Reduced Sperm Quality Research Articles

P-401 Is cancer type associated with semen quality and infertility among men who desire fertility preservation?

Abstract Study question To investigate the association between cancer-types and semen-parameters before gonadotoxic-treatments, and to evaluate which patients have the highest risk of diminished spermatogenesis prior to therapy. Summary answer sperm quality among cancer patients before gonadotoxic treatment can differ according to the type of cancer. What is known already Many studies have reported impaired sperm quality at cancer diagnosis before any given gonadotoxic regiments. Except for testicular cancer and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, baseline data on semen quality in case of different types of malignancies among male cancer patients are limited or based on low sample size Study design, size, duration A retrospective population-based cohort analysis was performed, 237 oncological male patients who were referred for fertility preservation between 1995-2020 within 90 days of cancer diagnosis and prior to cancer treatment Participants/materials, setting, methods The study population included 237oncological male patients who were referred to the Sperm Bank, Fertility, and IVF unit for the purpose of fertility preservation. Sperm analysis was performed within 90 days of cancer diagnosis and prior to therapy. The pre-treatment sperm analyses were based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines Main results and the role of chance Histological examination of malignant diseases demonstrated 20 subtypes of cancers, the major groups included 49 patients with testicular cancer (TC), 72 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HD), 35 patients with other lymphoma, 29 patients with other hematological cancer, 16 with sarcoma and 36 with other solid malignant tumors. Our results show significant difference in sperm concentration between the different cancer groups (P value 0.007), the lowest median concentration of spermatozoa was found in the testicular cancer and sarcoma cancer patients 10 million per ml compared to the other cancer groups (other hematologic, Hodgkin lymphoma, other lymphoma and other solid tumors). Oligospermia was observed in 59% of testicular cancer patients and 50% of the sarcoma patients. Fertility outcomes were analyzed as a secondary objective. We found that only 37 patients' partners conceived and delivered offspring. Only 16.2% of those patients used their banked sperm and conceived via IVF-ICSI. We found that 20% of testicular cancer patients and other lymphoma patients including NHL conceived spontaneously after cancer diagnosis and treatment. Limitations, reasons for caution This is a retrospective cohort study and the oncology patients sample size is relatively small. Wider implications of the findings Our study emphasizes that sperm quality among cancer-patients before gonadotoxic-treatment can differ according to the cancer type. Significant reduction in sperm quality in testicular cancer patients was demonstrated, with a significant association was found between sperm concentration and various cancer-type. Further studies are warranted to confirm our results. Trial registration number not applicable

Dietary intervention in adult rats exposed to a high-sugar diet early in life permanently impairs sperm quality

Childhood obesity predicts the presence of adult obesity. Obesity is associated with poor sperm quality. We hypothesized that exposure to a high-sugar diet (HSD) in early life would cause permanent histomorphology damage to the testes, resulting in reduced sperm quality in adult life. Wistar rats (aged 21days) were divided into four groups (n=6). In the first experiment, the rats received tap water (control) and a 30% sucrose diet for two months (S30). In the second experiment, the control and 30% sucrose diets were fed for two months, followed by replacement with tap water for two months (IS30). Eating and drinking were monitored. Animals were then euthanized, visceral and gonadal fat tissue and testes were collected, and epididymal spermatozoa were excised. Testicular samples were used for morphological description by H&E staining and for quantifying triacylglycerol content, caspase activity, and oxidative stress. Serum testosterone concentration was evaluated. Spermatozoa were used to assess sperm quality. Our results show that sperm quality was impaired by consuming HSD and could not be restored by dietary intervention. HSD feeding induced hyperplasia of visceral adipose tissue, increased testicular weight, and serum testosterone levels. The dietary intervention increased visceral adipose tissue, serum, and testicular triacylglycerol levels and normalized serum testosterone levels. Overall, the HSD diet caused permanent changes in seminiferous tubule cross-sectional area, caspase activity, oxidative stress, and sperm quality. Therefore, a high-sugar diet in early life causes permanent damage to sperm quality in adulthood.

