Effect of Aju Mbaise on sperm morphology, semen quality, sex hormonal levels, gonadosomatic index and testicular histology of Avodart-induced rats

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsThe detrimental effect of tobacco cigarette smoking on human health has been reported in previous studies. The aim of the current study is to assess the effect of tobacco cigarette smoking on sperm quality and serum levels of sex hormones in men from the Jordanian population.MethodIn this study, 145 smoker men and 136 nonsmoker men were recruited. Semen analysis including ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm total mobility and sperm morphology, was performed for comparison between cigarette smokers and non‐cigarette smokers. Serum concentrations of total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle‐stimulating hormone were also assessed in all subjects.ResultsResults from this study showed a significant statistical reduction in ejaculate volume (2.14 ± 0.03 mL vs. 2.65 ± 0.02 mL, p < 0.001) and sperm quality (sperm concentration, sperm total motility and sperm morphology) in smokers compared to non‐smokers. It also showed that smokers had statistically significant decreases in serum total testosterone hormone and follicular‐stimulating hormone levels (400.17 ± 4.29 IU/L and 6.23 ± 0.02 IU/L), respectively compared to non‐smokers (510.15 ± 5.17 IU/L and 7.75 ± 0.52 IU/L), respectively (p < 0.05). Smokers exhibited a notably higher level of serum luteinizing hormone compared to non‐smokers, with statistical significance (8.34 ± 0.03 IU/L vs. 7.04 ± 0.05 IU/L, p < 0.001).ConclusionTobacco cigarette smoking showed an obvious reduction in ejaculate volume and sperm quality as well as altered levels of serum sex hormones in Jordanian men.

P-841: Impact of agriculture on semen quality and oxidative stress amongst infertile couples

An increasing number of people have adhered to a vegetarian diet for several years. Nowadays, the favourable effect of this dietary pattern on metabolic diseases is well established, but its impact on fertility and reproductive health as a serious health concern is not clear yet. Therefore, we aim to summarise existing evidence regarding the possible association between a vegetarian diet and fertility as measured by key indicators such as sperm quality and sex hormone levels. We systematically searched online databases, including PubMed, ISI, Scopus and Google Scholar, up to 1 December 2022 using relevant keywords. We included observational studies that compared semen quality, sex hormone levels and infertility in people who adhered to a vegetarian diet versus an omnivore diet. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 and Q tests. Standardised mean differences (SMD) using a random/fixed model were calculated to assess outcomes between vegetarians and omnivores in included articles. Finally, out of 972 documents that were retrieved, 20 articles met our inclusion criteria, and 16 were eligible for quantitative synthesis. Results of meta-analyses showed that there were no significant differences between vegetarians and omnivores in terms of semen quality parameters, including total sperm count, total and progressive sperm motility, sperm morphology and sperm concentration. Seven studies on female sex hormone profiles were eligible for meta-analysis. The only significant difference was the lower level of plasma oestrone in vegetarians (pooled SMD: -0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.08, -0.05; p-value = 0.03) compared to omnivores. Furthermore, our meta-analysis revealed significantly higher sex-hormone-binding globulin levels in vegetarian men than in omnivores (pooled SMD: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.86; p-value = 0.002). Despite the numerous health benefits of a vegetarian diet, our review suggested that there were no conclusive positive or negative associations between vegetarian diet and semen quality, sex hormone levels and infertility. Further studies are recommended to better understand vegetarian dietary pattern effect on infertility and reproductive health.

Papaya seeds (&lt;em&gt;Carica papaya &lt;/em&gt;L&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;) and gandarusa leaves (&lt;em&gt;Justicia gendarussa &lt;/em&gt;Burm.f.) are considered medicinal plants that can be used as natural male contraceptives. Papaya seeds contain alkaloids, triterpenoids, saponins, and papain. Meanwhile, the gandarusa leaves contain flavonoids. These compounds have the function of antifertility for men. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of papaya seeds (&lt;em&gt;Carica papaya &lt;/em&gt;L&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;) ethanol extracts, gandarusa leaves (&lt;em&gt;Justicia gendarussa &lt;/em&gt;Burm.f&lt;em&gt;.&lt;/em&gt;), and its combination on motility, viability, and morphology of male mice spermatozoa (&lt;em&gt;Mus musculus&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt;)&lt;/em&gt; most effective decrease concentration on motility, viability, and morphology of male mice spermatozoa (&lt;em&gt;Mus musculus&lt;/em&gt;). This research was an experimental study. The samples of this study were 18 male mice with a body weight of 20-30 grams, aged 3-5 months, and were divided into six groups. The treatments given were control, papaya seed ethanol extract, gandarusa leaves ethanol extract, and its combinations to concentrations of P1 Na CMC1%, P2 (papaya seed 100mg/kgW), P3 (gandarusa leaf 50mg/kgW), P4 (papaya seed : gandarusa leaf 50:50 mg/kgW), P5 (papaya seed : gandarusa leaf 50:100 mg/ kgW), P6 (papaya seed : gandarusa leaf 100:50 mg/kgW). The extract was given for 35 days. On the 36&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; day, the mice were dissected to take their epididymis to observe the spermatozoa's quality (motility, viability, morphology). Those observations used a light microscope. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc tests. This study resulted differences in P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 towards motility, viability, and morphology of spermatozoa (&lt;em&gt;p&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt; 0.05). The conclusion of this study showed that both single and combination ethanol extracts of papaya seeds and gandarusa leaves could reduce the motility, viability, and morphology of spermatozoa of male mice, and the effective dosage in reducing motility, viability, and morphology of spermatozoa is P3 gandarusa leaves 50mg/kgW.

