Asthenospermia Patients Research Articles

Effect of Paternal Body Mass Index on In Vitro Fertilization and Neonatal Outcomes among Oligozoospermia and Asthenospermia Patients.

Male overweight and obesity could affect sperm quality and reproductive health. However, the impact of body mass index (BMI) on assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in oligospermia and/or asthenospermia patients is yet lacking. This study aims to assess the impact of paternal BMI on ART and neonatal outcomes among oligozoospermia and/or asthenospermia patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In this study, 2,075 couples undergoing their first fresh embryo transfer between January 2015 and June 2022 were recruited. Following the World Health Organization's (WHO's) categories, couples were stratified into three cohorts based on paternal BMI: normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and obese (≥30.0 kg/m²). Modified Poisson regression models were used to assess the associations of paternal BMI with fertilization, in vitro embryonic development, and pregnancy outcomes. Logistic regression models were performed to investigate the associations of paternal BMI with pregnancy loss and neonatal outcomes. Furthermore, stratified analyses were performed based on fertilization methods, male infertility cause, and maternal BMI. Higher paternal BMI is associated with a lower likelihood of achieving normal fertilized (p-trend=0.002), Day 3 transferable (p-trend=0.007), and high-quality embryos (p-trend=0.046) in IVF cycles, rather than in ICSI cycles. Paternal BMI of oligospermia or asthenospermia was negatively correlated with day 3 transferable (p-trend=0.013 and 0.030) and high-quality embryos (p-trend=0.024 and 0.027). Moreover, for neonatal outcomes, paternal BMI was positively associated with macrosomia (p-trend=0.019), large for gestational age (LGA) (p-trend=0.031), and very LGA (p-trend=0.045). Our data suggested that higher paternal BMI was associated with fetal overgrowth, reduced fertilization, and embryonic development potential. Among males with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia, the impact of overweight and obesity on the choice of fertilization method and the long-term effects on their offspring need to be further investigated.

Effects of Jinkui Shenqi and Wuzi Yanzong pill on sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation rate in asthenospermia

This study was designed to compare the effects of Jinkui Shenqi and Wuzi Yanzong pill on sperm motility and sperm DNA fragmentation rate in patients with asthenospermia. 130 cases were randomly divided into an observation and control group (n=65). The control group was treated with the Wuzi Yanzong pill while the observation group with the Jinkui Shenqi pill. The sperm motility parameters rate (PR), semen concentration, sperm motility, DFI and α-glucosidase, fructose, seminal plasma zinc (Zn), acid phosphatase (ACP) in seminal plasma biochemistry and other indexes of were observed. The biochemical indexes of seminal plasma of α-glucosidase, fructose, Zn, ACP in two groups were significantly (p<0.05) improved after treatment. Compared with the control group, the indexes of the observation group improved more obviously after treatment. Pearson correlation analysis of DFI and PR indexes in 130 patients before treatment showed that sperm DFI and PR percentage were negatively correlated in asthenospermia patients (r =-0.572, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in DFI, semen concentration, PR, and sperm motility between the two groups before treatment. The DFI, semen concentration, PR and sperm viability of the two groups showed a tendency to improve after treatment, and the effect of the observation group was less significant than that of the control group (p<0.05). Two groups of patients have completed treatment successfully, no adverse events occurred during treatment. Jinkui Shenqi pill can effectively treat asthenospermia, which can effectively improve the effect of sperm motility in patients. It has less adverse reactions, safe and reliable, and is worthy of promotion.

