Alterations In Semen Parameters Research Articles

Variability of Semen Parameters with Time in Placebo Treated Men

We describe the variability of semen parameters with time in normal men receiving placebo. We also report the impact of season and geographic region, among other variables, on these parameters. Data from the placebo arms of 5 randomized, controlled trials were pooled. All trials set minimum standards for semen parameters as an eligibility criterion for entry. Semen parameters examined include volume, density, motility, total count, total motile count and morphology. Mixed model repeated measure analysis was used for statistical analysis. Coefficients of variation for each semen parameter and the percent change from baseline were calculated. The mean within-subject coefficient of variation for each semen parameter ranged from a low of 10% to a high of almost 50%. The contribution of season and region to variability was negligible. The reduction in variability with an increasing number of samples per time point had decreasing returns beyond 2 samples. There was considerable variation in semen parameters with time in subjects who received placebo. Variation could not be attributed to season or region. We observed a general negative trend in semen parameters in this population selected for normal baseline semen parameters, which was likely due to the placebo response or to regression toward the mean.

Physical deformities relevant to male infertility

Infertile men are frequently affected by physical abnormalities that might be detected on routine general and genital examinations. These structural abnormalities might damage or block the testes, epididymis, seminal ducts or other reproductive structures and can ultimately decrease fertility. Physical deformities are variable in their pathological impact on male reproductive function; some render men totally sterile, such as bilateral absence of the vasa deferentia, while others cause only mild alterations in semen parameters. Concise and up-to-date information regarding the contemporary epidemiological characteristics, clinical features and pathophysiological impacts of these common abnormalities on male fertility is crucial for the practicing urologist to identify the best treatment option.

Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Garlic-induced Alterations in Semen Parameters Of Wistar Rats

Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Garlic-induced Alterations in Semen Parameters Of Wistar Rats

A Proposed Mouse Model to Study Male Infertility Provoked by Genital Serovar E, Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common sexually transmitted pathogen. The impact of chlamydial infection on male infertility is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the role of C trachomatis human genital serovar E on sperm function, induction of apoptosis in spermatozoa, and reproductive performance, using the Swiss male mice model. Fertile mice were inoculated in the meatus urethra with 10(6) C trachomatis inclusion-forming units at day 0. The studied parameters were evaluated 7, 15, 21, and 30 days postinoculation (pi) in infected and sham-infected controls. Semen parameters of the infected mice groups were significantly lower than those of the control groups at the different days pi. DNA fragmentation study indicated that the mean percentages of apoptotic spermatozoa in the infected mice groups were significantly higher than those in the control groups 7 and 15 days pi, whereas the mean percentages of necrotic spermatozoa in the infected mice groups were significantly higher than those in the control group on the 30th day pi. A decrease in reproductive performance was observed at different days pi in infected male mice groups when compared to the control groups. Furthermore, a statistically significant decrease in the mean number of infant mice was observed at 21 and 30 days pi. In conclusion, our data showed that inoculation of fertile male Swiss mice in the meatus urethra with C trachomatis could lead to alteration of semen parameters, induction of apoptosis in spermatozoa, and decrease of the reproductive performance of male mice.

Varicocele: in Search of a Human Model

Aims: To study the effects of left gonadal vein ligation on semen parameters and venous hemodynamics of the testis. Subjects and Methods: All male voluntary kidney donors who were scheduled to have left donor nephrectomy between March 2004 and February 2005, by either open or laparoscopic technique, were considered for this study. Results: A total of 95 live related renal transplants were performed. Left donor nephrectomy was performed in 22 of 37 males. Only 19 were evaluable; 7 patients underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy; 6 were unmarried. We observed that 66% (12) of our study patients showed radiological evidence of varicocele, and this was statistically significant; 22% (4) also developed contralateral varicocele; 44% (8) developed oligoasthenozoospermia. Conclusion: Ligation of the left gonadal vein is part of organ harvesting for live related renal transplantation and produces radiologically confirmed varicocele in some men. In these men, alterations in semen parameters are observed over 4–24 weeks. Due to short follow-up, we are unable to state if this is a permanent or temporary effect. We presume that since these men had normal semen parameters earlier, the stress pattern would revert to normal. If it does not however, this would have particular implications upon informed consent for unmarried male donors.

Alterations in semen parameters of toll collectors working at motorways: does diesel exposure induce detrimental effects on semen?

