Impaired Sperm Parameters Research Articles

Sperm and leukocyte telomere length are related to sperm quality parameters in healthy men from the Led-Fertyl study.

Could sperm and leukocyte telomere length (TL) be associated with sperm quality parameters and reproductive health in men from the general population? A positive association between sperm and leukocyte TL with sperm concentration and total count has been demonstrated. Male factors account for almost half of cases of couple infertility, and shorter TLs have been observed in sperm from men with impaired sperm parameters. However, evidence in men from the general population is limited. A total of 200 volunteers of reproductive age were recruited between February 2021 and April 2023 to participate in the Lifestyle and Environmental Determinants of Seminogram and Other Male Fertility-Related Parameters (Led-Fertyl) cross-sectional study. TLs in sperm and leukocytes were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 168 and 194 participants, respectively. Sperm parameters, including concentration, total count, motility, vitality, and morphology, were analyzed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) SCA® system according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010guidelines. Multivariable regression models were performed to assess the associations between sperm and leukocyte TL, either in tertiles or as continuous variables, and sperm quality parameters while adjusting for potential confounders. Participants in tertiles 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) of sperm TL showed a higher sperm concentration (β: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.09-2.09 and β: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.04-3.09 for T2 and T3, respectively; P-trend < 0.001), compared to those in the reference tertile (T1). Participants in the highest tertile of sperm TL showed higher total sperm count (β: 3.83; 95% CI: 2.08-5.58 for T3 vs T1; P-trend < 0.001). Participants in the top tertile of leukocyte TL showed higher sperm concentration (β: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.44-2.54 for T3 vs T1; P-trend = 0.004), and total count (β: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.62-5.35 for T3 vs T1; P-trend < 0.001) compared with participants in T1. These results remained consistent when sperm and leukocyte TL were modelled as continuous variables. One limitation is the impossibility of establishing a cause-effect relationship due to the cross-sectional study design. Additionally, the sample size of the study cannot be considered large. Sperm and leukocyte TLs are associated with sperm quality parameters in the general population. Additional determinations and further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these associations and to investigate the further implications. The Led-Fertyl study was supported by the Spanish government's official funding agency for biomedical research, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), through the Fondo de Investigación para la Salud (FIS) and co-funded by the European Union ERDF/ESF, 'A way to make Europe'/'Investing in your future' (PI21/01447), and the Diputació de Tarragona (2021/11-No.Exp. 8004330008-2021-0022642). J.S.-S., senior author of the present study, is partially supported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia program. M.F.d.l.P. was supported by a predoctoral grant from the Rovira i Virgili University and Diputació de Tarragona (2020-PMF-PIPF-8). C.V.-H. received a predoctoral grant from the Generalitat de Catalunya (2022 FI_B100108). M.Á.M. was supported by the Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship (CD21/00045-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)). All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. N/A.

Protective effect of platelet-rich plasma against structural and functional changes of the adult rat testis in carbimazole-induced hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism (HT) influences spermatogenesis and is associated with male infertility. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a biological product rich in growth factors, promotes tissue repair. In this study, the likely protective effects of PRP on testicular tissue damage in carbimazole (CBZ)-induced HT were evaluated. Forty male rats were divided into four groups. HT was induced by administering CBZ (1.35 mg/kg orally, for 45 days). Two doses of PRP (40 μL each, locally injected into the testis on days 15 and 30) were also given. After 45 days, blood samples were taken from the heart to measure triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and testosterone levels, and semen analysis was performed. For stereological assessment, the left testis was removed, fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The right testis was excised to evaluate antioxidant levels. CBZ was demonstrated to induce HT, characterized by significant reductions in T3 and T4. HT was associated with decreased testicular weight, impaired sperm parameters, reduced testosterone concentration, diminished antioxidant activity, reduced volumes of testicular components, and lower total numbers of testicular cells of various types. When HT samples were treated with PRP, improvement was observed for all of these changes. This protective effect could be attributed to the growth factors present in PRP. PRP appears to prevent the structural changes in the testes and the deterioration in sperm quality caused by CBZ-induced HT. This protective effect is likely due to mitigation of oxidative damage and elevation of testosterone levels.

