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Budzinska M, Kamieniczna M, Wojnar L, Gill K, Piasecka M, Kups M, Fraczek M. The role of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in human ejaculated sperm damage under a state of scrotal heat stress. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:99-108. [PMID: 38062334 PMCID: PMC10789687 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02992-9] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aimed to determine the associations among standard sperm characteristics and oxidative/apoptotic markers in ejaculated sperm of men exposed to prolonged scrotal hyperthermia of either environmental or clinical origin. METHODS The original study design included four research groups: professional drivers (n = 54), infertile men with varicocele (n = 78), infertile men not exposed to prolonged genital heat stress (n = 37), and fertile individuals serving as the control group (n = 29). Standard semen analysis was performed according to the 5th WHO laboratory manual. The following oxidative and apoptotic parameters of sperm were investigated: mitochondrial superoxide anion generation (MitoSOX Red dye), phosphatidylserine externalization (Annexin V binding assay), mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1 dye), DNA fragmentation (TUNEL/PI assay), and membrane fluidity (merocyanine 540 dye). RESULTS All the studied groups presented a strong deterioration in routine sperm parameters and a strongly apoptotic phenotype in sperm, characterized by both decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced DNA fragmentation, regardless of the thermal insult. Significant induction of mitochondrial superoxide anion generation was noted only in the groups exposed to genital heat stress. A positive correlation between the production of superoxide anion in the mitochondrial chain and the level of DNA fragmentation in drivers was also noted. CONCLUSION Long-term exposure to scrotal hyperthermia in real-life situations is sufficient to reduce sperm quality in humans. The thermal stress directly induces the oxidative stress cascade in ejaculated sperm, affecting the plasma membrane fluidity, mitochondrial homeostasis, and sperm DNA integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Budzinska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
| | - Marzena Kamieniczna
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland
| | - Lukasz Wojnar
- Clinic of Urology and Oncological Urology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Michal Kups
- Department and Clinic of Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
- The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Strzeszynska 32, 60-479, Poznan, Poland.
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Gill K, Machalowski T, Harasny P, Kups M, Grabowska M, Duchnik E, Sipak O, Fraczek M, Kurpisz M, Kurzawa R, Piasecka M. Male Infertility Coexists with Decreased Sperm Genomic Integrity and Oxidative Stress in Semen Irrespective of Leukocytospermia. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11101987. [PMID: 36290709 PMCID: PMC9598546 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11101987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Our research was designed to verify the relationship between male infertility, basic semen characteristics (with respect to detailed sperm morphology), sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), oxidation-reduction potential in semen (ORP), and leukocytospermia. The obtained results showed that infertile groups (with or without leukocytospermia) had significantly lower basic semen characteristics and higher SDF, raw ORP, and static ORP (sORP) than fertile controls. The thresholds of 13% SDF (AUC = 0.733) and 1.40 sORP (AUC = 0.857) were predictive values for discriminating infertile from fertile men. In infertile groups, a higher prevalence and risk for >13% SDF and >1.40 sORP were revealed. Unexpectedly, leukocytospermic subjects had lower sORP, prevalence, and risk for >1.40 sORP than leukocytospermic-negative men. These groups did not differ in SDF and raw ORP. Both SDF and sORP negatively correlated with basic semen parameters but positively correlated with sperm head and midpiece defects. sORP positively correlated with sperm tail defects, immature sperm cells with excess residual cytoplasm, and SDF. In turn, raw ORP negatively correlated with sperm count but positively correlated with SDF and sORP. These findings indicate that (1) there is a relationship between male infertility, SDF, and OS in semen; (2) in infertile men, there is a clinically significant risk of SDF and OS irrespective of leukocytospermia; and (3) the assessment of SDF and oxidative stress should be independent of leukocytospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Tomasz Machalowski
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University, 72-010 Police, Poland
| | - Patryk Harasny
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Michal Kups
- Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland
- The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, 70-483 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Marta Grabowska
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ewa Duchnik
- Department of Aesthetic Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Olimpia Sipak
- Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland
| | - Rafal Kurzawa
- The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, 70-483 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.G.); (M.P.)
