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To comprehensively analyze the status quo of autologous sperm preservation in the human sperm bank in Beijing and better utilize the existing resources for the preservation of male fertility.We retrospectively analyzed the geographical data and semen quality of 251 males with autologous sperm preservation in the Human Sperm Bank, Science and Technology Research Institute, National Health and Family Planning Commission of China from July 2006 to December 2016.The rate of autologous sperm preservation in the Human Sperm Bank was as low as 8.76% between July 2006 and December 2010 but increased annually by 119% on average from 2011 to 2013. Of the 251 males involved, 204 (81.27%) were aged 20－39 years, 175 (69.72%) had bachelor's or master's degree, 223 (88.84%) had no child, 69 (27.49%) got less than 10 tubes of semen samples frozen, and 26 (10.36%) had their semen samples cryopreserved only once. The utilization rate of the cryopreserved sperm was only 5.58 % (n = 14). The main reason for autologous sperm preservation was carcinoma (55.78% ［n = 140］), including blood cancer (22.31% ［n = 66］), testicular cancer (13.15% ［n = 33］) and other cancers (16.33% ［n = 41］). Compared with the non-cancer males, the cancer patients had a significantly reduced mean sperm concentration (90.45 vs 60.53 ×10⁶/ml, P0.05), total sperm count (311.3 vs 175.8 ×106, P0.05), percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) (49.21% vs 43.55%, P0.05) and recovery rate of PMS (68.13% vs 52.17%, P0.05). In the subgroups of testicular, blood and other cancers, the sperm concentration averaged 37.68, 57.98 and 90.69 ×10⁶/ml, the semen volume 2.73, 2.82 and 3.41 ml, the total sperm count 93.29, 158.41 and 349.49 ×106, the percentage of PMS 45.32%, 43.47% and 44.49%, and the recovery rate of PMS 48.32%, 50.07% and 61.09%, respectively, the sperm concentration and total sperm count significantly lower in the testicular cancer patients than in the other two groups (P0.05).The number of the cases of autologous sperm preservation in Beijing is increasing year by year, and the majority of them are cancer patients. As most of the cancer patients have missed the best period for sperm preservation, sperm bank workers should endeavor to increase the public awareness of autologous sperm preservation.

This multi-center, cross-sectional study investigated the association between serum testosterone (T) levels, serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) in 3332 adult Chinese men. The prevalence of MS was 34.7%, and men with MS had lower serum levels of total T (TT) and SHBG than those without MS (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in serum free T (FT) levels between subjects with and without MS (P = 0.627). In logistic regression analysis, the association between MS and serum SHBG levels persisted after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), smoking and drinking status, and serum TT (odds ratio [OR] 0.962, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.954−0.969, P< 0.01). However, the association between serum TT level and the risk of MS was weak after adjusting for age, BMI, SHBG level, and smoking and drinking status (OR 0.981, 95% CI 0.960−1.007). Our study reveals that both serum TT and SHBG levels, but not serum FT, are inversely associated with the prevalence of MS and that serum SHBG is an independent and dominant risk factor for MS.

Because of unavoidable complications of vasectomy, this study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of male sterilization with a nonobstructive intravas device (IVD) implanted into the vas lumen by a mini-surgical method compared with no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV). IVDs were categorized into two types: IVD-B has a tail used for fixing to the vas deferens (fixed wing) whereas IVD-A does not. A multicenter prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in China. The study was comprised of 1459 male volunteers seeking vasectomy who were randomly assigned to the IVD-A (n = 487), IVD-B (n = 485) or NSV (n = 487) groups and underwent operation. Follow-up included visits at the 3 rd -6 th and 12 th postoperative months. The assessments of the subjects involved regular physical examinations (including general and andrological examinations) and semen analysis. The subjects' partners also underwent monitoring for pregnancy by monthly interviews regarding menstruation and if necessary, urine tests. There were no significant differences in pregnancy rates (0.65% for IVD-A, 0 for IVD-B and 0.21% for NSV) among the three groups (P > 0.05). The cumulative rates of complications at the 12 th postoperative month were zero, 0.9% and 1.7% in the three groups, respectively. In conclusion, IVD male sterilization exhibits a low risk of long-term adverse events and was found to be effective as a male sterilization method, similar to the NSV technique. IVD male sterilization is expected to be a novel contraceptive method.