Enterotypes in asthenospermia patients with obesity

The essence of enterotypes is stratifying the entire human gut microbiome, which modulates the association between diet and disease risk. A study was designed at the Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University and Jinghua Hospital of Shenyang. Prevotella and Bacteroides were analyzed in 407 samples of stool, including 178 men with enterotype B (61 normal, 117 overweight/obese) and 229 men with enterotype P (74 normal, 155 overweight/obese). The ratio between Prevotella and Bacteroides abundance, P/B, was used as a simplified way to distinguish the predominant enterotype. In enterotype P group (P/B ≥ 0.01), obesity was a risk factor for a reduced rate of forward progressive sperm motility (odds ratio [OR] 3.350; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.881–5.966; P < 0.001), and a reduced rate of total sperm motility (OR 4.298; 95% CI 2.365–7.809; P < 0.001). Obesity was also an independent risk factor (OR 3.131; 95% CI 1.749–5.607; P < 0.001) after adjusting follicle-stimulating hormone. In enterotype P, body mass index, as a diagnostic indicator of a reduced rate of forward progressive sperm motility and a decreased rate of decreased total sperm motility, had AUC values of 0.627 (P = 0.001) and 0.675 (P < 0.0001), respectively, which were significantly higher than the predicted values in all patients. However, in enterotype B group (P < 0.01), obesity was not a risk factor for asthenospermia, where no significant difference between obesity and sperm quality parameters was observed. This study is tried to introduce enterotypes as a population-based individualized classification index to investigate the correlation between BMI and asthenospermia. In our study, overweight/obese men with enterotype P were found to have poorer sperm quality. however, sperm quality was not associated with overweight/obese in men with enterotype B. Thereof, BMI is a risk factor for asthenospermia only in men with enterotype P, but not in men with enterotype B.

C-Type Natriuretic Peptide (CNP) Could Improve Sperm Motility and Reproductive Function of Asthenozoospermia

This study is to analyze the effect of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on sperm motility of asthenozoospermia and explore the influence mechanism of CNP on the reproductive system and sperm motility. Our results showed that the concentration of CNP in asthenospermia patients’ semen was lower than in normal people’s. The motility of sperm could be improved markedly by CNP and 8-Br-cGMP, while the effect of CNP was inhibited by NPR-B antagonist and KT5823. In the asthenozoospermia mouse model induced by CTX, CNP injection could improve sperm motility in the epididymis, alleviate tissue damage in the testes and epididymis, and increase testosterone levels. The asthenospermia mouse model showed high activity of MDA and proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6), as well as low expression of antioxidants (SOD, GSH-Px, CAT) in the testis and epididymis, but this situation could be significantly ameliorated after being treated with CNP. Those studies indicated that the concentration of CNP in the semen of asthenospermia patients is lower than in normal people and could significantly promote sperm motility through the NPR-B/cGMP pathway. In the asthenospermia mouse model induced by CTX, CNP can alleviate the damage of cyclophosphamide to the reproductive system and sperm motility. The mechanism may involve increasing testosterone and reducing ROS and proinflammatory factors to damage the tissue and sperm.

Comparison of polymorphism 139C > A ( (rs737008) of protamine 1 gene in infertile men with diagnosis of oligospermia and asthenospermia

The male infertility accounts for about half of the infertility in couples. The idiotypic asthenospermia and oligospermia, which mostly occur as a result of genetic mutations, are among the main causes of male infertility. Until now, the relationship between different SNPs in the PRM1 gene and male infertility have been reported. In this study, we evaluated the possible correlation between 139C > A (rs737008) SNP in the PRM1 gene and asthenospermia/oligospermia in patients who referred to the Gerash Infertility Center. To aim this, three groups were considered in this study including healthy fertile males, asthenospermia patients and the patients suffering from oligospermia. After DNA extraction from their blood samples, the PCR was carried out to amplify a 558 bp PRM1 gene fragment. Then, the RFLP technique was performed to identified the SNP in the PCR products. Our results showed that the frequency of the 139C > A (rs737008) SNP in the population study was 41%. We found no significant differences between the SNP and asthenospermia/oligospermia in the current study. According to the demographic data, no significant differences were also found between smoking or alcohol consumption and male infertility in this study.

