• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 2024

Glucocorticoids play a physiologic role in the adult male reproductive functions, modulating gonadal steroid synthesis and spermatogenesis, through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The expression of GR has been described in several key testicular cell types, including somatic cells and early germ cell populations. Nothing is known on GR in human spermatozoa. Herein, we explored the GR expression and its possible role in normal and testicular varicocele semen samples from volunteer donors. After semen parameter evaluation by macro- and microscopic analysis, samples were centrifuged; then spermatozoa and culture media were recovered for further investigations. By western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses we evidenced for the first time in spermatozoa the presence of GR-D3 isoform which was reduced in sperm from varicocele patients. By treating sperm with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEXA), we found that survival, motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction were increased in both healthy and varicocele samples. GR involvement in mediating DEXA effects, was confirmed by using the GR inhibitor mifepristone (M2F). Worthy, we also discovered that sperm secretes different cortisol amounts depending on its physio-pathological status, suggesting a defence mechanism to escape the immune system attach in the female genital tract thus maintaining the immune-privilege as in the testis. Collectively, our data suggests a role for glucocorticoids in determining semen quality and function, as well as in participating on sperm immune defensive mechanisms. The novelty of this study may be beneficial and needs to take into account in artificial insemination/drug discovery aimed to enhancing sperm quality.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.65-69
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• 1992

The sucess of intrauterine inseminations with washed human spermatozoa was evaluated in 92 patients. In according to indication of insemination, intrauterine inseminations of women with hostile cervical mucus yield a 35.3% and 12.8% with male factors and 27.3% with unexplained infertility. In ovulation induction group with variable agents including clomiphen, human menopausal gonadotropin (HMG) and GnRH analog, the pregnancy rate was 27.8% (22/79) and in natural cycle group, 15.4% (2/13). The fetal loss rate in insemination group was 12.5% (3/24). Multiple pregnancies were 7 cases and ovulation induction were performed in 6 cases among them. Intrauterine insemination with washed human spermatozoa therefore represents an effective and safe procedure selected infertile couples.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 1990

The purpose of this study is to improve fertilization rate in IVF-ET program of patients with male infertility used micromanipulation technique, partial zona dissection (PZD) or micro-insemination by sperm transfer (MIST). The results were as follows 1. The fertilization rate of non-micromanipulated oocytes and micromanipulated (PZD) oocytes were 12.5% (n=2) and 42.2% (n=19), respectively, and showed significant differences between two groups (p<0.05). 2. The fertilization rate of micromanipulated (MIST) oocytes was 30% (n=27). 3. The damage rate of Group 1 (PZD) and Group 2 (MIST) were 15.7% (3/19) and 29.6% (8/27), respectively. 4. One pregnancy resulted following replacement of micromanipulated (MIST) embryos in 4 patients.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.1-13
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to examine the college students' and married adults' perceptions of the current low fertility and their motivations of parenthood. It also verifies the gender differences in the numbers of planned children between male and female college students. The sample population included 100 unmarried undergraduate students and 100 married adults. The measurements included in the questionnaire were based on recommendations from the literature review. The major findings of this study are as follows: Women reported higher levels of traditional-normal and altruistic-emotional motivations of parenthood than men did. College students reported higher levels of motivations of parenthood to strengthen biological family ties than married adults did, while adults reported higher levels of martial bond-strengthening, traditional-normal, and gene-preservative motivations of parenthood than students did. College students attributed the current low fertility to the tight labor market and high costs of childbirth and rearing while married adults attributed to gender-discriminating traditional family norms, increasing infertility, and poor conditions of pregnancy and childbirth. Female and adult respondents took the social problems caused by the current low fertility more seriously than their counterparts did.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.169-172
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• 2010

Retrograde ejaculation is a condition that causes male infertility. Infertiltiy treatment is usually based on assisted reproductive technology with the use of sperms recovered from the bladder after ejaculation. Many pregnancies have been tried by artificial intrauterine insemination with the husband's sperm recovered from voided urine. In this case, ovulation was induced by clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin, pH and osmorality of urine was controlled by modified Ham's F-10 contained 10% serum substitute supplement and immediately semen collection, to improve sperm motility. We had experienced a successful pregnancy case by above method, and reported with brief review of literature as well.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.800-807
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• 2006

