• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2002

Objectives: To assess the scavenging effect of carnitine derivatives on oxidative damage to sperm during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Materials and Methods: Fresh semen samples from 20 normal healthy volunteers were collected by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence. After liquefaction of semen samples at room temperature, the specimens were diluted with sperm wash media (Ham's F-10, Life technologics) to a uniform density of $20{\times}10^6/ml$. L-carnitine or acetylcarnitine were added with various concentration of $0{\mu}M$, $10{\mu}M$, $30{\mu}M$ in semen sample or cryoprotectant. All specimens were cryopreservated at $-196^{circ}C$ $LN_2$ for 3 days. Sperm motility, vitality, fertilizing capacity, reactive oxygen species formation and the level of lipid peroxidation were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, hypoosmotic swelling test, chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid method, respectively, during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Results: The sperm motility was only increased in proportion to the concentration of acetylcarnitine with no statistical significance (p>0.05). The sperm vitality was also significantly improved in proportion to the concentration of acetylcarnitine with statistical significance (p<0.05). The sperm fertilizing capacity was significantly increased in proportion to the concentration of L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine and reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased with same fashion (p<0.05). On comparison of effects between L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine, acetylcarnitine was superior to L-carnitine on the improvement of sperm motility and vitality as well as the suppression of reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation. Conclusions: These results suggest that carnitine derivatives have a scavenging effect against oxidative damages during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Therefore, carnitine derivatives may be useful as an oral antioxidant in patients with male infertility due to increased ROS generation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2012

The male reproduction is precisely controlled by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. These factors usually involve in expressional regulation of various molecules influencing on sperm production in the testis. A number of ways are employed to control the transcription of specific genes, including epigenetic modifications of DNA and histone molecules. DNA methylation of CpG dinucleotides is a commonly used regulatory mechanism for testicular genes associated with the fertility. Previous studies have demonstrated the infertility induced by improper DNA methylation of these genes. In the present research, we attempted to determine transcriptional expression of some of these genes in the rat testis at different postnatal ages using real-time PCR analysis. These genes include neurotrophin 3 (Ntf3), insulin-like growth factor II (Igf2), JmjC-domain-containing histone demethylase 2A 1 (Jhm2da), paired box 8 transcription factor (Pax8), small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (Snrpn), and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr). The expression levels of Ntf3, Igf2, and Snrpn genes were the highest at the neonatal age, followed by transient decreases at the prepubertal age. Expression of Jhm2da and Mthfr genes were continuously increased from the neonate to 1 year of age. The levels of Pax8 mRNA at the early ages were higher than those at the later ages of postnatal development. These findings suggest that expression of some fertility-associated testicular genes in the rat during postnatal period could be differentially regulated by the control of the degree of DNA methylation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2016

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause many systemic complications as well as male infertility. Astaxanthin (ASTX) is a powerful antioxidant that is involved in a variety of biologically active processes, including those with anti-diabetes effects. The present study investigates the effect of ASTX on the spermatozoa function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: We divided 30 adult rats into three groups (10 rats per group), with a control group that received corn oil mixed with chow. DM was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of STZ. Eight weeks after the STZ injection, half of the diabetic animals were used as diabetic controls, and the rest were treated with ASTX for 56 days. Then the parameters and chromatin integrity of the epididymal sperm were analyzed using chromomycin A3, toluidine blue (TB), and acridine orange (AO) staining. Results: The count, viability, and motility of the epididymal sperm were decreased significantly in the STZ group in comparison with the control group (count and viability, p<0.001; motility, p<0.01). ASTX increased normal morphology and viable spermatozoa compared to the STZ group (morphology, p=0.001; viability, p<0.05). The percentage of abnormal chromatins in TB and AO staining was higher in the STZ group compared to the control group (p<0.001). The mean percentage of TB and AO positive spermatozoa in STZ rats was significantly lower in the STZ+ASTX group (TB, p=0.001; AO, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study observed that in vivo ASTX treatment partially attenuates some detrimental effect of diabetes. Conversely, ASTX improved sperm viability, normal morphology, and DNA integrity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2018

