Background: One of the causes of male fertility disorders is the exposure of oxidative stress on the human sperm. Understanding the mechanism of disturbance is important to develop a better treatment for infertile or subfertile patients. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on human sperm quality parameters and cell survival. Settings and Design: This study used an experimental design. Materials and Methods: Sperm cells from 15 donors were washed in a Percoll gradient and dissolved in Biggers, Whitter, and Whittingham medium. Cells were incubated with H₂O₂ at various concentrations from 0 to 250 μM for 2 h. Sperm viability was examined by eosin assay, sperm kinetic by computer-assisted sperm analyzer, sperm penetration by cervical mucus penetration assay, and membrane integrity by hypo-osmotic swelling test. Sperm capacitation, apoptosis, and cell survival were analyzed using western immunoblotting. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA on SPSS 21 combined with post hoc LSD test was used to analyze differences among the groups. A P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sperm viability and kinetic were significantly reduced at H₂O₂ concentrations of 200 and 250 μM. H₂O₂ reduced sperm capability to penetrate cervical mucus and also damage cell membrane integrity at all concentrations used. H₂O₂ significantly inhibited sperm capacitation, indicated by reduced total tyrosine phosphorylation. H₂O₂ exposure stimulated activation of caspase 3 and significantly reduced phosphorylated AKT at all concentrations used. Conclusions: H₂O₂ comprehensively inhibits sperm qualities related to the capacity to fertilize oocyte, stimulates caspase activity, and inhibits cell survival.

Epididymal sperm maturation occurs via interactions between sperm and proteins secreted by the epididymal epithelium. Although this is an important process, the genes that encode the involved proteins remain largely uncharacterized. Previous studies have demonstrated that the genes involved in sperm maturation are regulated by androgen. Spag11a is an epididymal gene that is influenced by androgen. However, little is known about the putative role of this gene in the sperm maturation process. The objective of this study was to characterize Spag11a in the mouse epididymis.

Background: Spermatozoa leaving the testis are not able to fertilize the eggin vivo. They must undergo further maturation in the epididymis. Proteins secreted to the epididymal lumen by the epithelial cells interact with the spermatozoa and enable these maturational changes, and are responsible for proper storage conditions before ejaculation. The present study was carried out in order to characterize the expression of a novelPate(prostateandtestisexpression) gene family, coding for secreted cysteine-rich proteins, in the epididymis.Methods: Murine genome databases were searched and sequence comparisons were performed to identify members of thePategene family, and their expression profiles in several mouse tissues were characterized by RT-PCR. Alternate transcripts were identified by RT-PCR, sequencing and Northern hybridization. Also, to study the regulation of expression ofPatefamily genes by the testis, quantitative (q) RT-PCR analyses were performed to compare gene expression levels in the epididymides of intact mice, gonadectomized mice, and gonadectomized mice under testosterone replacement treatment.Results: A revised family tree ofPategenes is presented, including a previously uncharacterizedPategene namedPate-X, and the data revealed thatAcrv1andSslp1should also be considered as members of thePatefamily. Alternate splicing was observed forPate-X, Pate-CandPate-M. All thePategenes studied are predominantly expressed in the epididymis, whereas expression in the testis and prostate is notably lower. Loss of androgens and/or testicular luminal factors was observed to affect the epididymal expression of severalPategenes.Conclusions: We have characterized a gene cluster consisting of at least 14 expressedPategene members, includingAcrv1, Sslp1and a previously uncharacterized gene which we namedPate-X. The genes code for putatively secreted, cysteine-rich proteins with a TFP/Ly-6/uPAR domain. Members of thePategene cluster characterized are predominantly expressed in the murine epididymis, not in the testis or prostate, and are regulated by testicular factors. Similar proteins are present in venoms of several reptiles, and they are thought to mediate their effects by regulating certain ion channels, and are thus expected to have a clinical relevance in sperm maturation and epididymal infections.

The increase in progesterone (P4) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration have a negative effect on endometrial receptivity. There are few reports regarding the expression of homeobox A10 (HOXA10) as one of many biomolecular factors of endometrial receptivity. To evaluate the effect of increased P4 concentration on the day of hCG administration on HOXA10, a total of 16 Macaca nemestrina were divided into three dose groups of recombinant-follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) (30IU, 50IU, and 70IU) and one control group. Injection of rFSH combined with gonadotropin release hormone (GnRH) at 160 ug/day was given subcutaneously using a long protocol technique. Blood samples for estradiol (E2) and (P4) concentration measurements were taken on the day of injecting hCG in the final follicular phase, while the collection of endometrial tissue for HOXA10 measurement was carried out 8 to 10 days after hCG administration. E2 and P4 were measured by ELISA, whereas HOXA10 expression was measured with immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques. The concentration of E2 and P4 was found to be higher in dose groups compared with the natural group, but no significant differences were found within the group. For the Hscore for HOXA10 expression, no significant differences within dose groups were found. In addition, no significant differences for the Hscore for HOXA10 were found when compared to E2 groups. Significantly, the Hscore of HOXA10 was found to be >1 ng/mL in the P4 group compared with the Hscore HOXA10 in the P4 natural group (p = 0.022). The high concentration of P4 caused by ovarian hyperstimulation in the follicular phase stimulates the expression of HOXA10 in the secretion phase.