Insemination Research Articles

Influence of the human sperm abnormalities on conventional in-vitro fertilization therapy outcome

Objective To observe the influence of the sperm abnormalities on conventional invitro fertilization therapy outcome. Methods Sperm of 105 infertile husband's semen was analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the sperm morphology observed Using Kruger 's criteria: normal sperm morphology group (sperm normal morphology ≥ 15 % ), mild sperm abnormalities group( sperm normal morphology 10%- 15%), middle sperm abnormalities group (sperm normal morphology 5 % - 10 % ). Fertilization rate, cleavage rate, good quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and abortion rates were compared to study the influence of the sperm abnormalities on conventional IVF outcome. Results ①Fertilization rate(79.4 % vs 78.3 % ), cleavage rate(104. 6% vs98. 6%), good quality embryo rate(58. 1% vs 53. 9%), implantation rate (31.7% vs 30. 8%), clinical pregnancy rate(48.1% vs 42. 3%)and abortion rates(13.0% vs 18. 2%)were not significantly different between normal sperm morphology group and mild sperm abnormalities group(P>0. 05). ②The fertilization rate (79.4% vs 63.9%), good quality embryo rate(58. 14% vs 48.23%), implantation rate (31.7% vs 16. 7%) and clinical pregnancy rate(48.1%vs24.0%) of the normal sperm morphology group were higher than middle sperm abnormalities group(P 0. 05). ③The fertilization rate (78.3% vs 63.9%), good quality embryo rate (53. 9%vs 48. 2%) of the mild sperm morphology group were higher than middle sperm abnormalities group(P 0. 05). Conclusions There is a significant influence of middle sperm abnormalities on IVF fertilization rate, good quality embryo rate, implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate. However, it could not be influenced on mild sperm abnormalities. Key words: Spermatozoa; Abnormalities; Insemination, artificial

High rate of biological loss in assisted reproduction: it is in the seed, not in the soil.

The vast majority of embryos produced in vitro and transferred fail to develop into an infant, supporting the concept that only a small fraction of embryos is destined to become a live birth. One of the main reasons for such a low embryo-to-infant ratio is the remarkably high number of embryos that after preimplantation genetic diagnosis are found to have a chromosome imbalance. This study reports the overall biological wastage from oocytes inseminated to ongoing pregnancies in patients undergoing preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) because of advanced age, recurrent pregnancy losses or multiple failed IVF cycles. The analysis of biological wastage per oocyte showed that in this cohort of patients, of 333 eggs inseminated, 183 (55.0%) provided embryos for biopsy, and of these, only 33 (18.0% per embryo and 9.9% per oocyte) were normal. A total of 26 embryos were suitable for transfer (14% per embryo and 7.8% per oocyte), but only five (1.5%) implanted and three (1.0%) resulted in live births. In conclusion, there is enormous biological wastage during assisted reproduction, and the data obtained from both embryos and oocytes of patients undergoing PGS support the concept that many embryos and eggs obtained during IVF are intrinsically abnormal and thus fail to implant.

The genetic and epigenetic defect from the sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be applied to treat male infertility patients of oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia, azoospermia and failure of the common in-vitro fertilization (IVF), which may overcome the sperm deficiency and even obtain sperms directly from percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE). As for direct injection of a single sperm into an egg, the ICSI disobeys the biological laws of natural insemination, thus leading to high genetic and epigenetic risk for patients owing to genetic and epigenetic defect of sperm. By reviewing the genetic and epigenetic defects of ICSI sperm, as well as related diseases, this article aims at understanding of the risks resulting from the genetic and epigenetic defects of ICSI sperm at a molecular mechanism level. The results show that the quality control of ICSI sperm via detecting its epigenetic factors, such as methylated DNA and acetylated histone, is essential for reducing the genetic and epigenetic risk from ICSI.

Effects of policy change on the dairy production support services within the smallholder dairy farmers in Butere/Mumias and Kakamega districts of Western Kenya

A survey was conducted in Butere/Mumias and Kakamega districts of Western Kenya in 2005 to evaluate the availability of dairy support services following liberalisation of agricultural sector by the Government. A total of 69 and 107 farmers were interviewed in Butere/Mumias and Kakamega districts, respectively. Liberalisation opened up market for raw milk in major urban centres that were previously supplied by processed milk from Kenya cooperative creameries (KCC). Attempts to expand dairy production to capture this market was constrained by a huge deficit of breeding stock with about 53.4% of farmers buying animals from neighbouring districts. Artificial insemination (AI) service was not available when required by 30% of farmers who resorted to use bulls that were within a distance of less than 2 km (71.4%). Farmers using AI moved between 0 and 5 km (38.1%). The private veterinary surgeon served 54% of the farmers and on average there were 2922 and 2087.1 dairy animals for every veterinary surgeons and AI service provider, respectively. The low demand for dairy support services was attributed to lack of high quality dairy animals and capital by the service providers to buy the required equipments and materials. Key words: Smallholder, dairying, support services, liberalisation, Kenya.