Air pollution is contemporarily considered to be a significant cause in impairing semen parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of traffic pollutants, mainly the diesel exposure, on semen analysis. A total of 38 men working as toll collectors at motorways formed the study group. Simultaneously, 35 men working as office personnel constituted the control group. Factors including varicocele, chronic diseases that can affect sperm production were the exclusion criteria. No difference regarding smoking was present between the groups. Usual semen analysis according to WHO guidelines was performed. The results of semen analysis revealed decreased motility and low sperm counts in eight and seven men from the study group respectively. Besides, a man from the same group had combined abnormality of decreased motility and low sperm count. However, two men from the control group had slight motility defect and one had low sperm count. The differences regarding the abnormal sperm count and motility were significant between the groups (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively). Similarly, the ratio of sperm cells with normal morphology was significantly lower in the study group than that in the control group (P = 0.001). This observation proposes that air pollution particularly diesel exposure may have detrimental effects on sperm parameters.

Influence of sickle cell disease and treatment with hydroxyurea on sperm parameters and fertility of human males

Recent progress in the treatment of sickle cell disease, in particular the use of hydroxyurea, has considerably modified the prognosis of this disease. Many more patients now reach reproductive age. The objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of hydroxyurea on the semen of patients. In this retrospective multicenter study, we evaluated the sperm parameters and fertility of 44 patients and analyzed the potential impact of hydroxyurea. We report data from the largest series so far of semen analyses in patients with sickle cell disease: 108 samples were analyzed, of which 76 were collected before treatment. We found that at least one sperm parameter was abnormal in 91% of the patients before treatment, in agreement with published literature. All sperm parameters seemed to be affected in semen samples collected during hydroxyurea treatment, and this impairment occurred in less than 6 months, later reaching a plateau. Furthermore, after hydroxyurea cessation, while global results in 30 patients were not statistically different before and after hydroxyurea treatment, in four individuals follow-up sperm parameters did not seem to recover quickly and the total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate fell below the normal range in about half the cases. The observed alterations of semen parameters due to sickle cell disease seem to be exacerbated by hydroxyurea treatment. Until prospective studies reveal reassuring findings, we suggest that a pre-treatment sperm analysis be performed and sperm cryopreservation be offered to patients before hydroxyurea treatment.

Antisperm antibodies in infertile men and their correlation with seminal parameters.

Aim: Antisperm antibodies (ASA) in males cause the autoimmune disease 'immune infertility'. The present study intended to detect the presence of ASA and their incidence in men with unexplained infertility, as well as to evaluate the correlation between the presence of ASA and semen parameter alterations. Methods: Blood and sperm assessment were collected to carry out a direct and indirect mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test and semen analysis in infertile and fertile men from the University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Paulo. Results: In the MAR test, 18.18% of infertile men were positive for ASA. In fertile men, no positivity was found. A significant correlation between the presence of ASA with an increased white blood cell count plus a decreased hypoosmotic swelling test result was observed. Conclusions: The results indicate that ASA are involved in reduced fertility. It is not ASA detection perse that provides conclusive information about the occurrence of damage to fertility. The correlation between infertility and altered seminal parameters reinforce the ASA participation in this pathology. (Reprod Med Biol 2007; 6: 33-38).

Rare Robertsonian translocations and meiotic behaviour: sperm FISH analysis of t(13;15) and t(14;15) translocations: A Case Report

t(13;15) and t(14;15) are two rare Robertsonian translocations. Meiotic segregation was studied in four males heterozygous for the rare Robertsonian translocations t(13;15) and t(14;15). Both locus-specific probes (LSPs) and whole chromosome painting (WCP) probes, specific to chromosomes 13, 14 and 15, were used in this study. The number of spermatozoa scored for each carrier ranged from 891 to 5000. The frequencies of normal and balanced sperm resulting from the alternate mode of segregation ranged from 77.6 to 92.8%, confirming the prevalence of alternate segregation over other segregation modes in all Robertsonian translocations. The incidences of unbalanced complements ranged from 6.7 to 20.4%, with a significant excess of disomy rates over the complementary frequencies of nullisomy. This variability might reflect differences in the location of breakpoints in translocated chromosomes, leading to the variable production of unbalanced gametes and the variable alterations of semen parameters in Robertsonian translocation carriers.

Antibiotics: potential hazards to male fertility

Individual agents within each of the major classes of antibiotics have been shown to have significant adverse effects on spermatogenesis or spermatozoal function in mammals. For humans, infertility or significant alterations in semen parameters have been well documented for the nitrofurans and for patients on sulfasalazine. Other commonly used antibiotics, such as minocycline, have been shown to be toxic to sperm at any concentration. Until further information is available, clinicians must keep in mind that treatment with antibiotics may adversely affect the fertility potential of men. It is possible that some classes of antibiotic agents, such as the penicillins or the quinolones, may have minimal effects on male fertility and maintain the clinical efficacy for patients requiring long-term antibiotic suppressive therapy. Further investigation is needed into the relative toxicity of antibiotics and the mechanisms by which antibiotics affect spermatogenesis and spermatozoal function. A background of the current state of knowledge regarding the adverse effects of antibiotics on male fertility is presented in this review.