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Montjean D, Beaumont M, Natiq A, Louanjli N, Hazout A, Miron P, Liehr T, Cabry R, Ratbi I, Benkhalifa M. Genome and Epigenome Disorders and Male Infertility: Feedback from 15 Years of Clinical and Research Experience. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:377. [PMID: 38540436 PMCID: PMC10970370 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects around 20% of couples of reproductive age; however, in some societies, as many as one-third of couples are unable to conceive. Different factors contribute to the decline of male fertility, such us environmental and professional exposure to endocrine disruptors, oxidative stress, and life habits with the risk of de novo epigenetics dysregulation. Since the fantastic development of new "omes and omics" technologies, the contribution of inherited or de novo genomes and epigenome disorders to male infertility have been further elucidated. Many other techniques have become available to andrology laboratories for the investigation of genome and epigenome integrity and the maturation and the competency of spermatozoa. All these new methods of assessment are highlighting the importance of genetics and epigenetics investigation for assisted reproduction pathology and for supporting professionals in counselling patients and proposing different management strategies for male infertility. This aims to improve clinical outcomes while minimizing the risk of genetics or health problems at birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Montjean
- Fertilys Fertility Centers Laval and Brossard, 1950 Maurice-Gauvin Street, Laval, QC H7S 1Z5, Canada; (D.M.)
| | - Marion Beaumont
- Genetics Department, Eylau/Unilabs Laboratory, 92110 Clichy, France;
| | - Abdelhafid Natiq
- Center for Genomics of Human Pathologies (GENOPATH), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco (I.R.)
- National Laboratory Mohammed VI, Mohammed VI Foundation of Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | | | - Andre Hazout
- Andro-Genetics Unit, Labomac, Casablanca, Morocco (A.H.)
| | - Pierre Miron
- Fertilys Fertility Centers Laval and Brossard, 1950 Maurice-Gauvin Street, Laval, QC H7S 1Z5, Canada; (D.M.)
| | - Thomas Liehr
- Institute für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich Schiller Universität, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Rosalie Cabry
- Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology & Genetics, CECOS Picardie, University Hospital & School of Medicine, Picardie University Jules Verne, 80000 Amiens, France
- PeriTox Laboratory, Perinatality & Toxic Risks, UMR-I 01 INERIS, Picardie University Jules Verne, 80000 Amiens, France
| | - Ilham Ratbi
- Center for Genomics of Human Pathologies (GENOPATH), Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco (I.R.)
- Medical Genetics Unit, Ibn Sina University Hospital Center, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Moncef Benkhalifa
- Fertilys Fertility Centers Laval and Brossard, 1950 Maurice-Gauvin Street, Laval, QC H7S 1Z5, Canada; (D.M.)
- Reproductive Medicine, Reproductive Biology & Genetics, CECOS Picardie, University Hospital & School of Medicine, Picardie University Jules Verne, 80000 Amiens, France
- PeriTox Laboratory, Perinatality & Toxic Risks, UMR-I 01 INERIS, Picardie University Jules Verne, 80000 Amiens, France
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Tilak P, Bawaskar PA, Badge A, Kohale M, Makade JG, Nair N. Resolving Secondary Infertility: A Case Report of the Successful Treatment of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Through the Physiological Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Method. Cureus 2024; 16:e53682. [PMID: 38455827 PMCID: PMC10918439 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This case report presents an illustrative account of a couple experiencing secondary infertility attributed to the fragmentation of DNA in sperm. Secondary infertility, the inability to conceive after having previously successfully conceived a child, can be due to various factors, including male infertility issues. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has emerged as a major factor influencing male fertility, resulting in poor embryo development and lower pregnancy rates. This case is about the use of advanced assisted reproductive technologies, specifically physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), to treat secondary infertility caused by fragmentation of sperm DNA. PICSI enables the identification and selection of spermatozoa with optimal functional integrity using hyaluronan, a natural binding substance. Preparing a PICSI dish requires skill and precision. Sperm exhibiting a high DNA fragmentation index were excluded from the selection process to enhance embryo development potential. The couple underwent controlled ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and ICSI with PICSI. The treatment resulted in the successful conception of a singleton pregnancy. Subsequent prenatal monitoring indicated a healthy pregnancy progression, ultimately culminating in the delivery of a healthy baby girl at term. This case report highlights the efficacy of integrating PICSI as a sperm selection method preceding ICSI, specifically in cases of secondary infertility related to SDF. Further research and larger-scale studies are warranted to approve the findings of this case report and establish the broader applicability of this treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyal Tilak
- Clinical Embryology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Nagpur, IND
| | - Pranita A Bawaskar
- Clinical Embryology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Nagpur, IND
| | - Ankit Badge
- Microbiology, Datta Meghe Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Nagpur, IND
| | - Mangesh Kohale
- Pathology, Datta Meghe Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Nagpur, IND
| | - Jagadish G Makade
- Community Medicine, Datta Meghe Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Nagpur, IND
| | - Nancy Nair
- Clinical Embryology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Nagpur, IND
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Ghayda RA, Cannarella R, Calogero AE, Shah R, Rambhatla A, Zohdy W, Kavoussi P, Avidor-Reiss T, Boitrelle F, Mostafa T, Saleh R, Toprak T, Birowo P, Salvio G, Calik G, Kuroda S, Kaiyal RS, Ziouziou I, Crafa A, Phuoc NHV, Russo GI, Durairajanayagam D, Al-Hashimi M, Hamoda TAAAM, Pinggera GM, Adriansjah R, Maldonado Rosas I, Arafa M, Chung E, Atmoko W, Rocco L, Lin H, Huyghe E, Kothari P, Solorzano Vazquez JF, Dimitriadis F, Garrido N, Homa S, Falcone M, Sabbaghian M, Kandil H, Ko E, Martinez M, Nguyen Q, Harraz AM, Serefoglu EC, Karthikeyan VS, Tien DMB, Jindal S, Micic S, Bellavia M, Alali H, Gherabi N, Lewis S, Park HJ, Simopoulou M, Sallam H, Ramirez L, Colpi G, Agarwal A. Artificial Intelligence in Andrology: From Semen Analysis to Image Diagnostics. World J Mens Health 2024; 42:39-61. [PMID: 37382282 PMCID: PMC10782130 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.230050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine has gained a lot of momentum in the last decades and has been applied to various fields of medicine. Advances in computer science, medical informatics, robotics, and the need for personalized medicine have facilitated the role of AI in modern healthcare. Similarly, as in other fields, AI applications, such as machine learning, artificial neural networks, and deep learning, have shown great potential in andrology and reproductive medicine. AI-based tools are poised to become valuable assets with abilities to support and aid in diagnosing and treating male infertility, and in improving the accuracy of patient care. These automated, AI-based predictions may offer consistency and efficiency in terms of time and cost in infertility research and clinical management. In andrology and reproductive medicine, AI has been used for objective sperm, oocyte, and embryo selection, prediction of surgical outcomes, cost-effective assessment, development of robotic surgery, and clinical decision-making systems. In the future, better integration and implementation of AI into medicine will undoubtedly lead to pioneering evidence-based breakthroughs and the reshaping of andrology and reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy Abou Ghayda
- Urology Institute, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Aldo E. Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rupin Shah
- Department of Urology, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Amarnath Rambhatla
- Department of Urology, Henry Ford Health System, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Wael Zohdy
- Andrology and STDs, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Parviz Kavoussi
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, Poissy, France
- Department of Biology, Reproduction, Epigenetics, Environment, and Development, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Paris, France
| | - Taymour Mostafa
- Andrology, Sexology & STIs Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Tuncay Toprak
- Department of Urology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ponco Birowo
- Department of Urology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Gianmaria Salvio
- Department of Endocrinology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gokhan Calik
- Department of Urology, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Shinnosuke Kuroda
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Urology, Reproduction Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Raneen Sawaid Kaiyal
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Imad Ziouziou
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Andrea Crafa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nguyen Ho Vinh Phuoc
- Department of Andrology, Binh Dan Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Manaf Al-Hashimi
- Department of Urology, Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Khalifa University, College of Medicine and Health Science, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
| | - Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda
- Department of Urology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | | | - Ricky Adriansjah
- Department of Urology, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Universitas Padjadjaran, Banding, Indonesia
| | | | - Mohamed Arafa
- Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eric Chung
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia
| | - Widi Atmoko
- Department of Urology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Lucia Rocco
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Haocheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Eric Huyghe
- Department of Urology and Andrology, University Hospital of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Priyank Kothari
- Department of Urology, B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital, Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Fotios Dimitriadis
- Department of Urology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nicolas Garrido
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Sheryl Homa
- Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Falcone
- Department of Urology, Molinette Hospital, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Marjan Sabbaghian
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Edmund Ko
- Department of Urology, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Marlon Martinez
- Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Quang Nguyen
- Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
- Center for Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Viet Duc University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Urology, Andrology and Sexual Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ahmed M. Harraz
- Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- Department of Surgery, Urology Unit, Farwaniya Hospital, Farwaniya, Kuwait
- Department of Urology, Sabah Al Ahmad Urology Center, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ege Can Serefoglu
- Department of Urology, Biruni University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Dung Mai Ba Tien
- Department of Andrology, Binh Dan Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Sunil Jindal
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Jindal Hospital, Meerut, India
| | - Sava Micic
- Department of Andrology, Uromedica Polyclinic, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Bellavia
- Andrology and IVF Center, Next Fertility Procrea, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Hamed Alali
- King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nazim Gherabi
- Andrology Committee of the Algerian Association of Urology, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Sheena Lewis
- Examen Lab Ltd., Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Hyun Jun Park
- Department of Urology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Medical Research Institute of Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Mara Simopoulou
- Department of Experimental Physiology, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Hassan Sallam
- Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Liliana Ramirez
- IVF Laboratory, CITMER Reproductive Medicine, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Giovanni Colpi
- Andrology and IVF Center, Next Fertility Procrea, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH, USA
- Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Serrano Albal M, Aquilina MC, Zak LJ, Ellis PJ, Griffin DK. Successful recovery of motile and viable boar sperm after vitrification with different methods (pearls and mini straws) using sucrose as a cryoprotectant. Cryobiology 2023; 113:104583. [PMID: 37659575 DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2023.104583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Vitrification of sperm by direct contact with liquid nitrogen is increasing in popularity as an alternative to conventional (slow) freezing. Although slow freezing is very challenging in boar sperm cryopreservation, this is currently the standard method used. We compared vitrification in "pearls" and in "mini straws" using the in vitro fertilization media Porcine Gamete Media with 0.3 M sucrose with the standard (slow) method used to preserve boar sperm. Both vitrification methods reduced the viability of the sperm sample more than slow freezing (42.2 ± 4.3% total motility and 71.4 ± 2.3% alive), however, both protocols allowed for the successful recovery of the sperm samples. By comparing two different methods of vitrification and two different methods of post-thaw preparation we were able to determine the optimal vitrification-thaw protocol for boar sperm. When comparing pearls and mini-straws, the smaller liquid volume associated with pearls had a positive effect on the survivability of the samples, reducing sperm DNA damage (1.2 ± 0.2% vs. 5.1 ± 0.1.7%) and preserving motility (26.15 ± 2.8% vs 9.39 ± 0.9%) after thawing. In conclusion, the pearl method was the most suitable of the vitrification techniques for use with boar sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Louisa J Zak
- Topigs Norsvin Research Center, Beuningen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter J Ellis
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Darren K Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
