Differences In Sperm Count Research Articles

Correlation between serum vitamin B12, vitamin D, and suboptimal semen parameters in male infertility: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background: Micronutrients such as vitamin B12 and D have recently gained attention for their potential roles in male reproductive health. Despite their significance, there’s a critical gap in understanding their association with male infertility, particularly concerning suboptimal semen parameters. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by examining serum vitamin B12 and D levels in infertile males, providing insights that could inform targeted interventions for couples facing male infertility challenges. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted at Tertiary Health care centre in north India for 2 years, enrolled 73 infertile males aged 20–40 years from the fertility clinic (participants exhibited suboptimal semen parameters). Clinical and demographic data were collected through interviews and record reviews, while semen samples underwent meticulous processing for the analysis of various parameters. Blood samples were collected after overnight fasting for serum vitamin B12 (ELISA) and vitamin D (CLIA) assessment. Statistical analyses, performed using SPSS, included t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Pearson’s correlation analyses to explore associations between serum vitamin levels and semen parameters, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. Results: The study comprised 73 infertile males with suboptimal semen parameters. Serum vitamin B12 levels (mean ± SD: 243.4 ± 69.3 pg/mL) and vitamin D levels (22.5 ± 13.2 ng/mL) were measured. Low vitamin B12 (<200 pg/mL) was observed in 29 participants (39.7%), while low vitamin D (<20 ng/mL) was noted in 51 participants (69.9%). Semen parameters revealed significant differences in sperm count, motility, and morphology between low and normal vitamin B12 groups. Similar patterns were observed with vitamin D levels, emphasizing potential associations between vitamin status and semen quality. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a potential link between low serum vitamin B12 and D levels and suboptimal semen parameters in infertile males. Addressing these nutritional deficiencies may hold promise for improving male fertility outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms involved and explore targeted interventions.

Understanding the impact of valproate on male fertility: insights from preclinical and clinical meta-analysis

BackgroundValproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug (AED) often prescribed as a first-line treatment for many idiopathic and symptomatic generalized epilepsies. Several studies have highlighted the side effects of VPA on male fertility and reproductive factors in males, although the specific underlying etiology of these abnormalities is not clear. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the preclinical and clinical evidence concerning the impact of VPA on male fertility and reproductive factors.MethodsThe scientific literature was reviewed for eligibility using PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, encompassing preclinical and clinical studies. Factors related to male fertility and reproduction, such as differences in sperm count, sperm motility, and the percentage of abnormal sperm, were compared between the experimental groups treated with VPA (in both preclinical and clinical) and the control groups using the Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additionally, differences in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were explicitly assessed in clinical studies.ResultsMale fertility data were extracted from 7 preclinical studies (112 animals) and 5 clinical studies (274 male individuals). The results of animal studies found that the sperm count (SMD = -2.28, 95% CI: -3.39 to -1.18, P = 0.335) and sperm motility (SMD = -2.32, 95% CI: -3.34 to -1.30, P = 0.368) were decreased in the treated groups compared to the control groups. The percentage of abnormal sperm (SMD = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.98 to 4.56, P = 0.019) was significantly increased, while a non-significant reduction was revealed in the weight of the testis (SMD = -2.73, 95% CI: -4.23 to -1.23, P = 0.673) in treated groups. The outcomes of clinical studies indicated a non-significant decrease in sperm count (SMD = -0.78, 95% CI: -1.58 to 0.03, P = 0.286) among patients with epilepsy treated with VPA compared to control subjects. However, a significant reduction in sperm motility (SMD = -1.62, 95% CI: -2.81 to -0.43, P = 0.033 was observed. The percentage of abnormal sperm showed a non-significant increase (SMD = 0.93, 95% CI: -0.97 to 2.84, P = 0.616) after being treated with VPA. Furthermore, there was a non-significant reduction in the levels of FSH (SMD = -1.32, 95% CI: -2.93 to 0.29, P = 0.198) and LH (SMD = -0.96, 95% CI: -1.95 to 0.04, P = 0.211) observed in clinical participants.ConclusionThis meta-analysis of both preclinical and clinical studies revealed that VPA causes a significant reduction in male fertility and reproductive factors among male patients with epilepsy. Clinical neurologists should be more cautious when prescribing VPA, especially to young male adult patients with epilepsy.