The Association between Vitamin D and the Components of Male Fertility: A Systematic Review.

Previous systematic reviews of the effects of vitamin D on the components of male fertility have been inconclusive. This article systematically reviews the latest research to examine the relationship between vitamin D, semen quality parameters, and sex hormones production. MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched using the appropriate keywords. Observational studies indicate significant correlation between vitamin D levels and sperm parameters, with a particular emphasis on sperm motility, and partially suggest a relationship between higher serum testosterone and vitamin D levels. Additionally, interventional studies confirmed that vitamin D supplementation has a positive effect on sperm motility, especially progressive. However, most randomized clinical trials indicate that vitamin D treatment does not have any significant effect on testosterone or other hormone levels. Although our findings add to the discussion regarding the effect of vitamin D on male fertility, there is still no solid evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplementation to improve the outcomes of patients with impaired sperm parameters and hormonal disorders. Additional dedicated clinical studies are needed to clarify the relationship between vitamin D and male fertility, along with its components.

O-043 ICSI: the gamechanger in ART

Abstract On behalf of Neelke De Munck, Herman Tournaye and all colleagues BrusselsIVF (UZBrussel) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (1980-2022) In the early years of ART, IVF was successful to alleviate female-factor or idiopathic infertility, yet limited results were obtained in male-factor infertility. In the 80s, assisted fertilization procedures using micromanipulation were introduced, i.e. zona drilling and partial zona dissection. As these procedures did not perform well, at BrusselsIVF we investigated subzonal insemination (SUZI) in mice and eventually we introduced SUZI in our clinic for couples with impaired sperm parameters. IRB approval was obtained in 1991 but required a prospective follow-up protocol of all pregnancies and children born. During SUZI, it occurred that sperm was injected in the oolemma, after which normal fertilization and embryo development was observed. The first pregnancy leading to a live birth in January 1992 was established when 11 oocytes had no fertilization after SUZI but one oocyte was fertilized after “failed SUZI” and was eventually transferred. In the following period, we were able to demonstrate that ICSI was more efficient than SUZI and from July 1993 we only applied ICSI in patients in need of assisted fertilization. We deliberately choose to share our experience widely with our peers and thereafter ICSI was performed in many centres worldwide and ICSI has been mushrooming. The 2017 ICMART World Report mentions an annual increase of ART cycles with 2 million cycles in 2017 resulting in 330.000 deliveries. The percentage of cIVF versus ICSI is very different depending on the region but on average 70% of cycles are ICSI. This indicates that ICSI is also widely used for non-male infertility. The occurrence of about 15% failed fertilization cycles after cIVF is often the reason for using ICSI. This is for sure the case in countries where only a limited number of cycles is reimbursed by social security or where no reimbursement is in place. ICSI proved to relieve infertility in couples with severely impaired characteristics of ejaculated sperm including cryptozoospermia. For these patients ICSI results were similar as cIVF for other indications. ICSI with epididymal or testicular sperm could also solve the problem in patients with obstructive azoospermia. Patients with non-obstructive azoospermia can also be helped if sperm cells can be found by testicular sperm extraction using conventional TESE or microTESE. However, the chance to have a child in NOA couples embarking for both TESE and eventually ICSI is much lower if expressed in terms of Intention to Treat: 13,4% in NOA patients and 10,1% in Klinefelter patients. Most of these couples will embark on treatment even after full counselling before considering the use of donor sperm. At BrusselsIVF, ICSI is also used on in-vitro matured oocytes following culture of immature cumulus-oocyte complexes collected from antral follicles in PCOS patients. For couples undergoing Preimplantation Genetic Testing with biopsy of day-3 cleaving embryos or day-5 or day-6 blastocysts, ICSI is still the preferred procedure in order to avoid contamination at the time of biopsy by remnants of sperm or cumulus cells when cIVF is used. From the start in 1980 we have invested in clinical, translational and fundamental research. As of now this research is carried out by more than 250 individuals from BrusselsIVF, the centre for reproductive medicine of the UZBrussel and different research units at the VUB. Research focuses on different aspects of infertility, medical genetics, human reproduction, early human development and human pluripotent cells.

