Normal Sperm Morphology Research Articles

The Amino Acid Profile in Seminal Plasma of Normozoospermic Men: A Correlation Analysis with Spermiogram Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity.

Male infertility is usually determined by the manual evaluation of the semen, namely the standard semen analysis. It is currently impossible to predict sperm fertilizing ability based on the semen analysis alone. Therefore, a more sensitive and selective diagnosis tool is required. Twelve fresh semen samples were collected from fertile volunteers attending the Avicenna Fertility Center (Tehran, Iran). The seminal plasma (SP) was prepared and subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was analysis. Thirty-four amino acids including essential amino acids (EAA), non-essential amino acids (NEAA), and non-proteinogenic amino acids (NPAA) relative concentration were determined, and the correlation between their concentration with spermiogram parameters and TAC of the SP was analyzed. Significant positive correlations have been found between selected amino acids with the motility (Met and Gln, rs=0.92; Cys, rs=0.72; and Asn, rs=0.82), normal sperm morphology (Met, rs=0.92; Cys, rs=0.72; Glu, rs=0.92; and Asn, rs=0.82), and sperm concentration (Trp, Phe, and Ala). In contrast, several AAs, including Gly, Ser, and Ile showed negative correlations with sperm concentration (rs=-0.93, r=-0.92, and r=-0.89, respectively). Furthermore, TAC showed a positive association only with Tyr (rs=0.79). The strong positive/negative correlations between the seminal metabolic signature and spermiogram demonstrate the significance of determining metabolite levels under normal conditions for normal sperm functions. Combining the metabolome with the clinical characteristics of semen would enable clinicians to look beyond biomarkers toward the clinical interpretation of seminal parameters to explain the biological basis of sperm pathology.

Effect of varicocele surgery on sperm quality

Introduction: A varicocele is a vascular lesion characterised by dilatation and tortuosity of the veins of the pampiniform plexus and is found in approximately one-fifth of the adult male population. It is the most common cause of treatable infertility. Physical examination may or may not show a varicocele which is mostly diagnosed only when patients present with infertility or adolescents during a physical examination, like testicular hypotrophy, impairment in spermatogenesis mainly in the form of low or absent count, decreased sperm motility, and abnormal sperm morphology. Treatment for varicocele includes medical therapies, radiological embolization, and surgical techniques. Medical therapy, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, has been utilized with variable success. Radiological embolization of varicocele is a new technique in the treatment of varicocele, but it is associated with high recurrences and high cost. Varicoceles are surgically treated either by open or laparoscopic approaches the principal aim being occlusion of the dilated veins of the pampiniform plexus. A definitive conclusion of indication of medical treatment cannot be drawn at present because most published studies have inadequate design and lack controls. Various studies in the past have concluded significant changes in sperm parameters (total count, motility, morphology) post-varicocele repair. However, few other studies suggest no improvement in sperm parameters following surgical varicocele repair and studies that conclude recommendations against repair of varicocele. Thus, conflicting opinions have opened the scope to establish this fact by this study. Aim: To evaluate changes in sperm morphology, sperm count, and sperm motility in a patient with varicocele after varicocele surgery. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College & Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India from August 2019 to February 2021. The sample size was calculated to be 50 using Slovin’s formula with a confidence level of 95% with a margin error taken as 5% (p - value 0.05). Sperm morphology, sperm count, and sperm motility were the parameters studied before and after 3 months of surgery. Results: The majority of patients belonged to the age group of 18 to 25 years (42%) followed by 26 to 35 years (40%) (27.78 ± 6.547 years). Left-sided varicocele was more common (54%), followed by bilateral varicocele (42%). Varicocele grade II was most common (58%) followed by grade I (30%) and lastly grade III (12%). Total sperm count improved by 8.88 million per ml after varicocelectomy. Total sperm motility improved by 6.08% after the surgery. Total normal sperm forms improved by 6.44% after varicocele repair. Conclusion: Based on the findings it was concluded that Varicocelectomy results in significant improvement in total sperm count, total sperm motility, and total normal sperm morphology. The best improvement was seen in sperm count followed by total normal sperm forms and lastly total sperm motility.

The influence of male HBV infection on sperm quality, embryonic development, and assisted reproductive outcomes.