Obeticholic acid treatment of mice to promote fertilization and reproduction.

Obeticholic acid (OCA), a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, has been demonstrated to ameliorate the histopathological characteristics of liver damage. Nonetheless, the systemic safety profile of OCA with regard to reproduction and development remains poorly understood. In the present study, we conducted a dose-response experiment by administering OCA at doses of 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg through tube feeding to investigate its effect on reproductive development and fertilization rate in both male and female mice. Furthermore, we evaluated the levels of protein and mitochondrial function in the placenta through western blot, qPCR, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg OCA doses significantly reduced the rate of placental implantation (P < 0.05). Also, OCA increased maternal body weight. In addition, OCA increased levels of FXR and TGR5 and produced changes in oxidative stress levels (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial activity result found that 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of OCA significantly reduced the mitophagy autosomes/nucleus compared with the normal control group (P < 0.05). What is more, there was no significant difference in sperm count after OCA intervention in either C57BL/10 mice or BALB/c mice. Overall, we demonstrated that OCA treatment protected against placental implantation by suppressing placental oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity.

Testicular Histomorphology Following Datura Stramonium Administration in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Background: Datura contains a mixture of anticholinergic agents (alkaloids such as atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine) that are responsible for its pharmacological actions. The objective was to evaluate the effect of Datura stramonium in the testes of wistar rats. Methods: Twenty (20) adult male rats weight ranging from 106g-180g were distributed into five groups (A-E) of four (4) animals each. Animals were administered with Datura extract once daily for 21 days as Group A- 50mg/kg, Group B -100 mg/kg, Group C -200 mg/kg ,Group D -400 mg/kg. While, Group E were given distilled water daily. Testes and blood samples were collected from all the groups, for the histological and biochemical activities. Result: Results showed overall, increase in body weight with siginificant differences in sperm count in all the treatment groups. Administration of high dose of Datura extract was found to have adverse effect on the histological findings in the testes. Extract of Datura stramonium plant is toxic since single extraction shows presence of scopolamine. Abuse of the flower of the plant pose cholinergic poisoning due to scopolamine, significantly reduces male fertility evidenced by increase in the number of abnormal sperm motility and altered testicular morphology.

The reproductive toxicity of yttrium nitrate in a two-generation study in Sprague-Dawley rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of yttrium nitrate on the development of the parent, offspring and third generation of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by using a two-generation reproductive toxicity test. MethodsThe SD rats were randomly divided into 0 mg/kg group, 10.0 mg/kg group, 30.0 mg/kg group and 90.0 mg/kg group according to the different doses of yttrium nitrate administration. The reproductive toxicity of parent, offspring and third generation SD rats were compared. ResultsThe weight gains of F1a female rats and F2a female rats in the low-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control groups (p < 0.05), the weight gains of F1a male rats in the medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control groups (p < 0.05), and the weight gains of F2a male rats in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control groups (p < 0.05). In F0 male rats, the absolute weight and relative weight of the liver in the low-dose, middle-dose, and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In F1b male rats, the absolute and relative weights of the liver in the medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In F2b male rats, the absolute and relative weights of the liver and spleen of the medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). In F2a female rats, the absolute weight and relative weight of oviduct in the high-dose group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The absolute and relative weights of lung, spleen, brain and uterus of F2b female rats in the high-dose group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). But the pathological test results showed no hepatotoxicity. There was no statistically significant difference in sperm count and sperm motility between male rats in the yttrium nitrate administration groups and the control group (p > 0.05). There was no significant correlation between F0, F1a, F1b, F2a, F2b SD rats' reproductive organ lesions and the dose of yttrium nitrate. ConclusionYttrium nitrate at a dose of 90 mg/kg has no reproductive toxicity to two generations of SD rats, but 30.0 mg/kg dose of yttrium nitrate is toxic to the liver weight of male two generations of SD rats, but no hepatotoxicity.

Lrriq1 is an essential factor for fertility by suppressing apoptosis.

