抑制素(Inhibin)的研究 Ⅰ.人精液抑制素的制备及其生物学特性

本文报道人精液抑制素的制备及其生物学特性。收集的新鲜人精液经乙醇沉淀和丙酮冲洗,获得的粗提物经Sephadex G100处理,产生具有高活性抑制素hP2组分。应用hP2测定使去势雄性大鼠增高的血清FSH水平降低。其生物特性:hP2的生物活性按单位重量计算为粗提物的10倍以上,包含16种氨基酸,通过SDS-PAGE计算分子量为11,500道尔顿。     

The Evaluation of Routine Andrological Parameters in Human Semen/Auswertung der Routine-Parameter der Andrologie am Sperma

A study was carried out to evaluate the andrological parameters in 540 human semen specimens divided into groups according to sperm counts. The parameters were: motility percentage and grade, percentage of viability and of morphologically normal sperm and immature cells. The Duncan multiple range test and the Kruskal-Wallis test with multiple comparison of ranks were used in the statistical analyses. Of particular interest, among other our findings, were the significant differences obtained by comparing the group with sperm counts up to 5 x 10(6) per ml semen and that with counts ranging from 5.1 to 10 x 10(6) per ml semen. This was true for all parameters with the exception of semen volume. Comparison of the oligozoospermic groups (up to 20 x 10(6)/ml) with those having higher sperm counts also showed significant differences. There was a trend towards improvement of the examined parameters with the increase in sperm density, but with a remarkable heterogeneity particularly within the oligozoospermic groups. In all groups motility, viability and morphological normality of sperm showed a positive correlation with each other. "Normal values" of the parameters studied could be derived from scatterplot charts over the entire range of sperm counts and from the statistical evaluation of the grouped material.     

Assisted reproduction in male cancer survivors: fertility treatment and outcome in 67 couples

BACKGROUND: Many male cancer survivors experience fertility problems due to antineoplastic treatment. We report the fertility outcome in 67 couples referred to assisted reproduction treatment (ART) because of male factor infertility due to cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective study assessing the following parameters: diagnosis, cancer treatment, type of fertility treatment and type of sperm used, number of pregnancies and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: Testicular cancer and lymphomas were the most prevalent diagnoses. Adjuvant treatment with chemo- and/or radiation therapy had been given to 90% of the men. Semen was cryopreserved in 82% of the men prior to treatment. Following antineoplastic treatment, 43% of the men had motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate, but 57% were azoospermic. A total of 151 ART cycles were performed [55 intra-uterine insemination (IUI), 82 ICSI and 14 ICSI-frozen embryo replacement (FER)]. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.8% after IUI, 38.6% after ICSI and 25% after ICSI-FER. The corresponding delivery rates were 11.1, 30.5 and 21%. Cryopreserved semen was used in 58% of the pregnancies. The delivery rate per cycle was similar after use of fresh or cryopreserved spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS: Male cancer survivors have a good chance of fathering a child by using either fresh ejaculated sperm or cryopreserved sperm.     

Sperm ubiquitination positively correlates to normal morphology in human semen

BACKGROUND: Global ubiquitination in human semen has been found to negatively correlate with standard semen parameters, indicating that ubiquitination can be considered a marker of poor semen quality. However, the inclusion of all semen components in the analysis may be misleading on the biological significance of ubiquitination of sperm cells. We have recently demonstrated the variable presence of bodies of different size, with the highest concentration in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between ubiquitination and standard semen parameters, after distinguishing between ubiquitinated sperm and bodies in each sample. METHODS: Ubiquitination was evaluated by flow cytometric sperm ubiquitin tag immunoassay (SUTI) in sperm samples from 45 subjects. Semen analysis was performed according to WHO (1999) guidelines. RESULTS: When only ubiquitinated sperm were considered, a positive correlation with number, motility and normal morphology was found. When correlation was evaluated considering the percentage of ubiquitinated bodies, a negative correlation was found with good semen quality. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the negative correlations previously found between global semen ubiquitination and parameters of semen analysis are mainly driven by components other than sperm. The positive correlation between sperm ubiquitination and good quality parameters suggests a previously unrecognized role for sperm ubiquitination.     

The value of sperm pooling and cryopreservation in patients with transient azoospermia or severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.

BACKGROUND: A transient state of azoospermia may occur due to toxic, environmental, infectious or iatrogenic conditions. Finding sperm in the ejaculate of such patients is often unpredictable and may be critical in IVF treatment. In the present study, the approach of pooling and cryopreservation of sperm is evaluated. Cryopreservation was performed in a unique group of patients in whom no sperm had been found in at least one previous sperm examination and in patients diagnosed as suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia in whom, occasionally, sperm were found. METHODS: A total of 157 semen pooling and cryopreservation procedures in 53 patients was performed between January 1998 and December 2000 in our centre. Forty five of these patients underwent an IVF-ICSI treatment during the study period. In 32 patients, fresh sperm were used to perform ICSI. In 13 patients no sperm were available, and the previously frozen sperm were used. RESULTS: Using our pooling system, 13 IVF-ICSI cycles were rescued. In seven patients with a previous testicular biopsy due to azoospermia, sperm cryopreservation was possible. Overall, 13 pregnancies (10 deliveries, two ongoing pregnancies and one missed abortion) were achieved. CONCLUSION: The introduction of semen banking for patients with transient azoospermia may increase the chance of pregnancy using their own sperm.     