What is the impact of male hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on sperm quality, embryonic development, and assisted reproductive outcomes? Male HBV infection did not affect assisted reproductive outcomes, but HBV is capable of impairing human sperm and embryo formation in the early stages following fertilization. HBV is found in germ cells and early embryos of patients with HBV. HBV may impair human sperm function via increasing reactive oxygen species. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1581 infertile couples, including 496 male patients clinically confirmed to have hepatitis B infection, and a laboratory study of effects of HBV proteins on early embryos, using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), human sperm, and golden hamster oocytes. In total, 1581 infertile couples (24-40 years of age) who were admitted to a reproductive medicine center to undergo ART for the first time from January 2019 to November 2021 were selected as the study subjects. The case group was composed of 469 couples with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-seropositive men and seronegative women (368 for IVF and 101 for ICSI treatment). The negative control group was composed of 1112 couples where both men and women were seronegative for hepatitis B antigen. We divided these couples into three comparison groups (IVF/ICSI, IVF, and ICSI). IVF of human sperm and hamster oocytes was used to evaluate the influence of the HBV HBs protein on formation of 2-cell embryos. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of hESCs was assayed via a fluorescence intensity system. Immunofluorescence staining of the phosphorylated histone H2A.X was applied to identify DNA damage to hESCs caused by the HBV X (HBx) protein. Sperm concentration, total sperm number, and sperm with normal morphology were decreased in the couples with HBV-infected males in couples who were undergoing IVF/ICSI (male HBV(+) vs control: 469 vs 1112 individuals; sperm number, P < 0.01; normal sperm morphology, P < 0.01), IVF (368 vs 792; sperm number, P < 0.01; normal sperm morphology, P ≤ 0.05), and ICSI (101 vs 306; sperm number, P < 0.01; normal sperm morphology, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the number of embryo cleavages, blastocyst formation, biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live-birth rate between case and control groups. The 2PN fertilization rate in IVF/ICSI (P < 0.01) and ICSI (P < 0.05) couples, and the number of 2PN-fertilized oocytes in IVF (P < 0.001) couples were lower in couples with male HBV infection compared to control couples. HBV HBs protein reduced the MMP of human sperm and decreased 2-cell embryo formation in IVF of human sperm and zona-free-hamster oocyte. A reduction in fluorescence intensity and immunofluorescence staining of phosphorylated histone H2A.X indicated that HBx caused MMP impairment and DNA damage in human early embryonic cells, respectively. N/A. HBV can be examined in samples of sperm or discarded IVF early embryos from HBsAg-seropositive men and seronegative women. The hESC model in vitro may not fully mimic the natural embryos in vivo. This study furthers our understanding of the influence of male HBV infection on embryonic development. Our results suggest that a semen-washing process may be necessary for male patients with HBV undergoing ART to minimize the potential negative effects of HBV infection on the early embryo. This work was funded by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant numbers 81870432 and 81570567 to X.Z., 81571994 to P.S., and 81950410640, the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China (No. 2023A1515010660 to X.Z.), and the Li Ka Shing Shantou University Foundation (Grant No. L11112008). The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Recurrent pregnancy loss: a male crucial factor-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), defined as two or more failed clinical pregnancies, affects 1%-3% of couples trying to conceive. Nowadays up to 50% of cases remain idiopathic. In this context, paternal factors evaluation is still very limited. The aim is to address the topic of the male factor in RPL with a broad approach, analyzing collectively data on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and semen parameters. We systematically searched in Pubmed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar from inception to February 2023. A protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (ID number CRD42022278616). PRISMA guidelines were followed. Pooled results from 20 studies revealed a higher DNA fragmentation rate in the RPL group compared to controls (mean difference [MD] 9.21, 95% CI 5.58-12.85, p<0.00001, I2 98%). Age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and alcohol intake were not associated with DNA fragmentation. Subgroup analysis by different SDF assays (TUNEL and COMET at a neutral pH vs. indirect assessment with other assays) and ethnicity did not highlight different results (p = 0.25 and 0.44). Results pooled from 25 studies showed a significant difference comparing RPL and control groups regarding ejaculation volume (MD -0.24, 95% CI -0.43; -0.06, p 0.01, I2 66%), total sperm number (MD -10.03, 95% CI -14.65; -5.41, p<0.0001, I2 76%), total sperm motility (MD -11.20, 95% CI -16.15; -6.25, p<0.0001, I2 96%), progressive sperm motility (MD -7.34, 95% CI -10.87; -3.80, p<0.0001, I2 97%), and normal sperm morphology (MD -5.99, 95% CI -9.08; -2.90, p 0.0001, I2 98%). A sub-analysis revealed that Asian and Africans, but not white-European RPL men had lower progressive sperm motility compared to controls. In conclusion, current review and meta-analysis findings suggested that SDF and some specific semen parameters were associated with RPL in a multi-ethnic evaluation. This effort opens future direction on a growing awareness of, first, how the male factor plays a key role and, second, how appropriate would be to establish a direct dialogue between the gynecologist and the urologist. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the male component of RPL. We found that sperm DNA fragmentation and some specific sperm parameters are significantly associated with RPL.

