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Córdova-Oriz I, Polonio AM, Cuadrado-Torroglosa I, Chico-Sordo L, Medrano M, García-Velasco JA, Varela E. Chromosome ends and the theory of marginotomy: implications for reproduction. Biogerontology 2024; 25:227-248. [PMID: 37943366 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10071-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are the protective structures located at the ends of linear chromosomes. They were first described in the 1930s, but their biology remained unexplored until the early 70s, when Alexey M. Olovnikov, a theoretical biologist, suggested that telomeres cannot be fully copied during DNA replication. He proposed a theory that linked this phenomenon with the limit of cell proliferation capacity and the "duration of life" (theory of marginotomy), and suggested a potential of telomere lenghthening for the prevention of aging (anti-marginotomy). The impact of proliferative telomere shortening on life expectancy was later confirmed. In humans, telomere shortening is counteracted by telomerase, an enzyme that is undetectable in most adult somatic cells, but present in cancer cells and adult and embryonic stem and germ cells. Although telomere length dynamics are different in male and female gametes during gametogenesis, telomere lengths are reset at the blastocyst stage, setting the initial length of the species. The role of the telomere pathway in reproduction has been explored for years, mainly because of increased infertility resulting from delayed childbearing. Short telomere length in ovarian somatic cells is associated to decreased fertility and higher aneuploidy rates in embryos. Consequently, there is a growing interest in telomere lengthening strategies, aimed at improving fertility. It has also been observed that lifestyle factors can affect telomere length and improve fertility outcomes. In this review, we discuss the implications of telomere theory in fertility, especially in oocytes, spermatozoa, and embryos, as well as therapies to enhance reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Córdova-Oriz
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Alba M Polonio
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Cuadrado-Torroglosa
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucía Chico-Sordo
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Medrano
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan A García-Velasco
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVIRMA Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medical Specialties and Public Health, Edificio Departamental II, Rey Juan Carlos University, Av. de Atenas, s/n, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Varela
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Medical Specialties and Public Health, Edificio Departamental II, Rey Juan Carlos University, Av. de Atenas, s/n, 28922, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
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Joseph MD, Koenig MR, Kuriyama AS, Wang TR, Wesselink AK, Eisenberg ML, Sommer GJ, Rothman KJ, Stuver SO, Wise LA, Hatch EE. A preconception cohort study of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and semen quality. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38450974 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary factors, including high sugar intake, may have adverse effects on male reproduction. Studies of the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and semen quality have reported inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE We estimated the effects of SSB consumption on semen quality in a North American preconception cohort study. METHODS We analyzed baseline data from 690 males (n = 1,247 samples) participating in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) during 2015-2022. Participants aged ≥21 years completed a baseline questionnaire on which they reported information about intake of SSBs, including sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juices. After enrollment, we invited U.S. participants to a semen testing substudy, in which they collected and analyzed two samples using an at-home semen testing kit. We used linear regression models to estimate adjusted percent differences (%D) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations of SSB intake with semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), motility, and total motile sperm count (TMSC). We used modified Poisson regression models to estimate adjusted risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs for the association of SSB intake with World Health Organization semen parameter cut points. RESULTS Relative to non-consumers of SSBs, those who consumed ≥7 SSBs/week had lower semen volume (%D = -6, 95% CI: -13, 0), sperm concentration (%D = -22, 95% CI: -38, 0), TSC (%D = -22, 95% CI: -38, -2), motility (%D = -4, 95% CI: -10, 2), and TMSC (%D = -25, 95% CI: -43, -2). High SSB consumers also had greater risks of low sperm concentration (≤16 million/mL; RR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.21), low TSC (≤39 million; RR = 1.75, 95% CI: 0.92, 3.33), low motility (≤42%; RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.75) and low TMSC (≤21 million; RR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.38). Associations were stronger among participants with body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 . CONCLUSION Greater SSB consumption was associated with reduced semen quality in a North American preconception cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon D Joseph
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Martha R Koenig
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andrea S Kuriyama
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tanran R Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amelia K Wesselink
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Urology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Greg J Sommer
- Laboratory Corporation of America, Pleasanton, California, USA
| | - Kenneth J Rothman
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sherri O Stuver
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauren A Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Hatch
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Giannubilo SR, Marzioni D, Tossetta G, Montironi R, Meccariello ML, Ciavattini A. The "Bad Father": Paternal Role in Biology of Pregnancy and in Birth Outcome. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:165. [PMID: 38534435 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Pregnancy is generally studied as a biological interaction between a mother and a fetus; however, the father, with his characteristics, lifestyle, genetics, and living environment, is by no means unrelated to the outcome of pregnancy. The half of the fetal genetic heritage of paternal derivation can be decisive in cases of inherited chromosomal disorders, and can be the result of de novo genetic alterations. In addition to the strictly pathological aspects, paternal genetics may transmit thrombophilic traits that affect the implantation and vascular construction of the feto-placental unit, lead to placenta-mediated diseases such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth retardation, and contribute to the multifactorial genesis of preterm delivery. Biological aspects of immunological tolerance to paternal antigens also appear to be crucial for these pathologies. Finally, this review describes the biological findings by which the environment, exposure to pathogens, lifestyle, and nutritional style of the father affect fetal pathophysiological and epigenetic definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Raffaele Giannubilo
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60123 Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniela Marzioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tossetta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| | - Ramona Montironi
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60123 Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Liberata Meccariello
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60123 Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciavattini
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60123 Ancona, Italy
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Margiana R, Gupta R, Al-Jewari WM, Hjazi A, Alsaab HO, Mustafa YF, Singh R, Thaibt R, Alkhayyat S, Ibrahim AJ. Evaluation of telomere length, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis in spermatozoa of patients with oligospermia. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3935. [PMID: 38379260 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3935] [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: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
50% of cases of infertility are caused by male factor, which acquired or congenital problems may bring on. Male infertility can be caused by oligospermia and asthenozoospermia, which are common. Since the same mutations that cause azoospermia in some people also cause oligozoospermia in others, oligozoospermia may be thought of as a less severe form of azoospermia. Studies have demonstrated telomere length, catalase activity, super oxide dismutase (SOD), and DNA fragmentation can be influential factors for male infertility. The amount of apoptosis, oxidative stress factors, telomere length, and DNA fragmentation were some aspects of healthy sperm that we chose to look into in this study and compare to oligospermia individuals. Oligospermia patients (n = 24) and fertile men (n = 27) semen samples were collected, and the apoptosis rate of sperms in both groups was analyzed (Flow cytometry). Also, gene expression of apoptotic and antiapoptotic markers and telomere length were examined (real-time polymerase chain reaction). The sperm DNA fragmentation kit was used to determine DNA fragmentation and to evaluate catalase and SOD activity; the specific kits and methods were utilized. Higher expression levels of caspase3 (p = .0042), caspase8 (p = .0145), caspase9 (p = .0275), and BAX (p = .0202) mRNA were observed in patients who had oligospermia. In contrast, lower mRNA expression of BCL-2 (p = .0009) was detected in this group. In addition, telomere length was decreased in the oligospermia group (p < .0001) compared to the health group. Moreover, the frequency of apoptosis is induced in patients (p = .0026). The catalase activity is low (p = .0008), but the SOD activity is high (p = .0015) in the patient group. As a result of our findings, we may list the sperm cell apoptosis rate, telomere length, the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation, and lastly, the measurement of significant and efficient oxidative stress markers like SOD and catalase in semen plasma among the principal diagnostic characteristics for oligospermia. Future studies will be better able to treat oligospermia by showing whether these indicators are rising or falling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Margiana
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Master's Programme Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Andrology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Reena Gupta
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Bharthia, India
| | | | - Ahmed Hjazi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hashem O Alsaab
- Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Rajesh Singh
- Uttaranchal Institute of Technology, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
| | - Ruiscul Thaibt
- Medical Technical College, Al-Farahidi University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Safa Alkhayyat
- College of Pharmacy, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
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Fernández de la Puente M, Salas-Huetos A, Valle-Hita C, Babio N, Murphy MM, Canudas S, Salas-Salvadó J. Is telomere length a biomarker of sperm quality? A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Andrology 2024; 12:277-288. [PMID: 37328426 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres are essential for the integrity of chromosome ends during cell division and their involvement in different processes linked to aging has been established. These chromosome components are involved in spermatogenesis and seem to play an important role in fertilization and embryo development. Telomere length is shortened with each cell division. Recently, short sperm telomere length has been proposed as a potential biomarker of male infertility. OBJECTIVES To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies exploring the association between spermatozoa and/or leukocyte telomere length with sperm quality parameters and different infertility conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with studies from Medline-PUBMED and Cochrane Library databases until May 2022. Eligible studies included cohort, cross-sectional and case-control studies, and telomere length in spermatozoa and/or leukocytes cells was defined as the exposure. Semen quality parameters or infertility conditions (e.g., oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, or other spermatogenic impairment combinations) were defined as the outcomes. RESULTS Twenty-three observational studies were included. In the qualitative analysis, high heterogeneity was observed between studies regarding the associations between telomere length and semen parameters in different normozoospermic/fertile and oligozoospermic/infertile populations. In the meta-analysis, spermatozoa and leukocyte telomere length were shorter in infertile individuals than in fertile individuals (mean difference [95% confidence interval]: -1.43 [-1.66 to -1.21], p-value <0.001 and -1.67 [-2.02 to -1.31], p-value <0.001, respectively). Moreover, in terms of sperm telomere length, these differences were also significant between individuals with a normal seminogram and individuals with a low quantity of spermatozoa in the ejaculate (-0.97 [-1.32, -0.61], p-value <0.001). CONCLUSION The current systematic review and meta-analysis suggests the potential role of spermatozoa or leukocyte telomere length as a reliable biomarker of semen quality, which may help distinguish between infertility conditions beyond the routine semen analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernández de la Puente
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició Humana, Grup ANUT-DSM, Reus, Spain
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Unit of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Grup ANUT-DSM, Reus, Spain
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cristina Valle-Hita
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició Humana, Grup ANUT-DSM, Reus, Spain
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
| | - Nancy Babio
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició Humana, Grup ANUT-DSM, Reus, Spain
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
| | - Michelle M Murphy
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Unit of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Grup ANUT-DSM, Reus, Spain
| | - Silvia Canudas
- Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Food Torribera Campus, University of Barcelona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, University of Barcelona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
| | - Jordi Salas-Salvadó
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició Humana, Grup ANUT-DSM, Reus, Spain
- Consorcio CIBER, M.P. Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Hospital Universitari San Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