Onco-testicular sperm extraction is used to preserve fertility in patients with bilateral testicular tumors and azoospermia. We report the case of a testicular tumor in the solitary testis of a patient who had previously undergone successful contralateral orchiectomy and whose sperm was preserved by onco-testicular sperm extraction. A 35-year-old patient presented with swelling of his right scrotum that had lasted for 1 month. His medical history included a contralateral orchiectomy during childhood. Ultrasonography revealed a mosaic echoic area in his scrotum, suggesting a testicular tumor. The lesion was palpated within the normal testicular tissue along its edge and semen analysis showed azoospermia. Radical inguinal orchiectomy and onco-testicular sperm extraction were performed simultaneously. Motile spermatozoa were extracted from normal seminiferous tubules under microscopy and were frozen. Eventual intracytoplasmic sperm injection using the frozen spermatozoa is planned. Onco-testicular sperm extraction is an important fertility preservation method in patients with bilateral testicular tumors or a history of a previous contralateral orchiectomy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.49-61
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the different administration duration of Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution on the spermatogenic abilities. Methods : We used the 2-month-old mice and administered Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution 0.3mg/g/day for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. The control group was administered the normal saline in the same way. We examined the number of total, motile and normal sperm from the cauda epididymis, the activities of sperm hyaluronidase. Also we observed changes of isolated testis before and after administration of Ginseng Radix Alba extract solutions in the mice. And we compared to the testicular tissue especially seminiferous tubules between control and treated group by histochemical methods. Results : The significant differences were observed in the concentration of total sperm and normality of spermatozoa of the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 60, 90 and 120days groups. The significant differences were observed the motility of the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group in 90 days group respectively. In the histological analysis of the testicular tissues, the enlargement of testicular lobe diameter and apparent vasculogenesis between testicular lobes were observed in the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups compared to the control group, respectively. but the activity of hyaluronidase was not significantly increased in the Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution administered groups Conclusion : This study shows that Ginseng Radix Alba has the beneficial effect on the concentration, morphology and motility of sperm especially in 90 days administration group. We can suggest that Ginseng Radix Alba extract solution be useful for the treatment of male sexual dysfunctions and infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.83-88
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• 2010

Objective: Globozoospermia is observed in <0.1% of male infertile patients. The aim of this study is to report the successful clinical outcome in man with globozoospermia. Design: A case report. Method: A 36-year-old man and 32-year-old partner visited our fertility center with 6 years infertility duration. The semen analysis revealed globozoospermia combined with oligozoospermia which was stained with Diff-Quick method. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) was performed on 12 matured oocytes. Result: 5 injected oocytes were fertilized normally. 5 embryos were transferred on day 3 after oocyte retrieval. The patient became pregnant and delivered a healthy boy at 39 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: In case of globozoospermia, it has a low fertilization rate even though ICSI method is used. The favorable technique is still needed to increase the fertilization rate.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2004

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of $Carnitil^{(R)}$ (acetylcarnitine, Hanmi, Korea) therapy in idiopathic oligoasthenospermic men. Materials and Methods: Forty-four subfertile men with abnormal semen parameters were treated between March, 2003 and March, 2004 with 3 g of $Carnitil^{(R)}$ daily for 3 months. Changes in semen parameters were evaluated 3 months after this therapy. Results: The mean age was 34.2 years and the mean follow-up duration was 3.7 months. In asthenospemic patients (n=28), semen analysis before and after $Carnitil^{(R)}$ treatment showed an increase in volume ($2.64{\pm}1.65\;ml$ vs. $3.10{\pm}1.60\;ml$), motility ($35.1{\pm}17.7%$ vs. $45.9{\pm}20.4%$) and viability ($51.4{\pm}20.3%$ vs. $59.3{\pm}13.6%$) respectively. In oligoasthenospermic patients (n=16), semen analysis before and after $Carnitil^{(R)}$ treatment showed an increase in sperm count ($10.7{\pm}54.4\;million/ml$ vs. $38.4{\pm}32.5\;million/ml$) respectively. Conclusions: These results suggested that in idiopathic oligoasthenospermic men the empirical medical therapy with acetylcarnitine may be considered as primary treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2020