To investigate the relationship among serum reproductive hormone levels, serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels, metabolic syndrome (MS), and the components of MS in middle-aged and elderly males.Using the cluster and stratified sampling methods and a unified structured questionnaire, we conducted a survey among 948 men aged 40 - 80 years in the rural community, measured their basic physical parameters, and obtained their reproductive hormone levels, serum Hcy concentrations, and metabolism-related indicators. We collected 868 valid questionnaires along with their serum samples, divided the subjects into an MS and a non-MS control group in a 1:1 ratio, and measured their serum Hcy concentrations.Among the subjects included, 132 were diagnosed with MS. Nonparametric tests showed statistically significant differences between the MS and non-MS groups in the waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P0.05), but not in age (P0.05). Significant differences were also observed between the two groups in the levels of serum tT, SHBG, LH, and FTI (P0.05) , but not in the concentrations of serum Hcy (P0.05). The concentration of serum Hcy exhibited no correlation with BMI, SBP, DBP, FBG, TG, and HDL-C (P0.05) and had no influence on MS.The concentration of serum Hcy is not significantly correlated with MS, nor with its components. The levels of male serum reproductive hormones are associated both with MS and with its components.

To explore the effects of sperm chromatin structure abnormalities on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).Sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin packaging defects were assessed in 136 couples undergoing IVF-ET because of infertility. The relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation, chromatin packaging defects and fertilization rate and clinical pregnancy was evaluated.Both sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin packaging defect had a negative correlation with fertilization rate (r=-0.198, P0.05, and r=-0.389, P0.01, respectively). Both parameters were higher in couples who failed to achieve pregnancy than those who achieved clinical pregnancy (10.74% vs. 5.40%, P0.01 and 23.58% vs. 11.83%, P0.01, respectively).Abnormality of sperm chromatin structure is one of the reasons for IVF-ET failure. Examination of sperm chromatin structure is helpful in predicting the risk of IVF-ET failure and optimizing treatment of infertility.

To investigate the incidence of late onset of hypogonadism (LOH) in males as well as the sensitivity, specificity and applicability of the androgen deficiency in aging males (ADAM) questionnaire and the aging males' symptoms (AMS) scale in Chinese males based on the community population data.A total of 1 498 old and middle-aged healthy males attended the ADAM and AMS investigations, of whom 434 received the measurement of the concentration of serum reproductive hormones, the positive rate of LOH screening, the rate of androgen deficiency, the clinical incidence of LOH, and the sensitivity and specificity of ADAM and AMS by tT and fT cut-off. The symptom evaluation cut-off value of the AMS score was optimized using the ROC curve.Although 5 of the subjects had previously received irregular testosterone supplement, none of them was given or actively sought for androgen therapy at the time of the investigation. Among the 40 - 69 years old males, the mean positive rates of LOH screening by ADAM and AMS were 80.77% and 32.34%, and the mean androgen deficiency rates obtained by tT and fT cut-off were 14.02% and 43.69%. The mean clinical incidences of LOH in the ADMA- and AMS-positive subjects were 37.85% and 15.42%. According to the fT cut-off, the sensitivities of ADAM and AMS were 86.63% and 35.29%, and their specificities were 24.48% and 63.49%, respectively. The symptom evaluation cut-off value of the AMS score optimized by the ROC curve was 19.5.The sensitivity and specificity of ADAM and AMS in the Chinese population are basically consistent with the results of most studies abroad, while the positive rate of LOH screening, the rate of androgen deficiency and the clinical incidence of LOH obviously higher in the former than those reported in other studies. Both ADAM and AMS are applicable to the Chinese population. The former is advantageous for its high sensitivity, time saving and easy operation, and therefore suitable for screening LOH, while the latter can be used for monitoring therapeutic efficacy.

