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Tímermans A, Otero F, Garrido M, Gosálvez J, Johnston S, Fernández JL. The relationship between sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial DNA fragmentation, and copy number in normal and abnormal human ejaculates. Andrology 2024; 12:870-880. [PMID: 37786274 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13539] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While it is common to clinically evaluate sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, less attention has been given to sperm mitochondrial DNA. Recently, a digital PCR assay has allowed accurate estimation of the proportion of fragmented mtDNA molecules and relative copy number. OBJECTIVES To determine the correlation of classical sperm parameters, average mtDNA copies per spermatozoon and the level of mtDNA fragmentation (SDF-mtDNA) to that of nuclear DNA fragmentation (SDF-nDNA), measured as the proportion of global, single-strand DNA (SDF-SSBs) and double-strand DNA breaks (SDF-DSBs). To determine whether the level of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA fragmentation and/or copy number can differentiate normozoospermic from non-normozoospermic samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ejaculates from 29 normozoospermic and 43 non-normozoospermic were evaluated. SDF was determined using the sperm chromatin dispersion assay. mtDNA copy number and SDF-mtDNA were analyzed using digital PCR assays. RESULTS Relative mtDNA copy increased as sperm concentration or motility decreased, or abnormal morphology increased. Unlike SDF-mtDNA, mtDNA copy number was not correlated with SDF-nDNA. SDF-mtDNA increased as the concentration or proportion of non-vital sperm increased; the higher the mtDNA copy number, the lower the level of fragmentation. Non-normozoospermic samples showed double the level of SDF-nDNA compared to normozoospermic (median 25.00 vs. 13.67). mtDNA copy number per spermatozoon was 3× higher in non-normozoospermic ejaculates (median 16.06 vs. 4.99). Although logistic regression revealed SDF-Global and mtDNA copy number as independent risk factors for non-normozoospermia, when SDF-Global and mtDNA copy number were combined, ROC curve analysis resulted in an even stronger discriminatory ability for predicting the probability of non-normozoospermia (AUC = 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.94, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION High-quality ejaculates show lower nuclear SDF and retain less mtDNA copies, with approximately half of them fragmented, so that the absolute number of non-fragmented mtDNA molecules per spermatozoon is extremely low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tímermans
- INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), Spain
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, Doctor Camilo Veiras, Spain
| | - Fátima Otero
- INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), Spain
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, Doctor Camilo Veiras, Spain
| | - Manuel Garrido
- Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), Clinical Analysis Service, Spain
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Genetics Unit, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephen Johnston
- School of Environment, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Gatton, Australia
| | - José Luis Fernández
- INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), Spain
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, Doctor Camilo Veiras, Spain
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Grami D, Selmi S, Rtibi K, Sebai H, De Toni L. Emerging Role of Eruca sativa Mill. in Male Reproductive Health. Nutrients 2024; 16:253. [PMID: 38257145 PMCID: PMC10818603 DOI: 10.3390/nu16020253] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
A growing interest has been drawn to the use of traditional medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases and, in particular, infertility and reproductive toxicity associated with environmental factors. The Mediterranean basin area is a recognized source of plant species with therapeutic interest. In this frame, Eruca sativa (ES) is an annual edible plant and a member of the Brassicaceae family. A relatively large number of studies, focusing on the biological effects of the extract from the leaves of ES on in vitro and in vivo models of disease, have been published in recent years. The present narrative review aims to analyze the phytochemical constituents, traditional uses, possible pharmacological activities, and recognized effects of ES on male reproductive outcomes. Available investigations have revealed the presence of a number of compounds with antioxidant properties, such as polyphenols, glucosinolates, flavonoids, and carotenoids in extracts from ES. Based on the chemical and pharmacological characteristics of the aforementioned compounds, we show that ES has possible preventive properties and therapeutic uses, especially in the functional derangements of the male reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhekra Grami
- Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bioresources-Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Beja B.P. 382-9000, Tunisia; (S.S.); (K.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Slimen Selmi
- Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bioresources-Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Beja B.P. 382-9000, Tunisia; (S.S.); (K.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Kais Rtibi
- Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bioresources-Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Beja B.P. 382-9000, Tunisia; (S.S.); (K.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Hichem Sebai
- Laboratory of Functional Physiology and Valorization of Bioresources-Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Beja B.P. 382-9000, Tunisia; (S.S.); (K.R.); (H.S.)
