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Farkouh A, Finelli R, Agarwal A. Beyond conventional sperm parameters: the role of sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2021; 47:23-37. [PMID: 34881857 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6507.21.03623-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Infertility is a condition that widely affects the couples all over the world. In this regard, sperm DNA fragmentation can lead to harmful reproductive consequences, including male infertility and poor outcomes after assisted reproductive techniques. The investigation of SDF in male infertility diagnostics has constantly increased over time, becoming more common in clinical practice with the recent publication of several guidelines regarding its testing. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis and causes of sperm DNA fragmentation, as well as the assays which are more commonly performed for testing. Moreover, we discussed the most recently published evidence regarding the use of SDF testing in clinical practice, highlighting the implications of high sperm DNA fragmentation rate on human reproduction, and the therapeutic approaches for the clinical management of infertile patients. Our review confirms a significant harmful impact of sperm DNA fragmentation on reproduction, and points out several interventions which can be applied in clinics to reduce sperm DNA fragmentation and improve reproductive outcomes. Sperm DNA fragmentation has been shown to adversely impact male fertility potential. As high sperm DNA fragmentation levels have been associated with poor reproductive outcomes, its testing may significantly help clinicians in defining the best therapeutic strategy for infertile patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ala'a Farkouh
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA -
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Ribas-Maynou J, Llavanera M, Mateo-Otero Y, Garcia-Bonavila E, Delgado-Bermúdez A, Yeste M. Direct but Not Indirect Methods Correlate the Percentages of Sperm With Altered Chromatin to the Intensity of Chromatin Damage. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:719319. [PMID: 34746276 PMCID: PMC8570191 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.719319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although sperm chromatin damage, understood as damage to DNA or affectations in sperm protamination, has been proposed as a biomarker for sperm quality in both humans and livestock, the low incidence found in some animals raises concerns about its potential value. In this context, as separate methods measure different facets of chromatin damage, their comparison is of vital importance. This work aims at analyzing eight techniques assessing chromatin damage in pig sperm. With this purpose, cryopreserved sperm samples from 16 boars were evaluated through the following assays: TUNEL, TUNEL with decondensation, SCSA, alkaline and neutral sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) tests, alkaline and neutral Comet assays, and chromomycin A3 test (CMA3). In all cases, the extent of chromatin damage and the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA were determined. The degree of chromatin damage and the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) in direct methods (TUNEL, TUNEL with decondensation, and alkaline and neutral Comet) and CMA3, but not in the indirect ones (SCD and SCSA). Percentages of sperm with fragmented DNA determined by alkaline Comet were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with TUNEL following decondensation and CMA3; those determined by neutral Comet were correlated with the percentage of High DNA Stainability (SCSA); those determined by SCSA were correlated with neutral and alkaline SCD; and those determined by neutral SCD were correlated with alkaline SCD. While, in pigs, percentages of sperm with fragmented DNA are directly related to the extent of chromatin damage when direct methods are used, this is not the case for indirect techniques. Thus, the results obtained herein differ from those reported for humans in which TUNEL, SCSA, alkaline SCD, and alkaline Comet were found to be correlated. These findings may shed some light on the interpretation of these tests and provide some clues for the standardization of chromatin damage methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Llavanera
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Yentel Mateo-Otero
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Estela Garcia-Bonavila
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Ribas-Maynou J, Garcia-Bonavila E, Bonet S, Catalán J, Salas-Huetos A, Yeste M. The TUNEL assay underestimates the incidence of DNA damage in pig sperm due to chromatin condensation. Theriogenology 2021; 174:94-101. [PMID: 34425305 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Inconsistencies in the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation and reproductive outcomes as well as the low incidence in farm animals raise concerns on its actual value as a sperm quality parameter. Previous studies suggested that the different sensitivity of techniques evaluating DNA fragmentation could explain variations in the correlation with reproductive outcomes. While the TUNEL assay is one of the most standardized methods to detect DNA damage and cell death, the steric impediment for the terminal nucleotidyl transferase enzyme to access the highly condensed sperm nucleus may decrease the ability of this test to detect internal DNA breaks. In the present study, we sought to determine whether increasing chromatin decondensation makes the TUNEL assay more sensitive to detect DNA damage in pig sperm. We compared three chromatin decondensation treatments (2 mM DTT for 45 min; 5 mM DTT for 8 min and further 45 min; and 5 mM DTT+ 1 M NaCl for 8 min) through the Chromomycin A3 test (CMA3). While incubation with DTT increased the percentages of sperm with decondensed chromatin, regardless of concentration and time of incubation (P < 0.05), the extent of that decondensation was higher when 5 mM DTT was combined with 1 M NaCl. In addition, the TUNEL assay detected a higher number of DNA breaks in sperm with decondensed chromatin (1.89% ± 1.63% vs 8.74% ± 6.05%; P = 0.003). This study shows, for the first time, that previous chromatin decondensation increases the sensitivity of the TUNEL assay to detect DNA damage in pig sperm. These findings also support that larger chromatin decondensation is needed in order for DNA damage to be evaluated properly in species containing protamine P1 only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain.