Sperm FISH analysis in two healthy infertile brothers with t(15;18) unbalanced translocation: Implications for genetic counselling and reproductive management

Numerous studies have shown that balanced reciprocal or Robertsonian translocations and inversions are associated with reduced or absent sperm production. In contrast, a similar association has been rarely reported for unbalanced translocations. An unbalanced translocation, 45,XY,-15,der(18)t(15;18)(q11.2;q23), was found in two healthy infertile brothers who were referred to our hospital together with their partners for infertility. At least two routine semen analyses and karyotyping were done for each of the brothers. Sperm meiotic segregation was studied for both with a three-color FISH assay using locus-specific probes. Semen analyses showed a severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia with remarkably similar profiles in the two brothers. The unbalanced translocation had a deletion of 15pter-15q11.2 as well as a deletion of 18q23-18qter. The meiotic segregation was similar in the two brothers with a prevalence of alternate segregation mode. However, no phenotypic effect in the offspring can be expected only if the normal chromosomes 15 and 18 are transmitted to progeny. According to the sperm FISH results, the theoretical probability of this happening is about 25%. Based on the overall results, genetic and reproductive counselling was offered to both couples. Finally, both couples chose the alternative of donor insemination rather than preimplantation genetic diagnosis. The present study helps delineating a phenotypically silent CNV at the distal part of chromosome 18 long arm and illustrates the advantages of an integrated multidisciplinary genetic, reproductive and psychological approach to give the best possible assistance to couples who are faced with a complex and distressing genetic cause of infertility.

The Gift of Gametes – Unconscious Motivation, Commodification and Problematics of Genealogy

Three-way baby making is not new: genetic surrogacy existed in Biblical times and donor insemination was recorded in Britain over 200 years ago. However, the gift of gametes between women breaks all social conventions. This paper examines the phenomenon of gamete-donation questioning whether a ‘gift’ of such magnitude can ever be ‘free’ (as the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority advocates), or a ‘true’ gift (in Derridian terms). Exploration of this unprecedented ‘gift’ from a psychoanalytic approach is supplemented by an interdisciplinary one, drawing on the gift literature in philosophy, anthropology, ethnography and socioeconomics, as well as neonatal research and reproductive medicine. Critics note the dearth of analyses that take seriously the psychological ramifications of contemporary treatments, protocols and expectations in reproductive medicine. Based on psychoanalytic therapy within a clinical practice devoted to reproductive issues, the author argues that institutionalised asexual reproduction alters unconscious conceptualisations of the act of procreation – converting the passionate intimacy of primal scene into a clinical coupling of gametes in a mechanised arena. The author argues that, too charged to contemplate, the gamete's transcendent quality and blurring of elementary personae/ res distinctions leads protagonists, including professionals, to defensive commodification. Multiple emotional meanings are ascribed to gifted gametes by each in the triangle of donor, recipient and offspring, illustrated here with verbatim material. This article addresses some of the far-reaching socio-political consequences for class, race, age, gender and sexuality of asexual reproduction, related to selection procedures and uneven global and local distribution of fertility treatment and its cost in financial, physical, practical and emotional terms. Similarly, feminist unease over (patriarchal) reproductive control and gatekeeping policies are considered, as well as ethical concerns over genetic manipulation, pre-implantation screening, sex selection, selective foetocide and potential exploitation of transnational donors and surrogates.

The Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Seropositivity is Lower in Women with a Female Partner

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of congenital infection in the United States and is associated with long-term sequelae such as vision and hearing loss, mental retardation, and death. Primary CMV infection in the first half of pregnancy carries the greatest risk, and concerns with CMV arise in seronegative women who are exposed to seropositive semen. This may be of special concern in regard to therapeutic donor insemination (TDI).