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine and Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
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Garrido N, Gil Juliá M. The Use of Non-Apoptotic Sperm Selected by Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) to Enhance Reproductive Outcomes: What the Evidence Says. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:30. [PMID: 38248461 PMCID: PMC10813240 DOI: 10.3390/biology13010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Sperm selection of the most competent sperm is a promising way to enhance reproductive outcomes. Apoptosis is the programmed cell death process to maintain tissue homeostasis, and MACS sperm selection of non-apoptotic cells enables the removal of apoptotic sperm from an ejaculate, thus leaving the non-apoptotic available to be microinjected, but given the associated costs of adding these sperm selection steps to the routine practice, there is a need for a careful examination of the literature available to answer questions such as who can benefit from this MACS, how significant this improvement is, and how robust the evidence and data available supporting this choice are. Thus, the aim of this narrative review was to objectively evaluate the available evidence regarding the potential benefits of the use of MACS. From the literature, there are controversial results since its implementation as an in vitro fertilization add-on, and this may be explained in part by the low quality of the evidence available, wrong designs, or even inadequate statistical analyses. We concluded that the benefits of adding MACS are unclear, and further methodologically sound research on specific populations is much needed before offering it clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Garrido
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Andrology and Male Infertility Research Group, IIS La Fe Health Research Institute, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106. Tower A, 1st Floor, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
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Tímermans A, Otero F, Garrido M, Gosálvez J, Johnston S, Fernández JL. Addendum to: The relationship between sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial DNA fragmentation and copy number in normal and abnormal human ejaculates. Andrology 2023. [PMID: 37986274 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13559] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the kinetics of human sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation (SDF-nDNA) following ejaculation have been described, the dynamics and relationships of mitochondrial DNA copy number per spermatozoon (mtDNAcn) and fragmentation (SDF-mtDNA) remain unexplored. OBJECTIVES To compare post-ejaculatory kinetics of mtDNAcn, SDF-mtDNA and SDF-nDNA, global, single-strand DNA breaks (SDF-SSBs) and double-strand DNA breaks (SDF-DSBs) in normozoospermic and non-normozoospermic samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS 28 normozoospermic and 43 non-normozoospermic ejaculates were evaluated at 0, 6, 24 and 48 h of incubation in vitro. SDF-nDNA was determined by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assays. mtDNAcn and SDF-mtDNA were analysed by dPCR. RESULTS SDF-nDNA-global values increased as a consequence of quadratic SDF-SSBs and linear SDF-DSBs kinetics. Non-normozoospermic samples showed a slower SDF-global rate between 6-24 h, due to lesser SSBs production. Regarding SDF-DSBs, non-normozoospermic samples exhibited a faster initial increase rate, followed by a slower final increment. The mtDNAcn median value decreased linearly, being 3.2× higher in non-normozoospermics at all time points; mtDNAcn in both cohorts reduced to half of the baseline by 48 h. mtDNAcn was identified as a risk factor for discriminating non-normozoospermia, a finding that was further strengthen when combined with SDF-Global or SDF-DSBs values. SDF-mtDNA frequencies were identical, increasing over time correspondingly in both cohorts. The mtDNA fragmentation rate was initially fast, decreasing progressively with time for both cohorts; half of the initially unfragmented copies were fragmented after 48 h. Rates of mtDNAcn loss and SDF-mtDNA increase were only marginally correlated with the rates of nuclear fragmentation. CONCLUSION mtDNA fragmentation and loss occur post ejaculation. Their dynamics are likely to be associated with different and/or uncoupled mechanisms to that which cause nuclear DNA fragmentation. Our results indicate that while mtDNA fragmentation is not influenced by the sperm quality, the number of copies of sperm mtDNAcn can potentially serve as a risk factor for predicting non-normozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tímermans
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, Doctor Camilo Veiras, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Fátima Otero
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, Doctor Camilo Veiras, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Manuel Garrido
