• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.245-251
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• 2010

목 적: 인간 정자 핵 내의 DNA integrity는 배아의 발달 및 임신 유지에 중요한 역할을 하여 DNA integrity가 손상된 경우 불임과 유산의 원인이 된다고 하며, 정계정맥류는 DNA 손상을 일으키는 대표적인 원인 중 하나이다. 본 연구에서는 미세술기를 이용한 정계정맥류절제술로 정계정맥류를 교정을 하였을 때 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity가 어떠한 영향을 받는지에 대하여 알아보았다. 연구방법: 2006년 4월부터 2007년 4월까지 불임을 주소로 미세술기를 이용한 정계정맥류절제술을 받았던 18명의 환자에서 수술 전 후에 정액검사의 다른 지표들과 함께 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity가 어떻게 변화하였는지 조사하였다. 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity를 측정하는 방법으로 comet assay를 시행하였고, comet assay를 통한 DNA 손상 정도는 DNA fragmentation index (DFI)로 나타내었다. 결 과: 수술 후 4개월에 모든 환자에서 재발의 소견은 보이지 않았으며, DNA 손상 정도를 나타내는 평균 DFI는 수술 전에 19.3%, 수술 후에 13.7%로 유의한 변화를 보였다. 수술 전 DFI가 10 이상으로 비정상인 14명의 환자들 중 12명 (85%)에서 개선 소견을 보였으나, 수술 전 DFI가 10 미만인 정상 환자 4명에서는 1명 (25%)만이 개선 소견을 보였다. 수술 후 정자의 밀도, 운동성, 생존성에서 호전 양상을 보였으나 유의한 차이는 없었다. 결 론: 미세술기를 이용한 정계정맥류절제술을 통한 수술적 교정은 정액검사상의 다른 지표의 개선 뿐 아니라, 정자 핵 내 DNA 손상을 감소시킬 수 있다. 이상에서 정계정맥류의 수술적 교정으로 정자 핵 내 DNA integrity의 개선을 기대할 수 있으며, 이는 보다 양호한 정자를 많이 얻을 수 있어 자연임신이나 보조 생식술의 성공 가능성을 높일 수 있다는 점을 제시한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.303-308
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• 2008

목 적: 정계정맥류는 수술적 치료가 가능한 남성불임의 가장 흔한 원인 질환이다. 하지만 모든 정계정맥류 환자에서 수술 후 같은 치료 효과를 보이는 것은 아니다. 이에 저자들은 정계정맥류 수술 전 정액인자 결과가 수술 후 정액인자 결과 및 임신성공률에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 2001년 1월부터 2006년 12월까지 불임을 주소로 본원 비뇨기과를 방문하여 정계정맥류 진단 후 서혜부 접근법을 통한 미세수술적 정계정맥류절제술을 시행 받은 총 278명의 환자를 대상으로 하였다. 수술 전 총 활동성 정자수 (Total motile sperm count; TMSC)를 기준으로 (이하 단위: ${\times}10^6$) 20 이상을 group A, 5 이상 20 미만을 group B, 5 미만을 group C로 분류하였다. 수술 후 3개월 이상 경과한 후에 다시 정액검사를 시행하여 각 group별 TMSC 호전률을 비교하였다. 또한 수술 후 1년 이상 경과한 환자 중 전화설문이 가능했던 총 119명의 환자를 대상으로 자연임신 여부를 조사하였다. 결 과: 전체 환자의 수술 전 평균 TMSC는 25.75 수술 후 평균 TMSC는 80.24로 평균 54.49 (211.6%) 증가하였다. 각 group별 절대 증가치 (상대적 증가율)를 보면 group A는 67.90 (131.2%), group B는 62.20 (482.5%), group C는 26.33 (1841.2%)으로 모든 group에서 통계학적 유의한 증가를 보였다 (모두 p<0.001). 수술 전 정액인자가 가장 좋지 않았던 group C의 경우 다른 group에 비하여 절대 증가치는 통계학적으로 유의하게 낮았으나 (p=0.002) 상대적 증가율은 유의하게 높았다 (p<0.001). 자연임신성공률은 group A에서 48.0%, group B에서 34.2%, group C에서 26.4%로 나타났으나 각 group별 자연임신성공률에 통계학적 의미 있는 차이는 없었다 (p= 0.119). 결 론: 정계정맥류 환자에서 수술 전 정액인자가 매우 좋지 않을 경우 수술 후 정액인자의 절대 증가치는 상대적으로 낮다. 하지만 수술전과 비교한 상대적 증가율은 높으며 수술 후 자연임신성공률도 수술 전 정액인자가 상대적으로 좋았던 경우와 비교하여 유의한 차이가 없었다. 따라서 정계정맥류 수술 전 정액인자가 매우 좋지 않을 경우라도 정계정맥류절제술이 불임해결을 위한 일차 치료로 선택될 수 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.10-16
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• 1988

