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Effects of Trace Metals Levels and Hyaluronic Acid Degrading Enzymes Activities on Human Sperm Function Posted: Background and Objective: Deficiency of trace elements that are cofactors of fertilizing enzymes can cause sperm dysfunction and male infertility. In the present work, the levels of some trace metals (Cu, Zn and Mn) and the activities of hyaluronic acid degrading enzymes were evaluated in semen from fertile and infertile men. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and sixteen semen samples were divided into 5 groups: Group 1 (G1) was healthy controls and another 4 infertile group 2-5 according to WHO criteria. Levels of Cu, Zn and Mn and activities of hyaluronidase (Hase), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and β-D-glucuronidase (β-Gluc) were estimated in the sperms and seminal plasma of these groups. Results: Significant decreases in Cu2+ and Zn2+ contents were observed in seminal plasma and sperms homogenate of the infertile groups. Moreover, the activities of the 3 hyaluronic acid degrading enzymes in sperms homogenate supernatant of infertile males were highly reduced compared to the control group. The Hase activity in seminal plasma of all groups was completely absent. The activity of β-Gluc in seminal plasma of infertile males was highly elevated than control group. Conclusion: The disturbance in levels of trace metals and the hyaluronic acid degrading enzymes activities are associated with human male infertility and may be useful tools in predicting semen quality.

Does Circadian Rhythm Disorder Always Harm Organisms? Positive Effects of Circadian Rhythm Disorder in Lates calcarifer Posted: Background and Objective: Circadian rhythm disorder was proved that may make a result of a wide variety of adverse health consequences, however, does circadian rhythm disorder always harm organisms in their whole life process? The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of circadian rhythm disorder on barramundi Lates calcarifer at different life stages. Materials and Methods: The growth and immune responses of larval and juvenile barramundi Lates calcarifer under various circadian rhythm disorder situation (13, 16, 19 and 24 h light time) were investigated in this experiment. Results: The results showed that total length of larval and juvenile significantly increased comparing to the control group when the light time was extended to 16 h, but the length of fish in 24 h light time group showed significantly lower than the control. The cortisol level of larvae in 16 and 19 h light time groups significantly differed from other 2 groups. To juvenile, circadian rhythm disorder didn’t make any influence on both T-SOD and ACP activity, the same result also appeared in cortisol concentration. The activity of three immune enzymes of larval from 16 and 19 h light time groups were all stimulated to increase by the homologous circadian rhythm disorder compared to the control. Conclusion: In brief, lightly circadian rhythm disorder (prolonged 3 h light times) can benefit in fish growth. Although it brought some immune response to larvae which may cause adverse effects, all these negative effects would be eliminated when they grow up to juvenile.