Elastographic evaluation of the effect of sickle cell anemia on testicles: a prospective study.

To quantitatively determine testicular tissue stiffness values using shear wave elastography (SWE) in males that have sickle cell anemia (SCA) and to evaluate the relationship between elastography results and semen analysis parameters and hormone levels. Fifty patients diagnosed with SCA and followed up in the hematology outpatient clinic were evaluated in the urology outpatient clinic as the study group. In addition, there were 88 patients without any SCA-related complaints in the control group. We compared these groups with respect to their values, spermiogram parameters, testicular volume, and SWE values. Among patients in the SCA group, 28% had impaired sperm parameters. When testicular elastography was assessed, the testicular volumes were materially lower in the SCA group in comparison to the control group [right testicular volume: 14.76 (12.77-18.12) and 19.68 (15.12-24.18), respectively, p< 0.001; left testicular volume: 14.11 (11.06-17.32) and 16.59 (13.38-20.13), respectively, p= 0.015]. Additionally, the left testis central stiffness and the left testis inferior stiffness were significantly higher in the SCA group (p< 0.001 and p= 0.014, respectively). The age and hydroxyurea use had a worse effect on sperm parameters in patients with SCA (odds ratio: -0.161 and -1.914, standard deviation: 0.071 and 0.921, and p= 0.024 and p= 0.038, respectively). We consider that the technique utilized in this study for SWE values is fast and can be adopted as a reliable diagnostic tool and follow-up practice in routine clinical practice to evaluate the acuteness of damage to the testicles in patients having SCA.

Efficacy and safety of papaverine as an in vitro motility enhancer on human spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to examine the ability and safety of papaverine supplementation for in vitro sperm motility enhancement. In addition, sperm motility enhancement of papaverine was compared to pentoxifylline and theophylline. The post-thaw spermatozoa were used as an asthenozoospermia model. Post thaw sperm suspensions were divided into two groups: papaverine (100 μmol/L) and control, and each was investigated in two subgroups of 30- and 60-min exposure times. Detailed motility parameters were detected using a computerized sperm motility analyzer. Acrosomal status, viability, apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated by flow cytometry. Furthermore, the motility-enhancing capacity of papaverine, pentoxifylline, and theophylline was compared. Cryopreservation impaired sperm parameters dramatically but no significant changes occurred in acrosomal status and apoptosis. Supplementation of papaverine enhanced motility parameters consistently at all exposure intervals, significantly. However, viability was lower at the 60th minute compared to the 30th minute (p=0.019). Papaverine did not alter any acrosomal or apoptotic markers at any time points. All of the compounds compared in this study increased the motility parameters, where theophylline supplementation provided significantly better improvement in total motility compared to papaverine and pentoxifylline. Our results suggest that in vitro papaverine treatment for 30 min adequately improves motility of post-thaw sperm, without leading to acrosome reaction, DNA damage, and viability loss. Theophylline's potency on increasing the ratio of total motile spermatozoa was found significantly superior than the two tested compounds. Prospective clinical studies with embryo production, pregnancy, and live birth data should be undertaken.

Chronic unpredictable stress disturbs the blood–testis barrier affecting sperm parameters in mice

