Sperm DNA Integrity In Patients Research Articles

The Effects of Varicocelectomy on Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Conventional Semen Parameters in Men with Severe Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia: A Prospective Study.

The dilation and torsion of testicular veins in the plexus pampiniformis causes Varicocele, which is a surgically repairable cause of male infertility. This study assessed the impact of varicocelectomy on semen characteristics, total motile sperm count (TMSC) and sperm DNA integrity in patients with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). In this prospective study, semen samples of 360 men with severe OAT who underwent varicocelectomy according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria 2021 were studied (pre-operatively and at 6, 12, and 18 months post-operatively). The average age of our patients was 38.5 years. The mean spermatozoa concentration was found to be 1.60 ± 0.83 million/ml pre-operatively, while the mean post-operative concentration was 5.17 ± 1.23 million/ml at 6 months, 8.32 ± 0.98 million/ml at 12 months, and 13.51 ± 1.48 million/ml at 18 months (P<0.0001). The mean percentage of A+B motile spermatozoa was 2.92 ± 1.17% pre-operatively, 6.10 ± 1.51% at six months, 9.58 ± 1.49% at 12 months and 13.92 ± 1.88% at 18 months postoperatively (P<0.0001). The mean Modified David's morphology score was 3.80 ± 1.43% pre-operatively, 5.95 ± 1.23% at 6 months, 7.94 ± 1.18% at 12 months, and 10.82 ± 1.91% at 18 months post-operatively (P<0.0001). The mean of total motile sperm count (TMSC) was statistically improved after varicocelectomy (P<0.001). The mean of DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of the spermatozoa was 31.40 ± 0.52% pre-operatively, and post-operatively at 28.20 ± 0.32% at 6 months, 25.90 ± 0.31% at 12 months and 20.50 ± 0.40% at 18 months (P<0.001). Varicocelectomy was associated with significant improvement of sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation resulting in significant improvement of spermatogenesis quality. We believe that universalization in the routinely used sperm dispersion chromatin (SDC) test could be beneficial in the treatment of infertility.

Normal Sperm DNA Integrity in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Ustekinumab Maintenance Therapy.

Lay Summary We demonstrate that ustekinumab does not adversely affect semen quality or sex hormones in male patients. Ustekinumab is not detectable in semen and poses no risk to partners. Our observations support a recommendation to continue ustekinumab therapy in patients wishing to conceive.

The Short Abstinence May Have Paradoxical Effects On Sperms With Different Level Of DNA Integrity: A Prospective Study.

To investigate the effect of short abstinence on sperm function tests and semen parameters. This prospective study included 65 male patients with increased DNA injury in their ejaculated sperm and a history of recurrent pregnancy loss and/or assisted reproductive techniques failures. The effects of antioxidants medical therapy and short abstinence on semen quality were assessed (TUNEL test and CMA3 staining). Antioxidants have statistically significant effects on mean sperm concentration (untreated, 67.51 ± 44.40 million/ml, vs. treated, 56.09 ± 37.85 million/ml; P-value=0.005) and mean TUNEL score (untreated, 24.56% ± 9.49%, vs. treated, 20.64% ± 10.28%; P-value = 0.013). Moreover, a short abstinence period might have positive effects as shown on the TUNEL assay (20.64% ± 10.28 vs. 17.38% ± 8.59 ; P-value = 0.028) and CMA3 staining (47.79% ± 20.78, vs. short 41.92% ± 18.49; P-value = 0.019), when considering all study subjects. However, different results were obtained using more precise analysis based on a TUNEL cutoff score of 20%. The analysis showed that short abstinence might improve sperm DNA integrity in patients with TUNEL score > 20% (mean TUNEL score from 27.85% ± 8.32% to 19.14% ± 8.90% ; P-value =0.001%). However, it might have deleterious effects on sperm DNA integrity in patients with TUNEL score < 20% (mean TUNEL score from 11.89% ± 3.21% to 15.17% ± 7.79%; P-value = 0.045%) Conclusion: Our results showed that short abstinence may not be beneficial in all infertile males, and it should only be used in selected patients with abnormal DNA integrity.

Semen Quality and Sperm DNA Integrity in Patients With Severe Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha Inhibitors.