This study examined the possibility of using a tissue cultured root of wild Panax ginseng (tcwPG) as a fertility agent. The effect of tcwPG on spermatogenesis was studied using male rats. The tcwPG crude powder was administered orally to 7-week-old rats over a 6-week period. The number of sperm in the testes and epididymides was significantly higher than the control. A histological examination did not reveal any morphological changes in the testes from the tcwPG powder treated rats. Moreover, there were no significant differences in the weights of the heart, spleen, liver, kidney, brain, testes and epididymides. Oligospermia was also induced by administering 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodaibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to the rats in order to estimate the feasibility of using tcwPG as treatment for infertility caused by spermatogenic disorders. After exposing the rats to TCDD, the tcwPG saponin fraction treated rats showed some improvement in the body weight, sperm number and testis morphology. It was estimated that tcwPG had feasibility as a therapeutic agent on spermatogenic disorder.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 1988

Retrograde ejaculation, an infrequent cause of male infertility, may be the sequala of prostate or bladder neck surgery or the result of interruption in the sympathetic innervation, the diagnosis is established by history and examination of urine. Infertile couple artificial insemination homologous(AIH) using retrograde ejaculate recovered from bladder has been successfully acomplished. In this case, ovulation was induced by clomiphene citrate, osmorality and pH of urine was controlled by buffer solution and immediately specimen collection, to improve sperm mobility. We had experienced a successful pregnancy and delivery case by above method. So here reported with brief review of literature.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 1991

The testicular volume measured by a Prader orchidometer was compared with sperm count in semen, the levels of serum FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone in 59 nonobstructive infertile men. 1. The causes of infertility were primary hypogonadisms in 50 patients (35 unknown, 9 Klinefelter syndromes, 6 varicocels) and secondary hypogonadism in 9 (5 isolated FSH deficiencies, 1 hyperprolactinerriia, 3 pituitary hypogonadisms). 2. Decreased levels of serum FSH (less than 4 mIU/ml) did not correlate with testis volume but increased level of serum FSH (more than 20 mIU/ml) were mostly noted in the testis less than 10ml. 3. Decreased level of serum testosterone (less than 3 ng/ml) were distinguishably noted in the atrophied testis less than 5 ml. 4. There was no correlation between the testicular volume and the levels of serum prolactin, estradiol, and progesterone. Coclusively, testicular volume less than 11 ml suggests poor spermatogenesis, but normal testicular volume dose not nessarily rule out poor spermatogenesis. Function of Leydig cell is relatively well preserved in atrophied testis of 5 to 10 ml comparing with that of seminiferous tubule.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2019

It was observed in the Subfertility Cases that Customized yinyang Balance Appliance (CBA) and Balancing Upper Cervical Alignment Technique of functional cerebrospinal therapy (FCST) for meridian and neurologic yinyang balance are theraputic. Four Subfertility cases were managed with the CBA, combined with acupuncture and herb-medicine. The other cases were managed with the Balacing Upper Cervical Alignment Technique, combined with acupuncture and herb-medicine. Clinical outcome measurement was based on subjective measures and clinical observations. Patients showed positive changes in subjective symptoms after the treatment and these effects maintained over the follow-up period. And each patient gave a birth to a male/female child. Further clinical and biological research with FCST therapy on hormone-related disordres is expected.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2016

Therapeutic effect of Customized yinyang Balancing Appliance (CBA) and Balancing upper cervical alignment technique of Functional Cerebrospinal Therapy (FCST) for the balance of meridian and neurologic system was observed with regard to subfertility, a difficulty in fertility. One subfertility case was managed with the CBA, combined with acupuncture and herbal medicine. The other case was managed with the balacing upper cervical alignment technique, combined with acupuncture and herb-medicine. Clinical outcome measurement was based on subjective measures and clinical observations. Patients showed positive changes in subjective symptoms after the treatment and these effects were maintained over the follow-up period. And each patient gave a birth to a male child. Further clinical and biological research on FCST is expected.