Effect of Acupuncture at “Zhibian （BL 54）-to-Shuidao （ST 28）” on Key Factors of Endogenous Exogenous Apoptotic Pathways in Asthenospermia Model Mice / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of acupuncture “Zhibian （BL 54）-to-Shuidao （ST 28）” on the reproductive function of asthenospermia model mice and to explore the possible mechanism. MethodsForty-two male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， and acupuncture group， with 14 mice in each group. Cyclophosphamide 30 mg/（kg·d） was injected intraperitoneally for 7 days to establish model of asthenospermia for the model group and the acupuncture group， while 0.9% sodium chloride solution 10 ml/（kg·d） was injected intraperitoneally for 7 days in the blank group. After successful modeling， mice in the acupuncture group received acupuncture at “Zhibian （BL 54）-to-Shuidao （ST 28）” once a day for 20 minutes， 6 times a week for 3 weeks； the remaining two groups were fixed without acupuncture. Daily observations were made on the general conditions of mice in all groups， and changes in body weight after intervention were recorded. On the next day after completing the treatment， 6 male mice selected randomly from each group to test the sperm quality as well as testicular and epididymal weights， and calculate the corresponding indices； ELISA was used to test the levels of testosterone （T）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， and luteinizing hormone （LH） in serum； HE staining and TUNEL staining were performed to observe the pathological morphology and apoptosis of testicular and epididymal tissues； fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect changes in the expression of apoptosis-related factors （Fas）， Fas-associated death domain protein （FADD）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， and cysteine-aspartic acid protease （caspase）-3 mRNA and protein in testicular tissue. The remaining 8 male mice in each group were housed with estrus-cycling mice of the same strain at 1∶1 ratio， and the pregnancy rate and number of embryos per litter in each group were determined after mating. ResultsIn comparison with the blank group， mice in the model group exhibited reduced body weight， decreased testicular mass， testicular index， epididymal mass， and epididymal index. Additionally， there was a decrease in total sperm count， sperm motility， and sperm viability. Serum levels of T， FSH， and LH were reduced. The apoptosis rate increased， and the expression levels of Fas， FADD， Bax， and Caspase-3 mRNA and proteins were elevated， while Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression levels decreased （P＜0.01）. Pathological abnormalities were observed in testicular and epididymal tissues， with disrupted arrangement of seminiferous tubules and a decreased number of spermatogenic cells within the tubular lumen. Furthermore， the pregnancy rate and the number of embryos per litter decreased significantly after mating （P＜0.01）. In comparison with the model group， mice in the acupuncture group showed improvements in testicular mass， testicular index， epididymal mass， epididymal index， total sperm count， sperm motility， and sperm viability. Serum levels of T， FSH， and LH increased. The apoptosis rate decreased， and the expression levels of Fas， FADD， Bax， and Caspase-3 mRNA and proteins decreased， while Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression levels increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Morphological improvements were observed in testicular and epididymal tissues， with a compact arrangement of seminiferous tubules and an increased number of spermatogenic cells within the tubular lumen. Furthermore， the pregnancy rate and the number of embryos per litter increased significantly after mating （P＜0.01）. ConclusionAcupuncture “Zhibian （BL 54）-to-Shuidao （ST 28）” can improve testicular tissue apoptosis and enhance reproductive function in a mouse model of asthenospermia. Its mechanism may be associated with the modulation of key factors in the extrinsic membrane receptor pathway （Fas-mediated pathway） and the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway （Bcl-2/Bax-regulated pathway） in testicular tissue.

Effects of Jinkui Shenqi and Wuzi Yanzong pill on sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation rate in asthenospermia