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Esteves SC, Coimbra I, Hallak J. Surgically retrieved spermatozoa for ICSI cycles in non-azoospermic males with high sperm DNA fragmentation in semen. Andrology 2023; 11:1613-1634. [PMID: 36734283 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using surgically retrieved spermatozoa outside the classic context of azoospermia has been increasingly used to overcome infertility. The primary indications include high levels of sperm DNA damage in ejaculated spermatozoa and severe oligozoospermia or cryptozoospermia, particularly in couples with ICSI failure for no apparent reason. Current evidence suggests that surgically retrieved spermatozoa for ICSI in the above context improves outcomes, mainly concerning pregnancy and miscarriage rates. The reasons are not fully understood but may be related to the lower levels of DNA damage in spermatozoa retrieved from the testis compared with ejaculated counterparts. These findings are consistent with the notion that excessive sperm DNA damage can be a limiting factor responsible for the failure to conceive. Using testicular in preference of low-quality ejaculated spermatozoa bypasses post-testicular sperm DNA damage caused primarily by oxidative stress, thus increasing the likelihood of oocyte fertilization by genomically intact spermatozoa. Despite the overall favorable results, data remain limited, and mainly concern males with confirmed sperm DNA damage in the ejaculate. Additionally, information regarding the health of ICSI offspring resulting from the use of surgically retrieved spermatoa of non-azoospermic males is still lacking. Efforts should be made to improve the male partner's reproductive health for safer ICSI utilization. A comprehensive andrological evaluation aiming to identify and treat the underlying male infertility factor contributing to sperm DNA damage is essential for achieving this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Av. Dr. Heitor Penteado, Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Igor Coimbra
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jorge Hallak
- Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, Reproductive Toxicology Unit, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Andrology Research Laboratory, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Braga DPAF, Setti A, Morishima C, Provenza RR, Iaconelli A, Borges E. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on ICSI outcomes depending on oocyte quality. Andrology 2023; 11:1682-1693. [PMID: 37004191 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation is commonly encountered in spermatozoa, and the oocyte assumes responsibility for repairing sperm DNA fragmentation during the oocyte-embryo transition. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate whether the effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes depends on the incidence of oocyte dimorphisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the present cohort, 2942 fertilized oocytes from 525 patients submitted to intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles were assessed. The present study was conducted in a private in vitro fertilization center affiliated to a university from June 2016 to July 2019. Semen samples were divided into the following two groups depending on the sperm DNA fragmentation index: a low fragmentation index group (<30% sperm DNA fragmentation, n = 1468) and a high fragmentation index group (≥30% sperm DNA fragmentation, n = 486). In addition, mature oocytes were examined before sperm injection, and intracytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic defects were recorded. The effect of the sperm DNA fragmentation index on laboratory and clinical intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes (depending on the presence of oocyte defects) was evaluated. RESULTS Significant increases in the rates of fertilization, high-quality embryo, implantation, and pregnancy were noted for cycles with <30% sperm DNA fragmentation than cycles with ≥30% sperm DNA fragmentation (regardless of the presence of oocyte dimorphisms). The presence of dimorphisms significantly impacted laboratory and clinical outcomes. The lowest fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were observed when a high sperm DNA fragmentation index was associated with the presence of dark cytoplasm, vacuoles, resistant membrane, and non-resistant membrane. The lowest implantation and pregnancy rates were observed when a high sperm DNA fragmentation index was associated with the presence of vacuoles, defective perivitelline space, and fragmented polar body. The effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on miscarriage rates was significantly influenced by the presence of centrally located cytoplasmic granulation, a defective perivitelline space and non-resistant membrane. CONCLUSION A high sperm DNA fragmentation index increases the likelihood of miscarriage in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, an effect that may potentially be magnified by the presence of oocyte dysmorphisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christina Morishima
- Instituto Sapientiae-Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Assistida, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Nielsen JLM, Majzoub A, Esteves S, Humaidan P. Unraveling the Impact of Sperm DNA Fragmentation on Reproductive Outcomes. Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:241-257. [PMID: 38092034 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in identifying subcellular causes of male infertility, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) research has been at the forefront of this focus. DNA damage can occur during spermatogenesis due to faulty chromatin compaction or excessive abortive apoptosis. It can also happen as sperm transit through the genital tract, often induced by oxidative stress. There are several methods for SDF testing, with the sperm chromatin structure assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d-UTI nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, comet assay, and sperm chromatin dispersion test being the most commonly used. Numerous studies strongly support the negative impact of SDF on male fertility potential. DNA damage has been linked to various morphological and functional sperm abnormalities, ultimately affecting natural conception and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. This evidence-based review aims to explore how SDF influences male reproduction and provide insights into available therapeutic options to minimize its detrimental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanett L M Nielsen
- The Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Viborg Regional Hospital, Viborg, Denmark
| | - Ahmad Majzoub
- Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Clinical Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sandro Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Peter Humaidan
- The Fertility Clinic, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Pozzi E, Fallara G, Belladelli F, Corsini C, Raffo M, Candela L, Schifano N, d'Arma A, Capogrosso P, Boeri L, Cilio S, Montorsi F, Salonia A. Clinical parameters associated with altered sperm DNA fragmentation index among primary infertile men: Findings from a real-life cross-sectional study. Andrology 2023; 11:1694-1701. [PMID: 36598012 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent pregnancy loss and unexplained infertility are the current indications to test sperm DNA fragmentation according to the European Association of Urology Guidelines on sexual and reproductive health. OBJECTIVE To identify a novel and better performing model to diagnose primary infertile men presenting with altered sperm DNA fragmentation and to outline its predictive ability in respect to current European Association of Urology Guidelines' recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from the latest 515 consecutive primary infertile men as for World Health Organization criteria were analyzed. Semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation (according to sperm chromatin structure assay), and serum hormones were considered in every patient. Altered sperm DNA fragmentation was defined with levels greater than 30%. Descriptive statistics was applied to compare patients with normal versus SDF > 30%. The new predicting model was identified through logistic regression analysis exploring potential predictors of SDF > 30% at first clinical presentation. Diagnostic accuracy between the two predictive models (European Association of Urology Guidelines vs. new) was assessed, and decision curve analyses tested their clinical benefit. RESULTS Of 515, 268 (51.9%) patients had SDF > 30% at clinical presentation. Patients with SDF > 30% were older (median [interquartile range] 39 [35-43] vs. 37 [34-41] years), had lower mean testicular volume (Prader 15 [12-20] vs. 17.5 [13.5-20] and lower total motile sperm count (1.80 [0.7-13.2] vs. 11.82 [4.2-44.5] × 106 ), all p < 0.001. No other clinical differences were depicted. The two groups showed similar rates of history of recurrent pregnancy loss and unexplained infertility. At multivariable logistic regression analysis, age more than 38 years (odds ratio: 2.43) and baseline total motile sperm count less than 20 × 106 (odds ratio: 3.72) were associated with SDF > 30%, after adjusting for Prader < 15, history of miscarriages and unexplained infertility, all p < 0.0001. The newly identified model (unexplained infertility + history of poli-abortions + Prader < 15 + age ≥38 years + total motile sperm count <20 × 106 ) showed higher accuracy to identify SDF > 30% at baseline in respect to European Association of Urology Guidelines (area under the curve: 72.1 vs. 52.7), with superior clinical net benefit use. CONCLUSIONS The application of the European Association of Urology sexual and reproductive health guidelines does not ensure proper identification of primary infertile men with pathological sperm DNA fragmentation. We propose a novel and better performing predictive model to identify the infertile men with altered sperm DNA fragmentation at first clinical assessment. DISCUSSION As altered sperm DNA fragmentation has been widely linked with the inability to conceive, this second-level test could be further implemented over the diagnostic workup of a broader subset of patients presenting for male factor infertility. We propose a better performing model to identify this specific category of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Pozzi
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Fallara
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Belladelli
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Corsini
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Raffo
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Candela
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolò Schifano
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia d'Arma
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Capogrosso
- Department of Urology, Circolo & Fondazione Macchi Hospital - ASST Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
| | - Luca Boeri
- Department of Urology, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Cilio
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Montorsi
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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9
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Nori W, Helmi ZR. Can follicular fluid 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine predict the clinical outcomes in ICSI cycle among couples with normospermia male? Obstet Gynecol Sci 2023; 66:430-440. [PMID: 37473783 PMCID: PMC10514589 DOI: 10.5468/ogs.22170] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Oxidative stress (OS) occurs when excess free radicals damage the DNA. Moreover, 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a well-known biomarker for OS linked to cellular damage and gene instability. However, its role in female subfertility has not been properly assessed. We aimed to examine the level of OS represented by 8-OHdG based on the cause of subfertility and to test its correlation with reproductive hormones, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) parameters, and outcomes. METHODS A cross-sectional study examined 108 subfertile couples with endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), tubal factors, and unexplained infertility undergoing ICSI treatment with two different stimulation programs. We included couples whose partners had normal sperm parameters. Levels of follicular fluid (FF) 8-OHdG were correlated with the causes of subfertility and fertilization rates and compared between pregnant and non-pregnant cases. RESULTS Based on the causes of subfertility, FF 8-OHdG was the highest among endometriosis cases, followed by PCOS cases. Furthermore, FF 8-OHdG was higher in non-pregnant (2.37±0.75 ng/mL) vs. pregnant (1.58±0.39 ng/mL), P<0.001. A two-way analysis of variance showed that only subfertility affected ICSI outcomes, whereas the stimulation program did not. FF 8-OHdG correlated positively with female age and inversely with estradiol and good-quality embryos. The receiver operating characteristic estimated 8-OHdG cutoff value of 1.8 ng/mL predicted clinical pregnancies with 86.7% sensitivity and 74.4% specificity (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Higher FF 8-OHdG levels negatively impacted ICSI outcomes. FF 8-OHdG discriminated between cases of clinical pregnancy with good specificity and sensitivity. Because OS can be measured and treated, this opens up a therapeutic and prognostic avenue for improving ICSI outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wassan Nori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad,
Iraq
| | - Zeena Raad Helmi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad,
Iraq
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10
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Rodríguez R, Gaivão I, Aguado L, Espina M, García J, Martínez-Camblor P, Sierra LM. The Comet Assay in Drosophila: A Tool to Study Interactions between DNA Repair Systems in DNA Damage Responses In Vivo and Ex Vivo. Cells 2023; 12:1979. [PMID: 37566058 PMCID: PMC10417035 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The comet assay in Drosophila has been used in the last few years to study DNA damage responses (DDR) in different repair-mutant strains and to compare them to analyze DNA repair. We have used this approach to study interactions between DNA repair pathways in vivo. Additionally, we have implemented an ex vivo comet assay, in which nucleoids from treated and untreated cells were incubated ex vivo with cell-free protein extracts from individuals with distinct repair capacities. Four strains were used: wild-type OregonK (OK), nucleotide excision repair mutant mus201, dmPolQ protein mutant mus308, and the double mutant mus201;mus308. Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) was used as a genotoxic agent. Both approaches were performed with neuroblasts from third-instar larvae; they detected the effects of the NER and dmPolQ pathways on the DDR to MMS and that they act additively in this response. Additionally, the ex vivo approach quantified that mus201, mus308, and the double mutant mus201;mus308 strains presented, respectively, 21.5%, 52.9%, and 14.8% of OK strain activity over MMS-induced damage. Considering the homology between mammals and Drosophila in repair pathways, the detected additive effect might be extrapolated even to humans, demonstrating that Drosophila might be an excellent model to study interactions between repair pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Rodríguez
- Department of Functional Biology (Genetic Area), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (R.R.)
