Exposure to Automobile Pollutants and Sperm Quality among Mechanics in Brazzaville (Congo)

Atmospheric pollution is today at the heart of all debates because of its potentially harmful effects on the environment, the climate, and human health;it currently constitutes a real public health problem. However, the increase in infertility around the world has led scientists to look for a link between air pollution and fertility. This study consisted of evaluating the short-term influence of automobile pollution on the semen parameters of mechanics in Brazzaville. A cross-sectional, analytical, prospective study between two groups (G1, exposed people and G2, unexposed people) was carried out in Brazzaville on 228 patients, i.e., G1 with 76 subjects and G2 with 152 subjects, between June 2020 and September 2022, a period of 27 months, in order to evaluate, on the one hand, the quality of sperm in men exposed to automobile pollution according to WHO recommendations and, on the other hand, the quality of the air by a colorimetric method, punctual on a Dräger tube coupled with a Dräger Accuro pump. The concentrations of automotive pollutants measured (CO, CO2, NO2, SO2) during this study were all above the 2021 air quality standards required by WHO. These results made it possible to establish a statistically significant link between air pollution and abnormal spermogram parameters, notably mobility, count, and morphology for the spermocytogram. Exposures to automobile pollutants can influence sperm quality, which is consistent with the results of our study. We observed an alteration in the morphology, mobility, and concentration of spermatozoa.

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）

Analysis of Change in Sperm Quality of Chinese FertileMen druing 1981～1996

By literature search, 114 papers for fertile m ale sperm quality including 256 set data w ere collected from 9 292 personsand 11 726 assaysinvolving 39 citiesand coun- ties. Results of analysis show ed a decrease in m ean concentration of sperm from 103.02×106 /m l (1983) to 83.84×106/m l (1996), sperm m otility w as decreased from 75.11(1982) to 67.27(1996) and percentage of sperm w ith norm alm or- phology w asreduced from 85.02(1983) to 77.89(1996), thusshow ing thedefi- nite negative correlation and being statistically significant (P< 0.05). Total sperm countsw ere decreased from 355.34×106(1984) to 262.26×106(1996) and the m ean sem inalvolum ew asdecreased from 3.31 m l(1981) to 2.97 m l(1996), both tending to decline butnotbeing statistically significant(P> 0.05). Itisinteresting to notethat although Chinese sperm quality is better, itdeclines significantly faster than thatof w estern countriesatthesam eperiod. Itispossible thatthe decline of sperm quality is due to problem of environm entalquality. Theauthorssuggesttheemphasisof basicre- search in relevantfields.

Profiling of seminal antioxidant indices and sperm quality in Plasmodium bergheiinduced malarial mice treated with Phyllanthus amarus

Objective:To evaluate the antiplasmodial activity of Phyllanthus(P.)amarus crude ethanol leaf extract and its effects on semen quality in male BALB/c mice.Methods:A total of 36 adult mice were divided into six groups,with 6 mice each.Five groups were infected with Plasmodium(P.)berghei,and one group was left uninfeceted.Of the five infected groups,one group was left untreated,three groups were treated with varying doses(100,250 and 400 mg/kg)of P.amarus crude ethanol leaf extract orally for 4 days,and another group was treated with standard drug,artemether and lumefantrine(Lonart®DS).Antiplasmodial activity,seminal quality,some biochemical indices(neutral毩-glucosidase,fructose,and citric acid)in seminal plasma and seminal antioxidant markers(catalase,glutathione peroxidase,reduced glutathione,malondialdehyde,total antioxidant capacity,and acid phosphates)were determined.The mice were euthanized 3 days post treatment and semen was collected from the caudal epididymis and processed for analysis using documented methods and procedures.Results:Malarial infection led to oxidative stress,causing a significant decline in seminal quality(P<0.05).However,treatment with P.amarus crude ethanol leaf extract alleviated oxidative stress and significantly improved seminal quality.The improvement was dose-dependent and compared well with the standard drug,artemether and lumefantrine(Lonart®DS)treatment.Conclusions:The ethanol leaf extracts of P.amarus alleviate male reproductive capacity during malaria infection in murine model by enhancing antioxidant activities.

