Complementary Medicine

Asian Journal of Andrology (2005) 7, 419–425; doi:10.1111/j.1745-7262.2005.00068.x

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

Helen G Tempest1, Sheryl T Homa2, Xiao-Ping Zhai2 and Darren K Griffin1

  1. 1Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
  2. 2Ten Harley Street, London W1G 9PF, UK

Correspondence: Dr Darren K. Griffin, Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK. Fax: +44-1227-763-912. E-mail: d.k.griffin@kent.ac.uk

Received 24 February 2005; Accepted 6 July 2005.

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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.

Keywords:

traditional Chinese medicine, sperm disomy, chromosome, male infertility

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References

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