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Yu VT, Ramsay JM, Horns JJ, Mumford SL, Bruno AM, Hotaling J. The association between parental age differences and perinatal outcomes. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:425-435. [PMID: 37968231 PMCID: PMC10833074 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are there significant associations existing between parental age differences and adverse perinatal outcomes? SUMMARY ANSWER Large differences in parental age are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, particularly with older mothers paired with younger fathers. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The association between advanced maternal age and perinatal outcomes is well-documented with women over 35 years showing an increased risk of several adverse outcomes. Other studies have identified potential associations between advanced paternal age and adverse perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A historical (retrospective) cohort analysis was performed utilizing a multivariable logistic regression model to evaluate the association between varying differences in parental age and adverse perinatal outcomes while controlling for demographic and health-related covariates. Data were compiled from the National Vital Statistics System for 20 613 704 births between 2012 and 2018. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Parental age differences, categorized into eleven 4-year intervals, were stratified by seven maternal age categories and evaluated for their associations with adverse perinatal outcomes. Main outcome measures included low birth weight, very low birth weight, preterm birth, very preterm birth, small size for gestational age, low 5-min appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration score, congenital defects, and chromosomal anomalies. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Increased parental age differences, in either direction, were associated with significant risks for all adverse outcomes, aside from congenital defects, even when controlling for maternal age. Restricting maternal age to the reference range of 25-29 years, infants born to fathers aged 9-12 years younger (n = 3773) had 27% (odds ratio (OR) 1.27, 95% CI, 1.17-1.37) higher odds of having any adverse perinatal outcome. Infants born to fathers aged >16 years older (n = 98 555) had 14% (OR 1.14, 95% CI, 1.12-1.16) higher odds of having any adverse perinatal outcome. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Data extracted from US birth certificates may be compromised by errors in reporting or documentation. Information regarding the mother's socioeconomic status was estimated using proxy variables and may be susceptible to uncontrolled factors. Use of a pre-compiled dataset may potentially exclude additional maternal comorbidities that could impact perinatal outcomes. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF FINDINGS Older mothers paired with younger fathers demonstrated the highest risk, even when maternal age was below the threshold of 35 years. For the clinical setting, parental age differences should be considered alongside maternal and paternal age when assessing risks of adverse perinatal outcomes for potential parents. This is particularly relevant for older women with younger male partners as this may exacerbate the impact of advanced maternal age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was funded by the NIH Research Fellowship T35 Training Grant. There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor T Yu
- Department of Surgery, University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Joemy M Ramsay
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Joshua J Horns
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sunni L Mumford
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ann M Bruno
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jim Hotaling
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Dhillon VS, Shahid M, Deo P, Fenech M. Reduced SIRT1 and SIRT3 and Lower Antioxidant Capacity of Seminal Plasma Is Associated with Shorter Sperm Telomere Length in Oligospermic Men. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:718. [PMID: 38255792 PMCID: PMC10815409 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020718] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide and has a profound impact not only on their families, but also on communities. Telomere attrition has been associated with infertility, DNA damage and fragmentation. Oxidative stress has been shown to affect sperm DNA integrity and telomere length. Sirtuins such as SIRT1 and SIRT3 are involved in aging and oxidative stress response. The aim of the present study is to determine the role of SIRT1 and SIRT3 in regulating oxidative stress, telomere shortening, and their association with oligospermia. Therefore, we assessed the protein levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase activity (CAT) in the seminal plasma of 272 patients with oligospermia and 251 fertile men. We also measured sperm telomere length (STL) and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) using a standard real-time quantitative PCR assay. Sperm chromatin and protamine deficiency were also measured as per standard methods. Our results for oligospermic patients demonstrate significant reductions in semen parameters, shorter STL and LTL, lower levels of SOD, TAC, CAT, SIRT1 and SIRT3 levels, and also significant protamine deficiency and higher levels of MDA and DNA fragmentation. We conclude that a shorter TL in sperms and leukocytes is associated with increased oxidative stress that also accounts for high levels of DNA fragmentation in sperms. Our results support the hypothesis that various sperm parameters in the state of oligospermia are associated with or caused by reduced levels of SIRT1 and SIRT3 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varinderpal S. Dhillon
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (P.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Mohammad Shahid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Permal Deo
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (P.D.); (M.F.)
| | - Michael Fenech
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia; (P.D.); (M.F.)
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8
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Randell Z, Dehghanbanadaki H, Fendereski K, Jimbo M, Aston K, Hotaling J. Sperm telomere length in male-factor infertility and reproduction. Fertil Steril 2024; 121:12-25. [PMID: 37949346 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.11.001] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The underlying reasons for male-factor infertility are often unknown. 30% of all men have unexplained semen analysis abnormalities. Moreover, 15%-40% of infertile men have normal semen analyses. There have been increasing efforts to identify causes and associations that may explain idiopathic male-factor infertility. Telomeres have become an area of considerable interest in the field because of the essential roles they have in cellular division and genome integrity. Research to date most consistently supports that men with infertility have shorter sperm telomere length (STL); however, associations between shorter STL and meaningful reproductive health outcomes are less consistent. There is a major need for additional studies to better identify the role of STL in male reproductive health and use the information to improve the counseling and treatment of couples with idiopathic male-factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane Randell
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
| | - Hojat Dehghanbanadaki
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kiarad Fendereski
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Masaya Jimbo
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kenneth Aston
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - James Hotaling
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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9
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Kurashova NA, Dashiev BG, Kolesnikov SI, Kolesnikova LI. Oxidative Stress, Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity in Spermatogenesis Disorders (Review of Scientific Activity). Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 176:115-122. [PMID: 38189870 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-024-05979-3] [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: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The paper systematizes the available data on the study of oxidative stress, the relative length of telomeres, and telomerase activity in male infertility and disorders of spermatogenesis. The study of telomeres, the structures that protect chromosome ends and genome integrity, is of interest for researchers in various fields, from cell biology and epidemiology to ecology and evolutionary biology. The review includes our own data on the study of the relative length of telomeres, oxidative stress, and telomerase activity and reflects modern ideas about the importance of these structures both in the maintenance of genome stability during cell division and in gametogenesis and reproduction. Many studies indicate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including male infertility. In turn, studies of telomeres as a biomarker of male infertility are insufficient, and the results obtained are extremely controversial and require deeper knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the dynamics of telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Kurashova
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia.
| | - B G Dashiev
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - S I Kolesnikov
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
| | - L I Kolesnikova
- Scientific Center for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia
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10
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Gold NM, Okeke MN, He Y. Involvement of Inheritance in Determining Telomere Length beyond Environmental and Lifestyle Factors. Aging Dis 2023:AD.2023.1023. [PMID: 37962459 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.1023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
All linear chromosomal ends have specific DNA-protein complexes called telomeres. Telomeres serve as a "molecular clock" to estimate the potential length of cell replication. Shortening of telomere length (TL) is associated with cellular senescence, aging, and various age-related diseases in humans. Here we reviewed the structure, function, and regulation of telomeres and the age-related diseases associated with telomere attrition. Among the various determinants of TL, we highlight the connection between TL and heredity to provide a new overview of genetic determinants for TL. Studies across multiple species have shown that maternal and paternal TL influence the TL of their offspring, and this may affect life span and their susceptibility to age-related diseases. Hence, we reviewed the linkage between TL and parental influences and the proposed mechanisms involved. More in-depth studies on the genetic mechanism for TL attrition are needed due to the potential application of this knowledge in human medicine to prevent premature frailty at its earliest stage, as well as promote health and longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naheemat Modupeola Gold
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic, Evolution and Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Michael Ngozi Okeke
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center for Nanomedical Technology Research, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yonghan He
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic, Evolution and Animal Models, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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11
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Lu ZH, Sun B, Wang YX, Wu YR, Chen YJ, Sun SZ, Liang SJ, Xu S, Chang H, Chen HG, Zhang J. Ozone exposure associates with sperm quality indicators: Sperm telomere length as a potential mediating factor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132292. [PMID: 37591176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence linking O3 exposure and human semen quality is limited and conflicting and the mechanism underlying the association remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the associations between ambient O3 exposure and sperm quality parameters and explored the mediating role of sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and sperm telomere length (STL) among 1068 potential sperm donors who provided 5002 repeated semen samples over approximately 90 days. We found that every 10 μg/m3 increase in O3 exposure was associated with a decrease in STL, sperm concentration, total count, total motile sperm number, and semen volume. However, O3 exposure was associated with increased total motility and progressive motility. The association for sperm quality parameters was stronger when exposure was measured at spermatogenesis stages I and II. For STL, the strongest association was observed when exposure was measured at spermatogenesis stage II. Additionally, we found that approximately 9% and 8% of the association between O3 exposure and sperm concentration and count was mediated by STL, respectively. In summary, our findings suggest that O3 pollution may affect sperm telomere length, eventually leading to reduced semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Hua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Division of Birth Cohort Study, Fujian Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Departments of Nutrition and Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ya-Ru Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yu-Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Sheng-Zhi Sun
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Jia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Song Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hao Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Heng-Gui Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Clinical Research and Translation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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12
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Gourinat A, Mazeaud C, Hubert J, Eschwege P, Koscinski I. Impact of paternal age on assisted reproductive technology outcomes and offspring health: a systematic review. Andrology 2023; 11:973-986. [PMID: 36640151 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increase in paternal age and the percentage of births after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may have consequences on offspring and society's position regarding access to ART must be questioned. Most countries recommend limiting ART to men under 60 years. What is the rationale for this threshold? OBJECTIVE This systematic review assesses scientific arguments to establish links between paternal age, male fertility, and offspring health. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using the PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of the literature analyzed 111 articles selected after screening PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science for articles published between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2021. RESULTS A strong correlation was highlighted between advanced paternal age and a decrease of some sperm parameters (semen volume and sperm motility) and infant morbidity (exponentially increased incidence of achondroplasia and Apert syndrome, and more moderately increased incidence of autism and schizophrenia). The impact of paternal age on pregnancy and fetal aneuploidy rates is more controversial. No association was found with spontaneous abortion rates. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The scientific parameters should be explained to older parents undergoing ART. And for countries that discuss a limit on paternal age for access to ART, the debate requires consideration of social and ethical arguments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jacques Hubert
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, Nancy, France
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13
