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Dai P, Qiao F, Chen Y, Chan DYL, Yim HCH, Fok KL, Chen H. SARS-CoV-2 and male infertility: from short- to long-term impacts. J Endocrinol Invest 2023; 46:1491-1507. [PMID: 36917421 PMCID: PMC10013302 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02055-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-caused by a new type of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-has posed severe impacts on public health worldwide and has resulted in a total of > 6 million deaths. Notably, male patients developed more complications and had mortality rates ~ 77% higher than those of female patients. The extensive expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and related proteins in the male reproductive tract and the association of serum testosterone levels with viral entry and infection have brought attention to COVID-19's effects on male fertility. METHODS The peer-reviewed articles and reviews were obtained by searching for the keywords SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, endocrine, spermatogenesis, epididymis, prostate, and vaccine in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar from 2020-2022. RESULTS This review summarizes the effects of COVID-19 on the male reproductive system and investigates the impact of various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on male reproductive health. We also present the underlying mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects male reproduction and discuss the potentially harmful effects of asymptomatic infections, as well as the long-term impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health. CONCLUSION COVID-19 disrupted the HPG axis, which had negative impacts on spermatogenesis and the epididymis, albeit further investigations need to be performed. The development of vaccines against various SARS-CoV-2 variations is important to lower infection rates and long-term COVID risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Dai
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - F Qiao
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - Y Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - D Y L Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technologies Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - H C H Yim
- Microbiome Research Centre, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, St George and Sutherland Campus, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - K L Fok
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
- Kong Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan University-The Chinese University of Hong, West China Second University Hospital, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
| | - H Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
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Chung JPW, Chan DYL, Song Y, Ng EYL, Law TSM, Ng K, Leung MBW, Wang S, Wan HM, Li JJX, Wang CC. Implementation of ovarian tissue cryopreservation in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J 2023; 29:121-131. [PMID: 36822598 DOI: 10.12809/hkmj2210220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Worldwide, >130 babies have been born from ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT). Ovarian tissue cryopreservation can improve quality of life among young female cancer survivors. Here, we assessed the feasibility of OTC and subsequent OTT in Hong Kong via xenografts in nude mice. METHODS This pilot study was conducted in a university-affiliated tertiary hospital. Fifty-two ovarian tissues were collected from 12 patients aged 29 to 41 years during ovarian surgery, then engrafted into 34 nude mice. The efficacies of slow freezing and vitrification were directly compared. In Phase I, non-ovariectomised nude mice underwent ovarian tissue engraftment. In Phase II, ovariectomised nude mice underwent ovarian tissue engraftment, followed by gonadotrophin administration to promote folliculogenesis. Ovarian tissue viability was assessed by gross anatomical, histological, and immunohistochemical examinations before and after OTC. Follicular density and morphological integrity were also assessed. RESULTS After OTC and OTT, grafted ovarian tissues remained viable in nude mice. Primordial follicles were observed in thawed and grafted ovarian tissues, indicating that the cryopreservation and transplantation protocols were both effective. The results were unaffected by gonadotrophin stimulation. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of OTC in Hong Kong as well as primordial follicle viability after OTC and OTT in nude mice. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is ideal for patients who cannot undergo the ovarian stimulation necessary for oocyte or embryo freezing as well as prepubertal girls (all ineligible for oocyte freezing). Our findings support the clinical implementation of OTC and subsequent OTT in Hong Kong.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P W Chung
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Fertility Preservation Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - D Y L Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Fertility Preservation Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Y Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - E Y L Ng
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - T S M Law
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Union Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - K Ng
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - M B W Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - S Wang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - H M Wan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - J J X Li
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - C C Wang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Fertility Preservation Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Science, School of Biomedical Sciences; and Chinese University of Hong Kong-Sichuan University Joint Laboratory in Reproductive Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Zhao M, Li H, Wang S, Alqawasmeh O, Xu M, Chung J, Chan DYL. P–134 Zygote morphokinetic parameters (ZMP) differs between fertilized and non-fertilized (in vitro maturation) oocytes. Hum Reprod 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab130.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Is there any difference on the ZMP between the fertilized and the non-fertilized oocytes in an IVM cohort?
