Dear Editor, The cytosolic protein Tau is naturally present in human neurons, where it has a pivotal role in controlling microtubule stability. Hyperphosphorylation of Tau （observed during neurodegenerative diseases...Dear Editor, The cytosolic protein Tau is naturally present in human neurons, where it has a pivotal role in controlling microtubule stability. Hyperphosphorylation of Tau （observed during neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer＇s disease） impairs the protein＇s ability to bind microtubules. This results in microtubule disassembly and the formation of Tau aggregates, Tau protein is also widely expressed in peripheral tissues. In the male reproductive system, screening for Tau has focused solely on the rodent and bovine testis. In the present study, we used immunofluorescence and immunoenzymatic techniques （with a Tau-specific antibody） to investigate the presence of Tau protein in human ejaculated sperm and testicular tissue.展开更多
Cryptorchidism is one of the most frequent causes of nonobstructive azoospermia(NOA)in adulthood.Although it is well known that spermatogenesis is more impaired in bilateral than in unilateral cryptorchidism,previous ...Cryptorchidism is one of the most frequent causes of nonobstructive azoospermia(NOA)in adulthood.Although it is well known that spermatogenesis is more impaired in bilateral than in unilateral cryptorchidism,previous studies have only described small cohorts or inhomogeneous population.Consequently,we analyzed a cohort of 225 men with only a history of cryptorchidism as sole etiopathogenetic factor for NOA,and compared testicular sperm extraction(TESE)outcomes between men with bilateral versus unilateral cryptorchidism.Our results show no difference in follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)levels and testicular volumes between men with a history of bilateral cryptorchidism compared to unilateral cryptorchidism(median:21.3 IU I^-1 vs 19.3 IU I^-1,P=0.306;and 7.2 ml vs 7.9 ml,P=0.543,respectively).In addition,sperm retrieval rates were similar(66.2%vs 60.0%,P=0.353).Using multivariate analysis,we have found that only a low inhibin B level(above the assay's detection limit)was positively associated with successful sperm retrieval(P<0.05).Regarding intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes,we found that cumulative pregnancy rate and live birth rate per cycle were not statistically different between the two groups(17.4%vs 27.8%,P=0.070;and 16.1%vs 26.4%,P=0.067,respectively).Unexpectedly,there was no significant difference in hormonal profiles(FSH,luteinizing hormone[LH],testosterone,and inhibin B levels)and TESE outcomes between unilateral versus bilateral cryptorchidism.This suggests that a history of unilateral cryptorchidism could reflect a bilateral testicular impairment.Interestingly,inhibin B level might be a predictor of successful TESE.展开更多
文摘Dear Editor, The cytosolic protein Tau is naturally present in human neurons, where it has a pivotal role in controlling microtubule stability. Hyperphosphorylation of Tau （observed during neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer＇s disease） impairs the protein＇s ability to bind microtubules. This results in microtubule disassembly and the formation of Tau aggregates, Tau protein is also widely expressed in peripheral tissues. In the male reproductive system, screening for Tau has focused solely on the rodent and bovine testis. In the present study, we used immunofluorescence and immunoenzymatic techniques （with a Tau-specific antibody） to investigate the presence of Tau protein in human ejaculated sperm and testicular tissue.
文摘Cryptorchidism is one of the most frequent causes of nonobstructive azoospermia(NOA)in adulthood.Although it is well known that spermatogenesis is more impaired in bilateral than in unilateral cryptorchidism,previous studies have only described small cohorts or inhomogeneous population.Consequently,we analyzed a cohort of 225 men with only a history of cryptorchidism as sole etiopathogenetic factor for NOA,and compared testicular sperm extraction(TESE)outcomes between men with bilateral versus unilateral cryptorchidism.Our results show no difference in follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)levels and testicular volumes between men with a history of bilateral cryptorchidism compared to unilateral cryptorchidism(median:21.3 IU I^-1 vs 19.3 IU I^-1,P=0.306;and 7.2 ml vs 7.9 ml,P=0.543,respectively).In addition,sperm retrieval rates were similar(66.2%vs 60.0%,P=0.353).Using multivariate analysis,we have found that only a low inhibin B level(above the assay's detection limit)was positively associated with successful sperm retrieval(P<0.05).Regarding intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes,we found that cumulative pregnancy rate and live birth rate per cycle were not statistically different between the two groups(17.4%vs 27.8%,P=0.070;and 16.1%vs 26.4%,P=0.067,respectively).Unexpectedly,there was no significant difference in hormonal profiles(FSH,luteinizing hormone[LH],testosterone,and inhibin B levels)and TESE outcomes between unilateral versus bilateral cryptorchidism.This suggests that a history of unilateral cryptorchidism could reflect a bilateral testicular impairment.Interestingly,inhibin B level might be a predictor of successful TESE.
