provide focused and comprehensive information on sperm maturation. Easy-to-use web services are also implemented to enhance the experience of data retrieval and molecular comparison between humans and mice. Furthermore, the manuscript illustrates an example application demonstrated to systematically characterize novel gene functions in sperm maturation. Nevertheless, SperMD undertakes the endeavor to integrate the islanding omics data, offering a panoramic molecular view of how the spermatozoa gain full reproductive abilities. It will serve as a valuable resource for the systematic exploration of sperm maturation and for prioritizing the biomarkers and targets for precise diagnosis and therapy of male subfertility.

The dose-effect relationships of cigarette and alcohol consumption with depressive symptoms: a multiple-center, cross-sectional study in 5965 Chinese middle-aged and elderly men.

BACKGROUND: Although association of depressive symptoms with cigarette or alcohol is well documented, the dose-response relationship between them is rarely studied. This study aims to evaluate dose-response relationships of cigarette and alcohol consumption with depressive symptoms in Chinese middle-aged and elderly men, providing evidence to guide cigarette and alcohol control. METHODS: This multiple-center, cross-sectional study including 5965 Chinese men aged 40-79 years was conducted in 2013-2016 in China. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form. History of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking were collected with a structured questionnaire. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was compared depending on cigarette and alcohol consumption. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by binary logistic regression. Interpolation analysis was applied to test dose-effect relationships. RESULTS: A parabolic-shaped relationship was observed between cigarette consumption and depressive symptoms. Compared to never smokers, 59.0% (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.30-1.94) and 29.0% (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.08-1.54) higher odds of depressive symptoms were observed in men smoking < 10 cigarettes/day and 10-20 cigarettes/day, whereas, similar odds of depressive symptoms among men smoking > 20 cigarettes/day (P = 0.092). An inverted J-shaped relationship was observed between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms. Compared to never drinkers, a tendency of higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.99-1.36) was observed in men drinking < 140 g/week, and similar prevalence was observed in those drinking 140-280 g/week (P = 0.920), whereas, 29.4% (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.57-0.88) lower odds in men drinking > 280 g/week. CONCLUSIONS: Associations of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking with depressive symptoms differ with consumption in middle-aged and elderly men. Health-care providers should exercise great caution on depressive symptoms in conducting cigarette and alcohol control.

Clinicopathological characteristics of placental chorioangioma: A clinicopathological study of 77 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, treatment, and prognoses of placental chorioangioma (PCA). METHODS: Placenta of 77 cases of PCA firmly diagnosed by pathology from 2009 through 2019 were collected, and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were 20-41 (mean age, 28.8) years old at onset. Thirty patients showed pregnancy comorbidity. In one patient with the largest tumor (diameter, 16 cm), intrauterine fetal demise occurred at 33 weeks of gestation. Tumors were macroscopically manifested. The placental fetal surface showed a raised dark red to a pale pink nodule, quasi-round, with a maximum diameter of 0.2-16 cm. Microscopically, the tumors had a lot of capillaries and some interstitial loose connective tissue. One case was of atypical cellular chorioangioma. Immunophenotypically, CD34 (+) and Ki-67 proliferation indexes were less than 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Large PCA often accompanies pregnancy comorbidity. Atypical cellular chorangioma is rare and may be misdiagnosed as a malignant tumor. Therefore, improvement of understanding of such tumors can provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and intervention.

Improvement of Qilin pills on male reproductive function in tripterygium glycoside-induced oligoasthenospermia in rats.

This study established an oligoasthenospermic rat model using tripterygium glycosides (TGs) and investigated the mechanism by which Qilin pills (QLPs) ameliorate reproductive hypofunction. Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated to four equal-sized groups: (1) the control group received continuous physiological levels of saline; (2) the oligoasthenospermia model group was induced with TGs by daily intragastric administration for 28 days; (3 and 4) oligoasthenospermic rats were treated intragastrically with low dose (1.62 g kg-1  d-1 ) and high dose (3.24 g kg-1  d-1 ) of QLPs once daily for 60 days. The QLP-treated rats showed a marked increase (p < .05) in testicular mass, testicular index and semen parameters compared with the untreated rats. Histopathologically, the QLP-treated groups exhibited restored seminiferous tubules in contrast to the model group. Reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels were dramatically decreased (p < .05) in the testes of the QLP-treated rats. QLP treatment partly reverted (p < .05) the circulatory levels of reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin and SHBG) and hepatic and renal function (AST, Cr and urea). Our results showed that oral QLP treatment had a curative effect on the testicular mass, sperm quality, testicular pathomorphology, antioxidants, plasmatic hormones, and liver and renal function of rats.