To investigate the changes of serum reproductive hormones with male aging and to compare the differences in the hormone levels among different age groups or between township and rural males of the same age group.Using cluster and stratified sampling, we recruited 434 healthy old and middle-aged (40-69 years) males, 198 from the township and 236 from the rural communities. We determined the concentrations of serum total testosterone (tT), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone (fT), bio-available testosterone (Bio-T), and obtained the testosterone secretion index (TSI) and free testosterone index (fTI). Meanwhile, we included fifty-nine 20-39 years old males from the same communities in a control group.With the increase of age, the serum tT levels did not change significantly, while the levels of serum LH and SHBG increased, and those of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI decreased gradually. Statistically significant differences were found among the four different age groups in all the parameters of reproductive hormones (P0.01), except in the serum tT level (P0.05). The serum tT level was not significantly correlated with aging and LH (P0.05). Serum LH and SHBG had a marked positive correlation with aging, and SHBG with LH (P0.01), while fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were negatively correlated with aging and the LH level (P0.01). Serum LH, TSI and fTI showed statistical differences (P0.05), while fT and Bio-T exhibited extremely significant differences (P0.01) between the township and rural males in the 40 -49 yr group, and in the same age group, the increase rates of serum LH and SHBG and reduction rates of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were higher in the rural men than in the township residents. However, the results were just the opposite in the 50 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups.The levels of serum LH, SHBG, fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI changed with aging in a gradientmanner in the old and middle-aged males, but no significant changes were observed in the level of serum tT. There were statistical differences in many parameters of serum reproductive hormones among different age groups or between township and rural males.

To analyze the changes of seminal parameters in Chinese fertile men during the past 25 years.We collected semen samples from 5,834 fertile men in 14 different provinces (including Beijing) between 1980 and 2005 and retrospectively studied their seminal parameters, abstinence durations and total testis volumes by meta-analysis.Compared with the first 15 years, a significant decrease was observed in both sperm density and total number of sperm per ejaculate in the semen samples collected between 1996-2000 (P0.0001 and P0.05), but not obvious in those between 1996-2000 and after 2005 (P0.05). As for sperm motility, no time-related changes were noted (P0.05) except a reduction with the increase of age.There was a decline in sperm density and total number of sperm per ejaculate in Chinese fertile men over the past 25 years, although not significant in the latter 10 years since 1996, but with no time-related changes in sperm motility.

To study (CAG) n polymorphism of the androgen receptor (AR) gene in responders and non-responders of male volunteers who received testosterone undecanoate intramuscular injection for contraception and to explore the effect of the polymorphism on hormonal male contraception.Twenty-nine non-responders and 34 responders were enrolled in this study as a test and a control group respectively. The numbers of CAG sequence repeats were determined by PCR and DNA sequencing, and the effect of (CAG) n polymorphism on hormonal male contraception was analyzed.The means of CAG repeats of the test and the control group were 23.62 and 22.97, with no significant difference in between (P0.05). The short CAG repeats (nor = 22) constituted 51.7% in the test group and 50% in the control, while the long ones (n22) accounted for 48.3% and 50% , respectively. The short and the long group had a similar distribution. No association was found between CAG repeats and sperm concentration. With FSH0.2 IU/L, the probability of azoospermia in the long CAG repeat group was 1.5 times that of the short one.CAG repeats in the AR gene presented polymorphism in the subjects, with no significant difference between the responders and non-responders. Further investigation has yet to be performed into the relationship of hormonal male contraception with CAG repeats or other factors.