DNA methylation and alternative splicing modulate FBXW11 gene expression in Holstein bull testis and are correlated with sperm quality

F-box and WD-40 domain protein 11(FBXW11)is an important component of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase enzyme that plays a key role in the ubiquitin-dependent regulation of spermatogenesis.In our previous research,the mRNA expression of FBXW11 in bull sperm with high motility is significantly higher than that with low motility.In the present study,the protein expression levels of FBXW11 in bull testicular tissues with low-performance sperm quality groups were significantly higher than those in normal performance groups.The immunohistochemistry result demonstrated that FBXW11 protein was located in the periphery of Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules.Three splice variants of the FBXW11 gene,namely,FBXW11-tv1,FBXW11-tv2,and FBXW11-tv3,were identified in testicular tissues.The splicing patterns of the three variants are exon skipping.The transcript FBXW11-tv2 expressions were the highest in each sample.The low-performance groups displayed higher FBXW11-tv1 and FBXW11-tv2 transcript expressions than the normal performance groups.Two CpG islands were located within the 5’UTR and exon 1-2 region of the FBXW11 gene.Bisulfite sequencing PCR results demonstrated that the methylation levels of 11 methylation sites in the CpG island 2 from−99 to−43 in the normal performance groups were significantly lower than those in the low-performance groups.Pearson correlation analysis suggested that the CpG island 2 methylation level was negatively correlated with sperm motility and the transcript FBXW11-tv2 expression level.Our data revealed that alternative splicing and DNA methylation jointly regulated FBXW11 gene expression and were correlated with sperm quality traits during spermatogenesis in Holsteins.

Effects of Aroclor 1254 on reproductive organ weight,sperm quality and testicular mitochondria oxidative stress of Boleophthalmus pectinirostris

Boleophthalmus pectinirostris is an amphibious economic fish and wildly distributed in the southeast coast of China. In this study, Aroclor 1254 was intraperitoneally injected into B. pectinirostris with 1, 2 and 4 μg/（g · d） for 28 d to assay the reproductive organ weight, the sperm quality （sperm concentration and motility）, and the testicular mitochondrial testicular mitochondria oxidative stress. The results show that the sperm number and motility in seminal vesicles, the absolute weight of testes and seminal vesicles of B. pectinirostris treated with 2 and 4 μg/（g · d） Aroclor 1254 decreased significantly as compared to the controls （p 0.05）, while those treated with 1 μg/（g · d） Aroclor 1254 had no significant effects on these indictors. For the relative weight of reproductive organs, significant reduction （p 0.05） was only observed in the seminal vesicles of B. pectinirostris treated with 4 μg/（g · d）. SOD activities and GSH levels in all the Aroclor 1254 treatments were significantly lower than those of the controls （p 0.05）. The activities of CAT, GPx, GR and the levels of Vit C also decreased significantly in comparison with the controls （p 0.05） at the higher dose of 2 and 4 μg/（g · d） Aroclor 1254 treatments. In addition, both H 2 O 2 level and MDA content in testicular mitochondria of B. pectinirostris had a close correlation with Aroclor 1254 dosage, and were significantly higher than the controls （p 0.05）. Those indicate that Aroclor 1254 can induce the oxidative stress of testicular mitochondria, and impair the reproductive function of male B. pectinirostris.

Oral supplementation of selenium improves post-thaw sperm quality in Saanen bucks

