ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect of Ureaplasma urealyticum on the level of DCXR expression and apoptosis in human spermatozoa. Methods 145 cases were in infertile group. Semen routine analysis was referred to the WHO standard method. Western blot was used to detect the level of DCXR expression in spermatozoa. The localization of the protein in human spermatozoa was determined by indirect immunofluorescent staining. The sperm apoptosis was assayed by TUNEL. Analysis the indicators of change before and after treatment with sensitive antibiotics for Uu infection. Results The expression of DCXR protein and the percentage of DCXR-positive rate were lowerin UU positive group than those in UU negative group. The expression of DCXR protein and the percentage of DCXR-positive rate were higher after treatment, than before therapy in Uu positive group (P < 0.05). The sperm apoptosis rate in Uu positive group were higher than those in Uu negative. The sperm apoptosis rate was lower after treatment than before therapy in Uu positive group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Ureaplasma urealyticum infection may affect the level of DCXR protein expression, the percentage of the DCXR-positive rate and sperm apoptosis in human spermatozoa. After effective treatment of Uu infection, the sperm protein DCXR expression and sperm apoptosis would be obviously improved.