Effect of Jasmonic Acid on Lateral Root Formation in Rice Seedling

实验材料为水稻 (OryzasativaL .)栽培品种“IR8”(国际水稻所 8号 )及其少侧根突变体MT10。将 2d水稻幼苗种子根全部浸入 0 .0 16～ 5 0 μmol/L茉莉酸 (JA)溶液处理 2d ,结果表明JA显著抑制种子根的伸长 ,其抑制程度与JA浓度成正比。不高于 2 μmol/L的JA显著促进侧根的发生 ,每cm的侧根数目随浓度的增加而增加 ,最多可增加到原来的 16 8% (“IR8”)和 2 85 % (MT10 )。 10 μmol/L的JA仍促进处理过程中和处理后生成根区段的侧根数目的增加 ,但明显抑制处理前生成根区段侧根的发生 。

Oxytocin in pig seminal plasma is positively related with in vivo fertility of inseminated sows

Background:Identification of relevant in vivo biomarkers for fertility remains a challenge for the livestock industry.Concentrations of the small peptide hormone oxytocin(OXT),involved in male reproductive function and present in the seminal plasma(SP)of several species could be a robust one.This study characterized concentrations of SPOXT in ejaculates from boars used in artificial insemination(AI)programs aiming to evaluate its relationship with sperm quality variables and in vivo fertility of their liquid-stored AI-semen.Seminal OXT concentrations(ng/mL)were measured in 169 ejaculates from 61 boars of the Duroc,Pietrain,Landrace and Large White breeds using a direct competitive immunoassay test based on AlphaLISA®technology.Ejaculate(ejaculate volume,sperm concentration,total sperm count)and sperm parameters(motility,viability,intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species,plasma membrane fluidity)were assessed at 0 h and 72 h in AI-semen samples stored at 17℃.In vivo fertility included only 18 Large White and Landrace boars whose AI-semen was used to inseminated>100 sows and evaluated both farrowing rate and litter size of 3,167 sows.Results:The results showed that SP-OXT differed between boars and between ejaculates within boar(P<0.05)but not between breeds(Duroc,Pietrain,Landrace and Large White).Ejaculates with higher SP-OXT concentration/mL(hierarchically grouped;P<0.001)had larger volume and came from younger boars(P<0.05).Ejaculates of boars showing positive farrowing rate deviation exhibited higher(P<0.05)SP-OXT concentration/mL than those with negative farrowing rate deviation.Conclusion:The SP concentrations of OXT are boar,ejaculate and age dependent,and positively related with ejaculate volume and farrowing rates of liquid-stored semen AI-doses.

Seminer教学法在健康教育学教学实践中的探索

目的:探索Seminer教学法在健康教育学教学中的效果。方法:随机选取2009级(3+2)临床专业2个班分别作为实验组和对照组。实验组采用Seminer教学法,对照组采用传统的授课方法,根据考试成绩以及问卷调查形式评估教学效果。结果:实验组的考试成绩优于对照组(P<0.05);实验组对教学方法和教学效果满意度高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:与传统授课法相比,Seminer教学法可以发挥学生的学习自主性,引导学生主动思考,提高了学生学习兴趣、分析和解决问题的能力;增强了学生的竞争意识和协作精神。

Metabolomic fingerprinting of pig seminal plasma identifies in vivo fertility biomarkers

Background:Metabolomic approaches,which include the study of low molecular weight molecules,are an emerging-omics technology useful for identification of biomarkers.In this field,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)spectroscopy has already been used to uncover(in)fertility biomarkers in the seminal plasma(SP)of several mammalian species.However,NMR studies profiling the porcine SP metabolome to uncover in vivo fertility biomarkers are yet to be carried out.Thus,this study aimed to evaluate the putative relationship between SPmetabolites and in vivo fertility outcomes.To this end,24 entire ejaculates(three ejaculates per boar)were collected from artificial insemination(AI)-boars throughout a year(one ejaculate every 4 months).Immediately after collection,ejaculates were centrifuged to obtain SP-samples,which were stored for subsequent metabolomic analysis by NMR spectroscopy.Fertility outcomes from 1525 inseminations were recorded over a year,including farrowing rate,litter size,stillbirths per litter and the duration of pregnancy.Results:A total of 24 metabolites were identified and quantified in all SP-samples.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that lactate levels in SP had discriminative capacity for farrowing rate(area under the curve[AUC]=0.764)while carnitine(AUC=0.847),hypotaurine(AUC=0.819),sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(AUC=0.833),glutamate(AUC=0.799)and glucose(AUC=0.750)showed it for litter size.Similarly,citrate(AUC=0.743),creatine(AUC=0.812),phenylalanine(AUC=0.750),tyrosine(AUC=0.753)and malonate(AUC=0.868)levels had discriminative capacity for stillbirths per litter;and malonate(AUC=0.767)and fumarate(AUC=0.868)levels for gestation length.Conclusions:The assessment of selected SP-metabolites in ejaculates through NMR spectroscopy could be considered as a promising non-invasive tool to predict in vivo fertility outcomes in pigs.Moreover,supplementing AI-doses with specific metabolites should also be envisaged as a way to improve their fertility potential.

Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of persistent or recurrent hemospermia： a single- institution experience

The diagnosis and treatment of hemospermia presents significant difficulty, especially if it persists or recurs. In this retrospective study, we assessed whether transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy is feasible and effective in the diagnosis and treatment of hemospermia. To address this complex condition, we report our experience in a population of patients treated with transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy. From February 2006 to July 2008, 72 hemospermic patients underwent transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy examination and treatment at our urology center. Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy was performed by a 7-F or 8-F rigid ureteroscope. The endoscopic procedure was conducted through the normal anatomic route of the seminal tracts. In this series, the mean follow-up period was 21.7 months. Definite diagnosis was made for 93.1% patients, and 94.4% patients were cured or showed a decrease in their symptoms. Postoperative complications were not observed in the study. Our study proves that transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy is effective in the diagnosis and treatment of hemospermia with minimal complication.

Do Ureaplasma urealyticum infections in the genital tract affect semen quality?

Aim： To investigate the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum （UU） infection and semen quality. Methods： From 2001 to 2003, 346 eligible patients aged 20-45 years were invited from two hospitals in Shanghai, China, to participate in an investigation which included questionnaires about general and reproductive health, an external genital tract examination, UU culture and semen analysis. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine whether UU had a significant effect on semen quality after adjustment for confounding factors. Results： Findings suggested that UU infection was associated with higher semen viscosity and lower semen pH value. Sperm concentration was lower in UU positive subjects than that in UU negative subjects （54.04 × 10^6/mL vs.70.58 × 10^6/mL）. However, UU did not significantly affect other semen quality indexes. Conclusion： UU infection of the male genital tract could negatively influence semen quality.

Function of seminal vesicles and their role on male fertility

The present review has been designed to update the recent developments on the function of seminal vesicles andtheir role on male fertility. It is indicated that the true corrected fructose level is a simple method for the assessment ofthe seminal vesicular function. Measurement of seminal fructose used universally as a marker of the seminal vesiclefunction is not an appropriate approach due to its inverse relationship with the sperm count. The true corrected fructosedefined as [log. motile sperm concentration] multiplied by [seminal fructose concentration] has been shown to be abetter marker of the seminal vesicle function. Seminal vesicular secretion is important for semen coagulation, sperm motility, and stability of sperm chromatinand suppression of the immune activity in the female reproductive tract. In conclusion, the function of seminal vesicle is important for fertility. Parameters as sperm motility, sperm chro-matin stability, and immuno-protection may be changed in case of its hypofunction. (Asian J Androl 2001 Dec; 3:251 -258)

Seminal plasma anti-Müllerian hormone level correlates with semen parameters but does not predict success of testicular sperm extraction （TESE）