To assess the effect of successful renal transplantation on semen variables, sexual function and sex hormone profiles in a clinical trial. Thirty patients on haemodialysis underwent renal transplantation; before and after surgery, their sperm density, motility and morphology were analysed, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone levels measured and compared, and sexual function assessed using an abbreviated version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), with a successful outcome defined as a level of satisfaction of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. The paired t-test was used to assess the statistically significance of differences in all analyses. Sperm motility improved significantly (P < 0.001) but there were no significant changes in morphology or density (P = 0.33 and 0.068, respectively). Testosterone levels increased and FSH, LH and prolactin decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after renal transplantation. The IIEF showed that of the 30 patients, 14 were impotent before surgery and only six remained so afterward (P < 0.05). Although sperm morphology and density did not improve after renal transplantation, there were highly significant changes in sperm motility. Hormonal levels in patients on haemodialysis improved after transplantation and returned to nearly normal; sexual function was also significantly better. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Data regarding semen collection and characteristics in Arabian oryx are not available so far. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate scrotal circumference, testicular dimension and semen characteristics in four age groups of this species. Eleven male Arabian oryx bulls were divided into four groups according to age: group 1: 3 years old (n = 2); group 2: 4 years old (n = 2); group 3: 5 years old (n = 2) and group 4: 10 years old (n = 3). After immobilisation, scrotal circumference, testicular dimensions, volume and weight and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were estimated for each animal. Semen was collected from each male on a weekly basis for 3 weeks. Immediately after collection, semen was evaluated for volume, pH, osmolality total motility (TM), forward progressive motilities (PM) using a phase microscope. Furthermore, TM, PM, progressive velocity (PV), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and pathway velocity (VAP) have been evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analyser (CASA). Sperm concentration was evaluated using a haemocytometer, whereas sperm morphology was detected using phase contrast microscopy and staining methods by eosin-nigrosin and Spermac stains. Sperm viability was assessed using eosin-nigrosin stain under light microscopy and Sybr14/PI stain under fluorescence microscopy. The current findings indicated a positive correlation between body weight versus scrotal circumference, testicular weight, testicular volume and GSI. However, age did not have a positive association with percentage of normal sperm in Arabian oryx. Conclusively, the current findings provide a valuable data for future use of artificial insemination, which will be crucial for propagation and conservation of Arabian oryx.

Objective: To study the effect of mobile emitted radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) on sperm parameters (sperm count, viability, motility, progressivity, and morphology) and ameliorative effect of pomegranate juice in rats. Methods: Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=6 in each group). Group I was neither exposed to RF-EMR nor given pomegranate juice, group II, III and IV were exposed to mobile emitted RF-EMR for 60 min/day for 90 days. After 90-day exposure to RF-EMR, group III was supplemented with pomegranate juice for 90 days (1 mL/day) and group IV was allowed to recover for 90 days without supplementation of pomegranate juice. Group V was supplemented with pomegranate juice for 90 days without exposure to RF-EMR. At the end of intervention, epididymal sperm parameters (sperm count, viability, motility, progressivity, and morphology) were measured. Results: The microscopic examination of sperm parameters such as sperm count, sperm viability, sperm motility, progressivity were significantly decreased in group II (the mobile RF-EMR group) compared to group I (the control group) (P&lt;0.05). In addition, sperm morphology was also significantly altered (abnormal) in group II compared to group I (P&lt;0.05). However, the sperm parameters including sperm morphology were significantly altered in group III (mobile RF-EMR + pomegranate juice) compared to group II (P&lt;0.05). The sperm parameters including sperm morphology were not significantly altered in group IV (the mobile RF-EMR recovery group) compared to group II (P&gt;0.05). The sperm parameters were non-significantly increased in group V (the pomegranate juice group) compared to group I (P&gt;0.05). Conclusions: Mobile RF-EMR exposure reduces the sperm parameters, which, however, can be reversed by treatment with pomegranate juice, indicating that pomegranate juice can be used as a nutritional supplement to improve sperm quality.