Impact of organophosphate pesticides exposure on human semen parameters and testosterone: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides have been associated with a decline in semen quality, although there are still considerable arguments about the magnitude of the association. This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impacts of OP pesticides on semen quality and male reproductive hormones. This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols. Strategic search was conducted using combined text words as search terms. The eligibility criteria were developed based on Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study designs (PECOS) framework. Relevant data were extracted, risk of bias was evaluated by The Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool, and certainty of evidence was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group guidelines. Quantitative meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager. A total of 766 male subjects (349 exposed to OP pesticides and 417 unexposed controls) were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in the ejaculate volume, seminal fluid volume, sperm multiple anomaly index, sperm, and leukocytes levels of the OP-exposed subjects compared to the control. In addition, OP pesticides exposure did not significantly affect serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and testosterone in subjects who were exposed to OP pesticides compared to their unexposed counterparts. However, we found a significant reduction in the sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology of OP pesticides-exposed subjects compared to the unexposed subjects. However, after subtype and sensitivity analyses, exposure to OP pesticides did not reduce sperm count. Also, after sensitivity analysis, OP pesticides exposure did not alter progressive sperm motility. This study demonstrates that OP pesticides exposure reduced sperm count, concentration, total and progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology, possibly via a testosterone-independent mechanism.

Consequences of Type-2 diabetes mellitus and Malaria co-morbidity on sperm parameters in men; a case-control study in a district hospital in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and malaria infection are highly prevalent in Africa particularly, in the Sub-Saharan Region. A greater number of people in the Ghanaian population who have T2DM are also reported to harbor malaria parasites. This study aimed to investigate the influence of T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity on sperm parameters among patients in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. This hospital-based cross-sectional analytic case-control study comprised 254 adult male study participants comprising 80 T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity, 80 T2DM only, and 94 normal controls. A blood sample (10mL) was drawn from each participant to measure FBG, HbA1c levels, Testosterone levels, Total cholesterol, and determination of Malaria parasite density. Seminal fluid was also collected from each participant for semen analysis. Sperm kinetics of the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group particularly; total motility, rapid progressive motility, and slow progressive motility were negatively affected compared to both T2DM only (p<0.0001) and the Normal control (p<0.0001). Normal sperm morphology was significantly affected in the co-morbidity group compared to T2DM only (p<0.0001). Sperm vitality was also statistically significantly reduced in the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity than in T2DM only (t (64) = -8.62; p<0.001). There was a significant decline in testosterone levels in the T2DM & Malaria co-morbidity group than in the T2DM only (p<0.0001) and the control (p <0.0001). In conclusion, T2DM and malaria infection have a stronger propensity to alter sperm morphology and lower sperm motility and vitality.