Research questionDoes chronic stress affect the key proteins and sperm parameters of the blood–testis barrier (BTB)? DesignC57Bl/6 mice were divided into two groups: a non-treated control group and a chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) applied group. The stress status of the animals was confirmed with behavioural tests. Histopathologic evaluation was conducted by haematoxylin and eosin staining and electron microscope. Malondialdehyde, corticosterone and testosterone levels were evaluated in peripheral blood. Expression levels of BTB proteins, namely zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-11 (CLDN11) and clathrin in Sertoli cells, were assessed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence techniques. Sperm samples were collected from cauda epididymis, and sperm parameters analysed. ResultsThe stress model was confirmed by behavioural tests. Histopathological evaluation of the testes demonstrated a mild degeneration in seminiferous tubules. Malondialdehyde (P = 0.008) and corticosterone levels increased (P = 0.004) and testosterone levels decreased (P = 0.005) in the CUS group. Electron microscopic evaluation confirmed the damage in BTB integrity in the CUS group. Western blot analysis showed that ZO-1 and CLDN11 levels were significantly decreased, although clathrin levels were unchanged. Although sperm concentration and total motility rate were not significantly different between the groups, progressive motility (P = 0.03), normal sperm morphology (P = 0.04), chromatin integrity (toluidine blue) (P = 0.002) and the acrosomal reaction rate (P = 0.002) were significantly decreased, and acrosomal abnormality rate was dramatically increased (P = 0.04) in the CUS group. ConclusionsIn mice, CUS disrupted BTB integrity and impaired sperm parameters. A decrease in ZO-1 and CLDN11 expression levels may be proposed as the causative factor.

Is serum vitamin D level a risk factor for idiopathic male fertility?

Background: Idiopathic male infertility is a health problem that is increasingly common worldwide. Aetiology of idiopathic male infertility is still controversial. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D level and sperm quality in patients with idiopathic male infertility.Methods: Between June 2018 and June 2020, 297 patients including 147 men with idiopathic infertility (as a study group) and 150 fertile men (as a control group) were retrospectively enrolled into the study. Blood samples were collected, and these samples included serum sex steroids, serum vitamin D levels, glucose tests, lipid profiles, liver function tests and kidney function tests. At least two sperm analyses, scrotal doppler ultrasonography and karyotype analysis were performed on each of the patients. Demographic, laboratory and radiological features were also recorded. The Mann Whitney-U test was used to compare groups and quantitative independent data. The Chi-square test was used for qualitative independent data. Spearman's correlation analysis was applied for correlation. Significant results were investigated and analysed further using the logistic regression test.Results: The mean age of the patients was 31.98 ± 6.97 years. The mean serum vitamin D level of the patients was 23.16 ± 10.40 ng/dL and the mean infertility duration of patients with idiopathic infertility was 29.88 ± 28.86 months. We observed statistical significance in terms of serum vitamin D levels, impaired total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and sperm morphology in idiopathic infertile men when compared to fertile men. There were no statistically significant between idiopathic infertile men and fertile men in terms of serum testosterone levels.Conclusions: We observed a positive correlation between serum vitamin D levels and impaired sperm parameters, specifically in terms of sperm morphology, total sperm motility and progressive sperm motility. Vitamin D supplementation may be a beneficial contribution to achieving high paternity rates in men with idiopathic male infertility.

The ameliorative potentials of aqueous leaf extract of Amaranthus hybridus on monosodium glutamate-induced testicular damage in Wistar rats.

ObjectiveAmaranthus hybridus (AH) is a food plant commonly eaten in our country known as a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative potentials of aqueous extract of A. hybridus on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) -induced testicular toxicity in adult Wistar rats.Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats weighing 160-180 g were divided into four groups. Group A served as control; rats in Group B were given 300 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of aqueous leaf extract of AH; rats in Group C were given 4 mg/g (BW) of 40% MSG; and rats in Group D were given 4 mg/g (BW) of 40% MSG and 300 mg/kg (BW) of extract orally for 6 weeks.Results There was a significant increase in body weight and a significant reduction in testis weight, testis volume, and testis/body weight ratio in the group given only MSG when compared with controls. Histologically, rats in Groups A and B had normal testicular architecture, while the rats given MSG only showed a significant derangement in testicular histoarchitecture and impaired sperm parameters when compared with controls and the rats given AH. However, these derangements were alleviated in the MSG+AH group when compared with controls.Conclusions Aqueous leaf extract of AH ameliorated the testicular derangement resulting from MSG administration.

Seminal oxidation-reduction potential as a possible indicator of impaired sperm parameters in Turkish population.