This study was designed to compare the effects of Jinkui Shenqi and Wuzi Yanzong pill on sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation rate in patients with asthenospermia. 130 cases were randomly divided into an observation and control group (n=65). The control group was treated with the Wuzi Yanzong pill while the observation group with the Jinkui Shenqi pill. The sperm motility parameters rate (PR), semen concentration, sperm motility, DFI and α-glucosidase, fructose, seminal plasma zinc (Zn), acid phosphatase (ACP) in seminal plasma biochemistry and other indexes of were observed. The biochemical indexes of seminal plasma of α-glucosidase, fructose, Zn, ACP in two groups were significantly (p<0.05) improved after treatment. Compared with the control group, the indexes of the observation group improved more obviously after treatment. Pearson correlation analysis of DFI and PR indexes in 130 patients before treatment showed that sperm DFI and PR percentage were negatively correlated in asthenospermia patients (r =-0.572, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in DFI, semen concentration, PR, and sperm motility between the two groups before treatment. The DFI, semen concentration, PR and sperm viability of the two groups showed a tendency to improve after treatment, and the effect of the observation group was less significant than that of the control group (p<0.05). Two groups of patients have completed treatment successfully, no adverse events occurred during treatment. Jinkui Shenqi pill can effectively treat asthenospermia, which can effectively improve the effect of sperm motility in patients. It has less adverse reactions, safe and reliable, and is worthy of promotion.

Clinical Efficacy on Yishen Tongluofang for Treatment of Male Infertility with Deficiency and Stasis of Kidney / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Yishen Tongluofang in treating oligosperm type male infertility with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and explore its effect on serum sex hormones and seminal plasma microenviro. Method:One hundred and four patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group with 52 cases each. Patients in control group took compound Xuanju capsules orally， 3 capsules/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation group took Yishen Tongluofang， 1 dose/day. Treatment courses continued three months and followed up for three months in both groups. The pregnancy situations of spouses within six months were recorded. Examination of semen parameters before and after treatment and score of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were conducted. The levels of seminal plasma zinc， fructose， elastase， acid phosphatase and <italic>α</italic>-glucosidase， serum follicle stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， prolactin （PRT） and testosterone （T） were detected before and after treatment. Result:During the observation period of six months， the pregnancy rate of spouses in the observation group was 22.00%， higher than 10.00% in the control group， but the difference was not statistically significant （<italic>χ</italic>²=2.678，<italic>P</italic>>0.05）. The clinical efficacy in the observation group was better than that of the control group （<italic>Z</italic>=2.326，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Sperm concentration， sperm motility， sperm motility， normal morphological sperm and linear movement speed of the observation group were all superior to those of the control group<italic> </italic>（<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The levels of zinc and fructose in seminal plasma of the observation group were higher than those of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the score of kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was lower than that of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Serum FSH， LH and PRT levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the T level was higher than that in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The seminal plasma elastase of the observation group was lower than that of the control group， while the levels of acid phosphatase and <italic>α</italic>-glucosidase were higher than those of the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Yishen Tongluofang can significantly improve sperm parameters， regulate the level of sex hormones and seminal plasma environment in patients with oligosperm type male infertility， and improve the tendency of spouse pregnancy. Its clinical efficacy is better，so it is worthy of further research and application.

Shugan Bushen Yulin Decoction Regulates VDAC2 Gene Methylation to Affect Sperm Mitochondrial Function and Improve Sperm Quality in Asthenospermia Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction in inhibiting voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2 （VDAC2） gene methylation， affecting sperm mitochondrial function， and improving sperm motility through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A （cAMP/PKA） pathway. Method:Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， high- and low-dose Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction groups， and L-carnitine group， with eight rats in each group. Adenine （0.05 g·kg^-1） was administered by gavage for 14 d for inducing oligospermia and asthenospermia. Rats in the Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction groups were treated with intragastric administration of 32.4， 8.1 g·kg^-1Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction， respectively， while those in the L-carnitine group received 0.27 g·kg^-1 L-carnitine by gavage. Following the measurement of sperm motility using an automatic sperm analyzer， the pathological changes in testicular tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Sperm mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of VDAC2 in the testicular tissue was determined by immunofluorescence assay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was conducted for detecting VDAC2 mRNA expression in testicular tissue. The methylation of VDAC2 gene was examined using bisulfite sequencing. The cAMP expression in testicular tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the PKA protein expression in testicular tissue by Western blot. Result:Compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased sperm density and motility （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， increased mitochondrial membrane potential （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， down-regulated VDAC2 mRNA and protein expression， PKA protein expression， and cAMP content in testicular tissue （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and elevated VDAC2 gene methylation （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， L-carnitine and Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction at the high and low doses all remarkably increased the sperm density and motility and mitochondrial membrane potential （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， up-regulated VDAC2 mRNA and protein expression， PKA protein expression， and cAMP content in the testicular tissue （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and lowered the methylation of VDAC2 in testicular tissue （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The comparison with the L-carnitine group showed that the sperm density and motility and mitochondrial membrane potential in the low-dose Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction group declined significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The VDAC2 mRNA and protein expression， PKA protein expression， and cAMP content in the testicular tissue were significantly down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the methylation of VDAC2 was significantly enhanced （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Shugan Bushen Yulint decoction may inhibit VDAC2 gene methylation， increase VDAC2 expression， regulate cAMP/PKA pathway， and change mitochondrial membrane potential to enhance the sperm motility.