Objective:To determine the effect of oral selenium supplementation and semen collection methods on various post thaw semen quality parameters in Saanen bucks.Methods:Sixteen healthy bucks were divided into two equal groups(n=8 each).The treatment group received selenium at 10-day intervals for three months.Sperm kinematic parameters,morphological parameters,mitochondrial membrane potential,plasma membrane functionality,and sperm DNA integrity were evaluated weekly pre and post-cryopreservation.Results:The mean percentages of the morphological abnormalities were significantly lower in the selenium-supplemented samples when semen was collected by using artificial vagina method(P<0.05).Proximal droplet defects were significantly lower in the selenium supplementation group when semen was collected by electro-ejaculation(P<0.05).Post-thaw sperm parameters such as total motility and progressive motility were significantly higher when semen was obtained by artificial vagina in the selenium-supplemented bucks compared to the electro-ejaculation and the control groups(P<0.05).The sperm kinematic parameters such as curvilinear velocity,average path velocity,and amplitude of lateral head displacement were significantly higher when semen was collected by artificial vagina in the selenium-treated bucks(P<0.05).The percentages of sperm with intact and functional plasma membrane and functional mitochondria were significantly higher in the selenium-supplemented samples collected with artificial vagina compared to the electro-ejaculation method and the control groups(P<0.05).In vitro fertilizing potential was significantly higher in the selenium-supplemented samples collected with artificial vagina compared to the electro-ejaculation method and the control groups,respectively(P<0.05).Conclusions:Oral supplementation of selenium and artificial vagina semen collection improve post thaw sperm quality parameters of Saanen buck.

Study on the Diagnostic Value of Combined Detection of Sperm Quality, Sex Hormone and Ovulation in Infertility

Objective: To analyze the application value of combined detection of sperm quality, sex hormone and ovulation in the diagnosis of infertility. Methods: The study was conducted from June 2021 to June 2022. Sixty infertile couples who received IVF cycle treatment in our hospital during this period were selected as the observation group, and 60 couples with good sperm quality and follicle number ≥ 5 who conceived naturally after gynecological disease treatment were selected as the control group during the same period. The sperm quality, sex hormones and ovulation of the two groups were observed, and the change of positive rate was detected by the combined detection method. Results: Compared with the control group, the observation group had less semen (2.82 ± 0.12) ml, lower concentration (69.17 ± 1.28) × 106/ml, normal sperm morphology rate (2.92% ± 0.11%), lower survival rate (70.25% ± 1.16%), higher deformed sperm index (1.39 ± 0.11), and significant differences between groups (P < 0.05);The levels of FSH (7.15 ± 1.33) U/L, LH (5.13 ± 0.53) mU/ml, E2 (72.34 ± 5.11) ng/L, AMH (3.87 ± 0.67) ng/ml and AFC (7.15 ± 0.76) in the control group were significantly better than those in the observation group (P < 0.05). Compared with the single detection method of the three groups, the positive detection rate of the combined diagnosis method was higher, and the difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For the diagnosis of infertility, the combined detection method of sperm quality, sex hormone and ovulation can effectively clarify the problems existing in the couple, significantly improve the detection rate of the cause of the patient, and is more conducive to guiding clinical symptomatic treatment, which is worthy of promotion and reference.

Effects of Diabetes Mellitus upon Sperm Quality Insight into Molecular Level

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease that affects important body organs in a very serious manner. The consequences of this disease turn out to be a significant problem for the patient, who tries to cope with the new condition his organism has been placed in. The most common effect of the disease, hyperglycaemia, leads over time to serious damage to various body systems, such as nerves and blood vessels. What is not widely known among the population is that diabetes may have harmful effects on the reproductive system of the men suffering from diabetes type 1 and 2 and that such a parameter could lead to or might be the reason for infertility problems for couples, for example, miscarriage or embryonic failure. AGEs is a number of products which are believed to play an important role, because their presence has been detected in increased level in diabetic men. This implies that those glycation products might play a key role in diabetic complications. Their receptor, RAGE, member of the immunoglobulin superfamily has been detected in the reproductive tract of diabetic men. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a possible product of AGEs appear in high levels in seminal plasma and are believed to be the cause of DNA fragmentation. The objective of this review was to gather all the available material i.e. studies on diabetes mellitus in one article, to study the research which has already been conducted and the conclusions that have been drawn, in order to offer, if possible, new pathways and perspectives to the scientists, who focus on fertility problems, sometimes intractable.