Effects of monochromatic light sources on sex hormone levels in serum and on semen quality of ganders

The main aim of this study was to compare the motility and functional integrity of bull spermatozoa after single and double freezing and thawing. The viability and morphological integrity of spermatozoa selected by PureSperm density gradient centrifugation after cryopreservation of bovine semen in two commercial extenders (Experiment 1) and the function of bull spermatozoa before and after a second freezing and thawing assisted by PureSperm selection (Experiment 2) were examined. On average, 35.8 +/- 12.1% of sperm loaded onto the PureSperm density gradient were recovered after centrifugation. In Experiment 1, post-thaw motility and acrosome integrity were higher for spermatozoa frozen in Tris-egg yolk extender than in AndroMed, whether the assessments were made immediately after thawing [80.4 +/- 12.7 vs 47.6 +/- 19.0% motile and 78.8 +/- 8.3 vs 50.1 +/- 19.5% normal apical ridge (NAR), p < 0.05] or after preparation on the gradient (83.3 +/- 8.6 vs 69.4 +/- 15.9% motile and 89.5 +/- 7.2 vs 69.1 +/- 11.4% NAR, p < 0.05). For semen frozen in Tris-egg yolk extender, selection on the PureSperm gradient did not influence total motility but significantly improved the proportion of acrosome-intact spermatozoa. After the gradient, both the total motility and percentage of normal acrosomes increased for spermatozoa frozen in AndroMed (Minitüb Tiefenbach, Germany). In Experiment 2, there was no difference in sperm motility after the first and second freeze-thawing (82.9 +/- 12.7 vs 68.8 +/- 18.7%). However, the proportion of acrosome-intact spermatozoa was significantly improved by selection through the PureSperm gradient, whether measured by phase contrast microscopy (78.9 +/- 9.7 vs 90.4 +/- 4.0% NAR, p < 0.05) or flow cytometry (53.4 +/- 11.7 vs 76.3 +/- 6.0% viable acrosome-intact spermatozoa, p < 0.001). The improvement in the percentage of spermatozoa with normal acrosomes was maintained after resuspension in the cooling extender and cooling to 4 degrees C (88.2 +/- 6.2) and after re-freezing and thawing (83.6 +/- 6.56% NAR). However, flow cytometric assessment of the sperm membranes revealed a decline in the percentage of viable spermatozoa with intact membranes after the second freezing and thawing compared with after gradient centrifugation (76.3 +/- 6.0% vs 46.6 +/- 6.6%, p < 0.001) to levels equivalent to those obtained after the first round of freeze-thawing (53.4 +/- 11.7% viable acrosome-intact spermatozoa). Sperm movement characteristics assessed by computer-assisted analysis were unaffected in the population selected on the PureSperm gradients but declined after cooling of the selected and extended spermatozoa to 4 degrees C. There was no further change in these kinematic measurements after the cooled spermatozoa had undergone the second round of freeze-thawing. These results demonstrate that bull semen can be frozen and thawed, followed by a second freeze-thawing cycle of a population of spermatozoa selected by PureSperm, with retained motility and functional integrity. This points to the possibility of using double frozen spermatozoa in bovine artificial insemination programmes and to the potential benefits of PureSperm density gradient centrifugation for the application of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa to other biotechnological procedures such as flow cytometric sex sorting followed by re-freezing and thawing.

Infertility rates have risen significantly, one of which is due to monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption. Recent studies have shown that flavonoids in black garlic (Allium sativum) act as antioxidants. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of black garlic extract (BGE) on gonadosomatic index, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and spermatozoa quality in rats exposed to MSG. Twenty-five healthy rats, aged ten to twelve weeks, were divided equally into five experimental groups: (1) negative control (NC), no intervention; (2) positive control (PC), fed with MSG 8 mg/kg; and (3) fed with MSG + BGE 200 mg/kg; (4) fed with MSG + BGE 400 mg/kg; and (5) fed with MSG + BGE 600 mg/kg. Oral MSG was administered once a day for two weeks before BGE administration was started for two weeks. The measured endpoints were gonadosomatic index, FSH levels, and spermatozoa concentration and quality (spermatozoa motility and abnormality). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan's post hoc analysis was used to assess the measurement differences. The result suggested that the administration of BGE did not significantly affect the gonadosomatic index (p=0.513). Significant decreases in FSH levels (p=0.005) and spermatozoa concentration were observed in the PC group compared to other groups (p<0.001). Additionally, spermatozoa motility was significantly lower in the PC group compared to NC, BGE200, BGE400, and BGE600 (p<0.001), with higher motility noted in BGE200, BGE400, and BGE600 compared to PC (p<0.001). Furthermore, PC had significantly higher spermatozoa abnormalities compared to NC, BGE200, BGE400, and BGE600 (p<0.001). In conclusion, administration of BGE had a significant effect on the improvement of FSH levels and the quality of spermatozoa in rats exposed to MSG.