Clinical observation of herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency TEAS for asthenospermia and oligospermia / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for asthenospermia and oligospermia.@*METHODS@#A total of 105 patients with asthenospermia and oligospermia were randomly divided into a combination group, a TEAS group and a medication group, 35 cases in each one. In the medication group, vitamin E capsules, coenzyme Q10 capsules，@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, except for the sperm morphology 2 months into treatment in the medication group, the semen routine indexes 2, 3 months into treatment were improved in the 3 groups (@*CONCLUSION@#Herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency TEAS can improve semen routine, reduce sperm oxidative stress damage for patients with asthenospermia and oligospermia, and the clinical efficacy is better than the medication and TEAS.

Effect on sperm quality of asthenospermia and oligospermia treated with grain-moxibustion combined with medicine therapy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of grain-moxibustion combined with medicine therapy for asthenospermia and oligospermia.@*METHODS@#A tatal of 60 patients were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases) according to 1︰1 ratio. In the control group, vitamin E capsules were taken orally one capsule each time, twice a day, and pills 6 g each time, three times a day for a total of 3 months. In the observation group, grain-moxibustion was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4)，Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) based on the control group, once a week for 3 months, with a total of 12 times. The sperm concentration and sperm progressive motility were measured by automatic sperm quality analysis system in the two groups, and the clinical effects were compared. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in the observation group was measured by sperm nucleus chromosome structure assay (SCSA).@*RESULTS@#①The sperm concentrations and sperm progressive motilities after 1-month, 2-month and 3-month of treatment were increased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (<0.01), and they were increased with time. In the two groups, 2-month and 1-month of treatment, 3-month and 2-month of treatment were compared, the sperm concentrations and sperm progressive motilities were significantly increased (<0.01). The sperm concentrations after 1-month, 2-month and 3-month of treatment in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (<0.01), the sperm progressive motility after 3-month of treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). ②After 3-month of treatment，the DFI in the observation group was significantly reduced compared with that before treatment (<0.01). ③The total effective rate in the observation group after 3-month of treatment was 86.7% (26/30), which was superior to 63.3% (19/30) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Grain-moxibustion combined with medicine therapy can improve sperm concentration and sperm progressive motility, enhance the integrity of sperm DNA.

Expression of IQCG in the human testis and its correlation with asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the expression and location of IQ motif-containing G (IQCG) in the human testis, compare its expression in normal-motility sperm with that in the sperm of asthenospermia patients, and explore its possible mechanisms and its correlation with fertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of the IQCG gene in the human testis was detected by RT-PCR and its location in the testis and sperm was determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. Semen samples were collected from normal males, patients with asthenospermia, and fertile men that succeeded in artificial insemination with donor's sperm (AID), followed by analysis of the IQCG protein expression in different groups of samples by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunohistochemistry showed that IQCG was extensively expressed in the human testis, in the spermatocytes and spermatids, specifically in the sperm tail, weakly expressed or absent in the spermatogonial stem cells, and strongly expressed in the spermatogonial cells. The expression of IQCG was significantly lower in the asthenospermia patients than in the normal males (P= 0.041). Western blot manifested that IQCG was expressed in the semen of all the three groups of subjects, with statistically significant differences between the normal men and severe asthenospermia patients (P = 0.032) as well as between the fertile males and the severe asthenospermia group (P = 0.027) .</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>IQCG may act on human sperm motility and its abnormal expression possibly reduces sperm motility and fertility. An insight into its action mechanisms may shed some new light on the etiology and treatment of asthenospermia.</p>