[Impact of the freezing-thawing process on human sperm mitochondria].

OBJECTIVE: To study the structure and function of human sperm mitochondria before and after the freezing-thawing process. METHODS: Human sperm from healthy donors were subjected to the slow freezing-thawing process, and the sperm mitochondrion-related indexes compared before and after cryopreservation. The ultrastructural changes of the mitochondria were observed under the projection electron microscope, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and seminal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content measured by immunofluorescence labeling and ELISA, respectively, and the sperm oxidative stress related indexes detected before and after sperm cryopreservation. RESULTS: Electron microscopy showed loose structures and widened crests of the sperm mitochondria, some with vacuole-like changes after the freezing-thawing process. The sperm after cryopreservation, compared with those before it, exhibited significantly increased contents of oxygen free radicals (ï¼»11.6 ± 3.8ï¼½% vs ï¼»9.6 ± 4.1ï¼½%, P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (ï¼»3.2 ± 1.4ï¼½ vs ï¼»2.3 ± 1.2ï¼½ nmol/108, P < 0.05), but decreased antioxidant capacity (ï¼»0.6 ± 0.4ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.9 ± 0.4ï¼½ nmol/108, P < 0.05), superoxide dismutase activity (ï¼»0.9 ± 0.4ï¼½ vs ï¼»9.1 ± 3.9ï¼½ nmol/108, P < 0.05), MMP (ï¼»52.2 ± 6.2ï¼½% vs ï¼»55.7 ± 4.9ï¼½%, P = 0.026) and ATP production (ï¼»56.5 ± 9.0ï¼½ vs ï¼»61.3 ± 10.4ï¼½ pmol/106, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The freezing-thawing process can cause ultrastructural disorder of human sperm mitochondria, reduce their membrane potential and decrease their ATP production.

Sperm Cryopreservation for Male Cancer Patients: More than 10 Years of Experience, in Beijing China.

BACKGROUND Fertility preservation is very important for male cancer patients, especially adolescents. Unfortunately, the use of fertility preservation is very low among Chinese male cancer patients. Additionally, the cumulative rate of frozen sperm use is also low. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study by collecting available information at the Human Sperm Bank, National Research Institute for Family Planning from July 2006 to December 2017 to examine the data in China. RESULTS A total 145 male cancer patients underwent sperm cryopreservation. The patients were 29.3±6.9 years old, and 6.2% (9 out of 145) of the patients were adolescents under the age of 18 years old. As of June 2018, only 9.7% (14 out of 145) of patients returned to use their cryopreserved sperm for assisted reproduction technology (ART). Of the 33 ART cycles, conceptions were achieved in 51.5% (17 out of 33), and the rate of patients who had a baby was 71.4% (10 out of 14). The data indicate men with testicular cancer or leukemia had lower total sperm counts and recovery rate of progressive sperm than did men with other types of cancer, while men with sarcoma had the lowest progressive sperm. CONCLUSIONS The physician should make an effort to promote fertility preservation for male cancer patients in China. And patients with testicular cancer and leukemia require additional attention.

Quantitative proteomic characterization of human sperm cryopreservation: using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Human sperm cryopreservation is a simple and effective approach for male fertility preservation. METHODS: To identify potential proteomic changes in this process, data-independent acquisition (DIA), a technology with high quantitative accuracy and highly reproducible proteomics, was used to quantitatively characterize the proteomics of human sperm cryopreservation. RESULTS: A total of 174 significantly differential proteins were identified between fresh and cryoperservated sperm: 98 proteins decreased and 76 proteins increased in the cryopreservation group. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that metabolic pathways play an important role in cryopreservation, including: propanoate metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and pyruvate metabolism. Four different proteins involved in glycolysis were identified by Western blotting: GPI, LDHB, ADH5, and PGAM1. CONCLUSIONS: Our work will provide valuable information for future investigations and pathological studies involving sperm cryopreservation.