The impact of severe inflammation on semen quality, including sperm DNA integrity, in men with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is unknown, as are the potential effects of anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] therapy. We investigated the influence of severe active IBD and anti-TNF-alpha treatment on semen quality. We prospectively included 20 patients admitted with severe active IBD. Further, 19 patients who initiated and 17 who stopped anti-TNF-alpha therapy were included. Semen samples were obtained during active disease, and on/off treatment. For paired comparisons, samples were collected not less than 3 months after achieving remission, after treatment initiation, or after treatment cessation. Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index [DFI], concentration, morphology, and motility were evaluated. Sex hormones and seminal plasma anti-TNF-alpha drug levels were measured. In patients with severe disease, progressive sperm motility was impaired and increased significantly [from 28.4% to 37.4%, p = 0.045] during remission. There was no difference in DFI [12.5% versus 12.0%, p = 0.55], concentration [55.0 mill/ml versus 70.0 mill/ml, p = 0.39], or normal morphology [4.7% versus 5.1%, p = 0.51] in these patients. During active disease, testosterone was decreased, and normalised after obtaining remission. Patients who started anti-TNF-alpha therapy had a statistically significant, but clinically irrelevant, reduction in DFI after treatment initiation [12.8% versus 10.0%, p = 0.02]. All other semen parameters were unaffected by therapy. Anti-TNF-alpha drugs were excreted in negligible amounts in semen. Severe active IBD reduces progressive sperm motility and testosterone levels, but sperm DNA integrity is unaffected by active disease. Anti-TNF-alpha therapy does not impair sperm quality.

515 Sperm DNA integrity in patients with varicocele: relationships between DNA fragmentation and bulk semen parameters

515 Sperm DNA integrity in patients with varicocele: relationships between DNA fragmentation and bulk semen parameters

Estimation of changes in spermogram and index of sperm DNA fragmentation in patients with premature ejaculation receiving Neurodoz biocomplex

Background. An incidence of premature ejaculation (PE) in men of reproductive age of 24–45 years is 23 %. The treatment of PE is based on antidepressants from the group of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. However, drugs of this group have gametotoxic action. Objective . Evaluate the effectiveness of Neurodoz biocomplex, its effect on the parameters of spermogram and sperm DNA integrity in patients with PE. Materials and methods. The study involved 16 patients with PE and normozoospermia aged from 26 to 35 years. Ejaculate and sperm DNA fragmentation were assessed by Halosperm (Halotech®) method before and after the therapy. Duration of treatment was 2 months. Evaluation of efficacy was based on the duration of sexual intercourse, as well as on the visual analogue scale and the questionnaire data of patients with premature ejaculation. Results. In 8 weeks there was a decrease in ejaculate volume from to 3.6 ± 1.1 down to 3.2 ± 1.1 mL (p = 0.312) and an increase in the concentration of sperm (34.2 ± 9.8) × 106 up to (35.6 ± 9.7) × 106 (p = 0.688). Sperm motility (category a + b) increased from 36.6 ± 4.3 to 37.2 ± 4.5 % (p = 0.703), the percentage of morphologically normal forms increased from 14.6 ± 1.4 up to 14.8 ± 1.1 (p = 0.656). DNA fragmentation of sperm has decreased from 15.6 ± 2.7 down to 15.4 ± 2.7 % (p = 0.635). Duration of intravaginal latency increased from 101.8 ± 34.4 (45–150) up to 217.3 ± 28.9 (190–280) sec (p < 0.001). An overall score according to the premature ejaculation questionnaire decreased from 13.9 ± 3.0 (9–20) down to 4.4 ± 1.9 (0–7) (p < 0.001). Visual analogue scale symptoms improved from 7.3 ± 1.7 (5–10) to 2.6 ± 1.2 (0–4) (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Neurodoz is an effective and safe agent for PE correction. Giving an absence of negative impact of biocomplex on spermatogenesis in patients with normozoospermia, it is possible to administer it to men who are trying to conceive. Further study is necessary in order to assess an impact of the drug on semen parameters in subfertile patients

High ligation of varicocele improves sperm DNA integrity in patients with asthenospermia