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Biswas U, Deb Mallik T, Pschirer J, Lesche M, Sameith K, Jessberger R. Cohesin SMC1β promotes closed chromatin and controls TERRA expression at spermatocyte telomeres. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201798. [PMID: 37160312 PMCID: PMC10172765 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous data showed that meiotic cohesin SMC1β protects spermatocyte telomeres from damage. The underlying reason, however, remained unknown as the expressions of telomerase and shelterin components were normal in Smc1β -/- spermatocytes. Here. we report that SMC1β restricts expression of the long noncoding RNA TERRA (telomeric repeat containing RNA) in spermatocytes. In somatic cell lines increased TERRA was reported to cause telomere damage through altering telomere chromatin structure. In Smc1β -/- spermatocytes, we observed strongly increased levels of TERRA which accumulate on damaged chromosomal ends, where enhanced R-loop formation was found. This suggested a more open chromatin configuration near telomeres in Smc1β -/- spermatocytes, which was confirmed by ATAC-seq. Telomere-distal regions were not affected by the absence of SMC1β but RNA-seq revealed increased transcriptional activity in telomere-proximal regions. Thus, SMC1β promotes closed chromatin specifically near telomeres and limits TERRA expression in spermatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddipta Biswas
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tanaya Deb Mallik
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Pschirer
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthias Lesche
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Genome Center Technology Platform, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Sameith
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Genome Center Technology Platform, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rolf Jessberger
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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14
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Gouhier C, Pons-Rejraji H, Dollet S, Chaput L, Bourgne C, Berger M, Pereira B, Tchirkov A, Brugnon F. Freezing Does Not Alter Sperm Telomere Length despite Increasing DNA Oxidation and Fragmentation. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051039. [PMID: 37239399 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Correlations were reported between sperm telomere length (STL) and male fertility, sperm DNA fragmentation, and oxidation. Sperm freezing is widely used for assisted reproductive techniques, fertility preservation, and sperm donation. However, its impact on STL remains unknown. For this study, semen surplus from patients who underwent routine semen analysis were used. The impact of slow freezing on STL was analyzed by performing qPCR before and after freezing. Sperm populations with different STL were evaluated using Q-FISH. The relationship between sperm DNA oxidation, DNA fragmentation, and STL was assessed in fresh and frozen sperm samples. No significant impact of slow freezing on STL was observed, neither measured by qPCR nor Q-FISH. However, Q-FISH allowed for the distinguishing of sperm populations with different STLs within individual sperm samples. Slow freezing induced different STL distributions for some of the analyzed sperm samples, but no correlation was found between STL and sperm DNA fragmentation or oxidation. Slow freezing does not alter STL despite increasing sperm DNA oxidation and fragmentation. As STL alterations could be transmitted to offspring, the lack of impact of the slow freezing method on STL ensures the safety of this procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlène Gouhier
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Laboratoire AMP-CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hanae Pons-Rejraji
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Laboratoire AMP-CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- UMR 1240 INSERM, IMoST, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sandra Dollet
- UMR 1240 INSERM, IMoST, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laure Chaput
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Laboratoire AMP-CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- UMR 1240 INSERM, IMoST, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Céline Bourgne
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, Laboratoire d'Hématologie Biologique, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marc Berger
- CHU Clermont Ferrand, Laboratoire d'Hématologie Biologique, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno Pereira
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, DRCI-Délégation Recherche Clinique et Innovation, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Andrei Tchirkov
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Service de Cytogénétique Médicale, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Florence Brugnon
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Laboratoire AMP-CECOS, F-63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- UMR 1240 INSERM, IMoST, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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15
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Chieffi Baccari G, Iurato G, Santillo A, Dale B. Male Germ Cell Telomeres and Chemical Pollutants. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050745. [PMID: 37238614 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050745] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, male infertility has been correlated with the shortening of sperm telomeres. Telomeres regulate the reproductive lifespan by mediating the synapsis and homologous recombination of chromosomes during gametogenesis. They are composed of thousands of hexanucleotide DNA repeats (TTAGGG) that are coupled to specialized shelterin complex proteins and non-coding RNAs. Telomerase activity in male germ cells ensures that the telomere length is maintained at maximum levels during spermatogenesis, despite telomere shortening due to DNA replication or other genotoxic factors such as environmental pollutants. An emerging body of evidence has associated an exposure to pollutants with male infertility. Although telomeric DNA may be one of the important targets of environmental pollutants, only a few authors have considered it as a conventional parameter for sperm function. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive and up-to-date data on the research carried out so far on the structure/function of telomeres in spermatogenesis and the influence of environmental pollutants on their functionality. The link between pollutant-induced oxidative stress and telomere length in germ cells is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Chieffi Baccari
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Santillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Brian Dale
- Centro Fecondazione Assistita (CFA-Italia), 80127 Napoli, Italy
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16
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Kaltsas A, Moustakli E, Zikopoulos A, Georgiou I, Dimitriadis F, Symeonidis EN, Markou E, Michaelidis TM, Tien DMB, Giannakis I, Ioannidou EM, Papatsoris A, Tsounapi P, Takenaka A, Sofikitis N, Zachariou A. Impact of Advanced Paternal Age on Fertility and Risks of Genetic Disorders in Offspring. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:486. [PMID: 36833413 PMCID: PMC9957550 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The average age of fathers at first pregnancy has risen significantly over the last decade owing to various variables, including a longer life expectancy, more access to contraception, later marriage, and other factors. As has been proven in several studies, women over 35 years of age have an increased risk of infertility, pregnancy problems, spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, and postnatal issues. There are varying opinions on whether a father's age affects the quality of his sperm or his ability to father a child. First, there is no single accepted definition of old age in a father. Second, much research has reported contradictory findings in the literature, particularly concerning the most frequently examined criteria. Increasing evidence suggests that the father's age contributes to his offspring's higher vulnerability to inheritable diseases. Our comprehensive literature evaluation shows a direct correlation between paternal age and decreased sperm quality and testicular function. Genetic abnormalities, such as DNA mutations and chromosomal aneuploidies, and epigenetic modifications, such as the silencing of essential genes, have all been linked to the father's advancing years. Paternal age has been shown to affect reproductive and fertility outcomes, such as the success rate of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and premature birth rate. Several diseases, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and paediatric leukaemia, have been linked to the father's advanced years. Therefore, informing infertile couples of the alarming correlations between older fathers and a rise in their offspring's diseases is crucial, so that they can be effectively guided through their reproductive years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aris Kaltsas
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Efthalia Moustakli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics in Clinical Practice, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Athanasios Zikopoulos
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics in Clinical Practice, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Fotios Dimitriadis
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos N. Symeonidis
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleftheria Markou
- Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theologos M. Michaelidis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technologies, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dung Mai Ba Tien
- Department of Andrology, Binh Dan Hospital, Ho chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
| | - Ioannis Giannakis
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | | | - Athanasios Papatsoris
- 2nd Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Sismanoglio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian Univesity of Athens, 15126 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Tsounapi
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takenaka
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Nikolaos Sofikitis
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Athanasios Zachariou
- Laboratory of Spermatology, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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17
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Fattet AJ, Chaillot M, Koscinski I. Telomere Length, a New Biomarker of Male (in)Fertility? A Systematic Review of the Literature. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:425. [PMID: 36833352 PMCID: PMC9957201 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Male factors are suspected in around half cases of infertility, of which up to 40% are diagnosed as idiopathic. In the context of a continuously increased resort to ART and increased decline of semen parameters, it is of greatest interest to evaluate an additional potential biomarker of sperm quality. According to PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review of the literature selected studies evaluating telomere length in sperm and/or in leukocytes as a potential male fertility biomarker. Twenty-two publications (3168 participants) were included in this review of experimental evidence. For each study, authors determined if there was a correlation between telomere length and semen parameters or fertility outcomes. Of the 13 studies concerning sperm telomere length (STL) and semen parameters, ten found an association between short STL and altered parameters. Concerning the impact of STL on ART results, the data are conflicting. However, eight of the 13 included studies about fertility found significantly longer sperm telomeres in fertile men than in infertile men. In leukocytes, the seven studies reported conflicting findings. Shorter sperm telomeres appear to be associated with altered semen parameters or male infertility. Telomere length may be considered as a new molecular marker of spermatogenesis and sperm quality, and thus is related to male fertility potential. However, additional studies are needed to define the place of the STL in the assessment of individual fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Julie Fattet
- Centre d’AMP Majorelle-Atoutbio, 95 Rue Ambroise Paré, 54000 Nancy, France
| | - Maxime Chaillot
- Service de Médecine et Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, 38 Boulevard Jean Monnet, 44000 Nantes, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Isabelle Koscinski
- Inserm U1256, Nutrition Genetics Environmental Risks Exposure (NGERE), Université de Lorraine, 54000 Nancy, France
- Centre d’AMP Hôpital Saint Joseph, 26 Bd de Louvain, 13008 Marseille, France
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18
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Liu C, Chen YJ, Sun B, Chen HG, Mustieles V, Messerlian C, Sun Y, Meng TQ, Lu WQ, Pan XF, Xiong CL, Hou J, Wang YX. Blood trihalomethane concentrations in relation to sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number and telomere length among 958 healthy men. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114737. [PMID: 36372149 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In animal and human studies, exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) has been associated with reduced semen quality. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations of blood THM concentrations with sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and telomere length (TL) among healthy men. METHODS We recruited 958 men who volunteered as potential sperm donors. A single blood sample was collected from each participant at recruitment and measured for chloroform (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and bromoform (TBM) concentrations. Within a 90-day follow-up, the last semen sample provided by each participant was quantified for sperm mtDNAcn and TL. We used multivariable linear regression models to assess the associations between blood THM concentrations and sperm mtDNAcn and TL. We also performed stratified analyses according to the time intervals between baseline blood THM determinations and semen collection (i.e., 0-9, 10-14, 15-69, or >69 days) to explore potential windows of susceptibility. RESULTS After adjusting for potential confounders, we found inverse associations between quartiles (or categories) of blood TBM, brominated THM (Br-THM, the sum of BDCM, DBCM, and TBM), and total THM (TTHM, the sum of all four THMs) concentrations and sperm mtDNAcn (all P for trend≤0.03). Besides, we found inverse associations between quartiles of blood TCM, Br-THM, chlorinated THM (Cl-THM, the sum of TCM, BDCM, and DBCM), and TTHM concentrations and sperm TL (all P for trend<0.10). Stratified analyses showed stronger associations between Br-THM concentrations and sperm mtDNAcn determined 15-69 days since baseline exposure determinations, and between blood TCM and TTHM concentrations and sperm TL determined >69 days since baseline exposure determinations. CONCLUSION Exposure to THMs may be associated with sperm mitochondrial and telomeric dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, And State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Ying-Jun Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Bin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, And State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Heng-Gui Chen
- Clinical Research and Translation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM); Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Messerlian
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tian-Qing Meng
- Hubei Province Human Sperm Bank, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Wen-Qing Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, And State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (incubating), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiong-Fei Pan
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Chen-Liang Xiong
- Hubei Province Human Sperm Bank, Center of Reproductive Medicine, Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, PR China.
| | - Jian Hou
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, PR China.