Aim： To assess seminal plasma anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH） level relationships in fertile and infertile males. Methods： Eighty-four male cases were studied and divided into four groups： fertile normozoospermia （n = 16）, oligoastheno- teratozoospermia （n = 15）, obstructive azoospermia （OA） （n = 13） and non-obstructive azoospermia （NOA） （n = 40）. Conventional semen analysis was done for all cases. Testicular biopsy was done with histopathology and fresh tissue examination for testicular sperm extraction （TESE） in NOA cases. NOA group was subdivided according to TESE results into unsuccessful TESE （n = 19） and successful TESE （n = 21）. Seminal plasma AMH was estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and serum follicular stimulating hormone （FSH） was estimated in NOA cases only by radioimmunoassay （RIA）. Results： Mean seminal AMH was significantly higher in fertile group than in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia with significance （41.5±10.9 pmol/L vs. 30.5±10.3 pmol/L, P 〈 0.05）. Seminal AMH was not detected in any OA patients. Seminal AMH wascorrelated positively with testicular volume （r = 0.329, P = 0.005）, sperm count （r = 0.483, P = 0.007）, sperm motility percent （r = 0.419, P = 0.021） and negatively with sperm abnormal forms percent （r = -0.413, p = 0.023）. Nonsignificant correlation was evident with age （r = -0.155, P = 0.414） and plasma FSH （ r = -0.014, P = 0.943）. In NOA cases, seminal AMH was detectable in 23/40 cases, 14 of them were successful TESE （57.5%） and was undetectable in 17/40 cases, 10 of them were unsuccessful TESE （58.2%）. Conclusion： Seminal plasma AMH is an absolute testicular marker being absent in all OA cases. However, seminal AMH has a poor predictability for successful testicular sperm retrieval in NOA cases.

Cryopreservation-induced decrease in heat-shock protein 90 in human spermatozoa and its mechanism

<abstract>Aim: To study the protein changes of spermatozoa associated with sperm motility during sperm cryopreservation and its mechanism. Methods: In 18 healthy men, the seminal sperm motility and HSP90 levels were studied before and after cryopreservation using SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and computerized image analysis. Results: The sperm motility declined significantly after cryopreservation (P<0.01). The average grey level and the integrated grey level of sperm HSP90 before cooling were 34.1±3.2 and 243.0±21.6, respectively, while those after thawing were 23.2±2.5 and 105.7±28.5, respectively. Both parameters were decreased significantly (P<0.01). No HSP90 was found in the seminal plasma before and after cryopreservation. Conclusion: HSP90 in human spermatozoa was decreased substantially after cryopreservation. This may result from protein degradation, rather than leakage into the seminal plasma.

Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma from asthenozoospermia patients reveals proteins that affect oxidative stress responses and semen quality

Asthenozoospermia （AS） is a common cause of human male infertility. In one study, more than 80% of the samples from infertile men had reduced sperm motility. Seminal plasma is a mixture of secretions from the testis, epididymis and several male accessory glands, including the prostate, seminal vesicles and Cowper＇s gland. Studies have shown that seminal plasma contains proteins that are important for sperm motility. To further explore the pathophysiological character of AS, we separated the seminal plasma proteins from AS patients and healthy donors using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in-gel digestion, and then subjected the proteins to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） analysis. A total of 741 proteins were identified in the seminal plasma, with a false discovery rate of 3.3%. Using spectral counting, we found that 45 proteins were threefold upregulated and 56 proteins were threefold downregulated in the AS group when compared with the control. Most of these proteins originated from the epididymis and prostate. This study identified a rich source of biomarker candidates for male infertility and indicates that functional abnormalities of the epididymis and prostate can contribute to AS. We identified D J-1--a protein that has been shown elsewhere to be involved in the control of oxidative stress （OS）-as a downregulated protein in AS seminal plasma. The levels of D J-1 in AS seminal plasma were about half of those in the control samples. In addition, the levels of reactive oxygen species were 3.3-fold higher in the AS samples than in the controls. Taken together, these data suggest that downregulation of DJ-1 is involved in OS in semen, and therefore affects the quality of the semen.

Seminal characteristics and sexual behavior in men of different age groups： is there an aging effect？

Aim： To assess the seminal characteristics as well as the sexual behavior of men of various age groups to establish the presence of an aging effect on those characteristics. Methods： Semen samples were collected from men （n = 792） undergoing in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination in cases of female factor infertility only. Samples were collected using a seminal collection device at intercourse and evaluated manually according to World Health Organization （WHO） standards. Men were divided into four groups according to their ages： （i） 20-30, （ii） 31-40, （iii） 41-50 and （iv） 51-60 years, and their seminal characteristics and responses to a sexual behavior questionnaire were compared. Results： The data showed statistically significant differences in the seminal characteristics tested, most notably in the sperm concentration, motility, grade of motility, hypo-osmotic swelling and normal sperm morphology. Furthermore, the decline in normal sperm morphology with age was more pronounced when using strict criteria rather than WHO standards. There were also differences in total sperm count, total motile sperm and total functional sperm fraction （assessed by both WHO and strict criteria）. Significant differences were also observed in the sexual behavior patterns in older men in terms of the number of years they have been trying to conceive, sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. Conclusion： The data clearly illustrate an aging effect on semen characteristics and sexual behavior in men as they age. It is suggested that the aging effect be taken into consideration when proposing normal standard values for semen characteristics in routine semen analysis as outlined by WHO standards.

