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Yang T, Yu L, Xu J, Ying L, Jia Y, Zheng Y, Zhou B, Li F. Correlation between standard sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation from 11,339 samples. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2024; 70:91-100. [PMID: 38630599 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2024.2333285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Conventional semen parameters have long been considered fundamental in male fertility analyses. However, doubts have been raised regarding the clinical utility of the assessment of spermatozoa (sperm) DNA damage. In this retrospective study, we investigated the potential correlation between conventional semen parameters and semen DNA fragmentation (SDF) assessed as sperm DNA damage, in 11,339 semen samples collected between January 2019 and June 2022. We observed significant negative correlations between the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and sperm viability (correlation coefficient [r] = -0.514) as well as progressive sperm motility (r = -0.512, p < 0.05). Samples were categorized into three groups according to DFI levels (Groups A, B, and C: ≤15%, 15 < DFI ≤30%, and >30%, respectively). Furthermore, the percentage of semen samples with normal sperm conventional parameters in Groups A, B, and C was 76.7% (4369/5697), 61.4% (2351/3827), and 39.7% (721/1815), respectively. Moreover, according to the reference values of conventional sperm parameters, the samples were divided into Groups F, G, and H with all normal, only one abnormal, and > two abnormal parameters, respectively. In addition, the proportions of samples with abnormal DFI values (>30) in Groups F, G, and H were 9.7% (721/7441), 23.1% (618/2676), and 39.0% (476/1222), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression models demonstrated that sperm vitality, progressive sperm motility, normal sperm form, total sperm count, semen volume, age, and some sperm kinematics collectively improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to 0.861, surpassing the predictive value of a single predictor of pathologically damaged sperm DNA. Our study suggests that samples with abnormal sperm parameters may have a higher likelihood of high DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, certain semen parameters could be potential indicators of sperm DNA fragmentation, aiding sperm selection in assisted reproductive procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yang
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Lin Yu
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Jinyan Xu
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Ying
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Yelin Jia
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Birth Defects of Sichuan Province, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
| | - Fuping Li
- Department of Andrology/Sichuan Human Sperm Bank, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R. China
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Behdarvandian P, Nasr-Esfahani A, Tavalaee M, Pashaei K, Naderi N, Darmishonnejad Z, Hallak J, Aitken RJ, Gharagozloo P, Drevet JR, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA ®) and flow cytometry-assisted TUNEL assay provide a concordant assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation as a function of age in a large cohort of approximately 10,000 patients. Basic Clin Androl 2023; 33:33. [PMID: 38030992 PMCID: PMC10688019 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-023-00208-9] [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: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sperm DNA integrity is increasingly seen as a critical characteristic determining reproductive success, both in natural reproduction and in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Despite this awareness, sperm DNA and nuclear integrity tests are still not part of routine examinations for either infertile men or fertile men wishing to assess their reproductive capacity. This is not due to the unavailability of DNA and sperm nuclear integrity tests. On the contrary, several relevant but distinct tests are available and have been used in many clinical trials, which has led to conflicting results and confusion. The reasons for this are mainly the lack of standardization between different clinics and between the tests themselves. In addition, the small number of samples analyzed in these trials has often weakened the value of the analyses performed. In the present work, we used a large cohort of semen samples, covering a wide age range, which were simultaneously evaluated for sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) using two of the most frequently used SDF assays, namely the TUNEL assay and the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA®). At the same time, as standard seminal parameters (sperm motility, sperm morphology, sperm count) were available for these samples, correlations between age, SDF and conventional seminal parameters were analyzed. RESULTS We show that the SCSA® and TUNEL assessments of SDF produce concordant data. However, the SDF assessed by TUNEL is systematically lower than that assessed by SCSA®. Regardless of the test used, the SDF increases steadily during aging, while the HDS parameter (High DNA stainability assessed via SCSA®) remains unchanged. In the cohort analyzed, conventional sperm parameters do not seem to discriminate with aging. Only sperm volume and motility were significantly lower in the oldest age group analyzed [50-59 years of age]. CONCLUSIONS In the large cohort analyzed, SDF is an age-dependent parameter, increasing linearly with aging. The SCSA® assessment of SDF and the flow cytometry-assisted TUNEL assessment are well correlated, although TUNEL is less sensitive than SCSA®. This difference in sensitivity should be taken into account in the final assessment of the true level of fragmentation of the sperm nucleus of a given sample. The classical sperm parameters (motility, morphology, sperm count) do not change dramatically with age, making them inadequate to assess the fertility potential of an individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paria Behdarvandian
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, 8165131378, Iran
| | - Ali Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, 8165131378, Iran.
- Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, 8165131378, Iran
| | - Kosar Pashaei
- Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nushin Naderi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, 8165131378, Iran
| | - Zahra Darmishonnejad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, 8165131378, Iran
| | - Jorge Hallak
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, 04534-011, Brazil
| | - Robert J Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | | | - Joël R Drevet
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD Institute, CRBC, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, 8165131378, Iran.
- Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran.
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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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Ausejo R, Martínez JM, Mendoza N, Bolarin A, Tejedor MT, Falceto MV. Nuclear DNA Fragmentation in Boar Spermatozoa: Measurement Methods and Reproductive Performance Implications. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:929858. [PMID: 35847654 PMCID: PMC9281558 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.929858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to compare the different techniques to measure sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation (sDF) and to check its relations to boar reproductive value, classical spermiogram parameters, and reproductive results of the doses in sows. Sperm chromatin stability assay (SCSA), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD, Halomax®) results were compared, finding a statistically significant correlation only between SCSA and TUNEL results. The fertility direct boar effect (DBE) index, calculated from the whole productive life of the boar, was not correlated (p > 0.05) with sDF (measured by any technique). Total or progressive sperm motility was not correlated with sDF, while it found a positive correlation between TUNEL measure and abnormal acrosomes (%) and between SCD measure and total sperm morphological abnormalities (%). No significant correlations were obtained between fertility or prolificacy results and sDF results with the different techniques. However, in the case of total born and SCSA measure, the correlation was close to significance (r partial = −0.095; p = 0.066), appointing to a tendency; as SCSA increases, the number of total piglets born decreases. In conclusion, although the different techniques for the sDF seem not to target exactly the same DNA events and the relationship between their values and the reproductive results and the classical spermiogram results is still to be elucidated, the studied sDF techniques may offer extra information that could be useful for the management of AI studs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ausejo
- Department of Animal Pathology, Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Biotechnology R&D, Magapor S.L., Ejea de los Caballeros, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Martínez
- Department of Research and Development, CiencIAnova Magapor, Zaragoza, Spain
- *Correspondence: Juan Manuel Martínez
| | - Noelia Mendoza
- Department of Biotechnology R&D, Magapor S.L., Ejea de los Caballeros, Spain
| | - Alfonso Bolarin
- Department of Animal Pathology, Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - M. Teresa Tejedor
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Genetics, CIBERCV, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria Falceto
- Department of Animal Pathology, Obstetrics and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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Mei Q, Fu C, Sahana G, Chen Y, Yin L, Miao Y, Zhao S, Xiang T. Identification of new semen trait-related candidate genes in Duroc boars through genome-wide association and weighted gene co-expression network analyses. J Anim Sci 2021; 99:6295821. [PMID: 34110414 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab188] [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: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Semen traits are crucial in commercial pig production since semen from boars is widely used in artificial insemination for both purebred and crossbred pig production. Revealing the genetic architecture of semen traits potentially promotes the efficiencies of improving semen traits through artificial selection. This study is aimed to identify candidate genes related to the semen traits in Duroc boars. First, we identified the genes that were significantly associated with three semen traits, including sperm motility (MO), sperm concentration (CON), and semen volume (VOL) in a Duroc boar population through a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Second, we performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A total of 2, 3, and 20 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were found to be significantly associated with