Objective: The present study investigated sperm chromatin quality and testosterone levels in acrylamide-treated mice and the possible protective effects of vitamin E on the fertility potential of spermatozoa. Methods: Thirty-two adult male mice were divided equally into four groups. Group 1 was the control, group 2 received acrylamide (10 mg/kg, water solution), group 3 received vitamin E (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and group 4 received both acrylamide and vitamin E. After 35 days, spermatozoa from the right cauda epididymis were analyzed in terms of count, motility, morphology, and viability. Sperm DNA integrity and chromatin condensation were assessed by acridine orange (AO), aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining. Results: In acrylamide-treated mice, significantly lower sperm concentration, viability, motility, and testosterone levels were found in comparison with the control and acrylamide+vitamin E groups (p< 0.05). In the vitamin E group, significantly more favorable sperm parameters and testosterone levels were found than in the other groups (p< 0.05). There were also significantly more spermatozoa with less condensed chromatin in the acrylamide-treated mice than in the other groups. Moreover, significantly more spermatozoa with mature nuclei (assessed by AB, CMA3, AO, and TB staining) were present in the vitamin E group than in the control and acrylamide+vitamin E groups. Conclusion: This study revealed the deleterious effects of acrylamide on sperm parameters and sperm chromatin quality. Vitamin E can not only compensate for the toxic effects of acrylamide, but also improve sperm chromatin quality in mice.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.360-366
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• 2001

Gangliosides are ubiquitous membrane components in mammalian cells and are suggested to play important roles in various functions such as cell-cell interaction, adhesion, cell differentiation, growth control and signaling. Among all ganglio-series gangliosides, GM3 has the simplest carbohydrate structure, and has been shown as a major gangliosides, in male reproductive system. To study GM3 distribution in the seminiferous tubule and epididymis, frozen sections were stained with specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) against ganglioside GM3. In the seminiferous tubule of testis, pachytene spermatocytes and spermmatids expressed ganglioside GM3, but not in spermatogonia and sertoli cells. Spermatogonia and sertoli cells near the basement membrane were negatively reacted to anti-GM3. In the epididymis, GM3 was expressed only in some interstitial cells. Taken togethers, these results suggest that the expression of ganglioside GM3 in rat seminiferous tubule and epididymis is spatio-temporally regu lated during spermatogenesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.112-118
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• 2019

Objective: Oxidative stress contributes to male infertility, and antioxidants have been recommended for treating idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). There is, however, a lack of agreement on the type, dosing, and use of individual antioxidants or combinations thereof. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two doses of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic OAT. Methods: In this prospective study, patients with idiopathic OAT received 200 mg/day (n = 35) or 400 mg/day (n = 30) of CoQ10 orally for 3 months. All patients underwent semen analysis according to the fifth editions of the World Health Organization criteria. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured both before and after treatment. Results: Treatment with CoQ10 (200 mg/day or 400 mg/day) resulted in a significant increase in sperm concentration from baseline ($8.22{\pm}6.88$ to $12.53{\pm}8.11million/mL$, p= 0.019; $7.58{\pm}5.41$ to $12.33{\pm}6.1million/mL$, p= 0.002, respectively), progressive motility ($16.54%{\pm}9.26%$ to $22.58%{\pm}10.15%$, p=0.011; $14.22%{\pm}12.85%$ to $26.1%{\pm}14.52%$, p= 0.001, respectively), and total motility ($25.68%{\pm}6.41%$ to $29.96%{\pm}8.09%$, p= 0.016; $23.46%{\pm}12.59%$ to $34.82%{\pm}14.17%$, p= 0.001, respectively). CoQ10 therapy also increased TAC (p= 0.009, p= 0.001, respectively), SOD activity (p= 0.004, p= 0.001, respectively), and CAT activity (p= 0.039, p= 0.024, respectively). Furthermore, antioxidant measures correlated significantly with seminal fluid parameters (r = 0.36-0.76). Conclusion: CoQ10 supplementation improved semen parameters and antioxidant status in men with idiopathic OAT, with a greater improvement shown in men who took 400 mg/day than in those who took 200 mg/day.