Decreased Nrf2 protein level and low sperm quality in intractable spermatocystitis

To investigate the molecular etiology of low sperm quality in patients with intractable spermatocystitis,spermatozoa samples from patients with persistent hematospermia undergoing transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy and healthy volunteers were utilized.Spermatozoa samples were collected from the seminal vesicles through transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy or by masturbation ejaculation.Sperm quality was analyzed by a WLJY-9000 color semen analysis system.Measurement of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNFa)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the seminal plasma was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Measurement of H_(2)O_(2)in the seminal plasma was performed with a hydrogen peroxide kit.The protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and phosphorylated-Nrf2(p-Nrf2)were measured by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays.Low sperm quality parameters and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines(TNFa,IL-6,and H_(2)O_(2))in the seminal plasma were detected among the semen samples from the patients with persistent hematospermia.Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 were strongly expressed in the nucleus and periphery of human sperm cells,according to the results of the immunofluorescence assays.The protein levels of Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 were significantly lower in the spermatozoa samples from patients with persistent hematospermia than in those from healthy volunteers with normal sperm motility.The results suggested that Nrf2 signaling might play a role in the low sperm quality of patients with intractable spermatocystitis.

Body mass index effects sperm quality： a retrospective study in Northern China

Excess weight and obesity have become a serious problem in adult men of reproductive age throughout the world. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the relationships between body mass index and sperm quality in subfertile couples in a Chinese Han population. Sperm analyses were performed and demographic data collected from 2384 male partners in subfertile couples who visited a reproductive medical center for treatment and preconception counseling. The subjects were classified into four groups according to their body mass index： underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. Of these subjects, 918 （38.3%） had a body mass index of 〉25.0 kg m-2. No significant differences were found between the four groups with respect to age, occupation, level of education, smoking status, alcohol use, duration of sexual abstinence, or the collection time of year for sperm. The results clearly indicated lower sperm quality （total sperm count, sperm concentration, motile sperm, relative amounts of type A motility, and progressive motility sperm [A ＋ B]） in overweight and obese participants than in those with normal body mass index. Normal sperm morphology and sperm volume showed no clear difference between the four groups. This study indicates that body mass index has a negative effect on sperm quality in men of subfertile couples in a Northern Chinese population. Further study should be performed to investigate the relationship between body mass index and sperm aualitv in a lar^er ooDulation.

Glutathione (GSH) improves sperm quality and testicular morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus(DM)is known to cause reproductive impairment.In men,it has been linked to altered sperm quality and testicular damage.Oxidative stress(OS)plays a pivotal role in the development of DM complications.Glutathione(GSH)is a part of a nonenzymatic antioxidant defense system that protects lipid,protein,and nucleic acids from oxidative damage.However,the protective effects of exogenous GSH on the male reproductive system have not been comprehensively examined.This study determined the impact of GSH supplementation in ameliorating the adverse effect of type 1 DM on sperm quality and the seminiferous tubules of diabetic C57BL/6NTac mice.GSH at the doses of 15 mg kg^(-1)and 30 mg kg^(-1)was given intraperitoneally to mice weekly for 6 consecutive weeks.The mice were then weighed,euthanized,and had their reproductive organs excised.The diabetic(D Group)showed significant impairment of sperm quality and testicular histology compared with the nondiabetic(ND Group).Diameters of the seminiferous lumen in diabetic mice treated with 15 mg kg^(-1) GSH(DGSH15)were decreased compared with the D Group.Sperm motility was also significantly increased in the DGSH15 Group.Improvement in testicular morphology might be an early indication of the protective roles played by the exogenous GSH in protecting sperm quality from effects of untreated type 1 DM or diabetic complications.Further investigation using different doses and different routes of GSH is necessary to confirm this suggestion.