[Correlation of age, body mass index and obesity-related biochemical indexes with semen quality in males intending for a second child].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of age, body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related biochemical indexes on semen quality in adult males intending to have a second child in Guangzhou. METHODS: We conducted a questionnaire investigation among 632 adult males seeking medical advice on their intention for a second child at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from August 2017 to July 2018. We obtained their lipid metabolism indicators and semen parameters, and analyzed the correlation of semen quality with age, BMI, obesity-related biochemical indexes, living environment and occupation. RESULTS: Age, BMI, season of sperm extraction, living environment and occupation all influenced the semen quality of the males. Age was correlated negatively with the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) (r = －0.109, P < 0.05), BMI positively with the semen volume (r = 0.103, P < 0.05) but negatively with the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (MNS) (r = －0.138, P < 0.05), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) negatively with PMS (r = －0.168, P < 0.01) and the percentage of immotile sperm (IM) (r = －0.135, P < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) negatively with the semen volume (r = －0.124, P < 0.01), PMS (r = －0.127, P < 0.05), sperm concentration (r = －0.121, P < 0.05) and total sperm count (r = －0.210, P < 0.01) but positively with IM (r = 0.140, P < 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis showed BMI and LDL to be independent factors influencing the semen volume, uric acid to be an independent factor influencing semen liquefaction time, age, HDL and LDL to be independent factors influencing PMS, age, and HDL to be independent factors influencing IM, LDL to be independent factors influencing total sperm count, while BMI and TG to be independent factors influencing MNS. CONCLUSIONS: Age, BMI, season of sperm extraction, living environment and occupation may affect the semen quality of the males in Guangzhou.

[Status quo of autologous sperm preservation in the human sperm bank in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively analyze the status quo of autologous sperm preservation in the human sperm bank in Beijing and better utilize the existing resources for the preservation of male fertility. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the geographical data and semen quality of 251 males with autologous sperm preservation in the Human Sperm Bank, Science and Technology Research Institute, National Health and Family Planning Commission of China from July 2006 to December 2016. RESULTS: The rate of autologous sperm preservation in the Human Sperm Bank was as low as 8.76% between July 2006 and December 2010 but increased annually by 119% on average from 2011 to 2013. Of the 251 males involved, 204 (81.27%) were aged 20－39 years, 175 (69.72%) had bachelor's or master's degree, 223 (88.84%) had no child, 69 (27.49%) got less than 10 tubes of semen samples frozen, and 26 (10.36%) had their semen samples cryopreserved only once. The utilization rate of the cryopreserved sperm was only 5.58 % (n = 14). The main reason for autologous sperm preservation was carcinoma (55.78% ï¼»n = 140ï¼½), including blood cancer (22.31% ï¼»n = 66ï¼½), testicular cancer (13.15% ï¼»n = 33ï¼½) and other cancers (16.33% ï¼»n = 41ï¼½). Compared with the non-cancer males, the cancer patients had a significantly reduced mean sperm concentration (90.45 vs 60.53 ×106/ml, P < 0.05), total sperm count (311.3 vs 175.8 ×106, P < 0.05), percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) (49.21% vs 43.55%, P < 0.05) and recovery rate of PMS (68.13% vs 52.17%, P < 0.05). In the subgroups of testicular, blood and other cancers, the sperm concentration averaged 37.68, 57.98 and 90.69 ×106/ml, the semen volume 2.73, 2.82 and 3.41 ml, the total sperm count 93.29, 158.41 and 349.49 ×106, the percentage of PMS 45.32%, 43.47% and 44.49%, and the recovery rate of PMS 48.32%, 50.07% and 61.09%, respectively, the sperm concentration and total sperm count significantly lower in the testicular cancer patients than in the other two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The number of the cases of autologous sperm preservation in Beijing is increasing year by year, and the majority of them are cancer patients. As most of the cancer patients have missed the best period for sperm preservation, sperm bank workers should endeavor to increase the public awareness of autologous sperm preservation.