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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19
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Moazamian A, Gharagozloo P, Aitken RJ, Drevet JR. OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Sperm telomeres, oxidative stress, and infertility. Reproduction 2022; 164:F125-F133. [PMID: 35938805 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Oxidative stress is recognized as an underlying driving factor of both telomere dysfunction and human subfertility/infertility. This review briefly reassesses telomere integrity as a fertility biomarker before proposing a novel, mechanistic rationale for the role of oxidative stress in the seemingly paradoxical lengthening of sperm telomeres with aging. Abstract The maintenance of redox balance in the male reproductive tract is critical to sperm health and function. Physiological levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote sperm capacitation, while excess ROS exposure, or depleted antioxidant defenses, yields a state of oxidative stress which disrupts their fertilizing capacity and DNA structural integrity. The guanine moiety is the most readily oxidized of the four DNA bases and gets converted to the mutagenic lesion 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Numerous studies have also confirmed oxidative stress as a driving factor behind accelerated telomere shortening and dysfunction. Although a clear consensus has not been reached, clinical studies also appear to associate telomere integrity with fertility outcomes in the assisted reproductive technology setting. Intriguingly, while sperm cellular and molecular characteristics make them more susceptible to oxidative insult than any other cell type, they are also the only cell type in which telomere lengthening accompanies aging. This article focuses on the oxidative stress response pathways to propose a mechanism for the explanation of this apparent paradox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aron Moazamian
- CellOxess LLC, Ewing, New Jersey, USA.,Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD Institute, CNRS-INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Robert J Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joël R Drevet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD Institute, CNRS-INSERM, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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20
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Lupatov AY, Yarygin KN. Telomeres and Telomerase in the Control of Stem Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102335. [PMID: 36289597 PMCID: PMC9598777 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells serve as a source of cellular material in embryogenesis and postnatal growth and regeneration. This requires significant proliferative potential ensured by sufficient telomere length. Telomere attrition in the stem cells and their niche cells can result in the exhaustion of the regenerative potential of high-turnover organs, causing or contributing to the onset of age-related diseases. In this review, stem cells are examined in the context of the current telomere-centric theory of cell aging, which assumes that telomere shortening depends not just on the number of cell doublings (mitotic clock) but also on the influence of various internal and external factors. The influence of the telomerase and telomere length on the functional activity of different stem cell types, as well as on their aging and prospects of use in cell therapy applications, is discussed.
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21
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Ribas-Maynou J, Llavanera M, Mateo-Otero Y, Ruiz N, Muiño R, Bonet S, Yeste M. Telomere length in bovine sperm is related to the production of reactive oxygen species, but not to reproductive performance. Theriogenology 2022; 189:290-300. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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22
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Telomere Length in Pig Sperm Is Related to In Vitro Embryo Development Outcomes. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12020204. [PMID: 35049825 PMCID: PMC8773156 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Understanding how gamete chromatin influences fertilization is highly important not only to improve animal production, but also to develop new biomarkers helping in the selection of those animals with higher fertility potential. In this regard, sperm telomere length has been pointed out as a putative biomarker in human infertility, but no studies have been conducted into its influence in pig fertility. Here, we determined that sperm telomere length is independent from the conventional sperm quality parameters and, through the production of in vitro embryos, we showed that it is indicative of the percentage of morulae and blastocysts, thus becoming useful to be used as biomarker in this species. Abstract Telomere length has attracted much interest as a topic of study in human reproduction; furthermore, the link between sperm telomere length and fertility outcomes has been investigated in other species. This biomarker, however, has not been much explored in other animals, such as pigs, and whether it is related to sperm quality and fertility outcomes remains unknown. The present work aimed to determine the absolute value of telomere length in pig sperm, as well as its relationship to sperm quality parameters and embryo development. Telomere length was determined through quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (qFISH) in 23 pig sperm samples and data were correlated to quality parameters (motility, morphology, and viability) and in vitro fertilization outcomes. We found that the mean telomere length in pig sperm was 22.1 ± 3.6 kb, which is longer than that previously described in humans. Whilst telomere length was not observed to be correlated to sperm quality variables (p > 0.05), a significant correlation between telomere length and the percentage of morulae 6 days after in vitro fertilization was observed (rs = 0.559; 95% C.I. = (−0.007 to 0.854); p = 0.047). Interestingly, this correlation was not found when percentages of early blastocysts/blastocysts (rs = 0.410; 95% C.I. = (−0.200 to 0.791); p = 0.164) and of hatching/hatched blastocysts (rs = 0.356; 95% C.I. = (− 0.260 to 0.766); p = 0.233) were considered. Through the separation of the samples into two groups by the median value, statistically significant differences between samples with shorter telomeres than the median and samples with longer telomeres than the median were found regarding development to morula (11.5 ± 3.6 vs. 21.8 ± 6.9, respectively) and to early blastocyst/blastocysts (7.6 ± 1.4 vs. 17.9 ± 12.2, respectively) (p < 0.05). In the light of these results, sperm telomere length may be a useful biomarker for embryo development in pigs, as sperm with longer telomeres lead to higher rates of morulae and blastocysts.
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23
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Yuan Y, Tan Y, Qiu X, Luo H, Li Y, Li R, Yang X. Sperm telomere length as a novel biomarker of male infertility and embryonic development: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1079966. [PMID: 36714598 PMCID: PMC9875015 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1079966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres have an essential role in maintaining the integrity and stability of the human chromosomal genome and preserving essential DNA biological functions. Several articles have been published on the association of STL with male semen parameters and clinical pregnancy. The results, however, are either inconclusive or inconsistent. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to systematically assess the accuracy and clinical value of sperm telomere length (STL) as a new marker for diagnosing male infertility and predicting the quality of embryonic development. METHODS We performed a comprehensive systematic search for relevant publications in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Ovid, from database build to August 2022. All experimental studies exploring the association of STL with male semen quality, male infertility, or embryonic development were included. RESULTS Overall, Twelve prospective observational cohort studies (1700 patients) were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed a positive linear correlation between STL and semen parameters. The optimal cut-off value for STL diagnosing male infertility was 1.0, with a sensitivity and specificity of 80%. Regarding STL and embryonic development, the clinical pregnancy rate was associated with longer STL, and there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding fertilization rate. CONCLUSION Our study showed that STL has good diagnostic and predictive value for male fertility and clinical pregnancy and could be used as a new biomarker for diagnosing male infertility and predicting embryonic development. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022303333.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacheng Yuan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Tan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Qiu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hengfeng Luo
- The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Li
- The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Li
- The First Clinical Medical College of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xukai Yang
- Department of Urology, The 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xukai Yang,
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24
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Nassan FL, Priskorn L, Salas-Huetos A, Halldorsson TI, Jensen TK, Jørgensen N, Chavarro JE. Association between intake of soft drinks and testicular function in young men. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:3036-3048. [PMID: 34585250 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) or artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) associated with testicular function in young men? SUMMARY ANSWER Among young men unaware of their semen quality and reproductive hormone levels, intake of SSBs was associated with lower sperm concentration, lower total sperm count, and a lower ratio of serum inhibin-B/FSH. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY SSBs may adversely impact testicular function, but results are not consistent across studies. Moreover, the associations of ASB, energy-drinks or fruit juices with testicular function are unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Young healthy men and unselected for fertility status men enrolled in a cross-sectional study between 2008 and 2017. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A total of 2935 young (median age: 19 years) men enrolled in the study. Intake of SSBs, ASBs, fruit juices, and energy-drinks was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Testicular function was assessed through conventional semen quality parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, total count, motility and morphology), testicular volume assessed with ultrasound, and serum reproductive hormone concentrations (total testosterone, free testosterone, E2, inhibin-B, LH, FSH, sex hormone-binding globulin) were measured. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In multivariable-adjusted analyses, men in the highest category of SSB intake (median: 1.1 servings (∼220 ml)/day) had a 13.2 million/ml lower median sperm concentration (95% CI: -21.0, -5.5) than non-consumers. A similar pattern was observed with total sperm count (-28 million (95% CI: -48, -9)), serum inhibin-B (-12 pg/ml (95% CI: -21, -4)), and inhibin-B/FSH ratio (-9 (95% CI: -18, 0)). The adjusted median difference in sperm concentration and inhibin-B associated with increasing SSB intake by 1 serving (∼200ml)/day at the expense of water was -3.4 million sperm/ml (95% CI: -5.8, -1.0) and -7 pg/ml (95% CI: -11, -3), respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Inferring causality is limited owing to the cross-sectional design. We adjusted for a number of potential confounders but cannot exclude that unmeasured lifestyle and behavior associated with soft drink intake is associated with testicular function in these young men. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS In the largest study to date, intake of SSBs was associated with lower sperm concentration, total sperm count, and serum inhibin-B/FSH ratio, consistent with a direct suppressive effect of SSB intake on testicular function among otherwise healthy men, potentially affecting fertility. However, the observed association between higher SSB intake and lower semen quality does not necessarily imply a decrease in fertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Supported by research from the Danish Council for Strategic Research (2101-08-0058), Independent Research Fund Denmark (8020-00218B), European Union (212844), the Kirsten and Freddy Johansen's Foundation (95-103-72087), the Research Fund of the Capital Region of Denmark (A6176), and the NIH (P30DK046200). The authors report no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- F L Nassan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Salas-Huetos
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - T I Halldorsson
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Centre for Foetal Programming, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - T K Jensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - N Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J E Chavarro
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Panner Selvam MK, Baskaran S, Sikka SC. Telomere Signaling and Maintenance Pathways in Spermatozoa of Infertile Men Treated With Antioxidants: An in silico Approach Using Bioinformatic Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:768510. [PMID: 34708049 PMCID: PMC8542908 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.768510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere shortening is considered as a marker of cellular senescence and it is regulated by various signaling pathways. Sperm telomere appears to play important role in its longevity and function. Antioxidant intake has been known to prevent the shortening of telomere. In the management of male infertility, antioxidants are commonly used to counterbalance the seminal oxidative stress. It is important to understand how antioxidants treatment may modulate telomere signaling in sperm. In the current study, we have identified 377 sperm proteins regulated by antioxidants based on data mining of published literature. Bioinformatic analysis revealed involvement of 399 upstream regulators and 806 master regulators associated with differentially expressed sperm proteins. Furthermore, upstream regulator analysis indicated activation of kinases (EGFR and MAPK3) and transcription factors (CCNE1, H2AX, MYC, RB1, and TP53). Hence, it is evident that antioxidant supplementation activates molecules associated with telomere function in sperm. The outcome of this in silico study suggests that antioxidant therapy has beneficial effects on certain transcription factors and kinases associated with sperm telomere maintenance and associated signaling pathways that may play an important role in the management of male factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saradha Baskaran
- Department of Urology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Suresh C Sikka
- Department of Urology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
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26