Tests to measure the quality of spermatozoa at spermiation

This commentary is to critique the revised World Health Organization （WHO） semen analysis manual as it pertains to characteristics of a spermatozoon at spermiation. The aims of the revised WHO manual include improving the ＇quality of semen analysis＇ without any restriction to clinical use. Furthermore, the manual states that semen analysis may be useful for （a） ＇investigating male fertility status＇ and （b） ＇monitoring spermatogenesis during and following male fertility regula- tion.＇ However, if the analysis of ejaculated spermatozoa is intended for the purposes described in （b）, then cells that are abnormal at spermiation must be identified. This paper takes the position that the manual does not identify methods to estimate the quality of spermatozoa at spermiation. Instead, it uses a ＇gold standard＇ of sperm passing through the cervical mucus or arriving near the site of fertilization. Although this standard is appropriate for drawing conclusions regarding the probability that an individual could impregnate his partner, it is not appropriate for studying illness of the testes per se. Herein, the measures of sperm quality presented in the WHO manual are critiqued with respect to the detection of spermatozoa that were abnormal at spermiation vs. those that became abnormal subsequently. Quality assessments based on the percentage of motile or ＇viable＇ spermatozoa are meaningless. Alternative quality attributes defining spermatozoa at spermiation are presented in this paper. In conclusion, assessment of spermatozoal quality at spermiation, on the basis of quality attributes of individual ejaculated spermatozoa, is best achieved through application of （a） a new paradigm for the morphological evaluation of sperm quality and （b） modern analytical techniques to evaluate, in an adequate sample, several appropriate independent attributes in each spermatozoon in order to more accurately identify the proportion of abnormal spermatozoa.

Transrectal microwave thermotherapy causing a short-time influence on sperm quality in Chinese chronic nonbacterial prostatitis patients

Chronic prostatitis can affect the sperm＇s quality. Previous studies have shown that transrectal microwave thermotherapy （TRMT） results in symptomatic relief in patients with chronic prostatitis, but the effects on sperm have not been carefully investigated. This study evaluates the impact of TRMT on the relief or decrease of symptoms and quality of sperm when used to treat patients with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. TRMT treatment was administered over 5 days, 1 h per day. Semen examination was carried out pretreatment and immediately at the conclusion of the 5-day treatment. Also, it was repeated 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months later. The treatment＇s symptom relief efficacy was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index （NIH-CPSI）. After the treatment, the overall NIH-CPSI scores were lower compared to those of pretreatment. In addition, the white blood cells and lecithin in expressed prostatic secretion were normal after the treatment. The sperm count was decreased by 23.8% 3 months after the treatment, sperm motility was reduced by 10.3% immediately after treatment, and sperm deformity was increased by 17.2%. The sperm volume and PH were not affected. However, the sperm quality recovered after treatment and the malformation rate was also lower at 6 months after treatment. TRMT is a favorable and safe treatment option for patients with nonbacterial chronic prostatitis. It could relieve the patient＇s symptoms and impact on sperm quality in the short-term.

Penis size and sperm quality,are all bats grey in the dark?

Penises play a key role in sperm transport and in stimulating female genitals.This should impact post-copulatory competition,and expose penis characteristics to sexual selective pressures.Studies of male genitalia have repeatedly reported negative static allometries,which mean that,within species,large males have disproportionally small genitals when compared with smaller individuals.Males of some sperm-storing bat species may stand as an exception to such a pattern by arousing from hibernation to copulate with torpid females.The selection for large penises might take place,if a long organ provides advantages during post-copulatory competition and/or if females have evolved mechanisms allowing the choice of sire,relying on characters other than pre-copulatory traits(e.g.,penis size).In this study,we measured dimensions of the erected penis in 4 sperm-storing bat species.Furthermore,we collected sperm and evaluated the link between penis dimensions and sperm velocity.Our results revealed steep allometric slopes of the erected penis length in Barbastella barbastellus and an inverse allometry of penis head width in Myotis nattereri.More detailed studies of copulatory behavior are urgently needed to explain the range of observed scaling relations.Furthermore,penis head width correlates with sperm velocity in Plecotus auritus.For this last species,we propose that penis shape might act as a marker of male fertility.