Obesity impairs male fertility through long-term effects on spermatogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect and possible underlying mechanisms of high-fat diet-induced obesity on spermatogenesis in male rats. METHODS: A total of 45 male rats were randomly divided into control (n = 15, normal diet) and obesity groups (n = 30, high-fat diet) and were fed for 16 weeks. Body weight and organ indexes were determined after sacrifice. Indicators of reproductive function, including sperm count, sperm motility, apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, and oxidative stress levels, were measured. Serum metabolic parameters and reproductive hormones were also assayed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, epididymal sperm motility in the obese rats was significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Morphological analysis of the obesity group showed vacuolar changes in seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic cell dysfunction, and increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissue (P < 0.05). The calculated free testosterone (cFT) concentration in serum was decreased (P < 0.05), whereas the serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) level was significantly increased (P < 0.01). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration decreased and the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration increased in testis tissues; however, neither changes were statistically significant (P > 0.05). RESULTS: Nutritional obesity can damage spermatogenesis in male rats due to long-term effects on spermatogenesis.

Quantitative determination of levonorgestrel in beagle dog plasma after vaginal administration of intravaginal ring by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A specific and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method that could be used to determine the concentration of levonorgestrel (LNG) in beagle dog plasma was developed. Specifically, terfenadine was used as the internal standard (IS). The separation was achieved on a Kinetex-C18 110A column (3 × 30 mm i.d., 2.6 um, Phenomenex) and a gradient mobile phase consists of methanol (0.1% formic acid) and water (0.1% formic acid) was used. The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min and the injection volume was 10 µL. The detection was performed on a triple-quadruple tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization. Quantitative analysis was carried out at m/z 313.0 → 108.9 and m/z 472.6 → 436.2 for LNG and IS respectively. This method demonstrated the linearity of LNG over a concentration range of 0.5-50 ng/mL with a coefficient correlation (r) of 0.9973. The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-assay precisions were 2.9 and 11.2%, with an accuracy range from 94.8 to 108.4%. The stability data indicated that sample preparation and storage process had little effect on the concentration of LNG QC sample. The validated method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of LNG in beagle dog after vaginal administration of intravaginal ring.

[Levels of serum reproductive hormones and metabolic syndrome in adult males].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its relationship with reproductive hormones in adult males in China. METHODS: Using the cluster and stratified sampling methods, we conducted an investigation among 3 600 adult males aged over 20 years in Hebei, Shaanxi and Jiangsu provinces. We obtained their reproductive hormone levels, biochemical indicators and basic body indexes and compared them between the two groups of subjects. RESULTS: A total of 3 332 valid serum samples were collected, which revealed a prevalence rate of MS of 38.5% in the adult males. Compared with the non-MS subjects, the MS males showed a significantly higher free testosterone index (FTI, 0.39 ± 0.15 vs 0.45 ± 0.19, P < 0.01) but lower levels of total testosterone (TT, ï¼»16.35 ± 4.78ï¼½ vs ï¼»13.37 ± 4.23ï¼½ nmo/L, P < 0.01) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG, ï¼»47.13 ± 20.50ï¼½ vs ï¼»33.32 ± 14.91ï¼½ nmol/L, P < 0.01) and testosterone secretion index (TSI, 3.64 ± 1.92 vs 3.14 ± 1.80, P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the levels of calculated free testosterone (cFT) and LH (P > 0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the levels of serum TT and SHBG were correlated with all the indicators of MS (P < 0.01) except systolic blood pressure (SBP), while that of cFT only with the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and SBP (P < 0.01). After adjusted for age, smoking, drinking, and body mass index (BMI), all the MS indicators were significantly associated with the SHBG level (P < 0.01), but not high blood pressure with the serum TT level (P > 0.05). After adjusted for the age, smoking, drinking, BMI and TT, the serum SHBG level was the main independent risk factor for MS (OR: 0.965, 95% CI: 0.958－0.973, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The level of serum cFT is not correlated with while that of SHBG is the main independent risk factor for metabolic syndrome in adult males in China.

