Semen quality of normal fertile men / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the semen quality of confirmed fertile men with the time to pregnancy (TTP) of 12 months or less, and analyze the correlation of semen parameters with TTP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We recruited 1 152 men aged 18 -50 years and with TTP of 12 months. We used questionnaire investigation, physical examination and semen analysis, calculated the normal reference ranges of semen parameters, and analyzed the effects of TTP and other biological characteristics on semen quality.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seminal examinations showed that the semen volume was 1.5 ml, sperm concentration 17 million per ml, total sperm number 39 million per ejaculate, total sperm motility 41%, progressive sperm motility 33%, normal sperm morphology 5.0%, sperm vitality 53%, and total number of progressively motile sperm 17 million per ejaculate in the 1 152 subjects. In comparison, the total number of progressively motile sperm was significantly smaller in those aged > or = 35 years (P < 0.01), morphologically normal sperm were markedly less in those with BMI > 25.0 (P < 0.01), and sperm concentration, total number of sperm, morphologically normal sperm rate and total number of progressively motile sperm were remarkably lower in those with BMI < 18. 5 (P < 0.05). Cigarette smoking significantly reduced the sperm volume (P < 0.01), and drinking (> 10 g per week) decreased the sperm volume and the total numbers of sperm, morphologically normal sperm and progressively motile perm (P < 0.05). TTP was negatively correlated with sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total number of progressively motile sperm (P < 0.01). The subjects with sexual abstinence of 5 -7 days showed markedly higher sperm concentration, total number of sperm and total number of progressively motile sperm than others (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In normal fertile men, the fifth centile of semen parameters is close to the WHO normal reference range, TTP is negatively correlated with semen quality, and age, BMI and lifestyle may affect some of the semen parameters.</p>

Relationship between testis volume and types of spermatogenic cells from testicular biopsy in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between the testis volume and types of spermatogenic cells derived from testicular biopsy in patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected testicular pathological biopsies from 492 infertile patients with azoospermia or cryptozoospermia reported in our hospital, classified them according to the testicular histological classification methods in WHO Manual for Standardized Investigation, Diagnosis and Management of the Infertile Male, and analyzed the relationship of the testis volume with the results of semen analyses and testicular histology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 492 cases, 90.5% (445/492) were azoospermia and 9.5% (47/492) cryptozoospermia; mature spermatozoa were present in the seminiferous tubules in 17.9% (88/492) but absent in 42.9% (211/492), and Sertoli cell-only syndrome indicated in 39.2% (193/492); the testis volume was < or = 10 ml in 38.6% (190/492) and < or = 5 ml in 7.9% (39/492). Cryptozoospermia was detected in 14.8% (13/88) of those with mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules, in 11.4% (24/211) of those without, and in 5.2% (10/193) of those with Sertoli cell-only syndrome, with a significantly lower rate in the latter group than in the former two (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Spermatogenesis of the testis may be focal and difficult to be completely reflected by a single testicular biopsy, and it may exist even if the testis volume is significantly below the reference value. The indications for testicular biopsy should not be improperly expanded. The WHO testicular histological classification methods have provided a convenient and effective guidance for further clinical examinations and establishment of a protocol.</p>

Chromosome abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in patients with the azoospermia and cryptozoospermia / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the incidence of the chromosome abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in Chinese patients with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Conventional chromosomal karyotyping was used to analyze the chromosome abnormalities. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) analyses were performed using specific primers to confirm the presence or absence of Y chromosome microdeletions. A total of 997 patients with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia were enrolled in the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of chromosome abnormalities in the patient with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia was 28.4%. The major abnormal karyotypes included 47,XXY, 46,XY (Y>G), 46,XX, chimera and translocations. The incidence of the Y chromosome microdeletions was 17.4%. They were mainly found in the karyotypes of 46,XY and 46,XY (Y>G).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chromosome abnormalities were the most common hereditary causes of the patients with azoospermia and cryptozoospermia. The incidence of Y chromosome microdeletion was higher in the patients with karyotype of 46,XY and 46,XY (Y>G). Therefore, detection of the AZF microdeletion in these patients is helpful to determine the etiology and avoid the unnecessary treatment and vertical transmission of the genetic defects.</p>

Electroacupuncture at Zhongji (CV 3) for treatment of benign hyperplasia of prostate: a multi-central randomized controlled study / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the role of Zhongji (CV 3) in treatment of benign hyperplasia of prostate.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Multi-central, randomized, controlled, single bland clinical method was adopted, and 276 cases were divided into an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a medication group, 138 cases in each group. The EA group were treated with EA at Zhongji (CV 3) and the medication group with oral administration of Qianliekang tablets. After treatment of 1 course, their therapeutic effects and changes of international prostate symptom (I-PSS) cumulative score, life quality index (L) cumulative score, nocturia times, urine stream state, lower abdominal symptom, maximal volume of urine flow, residual urine volume, prostatic volume, etc. Were assessed in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 96.4% in the EA group and 86.2% in the medication group, the former being better than the latter (P<0. 01); the two groups were effective in improvement of international prostate symptom (I-PSS) cumulative score, life quality index (L) cumulative score, nocturia times, urine stream state, hypogastrium symptom, maximal volume of urine flow, residual urine volume, prostatic volume, etc. with the former better than the latter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Zhongji (CV 3) has a significant therapeutic effect for treatment of benign hyperplasia of prostate.</p>

Correlation between biological characteristics of volunteer donors and sperm parameters / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between the biological characteristics of volunteer donors and sperm parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sperm parameters were analyzed for 778 primary volunteer donors by CASA system with standard methods recommended by WHO including sperm concentration, motility rate, VCL, VSL, ALH, LIN, STR and BCF, and their biological characteristics were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of all the volunteer donors, students accounted for more than a third, 89.2 percent were under the age of 35 years, 71.6 percent between 166 and 175 cm in height, 91.7 percent of normal weight and 77.1 percent with college education. The median sperm concentration and motility rate were 107.00 x 10(6)/ml and 75 percent respectively. Age was weakly correlated with such semen indexes as concentration (r = 0.210, P = 0.000) , motility rate (r = 0.213, P = 0.000), volume (r = 0.165, P = 0.002), VAP (r = 0.259, P = 0.000), VSL (r = 0.281, P = 0.000), VCL (r = 0.190, P = 0.000), BCF (r = 0.243, P = 0.000) and LIN (r = 0.192, P = 0.000). The semen indexes of the 26-35 age group were a little better than those of the 20-25. Height showed no correlation to semen indexes. Education and occupation were somewhat related with other sperm parameters (P < 0.01) than ALH (P = 0.695/0.886).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Age, occupation and education bear some correlation with sperm parameters except ALH, while height has none with any of them.</p>