The occurrence of Chlamydia trachomatis in the semen of men participating in an IVF programme

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common causative agentsof sexually transmitted diseases. The authors studied the occurrenceof C.trachomatis in the semen of 184 asymptomatic men participatingin the IVF programme. Twenty-six (14.1%) of the 184 tested werepositive for C.trachomatis, these patients and their wives receivingdoxycycline capsules twice, 100 mg on the first day and 100mg/day for the following 13 days. This treatment was effectivein 88.5% of the cases and in the rest, treatment continued witherithromycin 250 mg four times/day for 2 weeks. The authorscompared the semen parameters (cell count, motility, morphology,bovine mucus penetration and hypo-osmotic swelling test) inthe infected and non-infected groups and observed no significantdifference between these two groups     

Decreased human semen quality and organochlorine compounds in blood

BACKGROUND: Various studies have been performed in which potential effects of xenoestrogens on fertility or sperm parameters were investigated by comparing groups of subjects exposed to different levels of these chemicals. METHODS: In our study we used an alternative approach, as we selected one group of men with very poor semen quality and another group with normal semen quality and determined the blood organochlorine contents in order to determine whether a difference in these levels could be established. Organochlorine compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and PCB metabolites, were detected using gas chromatography. The concentrations were compared between both groups, and related to semen parameters. RESULTS: A comparison of both groups did not reveal significant differences in organochlorine levels. Linear relationships were found when PCB and metabolite concentrations were related to the age of the volunteers. Focusing on the subgroup of men with normal semen quality showed that sperm count and sperm progressive motility were inversely related to the concentrations of PCB metabolites within this group. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of a significantly decreased sperm count in relation to an elevated PCB metabolite level within the subgroup of men with normal semen quality is important. This is the first time that a correlation between exposure to environmental pollutants with endocrine-disrupting capacity and human sperm quality has been observed.     

Effects of sildenafil (Viagra) administration on seminal parameters and post-ejaculatory refractory time in normal males

Sildenafil is a specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 5 and represents a powerful therapy for male erectile dysfunction (ED) of different aetiology. Recently, sildenafil has been shown to restore erections in temporary ED related to the need of semen collection for assisted reproductive techniques. In this study, we investigated whether sildenafil administration modifies seminal parameters and/or erectile function in normal healthy volunteers. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over two period investigation we enrolled 20 healthy male volunteers (mean +/- SE age 32 +/- 0.5 years). Subjects were not using any medication for the 3 month period prior to the study and were engaged in a stable relationship with proven fertility. The effects of sildenafil (100 mg) on seminal parameters and erectile function after audiovisual sexual stimulation were evaluated by semen analysis and by colour-Duplex ultrasound (the Resistive Index) respectively. In all subjects, sildenafil caused no changes in seminal and erection parameters when compared to placebo. Interestingly, sildenafil administration led to a marked reduction of the post-ejaculatory refractory time (10.8 +/- 0.9 min versus 2.6 +/- 0.7 min for placebo and sildenafil respectively; P < 0.0001). These results indicate that in normal subjects acute sildenafil treatment does not modify semen characteristics and has a positive influence over the resumption of erections following ejaculation in the presence of a continuous erotic stimulus.     

An evaluation of semen analysis and in-vitro tests of sperm function in the prediction of the outcome of intrauterine AIH

Twenty-nine couples with an average of 5 years of infertilitywere selected for treatment by intrauterine insemination ofwashed semen (AIH). The criteria for selection were (i) thefemale partner showed no detectable fertility disorders by routinescreening; (ii) the male partner showed subnormal semen qualityon conventional semen analysis. Ovulation was stimulated uniformlywith clomiphene citrate and precipitated with human chorionicgonadotrophin (HCG). Inseminations were performed 31–32h post-HCG, with the day of HCG determined by ultrasound monitoringof follicular development. The fertilizing capacity of the malepartners‘ spermatozoa was tested in vitro using donatedhuman oocytes and/or the zona-free hamster oocyte penetrationassay. Up to eight cycles of AIH were alternated with cyclesof natural intercourse. While no pregnancies occurred in thegroup during normal coital cycles, the AIH pregnancy rate was17% per couple, but only 3% per insemination cycle. Four furtherpregnancies were achieved spontaneously in couples from thestudy group within 3 years of completion of the AIH therapyand four patients became pregnant following subsequent GIFTor IVF treatments. Neither of the in-vitro tests was helpfulin predicting the outcome of AIH, spontaneous pregnancy norof subsequent assisted conception procedures.     

CA 125 in seminal plasma: correlation with semen parameters

Ovarian cancer marker CA 125 was measured in human seminal plasma,and the concentrations ranged between 22 and 1149 U/ml, andbetween 39 and 4711 U/ejaculate. This very high patient-to-patientvariability was in contrast to a much lower within-patient variability,which was comparable to that of other semen parameters. No significantdifferences in CA 125 concentration were found in seminal plasmafrom normospermic patients, patients with male factors, vasectomizedmen, and in aliquots of samples which led to a pregnancy, viaartificial insemination or in-vitro fertilization. The seminalplasma CA 125 concentration was not correlated with sperm count,motility and morphology. In contrast, seminal plasma CA 125concentrations correlated with the age of the patient (P <0.001) and inversely with the volume of the ejaculate (P <0.001). These correlations were independent of each other. CA125 did not correlate with the prostatic marker zinc, but diddo so with the seminal vesicle marker fructose and the epididymalmarker carnitine.