Determination of double-and single-stranded DNA breaks in bovine sperm is predictive of their fertilizing capacity

Background:The analysis of chromatin integrity has become an important determinant of sperm quality.In frozenthawed bovine sperm,neither the sequence of post-thaw injury events nor the dynamics of different types of sperm DNA breaks are well understood.The aim of the present work was to describe such sperm degradation aftermath focusing on DNA damage dynamics,and to assess if this parameter can predict pregnancy rates in cattle.Results:A total of 75 cryopreserved ejaculates from 25 Holstein bulls were evaluated at two post-thawing periods(0-2 h and 2-4 h),analyzing global and double-stranded DNA damage through alkaline and neutral Comet assays,chromatin deprotamination and decondensation,sperm motility,viability,acrosomal status,and intracellular levels of total ROS,superoxides and calcium.Insemination of 59,605 females was conducted using sperm from the same bulls,thus obtaining the non-return to estrus rates after 90 d(NRR).Results showed an increased rate of double-stranded breaks in the first period(0-2 h:1.29±1.01%/h vs.2-4 h:0.13±1.37%/h;P<0.01),whereas the rate of sperm with moderate+high single-stranded breaks was higher in the second period(0-2 h:3.52±7.77%/h vs.2-4h:21.06±11.69%/h;P<0.0001).Regarding sperm physiology,viability decrease rate was different between the two periods(0-2 h:-4.49±1.79%/h vs.2-4 h:-2.50±3.39%/h;P=0.032),but the progressive motility decrease rate was constant throughout post-thawing incubation(0-2 h:-4.70±3.42%/h vs.2-4 h:-1.89±2.97%/h;P>0.05).Finally,whereas no correlations between bull fertility and any dynamic parameter were found,there were correlations between the NRR and the basal percentage of highly-damaged sperm assessed with the alkaline Comet(Rs=-0.563,P=0.003),between NRR and basal progressive motility(Rs=0.511,P=0.009),and between NRR and sperm with high ROS at 4 h post-thaw(Rs=0.564,P=0.003).Conclusion:The statistically significant correlations found between intracellular ROS,sperm viability,sperm motility,DNA damage and chromatin deprotamination suggested a sequence of events all driven by oxidative stress,where viability and motility would be affected first and sperm chromatin would be altered at a later stage,thus suggesting that bovine sperm should be used for fertilization within 2 h post-thaw.Fertility correlations supported that the assessment of global DNA damage through the Comet assay may help predict bull fertility.

Seasonality in human semen quality of smokers and non-smokers: effect of temperature

Aim: To analyse the possible effect of seasonal variation on semen parameters. Methods: The participants consisted of 1688 men attending the andrology laboratory between 1991 and 1997 for reduced fertility in the couple. Semen analysis was performed according to the WHO manual. The 84 individual months of the study period were each assigned to one of the three groups according to the average monthly outside temperature; Group A (temperature <4.4℃), Group B (4.4℃-13.3℃) and Group C (>13.3℃). Results: When comparing the different sperm parameters, the morphology was significantly better in Group C. However, when the smokers were analysed separately, this difference disappeared and significant seasonal variations were found in sperm density, total sperm count, motility and total motile sperm; they were deteriorated in the warmer season. In non-smokers, no such negative effect of increased temperature was observed. Conclusion: Sperm quality is influenced by seasonal factors. Increased environmental temperature, (maybe also light exposure) has an additional negative effect on the spermato-genesis in smokers, leading to reduced sperm quality in men with borderline fertility.

The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile males： a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile men. We searched for relevant trials registered up to May 2013 in 14 databases. We selected randomized controlled trials （RCTs） that compared acupuncture, with or without additional treatment, against placebo, sham, no treatment, or the same additional treatment. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias and reporting quality appraisal. Risk of bias and reporting quality were appraised by the Cochrane risk of bias tool, the consolidated standards of reporting trials and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. The outcomes were sperm motility, sperm concentration, pregnancy rate, and adverse events. Pregnancy was defined as a positive pregnancy test. Four RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Acupuncture increased the percentage of sperm with rapid progression （mean difference - 6.35, 95% confidence interval （CI）. 4.38-8.32, P〈 0.00001） and sperm concentration （mean difference - 6.42, 95% CI. 4.91-7.92, P〈 0.00001）, but these two outcomes were substantially heterogeneous among the studies （F = 72% and 58%, respectively）. No differences in pregnancy rate were found between acupuncture and control groups （odds ratio 1.60, 95% CI. 0.70-3.69, P= 0.27, F = 0%）. No participants experienced adverse events. The current evidence showing that acupuncture might improve poor semen quality is insufficient because of the small number of studies, inadequacy of procedures and/or insufficient information for semen analysis, high levels of heterogeneity, high risk of bias, and poor quality of reporting. Further large, well-designed RCTs are required.