Leucine-rich repeats and IQ motif containing 1 (LRRIQ1) gene is reportedly associated with plasma inhibin B levels. However, the function of LRRIQ1 remains unknown. In this study, we generated Lrriq1 knockout mice (Lrriq1-/- mice) and examined the effects of LRRIQ1 on inhibin B and fertility. Lrriq1-/- mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. The expression of Inhibin B was examined by Western blotting using a protein extracted from the testis of a 3-month-old male mouse. Mating experiments were conducted using 7-week-old Lrriq1-/- mice and wild-type (WT) mice to examine fertility. Sperm concentration and sperm motility were measured using 3-month-old male mice. Expression analysis of inhibin B revealed that Lrriq1-/- mice exhibited reduced mRNA and protein levels of inhibin alpha (Inha), which constitutes the α subunit. In the mating experiment, the litter size of Lrriq1-/- male mice was 4.3 ± 2.9, which was significantly lower than that of WT male mice (8.3 ± 1.3) (p < 0.001). No difference in sperm count was observed between Lrriq1-/- and WT male mice; however, sperm motility (%) was significantly reduced in Lrriq1-/- mice (48.4 ± 4.9) when compared with WT mice (70.2 ± 4.7) (p < 0.001). Based on TUNEL staining, the testes and epididymal sperm of Lrriq1-/- mice showed high numbers of apoptosis-positive cells. Lrriq1 knockout reduced sperm motility and litter size by inducing apoptosis of testicular germ cells and epididymal sperm.

Effect of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Human Semen: No Evidence of Coronavirus in Semen of Patients.

Background In December 2019, a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-COV-2) was found in China. The coronavirus can impact different organs, as shown by the virus having been detected in urine, blood, oropharyngeal, and feces. This study was done to assess the impact of COVID-19 on semen analysis and to evaluate the existence of the virus in the semen of infected men. Methodology. Forty fertile men with COVID-19 were confirmed by an oropharyngeal sample. The men were divided into two groups. The semen of twenty men in the acute stage of COVID-19 and twenty men in the clinical recovery stage was analyzed, and the parameters of semen were compared between two groups. In addition, a PCR test of patients' semen was done. Result The analysis showed that all patients' semen specimens tested negative. Semen analysis revealed no significant difference in sperm count, concentration, or motility, and the sperm of both groups was found to be normal. However, viability and morphology parameters were significantly lower in men with the acute disease. Conclusion Coronavirus (COVID-19) was not secreted in the semen of infected men but had a negative effect on the morphology and viability of the sperm of men in the acute stage.

Retrospective Analysis of the First Collection versus the Second Collection in Severe Oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia Cases in Self-Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Patients.

ABSTRACTBackground:It is well established that high-quality semen can lead to an improved fertilisation rate. Ejaculatory abstinence (EA) certainly can influence sperm quality such as volume, count, motility and morphology. However, very few studies have addressed the influence of EA on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome and especially in males with severe oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) syndrome.Aim:This study was undertaken with the purpose of evaluating the advantage of shorter abstinence period (1-h sequential ejaculation) in males with severe OAT syndrome on total usable embryo rate and thereby emphasising the potential application of consecutive ejaculate.Study Setting and Design:This retrospective cohort study consisted of all the infertile couples undergoing ICSI cycle with the indicated seminal characteristics who had consulted the tertiary care hospital between January 2021 and July 2021.Materials & Methods:All couples in the study had idiopathic male infertility. Retrospectively, two groups were analysed, i.e., Group A with 56 subjects in which first semen sample was used for ICSI cycle and another Group B with 41 subjects in which second semen sample collected within a shorter abstinence period of 1 h was used.Statistical Analysis:The data were descriptively analysed using GraphPad Prism (vs. 9.2). Unpaired t-test and analysis of variance test were used to determine the significance. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The age of female subjects in Group A was 29.9 ± 3.5 years while it was 29.4 ± 3.4 years in Group B. Similarly, the age of male subjects was 32.2 ± 3.6 years and 31.9 ± 4.1 years in Group A and Group B, respectively, with no statistical differences in any gender between the groups (P > 0.05). Apart from initial progressive motility (P = 0.004), none of the parameters such as total volume, total sperm count and morphology were significantly different (P > 0.05) between Group A and samples of Group B. Similarly, parameters such as volume (P = 0.006) and post-wash motility (P < 0.001) were significantly different between Group A and samples of Group B. However, there was no significant difference in sperm count and morphology (P > 0.05). Grade 1 embryos on day 3 were 345 (62.8%) in Group A and 170 (54.3%) in Group B. Overall, the total usable embryos in Group A and Group B were 222 (40.4%) and 148 (47.3%), respectively (P > 0.05).Conclusion:With regard to compromised sperm parameters, our findings do suggest that the second ejaculate is quite relevant to ‘in vitro’ reproductive treatments and a simple request for a second consecutive ejaculate (shorter abstinence period of 1 h) could provide the same results in terms of fertilisation. We observed the increased chances of usable embryos in the second ejaculate group.