To assess how high ligation of varicocele improves sperm DNA integrity in patients with asthenospermia. The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and semen analysis were conducted in 30 subjects with normal sperm samples, and the parameters were used as references. Fifty-six patients from the Department of Urology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April 2009 to April 2011 all signed the informed consent. Semen was collected 1 week before the high ligation of varicocele and 3 months after the surgery. We compared the change of the integrity of sperm DNA and semen. Three months after the high ligation of varicocele, DFI and semen indexes significantly improved (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between open surgery and laparoscopic surgery, unilateral varicocele and bilateral varicocele and Grade I, Grade II, Grade III varicocele (P>0.05). Six months later, 27 spouses were pregnant out of the 53 surgical patients (50.9%). DFI of the pregnancy group and the non-pregnancy group was (13.90±9.70)% and (20.10±10.27)%, with significant different (P<0.05). Varicocelectomy can improve the sperm DNA integrity in patients with asthenospermia, whose effect is not related to surgical approach, unilateral or bilateral varicocele or varicocele grade.

Soy lecithin replaces egg yolk for cryopreservation of human sperm without adversely affecting postthaw motility, morphology, sperm DNA integrity, or sperm binding to hyaluronate

Semen specimens (one ejaculate from each of 20 consenting study participants) were subjected to routine semen analysis, an in vitro sperm binding assay (HBA), and a sperm chromatin dispersion assay (HaloSperm), both before and after cryopreservation using cryoprotectant media supplemented with either egg yolk or soy lecithin. Comparing the equivalency of the two phospholipid cryopreservation supplements with regard to postthaw functional parameters demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences between the two supplements for [1] recovery of motile sperm, [2] maintenance of sperm cell morphology, [3] maintenance of the ability of sperm to bind to hyaluronate in vitro, or [4] maintenance of sperm DNA integrity.

Effect of cryopreservation on sperm DNA integrity in patients with teratospermia

To test whether sperm with abnormal head morphology are more likely to undergo DNA damage and/or chromatin modification during the process of freeze-thawing. In this prospective study, the semen samples from forty-four men attending the infertility clinic were included. Samples were divided into aliquots to allow direct comparison of fresh and frozen spermatozoa from the same ejaculate. The sperm morphology and the sperm DNA damage were evaluated before and after cryopreservation. The relationship between sperm head abnormalities and freeze-thaw-induced DNA modification was assessed. University hospital fertility center. Men attending infertility clinic for semen analysis. The normospermic and teratospermic semen samples were evaluated for DNA damage before and after cryopreservation by comet assay and acridine orange bindability test. Elucidation of association between sperm morphologic defect and cryodamage. A threefold increase in the amount of DNA damage was observed in teratospermic samples compared with their normospermic counterparts, indicating a higher susceptibility of morphologically abnormal sperm to cryodamage. The susceptibility of morphologically abnormal sperm to DNA damage/chromatin modification during the freeze-thaw process is significantly higher than that of sperm with normal morphology.

Effects of cancer and anti-neoplastic treatment on the human testicular function.

Men with testicular neoplasia (TN) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) are those who more frequently require treatment for fertility because these malignancies affect patients during the reproductive age and because the early diagnosis and the improved anti-neoplastic treatments cure most of these patients. Although some of them can father a child spontaneously, assisted reproductive techniques allow fatherhood to patients with severe spermatogenesis impairment and this possibility has raised concern about the long-term consequence of the testicular damage induced by chemo- and/or radiotherapy. This paper reviews the effects of cancer per se and of anti-neoplastic treatments on gonadal function, sperm aneuploidy rate and sperm DNA integrity. A debate is still open as to whether TN or HD per se may impair spermatogenesis. Many studies have shown that this is the case, albeit others have challenged this view. Chemo- and/or radiotherapy affects negatively gonadal function, rendering almost all patients azoospermics. However, spontaneous pregnancies and a high degree of spermatogenesis recovery occur with time. A large body of literature on sperm chromosome complement suggests an increased rate of structural and numerical chromosome abnormalities in patients with cancer during anti-neoplastic treatment. A minority of them has, however, shown that this effect disappears with time. An interesting and relatively new aspect is the study of sperm DNA integrity in patients with TN and HD particularly following chemo- and/or radiotherapy. The scanty information available seems to suggest that these patients have a permanent or at least a long-lasting DNA fragmentation in their spermatozoa.