Evaluation of sperm mitochondrial membrane potential by JC-1 fluorescent staining and flow cytometry / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and clinical significance of detecting sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by JC-1 fluorescent staining and flow cytometry, and to explore the relationship between the results of JC-1 staining and seminal parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-three semen samples were divided into a fertile (n = 31) and an infertile group (n = 32) and underwent computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). All the samples were washed, followed by JC-1 staining and evaluation of sperm MMP by flow cytometry. The percentage of normal sperm MMP was indicated as the percentage of sperm emitting orange-red fluorescence (JC-1 + %).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The JC-1 + % was significantly higher in the fertile group than in the infertile one ([75.89 +/- 15.69]% vs [54.04 +/- 22.21] %, P = 0.000), correlated positively with sperm motility (r = 0.610, P = 0.000) and the percentage of grade a + b sperm (r = 0.614, P = 0.000) and negatively with grade d sperm (r = -0.504, P = 0.000). There was a significant positive correlation between the results of JC-1 staining (JC-1 + %) and that of Rh123 /PI dual fluorescent staining (Rh123 + / PI (-)%) (r = 0.938, P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JC-1 staining and flow cytometry could readily and quickly detect sperm MMP and the sperm JC-1 + % could be an auxiliary marker for the diagnosis of male infertility.</p>

Determination of uric acid in the expressed prostatic secretion of chronic prostatitis patients and its clinical significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the level of uric acid (UA) in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) of chronic prostatitis patients and explore its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 91 patients with chronic prostatitis diagnosed by NIH standard were divided into a III A (n = 48) and a III B (n = 43) group, and healthy volunteers were selected as the control. The scores on the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI) and the WBC count, pH value and UA level in EPS were evaluated for all the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The EPS UA concentration was (257.02 +/- 144.84) micromol/L in Group III B, significantly higher than in Group III A, (159. 73 +/- 121.49) micromol/L, (P < 0.01), and the control, (78.55 +/- 44.53) micromol/L, (P < 0.01). The level of EPS UA was correlated negatively with pH value (r = -0.398, P = 0.000), but positively with CPSI-P, CPSI-U and CPSI-T (r = 0.436, 0.316 and 0.403, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Backflow of urine into prostatic ducts might cause chemical inflammation reaction by increasing UA concentration. There is a close relationship between the UA level in EPS and chronic prostatitis symptoms. Determination of the UA level in EPS is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis.</p>

Glutathione and male reproduction / 中华男科学杂志

Reduced glutathione (GSH) , the most abundant non-protein thiol in mammalian cells, exists extensively in the human body and plays a key role in many biological processes, including the synthesis of proteins and DNA and the transport of amino acids, especially in protecting cells against oxidation. GSH also shows its important clinical value in the treatment of many diseases. It has been reported that GSH also widely exists in the male reproductive system and has a therapeutic role in male infertility. The objective of this review is to summarize the distribution of GSH in the male reproductive system and its therapeutic value for male infertility.

Clinical, molecular and cytogenetic studies on 4 patients with 46, XX (SRY positive) male syndrome / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the clinical, molecular and cytogenetic features of 46, XX (SRY positive) male syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical features of 4 patients with 46, XX (SRY positive) male syndrome were analyzed retrospectively. Karyotyping, FISH, PCR amplification of the SRY gene, and Y-chromosome microdeletion were performed to study their molecular cytogenetic features.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Four patients were all sociopsychologically males of short stature and came to hospital for infertility. Physical examination revealed that their testes were small in volume and soft in texture, but their penes were normal. Semen analyses showed complete azoospermia. Detection of serum sexual hormone suggested hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. All were karyotyped as 46, XX. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of the SRY gene and absence of AZFa, b and c of the Y chromosome. FISH analysis showed that SRY genes were translocated to Xp in 3 of the patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phenotypically 46, XX (SRY positive) male patients are males generally, for the presence of the SRY gene in the whole genome and azoospermia due to the deletion of AZF. The clinical characteristics of the patient include testis dysgenesis, infertility and short stature. The long arm of the Y chromosome might contain the gene associated with body height. Extensive molecular and cytogenetic studies on 46, XX male syndrome may help to elucidate its genotype-phenotype relation.</p>