Lesbian Couples Seeking Pregnancy With Donor Insemination

S.S. is a healthy, 29‐year‐old nulligravida who comes to the clinic with her female partner, M.S., seeking advice on becoming pregnant through the use of donor sperm from a cryobank. S.S. has been charting her fertility signs for 3 months, and both she and her partner are very excited about the prospect of becoming parents. They have done some research into donor sperm, but have questions about the different types of donor sperm available, whether to pursue intracervical or intrauterine insemination, and if the insemination should be done at home or in the clinic. They report that they have been to an obstetrician‐gynecologist seeking care. The physician was unfamiliar with donor insemination and referred them to a fertility clinic for preconception counseling. The physicians at the fertility clinic recommended that the couple pursue pregnancy using ultrasound to detect follicle growth, followed by a human chorionic gonadotropin trigger shot and then intrauterine insemination in the clinic 24 hours later. The couple felt that these interventions were unnecessary at this point, because they did not have a known fertility problem.

Long-term cryostorage of sperm in a human sperm bank does not damage progressive motility concentration

The use of quarantined cryopreserved semen is mandatory in donor insemination programs. Whether sperm cells can survive and retain their ability to fertilize after long-term storage remains a controversial issue. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the duration of cryostorage in liquid nitrogen on the sperm cells' progressive motility concentration (PMC) in a large study group. A total of 2525 thawed sperm specimens, packed in straws and donated by 72 sperm bank donors for intrauterine insemination (IUI), were evaluated in an assisted reproduction institute. PMC was recorded after 0.5-14.4 years of cryostorage. The mean (+/-SD) value of PMC of all study samples was 10.8 +/- 3.3 x 10(6)/ml after freezing/thawing and before cryostorage (T0), and 12.3 +/- 2.9 x 10(6)/ml after storage and before using the specimen for IUI (T1, P < 0.0001). Specimen storage for different lengths of time revealed that storage duration had no significant influence on the PMC of the specimens (r = -0.03, P = 0.08). The PMC of partially filled straws was lower than in full straws. Cryostorage duration made no difference in the PMC of raw and washed sperm specimens. Prolonged storage of donated sperm in liquid nitrogen had no influence on the PMC of the specimens and therefore should not alter the fertilization potency of donated sperm. The high post-storage values of the PMC compared with the pre-storage PMC values was probably an artifact of the small volume of the pre-storage sample.

Sperm donor limits that control for the 'relative' risk associated with the use of open-identity donors

The majority of countries that support the use of donor insemination (DI) in artificial reproductive technology (ART) limit the number of children born from one donor. The setting of these donor limits, though intended to control for the risk of inadvertent half-sibling unions between the offspring of anonymous donors, actually have no evidence base. Controlling for the risk of inadvertent half-sibling unions may soon become unnecessary due to the increasing world-wide use of open-identity sperm donors and the revocation of donor anonymity in many countries. With the shift from anonymous to open-identity donation, the central issue is not the risk of genetic abnormality from inadvertent half-sibling consanguinity; it is the psycho-social impact of the multiple use of open-identity sperm donors. Despite this, the jurisdictions that allow or mandate the use of open-identity donors continue to observe existing limits that do not consider nor specifically control for the psycho-social impact of the multiple use of open-identity sperm donors. It is proposed that: (i) conservative interim donor limits be placed on the multiple use of open-identity donors, while research into the psycho-social impact of disclosure is undertaken to inform the establishment of evidence-based limits; and (ii) the existing limits in jurisdictions where anonymity is still commonly practiced or protected could be raised, if an updated mathematical model was used for calculating evidence-based anonymous donor limits.

The ethical debate on donor insemination in China

This article gives an overview of the ethical thinking about donor insemination among Chinese ethicists. We analysed the ethical arguments dedicated to the use of donor spermatozoa published in the important bioethics journals of China of the last 15 years. On the one hand, the general Confucian values strongly favour the genetic link as it fits with the traditional importance attached to the continuation of the family line. Therefore, artificial insemination by donor (AID) is highly controversial in China because the involvement of a third party (the donor) severs the genetic link between the husband and his family. On the other hand, procreation is regarded as an important aspect of Confucian filial piety and it is a basic right of every human being to enjoy a family life. AID should be thought of as a means to help infertile couples to overcome infertility. Nowadays, Chinese bioethicists are trying to reinterpret Confucianism in order to adapt it to modernity. One such reinterpretation focuses on the affectionate rather than the genetic tie between parents and child. As the application is still new in China, more discussion and open debate on ethical aspects is needed.