Oxidative stress (OS) has been shown to have a key role in male infertility. Recently, a new measurement method has been developed to measure the overall oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in a semen sample known as the MiOXSYS system. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of sperm parameters with oxidative stress levels determined by ORP and to evaluate whether the current limit is able to distinguish abnormal sperm parameters from normal ones in Turkish population. Semen samples of 121 patients who applied for infertility investigation were divided into two groups as (OS +; n:39) and (OS -; n:82). Semen parameters were compared between groups. Sperm concentration, total motility and progressive motility were found to be significantly lower in OS (+) patients compared to those OS (-), while immotile sperm count was significantly higher in OS (+) patients. Oxidative stress determined by MiOXSYS system was found to be related to reduced sperm parameters in Turkish population, which may be used as an indicator of poor sperm parameters and a support to routine semen analysis. In addition, recommended reference value was found to be reliable in distinguishing normal from impaired semen parameters.

Carbamazepine-induced sperm disorders can be associated with the altered expressions of testicular KCNJ11/miR-let-7a and spermatozoal CFTR/miR-27a.

Male infertility is a global health problem, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly known. Ion channels and microRNAs (miRNAs), known to function in many vital functions in cells, have been shown to play a significant role in male infertility through changes in their expressions. The study aimed to evaluate the alterations of testicular and/or spermatozoal potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11), Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), miR-let-7a and miR-27a expressions in carbamazepine-related male infertility. Here, we showed that carbamazepine reduced sperm motility, increased abnormal sperm morphology, and impaired hormonal balance as well as increased relative testis weight and decreased relative seminal vesicle weight. On the other hand, downregulated KCNJ11 and upregulated miR-let-7a expressions were determined in testis (p<.05). Also, downregulated KCNJ11 and upregulated CFTR and miR-27a expressions were found in spermatozoa (p<.05). Interestingly, altered testicular KCNJ11 and miR-let-7a expressions were correlated with decreased sperm motility and elevated sperm tail defect. Besides, spermatozoal CFTR and miR-27a expressions positively correlated with sperm tail defects. The results indicated a significant relationship between ion channel and/or miRNA expression alterations and impaired sperm parameters due to carbamazepine usage.

Parameters associated with sperm quality prior to chemotherapy in lymphoma patients.

Sperm quality in lymphoma patients may be reduced even prior to initiation of chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between lymphoma prognostic factors and sperm quality prior to chemotherapy. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a Hadassah Medical Center sperm bank and the Hematology department. The cohort included 101 Hodgkin's and 90 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients that underwent sperm cryopreservation before chemotherapy between 1998 and 2015. Known lymphoma prognostic factors were compared between patients with normal and impaired sperm parameters. The Prognostic Score Ratio (PSR), an index representing the number of negative lymphoma prognostic measures that found in a lymphoma patient, was additionally calculated and compared between the groups. Among the prognostic factors of lymphoma, the following factors were found to be associated with impaired sperm parameters-low albumin (p<0.001) and haemoglobin (p<0.001) levels, B symptoms (p=0.021) and PSR (p<0.001). Logistic regression showed significant association of albumin and haemoglobin with reduced sperm quality (OR=2.7 and OR=13.5, p<0.05; respectively). To conclude, low albumin and haemoglobin levels are related to reduced sperm quality. The linkage between these prognostic factors and sperm quality may be related to a general inflammatory status.

