A preliminary study on the rheological properties of human ejaculate and changes during liquefaction

Aim: To study the changes in rheological properties, namely the parameters of the hysteresis loops and yield stress versus time for human semen after ejaculation. Methods: Ejaculates were obtained from volunteers and immediately put into the test cup of a Brookfield Programmable DV-11 Rheometer, by which the hysteresis loops and yield stress were determined. Results: (1) Yield stress values dropped down from more than 3000 mPa to 60 mPa in about 5 minutes after ejaculation; (2) The shape of the hysteresis loops of shear stress versus shear rate was changed from the counter-clockwise direction, that enclosed a large area, into the clockwise direction, that enclosed a very small area. Conclusion: Human ejaculate originally possesses semi-solid or visco-elastic body behavior and in 5 minutes after liquefaction, it becomes a thixotropic fluid or shearing thinning fluid with very low viscosity.

Hormonal contraception in Chinese men: variations insuppression of spermatogenesis with injectable testosteroneundecanoate and levonorgestrel implants

Aim: To explore the causes of the difference in spermatogenic suppression between responders and non-responders in Chinese men treated with levonorgestrel (LNG) implants plus testosterone undecanoate (TU) injectable. Methods: The 16 Chinese volunteers treated were divided into two groups in regard to the sperm count during the treatment period, 7 men in the responder group (Group R), including 6 azoospermia and one severe oligozoospermia, and the remaining 9 in the non-responder group (Group N), including 4 oligozoospermia and 5 with sperm counts greater than 20×106/mL. The differences in serum profiles of FSH, LH, T, LNG and T/LH ratio were compared between the two groups and the correlation between the seminal fluid parameters and serum reproductive hormones was analyzed. Results: The serum FSH level was lower in Group R than that in Group N (P<0.05), while the serum LH and LNG levels were higher in Group R than those in Group N (P<0.05). The sperm density (P<0.01, r=0.235), motility (P<0.01, r=0.326) and vitality (P<0.01, r=0.219) showed significantly positive correlation with the serum FSH level. Conclusion: The blood LNG and T levels, the degree of FSH inhibition and/or the sensitivity of the pituitary-testis axis to exogenous steroids, as well as the individual spermatogenetic potential and the functional status of the Leydig cells may be factors bringing about individual differences in spermatogenic suppression in Chinese men treated with LNG and TU.

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Relates Clinical Factors

As a widely-applied clinical therapy for infertility and sterility, ART has its own merits compared to other techniques and operations; however, the outcome of ART is influenced by various factors ranging from age, endometrial receptivity, reproductive system condition (e.g.uterus, fallopian tube and pelvic factors, etc.), immune system and so on. From our clinical experience and the literatures reviewd, it is strongly recommended that the situation of every infertile couple be evaluated thoroughly before applying therapy.

Structure prediction and activity analysis of human heme oxygenase-1 and its mutant

AIM: To predict wild human heme oxygenase-1 (whHO-1) and hHO-1 His25Ala mutant (△hHO-1) structures, to done and express them and analyze their activities.METHODS: Swiss-PdbViewer and Antheprot 5.0 were used for the prediction of structure diversity and physicalchemical changes between wild and mutant hHO-1, hHO-1 His25Ala mutant cDNA was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis in two plasmids of E.COli DH5α Expression products were purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and Q-Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography, and their activities were measured,RESULTS: rHO-1 had the structure of a helical fold with the heme sandwiched between heme-heme oxygenase-1 helices. Bond angle, dihedral angle and chemical bond in the active pocket changed after Ala25 was replaced by His25, but Ala25 was still contacting the surface and the electrostatic potential of the active pocket was negative. The mutated enzyme kept binding activity to heme. Two vectors pBHO-1 and pBHO-1(M) were constructed and expressed. Ammonium sulphate precipitation and column chromatography yielded 3.6-fold and 30-fold higher purities of whHO-1, respectively. The activity of △hHO-1 was reduced 91.21% after mutation comparedwith whHO-1.CONCLUSION: Proximal His25 ligand is crucial for normal hHO-1 catalytic activity. △hHO-1 is deactivated by mutation but keeps the same binding site as whHO-1. △hHO-1 might be a potential inhibitor of whHO-1 for preventing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Study on Relationship between Reproductive Tract Infections and Personal Hygiene Behaviors among Vulnerable Married Women in Shanghai