Arsenic interferes with spermatogenesis involving Rictor/mTORC2-mediated blood-testis barrier disruption in mice

Ingestion of arsenic interferes with spermatogenesis and increases the risk of male infertility, but the underlying mechanism remines unclear. In this study, we investigated spermatogenic injury with a focus on blood-testis barrier (BTB) disruption by administrating 5 mg/L and 15 mg/L arsenic orally to adult male mice for 60 d. Our results showed that arsenic exposure reduced sperm quality, altered testicular architecture, and impaired Sertoli cell junctions at the BTB. Analysis of BTB junctional proteins revealed that arsenic intake downregulated Claudin-11 expression and increased protein levels of β-catenin, N-cadherin, and Connexin-43. Aberrant localization of these membrane proteins was also observed in arsenic-treated mice. Meanwhile, arsenic exposure altered the components of Rictor/mTORC2 pathway in mouse testis, including inhibition of Rictor expression, reduced phosphorylation of protein kinase Cα (PKCα) and protein kinase B (PKB), and elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels. Furthermore, arsenic also induced testicular lipid peroxidative damage, inhibited antioxidant enzyme (T-SOD) activity, and caused glutathione (GSH) depletion. Our findings suggest that disruption of BTB integrity is one of the main factors responsible for the decline in sperm quality caused by arsenic. PKCα-mediated rearrangement of actin filaments and PKB/MMP-9-increased barrier permeability jointly contribute to arsenic-induced BTB disruption.

Cooling of porcine semen in an extender supplemented with Carvacrol.

The addition of antioxidants in boar semen is an alternative to mitigate the reduction of sperm quality during preservation. To evaluate the effect of carvacrol on cooling of boar semen. Fifteen ejaculates from five boars were extended in MR-A® with 0, 5, 10, 15, 15, 20, 25 and 30 μM of carvacrol (C), and were cooled for five days at 16°C. Sperm motility and kinetics were evaluated with computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). At 0 and 96 h, membrane functionality was determined by hypoosmotic test; reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by spectrofluorimetry; and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ¥M) by flow cytometry. Linear models, regression analysis and comparison of means by Duncan test, were conducted. The addition of carvacrol did not influence sperm motility, but at low concentrations decreased ROS production, whereas 30 μM C reduced the membrane functionality and 25 μM C decreased Δ¥M. In addition, regression coefficients showed that C produced a lower rate of decrease in different parameters of sperm motility and kinetics. During cooling there is a reduction in sperm quality due to the excessive production of ROS, generating oxidative stress and affecting cell permeability and functionality. In this study, it was possible to demonstrate the protective activity of C as a molecule capable of neutralizing free radicals. In addition, it has been proposed that C is also capable of reducing peroxyl radicals, superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide. Carvacrol can mitigate the reduction of boar semen quality during the storage period under cooling conditions. Likewise, it can reduce ROS production and modulate the mitochondrial activity of porcine sperm.

Analysis of quality of frozen thawed bull sperms treated with bisphenol A

Bisphenol A is a pervasive endocrine disruptor that causes various detrimental health effects on animals and humans. There are several evidences to support that this persistent chemical affects male fertility by interfering with the process of functional maturation of sperms like motility, hyperactivation, capacitation and acrosome reaction in laboratory species. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of BPA on the quality of the frozen thawed sperms in higher animal model namely bull. Frozen thawed bull sperms were exposed to four different concentrations of BPA. Aliquots of sperms from each treatment group were examined at three time periods for assessing acrosome integrity, viability and membrane integrity. Exposure of sperms in vitro to BPA revealed that there is a significant influence of BPA on treatment groups when compared to control. The loss of acrosomal integrity and viability was higher even at as low a concentration of 10 μM BPA. The reduction in sperm quality was proportional to the increase in exposure period. Further in vitro investigation is required to elucidate the mechanism of action of BPA that alters the sperm quality.