Stimulating effects of quercetin on sperm quality and reproductive organs in adult male rats

Aim： To investigate effects of quercetin on weight and histology of testis and accessory sex organs and on sperm quality in adult male rats. Methods： Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected s.c. with quercetin at the dose of 0, 30, 90, or 270 mg/kg body weight/day （hereafter abbreviated Q0, Q30, Q90 and Q270, respectively）, and each dose was administered for treatment durations of 3, 7 and 14 days. Results： From our study, it was found that the effects of quercetin on reproductive organs and sperm quality depended on the dose and duration of treatment. After Q270 treatment for 14 days, the weights of testes, epididymis and vas deferens were significantly increased, whereas the weights of seminal vesicle and prostate gland were significantly decreased, compared with those of Q0. The histological alteration of those organs was observed after Q270 treatment for 7 days as well as 14 days. The sperm motility, viability and concentration were significantly increased after Q90 and Q270 injections after both of 7 and 14 days. Changes in sperm quality were earlier and greater than those in sex organ histology and weight, respectively. Conclusion： Overall results indicate that quercetin might indirectly affect sperm quality through the stimulation of the sex organs, both at the cellular and organ levels, depending on the dose and the duration of treatment. Therefore, the use of quercetin as an alternative drug for treatment of male infertility should be considered. （Asian J Androl 2008 Mar. 10： 249-258）

Seminal vesicles and diabetic neuropathy： ultrasound evaluation in patients with couple infertility and different levels of glycaemic control

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound characteristics of the seminal vesicles （SVs） of infertile patients with diabetes mellitus （DM） and diabetic neuropathy （DN） and to investigate possible changes in ultrasound characteristics related to glycaemic control. To accomplish this, 45 infertile patients with type 2 DM and symptomatic DN were selected. Twenty healthy fertile men and 20 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia without DM represented the control groups. DM patients were arbitrarily divided into three groups according to glycaemic control level （A=glycosylated haemoglobin 〈7%; B =glycosylated haemoglobin between 7% and 10%; C=glycosylated haemoglobin 〉 10%）. Patients underwent prostate-vesicular transrectal ultrasonography and sperm analysis. The following SV ultrasound parameters were recorded： （i） body antero-posterior diameter （APD）; （ii） fundus APD; （iii） parietal thicknesses of the right and left SVs; and （iv） the number of polycyclic areas within both SVs. We then calculated the following parameters： （i） fundus/body （F/B） ratio; （ii） difference of the parietal thickness between the right and the left SV; and （iii） pre- and post-ejaculatory APD difference. All DM patients had a higher FIB ratio compared to controls （P〈0.05）. Group C had a higher FIB ratio compared to the other DM groups （P〈0.05）. All DM patients had a lower pre- and post-ejaculatory difference of the body SV APD compared to controls （P〈0.05）. Groups A and B had a similar pre- and post-ejaculatory difference of the body SV APD, whereas this difference was lower in Group C （P〈0.05）. In conclusion, infertile DM patients with DN showed peculiar SV ultrasound features suggestive of functional atony, and low glycaemic control was associated with greater expression of these features.

Alterations of seminal and hormonal parameters:An extrahepatic manifestation of HCV infection?