Objective:To understand the influence of personal hygiene behaviors on reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and to provide evidence for the intervention among married women at childbearing age Methods:A total of 1 631 married women in 60 residence neighborhoods from 4 streets and 2 stagnant enterprises were selected by multistage cluster random sampling and interviewed face-to-face through questionnaires, laboratory tests assay and gynecological examination. All data were analyzed by SAS 8.2. Results:The positive detection rates of five target pathogens, trichomonas vaginalis, candida albicans, G.vaginalis, chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in the study were 3.04%, 5.04%, 1.52%, 6.68%, and 0.12%, respectively. Personal hygiene practices and sexual behaviors among married women in the study were good in general. The vast majority of women (98.77%) rinsed their vulvae every day and more than half of the women (53.03%) took bath every day. In terms of the prevalence of endogenous infection, there were statistical differences between women who had different frequencies of rinsing their vulvae and taking bath; and for the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection, there were significant differences between women whose husband had different frequency of washing their external genital organs before sexual intercourses each time. The mostly adopted contraceptive methods among women ranked by frequency were intra-uterine devices (IUD) (68.69%), male condom (16.69%) and safe period (6.20%), among which male condom could prevent sexually transmitted infections. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that the frequency of taking bath, the husband washing his external genital organ before sexual intercourse and the age of marriage were the influencing factors of RTIs, too. Conclusion:It is very urgent that health educational intervention of RTIs among married women be conducted and especially the knowledge on condom's double effects on contraception and prevention of RTIs be disseminated to urge women to practice hygiene behavior to achieve the aim of preventing RTIs.

The Canonical Correlation Analysis on Semen Quality and Serum Heavy Metals in Chinese Young Men

Objective To explore the correlation between serum, heavy metal and semen quality in normal Chinese young menMethods This study was designed as a multi-center cross-sectional investigation. The subjects consisted of 562 male vomunteers who had undergone premarital physical examination in maternal and children health centers in 7 provinces in China. Results Results from Spearman rank correlation analysis (partial variable: region) show that serum lead and cadmium are negatively related to percentage of morphological normal sperm, but canonical correlation between semen quality and serum heavy metal are not significant. Canonical correlation analysis among the subjects from Guizhou shows cadmium is harmful to sperm morphology. In Henan, furthermore, results show lead and cadmium could negatively affect sperm viability and morphology. Conclusion Among all study subjects, canonical correlation between semen quality and serum heavy metal were not significant; however, results in some region showed serum cadmium and lead might be harmful to sperm quality.

THE EFFECT OF RU486 AND ZK98.734 ON RAT PITUITARY PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR

Adult female SD rats were ovariectomized and primed with esLradiol benzoate. Pituitarycytosol progesterone receptor was assayed by hydroxylapatite adsorption of

EFFECT OF GOSSYPOL ACETIC ACID ON CHROMOSOME ABERRATIONS AND ANEUPLOIDIES IN OOCYTES AND ZYGOTES OF MICE

It was reported that gossypol acetic acid could effectively inhibit th~ implantation in ratA. This finding indicated that gossypol acet/c acid might also be used as a female contraceptive. The Present study further investigated the genetic effect of gossypol

A PHARMACOKINETIC STUDY ON RU 486 AND ITS METABOLITES AFTER ORAL ADMINISTRATION AT VARIOUS DOSES

The purpose of the present study is to obtain pharmacokinetic parameters of RU486 and its metabolites and then to find out an optimal regimen of the compound for termination of human early pregnancy. Plasma levels of RU486 and its metabolites,

STUDIES ON CHROMOSOME ABERRATION INDUCED BY EPOSTANE

Genetic toxicity and carcinogenic potentiality of epostane have been assessed in Chinese hamster tung cells in vitro.

Impact of organophosphorous pesticide exposure on semen quality of Chinese peasants

Aim: To investigate the impact of organophosphorous pesticide exposure and other risk factors on the semen quality of Chinese peasants. Method: Questionnaire investigation, external genital examination and laboratory examination were conducted on 322 male peasants, including the exposed and the control groups of 161 subjects each. Results: Multivariate analysis showed that the educational level and the years of alcohol drinking influenced the semen volume. Compared with subjects of primary school education or lower, those with junior high school education had a higher semen volume (OR=1.961). Proportion of subjects with higher semen volume decreased with increased years of alcohol drinking (OR=0.962). Organophosphorous pesticide exposure decreased the number of forward progression sperm (OR=0.528), the sperm density (OR=0.266), the sperm viability (OR=0.398) and the percentage of normal morphology sperm (OR=0.281). A possible relationship was present between the season of semen collection and the number of forward progression sperm, sperm viability and percentage of normal morphology sperm. Compared with the summer data, the above three indices were higher in winter (OR being 2. 272, 4.060 and 5.249, respectively). Conclusion: Exposure to organophosphorous pesticide could damage the semen quality of the peasants. Education and alcohol drinking also affect the semen quality.

Analysis of Infertility Rate among Firstly Married Chinese Women During 1976-1985

Data of “China Two-per-thousand Fertility and Contraception Survey', a project organized by the State Family Planning Commission in 1988, were applied to analyze the infertility rates in Chinese married women and its probable affectingfactors,The average infertility rate in firstly married Chinese women in 1976-1985 was 6.89%.The rates were gradually declining while calendar years in which Chinese women got married were close to 1985. Approximately 11.32percent of the women who were married in 1976 experienced infertility, whereas 3.89 percent of those did in 1985. The infertility rates in the women whose age of getting married were youhger than 20 years or elder than 29 years were apparently higher than those of the 20s. The rates were gradually going up while the age at women's menarche was increasing. The infertility rates were relatively lower in the developed economic regions of the eastern provinces and the metropolises in contrast to the western mountainous regions. The married women in rural area had slightly higher infertility rate than those in urban area. The infertility rates in women who used contraceptives before or immediately after their marriage showed no significant difference to those of nonuser.