Artificial insemination with donor sperm(AID) or husband sperm(AIH) has been a major form of treatment for the infertile couples with severe male factors. The conception rate in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia is very low. Therefore the aim of this study was to examine those factors associated with improved success rate. The results are obtained as the follows; 1. The husband semenalysis(n=639) revealed normal findings in 32.2%. The abnormal findings included the oligospermia(18.5%), oligoasthenospermia(20.7%), oligoasthenotetatozoospermia(8.5%) and azoospermia(20.1 %). 2. The causes of abnormal semenalysis are idiopathic(most common), varicocele, congenital anomalies, vaso-vasostomy, etc.. 3. The semen washing to improve sperm motility and concentration was effective in case of over 20 ${\times}lO^6$/ml sperm count, but there was no significant improvement in case of be low 10-5${\times}lO^6$/ml sperm count. 4. The improvement of motility after cryopreservation depended on the initial sperm concentration. 5. The pregnancy rates following AIH are higher in normospermia than oligospermia.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.172-175
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the various causes of male infertility using multiple approaches. Methods: Nine-hundred-twenty infertile male patients were analyzed at their first visit with one physician between January 1 and December 31, 2009. All patients were subjected to physical examination and semen analysis and azoospermic patients underwent hormonal testing, chromosomal tests, and testicular biopsy. Semen analysis was based on the definition of the World Health Organization. Results: Among the 920 patients, 555 patients (60.3%) had semen results within the normal range, 269 patients (29.2%) within the abnormal range, and 96 (10.5%) were diagnosed with azoospermia. Varicoceles were diagnosed in 84 of the 555 normal-range patients (15.1%) and in 113 of the 269 abnormal-range patients (42.0%). Of the 96 patients with azoospermia, 24 patients (25%) were diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia, 68 patients (71%) with non-obstructive azoospermia, and 4 patients (4%) with retrograde ejaculation. Conclusion: Various causes of male infertility have been reported and diverse treatment methods can be adopted for each cause. In this regard, research must be conducted on a larger number of patients to accurately assess the various causes of infertility in Korean patients and to investigate various infertility treatment methods.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2000년도 제39차 춘계 학술대회
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• pp.37-42
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• 2000

Objective: To determine whether particular semen characteristics in various clinical diagnoses of infertility are associated with high oxidative stress and whether any group of infertile men is more likely to have high seminal oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in sperm physiological functions, but elevated levels of ROS or oxidative stress are related to male infertility. Design: Measurement of sperm concentration, motility, morphology, seminal ROS, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in patients seeking infertility treatment and controls. Setting: Male infertility clinic of a tertiary care center. Patient(s): One hundred sixty-seven infertile patients and 19 controls. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen characteristics, seminal ROS, and TAC in samples from patients with various clinical diagnoses and controls. Result(s): Fifteen patients (9.0%) were Endtz positive and 152(91.0%) Endtz negative. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were significantly reduced in all groups compared with the controls (P = .02), except in varicocele associated With infection group. Mean (${\pm}$SD) ROS levels in patient groups ranged from 2.2 ${\pm}$ 0.13 to 3.2 ${\pm}$ 0.35, signilicantly higher than controls (1.3 ${\pm}$ 0.3; P<.005). Patient groups had a significantly lower mean (${\pm}$SD) TAC from 1014.75 ${\pm}$ 79.22 to 1173.05 ${\pm}$ 58.07 than controls (1653 ${\pm}$ 115.28, P<.001), except ill the vaseclony reversal group (1532.02 ${\pm}$ 74.24). Sperm concentration was negatively correlated with ROS both overall and within all groups (P${\leq}$.007), with the exception of idiopathic infertility. Conclusion(s): Irrespective of the clinical diagnosis and semen characteristics, the presence of seminal oxidative stress in infertile men suggests its role in the pathophysiology of infertility. Medical or surgical treatments for infertility in these men should include strategies to reduce oxidative stress.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2003년도 제45차 추계학술대회
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• pp.21-30
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• 2003

As a result of the technological advance provided by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in 1992, the evaluation and treatment of the infertile male has changed significantly. Many men who were previously thought to be irreversibly infertile have the potential to initiate their own biologic pregnancy. However, not all men having impaired semen parameter are ideal candidates for ICSI for numerous reasons including a lack of addressing the underlying problem causing the male infertility, unknown genetic consequences, and cost-effectiveness issues. In this era of ICSI, the fundamental approach to the male with suspected subfertility is unchanged and is based on a history, physical examination, and focused laboratory testing. The urologist should approach the patient with an intent to identify remediable causes of subfertility given the specific clinical situation. For instance, should a gentleman have his varicocele repaired or vasectomy reversed, or should he proceed directly with ICSI? If no factors can be improved in a timely manner, then ICSI should be considered using the available sperm. Examples of recent advances include the diagnosis and treatment of ejaculatory duct obstruction, indications and techniques for performing testis biopsy, and technique for sperm harvesting. In addition, potential genetic causes of male subfertility should be diagnosed and discussed with the patient. Cystic fibrosis gene mutation, karyotype abnormallities, and Y-chromosome microdeletions all have recently been identified as causative for male infertility in otherwise phenotypically normal men. With recently evolved diagnostic and therapeutic techniques now available for the infertile couple, even the most severe male factor problems in patients previously considered irreversibly infertile are now potentially treatable. The physician should be aware of the availability and limitations of these new and exciting reproductive technologies because they will allow him to provide timely and more effective therapy for the infertile couple. An understanding of these advances by all physicians is important as we progress into the $21^{st}$ century