Effect of Qiangjing Tablets on the MAPK signaling pathway in SD rats with asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on sperm quality and the MAPK signaling pathway in the SD rat model of asthenospermia (AS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, blank control, AS model control, high-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and low-dose QJT. All the rats were intragastrically administered ORN at 200 mg/kg/d for establishment of the AS model except those in the blank control group, which were given 1% CMC sodium solution at 1 ml/100 g by gavage. Meanwhile the animals of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups were gavaged with QJT at 6700, 3300 and 1700 mg/kg/d, respectively, qd 6 days a week for 20 days. Then the testis issue and the apoptosis of the testicular cells were observed under the electron microscope, the expression of vimentin in the testis was determined with the immunohistochemical SP method, that of ERK1/2 detected by Western blot, and the concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The AS model controls showed round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, broken or lost mitochondria, and expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum in the testis tissue. In comparison, the rats of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups exhibited round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, and well-structured mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosome, which were all similar those of the blank controls. Compared with the blank controls, the AS model rats manifested significantly increased expressions of ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 1.26 ± 0.10, P<0.01) and vimentin (0.16 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.01, P<0.01) and apoptosis rate of cells in the testis tissue (［9.20 ± 3.07］ vs ［42.20 ± 9.17］ %, P<0.01), but decreased level of TGF-β1 in the semen (［627.67 ± 26.07］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P<0.05). In comparison with the model controls, the rats of the high- and medium- -dose QJT groups presented remarkably down-regulated expressions of ERK1/2 (1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.14 ± 0.08, P<0.01; 1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.18 ± 0.05, P<0.05) and vimentin (0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.16 ± 0.01, P<0.01; 0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.09, P<0.05) and decreased rate of cell apoptosis (［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［21.60 ± 5.94］ %, P<0.01; ［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［33.95 ± 6.39］ %, P<0.05). The concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen was markedly lower in the high-dose QJT than in the AS model control group (［621.78 ± 30.80］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Qiangjing Tablets could improve semen quality in asthenospermia rats by acting against oxidative stress.</p>

Treatment of varicocele combined with asthenospermia by microsurgical shunt: 3 cases report / 中南大学学报(医学版)

To investigate the clinic value of microsurgical shunt for the treatment of varicocele combined with asthenspermia,the clinical data and therapeutic method for 3 patients,who conducted the microscope spermatic vein high ligation combined with superficial epigastric vein flow,were retrospectively analyzed.No postoperative complications were found,and the original symptoms and signs were disappeared.All patients were conducted scrotal ultrasound and semen routine after 3 months,and all indexes,including maximum internal diameter of the cord vein (erect position),sperm density,sperm survival rate,sperm deformity rate and sperm forward movement rate,were gradually improved.Consequently,high ligation of spermatic vein combined with vascular bypass surgery under the microscope can block the countercurrent venous blood and establish a new return channel to the testis.Meanwhile,it can also protect the testicular artery and lymph-vessel.It is worth to be spread for the treatment ofvaricocele combined with asthenospermia.

Clinical correlation analysis of placenta growth factor expression in human seminal plasma and oligoasthenospermia / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the correlation between placental growth factor (P1GF) expression and sperm quality in seminal plasma, and to evaluate its clinical significance in patients with oligoasthenospermia and azoospermia. Methods A total of 88 patients undergoing seminal fluid detection were enrolled from the Department of Reproductive Medicine Center of Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University fromSep. 2014 to Nov. 2014. The patients were divided into three groups according to the test results: ten cases with normal semen (normal group), 68 cases with oligoasthenospermia (oligoasthenospermia group), and ten cases with azoospermia (azoospermia group). Semen samples from five patients with normal semen and 5 patients with oligoasthenospermiawere collected and assayed for cytokine-related proteinmicroarray. The contents of P1GF in seminal plasma were detected by ELISA. The correlations between P1GF concentration and the sperm concentration and activity in seminal plasma and the age of patients were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results The contents of P1GF in seminal plasma in the normal group were significantly higher than that in the oligoasthenospermia and azoospermia groups (P<0. 05). The level of P1GF in seminal plasma was related to the concentration and activity of sperm (r=0.362, 0.253; P<0.05), but not to the age of patients. Conclusion The levll of P1GF in seminal plasma is correlated with the sperm concentration, providing reference for diagnosis and treatment of oligoasthenospermia and azoospermia in clinic.