PHARMACOKINETIC AND PHARMACODYNAMIC STUDIES ON VAGINALLY ADMINISTERED LEVONORGESTREL

Comparative studies on pharmacokinetics of vaginally and orally administered levonorgestrel (LNG) tablet (Postinor) in one single dose containing 0,75mg LNG were performed. The pharmacokinetics of LNG and its effects on ovarian functions werealso studied after repeated vaginal administration.

Application of RU 486 Combined with Prostaglandin Analogues forTermination of Early Pregnancy in China

The induced abortion carried out in China is mainly due to contraceptive faiture and considered to be an important comptementay, measure . In China the vacuum aspiration have been used.for termination of early pregnancy since 1958. Althrough thecomplication rate of this procedure is very low, surgical termination of pregnancy re-quires experienced health care personnels.

EFFECTS OF ORALLY OR VAGINALLY ADMINISTERED LEVONOGESTREL TABLET ON LIPID METABOLISM

Twenty healthy female volunteers of reproductive age were recruited and randomized into two groups with ten cases in each group. In Group A, each subject took five pills orally containing 0.75rag levonorgestrel (LNG)in each for postcoital contraception in

INTERCEPTIVE EFFECTS OF EPOSTANE IN RATS AND RHESUS MONKEYS

Interceptives arc defined as agents which interrupt pregnancy after implantation.Epostane, a potent 3β-hydroxysteruid dehydrogenase inhibitor, possessed interceptive activities in rats and rhesus monkeys. In rats, day 10 and day 11 of pregnancy were

THE MECHANISM OF ANTI-IMPLANTATION EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES IN MICE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which antiprogcsterone monoclonal antibodies block early pregnancy in mice. The mechanism of passive immunization is a complex issue as indicated below:

Relieving the Impacts of Oral Contraceptives on Lipids Profile by Taking Pills in a Novel Scheme

Objective To explore whether the changes on lipids profile induced by oral contraceptives could be reduced through alternatively administering two oral contraceptives of different formulations (either predominant in progestogen or estrogen) Materials &. Methods A total of 59 women aged 25- 45 were divided into two treatment groups.The subjects in Group A received oral contraceptive A (Oc A: NET 0. 600 mg + EE 0. 035 mg) and B (OcB: LNG 0. 15mg + EEO. 03 mg) alternatively during 12 treatment cycles. Each contraceptive was administrated for three cycles consecutively with starting from OcA. The subjects in the B group received OcB only during 12 treatment cycles. Fasting blood were drawn before treatment, at the end of each trimester treatment and at the end of one cycle after stopping treatment respectively. The concentrations of lipids and apolipoproteins were measured.Results OcA increased the levels of triglyceride(TG) , total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-c) , and apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) with statistical significance, whereas OcB significantly decreased all parameters above. As compared with the control group, the overall mean of variation in the study group was much less than that of the control group.Conclusion It indicates that the impacts of oral contraceptives on lipids profile could be moderated by means of alternatively administering Ocs of two different formulations , with estrogen-dominant or progestogen-dominant.

Reproductive toxicological study on epristeride

Benign protate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in older men.Epristeride is an uncompetitive inhibitor of steroid 5α-reductase,the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT),and has been shown to retard the growth of hyperplastic prostates.The study included the toxicological effects of epristeride on prostate,vas deferens and sperm.The results were listed below.(1)The 180 days toxicity of epristeride (100mg·kg^-1) on interstitial cells of Beagle dog tests and DNA in prostatic epithelial cells couldn't reverse during 60 days vonvalescence,and that the DHT and prostate specific antigen (PSA) level in the gland,the volume of the grland,glandular epithelial cell height and acinar luminal area could reverse to normal during the same convalescence.(2)It was demonstrated that an apoptosis of vas deferens epithelial cell of SD rat was observed at the concentration of 0.3 and 1.0nmol·L^-1 epristeride in vitro.The results of PCR showed the exkpression of bcl-2 on vas deferens epithelial cells treated or untreated with epristeride,but the sequence of bcl-2 did not altered.(3)Motility and motile rate of sperm of rat,dog and human in vitro were videotaped and analyzed with computer-assisted sperm anaysis(CASA) system after 1h and 2h incubation.MOT(the percentage of motile sperm) of Beagle dog sperm were significantly reduced after treated with 0.6,6 and 60μmol·L^-1 epristeride,respectively,but no significant change occurred in SD rat and human at the same concertations of epristeride.Is a word,epristeride is a better drug against BPH though there are much reproductive toxicity.

EFFECT OF RU486 ON THE LUTEAL FUNCTION IN THE PREGNANT MOUSE

The effect of RU486, an antiprogestin, on luteal functions in the post-implantation mouse was studied. (1) In vivo experiment: Female adult mice were treated with RU486 at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg on day 1 and day 2 of pregnancy. Autopsy was