Expression of germ cell nuclear factor in mouse germ cells and sperm during postnatal period

Aim: To assess the spatial and temporal expression of germ cell nuclear factor (GCNF) in male mouse germ cells during postnatal development and in sperm before and after capacitation. Methods: The indirect immun-ofluorescence method with anti-GCNF antiserum was used to investigate the GCNF expression in mice at day 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, 28, 35, 70, and 420 after birth and in sperm before and after capacitation. Results: With the proceeding of spermatogenesis, GCNF was first detected in the nuclei of spermatogonia and a few early stage primary sperma-tocytes at day 8, which was increased gradually at day 10 to 14 inclusive. From day 17 to day 20, the GCNF was concentrated in round spermatids, while both spermatogonia and early stage primary spermatocytes became GCNF negative. From day 28 until day 420, strong GCNF expression was shown in round spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes, while spermatogonia, early primary spermatocytes and elongating spermatids were all GCNF negative. In addition, it was also found that GCNF was localized on the acrosomal cap region of spermatozoa and there was a big change in GCNF expression during capacitation, from 98 % GCNF positive before capacitation to about 20 % positive following capacitation. The localization of GCNF in caput and cauda spermatozoa was similar. Conclusion: GCNF may play important roles in spermatogenesis, capacitation and fertilization.

Stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor β1 and β3 and their receptors during spermatogenesis in men

Aim: To investigate the stage-specific localization of transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 and β3 during spermatogenesis in adult human testis. Methods: The localization of TGFβ1 and β3 was investigated by immunohis tochemical staining method employing specific polyclonal antibodies. Results: Both TGFβ1 and β3 and their recep tors were preponderant in the Leydig celis. TGFβ1 could not be detected in the seminiferous tubules. TGFβ3 and TGFβ-Receptor (R) I were mainly seen in the elongated spermatids, while TGFβ-RⅡ in the pachytene spermatocytes and weak in the spermatogonia, spermatids and Sertoli celis. Only TGFβ-RⅡ was detected in the Sertoli celis. TGFβ3, TGFβ-RⅠ and TGFβ-RⅡ showed a staining pattern dependent upon the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. Conclusion: TGFβ isoforms and their receptors are present in the somatic and germ celis of the adult human testis, suggesting their involvement in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

Effect of smoking on semen quality of infertile men in Shandong, China

Aim: To study the effect of smoking on the semen quality in infertile men in Shandong Province, China. Methods:Adult non-drinker males attending the infertility clinic, including 110 non-smokers and 191 smokers, were recruited forthe study. Sixty-one fertile, non-smoker and non-drinker males, who had one or more children, served as the controls.The smokers were divided into subgroups according to the amount and duration of smoking. Semen parameters (semenvolume and sperm density, viability, motility, and morphology) were examined and seminal plasma contents of Zn,Cu and superoxide dismutase (SOD) determined. Results: The semen volume and acidity, and the sperm density,viability and forward progression, as well as the seminal plasma contents of Zn, Cu and SOD were much lower in themedium, heavy and long-term smokers than in the non-smokers ( P < 0.01). The sperm density, viability and forwardprogression, and the seminal plasma Zn, Cu and SOD levels were negatively correlated with the amount and duration ofcigarette smoking (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Medium, heavy and long-term smoking adversely affected the semenquality in a population of men visiting the infertility clinic in Shandong, China.

Effect of ligustrum fruit extract on reproduction in experimental diabetic rats

Aim: To study the effect of ligustrum fruit on spermatogenesis and blood gonadal hormones in diabetic rats.Methods: Experimental diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats with streptozotocin. Ligustrum fruit extract wasgiven by gastric gavage at a dose of crude drug 30 g·kg^(-1)·d^(-1) for 110 days. The serum gonadadotropic hormones andtestosterone were determined on d 60 and testicular histology examined on d 110. Results: In the control diabeticrats, the seminiferous tubules were dilated and the spermatogenic cells irregularly arranged. Spermatogenesis was arrest-ed with the number of spermatids highly reduced and spermatozoa not observed. In the treated rats, all types of sper-matogenic cells were practically normal. The serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)and testosterone levels were higher in the treated than in the control rats, but the difference was insignificant. Conclu-sion: In experimental diabetic rats, ligustrum fruit extract protects the damaging effect of experimental diabetes onspermatogenesis. (Asian J Androl 2001 Mar; 3 : 71-73)

