Nucleotide polymorphism rs4880 of the SOD2 gene and the risk of male infertility / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the correlation of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4880 of the superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene with the risk of male infertility.@*METHODS@#This casecontrol study included 519 male patients with idiopathic infertility (aged 19－40 ［28.93±4.93］ years) in the case group and 338 fertile men (aged 19－40 ［28.40±4.25］ years) in the control group. We collected the clinical data, genotyped the SNP rs4880 of the SOD2 gene by Sequenom Mass Array, and analyzed the association of different genotypes with male infertility using the logistic regression model.@*RESULTS@#Statically significant differences were observed between the case and control groups in the level of folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) (［4.72±2.51］ vs ［15.65±17.24］ U/L, P< 0.01), the percentage of progressively mobile sperm (［9.12±13.5］ vs ［41.95±9.03］%, P< 0.01), and sperm concentration (［12.95±24.38］ vs ［72.88±45.60］ ×106/ml, P< 0.01), but not in other parameters. No correlation was found between male infertility and the heterozygous genotype TC (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.65－1.25, P = 0.516) or the homozygous genotype CC (OR=1.49, 95% CI: 0.38－5.81, P = 0.566) as compared with the wild genotype TT, and similar results were obtained in the analysis of the subgroups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The SNP rs4880 of the SOD2 gene was not correlated with male infertility, which, however, is to be supported by further studies with larger samples from more areas.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of the TP53 gene is not correlated with male infertility / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the correlation of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042522 of the tumor protein p53 (TP53) gene with the risk of male infertility.@*METHODS@#This casecontrol study included 380 male patients with idiopathic infertility and 398 normal fertile men as controls from the Nanjing area. We genotyped the SNP rs1042522 of the TP53 gene by Sequence Mass Array and analyzed the correlation of the SNP with male infertility using the logistic regression model.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal controls, the patients with idiopathic infertility showed significantly decreased sperm concentration (［77.34±49.24］ vs ［13.13±24.96］ ×106/ml), percentage of progressively motile sperm (［42.55±9.57］ vs ［10.38±5.57］%), serum testosterone level (［14.07±5.36］ vs ［11.89±4.50］ nmol/L), and folliclestimulating hormone level (［16.80±18.20］ vs ［4.55±7.17］ U/L) (P < 0.05) but no statistically significant differences in other parameters. No correlation was observed between the SNP frequencies and male infertility and similar results were found in the subgroups of the cases.@*CONCLUSIONS@#SNP rs1042522 of the TP53 gene is not significantly correlated with the risk of male infertility.

CYP1A1 rs4646422 gene polymorphisms not correlated with male infertility in Chinese Han population / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the correlation of the CYP1A1 (rs4646422) gene polymorphisms with male infertility in the Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the Mass ARRAY iPLEX GOLD technique, we conducted a case-control study on theCYPlA1 (rs4646422) gene polymorphisms in 636 infertile males aged 21-49 years (case group) and 442 normal healthy men aged 23-47 years (control group) of the Chinese Han population. We analyzed the genotypes and allele frequencies in the two groups ofsubjects with the SPSS 20.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the wild homozygous genotype GG, the heterozygous genotype AG (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.81-1.38) and homozygous genotype AA (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.56-2.21) showed no correlation with male infertility, nor did the mutant allele A (OR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.85-1.32) in comparison with the wild allele G.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The CYP1A1 (rs4646422) gene polymorphisms might not be correlated with male infertility in the Chinese Han population.</p>

Androgen receptor gene polymorphisms and male infertility / 中华男科学杂志

The androgen receptor (AR), as a ligand-dependent transcription protein and a member of the steroid receptor superfamily widely present in the body, is involved in the adjustment of the function of androgens and plays an important role in spermatogenesis. Androgens participate in spermatogenesis by binding AR and initiating the expression of the target gene. The polymorphisms of the AR gene may change the structure of AR and affect its avidity of binding androgens, making their downstream target genes unable to transcribe proteins. With the development of DNA sequencing techniques, studies on the association of the polymorphisms of the AR gene with male infertility have become a hot topic.