AIM： To evaluate the possible influences of HCV infection and relative antiviral treatment on seminal parameters and reproductive hormonal serum levels. METHODS： Ten male patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis and 16 healthy male volunteers were studied. In all subjects seminal parameters （nemaspermic concentration, progressive motility, morphology） and hormonal levels were determined. Seminal parameters and inhibin B, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total and free testosterone, estradiol, prolactine in patients were measured after six and twelve months of antiviral combined （interferon ± ribavirin） treatment. RESULTS： Patients before treatment showed a significantly lower nemaspermic motility and morphology as well as lower inhibin B and free testosterone levels than controls. Inhibin B levels in cases were improved six and 12 mo after treatment in five responders （161.9 ± 52.8 pg/mL versus 101.7 ± 47.0 pg/mL and 143.4 ± 46.1 pg/ mL versus 95.4 ± 55.6 pg/mL, respectively）. Hormonal pattern of patients did not significantly change after treatment, with the exception of estradiol levels with an initial reduction and an overall subsequent increment （19.7 ± 6.4 pg/mL versus 13.6 ± 5.0 pg/mL versus 17.3 ± 5.7 pg/mL）. However in 1-year responders a significant increment of free testosterone （14.2 ± 2.54 pg/mL versus 17.1 ± 2.58 pg/mL） occurred. An impairment of nemaspermic morphology occurred, while other seminal parameters did not change significantly during antiviral treatment. CONCLUSION： Patients with HCV infection show worse spermatic parameters than controls, suggesting a possible negative influence of virus on spermatogenesis, with further mild impairment during antiviral treatment. However therapy could improve the spermatic function, as suggested by the increased inhibin B levels and improved hormonal pattern in responders. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary intriguing results.

The performance of transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis of seminal vesicle defects： a comparison with magnetic resonance imaging

Obstructive azoospermia （OA） is one of the most common causes of male infertility. Transrectal ultrasound （TRUS） has been used to diagnose OA for many years. From 2009 to 2013, we evaluated a prospective cohort of 1249 patients with suspected OA using TRUS. It was found that dilation of the ejaculatory duct （ED） （29.9%, 374/1249） was the most common cause of OA, followed by seminal vesicle （SV） abnormalities （28.5%, 356/1249）. A total of 237 patients were diagnosed with congenital defects （agenesis and/or hypoplasia） of the SV, constituting more than half of the cases of SV disease in OA （19.0%, 237/1249）. In contrast to ED, congenital defects of the SV could not be corrected with surgical treatment. Therefore, it is meaningful to compare TRUS and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） for accurate diagnosis of SV defects. Among our patients, 30 with agenesis or/and hypoplasia of the SV on TRUS were further evaluated using pelvic MRI within 2 years, with the objective of verifying the TRUS results. The concordance rate for diagnosing congenital defects of the SV was 73.3% （22/30）. We concluded that TRUS is a reliable and convenient method for diagnosing agenesis or hypoplasia of the SV in OA patients with a high concordance with MRI while MRI is useful in patients with inconclusive TRUS findings.

Incidental finding of Zinner syndrome in a Greek military recruit: a case report of a rare clinical entity

Background: Zinner syndrome represents a rare congenital malformation of the urinary tract. It comprises a constellation of Wolffian duct anomalies and is almost exclusively encountered as a classic triad of seminal vesicle cysts, ejaculatory duct obstruction and renal agenesis. Patients can be either asymptomatic or symptomatic. Recently, minimally invasive surgical techniques have emerged, superseding traditional surgery for select symptomatic cases. Our case highlights the finding of a rare clinical syndrome that was incidentally detected during a routine mass screening of military recruits in the Greek Armed Forces.Case presentation: Herein, we present a case of a 19-year-old male who reported having a solitary right kidney when examined in a military training center of Northern Greece. No additional clinical information was available;thus, referral to a tertiary urology department for further investigation ensued. Imaging studies, namely, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, revealed left renal aplasia, multiple left seminal vesicle cysts, and ejaculatory duct obstruction. Laboratory values and urinalysis were within normal range. Semen analysis was significant for cryptozoospermia. Our patient remained asymptomatic during the entire hospitalization. Long-term follow-up was recommended. Nevertheless, he declined further investigation and sought treatment in a private practice setting.Conclusions: This article aims to present the incidental diagnosis of a rare syndrome in a military setting. Population screening conducted in the armed forces permits the identification of undiagnosed diseases that warrant further investigation. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report of Zinner syndrome in a military recruit and the second case cited of a Greek patient in the published literature. Regular follow-up is the key to timely intervention in conservatively managed cases.

Congenital agenesis of seminal vesicle

Congenital agenesis of the seminal vesicle （CASV） is frequently associated with congenital absence of the vas deferens （CAVD） or ipsilateral congenital vasoureteral communication. We reported two cases of a rare condition that the vas deferens open ectopically into Mullerian duct cyst associated with agenesis of the ipsilateral seminal vesicle. The diagnosis was confirmed by vasography. Transurethral unroofing of the Mullerian duct cyst was performed in both patients with favourable results, however, assisted reproductive technology （ART） was still necessary for them to father children.