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Balmori C, Cordova-Oriz I, De Alba G, Medrano M, Jiménez-Tormo L, Polonio AM, Chico-Sordo L, Pacheco A, García-Velasco JA, Varela E. Effects of age and oligosthenozoospermia on telomeres of sperm and blood cells. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:1090-1100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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27
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Amirzadegan M, Sadeghi N, Tavalaee M, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Analysis of leukocyte and sperm telomere length in oligozoospermic men. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14204. [PMID: 34369610 DOI: 10.1111/and.14204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length is considered one of the most relevant biological markers of genomic stability since it protects DNA from impairment and also ensures chromosome alignment during DNA replication. The negative impact of telomere shortening on sperm quality has been suggested as an important indicator of male infertility. Therefore, we aimed to assess leucocyte and sperm telomere length (LTL&STL), as well as sperm parameters, DNA damage and protamine deficiency in men with oligozoospermia as compared to fertile men. Our results demonstrated a significant reduction in sperm parameters (concentration, motility, morphology), LTL & STL and a significant increase in sperm DNA damage and protamine deficiency in oligozoospermic men compared with fertile individuals. These outcomes revealed that low sperm concentration in men is possibly a sign of impaired meiotic and/or meiotic division during the spermatogenesis process. It is not only associated with proper chromatin packaging but also with telomere length as a key player in the process of mitosis and meiosis, assisting in chromosomal alignment, pairing, synapsis and crossing over during spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Amirzadegan
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Niloofar Sadeghi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - 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.,Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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28
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Chico-Sordo L, Córdova-Oriz I, Polonio AM, S-Mellado LS, Medrano M, García-Velasco JA, Varela E. Reproductive aging and telomeres: Are women and men equally affected? Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 198:111541. [PMID: 34245740 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Successful reproduction is very important for individuals and for society. Currently, the human health span and lifespan are the object of intense and productive investigation with great achievements, compared to the last century. However, reproduction span does not progress concomitantly with lifespan. Reproductive organs age, decreasing the levels of sexual hormones, which are protectors of health through their action on several organs of the body. Thus, this is the starting point of the organismal decay and infertility. This starting point is easily detected in women. In men, it goes under the surface, undetected, but it goes, nevertheless. Regarding fertility, aging alters the hormonal equilibrium, decreases the potential of reproductive organs, diminishes the quality of the gametes and worsen the reproductive outcomes. All these events happen at a different pace and affecting different organs in women and men. The question is what molecular pathways are involved in reproductive aging and if there is a possible halting or even reversion of the aging events. Answers to all these points will be explained in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Chico-Sordo
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Isabel Córdova-Oriz
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Alba María Polonio
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Lucía Sánchez S-Mellado
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Marta Medrano
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan Antonio García-Velasco
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Madrid, Spain; Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Elisa Varela
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IISLAFE), Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
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29
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Gentiluomo M, Luddi A, Cingolani A, Fornili M, Governini L, Lucenteforte E, Baglietto L, Piomboni P, Campa D. Telomere Length and Male Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083959. [PMID: 33921254 PMCID: PMC8069448 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, telomeres have attracted increasing attention due to the role they play in human fertility. However, conflicting results have been reported on the possible association between sperm telomere length (STL) and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and the quality of the sperm parameters. The aim of this study was to run a comprehensive study to investigate the role of STL and LTL in male spermatogenesis and infertility. Moreover, the association between the sperm parameters and 11 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), identified in the literature for their association with telomere length (TL), was investigated. We observed no associations between sperm parameters and STL nor LTL. For the individual SNPs, we observed five statistically significant associations with sperm parameters: considering a p < 0.05. Namely, ACYP2˗rs11125529 and decreased sperm motility (p = 0.03); PXK˗rs6772228 with a lower sperm count (p = 0.02); NAF1˗rs7675998 with increased probability of having abnormal acrosomes (p = 0.03) and abnormal flagellum (p = 0.04); ZNF208˗rs8105767 and reduction of sperms with normal heads (p = 0.009). This study suggests a moderate involvement of telomere length in male fertility; however, in our analyses four SNPs were weakly associated with sperm variables, suggesting the SNPs to be pleiotropic and involved in other regulatory mechanisms independent of telomere homeostasis, but involved in the spermatogenic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Gentiluomo
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Alice Luddi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Annapaola Cingolani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.C.)
| | - Marco Fornili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (E.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Governini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.G.)
| | - Ersilia Lucenteforte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (E.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Baglietto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.F.); (E.L.); (L.B.)
| | - Paola Piomboni
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Siena University, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-057-758-6632
| | - Daniele Campa
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.G.); (A.C.); (D.C.)
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30
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Berby B, Bichara C, Rives-Feraille A, Jumeau F, Pizio PD, Sétif V, Sibert L, Dumont L, Rondanino C, Rives N. Oxidative Stress Is Associated with Telomere Interaction Impairment and Chromatin Condensation Defects in Spermatozoa of Infertile Males. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10040593. [PMID: 33921485 PMCID: PMC8069055 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10040593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length can be influenced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by lifestyle factors or environmental exposure. We sought to determine whether oxidative stress has an impact on sperm nuclear alterations, especially on chromatin organization and telomere interactions in the spermatozoa of infertile males. We performed an observational and prospective study including fifty-two males, allocated in the "case group" (30 infertile males presenting conventional semen parameter alterations) and the "control group" (22 males with normal conventional semen parameters). ROS detection was determined on spermatozoa using CellROX© probes. Sperm nuclear damage was assessed using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (Q-FISH) for relative telomere length and telomere number, aniline blue staining for chromatin condensation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling for DNA fragmentation, and FISH for aneuploidy and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine immunostaining for oxidative DNA damages. Infertile males had significantly increased levels of cytoplasmic ROS and chromatin condensation defects as well as a higher mean number of telomere signals per spermatozoon in comparison with controls. In addition, the mean number of sperm telomere signals were positively correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with chromatin condensation defect. In infertile males with conventional semen parameter alterations, oxidative stress is associated with telomere interaction impairment and chromatin condensation defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Berby
- Biology of Reproduction—CECOS Laboratory, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (B.B.); (C.B.); (A.R.-F.); (F.J.); (P.D.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Cynthia Bichara
- Biology of Reproduction—CECOS Laboratory, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (B.B.); (C.B.); (A.R.-F.); (F.J.); (P.D.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Aurélie Rives-Feraille
- Biology of Reproduction—CECOS Laboratory, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (B.B.); (C.B.); (A.R.-F.); (F.J.); (P.D.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Fanny Jumeau
- Biology of Reproduction—CECOS Laboratory, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (B.B.); (C.B.); (A.R.-F.); (F.J.); (P.D.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Pierre Di Pizio
- Biology of Reproduction—CECOS Laboratory, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (B.B.); (C.B.); (A.R.-F.); (F.J.); (P.D.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Véronique Sétif
- Biology of Reproduction—CECOS Laboratory, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (B.B.); (C.B.); (A.R.-F.); (F.J.); (P.D.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Louis Sibert
- Department of Urology—Andrology, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France;
| | - Ludovic Dumont
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (L.D.); (C.R.)
| | - Chistine Rondanino
- Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (L.D.); (C.R.)
| | - Nathalie Rives
- Biology of Reproduction—CECOS Laboratory, Rouen University Hospital, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 “Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality”, F 76000 Rouen, France; (B.B.); (C.B.); (A.R.-F.); (F.J.); (P.D.P.); (V.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-2-3288-8225
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Rocca MS, Dusi L, Di Nisio A, Alviggi E, Iussig B, Bertelle S, De Toni L, Garolla A, Foresta C, Ferlin A. TERRA: A Novel Biomarker of Embryo Quality and Art Outcome. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040475. [PMID: 33806168 PMCID: PMC8066328 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are considered to be an internal biological clock, and their progressive shortening has been associated with the risk of age-related diseases and reproductive alterations. Over recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the association between telomere length and fertility, identifying sperm telomere length (STL) as a novel biomarker of male fertility. Although typically considered to be repeated DNA sequences, telomeres have recently been shown to also include a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) known as TERRA (telomeric repeat-containing RNAs). Interestingly, males with idiopathic infertility show reduced testicular TERRA expression, suggesting a link between TERRA and male fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of seminal TERRA expression in embryo quality. To this end, STL and TERRA expression were quantified by Real Time qPCR in the semen of 35 men who underwent assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and 30 fertile men. We found that TERRA expression in semen and STL was reduced in patients that underwent ART (both p < 0.001). Interestingly, TERRA and STL expressions were positively correlated (p = 0.010), and TERRA expression was positively associated with embryo quality (p < 0.001). These preliminary findings suggest a role for TERRA in the maintenance of sperm telomere integrity during gametogenesis, and for the first time, TERRA expression was found as a predictive factor for embryo quality in the setting of assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Santa Rocca
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (A.D.N.).; (L.D.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Ludovica Dusi
- GENERA Veneto, GENERA Center for Reproductive Medicine, 36063 Marostica, Italy; (L.D.); (B.I.); (S.B.)
| | - Andrea Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (A.D.N.).; (L.D.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Erminia Alviggi
- Clinica Ruesch, GENERA Center for Reproductive Medicine, 80122 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Benedetta Iussig
- GENERA Veneto, GENERA Center for Reproductive Medicine, 36063 Marostica, Italy; (L.D.); (B.I.); (S.B.)
| | - Sara Bertelle
- GENERA Veneto, GENERA Center for Reproductive Medicine, 36063 Marostica, Italy; (L.D.); (B.I.); (S.B.)
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (A.D.N.).; (L.D.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Andrea Garolla
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (A.D.N.).; (L.D.T.); (A.G.)
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.S.R.); (A.D.N.).; (L.D.T.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0498218517
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy;
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Gavia-García G, Rosado-Pérez J, Arista-Ugalde TL, Aguiñiga-Sánchez I, Santiago-Osorio E, Mendoza-Núñez VM. Telomere Length and Oxidative Stress and Its Relation with Metabolic Syndrome Components in the Aging. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040253. [PMID: 33804844 PMCID: PMC8063797 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary A link between telomere length and some age-related diseases has been identified, including metabolic syndrome. So far, there is no mechanism to explain the origin or cause of telomere shortening in this syndrome; however, oxidative stress is a constant factor. Therefore, we reviewed scientific evidence that supported the association between oxidative stress and telomere length dynamics, also examining how each of the metabolic syndrome components individually affects the length. In this regard, there is strong scientific evidence that an increase in the number of metabolic syndrome components is associated with a shorter telomere length, oxidative damage at the lipid and DNA level, and inflammation, as well as its other components, such as obesity, hyperglycemia, and hypertension, while for dyslipidemia, there is a little more discrepancy. The difficulty for the correct treatment of metabolic syndrome lies in its multifactorial nature. Hence, there is a need to carry out more studies on healthy lifestyles during aging to prevent and reduce oxidative damage and telomere wear during aging, and consequently the progression of chronic degenerative diseases, thus improving the living conditions of older people.