Hypomethylation of the DAZ3 promoter in idiopathic asthenospermia: a screening tool for liquid biopsy

Given the role of the deleted in azoospermia gene in male infertility, whether the somatic deleted in azoospermia methylation status is associated with idiopathic asthenospermia should be determined. To investigate the methylation levels of the deleted in azoospermia promoter in peripheral white blood cells from idiopathic asthenospermia patients relative to those in normozoospermia controls, 61 ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid anticoagulant blood samples were drawn from all participants for DNA isolation. The deleted in azoospermia promoter methylation ratio was detected by MassARRAY-based methylation quantification and confirmed by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. A MassARRAY-based methylation analysis showed that the deleted in azoospermia 3 promoter (0 to − 2 kbp) was significantly hypomethylated in peripheral white blood cells from idiopathic asthenospermia males, specifically one CpG site (− 246 to − 247). Quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction data further confirmed that the methylation level of the deleted in azoospermia 3 promoter region in idiopathic asthenospermia patients was significantly lower than that in normozoospermia males. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve determined by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was 0.737 (95% confidence interval: 0.552 to 0.924), with a sensitivity of 53.9% and a specificity of 88.2% at a cut-off level of 74.7%. Therefore, our results suggested that methylation ratio detection of the deleted in azoospermia 3 promoter region by real-time polymerase chain reaction assay is a promising and feasible tool for liquid biopsy in the clinical laboratories. The methylation status of other reported infertility-related genes should also be investigated in peripheral white blood cells.

Effects of SLIRP on Sperm Motility and Oxidative Stress.

Background Deficient spermatozoon motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. However, there are still no accurate and effective treatments in a clinical setting for male asthenospermia. Exploring the genes and mechanism of asthenospermia has become one of the hot topics in reproductive medicine. Our aim is to study the effect of SLRIP on human spermatozoon motility and oxidative stress. Methods Sperm samples were collected including a normospermia group (60 cases) and an asthenospermia group (50 cases). SLIRP protein expression in spermatozoa was examined by western blotting, and relative mRNA expression of SLIRP in spermatozoa was quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and the activity of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in spermatozoa were also measured. Results The mRNA level and protein expression of SLIRP in the asthenospermia group were significantly reduced compared with those in the normospermia group. The ROS active oxygen level in the asthenospermia group significantly increased; however, the ATP content decreased significantly as well as the activity of MnSOD. Conclusion SLIRP regulates human male fertility, and SLIRP and sperm progressive motility are positively correlated. The expression of SLIRP is declined, oxidative damage is increased, and energy metabolism is decreased in spermatozoa of asthenospermia patients compared to normospermia participants.

The influence of l-carnitine on the expression of miRNAs in asthenospermia spermatozoa and the network regulation of the associated molecules.

l-carnitine is a natural compound that is indispensable for energy metabolism in mammals. The efficiency and safety of l-carnitine in improving sperm activity, enhancing epididymal function and treating male infertility has been widely acknowledged by clinicians. CircRNAs can regulate gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level by serving as a molecular sponge of miRNAs with miRNA response elements. However, the detailed mechanism linking miRNA, circRNA and asthenospermia remains unclear. The present study demonstrated that hsa-miR-27b-3p, hsa-miR-151a-5p and hsa-miR-206 play an important role in the effects of l-carnitine treatment of the spermatozoa in asthenospermia patients. Furthermore, the target mRNAs of hsa-miR-206 were analysed by GO and KEGG. The results show that the target mRNAs of hsa-miR-206 may change the activity of ATP synthase and participate in the cAMP signalling pathway and the calcium signalling pathway, which may play an important role in sperm motility.