To investigate the application of serum glutathione S-transferase (GST) and urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as the monitoring biomarkers for coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).47 male coke oven workers and 31 male control workers were investigated. Urinary 8-OHdG and serum GST were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection and test kit. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as internal exposure of PAHs was also determined simultaneously by alkaline hydrolysis and HPLC.The values of urinary 1-OHP, serum GST and urinary 8-OHdG were reported as median with interquartile range (P(25)-P(75)). Urinary 1-OHP [5.7 (1.4-12.0) micromol/mol Cr], serum GST [22.1 (14.9-31.2) U/ml], and urinary 8-OHdG [1.9 (1.4-15.4) micromol/mol Cr] in coke oven workers were significantly higher than in control workers [3.0 (0.5-6.4) micromol/mol Cr (P0.05), 13.1 (9.5-16.7) U/ml (P0.01), and 1.3 (1.0-4.0) micromol/mol Cr (P0.05) respectively]. Categorizing by smoking status, significant differences in urinary 1-OHP and serum GST were found only in smokers among coke oven workers compared to control workers (P0.01), and 8-OHdG levels only in non-smokers (P0.01). Additionally, there was significant correlation between urinary 1-OHP and serum GST activity (r(s) = 0.31, P0.01, n = 78). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that coke oven workers were at the higher risk of having GST activities above 16.7 U/ml (OR = 13.2) and 8-OHdG levels above 1.8 micromol/mol creatinine (OR = 4.4). High body mass index was an independent factor to affect urinary 8-OHdG levels.The elevated serum GST activities and increased oxidative DNA damage were found in the coke oven workers. Occupational exposure and smoking interact on each other. Serum GST may be used as a biomarker for assessing the exposure of PAHs. Assay of urinary 8-OHdG may be useful for evaluating the risk of lung cancer in coke oven workers.

To investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) protein in normal squamous epithelium, squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and to elucidate the role of cox-2 in esophageal carcinogenesis.Biopsy specimens of atypical esophageal dysplasia (n = 47) and surgical resection of squamous cell carcinoma (n = 86) were compared with normal esophageal specimens (n = 42) and the expression of cox-2 in those specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting.A significant elevated cox-2 expression was shown in atypical esophageal squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma, as compared to that in normal esophageal squamous epithelium, with immunohistochemical stain scores of 2.67 +/- 1.77, 2.19 +/- 1.79 and 0.71 +/- 0.46, respectively. Results of western blotting analysis confirmed those obtained by immunohistochemistry. Cox-2 expression significantly correlated with proliferation activity assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen index in dysplastic and carcinomous lesions, respectively, and no such correlation could be found in normal esophageal mucosa. Elevated cox-2 expression was not associated with clinical-pathological features of esophageal squamous carcinoma, including age, gender, tumor size, histological grade, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage.Elevated expression of cox-2 in atypical squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, which correlated with cell proliferation activity, indicated that cox-2 may be involved in the early stage of squamous carcinogenesis of the esophagus, and may be a target of prevention and treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

To study the relationship of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) and malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia.Telomerase activity and hTRT expression in esophageal dysplasia (n = 47), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 29) and normal esophagus (n = 11) were detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) and in situ hybridization, respectively.Telomerase activity was detected in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 21 of 47 cases (44.7%) of dysplasia, and in 25 of 29 cases (86.2%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the telomerase activity in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 5.89, P0.05; chi(2) = 11.35, P0.01). hTRT mRNA was expressed in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 23 of 47 cases (48.9%) of dysplasia, and in 24 of 29 cases (82.8%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the expression of hTRT mRNA in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 6.99, P0.01; chi(2) = 7.32, P0.01). Significant correlation was found between the telomerase activity and the expression of hTRT mRNA (chi(2) = 57.91, P0.001).The mRNA expression of hTRT which paralleled to telomerase activity implied that there was a crucial role to play in regulating the activation of telomerase, and was closely related to the malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia. hTRT might serve as a new, valuable biomarker to detect esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.