MO, CON, and VOL, respectively. Based on the haplotype block analysis, we identified one genetic region associated with MO, which explained 6.15% of the genetic trait variance. ENSSSCG00000018823 located within this region was considered as the candidate gene for regulating MO. Another genetic region explaining 1.95% of CON genetic variance was identified, and, in this region, B9D2, PAFAH1B3, TMEM145, and CIC were detected as the CON-related candidate genes. Two genetic regions that accounted for 2.23% and 2.48% of VOL genetic variance were identified, and, in these two regions, WWC2, CDKN2AIP, ING2, TRAPPC11, STOX2, and PELO were identified as VOL-related candidate genes. WGCNA analysis showed that, among these candidate genes, B9D2, TMEM145, WWC2, CDKN2AIP, TRAPPC11, and PELO were located within the most significant module eigengenes, confirming these candidate genes' role in regulating semen traits in Duroc boars. The identification of these candidate genes can help to better understand the genetic architecture of semen traits in boars. Our findings can be applied for semen traits improvement in Duroc boars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanshun Mei
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chuanke Fu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Goutam Sahana
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, Tjele 8830, Denmark
| | - Yilong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.,Center of Breeding Production, Guangxi Yangxiang Agriculture and Husbandry Co., LTD , Guigang 537100, China
| | - Lilin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yuanxin Miao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.,School of Biological Engineering, Jingchu University of Technology, Jingmen 448000, China
| | - Shuhong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Tao Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education & Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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Homa ST, Vassiliou AM, Stone J, Killeen AP, Dawkins A, Xie J, Gould F, Ramsay JWA. A Comparison Between Two Assays for Measuring Seminal Oxidative Stress and their Relationship with Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Semen Parameters. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:E236. [PMID: 30893955 PMCID: PMC6471935 DOI: 10.3390/genes10030236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is a significant cause of DNA fragmentation and is associated with poor embryo development and recurrent miscarriage. The aim of this study was to compare two different methods for assessing seminal OS and their ability to predict sperm DNA fragmentation and abnormal semen parameters. Semen samples were collected from 520 men attending for routine diagnostic testing following informed consent. Oxidative stress was assessed using either a chemiluminescence assay to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) or an electrochemical assay to measure oxidation reduction potential (sORP). Sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI) and sperm with immature chromatin (HDS) were assessed using sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Semen analysis was performed according to WHO 2010 guidelines. Reactive oxygen species sORP and DFI are negatively correlated with sperm motility (p = 0.0012, 0.0002, <0.0001 respectively) and vitality (p < 0.0001, 0.019, <0.0001 respectively). The correlation was stronger for sORP than ROS. Reactive oxygen species (p < 0.0001), sORP (p < 0.0001), DFI (p < 0.0089) and HDS (p < 0.0001) were significantly elevated in samples with abnormal semen parameters, compared to those with normal parameters. Samples with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) have excessive ROS levels compared to those without (p < 0.0001), but sORP and DFI in this group are not significantly increased. DNA fragmentation was significantly elevated in samples with OS measured by ROS (p = 0.0052) or sORP (p = 0.004). The results demonstrate the multi-dimensional nature of oxidative stress and that neither assay can be used alone in the diagnosis of OS, especially in cases of leukocytospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheryl T Homa
- Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
- Department of Andrology, The Doctors Laboratory, London W1G 9RT, UK.
| | - Anna M Vassiliou
- Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
- Department of Andrology, The Doctors Laboratory, London W1G 9RT, UK.
| | - Jesse Stone
- Department of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK.
| | - Aideen P Killeen
- Department of Andrology, The Doctors Laboratory, London W1G 9RT, UK.
| | - Andrew Dawkins
- Department of Andrology, The Doctors Laboratory, London W1G 9RT, UK.
| | - Jingyi Xie
- Department of Andrology, The Doctors Laboratory, London W1G 9RT, UK.
| | - Farley Gould
- Department of Andrology, The Doctors Laboratory, London W1G 9RT, UK.