Ketotifen improves sperm motility and sperm morphology in male patients with leukocytospermia and unexplained infertility

این مطالعه به منظور بررسی اثر آنتی ‌اکسیدانی سطوح مختلف عصاره نسترن بر پارامترهای میکروسکوپی، بیوشیمیایی و فعالیت‌ آنزیم‌های آنتی‌اکسیدانی اسپرم قوچ پس از فرآیند انجماد-یخ‌‌گشایی با استفاده از 5 رأس قوچ قزل انجام شد. بعد از انجام پیش آزمایش‌های تعیین غلظت بهینه روی اسپرم تازه و اسپرم رقیق شده، سه غلظت عصاره گیاه نسترن (میکرولیتر بر میلی‌لیتر 200 ،150 ،100) انتخاب و به رقیق کننده با پایه تریس-زرده تخم مرغ افزوده شد. نمونه‌های منی هفته‌ای دو بار با استفاده از مهبل مصنوعی گرفته شدند. به منظور حذف اثرات فردی نمونه‌های منی با هم مخلوط شدند. نمونه‌ها پس از فرآوری و انجماد تا زمان ارزیابی در ازت مایع نگهداری شدند. پس از یخ‌گشایی پارامترهای تحرک اسپرم، زنده‌مانی، یکپارچگی غشاء، ناهنجاری‌های اسپرم، پراکسیداسیون غشای لیپیدی، فعالیت آنزیم‌های آنتی اکسیدانی گلوتاتیون پراکسیداز، سوپراکسید دیسموتاز و ظرفیت کل آنتی اکسیدانی ارزیابی شدند. نتایج حاکی از عدم وجود اختلاف معنی‌دار در میزان مالون دی آلدهید و مورفولوژی اسپرم تیمارهای مورد بررسی نسبت به گروه شاهد بود. درصد اسپرم‌های غیر طبیعی و مقدار پراکسیداسیون لیپید در گروه نسترن 100 در مقایسه با گروه شاهد کمترین بود (05/0P