Abstract A great amount of scientific evidence supports that Oxidative Stress (OxS) can contribute to telomeric attrition and also plays an important role in the development of certain age-related diseases, among them the metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is characterised by clinical and biochemical alterations such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension, hyperglycaemia, and insulin resistance, all of which are considered as risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases, which are associated in turn with an increase of OxS. In this sense, we review scientific evidence that supports the association between OxS with telomere length (TL) dynamics and the relationship with MetS components in aging. It was analysed whether each MetS component affects the telomere length separately or if they all affect it together. Likewise, this review provides a summary of the structure and function of telomeres and telomerase, the mechanisms of telomeric DNA repair, how telomere length may influence the fate of cells or be linked to inflammation and the development of age-related diseases, and finally, how the lifestyles can affect telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graciela Gavia-García
- Research Unit on Gerontology, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico; (G.G.-G.); (J.R.-P.); (T.L.A.-U.)
| | - Juana Rosado-Pérez
- Research Unit on Gerontology, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico; (G.G.-G.); (J.R.-P.); (T.L.A.-U.)
| | - Taide Laurita Arista-Ugalde
- Research Unit on Gerontology, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico; (G.G.-G.); (J.R.-P.); (T.L.A.-U.)
| | - Itzen Aguiñiga-Sánchez
- Hematopoiesis and Leukemia Laboratory, Research Unit on Cell Differentiation and Cancer, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico; (I.A.-S.); (E.S.-O.)
| | - Edelmiro Santiago-Osorio
- Hematopoiesis and Leukemia Laboratory, Research Unit on Cell Differentiation and Cancer, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico; (I.A.-S.); (E.S.-O.)
| | - Víctor Manuel Mendoza-Núñez
- Research Unit on Gerontology, FES Zaragoza, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 09230, Mexico; (G.G.-G.); (J.R.-P.); (T.L.A.-U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-55-5623-0721; Fax: +52-55-5773-6330
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Zhou L, Li L, Hao G, Li B, Yang S, Wang N, Liang J, Sun H, Ma S, Yan L, Zhao C, Wei Y, Niu Y, Zhang R. Sperm mtDNA copy number, telomere length, and seminal spermatogenic cells in relation to ambient air pollution: Results of a cross-sectional study in Jing-Jin-Ji region of China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 406:124308. [PMID: 33257117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Evidences on the association of air pollutants and semen quality were limited and mechanism-based biomarkers were sparse. We enrolled 423 men at a fertility clinic in Shijiazhuang, China to evaluate associations between air pollutants and semen quality parameters including the conventional ones, sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn), sperm telomere length (STL) and seminal spermatogenic cells. PM2.5, PM10, CO, SO2, NO2 and O3 exposure during lag0-90, lag0-9, lag10-14 and lag70-90 days were evaluated with ordinary Kringing model. The exposure-response correlations were analyzed with multiple linear regression models. CO, PM2.5 and PM10 were adversely associated with conventional semen parameters including sperm count, motility and morphology. Besides, CO was positively associated with seminal primary spermatocyte (lag70-90, 0.49; 0.14, 0.85) and mtDNAcn (lag0-90, 0.37; 0.12, 0.62, lag10-14, 0.31; 0.12, 0.49), negatively associated with STL (lag0-9, -0.30; -0.57, -0.03). PM2.5 was positively associated with mtDNAcn (0.50; 0.24, 0.75 and 0.38; 0.02, 0.75 for lag0-90 and lag70-90) while negatively associated with STL (lag70-90, -0.49; -0.96, -0.01). PM10 and NO2 were positively associated with mtDNAcn. Our findings indicate CO and PM might impair semen quality testicularly and post-testicularly while seminal spermatogenic cell, STL and mtDNAcn change indicate necessity for more attention on these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixiao Zhou
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Lipeng Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Guimin Hao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Binghua Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Sujuan Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Jiaming Liang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Hongyue Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Shitao Ma
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Lina Yan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Chunfang Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Schoolof Basic Medical Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yanjing Wei
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, School of Basic Medical Science, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Yujie Niu
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Environment and Human Health, Shijiazhuang 050017, PR China.
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M'kacher R, Colicchio B, Marquet V, Borie C, Najar W, Hempel WM, Heidingsfelder L, Oudrhiri N, Al Jawhari M, Wilhelm-Murer N, Miguet M, Dieterlen A, Deschênes G, Tabet AC, Junker S, Grynberg M, Fenech M, Bennaceur-Griscelli A, Voisin P, Carde P, Jeandidier E, Yardin C. Telomere aberrations, including telomere loss, doublets, and extreme shortening, are increased in patients with infertility. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:164-173. [PMID: 33272625 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that telomere shortening and/or loss are risk factors for infertility. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of the telomere status in patients with infertility using conventional cytogenetic data collected prospectively. SETTING Academic centers. PATIENT(S) Cytogenetic slides with cultured peripheral lymphocytes from 50 patients undergoing fertility treatment and 150 healthy donors, including 100 donors matched for age. INTERVENTION(S) Cytogenetic slides were used to detect chromosomal and telomere aberrations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Telomere length and telomere aberrations were analyzed after telomere and centromere staining. RESULT(S) The mean telomere length of patients consulting for infertility was significantly less than that of healthy donors of similar age. Moreover, patients with infertility showed significantly more extreme telomere loss and telomere doublet formation than healthy controls. Telomere shortening and/or telomere aberrations were more pronounced in patients with structural chromosomal aberrations. Dicentric chromosomes were identified in 6/13 patients, with constitutional chromosomal aberrations leading to chromosomal instability that correlated with chromosomal end-to-end fusions. CONCLUSION(S) Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of analyzing telomere aberrations in addition to chromosomal aberrations, using cytogenetic slides. Telomere attrition and/or dysfunction represent the main common cytogenetic characteristic of patients with infertility, leading to potential implications for fertility assessment. Pending further studies, these techniques that correlate the outcome of assisted reproduction and telomere integrity status may represent a novel and useful diagnostic and/or prognostic tool for medical care in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhia M'kacher
- Cell Environment, DNA Damage Research & Development, Paris, France.
| | - Bruno Colicchio
- Institut de Recherche en Informatique, Mathématiques, Automatique et Signal, Université de Haute-Alsace, Mulhouse, France
| | - Valentine Marquet
- Service de Cytogénétique, Génétique Médicale, et Biologie de la Reproduction Hôpital de la Mère et de l'Enfant, Centre hospitalo-universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
| | - Claire Borie
- Assitance Pubique-Hopitaux de Paris (APHP)-Service d'hématologie-Oncohématologie Moléculaire et Cytogénétique Hôpital Paul Brousse Université Paris Saclay/INSERM 935, Villejuif, France
| | - Wala Najar
- Cell Environment, DNA Damage Research & Development, Paris, France; Faculté de médecine Paris Centre, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - William M Hempel
- Cell Environment, DNA Damage Research & Development, Paris, France
| | | | - Noufissa Oudrhiri
- Assitance Pubique-Hopitaux de Paris (APHP)-Service d'hématologie-Oncohématologie Moléculaire et Cytogénétique Hôpital Paul Brousse Université Paris Saclay/INSERM 935, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Nadège Wilhelm-Murer
- Service de génétique Groupe Hospitalier de la Région de Mulhouse et Sud Alsace, Mulhouse, France
| | - Marguerite Miguet
- Service de génétique Groupe Hospitalier de la Région de Mulhouse et Sud Alsace, Mulhouse, France
| | - Alain Dieterlen
- Institut de Recherche en Informatique, Mathématiques, Automatique et Signal, Université de Haute-Alsace, Mulhouse, France
| | | | | | - Steffen Junker
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Grynberg
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Preservation, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | - Michael Fenech
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Genome Health Foundation, North Brighton, South Australia, Australia
| | - Annelise Bennaceur-Griscelli
- Assitance Pubique-Hopitaux de Paris (APHP)-Service d'hématologie-Oncohématologie Moléculaire et Cytogénétique Hôpital Paul Brousse Université Paris Saclay/INSERM 935, Villejuif, France
| | - Philippe Voisin
- Cell Environment, DNA Damage Research & Development, Paris, France
| | - Patrice Carde
- Department of Hematology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | - Eric Jeandidier
- Service de génétique Groupe Hospitalier de la Région de Mulhouse et Sud Alsace, Mulhouse, France
| | - Catherine Yardin
- Service de Cytogénétique, Génétique Médicale, et Biologie de la Reproduction Hôpital de la Mère et de l'Enfant, Centre hospitalo-universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France; CNRS, XLIM, UMR 7252, University of Limoges, Limoges, France
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Aitken RJ, De Iuliis GN, Nixon B. The Sins of Our Forefathers: Paternal Impacts on De Novo Mutation Rate and Development. Annu Rev Genet 2020; 54:1-24. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-112618-043617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are generally characterized by excellent DNA surveillance and repair, resulting in one of the lowest spontaneous mutation rates in the body. However, the barriers to mutagenesis can be overwhelmed under two sets of circumstances. First, replication errors may generate age-dependent mutations that provide the mutant cells with a selective advantage, leading to the clonal expansions responsible for dominant genetic diseases such as Apert syndrome and achondroplasia. The second mechanism centers on the vulnerability of the male germline to oxidative stress and the induction of oxidative DNA damage in spermatozoa. Defective repair of such oxidative damage in the fertilized oocyte results in the creation of mutations in the zygote that can influence the health and well-being of the offspring. A particular hot spot for such oxidative attack on chromosome 15 has been found to align with several mutations responsible for paternally mediated disease, including cancer, psychiatric disorders, and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales 2305, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales 2305, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales 2305, Australia
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van Lieshout SHJ, Sparks AM, Bretman A, Newman C, Buesching CD, Burke T, Macdonald DW, Dugdale HL. Estimation of environmental, genetic and parental age at conception effects on telomere length in a wild mammal. J Evol Biol 2020; 34:296-308. [PMID: 33113164 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Understanding individual variation in fitness-related traits requires separating the environmental and genetic determinants. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that are thought to be a biomarker of senescence as their length predicts mortality risk and reflect the physiological consequences of environmental conditions. The relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to individual variation in telomere length is, however, unclear, yet important for understanding its evolutionary dynamics. In particular, the evidence for transgenerational effects, in terms of parental age at conception, on telomere length is mixed. Here, we investigate the heritability of telomere length, using the 'animal model', and parental age at conception effects on offspring telomere length in a wild population of European badgers (Meles meles). Although we found no heritability of telomere length and low evolvability (<0.001), our power to detect heritability was low and a repeatability of 2% across individual lifetimes provides a low upper limit to ordinary narrow-sense heritability. However, year (32%) and cohort (3%) explained greater proportions of the phenotypic variance in telomere length, excluding qPCR plate and row variances. There was no support for cross-sectional or within-individual parental age at conception effects on offspring telomere length. Our results indicate a lack of transgenerational effects through parental age at conception and a low potential for evolutionary change in telomere length in this population. Instead, we provide evidence that individual variation in telomere length is largely driven by environmental variation in this wild mammal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sil H J van Lieshout
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Alexandra M Sparks
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Amanda Bretman
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Chris Newman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Abingdon, UK
| | - Christina D Buesching
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Abingdon, UK
| | - Terry Burke
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - David W Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Abingdon, UK
| | - Hannah L Dugdale
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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37
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Iannuzzi A, Della Valle G, Russo M, Longobardi V, Albero G, De Canditiis C, Kosior MA, Pistucci R, Gasparrini B. Evaluation of bovine sperm telomere length and association with semen quality. Theriogenology 2020; 158:227-232. [PMID: 32980685 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate if the sperm telomere length can be considered as a new biomarker for sperm quality in bulls. Sperm Telomere Length was evaluated by Monochrome Multiplex Quantitative PCR in group A (n = 8) and group B (n = 8) bulls, classified according to standard semen analysis. Also, this parameter was measured before and after Percoll gradient separation within bulls that produced semen of satisfactory quality. Sperm telomere length, measured as T/S ratio (average ratio of telomere repeats copy number to a single copy gene), was higher in group A than in group B bulls (0.77 ± 0.03 vs 0.43 ± 0.06; P < 0.01). Sperm telomere length was positively correlated with motility, viability and membrane integrity, and it was negatively correlated with sperm anomalies. Furthermore, Percoll gradient selected sperms with higher T/S ratio than unselected sperms (1.19 ± 0.02 vs 0.67 ± 0.03). These results suggest that sperm telomere length can be used as a new marker of bovine semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Iannuzzi
- National Research Council (CNR), ISPAAM, Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Genomics, Via Argine, 1085, 80147, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Della Valle
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Russo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy.
