The expression of human testis-specific actin capping protein predicts in vitro fertilization outcomes: A novel biomarker of sperm function for assisted reproductive technology

PURPOSE

Sperm function tests do not adequately assess fertilization potential, and new indices are required. We have previously reported that human testis-specific actin capping proteins may be involved in both sperm morphology and function. This study aimed to determine whether testis-specific actin capping proteins can be a predictive marker of IVF success.

METHODS

Ninety-seven infertile couples who underwent IVF at an infertility clinic were included. Sperm were immunohistochemically stained to evaluate capping protein expression, and the percentage of sperms with normal staining was calculated. The relationship between actin capping protein expression and IVF outcomes was examined.

RESULTS

The couples were divided into four groups according to the percentage of normally expressing actin capping protein as follows: ≥90% Group Ⅰ, 80%-90% Group Ⅱ, 70%-80% Group Ⅲ, and <70% Group Ⅳ. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant trend in fertilization rates across the 4 groups (p for trend =0.008).There was no significant trend in pregnancy rates (p for trend =0.276).

CONCLUSION

The human testis-specific actin capping protein may be a marker of male contributing factors that predict IVF outcomes.

Novel hydrogen-producing Si-based agent reduces oxidative stress, and improves sperm motility and in vitro fertilization rate in varicocoele

BACKGROUND

Varicocoele-induced male infertility potentially involves oxidative stress. Although varicocoelectomy is recommended for varicocoele patients presenting abnormal semen findings, no pharmacotherapeutic methods currently exist. We have recently developed a silicon-based agent that produces hydrogen by the reaction with water.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of oral administration of a Si-based agent on varicocoele rat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one rats were divided into four groups: varicocoele + normal diet (n = 5), varicocoele + Si-based agent-supplemented diet (n = 6), sham + normal diet (n = 5), and sham + Si-based agent-supplemented diet (n = 5). All rats were euthanized four weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean left epididymal sperm motility was 74.4% in the sham group, 72.3% in the sham + Si group, 57.6% in the varicocoele group, and 66.9% in the varicocoele + Si group. Epididymal sperm motility was significantly lower in the varicocoele group, but was significantly higher upon Si-based agent ingestion (P < .01). The mean left testicular weight, Johnsen's score, and left epididymal sperm concentration did not differ significantly between groups. The 8-OHdG concentration and DNA fragmentation rate were significantly increased in the varicocoele group, but were significantly decreased in the Si-based agent intake group (P < .01). Additionally, the IVF rate was significantly lower in the varicocoele group (26.3%) compared with the sham group (73.4%; P < .01), and was significantly higher in the varicocoele + Si group (51.8%) compared with the varicocoele group (P < .05), indicating that the Si-based agent improves IVF rates.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Oral intake of the silicon-based agent improves epididymal sperm motility and in vitro fertilization rates through hydrogen production and subsequent reduction of oxidative stress. Considering the lack of effective noninvasive methods, this Si-based agent is potentially applicable for treating varicocoele-induced abnormal semen parameters.

Intravesical ATP instillation induces urinary frequency because of activation of bladder afferent nerves without inflammatory changes in mice: A promising model for overactive bladder

ATP in the suburothelial layer is released from the bladder urothelium by mechanical stimuli. ATP directly activates purinergic receptors that are expressed on primary bladder afferent neurons and induces the micturition reflex. Although ATP is also released to the bladder lumen from the bladder urothelium, the role of ATP in the bladder lumen is unknown. Recently, clinical studies have reported that urinary ATP levels are much higher in patients with an overactive bladder than healthy controls. These results suggest that ATP in the bladder lumen is also involved in the micturition reflex. In this study, we performed intravesical ATP instillation in the mouse bladder. We evaluated urinary function with novel reliable methods using improved cystometry and ultrasonography, which we previously established. We found that intravesical ATP instillation induced urinary frequency because of activation of bladder afferent nerves without inflammatory changes in the bladder or an increase in post-void residual urine. These results suggest that not only ATP in the suburothelial layer, but also ATP in the bladder lumen, are involved in enhancement of the micturition reflex.