Evaluation of human papilloma virus in semen as a risk factor for low sperm quality and poor in vitro fertilization outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To analyze the effect of human papilloma virus (HPV) sperm infection on sperm parameters and invitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Not applicable. Men with HPV sperm infection and couples undergoing IVF. Searches were conducted in the following databases: Medline(R), PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopos, and the Cochrane Library. We included studies examining sperm parameters and IVF results in patients with and without HPV sperm infection. Sperm analysis (concertation, count, volume, motility, morphology), according to the World Health Organization manual, pregnancy rate (PR), and miscarriage rate (MR). Sixteen studies were included in this meta-analysis. The presence of HPV had a significant association with impaired sperm parameters in terms of concentration (mean difference [MD] -4.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 6.12 to -2.83), motility (MD -11.71, 95% CI - 16.15 to -7.26), and morphology (MD -2.44, 95% CI - 4.08 to -0.79. A review of the literature regarding ART outcomes showed an association between HPV infection and decreased PR, and an even stronger association between HPV infection and increased MR. Our meta-analysis shows a negative effect of HPV on sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Further subgroup and categorical analysis confirmed the clinical significance of impaired sperm motility in HPV-infected sperm, although the sperm count and morphology must be carefully analyzed. The studies reviewed reported lower PR and increased MR in couples with HPV-infected sperm. As most studies had a moderate risk of bias, these observations warrant further large, well-designed studies before introducing clinical management recommendations. CRD42019127419.

People smoke for nicotine, but lose sexual and reproductive health for tar: a narrative review on the effect of cigarette smoking on male sexuality and reproduction.

To systematically review the impact of smoking habits on cardiovascular (CV) as well as on male sexual and reproductive function and to provide updated evidence on the role of electronic cigarettes (e-Cig) on the same topics. A comprehensive Medline, Embase, and Cochrane search was performed including the following words: smoking, CV system, CV risk, erectile dysfunction (ED), and male fertility. Publications from January 1, 1969 up to February 29, 2020 were included. Smoking has a tremendous negative impact on CV mortality and morbidity. Current smoking behavior is also negatively associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) and impaired sperm parameters. E-Cig can release significantly lower concentrations of harmful substances when compared to regular combustible cigarettes. Whether or not the latter can result in positive CV, sexual, and fertility outcomes is still under study. Preliminary studies showed that exposure to e-Cig leads to lower vascular damage when compared to the traditional cigarette use. However, data on the long-term effects of e-Cig are lacking. Similarly, preliminary data, obtained in animal models, have suggested a milder effect of e-Cig on erectile function and sperm parameters. Available evidence showed that e-Cig are much less dangerous when compared to the traditional tobacco use. However, it should be recognized that the risk related to e-Cig is still higher when compared to that observed in non-smoking patients. Hence, e-Cig should be considered as a potential tool, in the logic of harm reduction, to reduce the CV, sexual and fertility risk in patients refractory to the fundamental, healthy choice to definitively quit smoking.

Causes and Impact of Cryopreservation-Associated Damage on Different Parameters of Human Spermatozoa and its Clinical Impact

Sperm cryopreservation has been widely used for assisted reproductive technology (ART). Indications for sperm cryopreservation include donor insemination, cryopreservation prior to surgical infertility treatment, and malignancies to avoid additional surgery in couples undergoing repeated in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. However, dramatic changes during cryopreservation have detrimental effects on the sperm membrane, resulting in a large increase in the percentage of poorly motile sperm or sperm with abnormal morphology. The negative effects related to rapid temperature decrease, such as osmotic injury, cellular dehydration, intracellular ice crystal formation, and oxidative stress can also damage the sperm in ways that affect reproductive outcome. This comprehensive review focusses on describing the detrimental effects of the cryopreservation process on sperm and aims to clarify that not all impaired sperm parameters have the same impact on the clinical practice of ART. Regarding the parameters studied, some of the biomarkers used for sperm maturity, hyaluronic acid binding capacity, or damaged DNA have limited clinical significance compared to other semen parameters which provide more useful information for clinical practice and are often dismissed, such as total motility or total motile sperm count (TMSC). In the authors’ experience, TMSC gives valuable quantitative information about the number of viable spermatozoa. Indeed, TMSC should be assessed specifically for groups of patients in which sample availability is limited.

Sperm chromosomal abnormalities and their contribution to human embryo aneuploidy.

