Ureaplasma urealyticum infection of human sperms and apoptosis of germ cells

    YANG Maiª²Gui, YANG Yang, HAO Xiaoª²Ke, ZHANG Zhuª²Ying, ZHENG Shanª²Luan, SHI Jiª²Hong3, GUO Hong

    1Department of Clinical Laboratories, 2Eleven Queue of Student Force, 3Biotechnology Center, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To study the relationship between the ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) infection of human sperms and the apoptosis of the germ cells. METHODS: PCR was applied to detect the Uu in sperms and the apoptotic germ cells were examined by Wrightª²Giemsa staining and the terminal deoxynucleotdyl transferaseª²mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP)ª²biotin nickª²end labeling (TUNET) technique. RESULTS: In the group of Uu infection, the volume of germ cells decreased, karyopyknosis was observed, and the density of the chromosomes increased. Semiª²moon like congregate chromosomes close to the nuclei membrane and folli vacuoles were found in the plasma. The apoptosis rate of Uu infection group and the control was (14.5¡À4.6)% and (4.1¡À1.8)%, respectively (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The Uu infection increases the apoptosis of the germ cells. ......