Basic and clinical genetic studies on male infertility in Iran during 2000-2016: A review

The male factor contributes to 50% of infertility. The cause of male infertility is idiopathic and could be congenital or acquired. Among different factors which are involved in idiopathic male infertility, genetic factors are the most prevalent causes of the disease. Considering, the high prevalence of male infertility in Iran and the importance of genetic factors in the accession of it, in this article we reviewed the various studies which have been published during the last 17 yr on the genetic basis of male infertility in Iran. To do this, the PubMed and Scientific information database (SID) were regarded for the most relevant papers published in the last 17 yr referring to the genetics of male factor infertility using the keywords ''genetics'', "cytogenetic", ''male infertility", and "Iranian population". Literatures showed that among the Iranian infertile men Yq microdeletion and chromosomal aberrations are two main factors that intervene in the genetics of male infertility. Also, protamine deficiency (especially P2) is shown to have an influence on fertilization rate and pregnancy outcomes. The highest rate of sperm DNA damages has been found among the asthenospermia patients. In several papers, the relation between other important factors such as single gene mutations and polymorphisms with male infertility has also been reported. Recognition of the genetic factors that influence the fertility of Iranian men will shed light on the creation of guidelines for the diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of the patients."

Mitochondrial variations in the MT-ND4 and MT-TL1 genes are associated with male infertility

ABSTRACTMitochondrial gene mutations have been reported to be associated with sperm motility and the quality of semen. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the two mitochondrial genes (MT-ND4 and MT-TL1) are involved in Chinese male infertility. A total of 97 asthenospermia patients and 80 fertile controls were recruited in this case-control study. Genomic DNA were extracted from the sperm of all participants. Two mitochondrial DNA genes (MT-ND4 and MT-TL1) were amplified by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the gene-specific primers and sequenced on an ABI 3730XL DNA sequencer. For the MT-ND4 gene, we found a total of 64 and 54 nucleotide substitutions in patients and controls, respectively, with no discrepancy in the mutation rates (66.0% vs. 67.5%, p>0.05). However, one mutation (g.11084A>G, p.T109A) leading to an amino acid substitution in a highly conserved residue and predicted to be deleterious was detected only in the cases. For another gene MT-TL1, a novel mutation (g.3263C>T) near the anticodon TAA was identified in an asthenospermia patient and was absent from normal controls. However, the mutation positions in the cases varied from the controls and one highly conserved mutation (g.11084A>G, p.T109A) which was not found in the controls and probably caused damage to the protein structure might contribute to asthenospermia. For another gene MT-TL1, a highly conservative novel mutation which is located closely next to the anticodon also might contribute to asthenospermia. Our result suggests that the MT-ND4 and MT-TL1 genes might be associated with Chinese male infertility.Abbreviations: MT-ND4: mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase 4; MT-TL1: mitochondrially encoded tRNA leucine 1 (UUA/G); PCR: polymerase chain reaction; OXPHOS: mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA; SNPs: single nucleotide substitutions; AD: alzheimer’s disease; PD: parkinson’s disease; MELAS: mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes; ROS: reactive oxygen species

AB209. The effect of 4-week pedometer and sleep monitoring programme on asthenospermia patients in information technology workers: a prospective study

