Sperm DNA Fragmentation In Men Research Articles

Abnormal Human Sperm Parameters Contribute to Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Men with Varicocele.

PurposeThis study was performed to evaluate and compare threshold sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and further analyzed whether sperm DFI could be predicted from sperm parameters in men with varicocele.Materials and MethodsA total of 157 semen samples underwent both semen analysis and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing in men with varicocele. Sperm parameters were assessed using the World Health Organization guidelines. SDF testing was performed using the Halosperm kit. Sperm parameters and sperm DFI results were compared.ResultsThe overall sperm parameter results and sperm DFI showed normal values; however, the morphology value was at the lower limit of normal. High sperm DFI was associated with significantly lower motility and viability (p<0.001, respectively). Sperm motility and morphology were significantly higher in the higher sperm count group compared to the lower sperm count group (p<0.05), while sperm DFI was higher in the lower sperm count group (p<0.05). Sperm count and viability and sperm DFI were significantly associated with the quality of sperm motility (p<0.001). Sperm motility and sperm DFI were significantly different (p<0.001) between normal and abnormal sperm viability groups. Between normal and abnormal sperm morphology groups, sperm count, motility, and sperm DFI showed significant differences (p<0.001).ConclusionsIn this study, a correlation between SDF and sperm parameters was confirmed in men with varicocele. SDF may be contributing factors to sperm motility, viability, and morphology. Abnormal sperm count, motility, and viability showed high sperm DFI. Therefore, lower sperm parameters were indicative of increasing SDF in men with varicocele.

Evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation in men with infertility in Kazakhstan

Evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation in men with infertility in Kazakhstan

Sperm DNA fragmentation in men with malignancy

To determine if men with malignancy have increased sperm DNA fragmentation compared with men presenting for sperm donation. Retrospective observational study. Tertiary-level fertility center. Eighty-nine men with cancer presenting for prophylactic semen cryopreservation and 35 men presenting for sperm donation. None. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) measured by sperm chromatin assay. The mean sperm DFI in men with a diagnosis of cancer, 9.88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.84%-12.44%), did not differ from that found in men presenting for sperm donation 10.46% (95% CI 8.68%-11.80%). There were no significant differences in mean sperm DFI within cancer subgroups or when comparing testicular and nontesticular cancers. Subgroup analysis lacked statistical power. Men with testicular cancer have significantly reduced sperm concentration compared with both control subjects and men with nontesticular cancer. In our study population there was no difference in sperm DFI between men undergoing prophylactic semen cryopreservation and men presenting for sperm donation. Sperm DFI assessment has limited utility in the routine evaluation of men presenting for semen cryopreservation.

Lower sperm DNA fragmentation after r-FSH administration in functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

An observational clinical and molecular study was designed to evaluate the effects of the administration of recombinant human FSH on sperm DNA fragmentation in men with a non-classical form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. In the study were included 53 men with a non-classical form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. In all patients, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) in situ DNA nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay, was evaluated before starting the treatment with 150 IU of recombinant human FSH, given three times a week for at least 3 months. Patients' semen analysis and DNA fragmentation index were re-evaluated after the 3-month treatment period. After recombinant human FSH therapy, we did not find any differences in terms of sperm count, motility and morphology. The average DNA fragmentation index was significantly reduced (21.15 vs 15.2, p<0.05), but we found a significant reduction in patients with high basal DFI values (>15 %), while no significant variation occurred in the patients with DFI values ≤ 15 %. Recombinant human FSH administration improves sperm DNA integrity in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia men with DNA fragmentation index value >15 % .

Do serum vitamin D levels correlate with semen analysis parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation?

Murine and human models show a potential role for vitamin D in male reproductive capacity. We aim to determine whether serum vitamin D (25OHD) is associated with semen analysis (SA) parameters & sperm DNA fragmentation in men.