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Fraczek M, Lewandowska A, Budzinska M, Kamieniczna M, Wojnar L, Gill K, Piasecka M, Kups M, Havrylyuk A, Chopyak V, Nakonechnyy J, Nakonechnyy A, Kurpisz M. The Role of Seminal Oxidative Stress Scavenging System in the Pathogenesis of Sperm DNA Damage in Men Exposed and Not Exposed to Genital Heat Stress. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052713. [PMID: 35270405 PMCID: PMC8910598 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Responding to the need for the verification of some experimental animal studies showing the involvement of oxidative stress in germ cell damage in the heat-induced testis, we investigated the possibility of a direct relationship between seminal oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) and ejaculated sperm chromatin/DNA integrity (DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation abnormalities) in distinct groups of men exposed and not exposed to prolonged scrotal hyperthermia. A statistical increase in the proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation was observed in all the studied subgroups compared to the fertile men. In turn, the groups subjected to heat stress as professional drivers or infertile men with varicocele presented greater disturbances in the oxidative stress scavenging system than men not exposed to genital heat stress. Based on the comparative analysis of the studied parameters, we can conclude that alterations in the seminal oxidative stress scavenging system are directly engaged in the pathogenesis of ejaculated sperm DNA damage regardless of the intensity of the impact of thermal insult. To the best of our knowledge, this study, for the first time, revealed the co-existence of oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage in the semen of professional drivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (A.L.); (M.B.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Angelika Lewandowska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (A.L.); (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Marta Budzinska
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (A.L.); (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Marzena Kamieniczna
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (A.L.); (M.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Lukasz Wojnar
- Clinic of Urology and Oncological Urology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-285 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.P.)
| | - Michal Kups
- Department and Clinic Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland;
- The Fertility Partnership Vitrolive in Szczecin, 70-483 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Anna Havrylyuk
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine; (A.H.); (V.C.)
| | - Valentina Chopyak
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine; (A.H.); (V.C.)
| | - Jozef Nakonechnyy
- Department of Urology, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine;
| | - Andrij Nakonechnyy
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79059 Lviv, Ukraine;
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (A.L.); (M.B.); (M.K.)
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (M.K.)
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Krasic J, Abramovic I, Vrtaric A, Nikolac Gabaj N, Kralik-Oguic S, Katusic Bojanac A, Jezek D, Sincic N. Impact of Preanalytical and Analytical Methods on Cell-Free DNA Diagnostics. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:686149. [PMID: 34552921 PMCID: PMC8451956 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.686149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
While tissue biopsy has for the longest time been the gold-standard in biomedicine, precision/personalized medicine is making the shift toward liquid biopsies. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) based genetic and epigenetic biomarkers reflect the molecular status of its tissue-of-origin allowing for early and non-invasive diagnostics of different pathologies. However, selection of preanalytical procedures (including cfDNA isolation) as well as analytical methods are known to impact the downstream results. Calls for greater standardization are made continuously, yet comprehensive assessments of the impact on diagnostic parameters are lacking. This study aims to evaluate the preanalytic and analytic factors that influence cfDNA diagnostic parameters in blood and semen. Text mining analysis has been performed to assess cfDNA research trends, and identify studies on isolation methods, preanalytical and analytical impact. Seminal and blood plasma were tested as liquid biopsy sources. Traditional methods of cfDNA isolation, commercial kits (CKs), and an in-house developed protocol were tested, as well as the impact of dithiothreitol (DTT) on cfDNA isolation performance. Fluorimetry, qPCR, digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), and bioanalyzer were compared as cfDNA quantification methods. Fragment analysis was performed by qPCR and bioanalyzer while the downstream application (cfDNA methylation) was analyzed by pyrosequencing. In contrast to blood, semen as a liquid biopsy source has only recently begun to be reported as a liquid biopsy source, with almost half of all publications on it being review articles. Experimental data revealed that cfDNA isolation protocols give a wide range of cfDNA yields, both from blood and seminal plasma. The addition of DTT to CKs has improved yields in seminal plasma and had a neutral/negative impact in blood plasma. Capillary electrophoresis and fluorometry reported much higher yields than PCR methods. While cfDNA yield and integrity were highly impacted, cfDNA methylation was not affected by isolation methodology or DTT. In conclusion, NucleoSnap was recognized as the kit with the best overall performance. DTT improved CK yields in seminal plasma. The in-house developed protocol has shown near-kit isolation performance. ddPCR LINE-1 assay for absolute detection of minute amounts of cfDNA was established and allowed for quantification of samples inhibited in qPCR. cfDNA methylation was recognized as a stable biomarker unimpacted by cfDNA isolation method. Finally, semen was found to be an abundant source of cfDNA offering potential research opportunities and benefits for cfDNA based biomarkers development related to male reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jure Krasic
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Irena Abramovic
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alen Vrtaric
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nora Nikolac Gabaj
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sasa Kralik-Oguic
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Clinical Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Katusic Bojanac
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Jezek
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sincic
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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Molecular Determinants of Seminal Plasma on Sperm Biology and Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073555. [PMID: 33808064 PMCID: PMC8037708 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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