- Oncology University Institute from Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Isabel Gaivão
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology and CECAV, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Leticia Aguado
- Department of Functional Biology (Genetic Area), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (R.R.)
- Oncology University Institute from Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Marta Espina
- Department of Functional Biology (Genetic Area), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (R.R.)
- Oncology University Institute from Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jorge García
- Department of Functional Biology (Genetic Area), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (R.R.)
| | - Pablo Martínez-Camblor
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel Medical School at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Provedencia 7500912, Chile
| | - L. María Sierra
- Department of Functional Biology (Genetic Area), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain; (R.R.)
- Oncology University Institute from Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
- Institute of Sanitary Research of the Principality of Asturias, Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
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11
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Wang Y, Su M, Chen Y, Huang X, Ruan L, Lv Q, Li L. Research progress on the role and mechanism of DNA damage repair in germ cell development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1234280. [PMID: 37529603 PMCID: PMC10390305 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1234280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the complex and dynamic processes of replication, transcription, and translation of DNA molecules, a large number of replication errors or damage can occur which lead to obstacles in the development process of germ cells and result in a decreased reproductive rate. DNA damage repair has attracted widespread attention due to its important role in the maintenance and regulation of germ cells. This study reports on a systematic review of the role and mechanism of DNA damage repair in germline development. First, the causes, detection methods, and repair methods of DNA damage, and the mechanism of DNA damage repair are summarized. Second, a summary of the causes of abnormal DNA damage repair in germ cells is introduced along with common examples, and the relevant effects of germ cell damage. Third, we introduce the application of drugs related to DNA damage repair in the treatment of reproductive diseases and related surgical treatment of abnormal DNA damage, and summarize various applications of DNA damage repair in germ cells. Finally, a summary and discussion is given of the current deficiencies in DNA damage repair during germ cell development and future research development. The purpose of this paper is to provide researchers engaged in relevant fields with a further systematic understanding of the relevant applications of DNA damage repair in germ cells and to gain inspiration from it to provide new research ideas for related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, China
| | - Mengrong Su
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, China
| | - Xinyu Huang
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, China
| | - Lian Ruan
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, China
| | - Qizhuang Lv
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, China
| | - Li Li
- College of Biology & Pharmacy, Yulin Normal University, Yulin, China
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12
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Cimadomo D, de los Santos MJ, Griesinger G, Lainas G, Le Clef N, McLernon DJ, Montjean D, Toth B, Vermeulen N, Macklon N. ESHRE good practice recommendations on recurrent implantation failure. Hum Reprod Open 2023; 2023:hoad023. [PMID: 37332387 PMCID: PMC10270320 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How should recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in patients undergoing ART be defined and managed? SUMMARY ANSWER This is the first ESHRE good practice recommendations paper providing a definition for RIF together with recommendations on how to investigate causes and contributing factors, and how to improve the chances of a pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY RIF is a challenge in the ART clinic, with a multitude of investigations and interventions offered and applied in clinical practice, often without biological rationale or with unequivocal evidence of benefit. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION This document was developed according to a predefined methodology for ESHRE good practice recommendations. Recommendations are supported by data from the literature, if available, and the results of a previously published survey on clinical practice in RIF and the expertise of the working group. A literature search was performed in PubMed and Cochrane focussing on 'recurrent reproductive failure', 'recurrent implantation failure', and 'repeated implantation failure'. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS The ESHRE Working Group on Recurrent Implantation Failure included eight members representing the ESHRE Special Interest Groups for Implantation and Early Pregnancy, Reproductive Endocrinology, and Embryology, with an independent chair and an expert in statistics. The recommendations for clinical practice were formulated based on the expert opinion of the working group, while taking into consideration the published data and results of the survey on uptake in clinical practice. The draft document was then open to ESHRE members for online peer review and was revised in light of the comments received. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The working group recommends considering RIF as a secondary phenomenon of ART, as it can only be observed in patients undergoing IVF, and that the following description of RIF be adopted: 'RIF describes the scenario in which the transfer of embryos considered to be viable has failed to result in a positive pregnancy test sufficiently often in a specific patient to warrant consideration of further investigations and/or interventions'. It was agreed that the recommended threshold for the cumulative predicted chance of implantation to identify RIF for the purposes of initiating further investigation is 60%. When a couple have not had a successful implantation by a certain number of embryo transfers and the cumulative predicted chance of implantation associated with that number is greater than 60%, then they should be counselled on further investigation and/or treatment options. This term defines clinical RIF for which further actions should be considered. Nineteen recommendations were formulated on investigations when RIF is suspected, and 13 on interventions. Recommendations were colour-coded based on whether the investigations/interventions were recommended (green), to be considered (orange), or not recommended, i.e. not to be offered routinely (red). LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION While awaiting the results of further studies and trials, the ESHRE Working Group on Recurrent Implantation Failure recommends identifying RIF based on the chance of successful implantation for the individual patient or couple and to restrict investigations and treatments to those supported by a clear rationale and data indicating their likely benefit. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This article provides not only good practice advice but also highlights the investigations and interventions that need further research. This research, when well-conducted, will be key to making progress in the clinical management of RIF. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The meetings and technical support for this project were funded by ESHRE. N.M. declared consulting fees from ArtPRED (The Netherlands) and Freya Biosciences (Denmark); Honoraria for lectures from Gedeon Richter, Merck, Abbott, and IBSA; being co-founder of Verso Biosense. He is Co-Chief Editor of Reproductive Biomedicine Online (RBMO). D.C. declared being an Associate Editor of Human Reproduction Update, and declared honoraria for lectures from Merck, Organon, IBSA, and Fairtility; support for attending meetings from Cooper Surgical, Fujifilm Irvine Scientific. G.G. declared that he or his institution received financial or non-financial support for research, lectures, workshops, advisory roles, or travelling from Ferring, Merck, Gedeon-Richter, PregLem, Abbott, Vifor, Organon, MSD, Coopersurgical, ObsEVA, and ReprodWissen. He is an Editor of the journals Archives of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biomedicine Online, and Editor in Chief of Journal Gynäkologische Endokrinologie. He is involved in guideline developments and quality control on national and international level. G.L. declared he or his institution received honoraria for lectures from Merck, Ferring, Vianex/Organon, and MSD. He is an Associate Editor of Human Reproduction Update, immediate past Coordinator of Special Interest Group for Reproductive Endocrinology of ESHRE and has been involved in Guideline Development Groups of ESHRE and national fertility authorities. D.J.M. declared being an Associate Editor for Human Reproduction Open and statistical Advisor for Reproductive Biomedicine Online. B.T. declared being shareholder of Reprognostics and she or her institution received financial or non-financial support for research, clinical trials, lectures, workshops, advisory roles or travelling from support for attending meetings from Ferring, MSD, Exeltis, Merck Serono, Bayer, Teva, Theramex and Novartis, Astropharm, Ferring. The other authors had nothing to disclose. DISCLAIMER This Good Practice Recommendations (GPR) document represents the views of ESHRE, which are the result of consensus between the relevant ESHRE stakeholders and are based on the scientific evidence available at the time of preparation. ESHRE GPRs should be used for information and educational purposes. They should not be interpreted as setting a standard of care or be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care, or be exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. They do not replace the need for application of clinical judgement to each individual presentation, or variations based on locality and facility type. Furthermore, ESHRE GPRs do not constitute or imply the endorsement, or favouring, of any of the included technologies by ESHRE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D Cimadomo
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | | | - G Griesinger
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
- University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - G Lainas
- Eugonia IVF, Unit of Human Reproduction, Athens, Greece
| | - N Le Clef
- ESHRE Central Office, Strombeek-Bever, Belgium
| | - D J McLernon
- School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - D Montjean
- Fertilys Fertility Centers, Laval & Brossard, Canada
| | - B Toth
- Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - N Vermeulen
- ESHRE Central Office, Strombeek-Bever, Belgium
| | - N Macklon
- Correspondence address. ESHRE Central Office, BXL7—Building 1, Nijverheidslaan 3, B-1853 Strombeek-Bever, Belgium. E-mail:
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13
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Zhao Y, Zhao X, Zhang G, Ma R, Geng Q, Ouyang B, Xia T. Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 supplementation for male infertility with high sperm DNA fragmentation index: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068368. [PMID: 37280035 PMCID: PMC10254600 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infertility is a focal issue in public health and affects human reproduction and survival. Notably, an increasing number of studies in recent decades have found that sperm DNA integrity plays a critical role in the development of healthy embryos. Among the multiple pathogenic factors of sperm DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress has proven to be predominant. Coenzyme Q10 supplementation, which has been used for the treatment of male infertility, has shown good clinical efficacy due to its oxidation resistance, but its efficacy as measured by the sperm DNA fragmentation index remains controversial. To address this issue, we will perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 for male infertility patients with a high sperm DNA fragmentation index. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Studies and Web of Science databases will be comprehensively searched from inception to 31 December 2022 to identify relevant studies published in the English language using appropriate search strategies. The search terms will be derived from the following concepts: sperm DNA fragmentation, coenzyme Q10 and randomised controlled trials. Two review stages, that is, title and abstract screening and full-text screening, will be performed by two reviewers. The risk of bias, publication bias and evidence grade of the included studies will be assessed using a standardised protocol. Data will be used to calculate effect sizes. Heterogeneity among the studies will be evaluated graphically. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be performed if necessary to validate the results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION No ethical approval will be needed, as there will be no participants in this study. We will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to disseminate the findings through publication and conference presentation. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022293340.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhao
- Department of Andrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Department of Andrology, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Department of Reproductive Center, National Clinical Reasearch Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Guangyin Zhang
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruihong Ma
- Department of Reproductive Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Department of Reproductive Center, National Clinical Reasearch Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Qiang Geng
- Department of Andrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Department of Andrology, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Bin Ouyang
- Department of Andrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Department of Andrology, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Tian Xia
- Department of Reproductive Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Department of Reproductive Center, National Clinical Reasearch Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
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Broussard AL, Leader B, Tirado E, Russell H, Beydoun H, Colver R, Reuter L, Bopp B, Will M, Anspach Will E, Adaniya G. Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation index at the time of intracytoplasmic sperm injection and standard in vitro fertilization is correlated with lower fertilization but not with blastocyst genetic diagnosis. F S Rep 2023; 4:183-189. [PMID: 37398612 PMCID: PMC10310935 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine the effects of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation at the time of fertilization on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes and genetic diagnosis using next generation sequencing. Design Prospective double-blinded study. Setting Private Clinic. Patients Couples (n = 150). Intervention In vitro fertilization with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and sperm DNA fragmentation assay, as in sperm chromatin structure assay the day of retrieval. Main Outcome Measures Laboratory outcomes are listed in the results section. Statistical analysis was performed using JMP, XYLSTAT, and STATA version 15. Results The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in the neat ejaculate did not predict fertilization rate, quality, blastulation, or genetic diagnosis. No statistically significant results were obtained comparing <15% with >15%, <20% with >20%, <30% with >30% except for DFI. No statistically significant differences in oocyte source age or male age were observed. No statistically significant differences comparing <15% with >15%, <20% with >20%, <30% with >30% DFI at the time of standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were observed for % euploid, aneuploid, mosaic, blastulation, biopsied, or D5/total biopsied. The DFI of >15% had more good quality D3 embryos than the <15% group, as did the >20% group compared with the <20% group. The ICSI fertilization was significantly higher in all 3 lower percentage groups compared with the higher counterpart. Standard IVF had significantly more blastocysts/fertilized suitable for biopsy and more D5/total number biopsied than ICSI embryos despite no difference in DFI. Conclusions The DFI at fertilization is correlated with decreased fertilization for ICSI and IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia L. Broussard