Recombinant Human FSH Reduces Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Men With Idiopathic Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

A prospective randomized controlled study was designed to evaluate the effects of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) treatment on sperm DNA fragmentation in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT). One hundred twenty-nine men with sperm count less than 10 × 10(6) spermatozoa/mL and forward motility <25% were included; normal serum levels of FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone, and no other causes of infertility were enrolled. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: 65 men were treated on alternate days for 90 days with injections of 150 IU rFSH, and 64 subjects received nonantioxidant vitamin supplements. Main outcome measures were serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and inhibin B and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) at baseline and after 90 days. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups with regard to sperm parameters and hormone values. The DFI was similar between the 2 groups at the time of the enrollment but reduced significantly (P < .05) after rFSH therapy in study group, whereas no significant variation occurred in the control group. In the subgroup of patients with high basal DFI values (>15%), rFSH treatment significantly increased DFI (P < .01), whereas no significant variation occurred after 90 days of vitamin supplements. We conclude that rFSH administration improves sperm DNA integrity in iOAT men with increased DFI values. The degree of sperm DFI might be useful to identify those iOAT patients in which rFSH treatment can be advantageous.

Sperm nuclear apoptotic DNA fragmentation in men with spinal cord injury

ObjectiveSince men with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually present anejaculation, semen collection through penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) or electroejaculation (EEJ), along with assisted reproduction (ART) is necessary for achieving fatherhood. One sperm alteration that highly impacts negatively on ART is sperm nuclear apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Thus, this study set out to assess sperm DNA fragmentation in men with SCI who had collected semen through PVS, through EEJ, and fertile men.DesignProspective controlled study.Materials and methodsThis study included 21 men with SCI and 30 men who had achieved fatherhood (<1 year). Semen was collected through PVS (10 patients), and if this method did not work, EEJ (11 patients). For the control, semen was collected after 3–5 days of ejaculatory abstinence and analyzed by WHO guidelines. Sperm apoptotic DNA fragmentation was analyzed using a commercially available TUNEL technique. Data are presented as mean; standard deviation. Groups were compared using ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD.ResultsConclusionsIn this study, we have shown that SCI indeed leads to a decrease in progressive sperm motility in EEJ patients and a decrease in sperm morphology in PVS patients, but that both groups present an important increase in sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, when compared to fertile men. ObjectiveSince men with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually present anejaculation, semen collection through penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) or electroejaculation (EEJ), along with assisted reproduction (ART) is necessary for achieving fatherhood. One sperm alteration that highly impacts negatively on ART is sperm nuclear apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Thus, this study set out to assess sperm DNA fragmentation in men with SCI who had collected semen through PVS, through EEJ, and fertile men. Since men with spinal cord injury (SCI) usually present anejaculation, semen collection through penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) or electroejaculation (EEJ), along with assisted reproduction (ART) is necessary for achieving fatherhood. One sperm alteration that highly impacts negatively on ART is sperm nuclear apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Thus, this study set out to assess sperm DNA fragmentation in men with SCI who had collected semen through PVS, through EEJ, and fertile men. DesignProspective controlled study. Prospective controlled study. Materials and methodsThis study included 21 men with SCI and 30 men who had achieved fatherhood (<1 year). Semen was collected through PVS (10 patients), and if this method did not work, EEJ (11 patients). For the control, semen was collected after 3–5 days of ejaculatory abstinence and analyzed by WHO guidelines. Sperm apoptotic DNA fragmentation was analyzed using a commercially available TUNEL technique. Data are presented as mean; standard deviation. Groups were compared using ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD. This study included 21 men with SCI and 30 men who had achieved fatherhood (<1 year). Semen was collected through PVS (10 patients), and if this method did not work, EEJ (11 patients). For the control, semen was collected after 3–5 days of ejaculatory abstinence and analyzed by WHO guidelines. Sperm apoptotic DNA fragmentation was analyzed using a commercially available TUNEL technique. Data are presented as mean; standard deviation. Groups were compared using ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD. Results ConclusionsIn this study, we have shown that SCI indeed leads to a decrease in progressive sperm motility in EEJ patients and a decrease in sperm morphology in PVS patients, but that both groups present an important increase in sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, when compared to fertile men. In this study, we have shown that SCI indeed leads to a decrease in progressive sperm motility in EEJ patients and a decrease in sperm morphology in PVS patients, but that both groups present an important increase in sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, when compared to fertile men.