The Effect of Indomethacin on the Sperm Motility of Adult Wistar Rats

Indomethacin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used mostly in the treatment of pain, feverish condition, headaches and inflammation. This study was therefore carried out to evaluate the effect of indomethacin on the male reproductive system, focusing on sperm quality. Twenty male rats were divided into four groups, (groups1,2,3,and 4) with group one serving as control. The other three groups receiving different doses of indomethacin, (groups 2-4 receiving 1mg/kg, 2mg/kg and 4mg/kg respectively) for 21 days. After the period, sperm samples were collected from all the groups and analyzed to evaluate sperm quality. The sperm qualities analyzed include; sperm motility, semen viscosity, sperm morphology, sperm count, etc. the results of the study indicated that indomethacin had a negative impact on the sperm qualities of the rats, as it decreased sperm count and sperm motility , and had a detrimental effect on the overall sperm quality. This study provides important insights into the potential side effects of indomethacin on male fertility. While its therapeutic benefits are well established, its impact on male fertility has not been documented. The findings of this study suggest that men who use indomethacin regularly may be at a higher risk of experiencing negative impacts on their reproductive health, including reduced sperm quality.

Type I Diabetes in Zebrafish Reduces Sperm Quality and Increases Insulin and Glucose Transporter Transcripts.

Type I diabetes is a prominent human pathology with increasing incidence in the population; however, its cause is still unknown. This disease promotes detrimental effects on reproduction, such as lower sperm motility and DNA integrity. Hence, the investigation of the underlying mechanisms of this metabolic disturbance in reproduction and its transgenerational consequences is of the utmost importance. The zebrafish is a useful model for this research considering its high homology with human genes as well as its fast generation and regeneration abilities. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sperm quality and genes relevant to diabetes in the spermatozoa of Tg(ins:nfsb-mCherry) zebrafish, a model for type I diabetes. Diabetic Tg(ins:nfsb-mCherry) males showed significantly higher expression of transcripts for insulin a (insa) and glucose transporter (slc2a2) compared to controls. Sperm obtained from the same treatment group showed significantly lower sperm motility, plasma membrane viability, and DNA integrity compared to that from the control group. Upon sperm cryopreservation, sperm freezability was reduced, which could be a consequence of poor initial sperm quality. Altogether, the data showed similar detrimental effects related to type I diabetes in zebrafish spermatozoa at the cellular and molecular levels. Therefore, our study validates the zebrafish model for type I diabetes research in germ cells.

Growth Dynamic and Threshold Values for Spermicidal Effects of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Extended Boar Semen.

The aim of this study was first to examine the prevalence of bacteria-associated loss of sperm quality in samples from insemination centers during a seven-year semen monitoring program and, second, to investigate the growth dynamic of four different multidrug-resistant bacterial species and their impact on sperm quality during semen storage. A reduced sperm quality associated with bacterial contamination was found in 0.5% of 3219 of the samples from insemination centers. In samples spiked with Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella oxytoca, bacterial growth by six log levels was seen during storage at 17 °C, causing loss of sperm motility, membrane integrity, membrane fluidity, and mitochondrial membrane potential at >107 CFU/mL (p < 0.05). Storage at 5 °C in the Androstar Premium extender efficiently inhibited their growth. Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Burkholderia cepacia showed limited growth up to two log levels at 17 °C and did not impair sperm quality. In conclusion, spermatozoa tolerate moderate loads of multidrug-resistant bacteria, and hypothermic, antibiotic-free semen storage effectively limits bacterial growth. The constant use of antibiotics in semen extenders should be reconsidered.

Combined effect of polystyrene microplastics and cadmium on rat blood-testis barrier integrity and sperm quality

The harmful effects of microplastics and Cd on the testicular activity of sexually mature rats are here documented. Oral treatment with both substances caused testicular impairment that was evidenced by histological and biomolecular alterations, such as MP accumulation in the seminiferous epithelium, imbalance of oxidative status, and reduced sperm quality. Importantly, the cytoarchitecture of the blood-testis barrier was compromised, as revealed by the down-regulation of protein levels of structural occludin, Van Gogh-like protein 2, and connexin 43 and activation of regulative kinases proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase and focal adhesion kinase. Interestingly, for the first time, MPs are reported to activate the autophagy pathway in germ cells, to reduce damaged organelles and molecules, probably in an attempt to avoid apoptosis. Surprisingly, the results obtained with the simultaneous Cd + MPs treatment showed more harmful effects than those produced by MPs alone but less severe than with Cd alone. This might be due to the different ways of administration to rats (oral gavage for MPs and in drinking water for Cd), which might favor the adsorption, in the gastrointestinal tract, of Cd by MPs, which, by exploiting the Trojan horse effect, reduces the bioavailability of Cd.

