ABSTRACT
Rhynchosia volubilis Lour has been a major drug in a folk prescription for contraception in China, whereas its mechanism remains unknown. Its antifertility effects on male mice and antimicrobial activities on sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens were previously reported. This study was undertaken to develop the n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour (BERVL) as a spermicidal agent with STI prevention. The spermicidal activities of BERVL with different doses were assessed using selected high-motile sperms of normal human semen samples, and their inhibitory effects on Lactobacillus acidophilus were determined. The mechanism of the spermicidal activity was explored by aqueous Eosin Y and Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The results showed spermicidal activities and inhibitory effects of BERVL on Lactobacillus acidophilus were dose-dependent. Dose of 90 mg/mL BERVL terminated all progressive sperm motility within 2 min, and had slight inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus, suggesting it was an effective and safe dose for contraception use. About 80% sperms exposed to BERVL displayed changes consistent with high permeability of head membrane. It is concluded that BERVL as spermicide has advantages over N-9 with strong ability to instantaneously kill human sperm and possesses light inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Young Adult , 1-Butanol , Chemistry , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Fabaceae , Chemistry , Lactobacillus acidophilus , Plant Extracts , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Sperm Motility , Spermatocidal Agents , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Spermatozoa , PhysiologyABSTRACT
Rhynchosia volubilis Lour has been a major drug in a folk prescription for contraception in China, whereas its mechanism remains unknown. Its antifertility effects on male mice and antimicrobial activities on sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens were previously reported. This study was undertaken to develop the n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour (BERVL) as a spermicidal agent with STI prevention. The spermicidal activities of BERVL with different doses were assessed using selected high-motile sperms of normal human semen samples, and their inhibitory effects on Lactobacillus acidophilus were determined. The mechanism of the spermicidal activity was explored by aqueous Eosin Y and Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The results showed spermicidal activities and inhibitory effects of BERVL on Lactobacillus acidophilus were dose-dependent. Dose of 90 mg/mL BERVL terminated all progressive sperm motility within 2 min, and had slight inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus, suggesting it was an effective and safe dose for contraception use. About 80% sperms exposed to BERVL displayed changes consistent with high permeability of head membrane. It is concluded that BERVL as spermicide has advantages over N-9 with strong ability to instantaneously kill human sperm and possesses light inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the reception and recruitment of sperm donors in sperm banks in China, and solve the problem of insufficiency in sperm donation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We reviewed the recruitment of 1 145 men for sperm donation in the Human Sperm Bank of Hubei Province from September 2011 to April 2012, analyzed the reasons for those not included, and interviewed those included but unwilling to donate sperm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 1 145 recruits, 551 (48.12%) were students and 594 (51.88%) were other individuals. After the first semen screening, 503 (43.93%) quitted, including 202 students (36.66% of the students recruited) and 301 others (50.67% of the other individuals recruited). After the second semen screening, 432 (37.73%) were excluded, and another 45 (3.93%) excluded after laboratory examination, including 16 cases of mycoplasma positive. Totally, 165 recruits (14.41%) passed the semen screening and laboratory examination, but only 144 of them (87.27%) completed, while the other 21 (12.73%) failed to complete the whole donation process.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Low rates of screening qualification and donation process completion are common problems in human sperm banks. The rate of qualified sperm donors can be increased and the operational cost of the human sperm bank can be reduced by enabling the recruits to accomplish the whole donation process. Explanation at the reception, later interview with the recruits, and donors' trust in the sperm bank play important roles in raising the completion rate of sperm donation process.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Semen , Sperm Banks , Tissue Donors , Psychology , Tissue and Organ ProcurementABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method of methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP)-real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detecting the promoter methylation level in cell-free seminal DNA (cfsDNA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We obtained cfsDNA samples from 6 normozoospermia men (the NZ group) and 6 post-vasectomy patients (the PV group), and mixed the samples from different individuals of each group, respectively. Then we made DNA fragments by ultrasonication, separated the methylated DNA fragments by MeDIP, and determined the methylation level of the promoters in cfsDNA by qPCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The methylation levels of the promoters PRAME, PEG10, MORC1, GML, HOXA5, DNMT3L, SNURF, MSH4, DAZ1 and CLPB were 14.93, 2.64, 0.69, 2.66, 17.50, 21.10, 5.98, 2.28, 13.50 and 3.86%, respectively, in the NZ group, obviously lower than 121.25, 73.62, 16.25, 42.90, 76.74, 112.40, 59.79, 25.85, 91.90 and 64.53% in the PV group. The results of MeDIP-qPCR for the methylation of PRAME, MORC1, GML, HOXA5, DNMT3L, SNURF, MSH4 and DAZ1 were coincident with the results of genome-wide promoter methylation microarray.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MeDIP-qPCR can quantitatively measure the promoter methylation level in cfsDNA, and effectively determine the testis- and epididymis-specific methylated promoters in human semen.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , DNA , Chemistry , DNA Methylation , Epididymis , Metabolism , Epigenesis, Genetic , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Semen , Chemistry , Testis , MetabolismABSTRACT