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.253-259
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• 1994

A clinical investigation was undertaken on primary male infertility patients of recent 5 years. The results obtained were as follow: 1. Suspective etiologic factors were: 1) testicular failure, 36.1 %; 2) varicocele, 18.7%; 3) endocrine abnormality, 13.5%; 4) obstruction, 13.5%; 5) idiopathic, 10.9%; 6) cryptorchidism, 2.6%; 7) necrospermia, 0.9%. 2. On semen analyses, azoospermia was found in 55.8%, single abnormal parameter in 21.5 %, and multiple/all abnormal parameter in 22.7% of the 163 cases. 3. For the evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of noninvasive variables in predict in obstruction as the cause of azoospermia in patient who had undergone testicular biopsy, the testicular size and serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) level revealed 100% of sensitivity. 4. Among the 43 patients with a testicular biopsy confirmed diagnosis there was a significant difference in testicular size, ejaculate volume(p<0.0001) and serum FSH(p<0.0001) between patients with testicular failure and those with ductal obstruction. 5. Of 93 treated patients with primary male infertility, 42 were managed by medical treatment including endocrine treament, retrograde ejaculation treatment, infection treatment and observation; 29 were managed by surgical treatment including varicocelectomy, vasovasostomy, vasoepididymostomy and TUR of ejaculatory duct; 20 were managed by sperm preparation treatment including artificial insemination(AI), electroejaculation plus AI and vibration ejaculation plus AI ; 2 were managed by microscopic epididymal sperm aspiration plus IVF, repectively. 6. 42 patients who could be followed-up, 21 patients(50%) impregnated their wives.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.97-104
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• 2021

Male infertility has a complex etiopathology, which mostly remains elusive. Although research has claimed that oxidative stress (OS) is the most likely underlying mechanism of idiopathic male infertility, the specific treatment of OS-mediated male infertility requires further investigation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance, has been found in measurable levels in human semen. It exhibits essential metabolic and antioxidant functions, as well as playing a vital role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Thus, CoQ10 may be a key player in the maintenance of biological redox balance. CoQ10 concentrations in seminal plasma directly correlate with semen parameters, especially sperm count and sperm motility. Seminal CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to be altered in various male infertility states, such as varicocele, asthenozoospermia, and medical or surgical regimens used to treat male infertility. These observations imply that CoQ10 plays an important physiological role in the maintenance and amelioration of semen quality. The present article thereby aimed to review the possible mechanisms through which CoQ10 plays a role in the regulation of male reproductive function, and to concisely discuss its efficacy as an ameliorative agent in restoring semen parameters in male infertility, as well as its impact on OS markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, pregnancy, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.160-164
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• 2010

Y 염색체의 구조적 이상은 남성의 정상적인 고환의 분화와 정자생성과정에 영향을 미친다. 본 증례의 무정자증 남성의 혈액세포에서 관찰된 비정상 Y 염색체는 SRY를 포함한 부분적 단완 중복과 Yq12 이질염색질 결실로 재배열된 일동원체성 derivative Y 염색체이다. 이러한 형태의 Y 염색체에 대해서는 매우 드물게 보고되어 있다. 이는 분자세포유전학 및 분자유전학 검사를 통하여 46,X,der(Y)(pter${\rightarrow}$q11.23::p11.2${\rightarrow}$ pter).ish der(Y)(DYZ3+,DYZ1-,SRY++) 의 결과를 얻었다. 증례의 남성은 비정상 Y 염색체를 가졌음에도 불구하고 정상적인 고환의 크기와 혈액내 성호르몬의 수치는 정상이었다. 하지만 양측성 정계정맥류와 고환생검결과 정자형성기능저하증의 소견을 보였다. 이러한 비정상 Y 염색체는 부계의 감수분열 또는 배발생 초기 단계에서 Y 염색체 자매염색분체의 재배열 또는 Y 염색체내 비대립동종재조합(Non-allelic homologous recombination) 현상 때문에 일어난 것으로 생각되며 환자의 생식세포 분열과정 중 X-Y 성염색체 PAR1 (pseudoautosomal region 1) 부위가 접합하는 2가염색체 (X-Y bivalent) 형성장애기전으로 정자생성 또는 정자성숙 단계에 문제가 생긴 것으로 생각된다. 또한 남성특이영역(male specific region of the Y chromosome, MSY)에서 불임과 관련된 유전자들의 결실과 변이 등의 원인도 배제할 수 없을 것이다. 본 증례는 무정자증 불임남성의 생식과 관련된 표현형이 다양한 원인으로 결정될 수 있음을 시사하며 아울러 불임남성에 대한 보다 정확하고 자세한 분자 세포 유전학적 분석들이 불임 남성의 치료에도 도움이 될 것이라 생각한다.