Obesity-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction negatively affect sperm quality.

Obesity is a systemic metabolic disease that can induce male infertility or subfertility through oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine how obesity impairs sperm mitochondrial structural integrity and function, and reduces sperm quality in both overweight/obese men and mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice fed the HFD demonstrated higher body weight and increased abdominal fat content than those fed the control diet. Such effects accompanied the decline in antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in testicular and epidydimal tissues. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) content significantly increased in sera. Mature sperm in HFD mice demonstrated higher oxidative stress, including increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and decreased protein expression of GPX1, which may impair mitochondrial structural integrity and reduce mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and ATP production. Moreover, cyclic AMPK phosphorylation status increased, whereas sperm motility declined in the HFD mice. Clinical studies demonstrated that being overweight/obese reduced SOD enzyme activity in the seminal plasma and increased ROS in sperm, accompanied by lower MMP and low-quality sperm. Furthermore, ATP content in the sperm was negatively correlated with increases in the BMI of all clinical subjects. In conclusion, our results suggest that excessive fat intake had similar disruptive effects on sperm mitochondrial structure and function, as well as oxidative stress levels in humans and mice, which in turn induced lower sperm motility. This agreement strengthens the notion that fat-induced increases in ROS and impaired mitochondrial function contribute to male subfertility.

Dietary patterns and fertility status in men: Mediterranean diet does make a difference in ameliorating the rise in male infertility problems due to changing lifestyle

Dietary patterns and fertility status in men: Mediterranean diet does make a difference in ameliorating the rise in male infertility problems due to changing lifestyle

Effect of Pre-Incubation of Cryopreserved Sperm with either Kisspeptin or Glutathione to Mitigate Freeze-Thaw Damage.

Sperm cryopreservation reduces sperm quality. Kisspeptin (KP) has beneficial effects on sperm functions. This study compares the effect of KP and Glutathione (GSH) on mitigating the detrimental effects of the freeze-thaw cycle on sperm. An experimental study was conducted in Birjand (Iran) during 2018-2020. Thirty normal swim-up semen samples were treated with Ham's F10 medium (negative control), 1 mM GSH (positive control), or KP (10 µM) for 30 min before freezing. The motility, acrosome reaction, capacitation, and DNA quality of the frozen-thawed sperms were assessed according to the WHO guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test, one-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference. Pre-incubation with KP significantly increased the percentage of sperm motility (34.00±6.7, P=0.003) compared to the control (20.44±7.4) and GSH-treated (31.25±12.2) aliquots. The frequency of non-capacitated spermatozoa was significantly higher in the KP-treated group (98.73%) than in the control (96.46%) and GSH-treated (96.49%) aliquots (P<0.001). The percentage of acrosome-intact spermatozoa in the KP-treated group (77.44%) was significantly higher than the control (74.3%) and GSH-treated (74.54%) groups (P<0.001). The sperm frequency with normal histone in the KP-treated group (51.86%) and with normal protamine (65.39%) was significantly higher than the controls (P=0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). The percentage of TUNEL-positive sperm was significantly lower in the KP-treated group (9.09±2.71) than both GSH-treated (11.22±2.73) and control (11.31±2.2) groups (both P=0.002). Pre-incubation with KP protects sperm motility and DNA integrity from the detrimental effect of the freeze-thaw cycle. KP is suitable as a pre-treatment to control sperm quality during freezing-thawing.