Semen Pattern of Infertile-Male Partners Attending for Infertility Treatment, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Background: Infertility has major public health, economic, and psychosocial consequences, affecting approximately 15% - 20% of couples of reproductive ages. Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm . Illness, injuries, chronic health problems, life style may contribute to male infertility.&#x0D; Objective: the aim of the study was to find the semen profile of infertile couples who attended the OPD of a tertiary hospital in Sylhet city.&#x0D; Methodology: This prospective longitudinal study was carried out in OPD of SOMCH, from June 2004 to December 2004. The study population was included with the criteria of the 100 male partners of the infertile couples who had tried for at least one year. The Exclusion criteria were men who had undergone a vasectomy.&#x0D; Each of the male partner of the infertile couples were provided-with detailed instructions regarding the method of collection of the semen. After three days of abstinence, the subjects were instructed to collect semen by masturbation in a clean, dry, wide-mouthed container provided by the laboratory. In most of the cases, semen was collected in the semen collection room within the premises of the laboratory, but those were unable to produce semen by masturbation were advised to bring the specimen to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection by coitusinteruptus. It was strictly suggested that the semen was to be brought within 2 hours at the test, sample which was brought after 2 hours was rejected. The sperm concentration was estimated by using the Makler counting chamber. Sperm morphology was assessed under light microscope by making a semen smear. The semen parameters were interpreted as normal or abnormal according to WHO (1999) semen analysis reference values. In patients with absence of sperm, semen analysis was repeated three times at four weeks interval before declaring azoospermia. Those patients with azoospermia and oligospermia also had a hormonal assay.&#x0D; Result: In this study, most (87%) of the semen specimens were between 2-3ml.In this study, 66% of the semen samples had a sperm count of more than 20 million/ml, 20% had 6-20 million/I, 5% had &lt; 5 million/nil &amp; 9 % had no sperm in their semen specimen (azoospermia). Out of 100 cases, 66% of semen specimens showed normal sperm concentration (&gt;20 million/ml) . 34% showed low or no sperm concentration. Statistically, the proportion is highly significant (P=&lt;0.001) In this study, the majority (74%) of male partners had pus cell in their semen specimen. In this study, most of the semen specimens (96%) liquefied within 30 minutes and 95% cases, pH of the semen specimen was between 7.2-7.4. In this study, out of 100 sample, sperm concentrations were found 0 in 9 samples (9%). Out of this 91 samples, 20.86% had 10-50% actively motile sperm, 2.18% had &lt;10% motile sperm in their semen specimen. Out of 91 samples 21(23.04%) showed low sperm motility. The proportion is highly significant (P=&lt;0.005). 2.18% semen specimen had &lt;10% normal sperm morphology. The distribution of male partners according to normal sperm morphology &amp; their sperm count is highly significant (P value&lt;0.001)&#x0D; Conclusion: In conclusion, azoospermia and asthenozoospermia and infection in semen are found to be important factors associated with male infertility in our country&#x0D; Mugda Med Coll J. 2023; 6(1): 16-19

Africanized honeybee (Apis mellifera) semen freezing using Tris-based and Collins extenders.

This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of different extenders on the cryopreservation of semen from Africanized honeybees (A. mellifera). Semen from honeybee drones from 10 different colonies was obtained by endophallus exposure technique and immediately evaluated for motility, viability using fluorescent probes, functional membrane integrity using the water test, and morphology. Samples from each colony were divided in three aliquots and subjected to a dilution ratio of 12:1 (diluent: semen) using Tris, Tris + egg yolk (Tris+EY), and Collins extender. Samples were cryopreserved and stored in liquid nitrogen for one week and then rewarmed and reevaluated. Immediate dilution provoked no significant effect on sperm motility and functional membrane integrity, regardless of the extender used; however, the greatest values (P < 0.05) for normal sperm morphology were found at the use of isolate Tris (69.3 ± 1.9%). After thawing, there were no significant differences among extenders with relation to the preservation of sperm motility, viability, and functional membrane integrity, but the Tris extender provided the highest post-thawing values (P < 0.05) for sperm normal morphology (49.2 ± 4.9%) while the Collins extender provoked the highest amounts (P < 0.05) of curled tail defects (67.5 ± 3.2%). Moreover, the Tris was the only extender at preserving the proportion of normal sperm after thawing similar to what was verified for fresh samples. In summary, we suggest the use of a Tris-based extender for the cryopreservation of Africanized honeybee semen.

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides improved reproductive oxidative stress injury in male mice treated with cyclophosphamide.

Polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides (DOPs) are the main bioactive components of Dendrobium officinale, which have the functions of antioxidation and immune regulation. However, it is not clear whether DOPs have any effect on the prevention of reproductive disorders induced by oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of DOPs on reproductive oxidative stress injury in male mice and its possible mechanism. In this study, the mouse model of reproductive injury was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). The reproductive function was evaluated by relative testicular mass, sperm parameters, and sex hormone levels. The oxidative stress level of male mice with reproductive injury treated with DOPs was analyzed by the levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in sperm. The expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA, androgen-binding (ABP) mRNA, and c-kit mRNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to explore its mechanism. After CTX administration, the sperm density, sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, and sex hormone levels in mice were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). At the same time, the expression of p53 protein was upregulated, and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was downregulated (P < 0.05). In addition, the expression of FSHR and ABP mRNA on Sertoli cells was also significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). DOPs can effectively reduce the oxidative stress injury of testicular tissue. After DOP treatment, the sperm quality and sex-related hormone levels of mice were significantly improved and positively correlated with the dose of DOPs (P < 0.05). Administration of DOPs can reduce the damage caused by oxidative stress by reducing the level of oxidative stress, improving the hormone environment in testes, and regulating the expression of specific genes in Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells.