In this work we reviewed 18years of experience using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for sperm aneuploidy testing. We evaluated parameters associated with increased numerical sperm chromosome abnormalities and determined the male contribution to embryo aneploidies in terms of reproductive outcome by increased sperm aneuploidy. This retrospective study analyzed data from 2008 sperm samples of infertile males undergoing FISH analysis because of clinical history of repetitive implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage, impaired sperm parameters, or mixed causes. Sperm concentration was the only sperm parameter associated with FISH results-we observed a gradual increase of abnormal sperm FISH results in males with decreasing sperm concentration. However, a great proportion of normozoospermic males also showed increased sperm aneuploidies, suggesting that sperm parameters alone do not enable identification of a substantial proportion of infertile males at risk of sperm aneuploidies. Regarding reproductive outcomes, couples with normal sperm FISH results for the male had similar outcomes regardless of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). However, couples with abnormal sperm FISH results for the male showed better clinical outcomes after PGT-A, suggesting a potential contribution of sperm to embryo aneuploidy. Moreover, PGT-A cycles showed better clinical outcomes when 24 chromosomes were analyzed by array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) or next-generation sequencing (NGS) instead of only nine chromosomes analyzed by FISH. In conclusion, sperm FISH analysis offers clinical prognostic value to evaluate reproductive possibilities in infertile couples. Therefore, couples with abnormal sperm FISH results should be offered genetic counseling and presented with clinical options such as PGT-A.

Heavy cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are associated with impaired sperm parameters in primary infertile men.

We assessed the concomitant impact of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption in men presenting for primary couple's infertility. Data from 189 infertile men were analyzed. Semen analysis, serum hormones, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) were obtained. Smoking status was categorized as follows: current nonsmoker (−S), moderate smoker (+MS), and heavy smoker (+HS). Alcohol consumption was categorized as follows: abstainer (−D), moderate drinker (+MD), and heavy drinker (+HD). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were applied. Among all the participants, 132 (69.8%), 30 (15.9%), and 27 (14.3%) patients were −S, +MS, and +HS, respectively. In addition, 67 (35.4%), 77 (40.7%) and 45 (23.8%) men were -D, +MD and +HD, respectively. Regarding concomitant habits, 52 (27.5%) patients were nonsmokers and abstainers (−S/−D: Group 1), 91 (48.1%) had at least one recreational habit (−S/+D or +S/−D: Group 2), and 46 (24.3%) were both smokers and drinkers (+S/+D: Group 3). Sperm concentration and progressive motility were lower in +HS and +HD, compared with −S and −D (all P < 0.05), respectively. Similarly, both parameters were significantly lower in Group 3 than Groups 1 and 2 (all P < 0.05). SDF values were higher in Group 3 than Groups 1 and 2 (both P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and concomitant +S/+D status were independent predictors of impaired sperm concentration and progressive motility (all P < 0.05). Heavy smoking and heavy drinking were associated with worse seminal parameters than moderate smoking/drinking and nonsmoking/abstaining. When concomitant, +S/+D status has an even greater detrimental effect on semen parameters.

Urogenital Infection and Male Infertility: The Presence of Leukocyte in Semen is Associated with Decrease Fertilization Potential of Human Spermatozoa in Infertile Patients affected with Leukocytospermia

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of leukocytes contamination determined by peroxidase-positive leukocytes on semen characteristic of leukocytospermic subjects. Fifty (25 leukocytospermic vs. 25 non leukocytospermic) infertile couples collected from Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital/Thi-qar Health Directorate enrolled in this study and semen samples were analyzed before and after in vitro sperm preparation technique. Furthermore, sperm concentration, sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, and seminal leukocytes counts were evaluated according to standard WHO criteria (2010). For preparation technique, sperm prepared and incubated for 30 minute in 5% CO2 at 37oC. The results of present study shows that leukocytospermic men significantly (P<0.001) decreased and differences sperm functions compared with non leukocytospermic men may be due to reactive oxygen species generation by leukocytes. It was concluded that the increase seminal leukocyte counts lead to impaired sperm parameters and decrease fertilizing ability of human spermatozoa and sperm function improved and augmented after sperm processing technique. Further studies are recommended to assess the harmful outcomes of ROS on DNA damage and embryo quality after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI-ET).

High-risk human papillomavirus in semen is associated with poor sperm progressive motility and a high sperm DNA fragmentation index in infertile men.