Comparison of mice' sperm parameters exposed to some hazardous physical agents.

The present study was aimed to compare the effects of exposure to noise, vibration, lighting, and microwave on male mice’ sperm parameters. The mice were randomly assigned to five groups of eight, which comprised of the unexposed group and exposure groups including the lighting (1000 lux), noise (100 dB(A)), vibration (acceleration of 1.2 m/s2) and microwave (power density of 5 watts). The exposure groups were subjected to the four agents for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week during a 2-week period. Semen analysis were done according to World Health Organization guidelines. The highest significant mean difference in sperm count (−1.35×106/mL) had being observed between the microwave group and the control one (P=0.001). The highest difference in immotile percent (25.88 %) had being observed between the noise group and the control one (P=0.001). The highest difference in normal morphology (−27.06 %) observed between the lighting exposure group and the control group (P=0.001). The four agents can cause changes in different sperm parameters, however for definite conclusion; more laboratory and field studies are required. In total, exposure to microwave has had the greatest effect on sperm count and exposure to light has had the greatest effect on normal morphology and non-progressive motility. Moreover, exposure to noise has had the greatest effect on progressive motility and immotile percent, respectively.

Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Sperm Parameters in Men With Idiopathic Infertility

Background: Several studies have reported that cigarette smoking affects sperm parameters, especially semen quality, but their results are contradictory. Objective: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the relationship of sperm parameters with smoking in men with idiopathic infertility. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 1744 infertile men with at least one year of idiopathic infertility. They were divided into two groups of smokers (n=379) and non-smokers (n=1365) according to their smoking habits and based on their inclusion and exclusion criteria. The semen analysis was extracted from subjects’ medical records, and the collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 19 software. Results: Smoking significantly reduced semen volume in smokers (2.88±1.50 mL) compared to non-smokers (3.28±1.77 mL) (P=0.002). There was a significant decrease in sperm motility in smokers (36.1±21.9%) compared to non-smokers (34.4±19.6%) (P=0.009). However, the association of smoking with sperm motility between men with normal and abnormal semen volumes was not statistically significant, and there was no significant difference in sperm count and morphology between infertile smokers and non-smokers (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: Smoking causes a significant reduction in semen volume, but has no significant effect on sperm count, morphology, and motility in men with abnormal and normal semen volume.

Sperm number assessed by flow cytometry in species of Daphnia (Crustacea, Cladocera)

AbstractDaphnia magna and Daphnia pulex are two important model species in ecotoxicology. In daphniids, studies of the effects of contaminants have mostly focused on female life history traits, yet it would also be important to examine male reproductive traits, particularly in relation to endocrine disruptors. In this study, we developed a protocol that uses flow cytometry to measure sperm number in individual males of different species of Daphnia. We tested our protocol on 114 males from several clones of three common species of Daphnia. Sperm count varied widely among individuals and reached high numbers (up to 1.45 × 105). Positive relationships between male length and sperm number were observed in D. pulex and Daphnia pulicaria, but not in D. magna. Important inter‐clonal differences in sperm production were observed in all species, with some clones producing very little sperm. Duplicated sperm samples showed on average only 6% difference in sperm counts. Sperm counts were stable at least over a 2‐hr period and up to 5 hr for most samples. This sperm isolation protocol and flow cytometric enumeration approach will be of major interest to ecotoxicologists.

The association between sperm quality and asymptomatic chlamydial infection in infertile men at a private fertility clinic in Nigeria

Background: Association between chlamydia trachomatis infection and male infertility is debated in literature. There is little or no information from Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of chlamydial infection and its association with sperm quality parameters among asymptomatic men that present for infertility treatment in a Nigeria facility. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at a private assisted conception clinic in Lagos, Nigeria among 138 men seeking infertility care. Seminal fluid analysis and IgG Chlamydial serology were performed for each participant. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS; p was significant at <0.05. Results: Of the 138 men screened, 13.9% were Chlamydia-positive. Twenty-one per cent of clients who tested positive to Chlamydia had predominantly immotile sperm, compared with 10.2% without the infection; 26.3% with non-progressive motility had Chlamydia, compared with 2.8% men who were not infected. These differences were statistically significant (p = 0.001). More of those (57.9%) with Chlamydia (compared to 33.1% without) had significant leukocyte counts (p = 0.037). There were no statistically significant differences in sperm count and percent motility between serologically positive and negative men. Conclusion: Positive Chlamydia serology is associated with non-progressive motility and leukocytospermia in infertile Nigerian men. Keywords: Chlamydia, semen analysis, infertility

Are semen parameters worsening? Comparing semen parameters 10 years apart.