- Midwest Fertility Specialists, Carmel, Indiana
- ReproSource, Marlborough, Massachusetts
- Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
| | | | | | | | - Hind Beydoun
- Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
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15
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Yang S, Gao X, Zhang T, Cai F, Zhang H. Density Gradient Centrifugation Alone or the Combination of DGC with Annexin V Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting Prior to Cryopreservation Enhances the Postthaw Quality of Sperm from Infertile Male Patients with Poor Sperm Quality. Andrologia 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/9030902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective. To examine whether density gradient centrifugation (DGC) alone or its combination with annexin V magnetic-activated cell sorting (DGC-MACS) can be used to process semen samples from infertile male patients with poor sperm quality prior to subjecting these to freeze/thaw process in order to optimize the outcomes of sperm freezing. Methods. This study enrolled sixteen patients with sperm
, sperm
%, and/or <4% normal sperm morphology. Sperms were processed by DGC or DGC-MACS prior to the freeze/thaw process. Sperm motility, hyperosmotic swelling test (HOS), TUNEL test, and morphological analysis were performed before and after the freeze/thaw process. Results. The freeze/thaw process had a detrimental effect on sperm motility, viability, morphology, and DNA integrity in all three groups (RAW, DGC, and DGC + MACS groups). The DGC and DGC + MACS groups showed increased sperm motility, viability, and normal morphology following freeze/thaw than untreated frozen controls. The motility and viability were not significantly different between DGC-MACS-CPT (cryopreservation-thawing) and DGC-CPT groups. Moreover, almost no grade A or grade B sperm was observed in the DGC-MACS-CPT groups. The sperm selected by DGC or DGC + MACS showed decreased levels of sperm DNA fragmentation than RAW samples following freeze/thaw. Moreover, the sperm DNA fragmentation following freeze/thaw in the DGC-MACS-CPT group was significantly lower than that in the DGC-CPT group. Conclusions. Sperm preparation by DGC before cryopreservation improved the quality of sperm postthaw in infertile males with poor sperm quality. If the sperm quality following freeze/thaw is foreseen to be insufficient for artificial insemination with husband’s sperm or in vitro fertilization, or if there is high DNA fragmentation in RAW sperm, DGC + MACS should be used prior to cryopreservation to reduce sperm DNA fragmentation and improve the quality of sperm available for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
| | - Xuan Gao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
| | - Taijian Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
| | - Feifei Cai
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
| | - Haobo Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
- The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012 Shandong, China
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Cryopreservation of Human Spermatozoa: Functional, Molecular and Clinical Aspects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054656. [PMID: 36902084 PMCID: PMC10002855 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation is an expanding strategy to allow not only fertility preservation for individuals who need such procedures because of gonadotoxic treatments, active duty in dangerous occupations or social reasons and gamete donation for couples where conception is denied, but also for animal breeding and preservation of endangered animal species. Despite the improvement in semen cryopreservation techniques and the worldwide expansion of semen banks, damage to spermatozoa and the consequent impairment of its functions still remain unsolved problems, conditioning the choice of the technique in assisted reproduction procedures. Although many studies have attempted to find solutions to limit sperm damage following cryopreservation and identify possible markers of damage susceptibility, active research in this field is still required in order to optimize the process. Here, we review the available evidence regarding structural, molecular and functional damage occurring in cryopreserved human spermatozoa and the possible strategies to prevent it and optimize the procedures. Finally, we review the results on assisted reproduction technique (ARTs) outcomes following the use of cryopreserved spermatozoa.
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17
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Sadeghi N, Boissonneault G, Tavalaee M, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Oxidative versus reductive stress: a delicate balance for sperm integrity. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:20-31. [PMID: 36215401 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2022.2119181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite the long-standing notion of "oxidative stress," as the main mediator of many diseases including male infertility induced by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), recent evidence suggests that ROS levels are also increased by "reductive stress," due to over-accumulation of reductants. Damaging mechanisms, like guanidine oxidation followed by DNA fragmentation, could be observed following reductive stress. Excessive accumulation of the reductants may arise from excess dietary supplementation over driving the one-carbon cycle and transsulfuration pathway, overproduction of NADPH through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), elevated levels of GSH leading to impaired mitochondrial oxidation, or as a result NADH accumulation. In addition, lower availability of oxidized reductants like NAD+, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and oxidized thioredoxins (Trx-S2) induce electron leakage leading to the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In addition, a lower level of NAD+ impairs poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-regulated DNA repair essential for proper chromatin integrity of sperm. Because of the limited studies regarding the possible involvement of reductive stress, antioxidant therapy remains a central approach in the treatment of male infertility. This review put forward the concept of reductive stress and highlights the potential role played by reductive vs oxidative stress at pre-and post-testicular levels and considering dietary supplementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Sadeghi
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Guylain Boissonneault
- Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
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18
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Nam CS, Mehta A. Advanced sperm tests and impact on clinical male factor management. Curr Opin Urol 2023; 33:24-30. [PMID: 36444649 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although semen analysis remains a cornerstone of male fertility evaluation, conventional semen analysis parameters do not assess for DNA integrity or functional capacity of sperm. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and sperm aneuploidy tests have been utilized as adjunct tools to distinguish fertile and infertile men and predict pregnancy outcomes. This review serves as an update on indications and utility of advanced sperm tests, as well as associated controversies and limitations. RECENT FINDINGS Elevated SDF is associated with prolonged time to pregnancy, lower chance of spontaneous pregnancy, and lower live birth rates. Sperm aneuploidy is more frequent in infertile men, in male partners of couples experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss, and recurrent failure of assisted reproductive technology (ART). These tests can, therefore, provide important information to guide management and counseling of infertile couples to optimize reproductive outcomes. SUMMARY We evaluated data surrounding SDF and sperm aneuploidy tests, which are utilized both within and beyond the scope of AUA/ASRM guidelines. While the tests at hand require further standardization and randomized controlled studies, the current data suggest strong associations with pregnancy outcomes and can be utilized to counsel and manage infertile males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine S Nam
- Department of Urology, Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Akanksha Mehta
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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19
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Adler A, Roth B, Lundy SD, Takeshima T, Yumura Y, Kuroda S. Sperm DNA fragmentation testing in clinical management of reproductive medicine. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12547. [PMID: 37915974 PMCID: PMC10616814 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Approximately 8%-12% of couples worldwide face infertility, with infertility of individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB) contributing to at least 50% of cases. Conventional semen analysis commonly used to detect sperm abnormalities is insufficient, as 30% of AMAB patients experiencing infertility show normal results in this test. From a genetic perspective, the assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is important as a parameter of sperm quality. Methods In this narrative study, we review and discuss pathophysiological causes, DNA repair mechanisms, and management of high SDF. We then summarize literature exploring the association between SDF and reproductive outcomes. Main Findings Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have revealed a significant association between high SDF in AMAB individuals and adverse reproductive outcomes including embryo development, natural conception, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization. However, the association with live birth rates and pregnancy rates following intracytoplasmic injection remains inconclusive. The disparities among quantitative assays, inconsistent reference range values, absent high-quality prospective clinical trials, and clinical heterogeneity in AMAB patients with elevated SDF represent the main limitations affecting SDF testing. Conclusion The evaluation and management of SDF plays an important role in a subset of AMAB infertility, but widespread integration into clinical guidelines will require future high-quality clinical trials and assay standardization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ava Adler
- Glickman Urological & Kidney InstituteCleveland Clinic FoundationClevelandOhioUSA
| | - Bradley Roth
- Glickman Urological & Kidney InstituteCleveland Clinic FoundationClevelandOhioUSA
| | - Scott D. Lundy
- Glickman Urological & Kidney InstituteCleveland Clinic FoundationClevelandOhioUSA
| | - Teppei Takeshima
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohamaJapan
| | - Yasushi Yumura
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohamaJapan
| | - Shinnosuke Kuroda
- Glickman Urological & Kidney InstituteCleveland Clinic FoundationClevelandOhioUSA
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohamaJapan
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20
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Nixon B, Schjenken JE, Burke ND, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Hart HM, De Iuliis GN, Martin JH, Lord T, Bromfield EG. New horizons in human sperm selection for assisted reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1145533. [PMID: 36909306 PMCID: PMC9992892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1145533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a commonly encountered pathology that is estimated to be a contributory factor in approximately 50% of couples seeking recourse to assisted reproductive technologies. Upon clinical presentation, such males are commonly subjected to conventional diagnostic andrological practices that rely on descriptive criteria to define their fertility based on the number of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa encountered within their ejaculate. Despite the virtual ubiquitous adoption of such diagnostic practices, they are not without their limitations and accordingly, there is now increasing awareness of the importance of assessing sperm quality in order to more accurately predict a male's fertility status. This realization raises the important question of which characteristics signify a high-quality, fertilization competent sperm cell. In this review, we reflect on recent advances in our mechanistic understanding of sperm biology and function, which are contributing to a growing armory of innovative approaches to diagnose and treat male infertility. In particular we review progress toward the implementation of precision medicine; the robust clinical adoption of which in the setting of fertility, currently lags well behind that of other fields of medicine. Despite this, research shows that the application of advanced technology platforms such as whole exome sequencing and proteomic analyses hold considerable promise in optimizing outcomes for the management of male infertility by uncovering and expanding our inventory of candidate infertility biomarkers, as well as those associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Similarly, the development of advanced imaging technologies in tandem with machine learning artificial intelligence are poised to disrupt the fertility care paradigm by advancing our understanding of the molecular and biological causes of infertility to provide novel avenues for future diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett Nixon,
| | - John E. Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan D. Burke
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David A. Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hanah M. Hart
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacinta H. Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G. Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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21
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Du C, Tuo Y. Correlation of DNA fragments with routine semen parameters and lifestyle and their impact on assisted reproductive outcomes. Rev Int Androl 2022; 21:100337. [PMID: 36266233 DOI: 10.1016/j.androl.2022.03.001] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the correlation between sperm DNA integrity and routine semen evaluation parameters in male infertile patients, the influencing factors, and the impact of the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) on embryo quality and clinical outcomes in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS Sperm DFI and semen routine parameters of 6160 infertile men admitted between June 2017 and June 2018 were analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to their DFI: low-DFI (DFI<15%), medium-DFI (15%<DFI≤30%), and high-DFI (DFI>30%). The correlations of DFI with patients' age, sperm concentration, sperm percentage of forward movement and sperm percentage of normal shape were analyzed. The clinical data of 5040 infertile couples who received IVF treatment between June 2016 and 2021 and had embryos transferred in a fresh cycle were reviewed. The fertilization rate, cleavage rate, blastocyst rate, and pregnancy rate in different DFI groups were compared. RESULTS Semen evaluation parameters (concentration, spermatozoa with progressive motility, and the normal morphology rate), the high-quality embryo rate, blastocyst development rate, and pregnancy rate in the high-DFI group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups. The correlation analysis revealed that sperm DFI was negatively correlated with semen concentration, sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology and positively correlated with the man's age, BMI, and unhealthy habits (smoking and drinking). There was no significant difference in the number of mature eggs and normal fertilization rate among groups. CONCLUSION A strong correlation exists between sperm DFI and semen evaluation parameters. Smoking, drinking, and other unhealthy habits lead to an increase in DFI, reducing the high-quality embryo rate and blastocyst development rate and affecting pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Du
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010050, China
| | - Ya Tuo
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010050, China.