Prerequisites to Salvage Profound Biventricular Failure Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices

We conducted chronic experiments to determine how to treat profound biventricular failure systematically with ventricular assist devices (VADs) and to analyze the factors that affect prognoses for this condition. Anoxic arrest was induced in ten goats by aortic cross-clamping under normothermic conditions (38.5° C) for 30 (n= 3), 45 (n= 1), and 60 (n= 6) minutes. A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was implanted in eight animals, and a biventricular assist device (BVAD) was used in two. Three goats — two of which had undergone anoxic arrest for 30 minutes and one for 60 minutes — whose right atrial pressure (RAP) was approximately 18 mm Hg during the acute stage, recovered in two to three weeks, and the pumps were successfully removed. Pathological findings in these animals showed scattered areas of surviving myocardium, with connective tissue replacing the degenerated myocardium. The remaining five LVAD goats required higher RAPs to maintain circulation and died from various causes. Maintaining circulation without volume loading, even in the presence of arrhythmias, was easier with the BVAD. One BVAD animal that underwent 45 minutes of anoxic arrest recovered from right ventricular failure, and the right pump was removed. The second goat (anoxic arrest, 60 min) on the BVAD failed to recover. Autopsy of the myocardium revealed a thin ventricular wall. Our studies show that the use of VADs allows time for a failing heart to recover, but the potential for healing is affected by the severity of myocardial damage prior to VAD application. We believe that although LVADs can maintain circulation with high RAPs, the use of BVADs might be more beneficial for maintaining systemic organ function in cases of persistent biventricular failure.

[Urachal Actinomycosis : A Case Report]

The patient was a 66-year-old woman who was examined by a local physician for the chief complaint of a mass palpable in the left lower abdomen. Abdominal plain computed tomography (CT) indicated a subcutaneous mass extending continuously from the apex of the bladder to the retropubic space, and she was referred to our medical department. Tumor markers were normal, and cystoscopic examination indicated no clear findings. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT and plain abdominal magnetic resonance imaging results led to suspicion of actinomycosis. An open biopsy was performed on the subcutaneous mass, and subsequent histopathological testing led to a definitive diagnosis of actinomycosis. After 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy, the mass had diminished on CT. There has been no relapse approximately 24 weeks after discontinuation of the antibiotic therapy.

[Solitary Fibrous Tumor in the Pelvic Space : A Case Report]

A 46-year-old man was found to have a mass in the pelvic cavity on computed tomography (CT) carried out for an examination for lower abdominal pain. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass which appeared to have hyposignals on both T1- and T2-weighted images. A positron emission tomography CT showed that the mass had a low maximum standardized uptake value (＝1.4). Biopsy of the mass showed tumoral cells demonstrating a 'patternless pattern' characterized by a haphazard, storiform arrangement of short spindle or ovoid cells. Immunohistochemistry disclosed CD34 positivity and desmin and alfa-smooth muscle actin (SMA) negativity which supported the diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor. Tumorectomy was performed. Grossly, the tumor was a large encapsulated mass with well limited margins weighing 67.7 g. Histology revealed a mass with no necrotic or hemorrhagic degeneration. On immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were strongly positive for CD34 and they were negative for desmin and alfa-SMA. At six months of follow up, the patient was well and he had no signs of recurrence.

[Strangulation of the penis with a rubber band : a case report]

We report a case of strangulation of the penis with a rubber band. A 68-year-old man visited our hospital for treatment of a markedly swollen penis. Physical examination revealed one rubber band tightly coiled around the penis. The rubeer band was soon removed, gangrene of the penis continued. A high fever, chills and hypotension were recognized. Sepsis was presumed, and administration of antibiotics was started. Microbiologic cultures revealed streptococcus agalactiae in blood. Since his general condition did not improve, we performed partial penectomy. After the surgery, he showed complete recovery.

Genetic characteristics of double hypoglossal canal as a nonmetric trait

The hypothesis that the hypoglossal canal bridging or double (HGCD), a nonmetric cranial trait, is a powerful discriminator between populations (Dodo, 1980, 1987) is still controversial. To examine this issue, the incidences of HGCD were investigated in six inbred mice strains (CBA, C57BL, BALB/c, Strong A, NZB, and DAB) and one group of wild mice, six matings of CBA and C57BL, and four experimental diet groups. The above hypothesis was supported by some results such as no effects of diet on the incidences of HGCD and significant differences among the incidences of HGCD in some inbred strains. However, significant differences were also detected in the incidences of HGCD among groups within an inbred strain. Therefore, we think that further conservative and experimental assessments should be performed to determine the usefulness of incidences of HGCD as a powerful discriminator in skeletal studies on populations and family history.