CD52 is synthesized in cumulus cells and secreted into the cumulus matrix during ovulation.

PROBLEM: Early studies have shown that an antibody to male reproductive tissue CD52 is a pathogenic factor of infertility. The molecule contains a unique carbohydrate antigen that induces antibodies interfering with sperm function. However, the characteristic properties of CD52 in female reproductive tissues are not known. We examined the expression and localization of CD52 in mature expanded cumulus masses. METHOD OF STUDY: Mouse cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from [C57B1/6; DBA/2] F1 female mice having a superovulation treatment. Human cumulus cells were obtained from infertile patients taking in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer treatment under informed consent. CD52 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were detected using RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: CD52 mRNA was found both in the human and mouse cumulus cells. Mouse CD52 mRNA was detected in cumulus cells but not oocytes and significantly increased after ovulation. The expression of the molecule was also confirmed at the protein level. Immunostaining with anti CD52 peptide antibody revealed that CD52 is present in cumulus cells and the extracellular matrix. CONCLUSION: We first showed the expression of CD52 in human cumulus cells. CD52 has some functional roles around fertilization in females as well as in males.

The role of androgens in spermatogenesis.

Androgens are important factors in spermatogenesis. However, the biological role of androgen in Sertoli cells is still unclear. In this study, we analysed mutations and CAG repeats of the androgen receptor gene in 19 azoospermic and 117 oligozoospermic men. No mutations were identified, but 9 of 117 oligozoospermic men were found to carry 14 or 15 CAG repeats, as compared to more than 16 CAG repeats in 136 normal fertile men analysed. Analysis of the androgenic effect on the expression of transition protein 1 and 2 (TP1, TP2) by co-transfection experiments showed that androgens regulate the transcription of TP1 via a Dfd-like molecule and the transcription of TP2 via an androgen-androgen receptor complex, respectively. We analysed the effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on protein profiles in the TM4 mouse Sertoli cell line using SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry. DHT increased the expression of seven proteins of 4.34, 4.97, 5.68, 5.75, 9.95, 9.98 and 11.30 kDa and decreased six proteins of 4.94, 4.97, 6.29, 8.57, 12.39 and 19.81 kDa. One of the decreased molecule (19.80 kDa) is identified to be a translationally controlled tumor protein. These results show that androgen affects spermatogenesis by actions on both the germ cells and Sertoli cells.

Birth of healthy neonates after intracytoplasmic injection of ejaculated or testicular spermatozoa from men with nonmosaic Klinefelter's syndrome: a report of 2 cases.

BACKGROUND: Klinefelter's syndrome is one of the major causes of azoospermia, cryptozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia with either a nonmosaic (47,XXY) or mosaic (47,XXY/46,XY) ICSI treatment with cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa failed, but after the third attempt, 6 of 8 oocytes injected with cryopreserved sperm were fertilized and karyotype. Men with Klinefelter's syndrome generally have difficulty having children. CASES: Patient 1 had motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate, which were injected into 3 oocytes, resulting in fertilization and cleavage. Two good-quality embryos were transferred into his wife's uterine cavity. She conceived and, following a normal pregnancy, delivered a healthy female infant. Two years later she conceived for the second time with motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate and delivered a healthy male infant uneventfully. To our knowledge, this was the first case in which a nonmosaic Kleinefelter's syndrome patient fathered 2 children through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate. Patient 2, with azoospermia, was subjected to testicular biopsy to collect spermatozoa. The first 2 attempts at ICSI treatment with cryopreserved testicular spermatozoa failed, but after the third attempt, 6 of 8 oocytes injected with cryopreserved sperm were fertilized and cleaved. Two of these embryos were transferred into the wife's uterine cavity. She conceived and, following a normal pregnancy, delivered a healthy male infant. In all cases, amniocentesis followed by genetic analysis showed a normal karyotype. CONCLUSION: Two infertile men with nonmosaic Klinefelter's syndrome successfully fathered normal children after intracytoplasmic injection of ejaculated or testicular spermatozoa.

Diagnostic laparoscopy in infertility: a retrospective study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and therapy of infertility. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Academically affiliated reproductive endocrinology practice. PATIENTS: One hundred seventy patients. INTERVENTION: Diagnostic/therapeutic laparoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred seventy infertile patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy between 1996 and 2000 in our clinic, and 109 of them were seen at follow-up more than 1 year after laparoscopy. Of the 109 patients, 77 (70.6%) were treated with assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, and 32 (29.4%) were treated with conventional procedures. Of the 109 patients, 68 (62.4%), including 39 (50.6%) of the 77 treated with assisted reproductive technology and 29 (90.6%) of the 32 treated with conventional procedures, became pregnant. Of the 68 patients who became pregnant, 49 (72.1%) of them conceived within 1 year after laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is an important procedure in the treatment of infertility.