Clinical correlates of the biological variation of sperm DNA fragmentation in infertile men attending an andrology outpatient clinic

Determination of sperm DNA fragmentation, as assessed by the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), has become an important tool for the evaluation of semen quality. The aim of the present study was to describe the biological variation of sperm DNA fragmentation in men attending an andrology clinic and to identify clinical correlates of the biological variation of sperm DNA fragmentation. For this study, two consecutive semen samples from 100 patients attending our andrology outpatient clinic were subjected to semen analysis, performed in parallel according to WHO guidelines and by SCSA. A good agreement between pairs of samples was found for SCSA-derived variables, as indicated by a significantly lower median coefficient of variation (CV) of the DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) and the high DNA stainability (HDS) compared with WHO semen parameters. In half of the men attending our andrology clinic, however, the individual biological variation of DFI and HDS, expressed as CV of two samples, exceeded 10%. Dysregulation of spermatogenesis, as seen as testicular insufficiency or varicocele, was not associated with increased variability of DFI or HDS. A backward multiple linear regression analysis, however, indicated that the biological variation of DFI may be more profound in men with characteristics of normal spermatogenesis. In conclusion, we confirm previous reports that sperm DNA fragmentation has a lower biological variability than classical semen parameters. We hypothesize that the sperm chromatin structure may be more influenced in patients with normal spermatogenesis, whereas in men with disturbed spermatogenesis, the chromatin structure may be already so impaired that the effect of unidentified factors leading to variability of sperm DNA fragmentation in time may not be as profound.

Effect of cryopreservation on sperm apoptotic deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation in patients with oligozoospermia

To verify if the increase in sperm apoptotic DNA fragmentation during cryopreservation is greater in oligozoospermic patients than in normozoospermic controls. Controlled prospective study. Patients in an academic research environment. Forty-seven patients with oligozoospermia (concentration <10 x 10(6) sperm/mL) and 30 normozoospermic men. Sperm cryopreservation using a standard protocol with a test-yolk buffer, glycerol as the cryoprotectant. Rate of apoptotic sperm DNA fragmentation as assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nickend labeling (TUNEL) assay, graded in apoptotic or nonapoptotic, before and after cryopreservation. An increase in apoptotic DNA fragmentation was observed in all the groups, regardless of sperm concentration. Normozoospermic men presented a smaller rate of apoptotic DNA fragmentation than oligozoospermic patients, both in pre- and postcryopreservation samples. The increase in DNA fragmentation was similar in both groups. Cryopreservation induces apoptotic sperm DNA fragmentation in men, regardless of sperm concentration. Men with oligozoospermia present with higher precryopreservation and postcryopreservation apoptotic sperm DNA fragmentation. The increase in DNA fragmentation is similar in both groups.

Caspase-dependent and -independent DNA fragmentation in Sertoli and germ cells from men with primary testicular failure: relationship with histological diagnosis.

Germ cell elimination and sperm DNA fragmentation in men with primary testiculopathies involve apoptosis-related processes whose mechanisms are poorly understood. This study examines the participation of typical (caspase-dependent) and atypical (caspase-independent) pathways in these processes. Caspase activity and DNA fragmentation were evaluated in Sertoli and germ cells from 63 men with non-obstructive azoospermia and with different histological diagnoses who were undergoing testicular biopsy for an assisted reproduction attempt. In eight of these men, phosphatidylserine externalization was also examined. The percentage of Sertoli cells showing caspase activity and DNA fragmentation was low and uniform in all diagnoses. In germ cells that remained tightly associated with Sertoli cells despite vigorous mechanical treatment, the incidence of both caspase activity and DNA fragmentation was high, particularly in men with maturation arrest. In Sertoli cell-free germ cells, high incidence of DNA fragmentation contrasted with low incidence of caspase activity and phosphatidylserine externalization. In men with primary testicular failure, apoptosis of Sertoli cells is insignificant. Some germ cells undergo caspase-dependent apoptosis, show phosphatidylserine externalization and are tightly associated with Sertoli cells. Other germ cells show caspase-independent DNA fragmentation, do not externalize phosphatidylserine and lack a tight association with Sertoli cells.