Protamine gene polymorphisms and male infertility / 中华男科学杂志

Protamine (PRM) is one of the most abundant arginine-rich nucleoproteins in sperm and plays an important role in spermatogenesis. In the late stage of spermatogenesis, the replacement of PRM by histone prompts the closer combination between the nuclear matrix of sperm and nucleoprotein in order for high enrichment and condensation of nuclear chromatin in addition to preventing the sperm genome from mutation induced by internal and external factors. With the development of DNA sequencing techniques, researches on the association between PRM polymorphisms and male fertility are surfacing as a hot field. Many studies show that rs2301365 polymorphism is a risk factor for male infertility and increases the risk of male infertility by 27 - 66%, that rs737008 polymorphism of PRM1 and rs1646022 polymorphism of PRM2 are protective factors against Asian infertility, and that the ratio of PRM1 to PRM2 is intensively associated with male infertility. This review presents an update on the association between PRM gene polymorphisms and male infertility.

Eosin Y-water test for sperm function examination / 中华男科学杂志

Based on the principles of the in vitro staining technique, hypotonic swelling test, and water test, the Eosin Y-water test method was developed to simultaneously detect the integrity of the sperm head and tail and sperm membrane structure and function. As a widely used method in clinical laboratories in China, the Eosin Y-water test is methodologically characterized by three advantages. Firstly, both the sperm head and tail can be detected at the same time, which allows easy and comprehensive assessment of membrane damage in different parts of sperm. Secondly, distilled water is used instead of the usual formula solution to simplify and standardize the test by eliminating any potential effects on the water molecules through the sperm membrane due to different osmotic pressure or different sugar proportions and electrolyte solutions. Thirdly, the test takes less time and thus can be repeated before and after treatment. This article focuses on the fundamental principles and modification of the Eosin Y-water test and its application in sperm function examination and routine semen analysis for male infertility, assessment of the quality of sperm retrieved by testicular fine needle aspiration, semen cryopreservation program development, and evaluation of sperm membrane integrity after microwave radiation.

Clinical studies of shang ring male circumcision in China and Africa / 中华男科学杂志

HIV/STIs remain a major global public health problem. One of the global strategies for the prevention and control of HIV/STIs is to interrupt their transmission, which requires the public health methods based on scientific evidence and cost-effectiveness. The scale-up of male circumcision services in the priority countries of the HIV-prevention project in sub-Saharan Africa has been hampered by the scarcity of trained providers and relative technical difficulty of male circumcision techniques recommended by WHO and UNAIDS. Shang Ring is an innovative and disposable device for male circumcision, which has been safely used for over 600 000 males in China since 2006. Clinical studies of more than 3 000 cases of Shang Ring circumcision in China, Kenya, Zambia, and Uganda have demonstrated its safety, effectiveness, acceptability and ease of use. The most obvious advantages of Shang Ring include short procedure time (3-6 min), excellent postoperative cosmesis, low rate of complications, high acceptance by clients and providers, ease of use, and standardization for reliable performance. As an innovative technique, Shang Ring has a great potential for facilitating the safe and effective scale-up of circumcision services. This article comprehensively reviews the clinical studies of Shang Ring male circumcision in China and Africa.

Establishment of a rat model of autoimmune prostatitis with purified prostatic proteins / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a rat model of autoimmune prostatitis using purified prostatic proteins (PPP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups of equal number to receive intramuscular injection of normal saline (normal control group) and PPP at 15 mg/ml (low-concentration group) and 80 mg/ml (high-concentration group). At 4 weeks after modeling, the rats were sacrificed for HE staining of the prostate tissue and examination of the inflammatory factors IL-8 and IL-10 in the serum, immunoglobulins IgA and IgM, and regulatory T cells Th1/Th2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three rats died in the high-concentration PPP group but none in the low-concentration PPP and normal control groups. Gross observation of the prostate showed increased volume and hard texture of the prostate in the two PPP groups, but no significant change in the normal controls. Pathological examination exhibited morphological damage to the prostatic tissue and inflammatory cellular infiltration in the experimental rats. The serum level of IL-8 was significantly higher in the low- and high-concentration PPP groups ([129.07 +/- 11.48] and [147.58 +/- 17.70] pg/ml) than in the control ([94.12 +/- 7.04] pg/ml) (P < 0.05), while that of IL-10 was remarkably lower in the former two groups ([227.14 +/- 18.19] and [187.14 +/- 16.32] pg/ml) than in the latter ([252.48 +/- 21.72] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IgA was markedly elevated in the low- and high-concentration PPP groups as compared with that in the control ([0.25 +/- 0.37] and [0.31 +/- 0.42] vs [0.19 +/- 0.14] mg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was that of IgM ([0.23 +/- 0.41] and [0.34 +/- 0.58 ] vs [0.17 +/- 0.33] mg/ml, P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the levels of regulatory T cells Th1/Th2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both low and high concentrations of purified prostatic proteins can be used for the construction of autoimmune prostatitis models in rats, while low concentration is preferable for its advantages of lower mortality of the rats and inducement of more consistent manifestations of autoimmune prostatitis.</p>