| | - Estela Garcia-Bonavila
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Bonet
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Jaime Catalán
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Autonomous University of Barcelona, ES-08193, Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA; Consorcio CIBER, M.P., Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (ciBeRobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain
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Esteves SC, López-Fernández C, Martínez MG, Silva EA, Gosálvez J. Reliability of the sperm chromatin dispersion assay to evaluate sperm deoxyribonucleic acid damage in men with infertility. Fertil Steril 2021; 117:64-73. [PMID: 34548170 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.08.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the intraindividual agreement of the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay results to assess sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in men with infertility. DESIGN Diagnostic test reliability study. SETTING Andrology laboratories. PATIENT(S) A total of 219 men with infertility. INTERVENTION(S) Sperm DNA fragmentation assessment in two ejaculates of the same subjects within a 3-month interval, using the SCD assay performed and analyzed by the same observers under similar testing conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Cohen's κ statistics to assess the degree of agreement between the pairs of results after converting the nominal SCD values into categorical data, that is, normal (<20%), intermediate (21%-29%), and high (≥30%) SDF rates. We also assessed the pairs of results using reliability measures for numerical variables (intraclass correlation coefficient for consistency using the two-way mixed-effects model and Bland-Altman plots). RESULT(S) The degree of agreement in classifying patients according to normal and pathological SDF classes was overall substantial (κ = 0.632; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.546-0.718). A total of 76.7% of individuals were classified under the same class using paired ejaculates. The agreement rate was highest (approximately 80%) in ejaculates initially classified as either normal or high and lowest (approximately 60%) among those with intermediate SDF levels. The frequency of intermediate SDF ejaculates downgraded to normal or upgrade to high SDF classes in the second test was similar (approximately 20%). The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.856 (95% CI, 0.812-0.887), and the mean difference between the pairs of observations was 0.80% (95% CI, -0.72 to 2.23), indicating no systematic difference between paired observations. CONCLUSION(S) Our study indicates a substantial intraindividual agreement of paired SCD assay results to classify men with infertility into three SDF categories: normal, intermediate, and high. The reliability of the SCD assay was adequate and exceeded 0.80 using two ejaculates analyzed within a 3-month interval under similar conditions. Although this evidence overall supports a single SCD test for patient classification using predefined SDF thresholds, particularly when the first test shows normal or high SDF levels, one in four men will have discordant values in paired ejaculates. Clinicians should be judicious when using SDF test results in decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil; Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Ellen A Silva
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Unit of Genetics, Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Minhas S, Bettocchi C, Boeri L, Capogrosso P, Carvalho J, Cilesiz NC, Cocci A, Corona G, Dimitropoulos K, Gül M, Hatzichristodoulou G, Jones TH, Kadioglu A, Martínez Salamanca JI, Milenkovic U, Modgil V, Russo GI, Serefoglu EC, Tharakan T, Verze P, Salonia A. European Association of Urology Guidelines on Male Sexual and Reproductive Health: 2021 Update on Male Infertility. Eur Urol 2021; 80:603-620. [PMID: 34511305 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2021.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The European Association of Urology (EAU) has updated its guidelines on sexual and reproductive health for 2021. OBJECTIVE To present a summary of the 2021 version of the EAU guidelines on sexual and reproductive health, including advances and areas of controversy in male infertility. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION The panel performed a comprehensive literature review of novel data up to January 2021. The guidelines were updated and a strength rating for each recommendation was included that was based either on a systematic review of the literature or consensus opinion from the expert panel, where applicable. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS The male partner in infertile couples should undergo a comprehensive urological assessment to identify and treat any modifiable risk factors causing fertility impairment. Infertile men are at a higher risk of harbouring and developing other diseases including malignancy and cardiovascular disease and should be screened for potential modifiable risk factors, such as hypogonadism. Sperm DNA fragmentation testing has emerged as a novel biomarker that can identify infertile men and provide information on the outcomes from assisted reproductive techniques. The role of hormone stimulation therapy in hypergonadotropic hypogonadal or eugonadal patients is controversial and is not recommended outside of clinical trials. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence to support the widespread use of other empirical treatments and surgical interventions in clinical practice (such as antioxidants and surgical sperm retrieval in men without azoospermia). There is low-quality evidence to support the routine use of testicular fine-needle mapping as an alternative diagnostic and predictive tool before testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), and either conventional or microdissection TESE remains the surgical modality of choice for men with NOA. CONCLUSIONS All infertile men should undergo a comprehensive urological assessment to identify and treat any modifiable risk factors. Increasing data indicate that infertile men are at higher risk of cardiovascular mortality and of developing cancers and should be screened and counselled accordingly. There is low-quality evidence supporting the use of empirical treatments and interventions currently used in clinical practice; the efficacy of these therapies needs to be validated in large-scale randomised controlled trials. PATIENT SUMMARY Approximately 50% of infertility will be due to problems with the male partner. Therefore, all infertile men should be assessed by a specialist with the expertise to not only help optimise their fertility but also because they are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer long term and therefore require appropriate counselling and management. There are many treatments and interventions for male infertility that have not been validated in high-quality studies and caution should be applied to their use in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suks Minhas
- Department of Urology, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
| | | | - Luca Boeri
- Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Capogrosso
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Ospedale di Circolo and Macchi Foundation, Varese, Italy
| | - Joana Carvalho
- CPUP: Center for Psychology of Porto University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nusret Can Cilesiz
- Department of Urology, Taksim Training & Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Andrea Cocci
- Department of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Urologic Surgery and Kidney Transplantation, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Dimitropoulos
- Academic Urology Unit, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK; Department of Urology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Murat Gül
- School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | | | - Thomas Hugh Jones
- Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Barnsley Hospital NHS Trust, Barnsley, UK
| | - Ates Kadioglu
- Department of Urology, İstanbul University İstanbul School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Uros Milenkovic
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vaibhav Modgil
- Manchester Andrology Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Giorgio Ivan Russo
- Urology Section, Department of Surgery, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ege Can Serefoglu
- Department of Urology, Biruni University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tharu Tharakan
- Department of Urology, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
| | - Paolo Verze
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, Urological Research Institute, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Alias AB, Huang HY, Yao DJ. A Review on Microfluidics: An Aid to Assisted Reproductive Technology. Molecules 2021; 26:4354. [PMID: 34299629 PMCID: PMC8303723 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a state of the male or female reproductive system that is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy even after 12 or more months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) plays a crucial role in addressing infertility. Various ART are now available for infertile couples. Fertilization in vitro (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are the most common techniques in this regard. Various microfluidic technologies can incorporate various ART procedures such as embryo and gamete (sperm and oocyte) analysis, sorting, manipulation, culture and monitoring. Hence, this review intends to summarize the current knowledge about the application of this approach towards cell biology to enhance ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Baby Alias
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan;
| | - Hong-Yuan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung University and College of Medicine, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Da-Jeng Yao
- Institute of NanoEngineering and MicroSystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan;
- Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
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Ribas-Maynou J, Delgado-Bermúdez A, Garcia-Bonavila E, Pinart E, Yeste M, Bonet S. Complete Chromatin Decondensation of Pig Sperm Is Required to Analyze Sperm DNA Breaks With the Comet Assay. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:675973. [PMID: 34195195 PMCID: PMC8236647 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.675973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm quality is usually evaluated prior to artificial insemination in farm animals. In addition to conventional semen analysis, other biomarkers, such as mitochondrial activity, integrity and lipid disorder of plasma membrane, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and sperm DNA integrity, have been found to be related to fertility rates in different species. While mounting evidence indicates that the Comet assay is a sensitive method for the detection of DNA breaks, complete sperm chromatin decondensation is required in order to properly analyze the presence of single- and double-strand DNA breaks. In this sense, a previous study showed that longer lysis treatment with proteinase K is needed to achieve complete chromatin decondensation. The current work sought to determine which specific lysis treatment leads to complete chromatin decondensation in pig sperm, as this is needed for the measurement of DNA damage in this species. With this purpose, incubation with a lysis solution containing proteinase K for 0, 30, and 180 min was added to the conventional protocol. The impact of the DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2; 0.01 and 0.1%) and DNAse I (1U and 4U) was also evaluated. Complete chromatin decondensation was only achieved when a long additional lysis treatment (180 min) was included. Furthermore, olive tail moment (OTM) and percentage of tail DNA (TD) indicated that a higher amount of DNA breaks was detected when hydrogen peroxide and DNAse I treatments were applied (P < 0.05). The comparison of treated and control sperm allowed defining the thresholds for OTM; these thresholds revealed that the percentage of sperm with fragmented DNA determined by the alkaline Comet does not depend on chromatin decondensation (P > 0.05). In conclusion, complete chromatin decondensation prior to alkaline and neutral Comet assays is needed to analyze DNA breaks in pig sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Ariadna Delgado-Bermúdez