[L-carnitine protects the motion parameters and mitochondrial function of human sperm in cryopreservation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of L-carnitine (LC) on cryopreserved human sperm. METHODS: Ten semen samples were collected from normal sperm donors, each divided into six groups, fresh ejaculate (FE), non-LC cryopreservation (non-LC), and cryopreservation with LC at 1 mmol/L (LC-1), 2.5 mmol/L (LC-2), 5 mmol/L (LC-3) and 10 mmol/L (LC-4), respectively. The optimal concentration of LC was identified based on the motility and motion parameters of the post-thaw sperm. The plasma membrane integrity (PMI) of the sperm was assessed by eosin-nigrosin staining, their mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) monitored by JC-1 assay, and the level of sperm ROS measured by the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA, followed by analysis of the mechanisms of LC protecting sperm against cryopreservation injury. RESULTS: Compared with the sperm in the FE group, the post-thaw sperm in the non-LC and LC groups showed significantly decreased progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), straight line velocity (VSP) and curvilinear velocity (VCP) (P < 0.05). In comparison with the non-LC group, the LC-3 group exhibited a remarkably higher percentage of progressively motile sperm (ï¼»41.9 ± 4.6ï¼½ vs ï¼»47.0 ± 4.3ï¼½%, P = 0.0261) and VAP (ï¼»34.9 ± 2.6ï¼½ vs ï¼»38.9 ± 4.2ï¼½ µm/s, P = 0.0152), indicating that the optimal concentration of LC was 5 mmol/L. Both PMI and MMP were significantly lower in the non-LC than in the FE group (ï¼»52.7 ± 5.7ï¼½ vs ï¼»75.5 ± 5.4ï¼½%, P < 0.01 and ï¼»44.5 ± 3.5ï¼½ vs ï¼»57.3 ± 4.4ï¼½%, P < 0.01), but higher in the LC groups (ï¼»70.1 ± 8.2ï¼½% and ï¼»50.3 ± 3.4ï¼½%) than in the non-LC group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The level of sperm ROS, however, was markedly higher in the non-LC than in the FE group (ï¼»12.5 ± 3.9ï¼½ vs ï¼»6.8 ± 2.4ï¼½, P < 0.01) but lower in the LC groups (ï¼»8.4 ± 5.3ï¼½%) than in the non-LC group (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L-carnitine can improve the motility and motion parameters of cryopreserved human sperm by reducing sperm ROS, enhancing sperm mitochondrial membrane potential and protecting the sperm plasma membrane.

[Fertility preservation for male adolescent cancer patients].

Fertility preservation is a hotspot of research in reproductive medicine, and that of male adolescent cancer patients is drawing even more attention from reproductive and oncologic clinicians. Both cancer and its treatment can decrease semen quality and even induce irreversible damage to fertility. Sperm cryopreservation is an effective method for fertility preservation. In the past few years, marked advances have been made in the cryopreservation, transplantation, and in vitro culture of testis tissue and stem spermatogonial cells. Although still experimental, these approaches may offer some options to those with no mature sperm in the testis. Unfortunately, very few people know and participate in the studies of fertility preservation and the utilization rate of cryopreserved sperm remains low. Therefor reproductive physicians and oncologists are required to make more efforts to search for effective fertility preservation methods for male adolescent cancer patients.

[ilin Pills for oligoasthenospermia: Advances in clinical studies].

Industrialization and environmental pollution are bringing more problems to human reproduction and increasing the prevalence of male infertility. Western medicine has shown its limitations in the management of male infertility, especially that of oligoasthenospermia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), however, has long and rich experiences in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia, with a large variety of medicinal prescriptions based on the TCM theories, among which Qilin Pills shows a particularly significant therapeutic effect on oligoasthenospermia, especially when combined with Western medicine. At present, published studies on Qilin Pills are mainly in the stage of clinical observation, while basic researches and studies on its relevant mechanisms are rarely seen.