Expressions of ODF2 mRNA and protein are down-regulated in the sperm of asthenospermia patients / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the mRNA and protein expressions of outer dense fiber 2 (ODF2) in the sperm of the asthenospermia patient and their differences from those in normal healthy men.@*METHODS@#According to the WHO criteria, we collected semen samples from 45 asthenozoospermia patients and 15 normal healthy volunteers. Using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), we divided the semen samples from the asthenospermia patients into a mild, a moderate and a severe group, and determined the mRNA and protein expressions of ODF2 in different groups by RT-PCR and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal healthy men, the expression of the ODF2 gene showed no statistically significant difference in the mild asthenospermia group (1.112 0 ± 0.525 5 vs 0.688 0 ± 0.372 0, P >0.05) but remarkably decreased in the moderate (0.483 3 ± 0.186 3, P 0.05), but markedly lower than in the moderate (0.145 4 ± 0.053 6, P <0.05) and severe asthenospermia patients (0.122 7 ± 0.045 7, P <0.01), which was consistent with the results of RT-PCR.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Decreased mRNA and protein expressions of ODF2 in the sperm are positively correlated with declined sperm motility of the asthenospermia patient, which is suggestive of the involvement of the ODF2 gene in the regulation of sperm motility.

Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E in the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia.@*METHODS@#This study included 135 outpatients with idiopathic asthenospermia received in our hospital from February 2015 to January 2016. We randomly divided them into a treatment group (n = 65, aged 22－44 ［mean 32.8］ yr) and a control group (n = 55, aged 21－43 ［mean 33.7］ yr) to be treated with Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E or natural vitamin E only, both for 90 days. We obtained total sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) from the patients before and after medication and evaluated the clinical effects by comparing the collected parameters and pregnancy rates between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The baseline total sperm motility and PMS were (25.23 ± 5.57)% and (17.53 ± 5.78)% in the treatment group, with no statistically significant differences from (26.05 ± 6.77)% and (15.11 ± 6.55)% in the control (P >0.05). After 90 days of medication, both the treatment and the control groups showed remarkable increases in total sperm motility (［48.73 ± 8.66］% and ［36.54 ± 8.09］%, P <0.05) and PMS (［32.77 ± 6.04］% and ［26.99 ± 6.87］%, P <0.05). However, both total sperm motility and PMS were significantly higher in the treatment than in the control group after medication (P <0.05), and so was the total rate of clinical effectiveness (73.85% vs 54.55%, P <0.05). No adverse reactions were observed in either of the two groups during the treatment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Gujing Maisiha Tablets combined with natural vitamin E is safe and effective for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia.

Therapeutic effect of Jinghuosu on oligospermia and asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of the compound preparation Jinghuosu on oligospermia and asthenospermia.@*METHODS@#This multi-centered clinical study included 120 cases of mild to moderate idiopathic oligospermia or asthenospermia, all treated with oral Jinghuosu once a bag, bid, for 3 successive months. Before and at 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment, we detected sperm concentration, total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and normal sperm morphology of each ejaculate, and recorded whether the patients had any adverse reactions.@*RESULTS@#After 3 months of treatment, all the patients showed obvious improvement in semen parameters, most significantly in sperm concentration, total sperm motility, and the percentages of progressive motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm (P <0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed during the 3 months of medication.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Jinghuosu has a significant efficacy and no obvious adverse effect in the treatment of mild to moderate oligospermia and asthenospermia.