Objective To understand the current status and relative factors on knowledge, attitude, practice to contraception among college students in Beijing and to provide evidence for developing aimed contraceptive service and education in colleges. Methods Quantitative surveys were employed, questionnaire was conducted anonymously among 12 450 unmarried college students under informed consent. Results Among 12 129 students, acknowledgement of contraceptive knowledge among females was superior to males in college(P=0.000). Rates on the favor for unmarried sexual practice and 'sexual liberation' were 81.9% and 60.2% for males, comparing to 74.8% and 54.3% for females respectively. The prevalence rates for masturbation were 74.3% for males and 24.9% for females respectively. 18.4% of the male and 10.5% of the female students had ever experienced unmarried sexual intercourse. Among those students who had sexual experiences, 29.4% of the males had made their sex partners pregnant and 23.1% of the female students had experienced unexpected pregnancy. Statistical significance was found between males and females (P=0.000) in terms of attitudes and behaviors. 51.3% of the male and female students took contraceptive measures during the episode of first sexual intercourse. The excuses for not taking any measures would include: sexual intercourse happened incidentally, not interested in using condom, only one sexual experience would not cause pregnancy, etc. Conclusion The prevalence of unmarried sexual intercourse among college students had been rising. Among those who had experienced unmarried sexual intercourse, the rate of taking contraceptive measures was low and the incidence of unexpected pregnancy was high. It is urgent to strengthen the education and service programs on contraception among college students.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism of uPA improving sperm capacitation by investigating the effect of uPA on the mitochondrial function of mouse capacitated-sperm in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Mitochondrial function of mouse capacitated-spermatozoa was evaluated through the assessment of mitochondrial membrane potential using JC-1 performed by flow cytometer and fluorescent microscope respectively. The experiment and the control groups were designed according to the presence or absence of uPA, each divided into 5 subgroups based on the different time of uPA treatment (or BWW in the control groups) at 0, 5, 15, 30 and 60 min respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with that at 0 min, the mean fluorescence intensity of JC-1 within the spermatozoal body and the percentage of orange-red colored spermatozoa in the experiment group were increased significantly at 5 and 15 min respectively after uPA incubation (P < 0.05). (2) The mean fluorescence intensity of JC-1 within the spermatozoal body at 15, 30 and 60 min and the percentage of orange-red colored spermatozoa at 5 and 15 min in the group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>uPA could increase the mitochondrial membrane potential of mouse capacitated-spermatozoa in vitro, and maintain it at a high level for a certain period of time. By enhancing sperm mitochondrial function, uPA may provide sufficient energy for capacitated-spermatozoa to increase their motility and change their motor pattern, which might be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of uPA on male infertility.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Flow Cytometry , Fluorescent Dyes , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial , Mice, Inbred Strains , Sperm Capacitation , Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa , Physiology , Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator , PharmacologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find the difference between the levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor(uPAR) in the seminal plasma and sperm of fertile and oligoasthenozoospermia men, and to understand their correlation with male fertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The levels of uPA in the seminal plasma and sperm of 22 normospermic males and 44 oligoasthenozoospermia patients were measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The average level of uPA in the seminal plasma and sperm of the normospermic group, ([4803.69 +/- 602.78] mU/L) and ([30.29 +/- 3.16] mU/10(6) sperm) were higher than those of the oligoasthenozoospermia group, ([4061.35 +/- 736.23] mU/L), and ([20.51 +/- 4.2] mU/10(6) sperm) (P < 0.01). (2) The average level of uPAR in the sperm of the normospermic group ([12.97 +/- 3.11] mU/10(6) sperm) was significantly higher than that of the oligoasthenozoospermia group, ([6.09 +/- 1.45] mU/10(6) sperm) (P < 0.01). (3) The levels of uPA and uPAR in the sperm and the content of uPA in the seminal plasma were positively correlated with sperm motility and viability.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Urokinase-type plasminogen activator is related with male fertility and the levels of uPA and uPAR vary in the seminal plasma and sperm of fertile and oligoasthenozoospermia males.</p>