The association between the two more common genetic causes of spermatogenic failure: a 7-year retrospective study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Chromosomal abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions are considered to be the two more common genetic causes of spermatogenic failure. However, the relationship between chromosomal aberrations and Y chromosome microdeletions is still unclear. This study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of chromosomal aberrations and Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile men, and to explore whether there was a correlation between the two genetic defects of spermatogenic failure. A 7-year retrospective study was conducted on 5465 infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia or oligozoospermia. Karyotype analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes was performed by standard G-banding techniques. Y chromosome microdeletions were screened by multiplex PCR amplification with six specific sequence-tagged site (STS) markers. Among the 5465 infertile men analyzed, 371 (6.8%) had Y chromosome microdeletions and the prevalence of microdeletions in azoospermia was 10.5% (259/2474) and in severe oligozoospermia was 6.3% (107/1705). A total of 4003 (73.2%) infertile men underwent karyotyping; 370 (9.2%) had chromosomal abnormalities and 222 (5.5%) had chromosomal polymorphisms. Karyotype analysis was performed on 272 (73.3%) patients with Y chromosome microdeletions and 77 (28.3%) had chromosomal aberrations, all of which involved sex chromosomes but not autosomes. There was a significant difference in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities between men with and without Y chromosome microdeletions (P< 0.05).

Adriamycin induces H2AX phosphorylation in human spermatozoa / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate whether adriamycin induces DNA damage and the formation of gammaH2AX (the phosphorylated form of histone H2AX) foci in mature spermatozoa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human spermatozoa were treated with adriamycin at different concentrations. gammaH2AX was analyzed by immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometry and double-strand breaks (DSB) were detected by the comet assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The neutral comet assay revealed that the treatment with adriamycin at 2 microg/mL for different times (0.5, 2, 8 and 24 h), or for 8 h at different concentrations (0.4, 2 and 10 microg/mL), induced significant DSB in spermatozoa. Immunofluorent staining and flow cytometry showed that the expression of gH2AX was increased in a dose-dependent and time-dependant manner after the treatment of adriamycin. Adriamycin also induced the concurrent appearance of DNA maintenance/repair proteins RAD50 and 53BP1 with gammaH2AX in spermatozoa. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) family, abolished the co-appearance of these two proteins with gammaH2AX.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Human mature spermatozoa have the same response to DSB-induced H2AX phosphorylation and subsequent recruitment of DNA maintenance/repair proteins as somatic cells.</p>

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant rats were divided into two groups randomly. Saline solution or L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 125 mg/d was given subcutaneously from day 7 of gestation till establishing pre-eclampsia. Systolic blood pressure, urine protein, platelet count, and weight of pups and placenta were determined. The levels of VEGF in pregnant rats venous serum, placenta and decidual tissue from normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia rats were detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Pregnant rats which were given L-NAME produced physical signs similar to those of pre-eclampsia, such as increase in systolic blood pressure [(145.3 +/-4.6)mmHg] and urine protein [(814.3 +/-57.5)mg/L], and decrease in platelet count [(467.1 +/-76.3) x 10(9)/L] and weight of pups and placenta. Compared with controls, the intensity of VEGF immunostaining in trophoblast or decidual cells were significantly reduced. The serum levels of VEGF were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia group than in normal pregnancy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased serum levels of VEGF and reduced expression of VEGF in placental tissues might in part explain the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats.</p>

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for Down syndrome pregnancy / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) conducted for women who had Down syndrome pregnancy previously.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Trisomy 21 was diagnosed by using fluorescence in site hybridization (FISH) before embryo transfer in two women who had Down syndrome pregnancies. Each received one or two PGD cycles respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Case 1: one PGD cycle was conducted, two oocytes were fertilized and biopsied. One embryo is of trisomy 21 and the other of monosomy 21. No embryo was transferred. Case 2: two PGD cycles were conducted, in total, sixteen oocytes were fertilized and biopsied. Four embryos were tested to be normal, six of trisomy 21, and one of monosomy 21. Five had no signal. Four normal embryos were transferred but no pregnancy resulted.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>For couples who had pregnancies with Down syndrome previously, PGD can be considered, and has been shown to be an effective strategy.</p>

Paradoxical devation of senna adiponectin and its relationship with the level of serum leptin in preeclampsia / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investiagte the serum adiponectin concentration in preeclampsia and its relationship with serum leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels.Method The level of adiponectin,leptin and soluble leptin receptor in serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)in 38 patients with preeclampsia and 42 patients as control.The relationship of free leptin index(leptin/soluble leptin receptor) to preeclampsia was analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in maternal age,gestational age and body mass index(BMI)between two groups.But the gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in preeclampsia than in control.The patients with preeclampsia had significantly higher levels of serum adiponectin, leptin and free leptin index(1691.7?g/ml,37.5 ng/ml and 0.95 respectively)than the control(689.4?g/ml, 19.3 ag/ml and 0.49,respectively).But there was no significant difference in serum level of soluble leptin receptor between the groups(35.0 ng/ml vs 42.2 ng/ml).Serum adiponectin was not significantly correlated with the level of leptin,soluble leptin receptor and free leptin index.Area of serum adiponectin,leptin and free leptin index in preeclampsia under the ROC curve were less than 0.5.Conclusions The patients with preeclampsia have paradoxical higher serum levels of adiponecfin and more bioavailability of leptin,suggesting these may be important factom of this complication.