Experiences of offspring searching for and contacting their donor siblings and donor

This study investigates a new phenomenon whereby individuals conceived by donor insemination are searching for and contacting their donor and/or 'donor siblings' (i.e. donor offspring conceived by the same donor who are their genetic half siblings). On-line questionnaires were completed by members of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR), a US-based registry that facilitates contact between donor conception families who share the same donor. Of the 165 donor offspring who completed the survey, 15% were searching for their donor siblings, 13% were searching for their donor, and 64% were searching for both. Differences were found according to family type and age of disclosure. Fewer offspring from heterosexual couple families had told their father about their search when compared with offspring from lesbian couple families who had told their co-parent. Offspring who had found out about their conception after age 18 were more likely to be searching for medical reasons, whereas those who had found out before age 18 tended to be searching out of curiosity. Some offspring had discovered large numbers of half siblings (maximum=13). The majority of offspring who had found their donor relations reported positive experiences and remained in regular contact with them.

Semen analysis in 21st century medicine: the need for sperm function testing

Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology (ART), has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. Indeed, the most recent addition of the 'World Health Organisation (WHO) Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen' now groups many of these procedures into a section termed Research Procedures. In large part, this reflects the current clinical practice of bypassing the in-depth evaluation of the male partner, while assuming that if a spermatozoon can be found for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), it must be a healthy cell capable of achieving fertilization. Nevertheless, sperm function testing can provide valuable clinical insights into defects causing male infertility. Admittedly, in some cases, functional sperm deficiencies can be overcome using an ART. In other cases, couples will be empowered by the knowledge of the cause of their infertility, and for some couples, perhaps even the likelihood of ICSI success (relative to the spermatozoa). The knowledge allows them to make truly informed reproductive decisions, including (perhaps) the decision to seek donor insemination, to adopt or to remain childless. Knowledge of the cause of their infertility may provide closure for couples and a sense of confidence regarding their choice of reproductive treatment.

Effect of forced swimming stress on in-vivo fertilization capacity of rat and subsequent offspring quality

AIMS:This study aimed to determine the effect of 50 days of forced swimming stress on fertilization capacity of rat and subsequent offspring quality.SETTING AND DESIGN:The prospective study designed in vivo.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Total 90 Wistar rats including 30 adult male (3 months of age, weighing 210 ± 10.6 g) and 60 female rats (3 months of age, weighing 230 ± 12.2 g) were engaged in this study. Male rats were randomly divided in two equal groups (n = 15): Control and experimental groups. Animals of the experimental group were submitted to forced swimming stress for 3 min in water at 32°C daily for 50 days. Then all adult male rats were mated with normal females (2 per each male) for 7 days. Female rats were sacrificed and autopsy was performed on day 20 of pregnancy when uterus and ovaries were examined for the number of corpora lutea, dead and live fetuses, embryo resorption, implantation sites, and fetus weight.CONCLUSION:Results of this study have important implications for families attempting pregnancy. Stress pursuant to life events may have a negative impact on in vivo fertilization capacity of male rats and subsequent offspring quality.

409 SUPERSTIMULATED BOVINE DONORS INSEMINATED WITH SEMEN WITH DIFFERENT LINEARITY EVALUATED BY COMPUTER-ASSISTED SPERM ANALYSIS

There is a highly significant relationship between semen quality and the percentage of fertilized ova and transferable embryos in superovulated donors (Stroud B and Hasler JF 2006 Theriogenology 65, 65-76). Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) provides an objective and highly repeatable system for sperm analysis. It has been observed that linearity (LIN) measured by CASA has a high correlation with fertility (Foote RH et al. 1998 Theriogenology 49, 871-879). In the present report, retrospective analysis was done to determine the effect of sperm linearity as assessed by CASA on the number of ova and viable embryos recovered from superstimulated cows. This research was carried out using different breeds of donors (n = 150, 80% Angus) during the last 5 years in an embryo transfer center in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Donors with a CL received an intravaginal progesterone device (DIB®, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Argentina), 2 mg of 17? estradiol, and 50 mg of progesterone (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), i.m. on the same day. On Day 4 after DIB® insertion, superstimulatory treatment was initiated as a decreasing dose regimen of FSH i.m. (Pluset®, Callier, Spain, or Folltropin®, Bioniche Animal Health, Inc., Belleville, Ontario, Canada) every 12 h during 4 days. On Day 6, DIB® devices were removed and cows were administered cloprostenol (2 mL) twice at 12-h intervals. When estrus was detected, donors received GnRH (2 mL i.m. Dalmarelin®, Von Franken, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and were inseminated 12 and 24 h thereafter. Semen was thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 1 min. Before insemination, every semen dose was evaluated for motility characteristics using the IVOS Sperm Analyzer (Hamilton Thorne Biosciences, Beverly, MA, USA). Two chambers of 20-(im depth and 5 fields per chamber were analyzed (30 frames/0.5 s for each field). According to CASA results, 3 groups were defined based on LIN: Group 1 = &lt;50%; Group 2 =≥50% and &lt;60%; and Group 3 =≥60%. Seven days later, embryo collection was performed and ovarian response was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography to assess number of CL + anovulatory follicles. Ova/embryos were evaluated and classified according to the IETS manual. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare variables among groups, and results are shown in Table 1. There was a significant difference between Groups 1 and 3 for total number and percentage of viable embryos. More embryos were recovered from donors inseminated with higher LIN semen. Also, there was a significant difference between Group 1 and both Groups 2 and 3 in the number of total fertilized ova, percentage of fertilized ova, and percentage of unfertilized ova. The present results suggest that insemination of donors with semen of high LIN results in higher fertilization rates and number of viable embryos. Table 1.Number of fertilized ova and viable embryos of donor cows inseminated with semen with different linearity