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22
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Kups M, Gill K, Rosiak-Gill A, Harasny P, Machalowski T, Grabowska M, Kurzawa R, Sipak O, Piasecka M. Evaluation of selected semen parameters and biomarkers of male infertility - preliminary study. F1000Res 2022; 11:591. [PMID: 38434001 PMCID: PMC10905134 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.121622.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Because the etiopathogenesis of male infertility is multifactorial our study was designed to clarify the relationship between standard semen parameters, testicular volume, levels of reproductive hormones and the fragmentation of sperm nuclear DNA (SDF). Methods: Patients (n = 130) were clustered as subjects: 1) with an abnormal volume (utrasonography) of at least one testis (<12 mL) or with a normal volume of testes and 2) with abnormal levels of at least one of the reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, PRL, TSH, total T - electrochemiluminescence method) or with normal hormonal profiles and 3) with high level of SDF (>30%), moderate (>15-30%) or low (≤15%) (sperm chromatin dispersion test). Results: In subjects with a decreased testicular volume and in subjects with abnormal levels of reproductive hormones, decreased basic semen parameters were found. Participants with abnormal testicular volume had a higher percentage of SDF and a higher level of FSH (Mann-Whitney U test). In turn, men with a high level of SDF had lower testicular volume and conventional sperm parameters than men with a low level of SDF (Kruskal-Wallis test). Conclusions: We showed that spermatogenesis disorders coexisted with decreased testicular volume and increased FSH levels. The disorders of spermatogenesis were manifested by reduced basic sperm characteristics and a high level of sperm nuclear DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kups
- The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 70-483, Poland
- Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-455, Poland
| | - Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Rosiak-Gill
- The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 70-483, Poland
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
| | - Patryk Harasny
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
- Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 70-111, Poland
| | - Tomasz Machalowski
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
- Department of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Police, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 72-010, Poland
| | - Marta Grabowska
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
| | - Rafal Kurzawa
- The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 70-483, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
| | - Olimpia Sipak
- Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 71-210, Poland
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23
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Al-Saleh I, Coskun S, Al-Rouqi R, Al-Rajudi T, Eltabache C, Abduljabbar M, Al-Hassan S. Oxidative stress and DNA damage status in couples undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 2:117-139. [PMID: 35128448 PMCID: PMC8812407 DOI: 10.1530/raf-20-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined the status of oxidative stress in 599 couples undertaking in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and its association with reproductive hormones, smoking, and outcomes. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in follicular fluid and seminal plasma. Tail moment (TM) was used to evaluate DNA damage in the sperm and granulosa cells. Reproductive hormones in serum and cotinine (COT) in urine, follicular fluid, and seminal plasma samples were determined. Separate multivariate linear regression was used to assess associations between levels of each oxidative stress biomarker and each hormone and smoking parameter (modeled as natural log-transformed). The findings indicate that some oxidative stress and DNA damage biomarkers played a role in disrupting certain reproductive hormones in women and their male partners either by overproducing reactive oxygen species or reducing antioxidant defense capacity. Although women were nonsmokers, COT levels > 50 and 10 µg/L in urine and follicular were observed in 5.7 and 1.7%, respectively. Levels of follicular fluid COT were positively associated with H2O2 and TM. We used log-binomial multivariate regression to estimate relative risks for the association between oxidative stress/DNA damage and IVF binary outcomes (fertilization rate > 50%, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live birth). An increase in the CAT levels of follicular fluid was associated with a 48 and 41% decrease in the risk of poor fertilization rate (≤50%) and unsuccessful live birth, respectively. After the models were adjusted for hormonal factors, the associations remained the same, except that the elevated TAC in follicular fluid became significantly associated with a decrease of 42% in the risk of poor fertilization rate (≤50%). The higher antioxidant activity (CAT and TAC) in follicular fluid might positively impact specific IVF outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Al-Saleh
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Serdar Coskun
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem Al-Rouqi
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahreer Al-Rajudi
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chafica Eltabache
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mai Abduljabbar
- Environmental Health Program, Research Centre, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saad Al-Hassan
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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24
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Alahmar A, Singh R, Palani A. Sperm DNA fragmentation in reproductive medicine: A review. J Hum Reprod Sci 2022; 15:206-218. [PMID: 36341018 PMCID: PMC9635374 DOI: 10.4103/jhrs.jhrs_82_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 15% of the world's couples suffer from infertility during their reproductive period of which the male factor is responsible for 50% of cases. Male factor infertility is multifactorial in origin, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has also been linked to male infertility including idiopathic male infertility. Some degree of controlled DNA nicking is essential for adequate DNA compaction, but excessive SDF is usually associated with reduced male fertility potential, reduced fertilisation, poor embryo quality, recurrent pregnancy loss and poor assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) outcomes. Although semen analysis remains the gold standard for diagnosis of male factor infertility worldwide, its limitations motivated the search and the development of complementary tests of sperm function and integrity. SDF assay is an emerging diagnostic tool in infertile men, and several indications for SDF testing in infertile couples have also been proposed. The use of SDF in routine male infertility assessment is, however, still controversial. Furthermore, both direct and indirect SDF tests are now available. Hence, the present review was conducted to summarise the recent evidence of SDF, underlying mechanisms, clinical indications, diagnostic tests, as well as the role of SDF in male factor infertility, pregnancy and ART outcomes.
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25
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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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26
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Keskin M, Pabuçcu EG, Arslanca T, Demirkıran ÖD, Pabuçcu R. Does Microfluidic Sperm Sorting Affect Embryo Euploidy Rates in Couples with High Sperm DNA Fragmentation? Reprod Sci 2021; 29:1801-1808. [PMID: 34731459 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00784-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility contributes as the main factor in 30-50% of infertility cases. Conventional methods for sperm preparation have induced questioning of sperm recovery rates. The microfluidic sperm sorting (MSS) technique selects highly motile sperm with lower levels of SDF (sperm DNA fragmentation) compared to conventional sperm sorting techniques. This study aimed to determine whether utilizing this technique will reveal better embryo quality and euploidy rates in couples with repeated implantation failure (RIF) and high SDF in a new PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies) cycle. This retrospective study included couples referred to PGT-A for previous repeated ART (assisted reproductive techniques) cycle failures and with high SDF. In their new cycles, couples who accepted the technique were assigned to the MSS group, and the rest were managed with DGC (density-gradient centrifugation). Two groups were compared in terms of fertilization and euploidy rates, clinical miscarriage and live birth rates, the total number of blastocysts, and top quality blastocysts. There was no difference between the groups regarding fertilization rates, euploidy rates, clinical miscarriage, and live birth rates. The total number of blastocysts and top quality blastocysts were significantly higher in the MSS group. The MSS technique provides a higher number of top-quality blastocysts than DGC; however, neither euploidy nor live birth rates improved. Studies focusing on confounding factors to embryonic genomic status in the presence of high SDF are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Müge Keskin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ufuk University, Mevlana Bulvarı No 86-88, Konya Yolu, Balgat, Ankara, 06520, Turkey.
| | - Emre Göksan Pabuçcu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ufuk University, Mevlana Bulvarı No 86-88, Konya Yolu, Balgat, Ankara, 06520, Turkey
| | - Tufan Arslanca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ufuk University, Mevlana Bulvarı No 86-88, Konya Yolu, Balgat, Ankara, 06520, Turkey
| | | | - Recai Pabuçcu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ufuk University, Mevlana Bulvarı No 86-88, Konya Yolu, Balgat, Ankara, 06520, Turkey
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Karavolos S. Sperm DNA Fragmentation. Semin Reprod Med 2021; 39:194-199. [PMID: 34662912 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Sperm DNA fragmentation refers to the accumulation of adducts as well as single- or double-strand DNA breaks and reflects the sperm DNA quality. Current data suggest that there are differences in sperm DNA quality among individuals with high or low fertility, and this observation has led to the idea that testing sperm DNA fragmentation could be a useful test of male fertility. However, sperm DNA fragmentation has become one of the most frequently debated topics in reproductive medicine, as there is no agreement about the optimal way to test for DNA fragmentation, the clinically significant level of sperm DNA fragmentation, as well as the best therapeutic options for infertile men. This article presents current evidence related to sperm DNA fragmentation and its role in managing male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stamatios Karavolos
- Department of Gynaecology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Manchester, United Kingdom
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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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Cetinkaya-Un B, Un B, Akpolat M, Andic F, Yazir Y. Human Amnion Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Conditioned Medium Can Ameliorate X-Irradiation-Induced Testicular Injury by Reducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:944-954. [PMID: 34642916 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00753-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Today, infertility affects 15% of couples and half of this rate is due to reproductive problems in men. Radiation-induced damage to the testicles causes sterility depending on the dose. Radiation causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and ER stress induces apoptosis. In this study, the effect of human amniotic membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and conditioned medium (hAMSCs-CM) on testicular damage induced by ionizing radiation is aimed to be elucidated through ER stress and apoptosis mechanisms. Six gray scrotal irradiation was used to create a testicular injury model. hAMSCs isolated and characterized with immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, while 2.5 × 105 hAMSCs were transplanted into testis and hAMSCs-CM was applied. Fertility assessment was performed. Expressions of ER stress markers GRP78, Ire1, Chop and Caspase-12, and Caspase-3 were determined. TUNEL was performed. Serum FSH, LH, and testosterone were measured. After hAMSC transplantation and administration of hAMSCs-CM, offsprings were obtained. Seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous epithelial height increased. The expression of GRP78, IRE1α, CHOP, Caspase-12, and Caspase-3 decreased. Percentages of tunel positive cells decreased. While FSH and LH levels decreased, testosterone increased. After irradiation, both hAMSCs transplantation and paracrine activity of hAMSCs may have a role in reducing ER stress by suppressing the UPR response. Decrease in FSH and LH and increase in testosterone level after MSCs transplantation may have contributed to the improvement of spermatogenesis. Thus, it can be said that MSCs derived from human amniotic membrane can improve ionized radiation-induced testicular damage by reducing ER stress and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Busra Cetinkaya-Un
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey.
