Significant reduction of sperm disomy in six men: effect of traditional Chinese medicine?

Asian J Androl. 2005 Dec;7(4):419-25. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2005.00068.x.

Abstract

Aim: To test the hypothesis that levels of sperm disomy fell significantly in six men treated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Methods: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was done on the sperm heads of six men before and during treatment by TCM.

Results: There was a significant reduction in sperm disomy in all six men. This coincided with TCM treatment.

Conclusion: This is the first study reporting a significant reduction in sperm disomy in men over a given time course. The fact that this coincided with TCM treatment is intriguing but no conclusions can be drawn from this until placebo-controlled clinical trials are implemented.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneuploidy
  • Chromosomes, Human, X / genetics
  • Chromosomes, Human, Y / genetics
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Infertility, Male / drug therapy*
  • Infertility, Male / genetics
  • Infertility, Male / pathology*
  • Male
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Spermatozoa / pathology*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal