• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of maternal age on fertilization, embryo quality, and clinical pregnancy in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia. Methods: A total of 416 ICSI cycles using testicular spermatozoa from partners with obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 301) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA, n = 115) were analyzed. Female patients were divided into the following age groups: 27 to 31 years, 32 to 36 years, and 37 to 41 years. The rates of fertilization, high-quality embryos, clinical pregnancy, and delivery were compared across maternal age groups between the OA and NOA groups. Results: The rates of fertilization and high-quality embryos were not significantly different among the maternal age groups. Similarly, the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were not significantly different. The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the OA group than in the NOA group (p< 0.05). Age-group analysis revealed that the fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were significantly different between the OA and NOA groups in patients aged 27 to 31 years old, but not for the other age groups. Although the clinical pregnancy and delivery rates differed between the OA and NOA groups across all age groups, significant differences were not observed. Conclusion: In couples using testicular sperm from male partners with azoospermia, pregnancy and delivery outcomes were not affected by maternal age. However, women older than 37 years using testicular sperm from partners with azoospermia should be advised of the increased incidence of pregnancy failure.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2000

Objectives: We have previous reported that thawed testicular sperm and sperm extracted from seminiferous tubule could achieved optimal fertilization and pregnancy in azoospermic patients. However, thawed testicular sperm did not show motility in many cases. Therefore we studied viability of immotile sperm extracted from frozen-thawed seminiferous tubule using hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test and eosin-Y test. Materials and Methods: After sperm extraction using for ICSI, the remained sections of seminiferous tubules were frozen with a computerized freezer. For thawing and preparation of testicular sperm, the seminiferous tubules were thawed by removing from $LN_2$ and letting them at room temperature for 10 min followed by %37^{\circ}C$ water bath for 10 min. The prepared samples were washed for free of preservation medium and sperm preparation method described previous. Sperm was suspended in 0.1 ml hypoosmotic solution. After 30 minutes, the type of distally coiled sperm were assessed. Results: In 44 cases of cryopreservation of seminiferous tubules in obstructive azoospennic patients, the fertilization rates with 2PN were 71.4% and pregnancy rates were 34.1%. The presence of motile spermatozoa on subsequent post-thaw testicular sperm remarked 15.1% and were increased to 77.3% just before ICSI. After sperm extracted from frozen-thawed seminiferous tubule, 3 hrs later in in vitro culture, the cases of presence of motile sperm, reaction of hypo-osmotic swelling test and viable sperm were 63.6% (28/44), 93.2% (41/44), and 77.3% (34/44), respectively. Conclusions: Just after post-thawed testicular sperm did not showed motility. Although motility was gained after in vitro culture, many cases showed non-motile sperm until optimal insemination time. However, HOS test showed positive reaction in non-motile sperm. Therefore, HOS test is an alternative method for the selection of viable sperm for ICSI.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.348-353
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• 1999

Ten Australian Stock Horses colts (five yearling and five 3-year old colts) of which 2 yearlings and 2 three year old colts served as control animals while 3 yearlings and 3 three year old colts received two GnRH immunizations within 4 weeks interval were used in this study. By the 5th to 6th week after immunization, the GnRH antibody titres in the plasma rose above 1:1000 and attained peak levels of 1:6500 by the 8th week and gradually declined to about 1:3000 by the 10th week in both the age groups. The testosterone and androstenedione concentrations of the control colts in both age groups were significantly greater (p<0.05) than that of the vaccinated groups. During the immunosuppression period, the vaccinated colts behaved like geldings. Semen could not be collected from 2 of the 3 three-year old vaccinated colts. The testicular dimensions, testicular weight, parenchymal weight, seminiferous tubule volumes, interstitial space volumes, Leydig cell volume, seminiferous tubule % of the control colts were significantly greater than those of the vaccinated colts in both the age groups. The 3-year old control colts had a significantly (p<0.05) greater % of Leydig cells than the control and vaccinated 1-year old colts. There was arrest of spermatogenesis with complete absence of sperm in the testes of the vaccinated colts while there was various stages of spermatogenesis in those of the control colts. Morphometric analysis demonstrated that the 3-year old colts had significantly (p<0.05) greater DSP/gm of testis and DSP/testis than those of the 1-year old control colts. This study elucidated that the GnRH immunization could suppress the testicular function of the 3-year old and yearling colts.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.457-464
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• 2017

