ABSTRACT
Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is often caused by hyposecretion of gonadotropin and consequently affects male fertility. The patient with IHH has a smaller penis and testes with spermatogenic dysfunction. At present, IHH is treated mainly with hCG, hMG, GnRH, and their different combinations. However, due to the lack of large-sample evidence, it is not yet clear which therapy is the best option. This article presents an overview of our experience in the treatment of IHH in the last decade and a review of relevant literature, aiming at a deeper insight into this male disease.
ABSTRACT
Recent studies have reported that caspase 7 has an apoptotic and nonapoptotic function. However, the relationship between caspase 7 and spermatogenesis remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the possible function of caspase 7 during normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. The cleaved form of caspase 7 was detected in testis tissues at different postpartum times (5-14 weeks) by qRT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, the mice models of spermatogenic dysfunction were obtained by busulfan (30 mg kg-1 to further evaluate the potential function and mechanism of caspase 7. qRT-PCR and Western blot results showed that caspase 7 expression was gradually elevated from 5 to 14 weeks, which was not connected with apoptosis. IHC results revealed that caspase 7 was mainly located in spermatogenic cells and Leydig cells. In addition, spermatogenic dysfunction induced by busulfan gradually enhanced the apoptosis and elevated the expression of caspase 3, caspase 6, and caspase 9, but decreased the expression of caspase 7 in spermatogenic cells. However, when spermatogenic cells were mostly disappeared at the fourth week after busulfan treatment, caspase 7 expression in Leydig cells was significantly increased and positively correlated with the expression of caspase 3, caspase 6, and caspase 9. Therefore, these results indicate that caspase 7 has a nonapoptic function that participates in normal spermatogenesis, but also displays apoptotic function in spermatogenic dysfunction.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between the homocysteine,sperm DNA fragmentation index and sperm counts of male with severe impaired spermatoqenesis.Methods From December 2015 to February 2017,56 male patients with severe impaired spermatoqenesis were enrolled in the study.The patients were divided into two groups according to the WHO criteria:severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia group (n =25) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia group (n =31),and the control group was a male with no reproductive impairment (n=27).The sperm parameters were analyzed by using the computer automatic semen analyzer,sperm DNA fragmentation index and serum Hcy level were detected by sperm chromatin diffusion method and enzyme colorimetric method.Results The median of Sperm DNA fragmentation index and homocysteine level in control groups were 33％ [95％CI(29.0％ ～34.4％)] and 13.2 μmol/L [95％CI(12.4 μmol/L～14.2 μmol/L)],and in severe spermatogenesis groups in these two indicators were 21％ [95％CI(19.0％ ～24.0％)] and 8.9 mol/L [95％CI(8.4 μmol/L～ 9.4 μmol/L)],respectively.The results of these two items were higher than the control group,the difference was statistically significant (t=6.793～7.543,P=0.000).Sperm survival rate in normal control group and severe spermatogenesis group was 71％ [95％ CI(67.8％ ～75.1％)] and 57％[95％CI(52.3％ ～58.0％)],respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (t=-8.475,P=0.000).Sperm DNA fragmentation index was positively correlated with serum Hcy level and sperm concentration,Passing-Bablok regression analysis was:Y=10.705 +0.053X,Y=21.071+0.286X,and Hcy level was negatively correlated with sperm concentration.Conclusion The increase of Hcy level and sperm DNA fragmentation index may be an importantcause of male with severe impaired spermatoqenesis,but the specific mechanism remains to be further studied.