| | - Burak Un
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Health Sciences Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Meryem Akpolat
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey
| | - Fundagul Andic
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medicine Faculty, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey
| | - Yusufhan Yazir
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
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Seminal Plasma Protein N-Glycan Peaks Are Potential Predictors of Semen Pathology and Sperm Chromatin Maturity in Men. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11090989. [PMID: 34575138 PMCID: PMC8471228 DOI: 10.3390/life11090989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Male infertility is increasingly becoming a health and demographic problem. While it may originate from congenital or acquired diseases, it can also result from environmental exposure. Hence, the complexity of involved molecular mechanisms often requires a multiparametric approach. This study aimed to associate semen parameters with sperm DNA fragmentation, chromatin maturity and seminal plasma protein N-glycosylation. Methods: The study was conducted with 166 participants, 20–55 y old, 82 normozoospermic and 84 with pathological diagnosis. Sperm was analyzed by Halosperm assay and aniline blue staining, while seminal plasma total protein N-glycans were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: Sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly increased in the pathological group and was inversely correlated with sperm motility and viability. Seminal plasma total protein N-glycans were chromatographically separated in 37 individual peaks. The pattern of seminal plasma N-glycan peaks (SPGP) showed that SPGP14 significantly differs between men with normal and pathological semen parameters (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that when sperm chromatin maturity increases by 10%, SPGP17 decreases by 14% while SPGP25 increases by 25%. Conclusion: DNA integrity and seminal plasma N-glycans are associated with pathological sperm parameters. Specific N-glycans are also associated with sperm chromatin maturity and have a potential in future fertility research and clinical diagnostics.
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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: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.3] [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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Najari BB, Thirumavalavan N. Should we use testicular sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection in all men with significant oligospermia? Fertil Steril 2021; 116:971-972. [PMID: 34481640 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bobby B Najari
- Departments of Urology and Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Nannan Thirumavalavan
- Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
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34
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Oocyte ability to repair sperm DNA fragmentation: the impact of maternal age on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:123-129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Tarozzi N, Nadalini M, Coticchio G, Zacà C, Lagalla C, Borini A. The paternal toolbox for embryo development and health. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6311671. [PMID: 34191013 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The sperm is essential for reconstitution of embryonic diploidy and highly specialized developmental functions. Immediately after gamete fusion, the sperm-borne PLC-zeta triggers activation, generating intracellular free Ca2+ oscillations. Mutations in the PLC-zeta encoding gene are associated with the absence of this factor in mature sperm and inability to achieve fertilization. Sperm play also a role in the greater game of the choreography of fertilization. In the human, the sperm centrioles are introduced into the oocyte environment with gamete fusion. They interact with the oocyte cytoskeletal apparatus to form a functional pair of centrosomes and ultimately regulate pronuclear juxtaposition in preparation for the first cleavage. As a consequence, the fidelity of chromosome segregation during the first cell divisions depends on the function of sperm centrioles. Sperm DNA integrity is essential for embryo development and health. Damaged DNA does not impact on the sperm fertilization ability following ICSI. However, detrimental effects emerge at pre- and post-implantation stages. Sperm-specific epigenetic factors also play an active role in the regulation of embryonic development, as shown by correlations between reduced embryo morphological quality and incorrect chromatin packaging during spermiogenesis or abnormal methylation of sperm CpG islands. This functional landscape demonstrates that the contribution of the sperm to development goes far beyond its well-established role in fertilization. Clinical studies confirm this view and indicate sperm function as a crucial aspect of research to increase the efficacy of assisted reproduction treatments.
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Bloch A, Rogers EJ, Nicolas C, Martin-Denavit T, Monteiro M, Thomas D, Morel H, Lévy R, Siffroi JP, Dupont C, Rouen A. Detailed cell-level analysis of sperm nuclear quality among the different hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) classes. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:2491-2499. [PMID: 34076795 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02232-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We studied the quality differences between the different hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) classes, as measured by criteria of DNA fragmentation, DNA decondensation, and nuclear architecture. The aim was to find particular HOST classes associated with good-quality metrics, which may be potentially used in ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection). METHODS Ten patients from the Department of Reproductive Medicine at Tenon Hospital (Paris, France) were included. Their semen samples were collected and divided into two fractions: one was incubated in a hypo-osmotic solution as per HOST protocol and sorted by sperm morphology, and a second was incubated without undergoing the HOST protocol to serve as an unsorted baseline. Three parameters were assessed: DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay), DNA decondensation (chromomycin A3 assay), and nuclear architecture (FISH, with telomeric and whole chromosome painting probes). The different HOST classes were evaluated for these three parameters, and statistical analysis was performed for each class versus the unsorted non-HOST-treated sperm. Results with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS For each of the parameters evaluated, we found significant differences between HOST-selected spermatozoa and non-selected spermatozoa. Overall, spermatozoa of HOST classes B and B+ exhibited the highest quality based on four metrics (low DNA fragmentation, low DNA decondensation, short inter-telomeric distance, and small chromosome 1 territory area), while spermatozoa of HOST classes A and G exhibited the poorest quality by these metrics. CONCLUSION In addition to their pathophysiological interest, our results open possibilities of sperm selection prior to ICSI, which may allow for optimization of reproductive outcomes in heretofore unstudied patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrien Bloch
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Maladies génétiques d'expression pédiatrique, APHP, Hôpital d'Enfants Armand Trousseau, 26 avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, F-75012, Paris, France
| | - Eli J Rogers
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Maladies génétiques d'expression pédiatrique, APHP, Hôpital d'Enfants Armand Trousseau, 26 avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, F-75012, Paris, France
| | - Cynthia Nicolas
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Maladies génétiques d'expression pédiatrique, APHP, Hôpital d'Enfants Armand Trousseau, 26 avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, F-75012, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Hélène Morel
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Maladies génétiques d'expression pédiatrique, APHP, Hôpital d'Enfants Armand Trousseau, 26 avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, F-75012, Paris, France
| | - Rachel Lévy
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction CECOS, Hôpital Tenon (AP-HP), Sorbonne-Université, 75020, Paris, France.,Centre de recherche Saint-Antoine, Inserm US938, Sorbonne Université, 75012, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Siffroi
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Maladies génétiques d'expression pédiatrique, APHP, Hôpital d'Enfants Armand Trousseau, 26 avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, F-75012, Paris, France
| | - Charlotte Dupont
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction CECOS, Hôpital Tenon (AP-HP), Sorbonne-Université, 75020, Paris, France.,Centre de recherche Saint-Antoine, Inserm US938, Sorbonne Université, 75012, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Rouen
- Département de Génétique Médicale, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Maladies génétiques d'expression pédiatrique, APHP, Hôpital d'Enfants Armand Trousseau, 26 avenue du Dr Arnold Netter, F-75012, Paris, France.
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Lopes LS, Baccaglini W, von Muhlen B, Placco Araujo Glina F, Albertini Daiuto S, Linck Pazeto C, Glina S. Does acquired obstructive azoospermia have less impact than congenital azoospermia on ICSI results? Systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14096. [PMID: 33982319 DOI: 10.1111/and.14096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An electronic-based search was performed with MEDLINE bases through PubMed, Cochrane through Central, and Embase until August 2020 for the purpose of evaluating the impact of the aetiology of obstructive azoospermia on ICSI cycles. In the final analysis, there were 15 cohort studies included, comparing a group of patients with acquired azoospermia and others due to congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens submitted to ICSI. Those 15 articles within 4,480 couples were analysed, and similar fertilisation rate (65.1% vs. 65.3%; p = .38), pregnancy rate per cycle (40.0% vs. 43.1%; p = .06) and live birth rate (29.6% vs. 30.0%;p = .76) were found between groups. Comparing specifically post-vasectomy azoospermia and congenital groups, both presented a similar fertilisation rate (62.4% vs. 53.4%, respectively; OR 1.10; 95% CI, 0.79, 1.54; p = .56; I2 = 89%) and pregnancy rate per cycle (39.4% vs. 35.6%, respectively; OR 1.26; 95% CI, 0.96, 1.66; p = .09; I2 = 0%). However, a higher live birth rate was identified in the congenital group compared to vasectomy group (28.4% × 19.5%; OR 1.54; 95% CI, 1.11, 2.15; p = .01; I2 = 0%). The reasons for that are unclear and factors such as couple age and sperm DNA fragmentation should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Willy Baccaglini
- Department of Urology, Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Bruno von Muhlen
- Department of Urology, Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sidney Glina
- Department of Urology, Centro Universitário FMABC, Santo André, Brazil.,Projeto Alfa, São Paulo, Brazil
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Da Costa R, Redmann K, Schlatt S. Simultaneous detection of sperm membrane integrity and DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry: A novel and rapid tool for sperm analysis. Andrology 2021; 9:1254-1263. [PMID: 33830681 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm DNA integrity has become one of the most discussed and promising biomarkers for the assessment of male fertility. However, an easy-to-apply method capable of estimating DNA fragmentation in the live fraction of spermatozoa has remained elusive, preventing this parameter from being fully applied in clinical settings. OBJECTIVES To validate a novel co-staining for the analysis of DNA fragmentation in membrane-intact spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS Normozoospermic semen samples were used to validate the co-staining consisting of acridine orange (AO) and LIVE/DEAD™ Fixable Blue Dead Cell Stain (LD), against established methods for the evaluation of cell viability, propidium iodide stain (PI), and DNA fragmentation, the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), to rule out cross-interference. Furthermore, the accuracy of the method was tested by the evaluation of samples prepared with different amounts of membrane and DNA damage (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%). RESULTS No significant differences were observed between the co-staining and the established staining procedures (membrane integrity, p = 0.755; DNA fragmentation p = 0.976). Moreover, high R square values were obtained from the analysis of samples of known membrane (R2 = 0.9959) and DNA damage (R2 = 0.9843). The simultaneous assaying of sperm membrane integrity and nuclear DNA fragmentation allowed the analysis of four sperm categories and thereby to assess the proportion of membrane-intact spermatozoa with compromised DNA integrity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This new protocol has the potential to provide clinically relevant information about the DNA fragmentation in membrane-intact spermatozoa. Thus, it has the potential of improving the diagnostic of male infertility and enabling a better understanding of sperm dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Da Costa
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Klaus Redmann
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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The marker of alkyl DNA base damage, N7-methylguanine, is associated with semen quality in men. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3121. [PMID: 33542261 PMCID: PMC7862252 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81674-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm DNA contains a range of DNA base damage that can arise, in part, from exposure to methylating agents. However, the effects are not fully characterized and so the aim of this study was to investigate associations between semen quality and the levels of N7-methyldeoxyguanosine (N7-MedG), a marker of exposure to methylating agents, and other markers of DNA damage and DNA methylation. Sperm samples were collected from 105 men attending an assisted reproduction clinic as part of a couple undergoing treatment for infertility and semen quality assessed manually according to WHO guidelines. Semen levels of N7-MedG, quantified by immunoslotblot, were significantly higher in men with sperm concentration < 15 × 106/ml (p ≤ 0.01), semen volume < 1.5 ml (p ≤ 0.05) and also in men with any aspect of semen quality below WHO reference levels (p ≤ 0.001). Measures of neutral Comet DNA damage were correlated with semen quality in a univariate analysis but not after adjustment for N7-MedG levels. Sperm concentration was negatively associated with % methylation at the gene for DAZL but no other marker of global or gene-specific DNA methylation. Results support the hypothesis that the known toxic and DNA damaging properties of alkylating agent exposure may have direct deleterious consequences on semen quality.
