Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for infertile males with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common genetic renal diseases, which may cause oligoasthenospermia and azoospermia and result in male infertility. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in male patients with ADPKD-induced infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 7 male patients with ADPKD-induced infertility undergoing PGD from April 2015 to February 2017, including 6 cases of oligoasthenospermia and 1 case of obstructive azoospermia, all with the PKD1 gene heterozygous mutations. Following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), we performed blastomere biopsy after 5 or 6 days of embryo culture and subjected the blastomeres to Sureplex whole-genome amplification, followed by haplotype linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, array-based comparative genomic hybridization to assess the chromosomal ploidy of the unaffected embryos, and identification of the unaffected euploid embryos for transfer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One PGD cycle was completed for each of the 7 patients. Totally, 26 blastocysts were developed, of which 12 were unaffected and diploid. Clinical pregnancies were achieved in 6 cases following 7 cycles of frozen embryo transplantation, which included 5 live births and 1 spontaneous abortion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For males with ADPKD-induced infertility, PGD may contribute to high rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth and prevent ADPKD in the offspring as well. This finding is also meaningful for the ADPKD patients with normal fertility.</p>

Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into male germ cells: An update / 中华男科学杂志

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have the potential of differentiating into all types of adult cells. Today, mature functional sperm can be derived from mouse PSCs in vitro, and meanwhile primordial germ cells (PGCs) and meiotic prophase sperm cells can be generated from human ESCs/iPSCs (hESCs/hiPSCs). It is proposed that non-genetic azoospermia might be cured if functional sperm could be obtained from human PSCs (hPSCs) in vitro. It is also possible that healthy functional sperm could be derived from the patient with genetic factor-induced azoospermia by combining iPSCs and gene editing technology. IPSC-derived functional sperm have a higher clinical value for the avoidance of the sperm source and the issue of medical ethics. This article summarizes recent advances in the differentiation of PSCs into male germ cells in vitro, aiming to provide some reference for the treatment of male infertility with PSCs.

Impact of sperm DNA fragmentation index and sperm malformation rate on the clinical outcome of ICSI / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm malformation rate (SMR) before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and their impact on the clinical outcome of ICSI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 79 cycles of ICSI because of oligoasthenozoospermia. We detected the sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm, DFI and SMR at 3 to 6 months before ICSI, and analyzed the relationship of DFI and SMR with the outcome parameters.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 79 oligoasthenozoospermia cases, DFI was found to be normal (< or = 25%) in 51 and abnormal (> 25%) in the other 28, significantly increased in the latter (14.18% vs 41.47%), and coincidently, SMR, too, was normal (< or = 96%) in 51 cases and abnormal (> 96%) in 28, significantly higher in the abnormal than in the normal cases (87.88% vs 98.46%). There were no significant differences between the normal and abnormal DFI groups in age, females'BMI, number of oocytes retrieved, and number of embryos transferred, nor between the normal and abnormal SMR groups in the number of fertilized oocytes and quality embryos, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and early pregnancy loss. Sperm DFI was significantly positively correlated with SMR (r = 0.231, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICSI may reduce the rates of biochemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy for men with increased sperm DFI (> 25%) and SMR (> 96%) by strict detection criteria, but with no statistically significant difference from normal males. Our findings need to be supported by further studies with larger sample sizes.</p>

Sperm chromatin structure assay predicts the outcome of intrauterine insemination / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), as a clinically practical technique for the analysis of DNA damage, is rarely reported in China. This study focuses on the correlation of DNA damage with the pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination (IUI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed semen analysis for 482 couples undergoing IUI, calculated the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) by SCSA, and observed the relationship between DFI and the pregnancy rate of IUI.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Clinical pregnancy was achieved in 5 (5.26%) of the 95 cases with DFI > 25%, and in 59 (15.25%) of the 387 cases with DFI < or = 25%. Those with sperm DFI >25% had significantly lower rates of biochemical pregnancy and clinical pregnancy than those with DFI < or = 25% (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14 - 0.96 and OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16 - 0.97). No significant differences were found in the DFI of 54 cases between the first and the second cycle ([15.05 +/- 7.98]% vs [17.25 +/- 12.18]%, P > 0.05). Sperm DFI was significantly negatively correlated with sperm concentration, sperm motility and total progressively motile sperm count (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pregnancy rate of IUI is significantly lower in couples with DFI >25% than in those with DFI < or = 25%. Sperm DFI obtained from SCSA is partly correlated with sperm concentration and motility, and it is a robust predictor of the IUI outcome.</p>

