ABSTRACT
Based on the principles of the in vitro staining technique, hypotonic swelling test, and water test, the Eosin Y-water test method was developed to simultaneously detect the integrity of the sperm head and tail and sperm membrane structure and function. As a widely used method in clinical laboratories in China, the Eosin Y-water test is methodologically characterized by three advantages. Firstly, both the sperm head and tail can be detected at the same time, which allows easy and comprehensive assessment of membrane damage in different parts of sperm. Secondly, distilled water is used instead of the usual formula solution to simplify and standardize the test by eliminating any potential effects on the water molecules through the sperm membrane due to different osmotic pressure or different sugar proportions and electrolyte solutions. Thirdly, the test takes less time and thus can be repeated before and after treatment. This article focuses on the fundamental principles and modification of the Eosin Y-water test and its application in sperm function examination and routine semen analysis for male infertility, assessment of the quality of sperm retrieved by testicular fine needle aspiration, semen cryopreservation program development, and evaluation of sperm membrane integrity after microwave radiation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Cell Membrane , China , Cryopreservation , Eosine Yellowish-(YS) , Fluorescent Dyes , Infertility, Male , Diagnosis , Osmotic Pressure , Semen Analysis , Methods , Sperm Head , Sperm Motility , Sperm Tail , Spermatozoa , Staining and Labeling , WaterABSTRACT
Male antifertility drugs can induce contraception by interfering with spermatogenesis progression. Their action mechanism is correlated with the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. This paper summarizes recent researches on the mechanism of male antifertility-drugs, including testosterone, gossypol, tamoxifen and triptolide, reviews their regulating effect on cell apoptosis and the expression of the key genes and proteins involved, and explores the significance of further researches on male antifertility drugs and cell apoptosis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Apoptosis , Genetics , Caspases , Genetics , Metabolism , Contraceptive Agents, Male , Pharmacology , Diterpenes , Pharmacology , Epoxy Compounds , Pharmacology , Gene Expression , Gossypol , Pharmacology , Phenanthrenes , Pharmacology , Tamoxifen , Pharmacology , Testosterone , PharmacologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the contents of lead, cadmium, zinc and manganese in the follicular fluid and semen of infertile couples that are not professionally exposed to the four heavy metallic elements.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro fertilization pre-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) was carried out in wives, and follicular fluid collected after routine oocyte retrieval. Semen was obtained from husbands by masturbation. The contents of zinc in the follicular fluid and semen were determined by the flame atom absorption method and those of lead, cadmium and manganese by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average concentrations of lead, cad- mium, zinc and manganese were 151.06 microg/L, 2.02 microg/L, 0.54 mg/L and 28.54 microg/L in the follicular fluid, and 250.23 microg/L, 7.42 microg/L, 189.11 mg/L and 82.15 microg/L in the semen. The follicular fluid samples in which lead, cadmium, zinc or manganese was detected constituted 43.8% (21/48), 22.9% (11/48), 75.0% (36/48) and 50.0% (24/48), and the semen samples accounted for 70.2% (33/47), 31.9% (15/47), 100.0% (47/47) and 46.8% (22/47), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that the average contents of lead, cadmium, zinc and manganese are higher in the semen than in the follicular fluid in the non-professionally exposed infertile couples, and so is the percentage of the samples containing each of the elements, with the exception of manganese.</p>