Expression of adherence proteins, such as P-cadherin, has been identified in the normal testis and changed in impaired testis induced by alkylating agents. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules, is a constituent component of the blood-testis barrier and a multifunctional molecule in homeostasis of spermatogenesis. However, the distribution of ICAM-1 in the testis of mice and expression changes after busulfan treatment remain unclear. In this study, ICAM-1 immunoreaction was detected in Sertoli and germinal cells, particularly in spermatogonia, and elongating and elongated spermatids of normal testes. Accompanied with degeneration of spermatogenesis (decrease in testicular and epididymal weights, as well as loss of germ cells in histological morphology), ICAM-1 expression declined significantly in the seminiferous tubules during a 4-week experimental period, particularly in the first 2 weeks (40 mg kg(-1) busulfan, single injection). Compared with the control group, busulphan-treated testes showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation during weeks 1 and 2. Thus, ICAM-1 may play an important role in the homeostasis of spermatogenesis, and busulfan treatment can lead to adhesion disintegration.

A more precise assessment of association of oestrogen receptor-beta genes RsaI(G/A) and AluI(A/G) polymorphisms with male infertility from current contradictory results is the aim of this meta-analysis including five RsaI and six AluI studies respectively. No association was observed between infertility and RsaI or AluI. In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, increased risk was found among Caucasians with GA versus GG (OR = 2.263, 95% CI = 1.073-4.776, I(2)  = 57.1%) and dominant model (OR = 2.117, 95% CI = 1.018-4.403, I(2)  = 49.0%) of RsaI. It was not observed for AluI. In the stratified analysis by infertility subtypes, a reduced risk in GA of AluI was observed among azoospermia or severe oligospermia (GA versus AA: OR = 0.686, 95% CI = 0.498-0.945, I(2)  = 21.2%; recessive model: OR = 1.403, 95% CI = 1.056-1.864, I(2)  = 31.7%), and reduced risk was in recessive model (OR = 0.650, 95% CI = 0.446-0.948, I(2)  = 0.0%) of subtypes, except for azoospermia or severe oligospermia. However, this finding was not observed in RsaI. The meta-analysis showed GA and GG of AluI are possibly resistant factors for spermatogenesis dysfunction and deteriorated sperm quality.