Intramanchette transport during primate spermiogenesis: expression of dynein, myosin Va, motor recruiter myosin Va, VIIa-Rab27a/b interacting protein, and Rab27b in the manchette during human and monkey spermiogenesis.

AIM: To show whether molecular motor dynein on a microtubule track, molecular motor myosin Va, motor recruiter myosin Va, VIIa-Rab27a/b interacting protein (MyRIP), and vesicle receptor Rab27b on an F-actin track were present during human and monkey spermiogenesis involving intramanchette transport (IMT). METHODS: Spermiogenic cells were obtained from three men with obstructive azoospermia and normal adult cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Immunocytochemical detection and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of the proteins were carried out. Samples were analyzed by light microscope. RESULTS: Using RT-PCR, we found that dynein, myosin Va, MyRIP and Rab27b were expressed in monkey testis. These proteins were localized to the manchette, as shown by immunofluorescence, particularly during human and monkey spermiogenesis. CONCLUSION: We speculate that during primate spermiogenesis, those proteins that compose microtubule-based and actin-based vesicle transport systems are actually present in the manchette and might possibly be involved in intramanchette transport.

Uterine relaxation by sacral surface electrical stimulation on the day of embryo transfer.

The peak power of uterine peristalses after sacral surface electrical stimulation (ssES) treatment decreased markedly in comparison with that measured before ssES on the day of embryo transfer (ET). This suppression effect of uterine peristalses was stronger on day 5 of ET than on day 3. Because the uterus at the time of ET is sensitive to ssES, this electrical neuromodulation may be an effective method to induce uterine relaxation for ET.

Studies on the human leukocyte antigens in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome in a Japanese population--possible susceptibility of HLA-A11 and -DRB1*0403 to patient population with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PROBLEM: The objective of this study was to identify the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles that confer susceptibility or resistance to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the Japanese population. METHOD OF STUDY: HLA-A, -B and -C antigens were determined in 56 patients with PCOS using conventional serological method. HLA-DRB1 genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 68 patients with PCOS. As a control population, 237 healthy individuals (males and females) were examined concerning HLA-A, -B and -C antigens, and 292 individuals were examined concerning HLA-DRB1 genotypes. The rate of possession of each antigen was compared between the two populations. RESULTS: The rate of possession of the HLA-A11 and HLA-DRB1*0403 in the patients with PCOS was significantly higher compared with that in the control group. The rate of possession of HLA-B39 in the patients with PCOS was significantly lower compared with that in the general population group. CONCLUSION: Human leukocyte antigen systems appear to be linked to PCOS.

Prognostic factors for ovulatory response with clomiphene citrate in polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prospectively the prognostic factors for ovulatory responses following clomiphene citrate (CC) administration in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-nine infertile patients with a diagnosis of PCOS were recruited. Ovulation was induced using 100 mg/day CC administered daily from days 5 to 9 of the cycle. Endocrine and metabolic parameters between responder and non-responder groups were analyzed. RESULTS: For a 75-g fasting glucose load (75-g OGTT), blood glucose levels at 60 and 120 min, the area under the curve (AUC) and blood insulin levels at 120 min in the non-responder group (n=25) were significantly higher than those in the responder group (n=34), although the measurements of fasting blood glucose and insulin were not significantly different between the two groups. In the receiver operating characteristic curves, the most appropriate cutoff point was 120 mg/dl for the blood glucose level at 120 min and 9000 for the blood glucose x insulin level at 120 min. There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics or in the endocrine and metabolic parameters between conceived (n=9) and non-conceived groups (n=21). CONCLUSION: The levels of blood glucose and blood glucose x insulin at 120 min after 75-g OGTT could be good biochemical markers of CC resistance in PCOS. No predictors of conception following CC therapy were identified by this study.

Dynamic changes in the cytoskeleton during human spermiogenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the structural changes in the cytoskeleton (microtubules, microfilaments) and examine the expression of centrosomal functional proteins during human spermiogenesis. DESIGN: Immunofluorescent staining of human spermiogenic cells. SETTING: University hospital and IVF clinic. PATIENT(S): Human testicular tissues were obtained by testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) under informed consent. Three cases of obstructive azoospermia, with confirmed normal spermatogenesis, were examined. INTERVENTION(S): Spermatogenic cells were fixed with microtubule-stabilizing buffer. Immunocytochemical detection of microtubules, microfilaments, and centrosome was performed using monoclonal antibodies against alpha- and beta-tubulin, phalloidin, and functional centrosomal proteins. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Samples were examined using epifluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscopes. RESULT(S): During the Sb2 period, microtubules formed the manchette structure, which extended from the equator of the nucleus through the cytoplasm. Microfilaments were organized in the periacrosamal region during spermiogenesis (Sa to Sd). Although centrin was observed throughout the spermiogenic period, gamma-tubulin was detected only in the Sb2 period. CONCLUSION(S): Dynamic cytoskeletal movement was observed during human spermiogenesis. Cytoskeletal rearrangements in the Sb2 period appear to play important roles in the morphologic changes that occur during human spermiogenesis. Studies of the cytoskeletal system during spermiogenesis may help identify some causes of male infertility (e.g., teratozoospermia, maturation arrest).