[Protective effect of Qilin Pills on the reproductive function of oligoasthenospermia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of Qilin Pills (QLP) on the reproductive function of rats with oligoasthenospermia (OAS) induced by tripterygium glycosides. METHODS: Twenty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control, an OAS model control, a low-dose QLP, and a high-dose QLP group of equal number. OAS models were made in the latter three groups by intragastrical administration of tripterygium glycosides at 40 mg per kg of the body weight per day, and meanwhile the animals in the low- and high-dose QLP groups were treated with QLP at 1.62 and 3.24 g per kg of the body weight per day, respectively, while those in the OAS model group with normal saline, all for 30 consecutive days. Then all the rats were executed for obtaining the testis weight, testis viscera index, epididymal sperm concentration and motility, reproductive hormone levels, and antioxidation indexes and observation of the histomorphological changes of the testis tissue by HE staining. RESULTS: After 30 days of intervention, the low- and high-dose QLP groups, as compared with the OAS model controls, showed significantly improved epididymal sperm concentration (ï¼»14.57 ± 3.95ï¼½ and ï¼»39.71 ± 11.31ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.71 ± 1.25ï¼½ ×106/ml, P <0.05) and motility (ï¼»3.71 ± 1.11ï¼½ and ï¼»4.29 ± 1.80ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.57 ± 0.53ï¼½%, P <0.05), increased levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (ï¼»94.83 ± 11.17ï¼½ and ï¼»88.05 ± 9.21ï¼½ vs ï¼»56.74 ± 8.29ï¼½ nmol/L, P <0.05) and free testosterone (FT) (ï¼»27.27 ± 3.63ï¼½ and ï¼»32.80 ± 2.51ï¼½ vs ï¼»22.81 ± 2.75ï¼½ nmol/L, P <0.05), decreased level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (ï¼»1.49 ± 0.62ï¼½ and ï¼»1.12 ± 0.83ï¼½ vs ï¼»1.71 ± 0.52ï¼½ mIU/ml, P <0.05), but no significant change in the total testosterone (TT) level. Meanwhile, the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was markedly elevated in the low- and high-dose QLP groups in comparison with the OAS model control group (ï¼»277.14 ± 15.84ï¼½ and ï¼»299.60 ± 20.83ï¼½ vs ï¼»250.04 ± 31.06ï¼½ U/ml, P <0.05) while that of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remarkably reduced (ï¼»397.61 ± 62.71ï¼½ and ï¼»376.84 ± 67.14ï¼½ vs ï¼»552.20 ± 58.07ï¼½ IU/ml, P <0.05). HE staining showed that QLP intervention significantly increased the layers and quantity of spermatogenic cells in the testicular seminiferous tubules of the OAS rats. CONCLUSIONS: QLP can effectively protect the reproductive system of oligoasthenospermia rats by raising sperm quality, elevating reproductive hormone levels, reducing oxidative stress injury, and improving histomorphology of the testis.

Anti-GAPDHS antibodies: a biomarker of immune infertility.

Numerous investigations have focused on the detection of antisperm antibodies, which have a naturally occurring impact on male and female fertility. In this study, spermatogenic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDHS) was considered to be a candidate biomarker of immune infertility. The concentrations of anti-GAPDHS antibodies in the sera of sterile individuals and fertile couples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sera were collected from immune infertile (n = 175) and fertile (n = 237) individuals and were screened by tray agglutination tests (TAT). Infertile sera were further divided into two groups according to the serum titers obtained by TAT (titers ≤ 1:8, n = 58; titers > 1:8, n = 117). The concentrations of anti-GAPDHS antibodies were significantly higher in the immune infertile group than in the fertile group and were much higher with regard to the increased degrees of sperm agglutination (titers > 1:8). Surprisingly, we found statistically significantly higher concentrations of antibodies in the sera of infertile men than in those of infertile women, and a similar statistical result was obtained in the sera when primary infertility was compared with secondary infertility. Thus, anti-GAPDHS antibodies seem to be a sensitive parameter in immune infertile detection and might be one of the main factors causing immune infertility. This factor might be valuable as an indicator in the clinical diagnosis and monitoring treatment of infertility.