Yijingfang for the treatment of asthenospermia: A randomized controlled clinical trial / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of Yijingfang, a Chinese medicinal liquid, on asthenospermia.@*METHODS@#We randomly divided 450 asthenospermia patients into a treatment group (n = 300) and a control group (n = 150), the former treated with Yijingfang once half a dose, bid, and the latter with Wuziyanzong Pills (9 g, bid) + L-carnitine oral liquid (10 ml, bid), both for 3 months. Before and at 1, 2, and 3 months after medication, we compared the semen volume, sperm concentration, percentages of progressively motile sperm (PMS) and total motile sperm (TMS), and semen liquefaction time between the two groups of patients.@*RESULTS@#No statistically significant difference was observed in the semen parameters between the treatment and control groups before medication (P >0.05). In comparison with the baseline, the treatment group showed significant differences at 1, 2, and 3 months after medication in sperm concentration (［35.96 ± 8.50］ vs ［49.66 ± 10.91］, ［55.21 ± 11.46］, ［74.90 ± 13.07］ ×10⁶/ml, P 0.05) or semen liquefaction time (［32.31 ± 8.15］ vs ［31.68 ± 3.14］, ［30.38 ± 3.44］, and ［30.86 ± 2.42］ min, P >0.05); the control group exhibited similar results at the three time points in sperm concentration (［36.85 ± 6.88］ vs ［40.53 ± 8.32］, ［47.51 ± 12.73］, and ［56.14 ± 11.98］ ×10⁶/ml, P 0.05) or semen liquefaction time (［30.25 ± 5.20］ vs ［29.36±4.25］, ［28.21±3.26］, and ［28.33±3.59］ min, P >0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups in the increase rates of sperm concentration and TMS after medication (P 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Yijingfang is an effective drug for the treatment of asthenospermia, which can regulate the spermatogenesis, increase the percentage of PMS, and improve the total sperm motility of the patients.

Genetic genes associated with oligospermia, asthenospermia and teratospermia: Advances in studies / 中华男科学杂志

Approximately 2,300 genes are found to be associated with spermiogenesis and their expressions play important roles in the regulation of spermiogenesis. In recent years, more and more attention has been focused on the studies of the genes associated with oligospermia, asthenospermia and teratospermia and their molecular mechanisms. Some genes, such as GSTM1, DNMT3L, and CYP1A1, have been shown to be potentially associated with oligospermia; some, such as CATSPER1, CRISP2, SEPT4, TCTE3, TEKT4, and DNAH1, with asthenospermia; and still others, such as DPY19L2 and AURKC, with teratospermia. These findings have provided a molecular basis for the studies of the pathogenesis of oligospermia, asthenospermia and teratospermia, as well as a new approach to the exploration of new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

Effect of methods of invigorating spleen and kidney on the pregnancy outcome of artificial insemination in infertile men with asthenospermia / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the effect of invigorating splcen and kidney methods on the pregnancy outcome of the intrauterine insemination (IUI) in infertile men with asthenospermia.Methods a total of 78 male infertility patients with spleen and kidney deficiency type were collected,all cases were randomly allocated into three groups,group A using methods of invigorating spleen and kidney,group B using Antioxidant therapy,and group C as the blank group.There are 26 cases in each group.One course of treatment lasts for 12 weeks.Before and after treatment,the changes of sperm quality index were analyzed by computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and sperm morphology.The pregnaucy outcome after IUI was followed up.Results After the treatment,sperm motility and sperm forward movement (PR) difference before and after treatment in group A with was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The differences between patients with semen volume,sperm concentration,sperm morphology and sperm motility parameters before and after treatment in three groups were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Clinical pregnancy rate and cumulative pregnancy rate and the live birth rate in group A were higher than that of group B and group C,but the difference was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Invigorating spleen and kidney method can improve the sperm motility and forward movement speed of the type of patients for the treatment of male infertility patients with asthenospermia,and it is helpful to improve the pregnancy outcome of the IUI.

