Effect of day 3 embryo cell number on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of day 4 single embryo transfer from fresh cycles.

Background: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact of day 3(D3) embryo cell number on the clinical pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of day 4(D4) single embryo transfer in fresh cycles.

Methods: The study included 431 day 4 single embryo transfer in fresh cycles conducted between December 2018 and June 2023. These cycles were divided into three groups according to the day 3 embryo cell number: 248 cycles in the 7 ~ 9-cell group, 149 cycles in the 10 ~ 13-cell group and 34 cycles in the >13-cell group, and clinical pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes were compared among the three groups.

[Correlation of lipid metabolism-related single nucleotide polymorphisms with abnormal semen quality in men].

Objective: To explore the potential impact of lipid metabolism-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on semen quality in men.

Methods: We selected 284 semen samples from Xingtai Infertility Hospital and Hebei Human Sperm Bank collected between February and October 2023, 33 from oligozoospermia (OS), 97 from asthenozoospermia (AS) and 54 from oligoasthenozoospermia (OAS) patients and the other 100 from normal men. We performed computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) of the samples, extracted blood DNA and, using the MassARRAY System, genotyped the target genes, determined the genotypes of 13 SNPs and compared their distribution, their correlation with BMI and semen quality in different groups.

[Expressions of zinc homeostasis proteins, GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of asthenozoospermia patients and their clinical significance].

Objective: To explore the expressions of zinc homeostasis-related proteins, G protein-coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of patients with asthenozoospermia (AS), and analyze their correlation with sperm motility.

Methods: We collected semen samples from 82 male subjects with PR+NP < 40%, PR < 32% and sperm concentration > 15×10⁶/ml (the AS group, n = 40) or PR+NP ≥ 40%, PR ≥ 32% and sperm concentration > 15×10⁶/ml (the normal control group, n = 42). We analyzed the routine semen parameters and measured the zinc content in the seminal plasma using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system, detected the expressions of zinc transporters (ZIP13, ZIP8 and ZNT10), metallothioneins (MT1G, MT1 and MTF), GPR39, and calcium-dependent chloride channel protein (ANO1) in the sperm by real-time quantitative PCR (RT qPCR), examined free zinc distribution in the sperm by laser confocal microscopy, and determined the expressions of GPR39 and MT1 proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining, followed by Spearman rank correlation analysis of their correlation with semen parameters.

A Dietary Supplement Jinghuosu Ameliorates Reproductive Damage Induced by Tripterygium Glycosides.

Objective: To determine the possible protective effects of Jinghuosu, a dietary supplement (DS), on tripterygium glycosides (TG)-induced reproductive system injury in rats and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: A reproductive damage model was established in rats by feeding of TGs. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table (n=7 in each): control (C) group, model (M) group, DS group and L-carnitine (LC) group.

Altered microRNA expression profiles of human spermatozoa in normal fertile men of different ages.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are mediators of the aging process. The purpose of this work was to analyze the miRNA expression profiles of spermatozoa from men of different ages with normal fertility. Twenty-seven donors were divided into three groups by age (Group A, n = 8, age: 20-30 years; Group B, n = 10, age: 31-40 years; and Group C, n = 9, age: 41-55 years) for high-throughput sequencing analysis.

[Correlation of seminal plasma biochemical indexes with routine semen parameters in sperm donors].

Objective: To investigate the relationship of seminal plasma biochemical indexes with routine semen parameters and that between seminal plasma biochemical indexes.

Methods: Using the automatic biochemical analyzer, we measured the contents of neutral α-glucosidase (NAG), fructose hexokinase (Fru) , citric acid (CA), acid phosphatase (ACP), (zinc) Zn, uric acid (UA), lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (α-HBDH) in the seminal plasma of 84 sperm donors in the Human Sperm Bank of Hebei Province. We analyzed the correlation between these indexes and that between routine semen parameters and these indexes.

[Ultra-performance liquid chromatography for determination of the contents of biogenic amines in the seminal plasma].

Objective: To establish an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method for determination of the contents of the three biogenic amines putacine, spermidine and spermine in human seminal plasma.

Methods: Seminal plasma samples were extracted with 5% trichloroacetic acid and processed by pre-column derivatization with dansyl chloride. Chromatographic separation was performed with a C18 (2.

[Establishment of a method for detection of thiols in seminal plasma and its application in patients with hyperuricemia].

Objective: To establish a method of reversed-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence (UPLC-FL) detection for simultaneous determination of homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), cysteine glycine (CysGly) and glutathione (GSH) and analysis of the contents of the four thiols in the seminal plasma of normal men and patients with hyperuricemia (HUA).

Methods: Seminal plasma samples were collected from 30 normal sperm donors and 30 HUA patients and reduced with tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride. Then, the samples were subjected to protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid solution, derivative reaction with 7-fluorobenzofuran-4-sulfate and isolation with a C18 column, with 0.

Preliminary investigation of the effects of an FCF inhibitor interference with Septin in the early stage embryos in mice.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of for chlorfenuron (FCF) interference with the septin protein on early stage embryos in mice. The 1‑cell embryos were collected and divided into an FCF interference group and a control group. The FCF interference group was cultured in FCF media and the control group was cultured in dimethyl sulphoxide media at 37˚C with 5% CO2 until the desired phase was achieved.