[Complete atrioventricular septal defect: a clinicopathologic study of 35 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the autopsy characteristics, pathologic type, malfomation and genetic characteristics of complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD). METHODS: Thirty five cases of CAVSD were collected from Maternal and Child Hospital of Haidian District during Jan.2003 to Jan.2015. Autoptic material, clinical history and chromosome examination were reviewed. RESULTS: Among 35 cases of CAVSD between 18-38 gestational weeks, there were 26 cases with CAVSD A (74.3%, 26/35), 1 case with CAVSD B (2.8%, 1/35) and 8 cases with CAVSD C (22.8%, 8/35). Only CAVSD malformation was seen in 4 cases (11.4%, 4/35). Multiple malformations were seen in 31 cases (88.6%, 31/35). Combined malformations most frequently occurred in cardiovascular, respiratory and locomotor system. Among 15 cases with chromosome examination, chromosome aberrations was found in 13 cases (13/15) and trisomy-21 was found in 11 cases (11/15). CONCLUSIONS: CAVSD is a rare disease and CAVSD A is the most common type. CAVSD is usually combined with other malformations and chromosome aberrations.

[Serum homocysteine and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among serum reproductive hormone levels, serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels, metabolic syndrome (MS), and the components of MS in middle-aged and elderly males. METHODS: Using the cluster and stratified sampling methods and a unified structured questionnaire, we conducted a survey among 948 men aged 40 - 80 years in the rural community, measured their basic physical parameters, and obtained their reproductive hormone levels, serum Hcy concentrations, and metabolism-related indicators. We collected 868 valid questionnaires along with their serum samples, divided the subjects into an MS and a non-MS control group in a 1:1 ratio, and measured their serum Hcy concentrations. RESULTS: Among the subjects included, 132 were diagnosed with MS. Nonparametric tests showed statistically significant differences between the MS and non-MS groups in the waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.05), but not in age (P > 0.05). Significant differences were also observed between the two groups in the levels of serum tT, SHBG, LH, and FTI (P < 0.05) , but not in the concentrations of serum Hcy (P > 0.05). The concentration of serum Hcy exhibited no correlation with BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, TG, and HDL-C (P > 0.05) and had no influence on MS. CONCLUSION: The concentration of serum Hcy is not significantly correlated with MS, nor with its components. The levels of male serum reproductive hormones are associated both with MS and with its components.

[Early and late onset severe preeclampsia: a clinicopathologic study of 178 placentas].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathologic features and prognosis of early and late onset severe preeclampsia. METHODS: An observational study was conducted in 178 cases of severe preeclampsia collected during January 2010 to December 2014 from Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital.The cases were divided into two groups according to the onset of gestational age of the severe preeclampsia, with 54 cases of namely early onset (onset ≤ 34 weeks) and 124 cases of late onset (onset >34 weeks). Clinical characteristics of the patients, perinatal outcome and the pathologic characteristics of the placentas in each group were evaluated. RESULTS: Decidual vascular disease, placental infarction, abruptio placentae and placental villi dysplasia were seen in both groups. The incidence of placental villi dysplasia was the highest, followed by placental infarction. Incidence of severe decidual vascular disease of early and late onset severe decidual vascular disease were 16.7% (9/54) and 5.6% (7/124), respectively.Incidence of placental infarction of early and late onset severe preeclampsia were 48.1% (26/54) and 61.3% (76/124). Incidence of placental villi dysplasia of early and late onset severe preeclampsia were 79.6% (43/54) and 50.8% (63/124). Incidence of Severe decidual vascular disease, placental infarction and placental villi dysplasia were significantly different between early and late onset severe preeclampsia cases (P<0.05), while there was no difference in decidual vascular disease and placenta thrombi (P>0.05). Fetal survival rate of every group was 81.5% (44/54) and 93.5% (116/124). Incidence of fetal growth retardation was 55.6% (30/54) and 38.7% (48/124). The fetal survival rate and incidence of fetal growth retardation were different between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of decidual vascular disease and placental villi dysplasia in early onset severe preeclampsia is higher than those in late onset severe preeclampsia. Neonatal outcome and prognosis in early onset severe preeclampsia are worse than those in late onset severe preeclampsia.