ObjectiveIn China, information technology (IT) workers face many health problems as a result of the nature of work by computer. For instance, IT workers often work overtime and irregular life (such as staying up late, sedentary, lack of exercise, etc.), IT related occupational diseases are more and more. There are many asthenospermia patients in IT workers in clinic, how to improve sperm-related outcomes of them is a problem for us. Using real-time pedometer and sleep monitoring is an innovative concept for them. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effect of 4-week pedometer and sleep monitoring programme to increase physical activity and improve sperm-related outcomes in a population of IT workers.MethodsA convenience sample of IT workers (n=86; mean age 27.6 years; range, 22–35) participated in the trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups. Intervention participants (n=43) utilized a pedometer and sleep monitoring to self-monitor their activity and sleep, set a plan (10,000 steps every day, sleep before 22:00) for patients to complete the task, meanwhile undertaking a brief intervention, and educational material. Control participants (n=43) received educational material and utilized a pedometer and sleep monitor only. The primary outcomes of ambulatory activity, health-related quality of life (weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and sperm-related outcomes were evaluated at baseline, immediately following the 4-week intervention.ResultsSeventy-eight participants completed the program (90.6% adherence). Adherence with the intervention group was low, 88% (n=38/43), and this group increased their mean daily step count from 5,423 to 9,743 steps per day, while the control group (n=40/43) steps changed from 5,388 to 6,151 steps per day from baseline. This increase in step counts remained significant within the intervention group P<0.005; there were significant group changes with large effect sizes for step count change (d=1.94) and self-reported physical activity (P<0.005; d=2.59) at 4 weeks intervention. Meanwhile, results showed significant between-group differences in weight, PSQI, and sperm-related outcomes at 4 weeks intervention. Further, results showed non-significant between-group differences in health-related quality of life (BMI, waist-to-hip ratio) score.ConclusionsThe real-time pedometer and sleep monitoring programme can improve the physical activity, body weight and the quality of sleep for asthenospermia patients in IT workers. It can also significantly improve sperm density, sperm motility, and the level of A, A + B grade sperm ratio. Using real-time pedometer and sleep monitoring is an innovative concept for them. This research needs to further expand the sample size to verify the feasibility of real-time pedometer and sleep monitoring plan and the management of self-biochemical methods.

Comparative proteomic study between human normal motility sperm and idiopathic asthenozoospermia

Idiopathic asthenozoospermia is considered as one of the causes of male infertility and characterized by reduced sperm motility. For a better determination of pathogenic mechanism of asthenozoospermia, the exploration of differentially expressed proteins in normal sperm motility and idiopathic asthenozoospermia was conducted in our study. Sperm proteins were extracted and isolated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. All significantly changed protein spots were picked up from 2D gels and identified by tandem mass spectrometry. Sixteen of the thirty-three total differentially expressed protein spots were successfully identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Sixteen proteins identified belonged to 15 unique protein groups. GRP78, lactoferrin, SPANXB, PGK2, flagellin, DJ-1, XPA binding protein 2, CAB2, GPX4, and GAPDH were the first to be identified as differentially expressed proteins in idiopathic asthenospermia patients. Meanwhile, the analysis of quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to compare the protein levels, and the results indicated that the expression levels of the gene and protein were not entirely consistent. These experimental results expand the scope of the protein database, generating targets for further investigation of the pathogenic mechanism of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

Initial exploration of epididymal sperm nuclear maturity in obstructive azoospermia patients

To ascertain the epididymal sperm nuclear maturity in obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients. A total of 81 infertile males from andriatry clinic of Renji hospital were selected, including 32 OA patients (OA group) and 49 asthenospermia patients (asthenospermia group). Another 32 fertile males were recruited for the control group. All semen samples of the asthenospermia and control groups underwent computer aided semen analysis (CASA). For the OA group, sperm specimens were collected by percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and semen analyses completed by manual method. Further acridine orange test and aniline blue stain assay were performed. The results were processed with SPSS 15.0. No statistically significant differences existed in semen volume and sperm density between the asthenospermia and control groups (both P > 0.05). The OA group was significantly lower than the control group in sperm density (P < 0.01). The asthenospermia and OA groups were also significantly lower than the control group in sperm motility (both P < 0.01). As to the percentage of grade a + b sperm, the asthenospermia group was also significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group (81% ± 9%, 85% ± 8%), the negative rate of acridine orange test and aniline blue assay of OA (57% ± 20%, 64% ± 20%) and asthenospermia group (62% ± 19%, 67% ± 15%) were statistically lower (all P < 0.05). The sperm nuclear maturity is lower in the asthenospermia and OA groups than that in the control group. Male fertility should be further improved.