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Comparison of DNA fragmentation levels in spermatozoa with different sex chromosome complements. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:56-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Lusignan MF, Li X, Herrero B, Delbes G, Chan PTK. Effects of different cryopreservation methods on DNA integrity and sperm chromatin quality in men. Andrology 2018; 6:829-835. [PMID: 30175448 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryopreserved human sperm are used in assisted reproductive technology. However, the effect of cryopreservation on sperm DNA integrity is unclear. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the impact of semen cryopreservation on human sperm DNA integrity and chromatin structure; (ii) test if parameters obtained from TUNEL and SCSA® correlate; and (iii) verify correlation between sperm motility, morphology and viability with TUNEL and SCSA® parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS Men attending a fertility clinic were recruited and grouped according to their sperm parameters (n = 9/group): normozoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and teratozoospermia. Each semen sample was processed as follow: (i) directly frozen at -80 °C; (ii) diluted in Sperm Maintenance Medium, cooled for 30 min at 4 °C and frozen at -80 °C; (iii) diluted in Sperm Maintenance Medium; or (iv) in SpermFreeze. Each mixture from method (iii) and (iv) was then suspended for 30 min in liquid nitrogen vapor and plunged into liquid nitrogen. After at least two months of storage, samples were thawed at room temperature and analyzed for motility and viability, TUNEL and SCSA® assays. RESULTS Progressive motility and viability decreased after freeze-thawing. TUNEL scores increased significantly in all samples after freezing-thawing while no significant change in the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) from SCSA® was observed. No change in the percentage high DNA stainability (HDS) was observed in normozoospermic samples; however it was significantly increased in all the methods in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and in the methods (ii)-(iv) in teratozoospermic samples. The DFI and TUNEL scores correlated significantly with each other and inversely with sperm motility, viability and morphology. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Cryopreservation seems to be deleterious for the integrity of human sperm DNA and compaction. However, the sperm DFI was not affected during cryopreservation under the various methods of storage tested. Clinicians and investigators should take this information into consideration when using cryopreserved sperm for assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Lusignan
- Department of Urology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - X Li
- Department of Urology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - B Herrero
- MUHC Reproductive Centre, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - G Delbes
- INRS - Institut Armand Frappier, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - P T K Chan
- Department of Urology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,MUHC Reproductive Centre, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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9
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Zhang MH, Zhai LP, Fang ZY, Li AN, Xiao W, Qiu Y. Effect of scrotal heating on sperm quality, seminal biochemical substances, and reproductive hormones in human fertile men. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:10228-10238. [PMID: 30171730 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
At present, male contraceptive methods are only vasectomy and condoms, so it is necessary to research on male contraceptive techniques. The aim of this study is to observe the effects of scrotal heating (SH) on semen parameters, seminal l-carnitine (LC), epidermal growth factor (EGF), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), reproductive hormones and sperm chromosome numbers of adult healthy men, and to provide the experimental data for male contraception. The scrotums of 30 healthy male volunteers were exposed to the condition of 40 to 43°C SH belt warming 40 minutes each day for successive 2 days per week. The course of SH was continuous for 3 months. Computer-assisted semen analysis and hypo-osmotic swelling test, sperm DNA integrity, l-carnitine, MIF and EGF, and sperm fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed before, during, and after SH. The serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. The mean parameters of sperm concentration, vitality, and normal morphological sperm were significantly decreased in groups with sperms being collected during 1, 2, and 3 months of SH when compared with those in groups of pre-SH (P < 0.01). Statistically significant differences of sperm DNA fragmentation, normal sperm membrane functionality, levels of LC and MIF in semen, and LH, FSH, and T in serum were observed between the groups of before SH and after SH 3 months and the groups of during SH 1, 2, and 3 months (P < 0.001). The total rate of chromosome number for 13, 18, 21, X, and Y in the 3 months of SH was 13.7-fold greater (13.72%/1.69%) than before SH (P < 0.001). The constant SH can impact the semen quality, sperm DNA integrity, sperm chromosome, LC and MIF, and LH, FSH, and T in serum. Transient SH may be a new method for male contraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Hua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Family Planning Institute of Science and Technology, Jinan, China
| | - Li-Ping Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Institute of Control of Endemic Disease, Jinan, China