Background:Semen parameters, especially sperm count and motility have been said to be diminishing over time with implications for fertility and infertility treatment.Objective:The objective of this study was to study semen parameters 10 years apart and describe any observed change.Design:A retrospective study carried out at Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. Semen parameters of 100 consecutive men who sought fertility treatment on account of infertility in 2003 and semen parameters of 100 consecutive men who also sought fertility treatment at the center in 2013 on account of infertility were analyzed and compared. A paired t-test was performed to ascertain whether sperm counts have diminished over the last decade. The World Health Organization semen values were used as standard.Main Outcome Measures:They are sperm count, motility, and mean progressive motility.Results:The mean sperm count in the 2003 group was 34.6 × 106/ml (range: 0.1–105.0 106/ml) compared with 21.8 × 106/ml (range: 0.1–80.0 × 106/ml) in the 2013 group. The mean motility was 47.9% in the 2003 group and 45.3% in the 2013 group. The mean progressive motility in the 2003 group was predominantly graded as good (50% good, 44% fair, 2% poor, 4% no motility) while in the 2013 group, the predominant grade of mean progressive motility was fair (15% good, 81% fair, 4% poor). Normal morphology was more commonly seen in the 2013 group compared to the 2003 group. Mean semen volume was 2.7 and 2.6 ml in 2003 and 2013 groups, respectively. The mean difference in sperm count (mean = 12.8, standard deviation = 31.6, n = 100) was significantly >0 providing evidence that sperm counts have diminished in the last decade.Conclusion:There was a statistically significant 37% drop in mean sperm count and mean progressive motility worsened in the last decade. These may have far-reaching effects on infertility and its treatment.

Clomiphene Citrate and Male Infertility: Investigation of Treatment on Spermatogenesis and Testicular Histomorphology in a Rat Model

Clomiphene citrate (CC) is used off‐label as a treatment for selected cases of male infertility, acting as a competitive selective‐estrogen receptor modulator. Although CC is used clinically, there have only been a small number of randomized controlled human studies that have yielded inconclusive findings. Here we have used a prospective animal model for studying CC treatment to determine if this drug increases spermatogenesis for treatment of male infertility. We treated sexually mature Sprague‐Dawley rats with CC via oral gavage for either 1 or 2 rat spermatogenic cycles (13 days for 1 cycle or 26 days for 2 cycles) at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg. This dose was chosen as it is a similar dose to what is clinically used in humans. Testes were weighed and sperm counts were measured from rats treated with CC and control animals. Testes were fixed in modified Davidson's solution and stained with HE for histopathological and morphometric analysis. No differences in sperm count and no histomorphologic differences were noted in the testes treated with CC as compared to control. Seminiferous tubule minimum diameter and tubular epithelial height were measured and the number of retained spermatozoa was also scored with no significant differences compared to control. Although previous studies have shown that rats treated with much higher doses of CC (&gt;20 mg/kg) have decreased spermatogenesis, we can conclude that CC treatment at a therapeutic dose of 0.6 mg/kg in rats does not appear to have an effect on spermatogenesis. That said; CC may play a more indirect role in male infertility which may include changes in accessory reproductive organs or alterations in hormonal levels.Support or Funding InformationInternal funding; Department of Urology, University of Iowa

Sex Ratios and Average Sperm per Female Blue CrabCallinectes sapidusin Six Tributaries of Chesapeake Bay