Therapeutic efficacy of compound Xuanju capsule on autoimmune prostatitis in rats: an experimental study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) on autoimmune prostatitis in rat models.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number: blank control, low-concentration purified prostate protein (low-conc PPP), low-conc PPP + CXC treatment, high-concentration PPP (hi-con PPP), and hi-conc PPP + CXC treatment. Autoimmune prostatitis models were established by intragastric administration of PPP solution at 15 mg/ml (low concentration) and 80 mg/ml, respectively. At 30 days after modeling, the rats in the blank control and low-conc and hi-conc PPP model groups were treated with normal saline, and those in the other two groups with CXC at a daily dose of 0.068 g/ml. At 30, 45, and 60 days, all the animals were sacrificed for observation of pathological changes in the prostate tissue and determination of the levels of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in the serum.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the PPP models, the hi-conc PPP + CXC group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in the serum at 45 days ([148.54 +/- 17.23] and [62.14 +/- 5.59] pg/ml vs [100.77 +/- 11.08] and [32.63 +/- 2.91] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([143.69 +/- 17.28] and [59.38 +/- 5.50] pg/mlvs [95.77 +/-10.53] and [29.63 +/- 2.66] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so did the low-cone PPP + CXC group at 45 days ([128.47 +/- 12.21] and [40.43 +/- 3.64] pg/ml vs [111.76 +/- 10.07] and [35.44 +/- 3.17] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([131.07 +/- 10.93] and [43.34 +/- 3.91] pg/ml vs [97.46 +/- 8.75] and [30.44 +/- 2.75] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-10 was remarkably elevated in the hi-cone PPP + CXC group as compared with that of the PPP models at 45 and 60 days ([189.14 +/- 16.78] and [184.14 +/- 15.89] pg/ml vs [230.48 +/- 29.96] and [248.48 +/- 31.03] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was it in low-cone PPP + CXC group ([223.14 +/- 17.87] and [224.14 +/- 17.93] pg/ml vs [231.42 +/- 23.18] and [249.42 +/- 24.97] pg/ml, P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed morphological damages to the prostate tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the model rats, but no obvious changes in the normal controls. At 15 days of treatment, the rats in the PPP + CXC group showed enlarged prostate glandular cavity, mild proliferation of epithelial cells, no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitial tissue, and a few visible fibrous tissues under the light microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound Xuanju Capsule is efficacious on autoimmune prostatis in rats by reducing inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue and improving the expression of inflammatory factors.</p>

Long-term benefit of male circumcision to the reduction of urinary tract infections and genitourinary cancers in China / 中华男科学杂志

Increasingly accumulated results from randomized controlled trials and other clinical studies have demonstrated that male circumcision reduces the risks of acquisition and transmission of HIV, HPV, HSV-2, and other sexually transmitted infections, and thus has a potential role in preventing cervical cancer, penile cancer and prostate cancer. The prevalence of male circumcision in China is currently less than 5%. The clinical evaluation studies and randomized controlled trials of the Shang Ring device showed excellent safety profiles, extremely high acceptability, and satisfaction among the participants and service providers in Africa and China. Given the recent recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), voluntary medical male circumcision should be promoted in China at the national level as an important alternative intervention to reduce reproductive tract infections and prevent both males and females from reproductive tract cancers. More emphasis is required on the studies of the long-term health benefits of male circumcision in uro-andrology.