| | - Valentina Longobardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy; Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Albero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Carolina De Canditiis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Michal Andrzej Kosior
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Ramona Pistucci
- National Research Council (CNR), ISPAAM, Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Genomics, Via Argine, 1085, 80147, Naples, Italy
| | - Bianca Gasparrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University of Naples, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
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Heidinger BJ, Young RC. Cross‐Generational Effects of Parental Age on Offspring Longevity: Are Telomeres an Important Underlying Mechanism? Bioessays 2020; 42:e1900227. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201900227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Britt J. Heidinger
- Biological Sciences Department North Dakota State University Fargo ND 58108 USA
| | - Rebecca C. Young
- Biological Sciences Department North Dakota State University Fargo ND 58108 USA
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Brieño-Enríquez MA, Moak SL, Abud-Flores A, Cohen PE. Characterization of telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) localization and protein interactions in primordial germ cells of the mouse†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:950-962. [PMID: 30423030 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are dynamic nucleoprotein structures capping the physical ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. They consist of telomeric DNA repeats (TTAGGG), the shelterin protein complex, and telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA). Proposed TERRA functions are wide ranging and include telomere maintenance, telomerase inhibition, genomic stability, and alternative lengthening of telomere. However, the presence and role of TERRA in primordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of germ cells, is unknown. Using RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization, we identify TERRA transcripts in female PGCs at 11.5, 12.5, and 13.5 days postcoitum. In male PGCs, the earliest detection TERRA was at 12.5 dpc where we observed cells with either zero or one TERRA focus. Using qRT-PCR, we evaluated chromosome-specific TERRA expression. Female PGCs showed TERRA expression at 11.5 dpc from eight different chromosome subtelomeric regions (chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, and 18) while in male PGCs, TERRA expression was confined to the chromosome 17. Most TERRA transcription in 13.5 dpc male PGCs arose from chromosomes 2 and 6. TERRA interacting proteins were evaluated using identification of direct RNA interacting proteins (iDRiP), which identified 48 in female and 26 in male protein interactors from PGCs at 13.5 dpc. We validated two different proteins: the splicing factor, proline- and glutamine-rich (SFPQ) in PGCs and non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NONO) in somatic cells. Taken together, our data indicate that TERRA expression and interactome during PGC development are regulated in a dynamic fashion that is dependent on gestational age and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Brieño-Enríquez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Cornell Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Steffanie L Moak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Cornell Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Anyul Abud-Flores
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Cornell Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Paula E Cohen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Cornell Center for Reproductive Genomics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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40
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Infertility: Practical Clinical Issues for Routine Investigation of the Male Partner. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061644. [PMID: 32486230 PMCID: PMC7356539 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
About one-fifth of couples has fertility problems in Western countries. Male factors are present in about half of them, either alone or in combination with female causes. Therefore, both partners should be evaluated simultaneously. The fertility status and/or specific conditions of each partner influence the clinical and treatment approach. This article summarizes in a practical way when, how, and why the male partner of an infertile couple should be investigated. The available evidence and international guidelines were used, interpreting, discussing, and expanding them from personal decades-long experience in this field. The aim is to delineate the most appropriate clinical approach for the male partner of infertile couples, considering traditional and emerging technologies and laboratory analyses in the context of their clinical significance. Components of the initial evaluation in men without known risk factors for infertility should include at minimum medical history, physical examination, and semen analysis. Semen microbiological examination, endocrine assessment, scrotal ultrasound, and transrectal ultrasound are suggested in most men and are mandatory when specific risk factors for male infertility are known to be present or when the initial screening demonstrated abnormalities. Full examination, including genetic tests, testicular histology, or additional tests on sperm, is clinically oriented and/or suggested after the results of initial investigations.
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Rocca MS, Foresta C, Ferlin A. Telomere length: lights and shadows on their role in human reproduction. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:305-317. [PMID: 30277496 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repeated DNA sequences whose main function is to preserve genome stability, protecting chromosomes ends from shortening caused by progressive loss during each cell replication or DNA damage. Telomere length regulation is normally achieved by telomerase enzyme, whose activity is progressively shut off during embryonic differentiation in somatic tissues, whereas it is maintained in germ cells, activated lymphocytes, and certain types of stem cell populations. The maintenance of telomerase activity for a longer time is necessary for germ cells to delay telomere erosion, thus avoiding chromosome segregation defects that could contribute to aneuploid or unbalanced gametes. Over the last few years, telomere biology has become an important topic in the field of human reproduction, encouraging several studies to focus on the relation between telomere length and spermatogenesis and male fertility, embryo development and quality during assisted reproductive treatment, and female pathologies as polycystic ovary, premature ovarian insufficiency, and endometriosis. This review analyzes whether telomere length in germ cells is related to reproduction fitness, whether telomere length is related to pathologies associated with male and female fertility, and whether measurement of telomere length could represent a biomarker of germ cell and embryo quality. Telomere length could be considered a molecular marker of spermatogenesis and sperm quality and is somewhat related to male fertility potential. Fewer evidence, although promising, is available for oocytes, female (in)fertility, and embryo quality. The increasing evidence for a role of telomeres and telomere length in human reproduction, indeed, has expanded the historical view of considering them just a marker of aging. Telomere length might have in the future a prognostic potential in couple infertility, especially useful to select best germ cells with the greatest potential of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Santa Rocca
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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42
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Darmishonnejad Z, Zarei-Kheirabadi F, Tavalaee M, Zarei-Kheirabadi M, Zohrabi D, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Relationship between sperm telomere length and sperm quality in infertile men. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13546. [PMID: 32189393 DOI: 10.1111/and.13546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres, noncoding and repetitive DNA sequences play a significant function in chromatin integrity. Telomere length is age-dependent in somatic cells, while it increases in sperm cell with age. Therefore, we aimed to assess sperm chromatin, leucocyte and sperm telomere length (LTL, STL) in spermatozoon of 38 infertile and 19 fertile men aged between 20 and 50 years. Protamine deficiency (chromomycin A3 test), DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay), lipid peroxidation (Bodipy probe) and telomere length (quantitative real-time PCR) were assessed. A significant decrease in mean of sperm concentration and motility and a significant increase in means of sperm abnormal morphology, DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation and protamine deficiency were observed in infertile compared with fertile men. In addition, the mean of LTL and STL were significantly shorter in infertile men compared with fertile individuals. We observed significant associations between telomere length with sperm concentration, DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation. We hypothesised that increased oxidative stress in spermatozoa of infertile men can result in abnormal packaging of chromatin, damage of DNA and shorter sperm telomere length. Together, these anomalies may account for fertility failure in these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Darmishonnejad
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Zarei-Kheirabadi
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, NourDanesh Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Zarei-Kheirabadi
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Dina Zohrabi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, NourDanesh Institute of Higher Education, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani
- Department of Reproductive Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.,Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center, Isfahan, Iran
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43
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Amir S, Vakonaki E, Tsiminikaki K, Tzatzarakis M, Michopoulou V, Flamourakis M, Kalliantasi K, Karzi V, Fragkiadaki P, Renieri E, Tsoukalas D, Thanasoula M, Sarandi E, Sakellaris G, Makrigiannakis A, Nepka C, Spandidos D, Tsatsakis A. Sperm telomere length: Diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in male infertility (Review). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.3892/wasj.2020.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saira Amir
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Islamabad, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory 45550, Pakistan
| | - Elena Vakonaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Manolis Tzatzarakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Michopoulou
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Katerina Kalliantasi
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Karzi
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Persefoni Fragkiadaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elisavet Renieri
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Maria Thanasoula
- Venizeleio General Hospital, Department of Surgery, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evangelia Sarandi
- Venizeleio General Hospital, Department of Surgery, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Sakellaris
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonios Makrigiannakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Charitini Nepka
- Department of Cytopathology, University Hospital of Larissa, 41110 Larissa, Greece
| | - Demetrios Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
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44
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Westerman R. Biomarkers for demographic research: sperm counts and other male infertility biomarkers. BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2020; 65:73-87. [PMID: 32065536 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2019.1706150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Some male infertility biomarkers are etiologically linked to idiopathic infertility in men, the direct cause of which often cannot be determined with conventional sperm count parameters. Open questions remain regarding the universal and generic infertility definitions that cover and combine the clinical, epidemiological, and demographic perspectives. The main effort in the application of these infertility biomarkers are accounted by more or less strict discrimination criteria. For male infertility, beyond classical sperm count assessments, the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is an adequate biomarker. DFI strongly correlates with pregnancy rates and even strict discrimination criteria for infertility outcomes. Other common biomarkers are reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antisperm antibodies (ASAs), which can explain some biomedical infertility disorders within major constraints. More frequently applied in demographic research, telomere length component analysis is based on identifying the genetic impact of cellular longevity. Sperm telomere length is becoming established as a potential biomarker in infertility research. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current status and limitations to the application of novel biomarkers, including TEX101, for infertility research. The review also discusses potential options for the use of biomarkers in population-based studies.Abbreviations: ASAs: antisperm antibodies; DFI: DNA fragmentation index; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; ECM1: extracellular matrix protein 1; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; HS: hypospermatogenesis: IVF: in vitro fertilization; LDHC: L-lactata dehydrogenase C chain; MA: maturation arrest; microTESE: microdissection testicular sperm extraction; NOA: nonobstructive azoospermia; NP: nonprogressive; OA: obstructive azoospermia; pH: potential Hyrogenii (pH-value); PR: progressive; PTGDS: prostaglandin D synthese; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SA: semen analysis; SCO: sertoli cell only; SCSA: sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA); TL: telomere length; TESE: testicular sperm extraction; TEX101: a glycoprotein that belongs to Ly6/urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor-like protein (uPAR)(LU) superfamily, to be a germ-cell-specific molecular sperm extraction; TUNEL: terminal deoxnucleotidyl dispersion tranferase dUTP nick-end labeling; WHO: World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronny Westerman
- Competence Center Mortality-Follow-Up, German National Cohort, Federal Institute for Population Research, Wiesbaden, Germany
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45
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Denham J. The association between sperm telomere length, cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise training in humans. Biomed J 2019; 42:430-433. [PMID: 31948608 PMCID: PMC6963005 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres protect genomic integrity and shorten in somatic cells due to the end replication problem. Sperm telomeres are, however, longer in older individuals and linked to semen quality. Exercise training may attenuate age-related telomere shortening in somatic cells, but the influence of exercise on sperm telomeres is unknown. Mature sperm from 34 healthy men were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and telomere length was assessed by qPCR. No significant correlations were observed between telomere length, fitness or exercise performance. Inter-individual variation in sperm telomere length responses to a 6-wk vigorous exercise training intervention (ΔT/S ratio range: −0.49 to 0.87) and a strong correlation between improvements in fitness and sperm telomere lengthening were revealed (r = 0.87, p < 0.001). These preliminary data suggest exercise training may regulate sperm telomere length and should encourage larger studies to explore the implications this may have on the health of the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Denham
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia; School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Bundoora West Campus, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia.