AbstractSperm limitation has been a concern for several crustacean species around the world. It may be of particular concern for blue crabsCallinectes sapidusin Chesapeake Bay due to the species’ reproductive biology and the sex‐specific fishery regulations in place. Our objectives were to characterize the differences in sperm counts in mated females from six tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and to determine whether sperm quantity was affected by the ratio of males to females in each system. Mature females were sampled 1–4 times in each tributary on a biweekly schedule from September to November 2011. We quantified sperm storage for each crab by microscopic examination and compared the sperm counts of females among river systems with the adult male : female sex ratios using ANOVA and linear regression. Total sperm quantity per female varied 16‐fold (0.9–13.0 × 108) among tributaries. The sex ratio was also variable among tributaries. Total sperm quantity per female was not significantly related to sex ratio, tributary, or month but was negatively related to the development stage of the spermathecae. Estimated sperm : egg ratios varied from 153:1 to 2:1 but were always higher than 1:1. Our results suggest that sperm quantities are not affected by male : female sex ratios and that sperm limitation caused by low sex ratios is likely not a concern in tributaries similar to those in our study.Received April 3, 2015; accepted June 24, 2016

Decreased fecundity and sperm DNA methylation patterns

To evaluate the relationship between epigenetic patterns in sperm and fecundity. Prospective study. Academic andrology and in vitro fertilization laboratory. Twenty-seven semen samples from couples who conceived within 2 months of attempting a pregnancy and 29 semen samples from couples unable to achieve a pregnancy within 12 months. None. Genomewide assessment of differential sperm DNA methylation and standard semen analysis. We analyzed DNA methylation alterations associated with fecundity in 124 semen samples, and identified regions of interest in 27 semen samples from couples who conceived within 2 months of attempting a pregnancy and a total of 29 semen samples from couples who were unable to achieve a pregnancy within 12 months. No differences in sperm count, sperm morphology, or semen volume were observed between the patients achieving a pregnancy within 2 months of study time and those not obtaining a pregnancy within 12 months. However, using data from the human methylation 450k array analysis we did identify two genomic regions with statistically significantly decreased (false discovery rate <0.01) methylation and three genomic regions with statistically significantly increased methylation in the failure-to-conceive group. The only two sites where decreased methylation was associated with reduced fecundity are at closely related genes known to be expressed in sperm, HSPA1L and HSPA1B. Our data suggest that there are genomic loci where DNA methylation alterations are associated with decreased fecundity. We have thus identified candidate loci for future study to verify these results and investigate the causative or contributory relationship between altered sperm methylation and decreased fecundity.

Effects of Early Maternal Separation on Subsequent Reproductive and Behavioral Outcomes in Male Rats

ABSTRACT To investigate effects of maternal separation on reproductive and behavioral outcomes, male Wistar rats were separated from their mothers daily for 3 hr (maternal separation; MS) or 0 hr (control) from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 14. Timing of puberty, reproductive parameters, hormone levels, and aggressive behaviors in juvenile and adult rats were examined. Contrary to expectations, there was no effect of maternal separation on any measure of aggression. However, maternal separation altered peripubertal testosterone secretion and increased mean day of preputial separation. In addition, adult MS males demonstrated less total sexual behavior. There was no difference in sperm counts or testosterone levels at necropsy on PND 56 or in adulthood, but seminal vesicle weights were increased in adult MS rats. These results suggest that early life stress may influence hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis development in males, at least during peripuberty.

Trans fatty acid intake is inversely related to total sperm count in young healthy men

Is intake of fatty acids related to semen quality among young men? The intake of trans fatty acids is inversely related to total sperm count in healthy young men. Spain has seen an increase in the proportion of calories consumed as fat over the same period that a downward trend in semen quality has been observed. In addition, rodent models suggest that trans fat intake may severely affect testicular function. Cross-sectional study of 209 men recruited between October 2010 and November 2011. A group of 209 healthy young university students 18-23 years of age provided a semen sample and completed a previously validated food frequency questionnaire. The association between intake of fatty acids with semen quality parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology and total count) was assessed using multivariate linear regression. Trans fatty acid intake was inversely related to total sperm count after adjusting for potential confounders (P, trend = 0.03). The multivariate adjusted mean (95% confidence interval) total sperm count in increasing quartiles of trans fat intake was 144 (110-190), 113 (87-148), 100 (18-130) and 89 (69-117). There also was an inverse association between cholesterol intake and ejaculate volume (P, trend = 0.04). No other statistically significant relations were observed. The cross-sectional design of the study limits causal inference, we cannot exclude the possibility of unmeasured confounding and there was insufficient statistical power to identify modest associations. The results of this study, together with previous experimental work in rodents and biomarker studies among infertility patients, suggest that intake of trans fatty acids may be related to lower semen quality. Although the data provide further evidence that diet is a modifiable factor that could impact male fertility, it is not known whether the observed differences in sperm count translate into differences in fertility. This work was supported by The Seneca Foundation, Regional Agency of Science and Technology, grant no 00694/PI/04, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS), grant no PI10/00985, and grant P30 DK46200 from the National Institutes of Health. The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Efecto de Maytenus macrocarpa“Chuchuhuasi” en el sistema reproductor masculino del ratón (Mus musculus)