Effects of heat stress on sperm quality of French Bulldogs

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat stress (HS) and its duration on semen quality, serum testosterone, pulsatility and resistibility index of the testicular artery of French Bulldogs. Eight male French Bulldogs, 3–7 years old, 12.63 ± 1.8 Kg were adapted and trained for two months. Room temperature was 21 °C. Semen was collected by digital stimulation. The median of four andrological evaluations was T0. Heat was applied to the scrotum using an electrical heat pad at 40 °C for 11 min. Rectal temperature (RT) and scrotum temperature were evaluated using a mercury thermometer and an infrared thermography camera before and after HS. Semen was evaluated immediately (T1) and after seven (T7), 14 (T14), 21 (T21), 28 (T28) and 60 (T60) days after HS. Semen parameters included macroscopic (volume, color and viscosity) and microscopic (sperm motility and vigor, percentage of morphologically normal or defected spermatozoa, sperm concentration and total number of sperm cells) aspects. A pulsed colored doppler ultrasound was performed on the testicular artery at the spermatic cord and epididymis region before and immediately after HS. Serum testosterone was analyzed before, 48 and 96 h after HS. Data was analyzed by ANOVA using SAS. There was a 1.23 °C increase on RT and a 4.98 °C increase on thermograph after HS. Sperm motility decreased at T1 (P < 0.05) and tended to stay lower at T7 (P = 0.056). It improved at T14, but reduced again at T21 (P < 0.05). At T28 and T60 motility was normal. Vigor was lower at T1 (P < 0.05), normal at T7 and T14, but decreased at T21 (P = 0.054), at T28 and T60 it was not different than T0. Sperm concentration was lower at T1 (P < 0.05) and not different from T0 at other timepoints. Volume color and viscosity were not different. Total sperm per ejaculate was reduced at T1 and T7 (P < 0.05) and tended to be lower at T14 (P = 0.057). T21, T28 and T60 were not different than T0. There was a decrease in normal sperm cells and an increase in defected sperm at T7. There was no difference within T14, T21, T28 and T60. The raise in pathologies at T7 was from an increase in minor defects (P < 0.05). There was no difference in serum concentration of testosterone nor pulsatility and resistivity index before and after HS. In conclusion, induction of HS directly to the testis reduces sperm quality in French Bulldog. This impairment is immediately and transitory.

Effects of l-carnitine Administration on Sperm and Sex Hormone Levels in a Male Wistar Rat Reproductive System Injury Model in a High-Altitude Hypobaric Hypoxic Environment

The plateau environment impacts male reproductive function, causing decreased sperm quality and testosterone levels. l-carnitine can improve the semen microenvironment. However, the role of l-carnitine in a high-altitude environment remains unclear. In our study, we investigated the effects of l-carnitine administration in a male Wistar rat reproductive system injury model in the context of a simulated high-altitude environment. Rats were randomly divided into a normal control group (group A1, A2-low dose and A3-high dose) and high-altitude model groups (group B, C-low dose and D-high dose) with 20 rats in each group. With the exception of the normal control group exposed to normoxic conditions, the other groups were maintained in a hypobaric oxygen chamber that simulated an altitude of 6000 m for 28 days. In the experimental period, the low-dose groups (A2 and C) were administered 50 mg/kg l-carnitine via intraperitoneal injection once a day, and the high-dose groups (A3 and D) were given 100 mg/kg. After the feeding period, blood samples were collected to assess blood gas, serum hormone levels and oxidative stress. Sperm from the epididymis were collected to analyse various sperm parameters. After obtaining the testicular tissue, the morphological and pathological changes were observed under a light microscope and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The impact of the simulated high-altitude environment on the rat testis tissue is obvious. Specifically, a decreased testicular organ index and altered indices of arterial blood gas and serum sex hormone levels caused testicular tissue morphological damage, reduced sperm quality, increased sperm deformity rate and altered malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentrations. The results demonstrate that l-carnitine can be administered as a preventive intervention to reduce the reproductive damage caused by high-altitude hypobaric and hypoxic environments and improve semen quality in a rat model.

Cryopreservation of jaguar (Panthera onca) sperm cells using different cryoprotectants and different thawing temperatures.