Obesity is associated with quality of sperm parameters in men with infertility: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrevious studies examined the effects of obesity on sperm parameters and reported inconsistent results. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and the quality of sperm parameters in infertile men.Material and methodsThe present cross-sectional study evaluated 218 infertile men aged 20–50. To this end, the 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was utilized to evaluate dietary intake. The anthropometric and biochemical variables were examined using standard methods. Further, the association between obesity and the quality of sperm parameters was evaluated using the controlled linear regression for potential confounders.ResultsThe normal sperm morphology had a significant inverse association with BMI [adjusted β − 0.074, CI (− 0.141 to − 0.008), P = 0.029] and WC [adjusted β − 0.026, CI (− 0.051 to − 0.001), P = 0.038]. Additionally, visceral fat had a marginal inverse association with normal sperm morphology [adjusted β − 0.065, CI (− 0.138 to 0.008), P = 0.079] and non-progressive sperm motility [adjusted β − 0.241, CI (− 0.495 to 0.014), P = 0.063].ConclusionEven though the present results indicated that obesity, abdominal obesity, and visceral fat had inverse associations with normal sperm morphology, more mechanism-based studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.

Onset of reproductive capacity in unowned free-roaming cats

Purpose was to investigate if an underlying biological cause exists for the reproductive success in unowned free-roaming (UFR) cats. These cats were presented for surgical sterilization during late summer/early fall. After castration of UFR toms, presence of penile spines was recorded, slides were made from vas deferens secretions for sperm morphology analyses, and testes were hemi-sectioned, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and seminiferous tubule diameters were measured. After ovariohysterectomy of UFR queens, total ovarian-uterine weights were recorded. Ovaries were hemi-sectioned, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, sectioned, stained, and follicles were counted. Presence of penile spines did not differ (p = 0.07) between toms 2 - 6 (n = 13) and &gt; 6 months (n = 16). Percentage of normal sperm morphology did not differ (p = 0.39) between toms 2 - 6 (n = 11; 77 ± 11%) and &gt; 6 months (n = 9; 81 ± 13%). Seminiferous tubular diameter increased (p &lt; 0.01) in toms 2 - 2.5 (n = 6; 88.1 ± 10.9 µm), 3 - 4 (n = 6; 109.8 ± 8.9 µm), 5 - 6 (n = 6; 142.2 ± 16.9 µm), and &gt; 6 months (n = 6; 237.9 ± 52.5 µm). There was no association (R2 = 0.20; p = 0.07) between age and total ovarian-uterine weight of queens. Number of primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles recorded did not differ (p = 0.08) between queens 2 - 4 (n = 13) and 5 - 6 (n = 4) months. The largest follicle diameter did not differ (p = 0.14) between queens 2 - 4 (581.6 ± 53.7 µm) and 5 - 6 months (469.4 ± 113.9 µm). Results may explain why UFR cat populations continue to increase despite investments in extensive trap-neuter-return efforts. Selective pressure responses to shortened lifespans may contribute to onset of earlier reproductive capacity in UFR cats.

Comparison of semen parameters in the same patients before and after diagnosis of COVID-19.

Clinical and histopathological evidence suggest that the male reproductive system may be negatively impacted in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on semen parameters by comparing semen analyses before and after COVID-19 diagnosis in the same patient. We retrospectively analyzed 342 semen analyses by reviewing medical records. The study included two groups of patients: (i) those who underwent two consecutive semen analyses within 6 months, one before (n = 114) and one after (n = 114) COVID-19 diagnosis, and (ii) a control group (n = 114) that was age-matched and did not receive a diagnosis of COVID-19. The study results indicated a significant decrease in semen volume, total sperm count per ejaculate, progressive motile sperm count, total motile sperm count, and normal sperm morphology after SARS-CoV-2 infection in comparison to their respective values before the infection. Subgroup analyses showed that the duration of COVID-19 diagnosis (short-term vs. long-term) did not impact the changes in semen parameters. However, fever during the COVID-19 process had a negative effect on semen parameters, particularly sperm concentration, unlike in patients without fever. In conclusion, our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a decline in semen quality, which may potentially impact male fertility. Furthermore, it's important to note that the negative effects on semen parameters may persist in the long-term. Our results also indicate that fever during active infection could be a significant risk factor that negatively affects spermatogenesis.