Effect of low dose clomiphene in treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenospermia and therapeutic effect on sperm epididymal protein 4 levels / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate therapeutic effect of the low dose clomiphene treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenospermia and effect on sperm epididymal protein level 4.Methods183 cases of idiopathic oligoasthenospermia were divided into three groups, vitamin group of 61 patients were given vitamin E,clomiphene group(61 cases)treated with low dose clomiphene, combined group of 61 patients were given low dose clomiphene and vitamin E, lasted for 12 weeks.Semen volume, sperm density, sperm motility, sperm survival rate and sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone concentration were observed before and after treatment.After treatment, the patients were followed up for 1 year, the observation of the natural pregnancy rate after treatment.ResultsSperm density, sperm survival rate and sperm and a A+B grade sperm in the clomiphene group were significantly higher comparedwith the vitamin group (P< 0.05), sperm density, sperm survival rate and sperm and a A+B grade sperm in the combined group were significantly increasedcompared with clomiphene group and vitamin group (P< 0.05),levels of HE4 after treatment was significantly lower compared with before treatment (P< 0.05), And the difference between the three groups were statistically significant (P< 0.05).Follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone in clomiphene group and combined group after treatment, were significantly increased compared with before treatment (P< 0.05), and the combined group had no statistically difference compared with clomiphene group.The pregnancy rate in 1 year of vitamin group, clomiphene group and combined group were 24.59%, 42.62% and 62.29% (P< 0.05).ConclusionClomiphene treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia is better than vitamin E, the combination of the two has a synergistic effect.

Chemical constituents from Mangifera indica seed kernel and their effects on sperm quality of asthenospermia rats in vitro / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of mango (Mangifera indica) seed kernel and their effects on sperm quality of asthenospermia rats in vitro. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analyses such as 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and MS. The rats were treated with a single ig administration tripterygium glycosides to induce asthenospermia rat model, so that the effects of the compounds could be evaluated on the sperm motility and sperm survival rate of asthenospermia rats in vitro. Results: Nine compounds were isolated and purified from mango seed kernel, whose structures were elucidated as vitamin E (1), methyl gallate (2), kaempferol (3), quercetin (4), 3,4-O-isopropylidene shikimic acid (5), 5-hydroxy-4-oxopyran-2-carboxylic acid (6), ferulic acid (7), isoquercitrin (8), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloylglucose (9). Compounds 1, 7, and 9 could increase the sperm motility and sperm survival rate of asthenospermia rats in vitro. Conclusion: Compounds 1, 3-6 and 8 are obtained from mango seed kernel for the first time; Compounds 1, 7, and 9 could improve the sperm quality of asthenospermia rats in vitro.

Analysis on Medication Experiences of Professor Sun Zixue in the Treatment of Asthenospermia / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to analyze medication experiences of Professor Sun Zixue in the treatment of asthenospermia. A total of 286 asthenospermia cases treated by Prof. Sun Zixue were collected. Frequency and index clustering analysis method were used in the processing of patient data. The results showed that the using frequency of 37 types of drugs is more than 10%. And the clustering analysis classified drugs into seven cat-egories , which were the kidney essence tonification , kidney-yang tonification , qi tonification , blood nourish-ment , heat-toxin reducing , heat-dampness reducing , blood-activation and collateral-regulation. It was conclud-ed that based on Prof. Sunˊs syndrome differentiation , the treatment of asthenospermia can be from the combi-nation of kidney tonification , qi tonification and blood nourishment , or the combination of heat-dampness re-ducing and blood-activation and stasis-removing , or the combination of kidney tonification and collateral-regu-lation. The commonly used drugs are 38 types from seven categories .

Clinical Research on Treatment of Oligospermia and Asthenospermia with Guiqishengjing Capsule / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Guiqi shengjing capsule on infertility caused by oligospermia and asthenospermia. Methods All of 126 oligospermia and asthenospermia outpatients in theDepartment of Andrology from Sep 2011 to Dec 2012 were divided into 2 groups randomly:experimental group and control group (63 patients in each group), which were taken Guiqishengjing capsule and Huangjing zanyu capsule respectively, with a course of 3 months. Then we observed and compared the clinical efficacy and semen parameters of the patients in the 2 groups before and after treatment. Results There was no significant differences in semen parameters between two groups before treatment ( >0.05) .And also there was no significant differences in total clinical effective rate and semen parameters between two groups after treatment ( >0.05) .But, the extremely significant difference presented in sperm activity and density before and after treatment in two groups (<0.01) . Conclusion Guiqishengjing capsule can promote spermatogenesis, improve sperm quality, and has definite effect on oligospermia and asthenospermia in infertility .