The cryopreservation of jaguar semen must be improved to produce high-quality biobanking doses. Until now, the rare studies of semen freezing in the species have only evaluated glycerol, always with a significant reduction in sperm quality in thawed semen. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of three cryoprotectants, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol (GLY), and methanol (MET), in the cryopreservation of jaguar semen in an LDL-based extender, as well as the effect of thawing temperature on dosage quality. Five mature males with a history of reproduction were used. On the males, an infrared thermal image (IRT) was captured, the spicules and testes were analyzed, and the CASA system was used to evaluate the quality of fresh and thawed sperm. The superficial IRT was 4.6 ± 1.2 °C cooler than the anal sphincter, and the semen measured between 27.3 and 28.7 °C shortly after exiting the urethra. The total motility of fresh sperm was 55.3 ± 22.6%, and progressive motility was 36.3 ± 18%. The total motility of thawed sperm was 5.28 ± 2.51%, 4.49 ± %2.49, and 0.51 ± 0.62% for DMSO, GLY, and MET, respectively. DMSO and GLY performed better than MET, and there was no difference in thawing temperature (37°C 30 s vs. 50°C 12 s). All animals exhibit a considerable level of morphological changes in sperm. Low amounts of total and progressive motility were found in the thawed sperm. Males with a high level of sperm morphological changes were found to be fertile, but the lone male with normospermia was infertile. Thus, we contest the applicability of the commonly used morphological classification for bovines to felid species.

Association between COVID-19 and Male Fertility: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Whether COVID-19 reduces male fertility remains requires further investigation. This meta-analysis and systematic review evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on male fertility. The literature in PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to January 01, 2022 was systematically searched, and a meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on male fertility. Totally 17 studies with a total of 1,627 patients and 1,535 control subjects were included in our meta-analysis. Regarding sperm quality, COVID-19 decreased the total sperm count (p=0.012), sperm concentration (p=0.001), total motility (p=0.001), progressive sperm motility (p=0.048), and viability (p=0.031). Subgroup analyses showed that different control group populations did not change the results. It was found that during the illness stage of COVID-19, semen volume decreased, and during the recovery stage of COVID-19, sperm concentration and total motility decreased <90 days. We found that sperm concentration and total motility decreased during recovery for ≥90 days. Fever because of COVID-19 significantly reduced sperm concentration and progressive sperm motility, and COVID-19 without fever ≥90 days, the sperm total motility and progressive sperm motility decreased. Regarding disease severity, the moderate type of COVID-19 significantly reduced sperm total motility, but not the mild type. Regarding sex hormones, COVID-19 increased prolactin and estradiol. Subgroup analyses showed that during the illness stage, COVID-19 decreased testosterone (T) levels and increased luteinizing hormone levels. A potential publication bias may have existed in our meta-analysis. COVID-19 in men significantly reduced sperm quality and caused sex hormone disruption. COVID-19 had long-term effects on sperm quality, especially on sperm concentration and total motility. It is critical to conduct larger multicenter studies to determine the consequences of COVID-19 on male fertility.

Immunocontraception of male domestic cats using GnRH vaccine Improvac

The domestic cat is a highly prolific species; thus, reproductive control is crucial to reducing feral cat overpopulation. This study aimed to assess the effect of a commercially-available GnRH vaccine for swine on suppressing sperm production in male cats. Twelve sexually mature tomcats were randomly divided into two groups. Treated cats (n = 9) received a GnRH vaccine (Improvac, Zoetis Belgium SA, 0.5 mL sc) twice 4 wk apart, and the control group (CON, n = 3) saline solution (0.5 mL sc). Reproductive parameters and blood samples were recorded every 2 wk, from 6 wk before vaccination until 24 wk after the first dose. Day 0 of the study was defined as the day of primary immunization with either the vaccine or saline solution.Serum testosterone concentrations of treated cats dropped to basal levels 6 wk after D0, while CON cats maintained serum testosterone concentrations between normal ranges during the study period. No differences were observed in pretreatment and CON seminal samples. However, a progressive decrease in seminal quality was observed in treated cats from wk 8 until the end of the study. By wk 24, sperm concentration and total sperm count decreased by 90%, motility decreased by 70%, and viability decreased by 60%. Moreover, testicular volume was reduced by 49%, and penile spines showed almost complete atrophy by the end of the study.Although treated cats showed a decrease in the hematocrit, erythrocyte count, and hemoglobin concentration, values were within the reference range for domestic cats. No differences were observed in the other hematological and biochemical parameters evaluated.Our results agree with previous immunocontraception studies in cats, showing that Improvac vaccination effectively reduced sperm quality, testicular volume, and serum testosterone concentration. Further studies should be carried out to define the Improvac long-term effect.