Should Women Remain Immobile Immediately After Intrauterine Insemination

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) alone or with ovarian stimulation is used commonly to assist infertile couples. To determine whether women should

Incidence Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Amongst Potential Semen Donors In University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

The incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Prospective Semen Donors where investigated using Standard Laboratory Procedures. 30 Prospective Semen Donors were screened for common STDs/STI at the Human Reproductive Research Programme /Invitro Fertilization Centre of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The incidence rates are Staphylococcus aureus (20%), followed by Chlamydia trachomatis (6.7%) while Klebsiellia spp, Treponema pallidum, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Escherichia coli and Hepatitis B Virus were detected with incidence rate of 3.3% each respectively. Ten percent (10%) of the prospective semen donors had evidence of polymicrobial infection excluding HIV. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases or infection should be of great concern to couples undergoing therapeutic artificial donor insemination. Keywords: STDs/STI, Artificial Insemination, Semen Donors)

THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL OPERATIONS ON THE CONSERVATION OF SPERMS

The information resulted from the processing of the bull’s seminal material and the artificial inseminations, shows certain signs, like the one, that between different dozes of seminal material coming from the same ejaculator , would be, significant differences concerning the number of pro doze spermatozoon’s as well as their vitality and the percentage of mobile spermatozoon’s from a doze. The experiments took place at the artificial insemination station from Germany, BVN. In the experiments were included 6 oxen, between two and seven years, belonging to the breeds dual use Simmental and Gelbvieh. As a diluent’s medium, were comparatively used, a diluent with egg yolk, Triladyl (MinitubGermany) and a diluent without egg yolk, Bioxcell (IMVFrance). Concerning the Motility’s values the impact of the dilators was not as high (table 3). However, slightly better values were indicated here for the BIOXCELL-variant. All in all the differences between the both dilution variants and the impact of the dilutors corresponded to earlier researches.

INVESTIGATION REGARDING PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCES AT COWS OF BLACK SPOTTED BREED OF MOLDAVIAN TYPE WITHIN MAXIMOVCA ELEVATOR OF REPUBLIC OF MODLVOA

The reproductive performance depending on milk productivity level at cows of Black Sportted breed of Moldavian type within the elevator of the experimental farm of the National Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine was studded. Cows’ population exploited in the conditions of the elevator of the scientific - Experimental Farm of the Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine is characterized by high indices of milk productivity. Thus, the average cows milking during 3005 days of first lactation was 6784,2 kg of milk which fatness was 3,99%, and by the lactation on average per one cow 270,7 kg of milking fat was received. By comparing the received data with the purpose – standard we can see that this group of animals exceed the refuirements of the purpose / standard by the quantity of abstained milk with 69,6%. By the content of fat in milk the average indices of investigated animals are higher than the purpose - standard by 87,96. The reproductive performance of high reproductive cows is problematic and depedens both on productivity level and on the period of first insemination and represent on average 0,86 per farm.

HIDDEN RESOURCES OF BUFFALO PRODUCTIVITY

Current reproduction indices in buffalo are presented. They are compared to the same indices in dairy cows of dual purpose breeds in case of an ideal calving interval of 365 days and in case of a mean 400 days calving interval for cow and the reported 437 days calving interval for buffalo. It was find out longer non productive periods (dry period for milk and empty – sp – periods for meat production) in buffalo. Concerning the milk production the recommended way to push up the productivity of buffalo females is to improve their genetic potential. Concerning the meat production the first way of acting is shorten the interval between calving and the fertile mating or insemination. Such result can be obtained using biotechnological procedure stimulating follicular maturity. Shortening of the calving interval will decrease the dry periods as well. The aim of the action has to be a 365 days calving interval in buffalo