Male infertility as a window to health

This recently published cross-sectional study that included 99 men from Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA, reports that a high intake of saturated fats was inversely associated with sperm concentration and total sperm count and a high intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) was positively associated with sperm morphology. Although the study is based upon a highly selected group of males and is of cross-sectional nature, the findings are of interest, since poor semen quality is a frequent problem in some parts of the world and identification of modifiable risk factors is highly wanted. A recently published small study reports that a high intake of saturated fats was inversely associated with sperm concentration and total sperm count.1 Since poor semen quality is a frequent problem, at least in some parts of the world,2 and only few causes of poor semen quality are known, these new result is interesting. The study reports further that higher intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) was positively associated with sperm morphology, supporting a previous finding.3 Most of the research so far has focused on environmental and occupational exposures including body composition, and studies on dietary factors in general have somehow been largely neglected both for males and females. The cross-sectional study included men who attended Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center, Boston, MA, USA for evaluation of couple infertility between December 2006 and August 2010. Only men without a history of vasectomy and men from couples that used their own gametes for insemination or assisted reproduction technologies were eligible for the study. About 60% of men attending the fertility center were invited to participate in a study of environmental factors and fertility, corresponding to 173 men. Only 99 men (57% of the invited) had complete data on diet, semen quality and critical covariates and were available for this study. Participants were between 18 and 55 years, mostly Caucasians (89%) with a body mass index (BMI) above 24.9 kg m−2 (71%) who had never smoked (67%). Information on diet was assessed by use of a 131-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that previously has been validated.4 In the FFQ, participants were asked to report how often they on average had consumed specified amounts of each food item, beverage and supplement during the previous year, and intakes of total fat and major types of fat are expressed in the study as a percentage of the energy consumed. Furthermore, fatty acid levels were measured in sperm and seminal plasma of 23 participants. Participants were divided into three groups according to tertiles of total fat intake and major fat categories, and mean differences in measures of semen quality (sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm morphology and sperm motility) were calculated, using the group with the lowest intake as the reference exposure group. Tests for linear trends were performed in models with the exposure variable groups entered as continuous variables. The results were: 1, not adjusted; 2, adjusted for total energy intake, age, abstinence time, BMI, caffeine intake, alcohol consumption and smoking status; and 3, adjusted for protein intake and remaining fatty acids in addition to the covariates mentioned in level 2. The study reports that men with a high total fat intake had lower sperm concentration and total sperm count in a dose-dependent manner in crude analyses. Each 5% increment in total fat intake was associated with an 18% (95% confidence interval (CI): 30%–4%) lower total sperm count, and men in the highest ertile of total fat intake had 43% (95% CI: 62%–14%) lower sperm counts than men in the lowest tertile. The authors point out that these trends appeared mainly driven by levels of saturated fats. In crude analyses, a higher intake of PUFAs was associated with higher percentages of sperm with normal morphology. Men in the highest tertile of omega-3 fatty acid intake had a 2.2% (95% CI: 0.7%–3.4%) higher percentage of normal morphology sperm than men in the lowest tertile. Adjustment for total energy intake, age, abstinence time, BMI, caffeine intake, alcohol consumption and smoking status (second level of adjustment) strengthened the inverse associations between intake of saturated fats and sperm concentration and total sperm count, and a higher intake of omega-3 PUFA was still positively associated with sperm morphology. Total fat intake was still inversely associated with sperm concentration and total sperm count after further adjustment for protein intake and remaining fatty acids (third level of adjustment), but the linear trends between saturated fats and sperm concentration and total sperm count were attenuated. However, men in highest tertile of saturated fat intake had in this model also a lower sperm concentration than men in the lowest tertile. Also, the positive association between omega-3 PUFA and sperm morphology remained in the model with full adjustment. The study reports no or only modest correlations between dietary fatty acids (obtained by the FFQ) and fatty acids measured in sperm and seminal plasma among 23 participants. According to the authors, this is not an unexpected finding, since some of these fatty acids are produced in the body, but it limits the value of dietary data and does not explain the low correlation with the essential PUFAs. Sperm levels and seminal plasma levels of saturated fatty acids were inversely correlated to sperm concentration and motility, whereas sperm levels seminal plasma levels of omega-3 PUFAs were positively correlated to sperm concentration and motility. The results on the associations between habitual dietary intake and measures of semen quality support previous results from a Spanish case–control study of 61 men attending a fertility clinic5 but not results from a Dutch cross-sectional study of 161 men from infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment.6 Although the study is based upon a highly selected group of males and is of cross-sectional nature, the findings are of interest. However, a high intake of saturated fats correlates with many other lifestyle factors and also environmental pollutants, and better control for confounding is needed. A study based on biomarkers of fat intake at the time of spermatogenesis would also be of interest. The study should be done in healthy males and, moreover, at best include maternal dietary habits in prenatal life at the time of organogenesis and include vitamins and minerals. Advising infertility patients to eat a healthy, prudent diet is always a good idea in spite of limited evidence of its effect on sperm quality.

Bisphenol F (BPF), a structural analogue of Bisphenol A (BPA), is widely used in the production of plastics and epoxy resins. Emerging evidence suggests that BPF may disrupt endocrine function and impair fertility. This study investigates the effects of BPF on sperm characteristics, morphology, and germ cell viability, with a focus on its potential mechanisms of action in male reproductive toxicity. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=5/group): control (Group I), BPF-treated groups (100 (Group II), 500 (Group III), and 1000 (Group IVa) µg/kg/day for 45 days), and a recovery group (IVb) (1000 µg/kg/day for 45 days followed by a 45-day recovery). Post-treatment, sperm parameters were assessed, and immunohistochemical analysis of p53 expression in testicular tissue was performed. BPF exposure led to significant, dose-dependent declines in sperm count, motility, and viability, accompanied by increased morphological abnormalities, particularly in the sperm head region. Irregularities in the acrosomal system, plasma membrane, and perforatorium suggested oxidative stress during epididymal transit. A 5–8% reduction in sperm viability and a 2–15% increase in abnormalities were observed across dose groups. Elevated p53 expression in testicular tissues indicated germ cell apoptosis and impaired spermiogenesis. Recovery period showed significant resumption, indicative of temporary damage to testicular function. In conclusion, BPF exerts direct, dose-dependent toxicity on male reproductive function by promoting oxidative stress and upregulating p53-mediated germ cell elimination, ultimately contributing to teratozoospermia and reduced fertility potential. Keywords: Bisphenol F, Spermatogenesis, P53, Sperm morphology