精液中一氧化氮含量与精子凋亡关系的初探

Preliminary study of the relationship between the content of nitric oxide and sperm apoptosis in semen

目的研究精液中一氧化氮(NO)含量对精子凋亡的影响及其与男性不育之间的相关性,寻找治疗男性不育的有效途径。方法依据世界卫生组织(WHO)标准进行精液常规检测。应用硝酸还原酶法测定不育组和对照组精液中NO的含量。应用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶(TdT)介导的原位末端标记(TUNEL)法检测精子凋亡情况,观察不育组精子凋亡的形态结构改变,统计2组间精子凋亡率。结果不育组精液中NO含量[(58.37±14.14)μmol/L]高于对照组[(35.20±8.23)μmol/L](P<0.01);对照组精子凋亡率为9.67%±2.54%,低于不育组精子凋亡率33.98%±10.54%(P<0.01)。将不育组分为弱精组、少精组和畸形精子组,以畸形精子组NO含量最高,凋亡率也为最高,弱精组及少精组次之。结论不育组高浓度NO和精子凋亡率呈正相关,随着NO浓度增高,精子凋亡率增加。精液中高浓度NO可能是男性生育力下降的原因之一。

Objective To research the influence of the level of nitric oxide （NO） on sperm apoptosis and for seeking the effective way to cure male infertility. Methods The semen was done routine inspection according to the standard of World Health Organization （WHO）. The level of NO in semen in infertile group and control group was determined by nitric oxide reductase. The sperm apoptosis was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase（TdT） mediated deoxyuridine triphophate-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL）. The morphosis change of apoptotie sperm in infertile group was observed by microscope ; sperm apoptosis rate was counted for both groups. Results The level of NO in semen in infertile group [ （58.37±14. 14）μmo]/L] was higher than that in control group [ （35.20 ±8.23） μmol/L] （P 〈 0.01 ）. The sperm apoptosis rate in semen in control group 9.67% ±2.54% was lower than that in infertile group 33.98% ±10.54% （P 〈0.01 ）. The infertile group was divided into asthenspermia group, oligospermia group and teratospermia group, the level of NO in teratospermia group was the highest and its apoptosis rate was also the highest, and the asthenospermia and oligospermia group were inferior to the teratospermia group. Conclusions The high NO concentration in infertile group has a positive correlation with sperm apoptosis rate, which means with NO concentration increases , the sperm apoptosis rate increases. The high NO concentration in semen may be one reason for decreasing male fertility.