Ovarian lavage method as an alternative route for hormonal administration and short-term sperm storage in Clarias gariepinus

Ovarian lavage is a term used to describe the injection of fish with a catheter through the oviduct into the ovary. In this study, the efficacy of this technique was evaluated as a route for hormone administration and sperm preservation in the African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Firstly, the effects of hormone injection routes (namely, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and ovarian lavage) were evaluated on breeding and haematological parameters. In the second study, the fish's spermatozoa were stored in the ovaries for 1, 2, 3, and 4 days before stripping, sperm activation with freshwater, and fertilization. The breeding performance was then compared with eggs fertilized using spermatozoa refrigerated for the same duration. The study showed that the administration of synthetic hormone (ovaprim®) through the ovaries was comparable to the intramuscular route, while those injected intraperitoneally had the least values (P < 0.05) for breeding performance. The trend of the haematological parameters also suggests the intraperitoneal administration procedure elicited more stress compared to intramuscular or ovarian lavage routes (P < 0.05). In the second experiment, the use of sperm stored in the ovaries or refrigerated for 24hr didn't affect (P > 0.05) the fertilization (92–93%) and hatching (81–83%) of the eggs when compared to the control (91% and 82%). Beyond this 24hr threshold, breeding performances were significantly reduced in the ovarian lavage treatments compared to those fertilized with refrigerated sperm (P < 0.05). The loss of fertilizing capacity observed herein was justified by the reduction in sperm quality over time (P < 0.05). It was concluded that ovarian lavage is a viable route for hormonal administration and 24hr sperm storage in C. gariepinus.

Effect of chronic sleep deprivation on acrosomal integrity and functional parameters of murine sperm

To evaluate the effect of chronic sleep deprivation on sperm function quality in mice. Experimental study. Not applicable. Spermatozoa from twenty-four 10-week-old C57BL/6J male mice. The sleep deprivation group underwent gentle handling for 6 hours for 5 consecutive days. The mice in the sleep recovery group were allowed to sleep during the 24-hour period after the sleep deprivation protocol. After euthanasia, the spermatozoa were collected for analysis. Sperm motility was evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analyzer. Intracellular superoxide anion (O2-) activity, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, and DNA fragmentation assays were conducted afterward. Sleep deprivation and sleep recovery groups presented a lower percentage of spermatozoa with an intact acrosome, compared with the respective control groups. Regarding DNA fragmentation, a decreased proportion of spermatozoa with Comet I class intact DNA was observed in the sleep recovery group, compared with the recovery control group. Beat cross frequency was increased in the sleep recovery group. Sleep deprivation can reduce sperm quality, impairing acrosome integrity. Sleep recovery decreased DNA integrity and increased beat cross frequency.

Diet and its association with reduced semen quality

Introduction: Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a child for at least 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse and may affect up to 15% of couples of reproductive age. Reduced semen quality may be caused by trauma, inflammation, or an inappropriate lifestyle. Research suggests that diet may be a factor in influencing sperm parameters.Material and methods: The literature of the PubMed scientific base was searched in 2015-2022 using the following keywords: semen, diet, infertility.Results: Analyzes of eating patterns showed that eating a diet high in red meat, high-fat dairy, sweet energy drinks, and snacks could negatively affect semen, and a pattern based on the consumption of fish, chicken, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains was associated with with an increased concentration of sperm. A high-fat diet (HFD) leads to obesity, endocrine disorders, dysbiosis of the intestinal microflora, and may be a factor that activates autophagy, which results in reduced sperm quality. A ketogenic diet can positively affect the semen of obese, infertile men. Studies analyzing the Mediterranean diet suggest that higher compliance rates are associated with a higher percentage of mobility as well as a reduced risk of low sperm concentration. The way you prepare your meals can also play a role as glycation end products are produced when grilling, baking and frying, which can damage sperm DNA.Conclusions: Diet may be an important factor influencing the quality of sperm in men, however, there is a need for further extensive, multi-center studies that will systematize this knowledge, which will enable the creation of specific nutritional recommendations for this group of people.