Effects of nanosized titanium dioxide on the reproductive system of male mice / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the in vivo effects of nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the main organs, particularly the reproductive system, of male mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five male ICR mice aged 6 weeks were equally and randomly divided into 2 experimental groups and a control group, intraperitoneally injected with 200 and 500 mg/kg nanosized TiO2 and equal volume of saline, respectively, every other day for 5 times. One week after drug cessation, we obtained the coefficients of the main organs, serum biochemical parameters and the levels of gonadal hormones (T and E2), analyzed the pathological changes of the main organs by HE staining, observed sperm count, motility and abnormality under the microscope, and detected germ cell apoptosis by TUNEL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control, the low-dose (200 mg/kg) group showed no significant changes in the above parameters, while the high-dose (500 mg/kg) group exhibited a decrease in the coefficients of the liver, heart and kidneys, and a significant increase in such serum biochemical parameters as ALT, ALT/AST and BUN (P < 0.05). The high-dose group also showed significantly reduced sperm density and motility, increased sperm abnormality and germ cell apoptosis (P < 0.05), but no obvious pathological changes in the liver, kidney spleen, testis and epididymis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Low-dose nanosized TiO2 has no obvious effect on male mice, but high-dose may significantly reduce their sperm count and function and induce germ cell apoptosis, although its damage on the liver and kidney function is slight.</p>

Long-term toxicity of Shen Yan Ling tablet and its effect on male reproductive function in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Shen Yan Ling Tablet is an innovative compound of traditional Chinese medicine, scientifically prepared with Tripterygium wilfordii, Radix Astragali, and others, with precise efficacy on renal diseases and reduced adverse effects of Tripterygium wilfordii. Based on the Guiding Principles for New Drug Toxicity Research Before Clinical Application, we investigated the long-term toxicity of Shen Yan Ling Tablet and its effect on the reproductive function in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the clinical therapeutic dose and the results of the acute toxicity test of Shen Yan Ling Tablet, we equally divided 80 rats (males and females half-and-half) into a low-dose (1.25 g/kg body wt), a medium-dose (2.50 g/kg body wt), a high-dose (5.00 g/kg body wt) and a control group. After a 3-month medication, we conducted standardized long-term toxicity tests and observed the effects of Shen Yan Ling on the serum sexual hormones and epididymal sperm count.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 3 months of treatment with Shen Yan Ling, no death occurred, the general status remained unchanged, and the parameters of blood cytology and biochemistry fluctuated within the normal range, without any significant changes (P > 0.05). Some blood parameters, RBC, WBC, HGB, AST and TBIL, showed statistic changes (P < 0.05), but with no clinical significance. There were no significant differences in the mass coefficients of the main organs between the medication and control groups. The high-dose group exhibited slight hepatic and pulmonary pathological changes and significantly reduced sperm counts in the epididymis, but no significant changes in serum sexual hormones (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Three-month medication of Shen Yan Ling at 1.25 - 5.00 g/kg produced no significant accumulated toxicity on rats, but it had a negative effect on their reproductive function at a higher dose of > or = 5.00 g/kg.</p>

Analysis of the main components of inner ear antigens inducing autoimmune Meniere's disease in guinea pigs / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the main components of inner ear antigens inducing autoimmune Meniere's disease (AIMD) in guinea pigs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The guinea pigs were immunized with isologous crude inner ear antigens (ICIEAg). Then, the hearing function was measured with auditory brainstem response (ABR), the vestibular function was measured with electronystagmography (including spontaneous nystagmus and caloric test), and inner ear histopathological changes were observed by inner ear celloidin section with haematoxylin-eosin staining and observed under light microscope. According to these results, the AIMD-model animals from non-AIMD-model ones were distinguished. The special antibodies against ICIEAg in sera were measured with ELISA. The antigen-antibody reactions against different components of ICIEAg were detected by Western blotting with sera of AIMD and non-AIMD guinea pigs respectively. Then, we analysed the contrast between them and found the main components of the ICIEAg that were positive reaction in AIMD guinea pigs and negative reaction in non-AIMD guinea pigs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The result of ELISA demonstrated that the sera of both the AIMD and non-AIMD guniea pigs contained the special antibodies against ICIEAg after immunized with ICIEAg. The difference of the amount of antibody against ICIEAg between AIMD guinea pig group and non-AIMD guinea pig group was not significant. Western blotting assay showed only the sera of AIMD guinea pig contained the antibodies against the specific antigens with the molecular of 68 000, 58 000, 42 000 and 28 000.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ICIEAg contain many different components, the AIMD might only happen in the guinea pigs in which the special immunization against the main components that could induce this kind of disorder appeared. The inner ear antigens with molecular of 68 000, 58 000, 42 000 and 28 000 might be the main components inducing AIMD in guinea pigs.</p>