Summary answer
The zona pellucida (zp_g) , cytoplasm greyscale(cm_g),the cytoplasm size (cm_size), radius (cm_r) and deviation (cm_d) showed different patterns from the two groups.
What is known already
We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) based algorithm that provides instant and bias-free analytical outcomes of oocyte morphological segmentation. The mature but not-fertilized oocytes tend to be static while the fertilized oocytes are more dynamic for preparing its following biological events.
Study design, size, duration
This was a case-control study on oocytes including 631 normal fertilized oocytes and 100 IVM oocytes from 01/08/2017 to 31/12/2019 conducted in the Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
We used the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to segment the ZMPs of the cytoplasm and zona pellucida of the oocytes. The ZMPs include cm_g, cm_size, cm_r, cm_d, zp_g, thickness of zona pellucida and the area of perivitelline space. For the ZMPs that did not change with time, we used t-test to test the significance and for the parameters changed with time we used dynamic warp timing and similarity test to find the difference.
Main results and the role of chance
The IVM group had a higher intensity of zp_g of 142.03 (128.52–158.70) compared with the fertilized group of 137.04 (121.69–154.37). The cm_g of IVM group was higher than fertilized group [122.55 (114.87–137.62) vs 119.37(108.88–132.87)]. The cm_size, cm_r and cm_d as parameters changed with time and showed a different pattern in two groups. The IVM group decreased the cm_size faster than the fertilized group but the fertilized group had a more dynamic change in the shape of cytoplasm (cm_d) during the development. The cm_r changed with the same pattern of cm_size provided evidence supporting the finding above.
Limitations, reasons for caution
The ZMPs in the IVM group was captured for 21 hours from the first polar body extrusion. Though the duration was similar to the one from fertilized to the first cleavage. The morphology change during that period may not represent the holistic one of IVM oocytes.
Wider implications of the findings: The IVM oocytes have different morphokinetic performance from fertilized oocytes. We used a novel method based on CNN to confirm the differences between the two groups showing that our algorithm was able to describe the morphokinetic changes in a quantitative way and corresponded with embryologist’s experience.
Trial registration number
The Hong Kong Obstetrical & Gynaecological Trust Fund
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zhao
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ART Unit- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology- Faculty of Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - H Li
- Guilin University of Electronic Technology, School of Computer Science and Information Security, Guilin, China
| | - S Wang
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ART Unit- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology- Faculty of Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - O Alqawasmeh
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ART Unit- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology- Faculty of Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - M Xu
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ART Unit- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology- Faculty of Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - J Chung
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ART Unit- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology- Faculty of Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - D Y L Chan
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ART Unit- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology- Faculty of Medicine, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Lee AWT, Ng JKW, Liao J, Luk AC, Suen AHC, Chan TTH, Cheung MY, Chu HT, Tang NLS, Zhao MP, Lian Q, Chan WY, Chan DYL, Leung TY, Chow KL, Wang W, Wang LH, Chen NCH, Yang WJ, Huang JY, Li TC, Lee TL. Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies molecular targets associated with poor in vitro maturation performance of oocytes collected from ovarian stimulation. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1907-1921. [PMID: 34052851 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the transcriptome signature associated with poor performance of rescue IVM (rIVM) oocytes and how can we rejuvenate them? SUMMARY ANSWER The GATA-1/CREB1/WNT signalling axis was repressed in rIVM oocytes, particularly those of poor quality; restoration of this axis may produce more usable rIVM oocytes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY rIVM aims to produce mature oocytes (MII) for IVF through IVM of immature oocytes collected from stimulated ovaries. It is not popular due to limited success rate in infertility treatment. Genetic aberrations, cellular stress and the absence of cumulus cell support in oocytes could account for the failure of rIVM. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We applied single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to capture the transcriptomes of human in vivo oocytes (IVO) (n = 10) from 7 donors and rIVM oocytes (n = 10) from 10 donors. The effects of maternal age and ovarian responses on rIVM oocyte transcriptomes were also studied. In parallel, we studied the effect of gallic acid on the maturation rate of mouse oocytes cultured in IVM medium with (n = 84) and without (n = 85) gallic acid. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Human oocytes were collected from donors aged 28-41 years with a body mass index of <30. RNA extraction, cDNA generation, library construction and sequencing were performed in one preparation. scRNA-seq data were then processed and analysed. Selected genes in the rIVM versus IVO comparison were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. For the gallic acid study, we collected immature oocytes from 5-month-old mice and studied the effect of 10-μM gallic acid on their maturation rate. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The transcriptome profiles of rIVM/IVO oocytes showed distinctive differences. A total of 1559 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, genes with at least 2-fold change and adjusted P < 0.05) were found to be enriched in metabolic processes, biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation. Among these DEGs, we identified a repression of WNT/β-catenin signalling in rIVM when compared with IVO oocytes. We found that oestradiol levels exhibited a significant age-independent correlation with the IVO mature oocyte ratio (MII ratio) for each donor. rIVM oocytes from women with a high MII ratio were found to have over-represented cellular processes such as anti-apoptosis. To further identify targets that contribute to the poor clinical outcomes of rIVM, we compared oocytes collected from young donors with a high MII ratio with oocytes from donors of advanced maternal age and lower MII ratio, and revealed that CREB1 is an important regulator. Thus, our study identified that GATA-1/CREB1/WNT signalling was repressed in both rIVM oocytes versus IVO oocytes and in rIVM oocytes of lower versus higher quality. Consequently we investigated gallic acid, as a potential antioxidant substrate in human rIVM medium, and found that it increased the mouse oocyte maturation rate by 31.1%. LARGE SCALE DATA Raw data from this study can be accessed through GSE158539. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In the rIVM oocytes of the high- and low-quality comparison, the number of samples was limited after data filtering with stringent selection criteria. For the oocyte stage identification, we were unable to predict the presence of oocyte spindle, so polar body extrusion was the only indicator. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study showed that GATA-1/CREB1/WNT signalling was repressed in rIVM oocytes compared with IVO oocytes and was further downregulated in low-quality rIVM oocytes, providing us the foundation of subsequent follow-up research on human oocytes and raising safety concerns about the clinical use of rescued oocytes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the Collaborative Research Fund, Research Grants Council, C4054-16G, and Research Committee Funding (Research Sustainability of Major RGC Funding Schemes), The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W T Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - J K W Ng
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - J Liao
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - A C Luk
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - A H C Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - T T H Chan
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - M Y Cheung
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - H T Chu
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - N L S Tang
- Department of Chemical Pathology, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - M P Zhao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Q Lian
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - W Y Chan
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - D Y L Chan
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - T Y Leung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - K L Chow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China.,Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - W Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - L H Wang
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology & Department of Medical Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - N C H Chen
- Department of Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Taiwan IVF Group Center, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - W J Yang
- Department of Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Taiwan IVF Group Center, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - J Y Huang
- Department of Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Taiwan IVF Group Center, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - T C Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - T L Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, PR China
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Chan DYL, Lam KKW, Lau EYL, Yeung WSB, Ng EHY. Human varicella zoster virus is not present in the semen of a man affected by chickenpox during the in vitro fertilisation of his wife. Andrologia 2017; 49. [PMID: 28670753 DOI: 10.1111/and.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a member of the herpes virus family and affects humans only. Information about the presence of the virus in the semen samples of men affected by chickenpox is rather limited in the literature. Here, we reported a husband was affected by VZV during in vitro fertilisation treatment of his wife treated in our centre. The semen sample was checked for the presence of VZV by the PCR technique. The PCR result found no detectable viral DNA in the semen sample. The semen sample was then used for conventional IVF insemination and subsequently a healthy baby boy was born. This single case report suggests that the semen sample of men affected by chickenpox may be safe to use for assisted reproduction methods during the VZV infective period.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Y L Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - K K W Lam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - E Y L Lau
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - W S B Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - E H Y Ng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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