Genetic Variation in the Testis-Specific HASPIN Gene Encoding a Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase in Infertile Japanese Males

HASPIN is a serine/threonine protein kinase predominantly expressed during spermatogenesis and localized in the nucleus. The HASPIN gene is conserved from yeast to mammals and plants. To investigate any possible associations between HASPIN polymorphisms and impaired spermatogenesis in Japanese males, we screened for mutations in the HASPIN coding sequence (CDS) using DNA from 282 sterile male patients and 262 fertile male volunteers. Polymorphisms were found at 10 positions within the HASPIN CDS. Among these 10 polymorphisms, 5 were found only in the infertile group, 3 of which were nonsynonymous. These polymorphisms found only in the infertile patients may be a cause of male infertility and thus valuable candidates for further study of this condition.

Inter/intra investigator variation in orchidometric measurements of testicular volume by ten investigators from five institutions

Aim： To perform quality control studies on testicular volume measurements for a multi-center epidemiological study of male reproductive function. Methods： We constructed a data matrix with a balanced assignment for 2 consecutive days by ten investigators （andrological career： 4-21 years） from five institutions and 12 male volunteers aged 20-26 years. Testicular volume was measured by Prader＇s orchidometer. A skilled technician also performed an ultrasound estimate of testicular volume. Results： A statistically significant inter-investigator variation was found for both testes （P 〈 0.05）. In addition, there was a statistically significant investigator-by-volunteer interaction in testicular volume measurement （P 〈 0.01）. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the two measurements performed on consecutive days for either testis. The testicular volumes for both the right and left testes as estimated by ultrasonography were smaller than results using the orchidometer. However, there was no statistical significance （P 〉 0.05）. The difference in experiences of the investigators did not significantly correlate with accuracy of measurements in either testis. Conclusion： The present study revealed significant differences in the results of estimation of testicular volume among the ten investigators, but intra-investigator variation was not considerable. Improved training and proper standardization of the measurement will be necessary before starting a multi-center study based on an andrological examination.

Current status of sperm banking for young cancer patients in Japanese nationwide survey

This study aimed to ascertain the current status of Japanese sperm banking for young cancer patients. During 2015, we mailed the directors of 695 institutes where sperm cryopreservation might be performed with questionnaires requesting information on the number of patients, age, precryopreservation chemotherapy, semen analyses results and diagnoses, cryopreservation success rate, and causes of unsuccessful cryopreservation. Of these 695 institutes, 92 had cryopreserved sperm before chemotherapy within the study period. In all, 820 cancer patients （237 testicular, 383 hematological, 46 bone and soft tissue, 20 brain, and 134 other malignancy） consulted the responding institutes for sperm cryopreservation. Except for testicular tumor, the number of patients whose sperm was preserved before cancer treatment was low compared to that of young cancer patients. Approximately 20% of patients with malignancies other than testicular tumor underwent chemotherapy before cryopreservation. The success rate of cryopreservation in hematological malignancy was 82.5%, significantly lower than that of both the testicular cancer （93.6%） and other malignancy groups （95.6%） （P 〈 0.05）. The primary reasons for preservation failure were azoospermia and poor semen quality. Patients with hematological malignancies had a higher rate of unsuccessful cryopreservation compared to those in other groups, possibly due to the large number of patients requesting sperm cryopreservation after chemotherapy induction. In Japan, information regarding sperm banking prior to cancer treatment appears to be lacking. Information regarding sperm preservation before chemotherapy should be provided to all Japanese oncologists.