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40
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Ma X, Cui L, Chen L, Zhang J, Zhang X, Kang Q, Jin F, Ye Y. Parental plasma concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances and In Vitro fertilization outcomes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 269:116159. [PMID: 33279270 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known to be endocrine-disrupting compounds, but are nevertheless widely used in consumer and industrial products and have been detected globally in human and wildlife. Data from animal and epidemiological studies suggest that PFAS may affect human fertility. This led us to consider whether maternal or paternal plasma PFAS had effects on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. The study population consisted of 96 couples who underwent IVF treatment in 2017 due to tubal factor infertility. The concentrations of 10 PFAS in blood samples from both male and female partners were measured. Poisson regression with log link was performed to evaluate the association between the tertiles of PFAS concentrations and numbers of retrieved oocytes, mature oocytes, two-pronuclei (2 PN) zygotes, and good-quality embryos, while multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the correlation between plasma PFAS and semen parameters. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the tertiles of PFAS concentrations and clinical outcomes. It was found that maternal plasma concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were negatively associated with the numbers of retrieved oocytes (ptrend = 0.023), mature oocytes (ptrend = 0.015), 2 PN zygotes (ptrend = 0.014), and good-quality embryos (ptrend = 0.012). Higher paternal plasma PFOA concentrations were found to be significantly associated with reduced numbers of 2 PN zygotes (ptrend = 0.047). None of the maternal or paternal PFAS were significantly associated with the probability of implantation, clinical pregnancy, or live birth. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to assess the association between parental exposure to PFAS and IVF outcomes. Our results suggest the potential reproductive effects of PFAS on both men and women, and that exposure to PFAS may negatively affect IVF outcomes. Future studies, particularly with large sample size cohorts, are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqian Ma
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Long Cui
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Lin Chen
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department of Women's Health, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Quanmin Kang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Fan Jin
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
| | - Yinghui Ye
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China.
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41
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Garrido N, Cruz F, Egea RR, Simon C, Sadler-Riggleman I, Beck D, Nilsson E, Ben Maamar M, Skinner MK. Sperm DNA methylation epimutation biomarker for paternal offspring autism susceptibility. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:6. [PMID: 33413568 PMCID: PMC7789568 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00995-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased over tenfold over the past several decades and appears predominantly associated with paternal transmission. Although genetics is anticipated to be a component of ASD etiology, environmental epigenetics is now also thought to be an important factor. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, have been correlated with ASD. The current study was designed to identify a DNA methylation signature in sperm as a potential biomarker to identify paternal offspring autism susceptibility. METHODS AND RESULTS Sperm samples were obtained from fathers that have children with or without autism, and the sperm then assessed for alterations in DNA methylation. A genome-wide analysis (> 90%) for differential DNA methylation regions (DMRs) was used to identify DMRs in the sperm of fathers (n = 13) with autistic children in comparison with those (n = 13) without ASD children. The 805 DMR genomic features such as chromosomal location, CpG density and length of the DMRs were characterized. Genes associated with the DMRs were identified and found to be linked to previously known ASD genes, as well as other neurobiology-related genes. The potential sperm DMR biomarkers/diagnostic was validated with blinded test sets (n = 8-10) of individuals with an approximately 90% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS Observations demonstrate a highly significant set of 805 DMRs in sperm that can potentially act as a biomarker for paternal offspring autism susceptibility. Ancestral or early-life paternal exposures that alter germline epigenetics are anticipated to be a molecular component of ASD etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Garrido
- IVI-RMA València, and IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, València, Spain
| | - Fabio Cruz
- IVI-RMA València, and IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, València, Spain
| | - Rocio Rivera Egea
- IVI-RMA València, and IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, València, Spain
| | - Carlos Simon
- Dept Ob/Gyn, València University/Instituto de Investigacion Clinica, Hospital Clinico de Valencia (INCLIVA), and Igenomix Foundation, València, Spain
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, USA
| | - Ingrid Sadler-Riggleman
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Daniel Beck
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Eric Nilsson
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Millissia Ben Maamar
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Michael K Skinner
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA.
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42
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Tharakan T, Bettocchi C, Carvalho J, Corona G, Jones TH, Kadioglu A, Salamanca JIM, Serefoglu EC, Verze P, Salonia A, Minhas S. European Association of Urology Guidelines Panel on Male Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Clinical Consultation Guide on the Indications for Performing Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Men with Infertility and Testicular Sperm Extraction in Nonazoospermic Men. Eur Urol Focus 2021; 8:339-350. [PMID: 33422457 DOI: 10.1016/j.euf.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has highlighted the contribution of oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in the pathophysiology of male infertility. SDF has emerged as a novel biomarker of risk stratification for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. Studies have also supported the use of testicular over ejaculated sperm at the time of intracytoplasmic sperm injection, as testicular sperm may have lower SDF than ejaculated samples. The European Association of Urology Working Panel on Male Sexual and Reproductive Health provides an evidence-based consultation guide on the indications for SDF testing in male infertility and also for testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in nonazoospermic men. We present the limitations and advantages of SDF testing and a framework to ensure that it is appropriately utilised in clinical practice. Furthermore, we critically appraise the current literature advocating the use of TESE in nonazoospermic men. PATIENT SUMMARY: This article reviews the evidence supporting the use of sperm DNA fragmentation testing in the assessment of male infertility and testicular sperm extraction in nonazoospermic men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tharu Tharakan
- Department of Urology, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, UK; Section of Investigative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Carlo Bettocchi
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Urology, Andrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Joana Carvalho
- Centre for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Giovanni Corona
- Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - 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
| | | | - Ege Can Serefoglu
- Department of Urology, Biruni University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Histology & Embryology, Medipol University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Paolo Verze
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Scuola Medica Salernitana, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Andrea Salonia
- Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Urology, Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, UK.
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43
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Insights into the Mechanism of Bovine Spermiogenesis Based on Comparative Transcriptomic Studies. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11010080. [PMID: 33466297 PMCID: PMC7824766 DOI: 10.3390/ani11010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Any irregularity in spermiogenesis reduces the quality of semen and may lead to male sterility in cattle and humans. Thus, we investigated the differential transcriptomics of spermatids from round spermatid to epididymal sperm and compared them with the transcriptomics of mice in the same period. We found differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in sperm head and tail formation, and epigenetic regulatory networks which regulated genetic material condensation, the deformation of the spermatid, and the expression of genes in it. According to the sterility report on the ART3 protein and its possible epigenetic function, we detected that it was localised outside the spermatocyte, in round and elongated spermatids. Interestingly, we observed that the ART3 protein on round and elongated spermatids was localised approximately to the lumen of seminiferous tubule. It was also localised on the head and tail part near the head in epididymal sperm, suggesting its important role in the deformation from round spermatids to sperm. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying bovine spermiogenesis, thereby contributing to the improved reproductive potential of cattle and the development of strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. Abstract To reduce subfertility caused by low semen quality and provide theoretical guidance for the eradication of human male infertility, we sequenced the bovine transcriptomes of round, elongated spermatids and epididymal sperms. The differential analysis was carried out with the reference of the mouse transcriptome, and the homology trends of gene expression to the mouse were also analysed. First, to explore the physiological mechanism of spermiogenesis that profoundly affects semen quality, homological trends of differential genes were compared during spermiogenesis in dairy cattle and mice. Next, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein–protein interaction network (PPI network), and bioinformatics analyses were performed to uncover the regulation network of acrosome formation during the transition from round to elongated spermatids. In addition, processes that regulate gene expression during spermiogenesis from elongated spermatid to epididymal sperm, such as ubiquitination, acetylation, deacetylation, and glycosylation, and the functional ART3 gene may play important roles during spermiogenesis. Therefore, its localisation in the seminiferous tubules and epididymal sperm were investigated using immunofluorescent analysis, and its structure and function were also predicted. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the process of spermiogenesis, which involves acrosome formation, histone replacement, and the fine regulation of gene expression.