Expression of KISS-1 and GnRH in rat hypothalamus / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assay the expression of KiSS-1 and GnRH in the male rat hypothalamus at different developmental stages, and to explore the significance of KiSS-1 in sex development onset and normal reproduction regulation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression analyses of KiSS-1 and GnRH genes were conducted in the rat hypothalamus at different developmental stages with RT-PCR and real time-PCR. The testosterone level was assayed by chemoluminescence technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>KiSS-1 mRNA rose gradually during sex development in the rat hypothalamus, highest at puberty and lowered a little at adulthood. KiSS-1 mRNA of the prepubertal, early pubertal, pubertal and adult rats was 1.7, 2.1, 3.5 and 2.0 times higher than that of the infantile rats respectively. The expression of GnRH and KiSS-1 correlated positively (r = 0.905, P < 0.05). But the activation of GnRH neuron was later than KiSS-1. The expression of GnRH was the highest in the puberty rats. GnRH mRNA of the prepubertal, early pubertal, pubertal and adult rats was 1.1, 1.94, 2.42 and 1.92 times higher than that of the infantile rats respectively. The level of testosterone in the adult rats was significantly higher than that at the earlier stage and was the highest at the adult stage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of KiSS-1 correlates positively with that of GnRH. KiSS-1 may participate in the regulation of GnRH and is relevant to puberty onset and the regulation of reproduction function.</p>

Antisperm-antibodies induced by testicular torsion and its influence on testicular function / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of antisperm antibodies (AsAb), sexual hormones, and inhibin B (INH B) in patients before and after testicular torsion, as well as the effects of these factors on testicular function and reproduction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten patients with single acute testicular torsion (left side 9 and right side 1), aged 16-45 years (19.6 on average), disease course of 3-6 days (averaging 4.7 days), underwent surgical removal of the damaged testis. Before and after the operation, serum AsAb (IgG, IgM, IgA) and INH B were measured by ELISA, and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) determined by chemoluminescence autoanalyzer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the operation, the AsAb levels rose significantly and remained high for at least 26 weeks. The level of INH B was the lowest in the 3rd week and restored to normal in the 12th week, with significant difference between preoperation and the 3rd or the 6th week after the operation. The levels of LH and INH B in the 26th week were elevated significantly compared with the 6th.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Testicular injury induced the elevation of AsAb, which would last a very long time. The change of INH B was closely related with the injury of the testis, which reflected the degree of testicular injury and functional restoration of the patients after the operation. Our study showed that AsAb and INH B can be used as useful tools for monitoring testicular function and reproduction.</p>

Expression of HOXB4 in cord blood progenitor cells expanded in vitro / 中国实验血液学杂志

HOXB4, a member of homeobox gene family, is closely related to the self-renewing and proliferative ability of primitive hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (PHSC/PHPC). This study was aimed to investigate the self-renewing level of cord blood progenitor cells (CBPC) expanded in vitro. The HOXB4 expression at mRNA level was assayed by using real time RT-PCR. The results indicated that as culture prolonged, the total cells, CD34(+) cells greatly increased, however the HOXB4 expression gradually declined, even down to undetectable level similar to that of mature lymphocytes. Meanwhile, it was shown that CD34(+) cells co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) could abate the decline of HOXB4 expression. It is concluded that the self-renewing potential of CD34(+) cells gradually decreased during expansion in vitro, co-culture with BM-MSC was helpful to CD34(+) cell expansion and slowed the loss trend of its self-renewal.

Experiment on the sexual virility of immature mice immunized with LHRH fusion protein vaccine / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the sexual virility of immature immature male mice were divided into a pre-ablactation group (n 10). The first two groups were immunized with the LHRH fusion proportion of pregnant female mice, the morphological and histological examined to conform the emasculating effect of the vaccine. When ted with testosterone (1.0 ml each) , the post-ablactation ones were rameters.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sexual virility of the immature mice immunized in 3 -4 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The LHRH fusion protein vaccine mice after ablactation, and the sexual virility can recover in the pre-ablactation decrease.</p>