The relationship between the intake of dietary fatty acids and minerals with sperm parameters in infertile men

Infertility has been increasing among Iranian couples. Some epidemiological studies have reported a relationship between infertility and lifestyle patterns, including dietary habits. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between sperm parameters and the intake of dietary fatty acids and minerals among Iranian infertile men. This cross-sectional was performed on 400 newly diagnosed infertile men at Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute from July to December 2019. Men whose infertility was confirmed by an andrologist based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were selected. They delivered a semen sample and answered a 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. All data were analyzed using SPSS and STATA software. A p-value of less than 0.5 was considered significant. In the adjusted model, a significant negative association between sperm motility and the 3rd quartile (Q) of poly-unsaturated fatty acids compared to the 1st quartile) P=0.02). Also, in the adjusted model, total mobility was significantly increased in the second, third and last quartiles of omega-3 fatty acids compared to the first quartile (P<0.001, P=0.02, P<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, omega-6 fatty acid intake in the last quartile were positively associated with sperm motility (P=0.01). Moreover, there was a significant association between omega-3 fatty acid intake in the second, third, and last quartiles and sperm normal morphology (P=0.003, P=0.018, and P=0.005, respectively) compared with the first quartile. Further, we observed a significant association between omega-6 fatty acid intake and sperm normal morphology in the last quartile compared with the reference quartile (P=0.04). Also, the findings showed a significant negative association between the second quartile of sodium and calcium intake and sperm volume compared with the first quartile (P=0.04, for both) in the adjusted model. We concluded that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid, sodium, and calcium intake are related to sperm morphology, volume, and total motility in Iranian infertile men. However, more research is needed to confirm these relationships and provide evidence to exert these findings into clinical practice.

Leptin Receptor Gln223Arg Polymorphism of Human Spermatozoa Associated with Male Infertility in a Chinese Population.

Leptin (LEP) is believed to play a crucial role in male reproduction, while the molecular mechanisms through which LEP affects the male reproductive system are unclear. LEP acts by binding to a leptin receptor (LEPR) which mediates its physiological action, but there are only limited studies on the function of LEPR in human sperm. This study aimed to determine the Gln223Arg polymorphisms of the LEPR gene in human spermatozoa and evaluate their possible relationship with semen variables. The study was performed on Chinese men: 115 healthy subjects and 108 patients with primary and 98 with secondary infertility. Semen samples were obtained from all patients, and semen variables were analyzed. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of Gln223Arg polymorphism in spermatozoa were determined by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Mann-Whitney test. There were no significant differences in genotypic or allelic frequency distributions of Gln223Arg polymorphism among men with primary infertility, secondary infertility, and controls. Similarly, semen volume and sperm concentration did not differ with the different genotypes in all groups of men. The percentages of motile sperm for AA + AG genotypes in men with primary infertility (31.98%) were significantly lower than those in secondary infertility, and control men with GG genotypes were 34.41% and 59.36%, respectively. At the same time, the percentages of normal morphology sperm for AA + AG genotypes in men with primary infertility (2.93%) were significantly lower than those in secondary infertility and control men with GG genotypes 3.71% and 6.54%, respectively. This study reveals a possible association between the Gln223Arg polymorphism of the LEPR gene in spermatozoa affecting spermatozoal membrane integrity and having a direct role in sperm motility.

Sperm acrosin activity may be a useful factor in choosing between ICSI and IVF for infertile male patients.

The clinical applications of acrosin activity are limited. We analyzed 61 578 male partners in infertile couples who visited the outpatient department of the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya (Changsha, China) between August 2014 and December 2019 to determine the reference ranges and thresholds for acrosin activity in infertile Chinese men; to determine whether correlations exist between acrosin activity and age, sperm concentration, sperm morphology, or sperm motility; and to evaluate whether acrosin activity could serve as an effective prognostic indicator for choosing between in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the clinic. The cut-off value for the normal reference range of acrosin activity for male partners in infertile couples was 24.78 µIU per 10 6 sperm. There was no significant association between acrosin activity and age, sperm concentration, semen volume, total sperm count, progressive motility, or total motile spermatozoa. A weak positive correlation was found between acrosin activity and normal sperm morphology. There was a statistically significant difference in abnormal acrosome morphology between the group with high acrosin activity (>24.78 µIU per 10 6 sperm) and the group with low acrosin activity (<24.78 µIU per 10 6 sperm). The group with a low IVF fertilization rate had a high index of abnormal acrosomal morphology at 21.2%, while the group with a high IVF fertilization rate had a low index of 0.2%. At an acrosin activity of <24.78 µIU per 10 6 sperm, in one cycle of the same patient, the fertilization rate, normal fertilization rate, and good-quality embryo rate for ICSI were significantly higher than those for IVF. Therefore, the most promising application of acrosin activity could be in the selection of ICSI over IVF for infertile male patients with complete fertilization failure or a low fertilization rate.