Imaging in male-factor obstructive infertility

The main purpose of imaging evaluation in male infertility is to identify and treat correctable causes of infertility, such as obstruction of the seminal tract. Various imaging modalities are available to evaluate men with obstructive infertility including scrotal ultrasonography, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), vasography, magnetic resonance imaging, seminal vesicle aspiration, seminal tract washout, and seminal vesiculography. To date the most reliable and accurate diagnostic technique for obstructive infertility is unclear. In this review article, we report the role of these modalities in diagnosis of obstructive infertility. Scrotal sonography is the initial modality, and if patient results indicate non obstructive azoospermia as varicocele or testicular pathology they will be treated according to standard protocols for management of these pathologies. If the patient findings indicate proximal obstructive azoospermia, they can be managed by vasoepididymostomy. If the scrotal ultrasound is normal, TRUS is the second imaging modality. Accordingly, they are classified into patients with criteria of obstructive infertility without urogenital cysts where TRUS-guided aspiration and seminal vesiculography can be performed and transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts (TURED) will be the management of choice. In patients with urogenital cyst, TRUS-guided cyst aspiration and opacification are performed. Ifthe cyst is communicating with the seminal tract, management will be transurethral incision of the cyst. If the cyst is not in communication, the obstruction may be relieved after cyst aspiration. If the obstruction is not relieved, TURED will be the management of choice. Sperm harvested during aspiration may be stored and used in assisted reproduction techniques. If the results of TRUS are inconclusive or doubtful, endorectal magnetic resonance imaging should be performed to serve as a "detailed map" for guiding corrective operative interventions.

Cistanche deserticola decoction alleviates the testicular toxicity induced by hydroxyurea in male mice

This study aimed to evaluate testicular toxicity induced by hydroxyurea （HU） and the possible counteracting effect of an aqueous extract of Cistanche deserticola （CD）. HU is an antineoplastic drug that has potential reproductive toxicity, and Herba Cistanche has been used as a tonic for the reproductive system for thousands of years. Sixty mice were randomly divided into five groups. Except mice in normal group, the rest received HU （400 mg kg^-1 body weight） intragastrically. Meanwhile, mice in normal and HU control groups received purified water, and the rest received intragastrically three doses of CD decoctions （1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 g crude drug kg^-1 body weight, respectively） daily for 4 weeks. Severe testes lesions were observed, testes weight （P〈0.01） and serum luteinising hormone levels （P〈0.0 1） were also decreased significantly, in the HU groups. Three doses of CD decoctions alleviated the spermatogenetic cell degeneration induced by HU and modulated the serum sex hormones levels to some extent.

Quick recovery and characterization of cell-free DNA in seminal plasma of normozoospermia and azoospermia： implications for non-invasive genetic utilities

We established a quick and reliable method for recovering cell-free seminal DNA （cfsDNA）, by using the binding-washing-elution procedure on the DNA purification column. Low variations （below 15%） among the triplicate values of cfsDNA quantity verified the reproducibility of our cfsDNA recovery method. Similar cfsDNA yield and size distribution between seminal plasma acquired by filtration and centrifugation confirmed the presence of cfsDNA. To investigate the general characterization of cfsDNA, the quantitation and size distribution of cfsDNA from normozoospermic and azoospermic semen were analyzed by real-time PCR and electrophoresis, respectively. CfsDNA concentration in semen with normozoospermia （n = 11） was 1.34 ± 0.65 μg ·mL^-1, whereas a higher cfsDNA concentration was observed in azoospermia （2.56 ± 1.43 μg ·mL^-1, n = 9）. The continuous distribution of DNA fragments ranging from -1 kb to 15 kb and a spectrum of multiples of 180-bp fragments were observed in each normozoospermic and azoospermic sample. Distinct characteristic DNA ladder fragmentations in some azoospermic samples implicated that cfsDNA originate partly from apoptotic cells. CfsDNAs of 36 selected azoospermic patients with known information of Y chromosome microdeletion were subjected to the same microdeletion analysis by multiplex PCR and PCR amplification of sY114 （1 450 bp）. All multiplex PCR reactions with cfsDNA amplified successfully and provided the same result as leukocyte DNA. PCR amplification of sY114 gave a 1 450-bp amplicon as expected. Our data suggested the potential use of cfsDNA in search of biomarker or diagnostic procedures.