Effect of large-dosage of 5alpha-reductase inhibitors on the spermatogenesis of male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the role of 5alpha-reductase in the spermatogenesis of male rats by studying the effect of two 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, Epristeride and Finasteride, on the spermatogenesis in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Changes in the weight of the testis, serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels, epididymal sperm count, and reproductive function were observed and analyzed after the two 5alpha-reductase inhibitors were administered to male SD rats orally.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The experiment showed that in comparison with control animals, both the two 5alpha-reductase inhibitors: 1. suppressed the development of the prostate and reduced the weight of the testis in the experimental groups (P < 0.05); 2. decreased the serum level of dihydrotestosterone and enhanced testosterone; 3. inhibited epididymal sperm count and productive function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High dosages of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, Epristeride, can suppress the development of the prostate and reduce the weight of the testis, decrease dihydrotestosterone, and inhibit spermatogenesis and productive function in male rats.</p>

Androgen replacement therapy for hypogonadal men / 中华男科学杂志

Male hypogonadism is a group of syndromes in clinic andrology characterized by complete or partial androgen deficiency. It can be divided into primary and secondary hypogonadism. Besides the etiological treatment, androgen replacement therapy should be adopted in all patients of primary hypogonadism and patients of secondary hypogonadism who do not have the need of having a child. For patient's benefits, androgen should be used and selected properly as there are so many androgen preparation at present.

Effect of androgen on erythropoietin in patients with hypogonadism / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To observe the change of erythropoietin (EPO) in patients of hypogonadism who received androgen replacement treatment and explore the mechanism of androgen-induced increase of red blood cells and haemoglobin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eight patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, divided into two groups, received TU intramuscular injections of 500 mg or 1000 mg dose, respectively. After three months, seven patients received the second injection of crossover dose. Testosterone levels in serum were measured with RIA before and after the injections treatment. RBC count, impacted volume of blood cells and haemoglobin concentration were measured before treatment and 4, 8 weeks after treatment. At the same interval, EPO levels were measured with ELISA method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Development of the secondary sex characters was improved in all patients after the TU injection. Serum testosterone levels raised significantly and reached the peak one week after the injections. Effective level of testosterone lasted for over 6 weeks. RBC count, impacted volume of blood cells and haemoglobin increased at different degrees after TU injections, but these changes were not significant in statistic(P < 0.05). The increased levels remained for 8 weeks. EPO levels were elevated significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.05) after the TU injection(Pbat > 0.05). The second injection could still make the EPO level go up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Androgen replacement treatment can increase the EPO levels in patients of hypogonadism, which is one of the mechanism of RBC production increase.</p>

Studies and progress of male hormonal contraception / 中华男科学杂志

It has become more and more urgent to develop a safe, effective, recoverable and acceptable contraceptive for males. Decades of studies have made much progress on male hormonal contraception, one of the promising contraceptive methods. The principle is based on the suppression of pituitary gonadotropin and intratesticular testosterone, then the suppression of spermatogenesis, and the supplement of androgen to maintain the male characteristics and sexual function. There are many male hormonal contraceptive methods being studied include androgen, androgen combined with progesterone, GnRH antagonists combined with androgen, as well as immunological methods. To develop a safe and convenient androgen preparation with longer action and fewer side effects is also one of the key items of present research in this field.

Experimental research on spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia in old dogs / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the pathoanatomize histological and biochemical characteristics of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by use of old dogs with spontaneous BPH as animal models.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Old dogs aged 6 to 13 years were recruited after anus check, B-ultrasonic examination by recta spy and measurement under surgical exploration. Ten dogs with notable prostatic hyperplasia were used as models, and 6 with non-hyperplasia prostate as control. Serum testosterone (T), estrogen (E2), ACP and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) were analyzed, and prostates were checked histologically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Prostate volume of the BPH group was significantly bigger than those of the control group, (14.7 +/- 2.3) and (13.8 +/- 1.9) cm3 vs (8.4 +/- 1.0) and (8.4 +/- 1.9) cm3, P < 0.01. Serum T [(14.3 +/- 2.9) vs (16.4 +/- 4.0) nmol/L] and E2 [(137.6 +/- 70.8) vs (164.4 +/- 82.0) pmol/L] were not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). ACP of the BPH group was higher than that of the control group [(6.63 +/- 2.76) vs (4.92 +/- 2.19) U/L], but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There was significant difference between the BPH group and the control group in PSA level [(5.6 +/- 0.78) vs (3.1 +/- 0.54) microgram/L, P < 0.01]. The tissue slides of the BPH prostates showed hyperplasia with raised height of epithelium, and many long and offsetting mammillae in the gland cavity due to epithelium hyperplasia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Old dogs with spontaneous BPH are useful animal models for the etiological and pharmacological researches of human BPH.</p>