解脲脲原体引起生殖细胞凋亡

目的:研究解脲脲原体感染对雄性大鼠生殖细胞凋亡的影响。方法:雄性大鼠人工感染解脲脲原体血清型8（T960）。光镜下观察曲细精管内和附睾腔内生殖细胞的形态变化;以荧光标记的Fas和Fas配基（PasL）多克隆抗体定位Fas和FasL;以碱性磷酸酶法进行生殖细胞和支持细胞的TUNEL染色;以KS400影像分析系统分析TUNEL染色阳性率（阳性细胞百分率）和TUNEL染色阳性区域（染色细胞占据的区域）,以琼脂糖凝胶电泳法进行DNA梯度分析。结果:解脲脲原体感染大鼠后,导致:（1）脱落的生殖细胞显著增多,在曲细精管和附睾腔内可见多核巨细胞;（2）TUNEL染色阳性细胞和阳性区域显著增加;（3）在生殖细胞和支持细胞中Fas和FasL表达升调;（4）睾丸细胞中出现离散的DNA片断。结论:解脲脲原体感染增强了雄性大鼠生殖细胞的凋亡。

Histology and Immunohistochemistry Study on Mianbu Fang Healing Immunological Infertility of Male Mice

To observe the histological and immunohistochemical changes caused by of Traditional Chinese Medicine——Mianbu Fang (Immunological Infertility Healing Mixture) in testis and epididymus of male mice with immunological infertility induced by antisperm antibody (AsAb). Materials & Methods Models of mice with immunological infertility were used by injection of mice sperm. These mice were treated with Mianbu Ⅰ, Mianbu Ⅱ or Prednisone Acetates. The characteristics on histology and immunohistochemistry of mice were analyzed. Results High level of AsAb was detected in serum and seminal vesicle plasma of model mice after treatment. Immune compounds mostly deposited in limiting membrane of seminiferous tubules, spermatogonium and epithelia of epididymis ducts. The number of spermatogenic cells per convoluted seminiferous tubule decreased. However, the Chinese medicine could significantly reduce the level of AsAb, or even eliminate the antibodies and clear out the immune compounds and increase the number of spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules. Conclusion Chinese Medicine Mianbu Ⅰand Ⅱ can regulate, absorb and clear out circulation and partial AsAb, as well as immunological compound. Hence, they can increase the number of spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules and increase the pregnancy of mice.

Pathogenic Mechanisms of Male Infertility Caused by Ureaplasma Urealyticum Infection——The Effect on Sperm Penetrating Capability

The effect of different U. urealyticum serovars on human sperm penetrating capabititty using zona-free hamster egg penetration assay was observed in this study.Two serovars of U. urealyticum(serotype 9 and 12) were incubated with hunran apermatozoa collected from normal fertile men at the concentration of 20-40 CCU/spermatozoon. It has been shown that fuzzy appearance was noticed at the tail part of infected spermatozoa,sperm viability and motility were declined dramatically

Simple and Efficient Technique for Chromosome Preparation from Chorionic Villi Samples in the First Trimester of Pregnancies

A simple and efficient method is described for chromosome preparations from chorionic villous sample in the first trimester. We Jound that hypotonic treatment, proper colchicine and fixative time are interactive jactors, which have important bearings on the quality of chromosomes. Chromosomes of the cells of the cytotrophoblast prepared by this method appear adequately spreading, and could be successfully used in 124 cases of prenatal diagnosis. The number of metaphase and analysable metaphase in short term culture method was significantly increased as compared with that of the direct method ( P<0.01, P<0.01). On the basis of the data of 50 eases analysis, there was linear dependence between the metaphase number and days of gestation, linear independence between the metaphase number and weight of chorionic villi.