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46
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Berneau SC, Shackleton J, Nevin C, Altakroni B, Papadopoulos G, Horne G, Brison DR, Murgatroyd C, Povey AC, Carroll M. Associations of sperm telomere length with semen parameters, clinical outcomes and lifestyle factors in human normozoospermic samples. Andrology 2019; 8:583-593. [PMID: 31769603 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have demonstrated that lifestyle factors can affect sperm quality and fertility. Sperm telomere length (STL) has been reported as potential biomarker or sperm quality. However, no studies have investigated how lifestyle factors can affect STL and associated clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this manuscript is to investigate any association between STL with lifestyle factors, semen parameters and clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sperm telomere length was measured using real-time PCR in normozoospermic male partners (n = 66) of couples undergoing ART treatment. Each participant also completed a detailed questionnaire about general lifestyle. Linear regression univariate analysis and ANCOVA were performed to respectively determine correlations between STL and study parameters or identify statistically significant differences in STL while controlling for age, BMI and other factors. RESULTS Using a linear regression model, STL is positively correlated with in vitro fertilization success (n = 65, r = 0.37, P = .004) but not with embryo cleavage rates and post-implantation clinical outcomes including gestational age-adjusted birth weight. No associations were observed between STL and sperm count, concentration or progressive motility. We further found that STL did not associate age, BMI, health or lifestyle factors. DISCUSSION In somatic cells, the rate of telomere shortening is influenced by a number of lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet and occupation. However, little is known about how lifestyle factors affect STL and subsequently reproductive outcome. Out data suggest that STL might have an important role mechanistically for fertilization rate regardless of sperm parameters and lifestyle factors. CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate that STL is associated with in vitro fertilization rates, but not with semen parameters nor lifestyle factors. Further investigations are warranted to identify the potential variation of STL overtime to clarify its significance as a potential biomarker in ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane C Berneau
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Jennifer Shackleton
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Clare Nevin
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Basher Altakroni
- Centre for Epidemiology, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - George Papadopoulos
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Gregory Horne
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Daniel R Brison
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Christopher Murgatroyd
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Andy C Povey
- Centre for Epidemiology, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Michael Carroll
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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47
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Pauliny A, Miller E, Rollings N, Wapstra E, Blomqvist D, Friesen CR, Olsson M. Effects of male telomeres on probability of paternity in sand lizards. Biol Lett 2019; 14:rsbl.2018.0033. [PMID: 30135115 PMCID: PMC6127112 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Standardized swim-up trials are used in in vitro fertilization clinics to select particularly motile spermatozoa in order to increase the probability of a successful fertilization. Such trials demonstrate that sperm with longer telomeres have higher motility and lower levels of DNA damage. Regardless of whether sperm motility, and successful swim-up to fertilization sites, is a direct or correlational effect of telomere length or DNA damage, covariation between telomere length and sperm performance predicts a relationship between telomere length and probability of paternity in sperm competition, a prediction that for ethical reasons cannot be tested on humans. Here, we test this prediction in sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) using experimental data from twice-mated females in a laboratory population, and telomere length in blood from the participating lizards. Female identity influenced paternity (while the mechanism was not identified), while relatively longer male telomeres predicted higher probability of paternity. We discuss potential mechanisms underpinning this result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Pauliny
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Emily Miller
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building (A08), New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Nicky Rollings
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sydney, Heydon-Laurence Building (A08), New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Erik Wapstra
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia
| | - Donald Blomqvist
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Chris R Friesen
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Mats Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden .,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Wollongong, Australia
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48
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Fice HE, Robaire B. Telomere Dynamics Throughout Spermatogenesis. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10070525. [PMID: 31336906 PMCID: PMC6678359 DOI: 10.3390/genes10070525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are repeat regions of DNA that cap either end of each chromosome, thereby providing stability and protection from the degradation of gene-rich regions. Each cell replication causes the loss of telomeric repeats due to incomplete DNA replication, though it is well-established that progressive telomere shortening is evaded in male germ cells by the maintenance of active telomerase. However, germ cell telomeres are still susceptible to disruption or insult by oxidative stress, toxicant exposure, and aging. Our aim was to examine the relative telomere length (rTL) in an outbred Sprague Dawley (SD) and an inbred Brown Norway (BN) rat model for paternal aging. No significant differences were found when comparing pachytene spermatocytes (PS), round spermatids (RS), and sperm obtained from the caput and cauda of the epididymis of young and aged SD rats; this is likely due to the high variance observed among individuals. A significant age-dependent decrease in rTL was observed from 115.6 (±6.5) to 93.3 (±6.3) in caput sperm and from 142.4 (±14.6) to 105.3 (±2.5) in cauda sperm from BN rats. Additionally, an increase in rTL during epididymal maturation was observed in both strains, most strikingly from 115.6 (±6.5) to 142 (±14.6) in young BN rats. These results confirm the decrease in rTL in rodents, but only when an inbred strain is used, and represent the first demonstration that rTL changes as sperm transit through the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E Fice
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Bernard Robaire
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada.
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
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49
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Belmaker A, Hallinger KK, Glynn RA, Winkler DW, Haussmann MF. The environmental and genetic determinants of chick telomere length in Tree Swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor). Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8175-8186. [PMID: 31380080 PMCID: PMC6662556 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditions during early life can have dramatic effects on adult characteristics and fitness. However, we still know little about the mechanisms that mediate these relationships. Telomere shortening is one possibility. Telomeres are long sequences of DNA that protect the ends of chromosomes. They shorten naturally throughout an individual's life, and individuals with short telomeres tend to have poorer health and reduced survival. Given this connection between telomere length (TL) and fitness, natural selection should favor individuals that are able to retain longer telomeres for a greater portion of their lives. However, the ability of natural selection to act on TL depends on the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence TL. In this study, we experimentally enlarged broods of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) to test the effects of demanding early-life conditions on TL, while simultaneously cross-fostering chicks to estimate heritable genetic influences on TL. In addition, we estimated the effects of parental age and chick sex on chick TL. We found that TL is highly heritable in Tree Swallow chicks, and that the maternal genetic basis for TL is stronger than is the paternal genetic basis. In contrast, the experimental manipulation of brood size had only a weak effect on chick TL, suggesting that the role of environmental factors in influencing TL early in life is limited. There was no effect of chick sex or parental age on chick TL. While these results are consistent with those reported in some studies, they are in conflict with others. These disparate conclusions might be attributable to the inherent complexity of telomere dynamics playing out differently in different populations or to study-specific variation in the age at which subjects were measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Belmaker
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
- Present address:
The Steinhardt Museum of Natural HistoryTel‐Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Kelly K. Hallinger
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
- Present address:
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of ArizonaTucsonArizona
| | | | - David W. Winkler
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCornell UniversityIthacaNew York
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50
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Vasilopoulos E, Fragkiadaki P, Kalliora C, Fragou D, Docea AO, Vakonaki E, Tsoukalas D, Calina D, Buga AM, Georgiadis G, Mamoulakis C, Makrigiannakis A, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis A. The association of female and male infertility with telomere length (Review). Int J Mol Med 2019; 44:375-389. [PMID: 31173155 PMCID: PMC6605974 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length (TL) has long been associated with aging, as telomeres serve as protective caps of chromosomes, and are thus deeply involved in the preservation of genome integrity and are vital to cellular functions. Traditionally, a strong link connects aging and infertility in both sexes, with an earlier onset in females. Over the past decade, telomeres have attracted increasing attention due to the role they play in fertility. In this review, we investigated the potential positive or negative association between relative TL and different factors of female and male infertility. A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted. Out of the 206 studies identified, 45 were reviewed as they fulfilled the criteria of validity and relevance. Following an analysis and a comparison of the study outcomes, several clear trends were observed. The majority of female infertility factors were associated with a shorter TL, with the exception of endometriosis, premature ovarian failure and clear cell carcinoma that were associated with a longer TL and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which revealed conflicting results among several studies, leading to ambiguous conclusions. Male infertility factors were associated with a shorter TL. Although this review can provide an outline of general trends in the association of TL with infertility factors, further epidemiological and original research studies are required to focus on investigating the basis of these varying lengths of telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Persefoni Fragkiadaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Charikleia Kalliora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Domniki Fragou
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Elena Vakonaki
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dimitris Tsoukalas
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Buga
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - George Georgiadis
- Department of Urology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Charalampos Mamoulakis
- Department of Urology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Antonios Makrigiannakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
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