Association of some SNP in TGFA,IRF6 and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate by DNA microarray technology / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)loci of interferon regulatory factor 6(IRF6)gene,transforming growth faetor-?(TGFA)gene and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate(NSCL/P)in nuclear families consisting of fathers, mothers and affected offspring with NSCL/P from southeast China.Methods Some SNloci of IRF6 and TGFA were detected by applying microarray technology in nuclear families,and then haplotype relative risk (HRR)and transmission disequilibrium test(TDT)were performed.Results There were no significant difference in genotypes and alleles distribution between patients and their parents.The SNP locus——V274I of IRF6 was associated with NSCL/P(HRR:?~2=4.5816,P

Continuous measurement of urine beta-FSH excretion in men with hypogonadism / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To measure continuously the urine beta-FSH excretion in the patients with male hypogonadism, and to evaluate the significance of urine beta-FSH when used in the clinical practice and pathophysiological study on male hypogonadism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four health male volunteers (aged 19, 22, 27 and 33 years), four patients with the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (aged 17, 17, 19 and 24 years) and five patients with idiopathy hypogonadism (hypergonadotropic, aged 16, 16, 17, 20 and 22 years) were asked to collect their morning-first urine samples for 30 to 32 days. One normal men collected his urine samples for 63 days. The urine beta-FSH was assayed with the method of EIA, then corrected by creatinine (Cr) concentration.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The urine beta-FSH level of normal men was (1.16 +/- 0.20) micrograms/mg Cr, with the peak variation in their curves, peak level at 2.76 micrograms/mg Cr. The levels of urine beta-FSH of 4 patients with the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were lower significantly than those of normal men [(0.58 +/- 0.31) (0.93 +/- 0.47) (0.47 +/- 0.33) and (0.60 +/- 0.40) micrograms/mg Cr], without fluctuation in their curves. beta-FSH levels of 5 patients with idiopathy hypogonadism were higher significantly [(3.02 +/- 0.93), (4.36 +/- 1.12), (4.79 +/- 0.78), (4.64 +/- 1.42) and (3.88 +/- 1.42) micrograms/mg Cr], with irregular fluctuation, the highest peak level at 6.83 micrograms/mg Cr. The second sexual characteristics of hypogonadal patients were poor and serum testosterone levels low.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The urine beta-FSH level raised with irregular fluctuation in patients with idiopathy hypogonadism, while lowed without any fluctuation in patients with the hypogonadism. These findings suggested that the urine beta-FSH excretion was useful for the clinically classified diagnoses and pathophysiological study on male hypogonadism, and for observing the treatment reaction of androgen replacement.</p>

Effect of MPA and MPA + TU on the rat spermatogenesis and sexual hormones / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate the effect of administration of MPA with/without TU on serum sexual hormones and spermatogenesis of male rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty rats had been classified into four groups. Each group received injection of saline(group A) or MPA(37.5 or 75 mg/kg) (group B or group C, respectively) or MPA (75 mg/kg) + TU (25 mg/kg) (group D) every month during three months. Data from serum sexual hormones (FSH, LH, T), sperm counting and motility had been collected and analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Spermatogenesis of rats undergoing administration of MPA with or without TU had been suppressed. Serum FSH and LH of group B, C, D declined, and so did serum T of group D. Testis of rats of group D atrophied and sperm counting of group D decreased remarkably compared with group B and C. But there was no statistics difference of the sexual hormone level among group B, C and D.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Administration of MPA alone could suppress the levels of FSH and LH and block the spermatogenesis of male rats. MPA combined with TU could offer stronger suppression on spermatogenesis. Mechanism of the suppression on spermatogenesis of MPA + TU is not only limited in the feed-back of gonadotropin, but there maybe exist a direct suppression on testis.</p>

Study on the male contraceptive based on epididymis / 中华男科学杂志

More and more study on the epididymal function and sperm maturation has shown that epididymis will be one of the best target organs of male contraception, although at present there is not a male contraceptive medicine based on epididymis for clinical practice. The promoting research aspects in epididymal contraception in animal included affecting directly epididymis (such as Sulpasalazine), interfering energy metabolism and sperm mobility (such as Chlorinated Glycerol), altering the internal environment of epididymis (such as copper particles and TW19). The epididymal specific proteins could bring out some new target antigens for immunological contraception, to produce contraceptive vaccine. Some special genes, which expressed distinctively in epididymis such as SC342, bin1, have been cloned and studied on their function. These works would be helpful not only for clinical diagnosis and treatment of epididymitis and male infertility, but also for male contraceptive research and progress.