Does the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in semen impact seminal parameters and sperm DNA quality in white European men seeking medical help for primary couple's infertility? HPV seminal infections involving high-risk (HR) genotypes are associated with impaired sperm progressive motility and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) values. HPV is commonly present in semen samples. However, whether the presence of HPV in semen is actually associated with impaired sperm parameters and SDF values have yet to be elucidated. In this cross-sectional study, complete demographic, clinical and laboratory data from 729 infertile men were analysed. Health-significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Serum hormones and SDF index (measured by the sperm chromatin structure assay [SCSA]) were measured in every patient (SDF ≥30% was defined as pathological). Semen analysis was based on 2010 World Health Organisation reference criteria. Amplification by nested PCR was used to detect HPV-DNA sequences in semen samples. Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were used to test the association between the presence of HPV and clinical and seminal characteristics in the whole cohort. The overall rate of HPV positivity was 15.5% (113/729). Overall, 78/729 (10.7%) and 35/729 (4.8%) patients had HR HPV+ and low-risk HPV+, respectively. HPV16 was the most prevalent type (22.1%), followed by HPV43 (10.6%), HPV56 and HPV42 (both 8.8%). No differences were found in terms of clinical and hormonal characteristics between patients with or without seminal HPV. Sperm progressive motility was significantly lower (P = 0.01) while SDF values were higher (P = 0.005) in HPV+ men compared to those with no HPV. In particular, HR HPV+ men had lower sperm progressive motility (P = 0.007) and higher SDF values (P = 0.003) than those with a negative HPV test. Univariable analysis showed that HR HPV+ was associated with impaired sperm progressive motility (P = 0.002) and SDF values (P = 0.003). In the multivariable analysis, age, FSH levels and testicular volume were significantly associated with impaired sperm progressive motility (all P ≤ 0.04). Conversely BMI, CCI, smoking habits and HPV status were not. Only age (P = 0.02) and FSH (P = 0.01) were significantly associated with SDF, after accounting for BMI, CCI, testicular volume, smoking habits and HPV status. Main limitations are the cross-sectional design of our study and the relatively small sample size of the subgroups. Additional limitations are the lack of a control group of normal fertile men and the lack of follow-up testing to check the clearance or the persistence of HPV in semen after a 6-12 months. Overall, these observations point out the importance of an accurate investigation of seminal HPV presence in everyday clinical practice in the diagnostic work-up of infertile men. No external funding was used. There are no competing interests.

SPERM QUALITY IN RATS PREDISPOSED TO THE MANIFESTATION OF CATATONIC REACTIONS

Catatonia is a psychopathological syndrome displayed as a motor disorder. Catatonia is a sign of many menthal disorders, particularly schizophrenia and depression, with a wide disrtibution in the human population. The GC (“genetic” and “catatonia”) rat strain was obtained from the Wistar rat strain by a long selection (78 generations) for the catatonic type of reaction and is a model of schizophrenic and depressive disorders in humans. It is known that selection for behavior including catatonic reactions results in neuroendocrine, reproductive and morphological changes in animals. However, the influence of selection for a catatonic reaction on the spermatogenic function of testes had not been studied. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative investigation of sperm quality in rats of the GC and the Wistar strain. The epididymal sperm parameters (sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology) were measured, and body, testes and epididymal weight were determined at puberty (50 day of life) and at adulthood (90 day of life). The litter size of the GC and Wistar rats was determined. It was found that adult GC rats had a lower sperm count, sperm motility, testis weight, epydidymal weight and litter size compared to adult Wistar rats. However, at puberty, GC rats had a higher sperm count than the Wistar strain. Interstrain differences in sperm morphology were not found. It has been assumed that the changes of spermatogenic parameters in response to selection for catatonia are caused by changing the ontogenic pattern of testosterone secretion. In conclusion, the hereditary predisposition to catatonic reaction is associated with impaired sperm parameters in adult rats that reduces their chance to reproduction. The GC rat strain can be a perspective model for investigation of the relationship between the hereditary predisposition to catatonia and spermatogenesis