ABSTRACT
Studies on the enzymology of snails are important in the study of molluscicidal mechanism.The alteration of activi-ties of enzymes after molluscicidal treatment was reported in large numbers of papers.This paper reviews the progress of studies on the enzymology of snails under the treatment of molluscicides.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To study the influence of enterococci on human sperm membrane in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ejaculated human sperm were artificially infected with beta-hemolytic or non-beta-hemolytic enterococci at the bacteria: sperm ratio of 50:1 at 37 degrees . Sperm membrane integrity was examined after incubation for 1, 3 and 5 h by hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test and electron microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sperm infected with beta-hemolytic enterococci had lower HOS scores compared with non-beta-hemolytic strains or uninfected control (P < 0.01). The HOS test scores of sperm infected with beta-hemolytic enterococci increased in the presence of phosphatidylcholine, an inhibitor of hemolysin. Non-beta-hemolytic strains showed no significant difference in swelling rate, compared with the control group (P > 0.05). It was shown by electron microscopy that beta-hemolytic enterococci caused significant rupture of human sperm membrane.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Beta-hemolytic enterococci caused human sperm membrane injury, and might be mediated by the hemolysin of enterococci.</p>