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44
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Esteves SC, Zini A, Coward RM, Evenson DP, Gosálvez J, Lewis SEM, Sharma R, Humaidan P. Sperm DNA fragmentation testing: Summary evidence and clinical practice recommendations. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13874. [PMID: 33108829 PMCID: PMC7988559 DOI: 10.1111/and.13874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We herein summarise the evidence concerning the impact of sperm DNA fragmentation in various clinical infertility scenarios and the advances on sperm DNA fragmentation tests. The collected evidence was used to formulate 41 recommendations. Of these, 13 recommendations concern technical aspects of sperm DNA fragmentation testing, including pre‐analytical information, clinical thresholds and interpretation of results. The remaining 28 recommendations relate to indications for sperm DNA fragmentation testing and clinical management. Clinical scenarios like varicocele, unexplained infertility, idiopathic infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, fertility counselling for men with infertility risk factors and sperm cryopreservation have been contemplated. The bulk evidence supporting the recommendations has increased in recent years, but it is still of moderate to low quality. This guideline provides clinicians with advice on best practices in sperm DNA fragmentation testing. Also, recommendations are provided on possible management strategies to overcome infertility related to sperm DNA fragmentation, based on the best available evidence. Lastly, we identified gaps in knowledge and opportunities for research and elaborated a list of recommendations to stimulate further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Armand Zini
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert Matthew Coward
- Department of Urology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,UNC Fertility, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Donald P Evenson
- SCSA Diagnostics, Brookings, SD, USA.,Sanford Medical School, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Unit of Genetics, Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheena E M Lewis
- Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK.,Examenlab Ltd., Belfast, UK
| | - Rakesh Sharma
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Peter Humaidan
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Fertility Clinic Skive, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark
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45
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Görmüş G, Ilgın S, Baysal M, Karaduman AB, Kılıç V, Aydoğan-Kılıç G, Karagöz O, Atlı-Eklioğlu Ö. Risperidone induced reproductive toxicity in male rats targeting leydig cells and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by inducing oxidative stress. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13813. [PMID: 33108826 DOI: 10.1111/and.13813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Risperidone (RIS), a commonly used drug during a lifetime for the treatment of schizophrenia, causes some adverse effects in the male reproductive system; however, there is no comprehensive reproductive toxicity study of RIS. For this purpose, male rats were administered orally for 1.25, 2.5 and 3 mg/kg RIS for 28 days and the sperm count, motility, morphology, DNA damage and the histological changes in testicular tissue were evaluated. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and serum levels of testosterone, which are the main hormonal regulators of reproduction, and testicular glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as the indicators of oxidative stress were determined. Normal sperm morphology was decreased in RIS groups and histopathological degeneration occurred in testis tissue dose-dependently. Serum LH levels were not altered; however, FSH and testosterone levels decreased in the high-dose group. Histopathologic examination showed RIS toxicity targeted Leydig cells, which might be associated with impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. GSH levels were decreased and MDA levels were increased in the high-dose group which was evaluated as indicators of oxidative stress. In conclusion, RIS caused reproductive toxicity in male rats by inducing oxidative stress and disrupting hormonal regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gözde Görmüş
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Sinem Ilgın
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Merve Baysal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Burak Karaduman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Volkan Kılıç
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Gözde Aydoğan-Kılıç
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Onur Karagöz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Özlem Atlı-Eklioğlu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey
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46
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Agarwal A, Majzoub A, Baskaran S, Panner Selvam MK, Cho CL, Henkel R, Finelli R, Leisegang K, Sengupta P, Barbarosie C, Parekh N, Alves MG, Ko E, Arafa M, Tadros N, Ramasamy R, Kavoussi P, Ambar R, Kuchakulla M, Robert KA, Iovine C, Durairajanayagam D, Jindal S, Shah R. Sperm DNA Fragmentation: A New Guideline for Clinicians. World J Mens Health 2020; 38:412-471. [PMID: 32777871 PMCID: PMC7502318 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.200128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm DNA integrity is crucial for fertilization and development of healthy offspring. The spermatozoon undergoes extensive molecular remodeling of its nucleus during later phases of spermatogenesis, which imparts compaction and protects the genetic content. Testicular (defective maturation and abortive apoptosis) and post-testicular (oxidative stress) mechanisms are implicated in the etiology of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), which affects both natural and assisted reproduction. Several clinical and environmental factors are known to negatively impact sperm DNA integrity. An increasing number of reports emphasizes the direct relationship between sperm DNA damage and male infertility. Currently, several assays are available to assess sperm DNA damage, however, routine assessment of SDF in clinical practice is not recommended by professional organizations. This article provides an overview of SDF types, origin and comparative analysis of various SDF assays while primarily focusing on the clinical indications of SDF testing. Importantly, we report four clinical cases where SDF testing had played a significant role in improving fertility outcome. In light of these clinical case reports and recent scientific evidence, this review provides expert recommendations on SDF testing and examines the advantages and drawbacks of the clinical utility of SDF testing using Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Ahmad Majzoub
- Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Saradha Baskaran
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Chak Lam Cho
- Department of Surgery, Union Hospital, Hong Kong
- S. H. Ho Urology Centre, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ralf Henkel
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kristian Leisegang
- School of Natural Medicine, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Pallav Sengupta
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom, Malaysia
| | - Catalina Barbarosie
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Neel Parekh
- Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Marco G Alves
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology & Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Edmund Ko
- Department of Urology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Mohamed Arafa
- Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Andrology Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nicholas Tadros
- Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | | | - Parviz Kavoussi
- Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine/Westlake IVF, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Rafael Ambar
- Urology Department of Centro Universitario em Saude do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | | | - Kathy Amy Robert
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Concetta Iovine
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Sunil Jindal
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Jindal Hospital, Meerut, India
| | - Rupin Shah
- Department of Urology, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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47
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Aitken RJ, Whiting S, Connaughton H, Curry B, Reinheimer T, van Duin M. A novel pathway for the induction of DNA damage in human spermatozoa involving extracellular cell-free DNA. Mutat Res 2020; 821:111722. [PMID: 32920458 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2020.111722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
DNA damage is a common feature of human spermatozoa associated with an impaired capacity to fertilize the oocyte and an increased mutational load in the offspring. However, the etiology of this damage remains poorly defined. In this study we demonstrate that a major pathway for the induction of DNA damage in mammalian spermatozoa is triggered by exposure to exogenous cell free DNA (cfDNA). Exposure of human and mouse spermatozoa to cfDNA (calf thymus, mouse liver and salmon testes) in vitro induced a dose-dependent increase in sperm DNA damage that could be effectively suppressed by the concomitant presence of DNase. The induction of such damage was not accompanied by any concomitant change in sperm motility or vitality and was not directly associated with the induction of oxidative stress. In vivo the injection of exogenous DNA again precipitated an increase in sperm DNA fragmentation that could be reversed by the prior administration of DNase. Similarly, the induction of a transient unilateral testicular ischemia induced an increase in DNA fragmentation that was evident within 24 h and sustained for at least 14 days via mechanisms that could be completely suppressed by the prior administration of DNase. We conclude that exogenous cfDNA activates a defensive response in human spermatozoa associated with the nuclease-mediated induction of DNA fragmentation, possibly involving the participation of TLR9 and CD4. These novel insights have significant implications for our understanding of DNA fragmentation in the male germ line and open up new pathways for the remediation of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
| | - Sara Whiting
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Haley Connaughton
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben Curry
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Ferring International PharmaScience Center, Copenhagen, Denmark; Ferring Research Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
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48
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Recurrent implantation failure in IVF: A Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:819-833. [PMID: 32962928 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) after IVF is a challenging topic for clinicians and can be a devastating reality for some patients with infertility. The purpose of this guideline from the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) is to provide the most relevant evidence to date for the assessment and management of RIF. This guideline was developed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. This guideline recognizes the presence of heterogeneity in the definition of RIF. Recommendations are offered here on the investigation of RIF and management options that may increase the chance of a live birth.
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Dominguez EM, Moreno-Irusta A, Rodriguez MB, Salamone DF, de Arruda RP, Losinno L, Giojalas LC. Chemotactic selection of frozen-thawed stallion sperm improves sperm quality and heterologous binding to oocytes. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 221:106582. [PMID: 32889407 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The successful use of assisted reproduction techniques (ART) depends in part on the sperm physiological status. Several sperm selection procedures have been applied to improve quality of sperm population when using the ART. There has previously been development of a Sperm Selection Assay (SSA) for humans which is based on the attraction of capacitated sperm by chemotaxis towards progesterone (P), resulting in an enriched sperm population with an optimal physiological status similar to capacitated spermatozoa, with these cells having very little DNA fragmentation and optimal concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, the aim was to adapt the SSA for frozen-thawed stallion semen samples and evaluate the functional status of those sperm selected using the SSA procedure, and to determine whether this enriched sperm population has a greater capacity to bind to the zona pellucida of cattle oocytes. There were experimental conditions developed to conduct the SSA with stallion sperm. Using these conditions, the indexes of induced acrosome reaction, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial and cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species, and number of sperm bound to the zona pellucida of cattle were greater when the sperm population was selected using the SSA. Consistently, the DNA fragmentation and phospholipase C zeta indexes were less for the selected sperm. In conclusion, stallion sperm selected using chemotaxis utilizing the SSA provides a sperm population of greater quality, which when used may improve the outcomes with use of the ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Mauricio Dominguez
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ayelen Moreno-Irusta
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Belén Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, FAUBA/INPA- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel F Salamone
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología Animal, FAUBA/INPA- CONICET, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rubens Paes de Arruda
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia do Sêmen e Andrologia - LBSA, Departamento de Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis Losinno
- Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto (UNRC), Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Catedra de Producción Equina I y II, Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto (UNRC), Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, Laboratorio de Producción Equina, Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Laura Cecilia Giojalas
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Centro de Biología Celular y Molecular, Córdoba, Argentina; Consejo de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas, Córdoba, Argentina.
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50
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Hasanen E, Elqusi K, ElTanbouly S, Hussin AE, AlKhadr H, Zaki H, Henkel R, Agarwal A. PICSI vs. MACS for abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation ICSI cases: a prospective randomized trial. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2605-2613. [PMID: 32772268 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01913-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To know which sperm selection technique, physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) or magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS), is better for the selection of sperm with abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS A prospective randomized trial included 413 ICSI cases with abnormal SDF (> 20.3%) by TUNEL assay. Patients with at least 1 million total progressive motile sperm count were randomized to PICSI or MACS groups on the day of ICSI. PICSI depends on the hyaluronan binding of better SDF sperm where individual sperm was selected, while MACS selects non-apoptotic sperm population using Annexin V magnetic beads. All pre-implantation embryogenic parameters were observed and the main outcome was the ongoing pregnancy rate. RESULTS There were no significant differences between patients allocated to PICSI and MACS in the studied parameters including pre-implantation embryological data, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy rates. Meanwhile, sub-analysis according to the female age has shown that female patients with less than 30 years of age in the MACS group had significantly higher good-quality blastocyst, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy rates than the PICSI group. However, the higher implantation (p = 0.051), clinical pregnancy (p = 0.078), and ongoing pregnancy (p = 0.097) rates observed in females between 30 and 35 years of age in the PICSI group did not reach significance level. CONCLUSIONS PICSI and MACS are efficient techniques for sperm selection in cases with abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation. However, MACS is preferred when the females are younger than 30 years, while PICSI is preferred in older females. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03398317 (retrospectively registered).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Hasanen
- IVF Laboratory, Ganin Fertility Center, Cairo, 11728, Egypt.
| | - Khaled Elqusi
- IVF Laboratory, Ganin Fertility Center, Cairo, 11728, Egypt
| | | | | | - Hanaa AlKhadr
- IVF Laboratory, Ganin Fertility Center, Cairo, 11728, Egypt
| | - Hosam Zaki
- IVF Laboratory, Ganin Fertility Center, Cairo, 11728, Egypt
| | - Ralf Henkel
- University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.,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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