Study on the Accuracy of Different CASA Systems in the Quality Detection of Fresh Boar Semen

[Objectives]This study was conducted to compare and analyze the accuracy of computer-aided sperm analysis(CASA)and manual method for detecting the quality of fresh boar semen at room temperature.[Methods]Statistical methods such as analysis of variance,ZB score and Z score were used to compare the accuracy of five different brands of CASA systems and manual method to detect the vitality and density of fresh boar semen at room temperature.[Results]After setting the parameters of five CASA systems the same as follows:VCL(curvilinear velocity),VSL(straight-line velocity)≥5μm/s,STR(straightness)=VSL(straight-line velocity)/VAP(average path velocity)≥25%,the sperm motility of six parts of boar semen was tested at normal temperature using different brands of special fixed-volume slides with a uniform chamber height[(20±2)μm].There were no significant differences in sperm vitality detected by the five CASA systems(P>0.05).The ZB scores of the vitality obtained by observers or instrument engineers who did not have a job certificate from the quality inspection department showed that the results of three observers or instrument engineers were unsatisfactory(∣ZB∣>3),but there were no significant differences in vitality between the CASA systems and the inspector with a job certificate(P>0.05).Regarding sperm density detection,when the sperm density was less than 280×106/ml,there were no significant differences between the results displayed by the instruments and the results of the manual hemocytometer counting(P>0.05).[Conclusions]The accuracy of the CASA systems set to uniform parameters was consistent with the accuracy of the visual vitality obtained by an inspector with a job certificate.When the semen was diluted with 3%NaCl solution to a sperm density<280×10^6/ml,the sperm density detected by the CASA systems was consistent in reliability with that obtained by the hemocytometer detection.The CASA systems are faster and more efficient and objective than manual detection,and have the advantages of strong operability and easy promotion.

Pharmacological mechanisms of Yishen Xingyang capsule in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia in rats

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects and pharmacological mechanisms of Yishen Xingyang capsule(YXC)in oligoasthenospermia(OA)rats.Methods:Forty-eight male SpragueeDawley rats were randomly divided into eight groups of six rats each:normal control(NC);model control(MC);three different positive drug(PD);and low-,medium-,and high-dose YXC groups.A rat model of OA was established by administering glucosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.F(GTW).After YXC administration,penile erectile function was observed.The epididymis,blood,and testes of the rats were harvested for analysis of sperm quality,sex hormone levels,mitochondrial membrane potential,and the transforming growth factor(TGF)-b1/Smad signaling pathway.Results:Compared with that in the MC group,penile erectile function in the YXC groups and three PD groups increased(all P<.01).Moreover,sperm quality in the YXC groups and three PD groups improved(all P<.001).The levels of testosterone,follicle stimulating hormone,and luteinizing hormone in the three PD and YXC groups increased(all P<.05).The mitochondrial membrane potential in the three PD and YXC groups significantly improved(all P<.001).Furthermore,the YXC and three PD groups showed decreased TGF-b1 expression(all P<.05)compared with the MC group.The high-dose YXC group and three PD groups improved Smad2 and Smad4 expression(all P<.05).Conclusion:YXC improved penile erectile function and sperm quality in OA rats,and the underlying mechanism included increase in sex hormones,inhibition of sperm apoptosis,and regulation of the TGFb1/Smad signaling pathway.Meanwhile,this study provides a new effective drug option for the treatment of OA,which is beneficial to male reproductive health and social harmony.