Forskolin Improves Male Reproductive Complications Caused by Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

In many diabetic patients, spermatogenesis complications are frequent causing infertility problems. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of Forskolin on male reproductive dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes. In this experimental study, type 2 diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) for one month and then a low single dose injection (35 mg/kg) of streptozotocin (STZ) in Wistar rats. After 72 hours, rats with more than 200 mg/dl of blood glucose were considered type 2 diabetic rats. Forty rats (200-250 g) were divided into four groups (n=10) including group 1 (G1): rats with normal diet and buffer citrate (STZ solvent) injection, group 2 (G2): control type 2 diabetic rats with HFD and STZ injection, group 3 (G3): type 2 diabetic rats received phosphate buffer saline (PBS) as Forskolin solvent, and group 4 (G4): Forskolin treated diabetic rats (10 mg/kg) for 1 month. In comparison to control group, in diabetic groups (G2 and G3) some parameters are increased significantly: The blood glucose (P=0.00078), testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) level and body weight (P=0.00009) and Bax gene expression (P=0.00007). Unlike, some parameters are decreased significantly: The serum level of testosterone (P=0.0009), testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD, P=0.00007) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels (P=0.00008), sperm concentration (P=0.00008), motility (P=0.00009), normal morphological sperm (P=0.00008) and Bcl-2 gene expression (P=0.00009). However, in Forskolin treated group (G4) the parameters stayed close to control values that was significantly (P=0.00007) higher than in G2 and G3 groups. Therefore, treatment with Forskolin significantly improved these abnormal changes in Forskolin-treated group. Our study demonstrates that Forskolin is an effective antidiabetic agent, which significantly improves sperm concentration, testosterone levels, and antioxidant activity in diabetic rats.

Effects of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Annona Senegalensis On Semen of Albino Rats

Plants with medicinal properties are frequently used to treat infertility in developing nations like Nigeria. One of such herbs, Annona senegalensis, is traditionally used to treat male fertility issues.The present study investigated its fertility enhancement claims.25 Wister rats divided into 5 groups A – E, were used for the study. Groups B – E were given 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the ethanolic leaf extract respectively while Group A served as control. The extract was administered for 28 days thereafter semen samples from each group were analyzed weekly for 4 weeks. At the 4th week; some enzyme, hormonal and bilirubin assays were carried out. Result showed semen characteristics such as motility, sperm concentration and normal sperm morphology were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased in treated Groups (B – E). Testosterone increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) in treated Groups compared with Control. While Follicle stimulating hormone and Luteinizing hormone were lower. AST increased in numerical mean values while ALK reduced compared with the control. ALT varied insignificantly. Bilirubin did not differ significantly. These findings suggest male fertility enhancement potentials as claimed by African folklore medical practices. Hence more studies are recommended to further substantiate and elucidate its pharmacological activities.

Development and validation of a conventional in vitro total fertilization failure prediction model.

Conventional total fertilization failure (TFF) is a challenging problem for clinicians. The predictive model developed in this study aims to predict the individual probability of conventional in vitro total fertilization failure. The prediction model was developed based on 1635 patients who underwent first-attempt in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles from January 2018 to January 2020. Total fertilization failure and normal fertilization occurred in 218 and 1417 cycles, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to develop the prediction model. Performance of our model was evaluated using calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test) and discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]). Thirteen risk factors for TFF were included in the prediction model, as follows: female age; female body mass index; infertility duration; number of oocytes retrieved; stimulation protocol; infertility etiology; infertility diagnosis; male age; sperm concentration; total sperm motility; normal sperm morphology percentage; swim-up sperm motility; and swim-up sperm concentration. The AUC of our model was 0.815 (95% CI: 0.783-0.846), indicating satisfactory discrimination performance. Considering female and male factors(especially sperm parameters), we established a model that predicts the probability of TFF in conventional IVF procedures that will be helpful in the laboratory supporting IVF to facilitate physicians in determining optimal treatment.