[Hyperuricemia reduces semen parameters in infertile men].

Objective: To explore the impact of hyperuricemia (HUA) on semen quality in infertile men.

Methods: Based on the level of fasting serum uric acid (SUA ≥420 μmol/L), 402 infertile men were divided into a normal SUA group (n = 304) and an HUA group (n = 98), and also into four age groups: 20－24, 25－29, 30－34, and 35－44 years old. Semen parameters were obtained from the patients by computer-assisted semen analysis and the levels of SUA determined by chemical colorimetry.

[Correlation of the levels of seminal plasma homocysteine, folate and cobalamin with semen parameters in obese men].

Objective: To investigate the correlation of seminal plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and its metabolic factors folate (FA) and cobalamin (VB12) with semen quality in obese men.

Methods: We randomly selected 83 male patients with idiopathic infertility for this study and, according to the body mass index (BMI), divided them into a normal BMI (n = 28), an overweight (n = 28) and an obesity group (n = 27). We determined the levels of Hcy, FA and VB12 in the seminal plasma by ELISA and analyzed their correlation with the semen parameters of the patients in different groups.

[Correlation of insulin resistance with male reproductive hormone levels and semen parameters].

Objective: To investigate the influence of insulin resistance on male reproductive hormones and semen quality.

Methods: Using the electrochemiluminescence method, we measured the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) in the serum of 83 infertile males. We detected the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FINS) and calculated the insulin resistance index presented as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

[Correlation of reproductive hormone levels and seminal plasma oxidative stress with semen quality in obese males].

Objective: To investigate the correlation of the levels of reproductive hormones and oxidative stress in the seminal plasma with semen parameters in obese males.

Methods: Based on the body mass index (BMI), we divided 138 infertile men into three groups: normal (BMI <24 kg/m2, n = 48), overweight (24 kg/m2≤BMI<28 kg/m2, n = 47), and obesity (BMI ≥28 kg/m2, n = 43). We determined the concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in the serum by electrochemiluminescence and measured the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the seminal plasma by ELISA, compared the above indexes among the three groups, and analyzed their correlation with the semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS).

[Correlation of seminal plasma zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein with semen quality in obese males].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between seminal plasma zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein (ZAG) and semen quality in obese males.

Methods: This study included 130 obese male patients with idiopathic infertility Based on the concentration of seminal plasma ZAG, we divided the patients into three tertile groups: tertile 1 (T1, 73.45－97.

[Correlation of serum zinc alpha 2 glycoprotein with blood lipid and reproductive hormone levels in men].

Objective: To study the changes of the serum zinc alpha 2 glycoprotein (ZAG) level in men and its relationship with blood lipid male reproductive hormones.

Methods: We enrolled 297 men aged 25－ 65 years in this study, 152 with hyperlipemia (HL) and the other 145 with normal blood lipid (normal control). We divided them into four age groups (25－35 yr, 36－45 yr, 46－55 yr, and 56－65 yr) and three tertile groups (Q1, Q2, and Q3) according to the tertiles of the serum ZAG level, and examined their blood lipid, blood glucose, serum ZAG, and reproductive hormones.

[Correlation of semen parameters with inflammatory factors in the seminal plasma of obese males].

Objective: To investigate the influence of inflammatory factors on semen parameters in the seminal plasma of obese men.

Methods: Based on the body mass index (BMI), 171 males were divided into a normal group (BMI < 24 kg/m2, n = 59), an overweight group (24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m2, n = 54), and an obesity group (BMI =≥ 28 kg/m2, n = 58). The routine semen parameters of the subjects were obtained by computer-assisted semen analysis, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF in the seminal plasma were measured by ELISA, and the correlation of BMI with the above indexes was analyzed.

[Metabonomics in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility].

Metabonomics is an emerging branch of science for the study of endogenous small molecule metabolites in organisms, which plays an important role in evaluatingthediagnosis and treatment of male infertility by exploring the metabolites of body fluids, cells and tissues. With its advantages ofmass information, noninvasiveness, and celerity, metabonomics will be widely applied to clinical researches in the future. This review introducesmetabonomics and its analytical techniques and data processing procedures,its latest application in the studies of the etiology, diagnosis and the treatment of male infertility, and the prospect of its future application in the researches of male reproduction.

[Analysis of serum reproductive hormone levels in men with hyperlipemia in the urban area of Shijiazhuang].

Objective: To investigate the aging-related changes of reproductive hormones in hyperlipemia men in the urban area of Shijiazhuang and the relationship between the levels of reproductive hormones and that of blood lipid.

Methods: We enrolled 297 males aged 25－65 years in this study, determined the levels of serum total testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), triglyeride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and fasting blood glucose (FBG), and compared the parameters among different age groups.

Results: The level of serum TT was decreased while that of FSH increased significantly in the 36－45 years group and that of LH elevated only in the 56－65 years old hyperlipemia males(P<0.