Etoricoxib features antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties concomitantly, suggesting that it may be beneficial in testicular ischemia reperfusion (I/R) damage. Our aim is to investigate the effects of etoricoxib on testicular I/R damage induced with torsion-detorsion (TD). The etoricoxib + torsion-detorsion (ETD) groups of animals were given etoricoxib in 50 and 100 mg/kg of body weight (ETD-50 and ETD-100), while the testes torsion-detorsion (TTD) and sham operation rat group (SOG) animals were given single oral doses of distilled water as a solvent. TTD, ETD-50 and ETD-100 groups were subjected to $720^{\circ}$ degrees torsion for four hours, and detorsion for four hours. The SOG group was not subjected to this procedure. Biochemical, gene expression and histopathological analyses were carried out on the testicular tissues. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) were significantly higher, and the levels of total glutathione (tGSH) and glutathione reductase (GSHRd) were significantly lower in the TTD group, compared to the ETD-50, ETD-100 and SOG groups. Etoricoxib at a dose of 100 mg/kg better prevented I/R damage than the 50 mg/kg dose. Etoricoxib may be useful in clinical practice in the reduction of I/R damage on testes caused by torsion-detorsion.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 1995

This study of culturing testicular cell types in vitro has potential to be an invaluable tool for assessing the mechanisms of testicular toxicity, especially those of intragonadal interaction and spermatogenesis. Combined with the Sertoli/germ cell cultures, Leydig cells provide comprehensive and detailed information on the action of testicular toxicants at the level of the testis. Sertoli/germ cell were isolated and incubated well in vitro from 20~30 g rats and Leydig cells from 250~300 g rats. The Sertoli cells isolated from the testis of the SD rats grew into monolayer on about the 2nd~3rd day of culture, an appreciable cell increment being observed between the 4th~5th day. The Leydig cells isolated from the testis of the SD rats grew into a monolayer on about the 3rd-4th day of culture, an appreciable cell increment being observed between the 5th-7th day. These results suggest that Sertoli and Leydig cells can be cultured as a male fertility evaluation method alternative to the in vivo/conventional fertility test method and further study for the physio-chemical determination is needed.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2016

Increased access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has made the management of drug toxicities an increasingly crucial component of HIV. This study investigated the effects of adjuvant use of coconut oil and HAART on testicular morphology and seminal parameters in Sprague-Dawley rats. Twelve adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 153~169 g were distributed into four groups (A-D) and treated as follows: A served as control (distilled water); B (HAART cocktail-Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine); C (HAART + Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg) and D (Virgin coconut oil 10 mL/kg). After 56 days of treatment, animals were killed and laparotomy to exercise the epididymis for seminal fluid analyses done whilst testicular tissues were processed for histo-morphometric studies. Result showed a significant decline in sperm motility (P < 0.05) and count (P < 0.0001) in HAART-treated animals while there was insignificant changes in other parameters in groups C and D except count that was reduced (P < 0.0001) when compared with controls. Histomorphological studies showed HAART caused disorders in seminiferous tubular architecture with significant (P < 0.01) decline in epithelial height closely mirrored by extensive reticulin framework and positive PAS cells. Adjuvant Virgin coconut oil + HAART resulted in significant decrease in seminiferous tubular diameter (P < 0.05), but other morphometric and histological parameters were similar to control or Virgin coconut oil alone (which showed normal histoarchitecture levels). While derangements in testicular and seminal fluid parameters occurred following HAART, adjuvant treatment with Virgin coconut oil restored the distortions emanating thereof.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 1997