Maytenus macrocarpa (Chuchuhuasi) es un árbol nativo de la región Amazónica del Perú utilizado como planta medicinal para el tratamiento de muchas enfermedades, sin embargo su efecto sobre el sistema reproductor masculino aún no ha sido elucidado. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto del extracto acuoso de M. macrocarpa en dosis diarias durante 7 días sobre los parámetros reproductivos de ratones machos. Se utilizó machos maduros de la cepa C57BL divididos en 2 grupos (n=10), Grupo Control (C): NaCl 0.9% y Grupo Tratamiento (T): Extracto acuoso de Chuchuhuasi, ambos suministrado diariamente vía sonda esofágica y al octavo día fueron eutanizados. Se registraron el peso corporal y de los órganos reproductivos: testículo, epidídimo y conducto deferente, se evaluaron la concentración, movilidad y morfología espermática. En nuestros datos observamos diferencias significativas (Prueba t- Student P=0.05) en el peso de la cabeza y cuerpo del epidídimo (C: 19.25±1.1 vs T: 21.26±2.0), el peso del conducto deferente (C: 10.62±0.7 vs T: 11.75±0.5), movilidad espermática progresiva (C: 42.16±5.2 vs T: 25.82±8.4) e Inmóviles (C: 36.05±4.9 vs T: 48.51±7.2). No se observaron diferencias en el recuento espermático entre ambos grupos. La morfología espermática normal disminuyó con la ingesta de M. macrocarpa(Prueba t-Student p&lt;0.05) (C: 39.72±1.3 vs T: 30.78±4.9). Concluimos que el extracto acuoso de M. macrocarpapresenta un efecto negativo en el sistema reproductivo masculino de ratones.

Germ cell‐specific disruption of the Meig1 gene causes impaired spermiogenesis in mice

Meiosis expressed gene 1 (Meig1) was originally identified in a search for mammalian genes potentially involved in meiosis. Seven mouse Meig1 transcripts with the same coding region, but different 5'-UTRs, have been identified. These transcripts have different tissue distributions, two are only present in the testis. In the testis, Meig1 is present in germ cells and Sertoli cells. A Meig1 conditional knockout model has been generated. When Meig1 was inactivated globally by crossing with Cmv-Cre transgenic mice, the Meig1-deficient males were sterile due to severe spermiogenic defects, and had no obvious defects in meiosis. To further study its role in individual cell types in the testis, the Meig1(flox) mice were crossed with Hsp2a-Cre, Prm-Cre, and Amh-Cre mice, in which the Cre recombinase is driven by the heat shock protein 2 (Hsp2a) gene promoter (expressed in spermatocytes), the protamine 1 gene promoter (expressed in post-meiotic spermatids) and the anti-Mullerian hormone (Amh) gene promoter (expressed in Sertoli cells) respectively. Both Meig1 mRNA and protein were undetectable in testis of the Hsp2a-Cre; Meig1(flox/flox) mice and all the mutant adult males tested were sterile. This phenotype mirrors that of the Cmv-Cre; Meig1(flox/flox) mice. Even though the total testicular Meig1 mRNA and protein expression levels were dramatically reduced in testis of the Prm-Cre; Meig1(flox/flox) males, all the mice tested were fertile, and there was no significant difference in sperm count and sperm motility compared with age-matched Meig1(flox/flox) male mice. Disruption of Meig1 in the Sertoli cells did not affect the MEIG1 protein expression. Amh-Cre; Meig1(flox/flox) males were fertile, and produced the same amount of spermatozoa as age-matched Meig1(flox/flox) mice. The testicular histology was also normal. Our results indicate that MEIG1 regulates spermiogenesis through effects in germ cells alone, and that the Meig1 gene must be active during a discrete period in spermatogenesis after which it is dispensable.