Imbalance of serum T helper 1- and 2-type cytokines in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in serum levels of Th1- (IL-2 and TNF-alpha) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-10) and the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IL-2/IL-10 and TNF-alpha/IL-10) in preeclampsia and in gestational hypertension.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were determined with radioimmunoassay in serum samples from 22 women with preeclampsia, 15 women with gestational hypertension and 32 normal term pregnant women. The Th1/Th2 ratios were calculated accordingly.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha (P>0.05 for all) among normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. The ratio of serum IL-2/IL-10 was significantly higher in preeclampsia than that in controls (P < 0.05), and the ratio of TNF-alpha/IL-10 significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia than that in either controls or gestational hypertension (P<0.025 for both).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Alterations of serum cytokine balance with predominance of Th1 immunity were observed in preeclampsia. These associations may offer insight into the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.</p>

Significance of increased level of serum macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with preeclampsia / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By ELISA method, MCSF concentrations were determined in serum samples obtained from 39 patients with preeclampsia and 40 normal pregnant women as controls. The concentrations of serum MCSF were compared between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy, and between early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Serum MCSF concentrations were significantly higher in preeclamptic women than those in controls (431.0 kIU compared with 179.1 kIU, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in serum MCSF levels between early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia (P>0.05). Serum MCSF was not correlated with maternal age, gestational age, and placenta weight (P>0.05 for all).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased level of serum MCSF is an important indicator of preeclampsia and it may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.</p>

Relationship between serum and placental interleukin-18 levels and preeclampsia / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship of interleukin (IL)-18 concentrations in serum and placenta and preeclampsia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-seven patients with preeclampsia and 28 women with normal pregnancy were recruited. Blood and placenta samples were taken and serum and placental IL-18 concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of IL-18 in serum and placenta were compared.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>(1) The median of serum IL-18 in patients with preeclampsia was 704 ng/L, which was significantly higher than that of control group (470 ng/L, P<0.05). (2) The median of placental IL-18 in patients with preeclampsia was 105 ng/L, which was also significantly higher than that of control group (31.5 ng/L, P<0.005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased serum and placental levels of IL-18 were presented in preeclampsia as compared to normal pregnancy, which might offer insight into the pathogenesis of the disease.</p>

Expression of Fas and FasL in serum and placenta of preeclamptic pregnancy and its significance / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the serum and placental levels of FAS and FASL in preeclampsia (PE) and to study its relationship with the disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty women with preeclampsia and 39 healthy pregnant women were recruited and samples of serum and placentas were collected. The expression of Fas and FasL in placentas was detected with Western blot and the concentration of soluble Fas and FasL in serum was detected with ELISA method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Serum levels of soluble Fas in PE group were significantly higher than those of healthy pregnant women (2.11+/-0.95 mg/L compared with 1.57+/-0.60 mg/L, P<0.05), and serum levels of soluble FasL in PE group were also significantly higher than those in controls (4.43+/-1.90 g/L compared with 3.48+/-1.53 g/L, P<0.01). There were no significant differences in Fas and FasL levels in placentas between PE group and healthy pregnant women (P>0.05 for both).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The elevated serum Fas and FasL levels are closely associated with preeclampsia, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.</p>

Relationship between serum resistin level and preeclampsia / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the alteration of serum resistin levels in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Blood samples were take from 28 normal non-pregnant women, 27 women in the 1st, 26 in the 2nd and 26 in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy and 25 women with preeclampsia. Serum resistin concentration was determined using ELISA method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Serum levels of resistin were not significantly different among non-pregnancy, the 1st and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P>0.05 for all). Serum resistin level was significantly elevated in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy as compared with non-pregnancy (P<0.01), the 1st (P<0.001) and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P<0.001). Serum resistin level was significantly lower in preeclampsia than in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy (P<0.001), but was comparable to that of non-pregnancy, the 1st and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P>0.05 for all).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The decrease of serum resistin level in the preeclampsia may provide insight into the pathogenesis of the disease.</p>

Clinical features and prognosis of early-onset preeclampsia / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical features and prognosis of early-onset preeclampsia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 115 cases of early-onset preeclampsia were recruited from January 1999 to December 2004 and the data analyzed in terms of the incidence, manifestation, maternal and fetal complications.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The early-onset preeclampsia accounted for 13.4% of all preeclampsia diagnosed. The perinatal mortality was 13.3% in early-onset preeclampsia. Dysfunction and hepatic dysfunction were the main maternal complications. The gestational ages at admission and at delivery were significantly correlated with perinatal prognosis (P<0.001). Most cases received regular treatment had good prognosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Early-onset preeclampsia is a severe type of preeclampsia.</p>

Resistin levels of serum and follicular fluid in non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome during IVF cycles / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To measure serum and follicular resistin, steroids hormone levels in women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) (BMI (body mass index)<25 kg/m(2)), to assess possible correlations of resistin to hormonal and metabolic parameters and to analyze the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women with PCOS and tubal infertility.</p><p><b>STUDY DESIGN</b>We analyzed the clinical outcomes of IVF-ET in women with PCOS (BMI<25 kg/m(2)) and tubal infertility during the years 2002 to 2004 and compared the serum and follicular fluid resistin levels, estradiol (E(2)), progesterone (P), testosterone (T) levels in 20 PCOS and 20 healthy, age-matched women without PCOS during IVF-stimulated cycles. The correlations between the resistin levels and the outcomes of IVF-ET were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant differences in resistin levels of either serum or follicular fluid between PCOS and control group were found. However, resistin levels in serum were higher than that in follicular fluid in both groups. Multiple regression analysis showed that resistin levels in serum did not correlate with BMI, estradiol, LH (luteinizing hormone) and insulin level in fasting blood. No significant correlations were found between follicular fluid reisistin levels and fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate or early miscarriage rate in both PCOS and control groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results show that resistin does not have correlation with the hormonal and metabolic parameters as well as the outcomes of IVF. These data suggest that resistin is unlikely to be a local determinant factor in steroidogenesis and growth and maturation of oocytes during IVF-ET in lean women with PCOS.</p>