Irreparable obstructive azoospermic patients can be treated successfully with microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration(MESA) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) by intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). Obstructive azoospermic patients generally have normal spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to see if any spermatozoa could be retrieved from non-obstructive azoospermia and to assess the efficacy of ICSI with TESE in germinal failure. 42 non-obstructive azoospermic patients revealed no spermatozoa at all in their ejaculates, even after centrifuge. The histology of 42 patients revealed 15 Sertoli cell only Syndrome, 4 maturation arrest and 23 severe hypospermatogenesis. All patients underwent extensive multiple testicular biopsy for sperm retrieval. These patients were scheduled for ICSI using testicular spermatozoa. In 25 out of 42 non-obstructive azoospermic patients, spermatozoa were recovered from multiple testicular biopsy specimen and 11 ongoing pregnancies were achieved. There are usually some tiny foci of spermatogenesis which allow TESE with ICSI in non-obstructive azoospermia. Also these patients may have sufficient sperm in the testes for ICSI, despite extremely high FSH level and small testes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2020

Objective: Oxidative stress has been suggested as a possible mechanism for the adverse effects of heavy metal toxicity on male reproduction. Cichorium intybus L. is used in Iranian folk medicine as a hepatoprotective agent as well as for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties. The present study was performed to investigate whether the ethanolic extract of C. intybus leaves could protect male rats against lead-induced testicular oxidative stress. Methods: In this experimental study, adult Wistar rats were treated with 0.1% lead acetate in drinking water alone or with 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg body weight of C. intybus extract via gavage once daily for 70 days. The weight of their reproductive organs, levels of serum hormones, histometric parameters of the seminiferous tubules, epidydimal sperm quality, and oxidative stress status were evaluated. Results: The testis weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, epididymal sperm count, serum testosterone level, and testicular levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly reduced (p< 0.05) in the lead-treated rats. Moreover, significantly (p< 0.05) higher levels of malondialdehyde were observed in the lead-exposed group compared to the control. However, the co-administration of C. intybus ethanolic extract in lead-treated rats was associated with a significant improvement in reproductive parameters. Conclusion: We conclude that C. intybus leaf extract has the potential to prevent lead-induced testicular toxicity and to suppress the adverse effects of lead on male reproductive health.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2014

In order to determine the testicular cycle of the Korean brown frog, Rana coreana, the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the changes of germ cells in testis for adult males were investigated throughout the year. The study indicated that the spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubule of testis began in August and became most active in the month of September, and the GSI was recorded the highest and the cross area of seminiferous tubule was the widest on this period. Furthermore the seminiferous tubules at the post spawning stage appeared in testis during February, and the spermatogenesis was quiescence period of time from March to July and the GSI and the cross area of seminiferous tubule were found to be the lowest. Based on these observations, we suggest that, GSI of male Korean brown frog changes significantly between July to August, indicating the testicular cycle with discontinuous spermatogenic process, and the breeding season was confirmed to be February.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.525-532
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• 2015

In order to determine the testicular cycle of the Asian toad, Bufo gargarizans, adult males of the species were captured around Jeongeup city (Jeollabuk-do, Korea) during March, 2012 to February, 2013 and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the changes of germ cells in their testes were investigated throughout the year. The study indicated that the spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubule of testes began in April and became most active in July. The recorded GSI was the highest and the cross area of seminiferous tubule was the widest in this period. The seminiferous tubules at the post spawning stage appeared in February, the largest amounts occurred in March and primary spermatogonia also appeared in this period. The GSI and the cross area of seminiferous tubules were found to be the lowest in March, indicating a testicular cycle with potentially continuous spermatogenic process. According to the findings above, it is confirmed that testicular spermatogenesis takes place actively between April to July in male Asian toad and that their breeding season is February to March.