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Estela Garcia-Bonavila
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Pinart
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Bonet
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Gill K, Kups M, Harasny P, Machalowski T, Grabowska M, Lukaszuk M, Matuszewski M, Duchnik E, Fraczek M, Kurpisz M, Piasecka M. The Negative Impact of Varicocele on Basic Semen Parameters, Sperm Nuclear DNA Dispersion and Oxidation-Reduction Potential in Semen. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115977. [PMID: 34199549 PMCID: PMC8199719 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Since varicocele is so common in infertile men, this study intends to analyse the relationships between varicocele and conventional semen characteristics, sperm nuclear DNA dispersion and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in semen. Varicocele-positive and varicocele-negative infertile men (study groups) showed significantly lower standard sperm parameters and higher sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and ORP in semen than healthy volunteers and subjects with proven fertility (control groups). A lower proportion of low SDF levels (0–15% SDF) and higher incidence of high SDF levels (>30% SDF), as well as a higher prevalence of high ORP values (>1.37 mV/106 sperm/mL), were found in the study groups vs. the control groups. Moreover, infertile men had significantly lower odds ratios (ORs) for low SDF levels and significantly higher ORs for high SDF levels and high ORP. SDF and ORP were negatively correlated with sperm number, morphology, motility and vitality. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between SDF and ORP. The obtained results suggest that disorders of spermatogenesis may occur in varicocele-related infertility. These abnormalities are manifested not only by reduced standard semen parameters but also by decreased sperm DNA integrity and simultaneously increased oxidative stress in semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Michal Kups
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- TFP Fertility Vitrolive in Szczecin, 70-483 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Patryk Harasny
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Machalowski
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- Department of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, 72-010 Police, Poland
| | - Marta Grabowska
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Mariusz Lukaszuk
- Healthcare Center Nowe Orlowo, 81-525 Gdynia, Poland;
- Invicta Fertility Clinic, 80-850 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marcin Matuszewski
- Department of Urology, Medical University in Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Ewa Duchnik
- Department of Aesthetic Dermatology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- Correspondence:
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59
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Torres-Arce E, Vizmanos B, Babio N, Márquez-Sandoval F, Salas-Huetos A. Dietary Antioxidants in the Treatment of Male Infertility: Counteracting Oxidative Stress. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:241. [PMID: 33804600 PMCID: PMC8003818 DOI: 10.3390/biology10030241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects about 15% of the population and male factors only are responsible for ~25-30% of cases of infertility. Currently, the etiology of suboptimal semen quality is poorly understood, and many environmental and genetic factors, including oxidative stress, have been implicated. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the capacity of the body to counteract their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants. The purpose of this review, by employing the joint expertise of international researchers specialized in nutrition and male fertility areas, is to update the knowledge about the reproductive consequences of excessive ROS concentrations and oxidative stress on the semen quality and Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) clinical outcomes, to discuss the role of antioxidants in fertility outcomes, and finally to discuss why foods and dietary patterns are more innocuous long term solution for ameliorating oxidative stress and therefore semen quality results and ART fertility outcomes. Since this is a narrative review and not a systematic/meta-analysis, the summarized information in the present study should be considered cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Torres-Arce
- Center of Health Sciences, Institute of Translational Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics, Universidad de Guadalajara, 44340 Guadalajara, Mexico; (E.T.-A.); (B.V.)
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - Barbara Vizmanos
- Center of Health Sciences, Institute of Translational Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics, Universidad de Guadalajara, 44340 Guadalajara, Mexico; (E.T.-A.); (B.V.)
| | - Nancy Babio
- Human Nutrition Unit, Biochemistry and Biotechnology Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43201 Reus, Spain;
- Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere i Virgili, 43204 Reus, Spain
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P., Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (ciBeRobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabiola Márquez-Sandoval
- Center of Health Sciences, Institute of Translational Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics, Universidad de Guadalajara, 44340 Guadalajara, Mexico; (E.T.-A.); (B.V.)
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Andrology and IVF Laboratory, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P., Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (ciBeRobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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