Y Chromosome microdeletion and altered sperm quality in human males with high concentration of seminal hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)

Recent studies have shown Y chromosome microdeletions associated with male infertility. The factors responsible for Y chromosome microdeletions in spermatozoa remain unresolved. However, the environmental pollutants are known to damage DNA in differentiating and maturing germ cells in the male reproductive tract. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of seminal hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers, an environmental pollutant, in 50 fertile and 50 infertile males in relation to semen quality and the incidence of Y chromosome microdeletion in azoospermic factor ( AZF) region. As compared to control, an increased HCH level and significantly decreased semen quality were observed in the infertile males. A positive significant association was found between sperm count with α-HCH and β-HCH in the infertile males. A negative significant association was observed between sperm counts with γ-HCH in asthenospermia patients and with β-HCH and total HCH in oligo-asthenospermic patients. Out of 100 males studied, we found 10 patients with Yq deletion in AZFa and AZFc regions. Subdivision of infertile group revealed a deletion incidence of 61.5% in azoospermic patients, 11.1% in oligospermic patients and 16.6% in oligo-asthenospermic patients. The presence of Yq deletion in azoospermic patients with a significant mean difference of β-HCH and total HCH in relation to reduced semen quality seem to corroborate with the mutagenic activity of HCH. The results of this study indicated the susceptibility of male germ line to mutagenic potential of HCH which is an acknowledged risk factor leading to spermatogenic failure.

Blockade of epithelial sodium channels improves sperm motility in asthenospermia patients

Epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaCs) are ion channels that play important roles in physiology as well as pathophysiology. Inhibiting ENaCs using amiloride and its derivatives has been suggested in treatment of cardiovascular disease and hypertension. By immunoblotting, we demonstrated the presence of ENaC-alpha protein in the flagellar midpiece of both rat and human sperm. Immunohistochemistry analyses in rat testis localized ENaC-alpha expressed in the Leydig cell, Sertoli cell, Ap spermatogonium, spermatocyte, spermatid and residual body. Importantly, using computer-assisted sperm motility analysis, we first observed that EIPA [5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride hydrochloride] inhibition of ENaCs, possibly including ENaC-alpha and ENaC-delta, significantly improved the sperm motility in healthy donors by 14.23% (mean +/- SEM, 68.75 +/- 9.76% vs. 78.53 +/- 6.20%, p < 0.001) and in asthenospermia patients by 115.89% from 9.50 +/- 6.11% to 20.51 +/- 12.13% (mean +/- SEM, p < 0.001). The improved sperm motility by EIPA has important clinical implications in the treatment of asthenospermia and certainly warrants further investigation.

Ultrastructure and function of mitochondria in idiopathic asthenospermia: study of 151 cases

To explore the ultrastructure and function of mitochondria in idiopathic asthenospermia and the role thereof in the sperm activity. Samples of sperm were collected from 151 idiopathic asthenospermia patients, 25% of whose sperms were classified as lower than grade A, were subdivided into 3 groups: Group A with the proportion of grade A sperms between 15% and 25%, Group B, with the proportion of grade A sperm between 15% and 5%, and Group C with the proportion of grade A sperm < 5%. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of the mitochondria in the sperms. Samples of sperm were collected from 53 normal patients as control group. The levels of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected. The expression rates of SDH and MMP were decreased according to the sequence of the control group, group A, Group B, and Group C with significant between any two groups (all P < 0.01). Various mitochondrial pathological changes (MPCs) emerged in Groups A, B and C, however with different frequencies of occurrence for specific MPC in specific group (chi2 = 60.85, P < 0.01). The amount of abnormal mitochondria increased significantly according to the sequence of the control group, Groups A, B and C (chi2 = 479.72, b = 0.86, P < 0.01). The severity degree of MPC increased along with the decrease of sperm viability (chi2 = 435.89, b = 0.80, P < 0.01). Various MPCs exist in idiopathic asthenospermia. There is a close association between the sperm viability and mitochondrial ultrastructure and mitochondrial function.