Influence of body mass index and waist-hip ratio on male semen parameters in infertile men in the real world: a retrospective study.

It is suggested that body mass index (BMI) can affect male semen quality; however, the results remain controversial. In addition, most studies have focused on the effect of obesity on semen quality. Evidence on the relationship of underweight or waist-hip ratio (WHR) with semen quality is rare. This study aimed to assess the association of BMI and WHR with semen quality. Data, including BMI and WHR, was collected from 715.00 men who underwent a fertility evaluation. BMI (kg/m2) was categorized as <18.50 (underweight), 18.50-24.90 (normal), 25.00-27.90 (overweight), and ≥28.00 (obese) kg/m2 for analysis. WHR was categorized as <0.81 (normal) and ≥0.81 (high). Semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive motility, and total motile sperm count were detected by experienced clinical technicians. Spearman's correlation showed that BMI was weakly associated with sperm progressive motility (r = 0.076, P < 0.05), while WHR showed no relationship with semen parameters. The azoospermia rate was significantly higher (33.33% vs. 2.10%, P < 0.001) and the sperm concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in the underweight group. The nonlinear correlation analysis showed that BMI was negatively associated with sperm concentration while BMI was more than 22.40 kg/m2 (P < 0.05), while WHR was negatively related to sperm progressive motility within 0.82 to 0.89 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the multivariate logistic analysis showed that follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) was an independent risk factor for normal sperm concentration (odds ratio [OR]: 0.791, P = 0.001) and morphology (OR: 0.821, P = 0.002), BMI was an independent risk factor for normal sperm progressive motility, and testosterone was an independent risk factor for sperm morphology (OR: 0.908, P = 0.023). BMI and WHR were significantly associated with semen parameters, while BMI was an independent risk factor for normal sperm progressive motility. Reproductive hormones, including FSH and testosterone, had a significant influence on sperm concentration and sperm morphology.

P-009 Impact of organophosphate pesticide exposure on human semen quality and circulating testosterone: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Study question Does exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OP pesticides) alter human semen quality and circulating testosterone levels? Summary answer Exposure to OP pesticides reduced sperm count, concentration, total and progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology, possibly via a testosterone-independent mechanism. What is known already OP pesticides have been associated with a decline in semen quality, although there are still considerable arguments about the magnitude of the association. Also, human data on semen quality and male reproductive hormones in association with OP pesticide exposure is limited and inconsistent. Study design, size, duration This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impacts of OP pesticide on semen quality and male reproductive hormones. Participants/materials, setting, methods This study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Following a pre-defined strategic protocol, 1, 001 studies were screened and 9 articles were identified as eligible for this study. Two of the studies were from China, and one each from Japan, Peru, France, Mexico, Malaysia, Venezuela, and Iran. Two of the studies did not specify the types of OP pesticide used, while the remaining 7 did. Main results and the role of chance A total of 766 male subjects (349 exposed to OP pesticide and 417 unexposed controls) were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in the ejaculate volume, seminal fluid volume, sperm multiple anomaly index, and leukocytes levels of the OP-exposed subjects compared to the control. In addition, OP pesticide exposure did not significantly affect serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and testosterone in subjects who were exposed to OP pesticide compared to their unexposed counterparts. However, we found a significant reduction in the sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology of OP pesticide-exposed subjects compared to the unexposed subjects. However, after subtype and sensitivity analyses, exposure to OP pesticide did not significantly reduce sperm count. In addition, after sensitivity analysis, OP pesticide exposure did not significantly alter progressive sperm motility. Limitations, reasons for caution The non-inclusion of non-English publications in this study and the scarcity of well-designed studies to be included might have limited the pooled sample size and inadequately explored the impacts of OP. Also, the included studies are from a few countries, which may not necessarily be a good global representative. Wider implications of the findings The present comprehensive meta-analysis clearly demonstrates that exposure to OP pesticide causes reduced sperm count, concentration, total and progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology, possibly via a testosterone-independent mechanism. These findings strengthen existing evidence in the literature on the negative impacts OP pesticide exposure on semen quality. Trial registration number Not applicable