| | - Zhen-Ya Fang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Family Planning Institute of Science and Technology, Jinan, China
| | - An-Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Family Planning Institute of Science and Technology, Jinan, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yi Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Family Planning Institute of Science and Technology, Jinan, China
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10
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Stahl PJ. Testicular sperm retrieval for intracytoplasmic sperm injection in non-azoospermic men: when should we pull the trigger? Fertil Steril 2018; 108:442-443. [PMID: 28865540 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Jeffry Stahl
- Department of Urology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayland Hsiao
- Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, Oakland, CA, USA
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Oehninger
- The Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia 23507, USA
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Evenson DP. The Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA(®)) and other sperm DNA fragmentation tests for evaluation of sperm nuclear DNA integrity as related to fertility. Anim Reprod Sci 2016; 169:56-75. [PMID: 26919909 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Thirty-five years ago the pioneering paper in Science (240:1131) on the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and pregnancy outcome was featured as the cover issue showing a fluorescence photomicrograph of red and green stained sperm. The flow cytometry data showed a very significant difference in sperm DNA integrity between fertile and subfertile bulls and men. This study utilized heat (100°C, 5min) to denature DNA at sites of DNA strand breaks followed by staining with acridine orange (AO) and measurements of 5000 individual sperm of green double strand (ds) DNA and red single strand (ss) DNA fluorescence. Later, the heat protocol was changed to a low pH protocol to denature the DNA at sites of strand breaks; the heat and acid procedures produced the same results. SCSA data are very advantageously dual parameter with 1024 channels (degrees) of both red and green fluorescence. Hundreds of publications on the use of the SCSA test in animals and humans have validated the SCSA as a highly useful test for determining male breeding soundness. The SCSA test is a rapid, non-biased flow cytometer machine measurement providing robust statistical data with exceptional precision and repeatability. Many genotoxic experiments showed excellent dose response data with very low coefficient of variation that further validated the SCSA as being a highly powerful assay for sperm DNA integrity. Twelve years following the introduction of the SCSA test, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated fluorescein-dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) test (1993) for sperm was introduced as the only other flow cytometric assay for sperm DNA fragmentation. However, the TUNEL test can also be done by light microscopy with much less statistical robustness. The COMET (1998) and Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD; HALO) (2003) tests were introduced as light microscope tests that don't require a flow cytometer. Since these tests measure only 50-200 sperm per sample, they suffer from the lack of the statistical robustness of flow cytometric measurements. Only the SCSA test has an exact standardization of a fixed protocol. The many variations of the other tests make it very difficult to compare data and thresholds for risk of male factor infertility. Data from these four sperm DNA fragmentation tests plus the light microscope acridine orange test (AOT) are correlated to various degrees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald P Evenson
- SCSA Diagnostics, Inc., Brookings, SD, United States; South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, United States; University of South Dakota, Sanford Medical School, Dept. OB/GYN, Sioux Falls, SD, United States.
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Aging and the environment affect gamete and embryo potential: can we intervene? Fertil Steril 2016; 105:548-559. [PMID: 26812244 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Optimal maturation of the oocyte depends on its environment and determines embryo competence, because the embryonic genome is not active until the cleavage stage and new mitochondria are not produced until blastulation. Adverse environmental factors include aging, andropause, oxidative stress, obesity, smoking, alcohol, and psychologic stress, whereas androgen supplementation, a prudent diet, exercise, nutritional supplements, and psychologic interventions have beneficial effects. Mitochondrial function and energy production deteriorate with age, adversely affecting ovarian reserve, chromosome segregation, and embryo competence. In aging mice, the mitochondrial cofactor coenzyme Q10 reverses most of these changes. Early human experience has been encouraging, although only a small study using a shorter duration of intervention compared with the murine model has been carried out. Mitochondrial metabolic stress can result in an abnormal compensatory increase in mitochondrial DNA, which can be assessed in biopsied blastomeres of trophectoderm as a predictive biomarker of implantation failure. Psychologic stress may reduce oocyte competence by shifting blood flow away from the ovary as part of the classic "fight or flight" physiologic response, and methods to reduce stress or the body's reaction to stress improve pregnancy success. Enhancing oocyte competence is a key intervention that promises to reduce the number of euploid embryos failing to produce viable deliveries.
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