- Clinical Analysis Service, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Genetics Unit, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephen Johnston
- School of Environment, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
- School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
| | - José Luis Fernández
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, Doctor Camilo Veiras, A Coruña, Spain
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Meng M, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Huo R, Ma N, Shen X, Chang G. β-carotene targets IP3R/GRP75/VDAC1-MCU axis to renovate LPS-induced mitochondrial oxidative damage by regulating STIM1. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 205:25-46. [PMID: 37270031 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are the main sites for the storage and regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis. An imbalance of Ca2+ homeostasis can cause ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby inducing apoptosis. The store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is the main channel for extracellular calcium influx. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (MAM) is an important agent for Ca2+ transfer from the ER to the mitochondria. Therefore, regulation of SOCE and MAMs has potential therapeutic value for disease prevention and treatment. In this study, bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) and mice were used as models to explore the mechanisms of β-carotene to relieve ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. BAPTA-AM, EGTA (Ca2+ inhibitor), and BTP2 (SOCE channel inhibitor) alleviated ER stress and mitochondrial oxidative damage induced by increased intracellular Ca2+ levels after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Furthermore, inhibition of ER stress by 4-PBA (ER stress inhibitor), 2-APB (IP3R inhibitor), and ruthenium red (mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) inhibitor) restored mitochondrial function by reducing mitochondrial ROS. Our data also confirm that β-carotene targeted STIM1 and IP3R channels to repair LPS-induced ER stress and mitochondrial disorders. Consistent with the in vitro study, in vito experiments in mice further showed that β-carotene attenuated LPS-induced ER stress and mitochondrial oxidative damage by inhibiting the expression of STIM1 and ORAI1, and reducing the level of Ca2+ in mouse mammary glands. Therefore, ER stress-mitochondrial oxidative damage mediated by the STIM1-ER-IP3R/GRP75/VDAC1-MCU axis plays an vital role in the development of mastitis. Our results provided novel ideas and therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of mastitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijuan Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yijin Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Ran Huo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Nana Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xiangzhen Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Guangjun Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, Jiangsu, PR China.
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Sharma P, Kaushal N, Saleth LR, Ghavami S, Dhingra S, Kaur P. Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and autophagy: Balancing the contrary forces in spermatogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166742. [PMID: 37146914 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process in the testis and is a cornerstone of male infertility. The abundance of unsaturated fatty acid and high cell division rate make male germs cells prone to DNA deterioration. ROS-mediated oxidative stress triggers DNA damage, autophagy, and apoptosis in male germ cells, which are critical causative factors that lead to male infertility. The complex connection and molecular crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy is seen at multifaceted levels that interconnect the signaling pathways of these two processes. Multilevel interaction between apoptosis and autophagy is a seamless state of survival and death in response to various stressors. Interaction between multiple genes and proteins such as the mTor signaling pathway, Atg12 proteins, and the death adapter proteins, such as Beclin 1, p53, and Bcl-2 family proteins, validates such a link between these two phenomena. Testicular cells being epigenetically different from somatic cells, undergo numerous significant epigenetic transitions, and ROS modulates the epigenetic framework of mature sperm. Epigenetic deregulation of apoptosis and autophagy under oxidative stress conditions can cause sperm cell damage. The current review recapitulates the current role of prevailing stressors that generate oxidative stress leading to the induction of apoptosis and autophagy in the male reproductive system. Considering the pathophysiological consequences of ROS-mediated apoptosis and autophagy, a combinatorial approach, including apoptosis inhibition and autophagy activation, a therapeutic strategy to treat male idiopathic infertility. Understanding the crosslink between apoptosis and autophagy under stress conditions in male germ cells may play an essential role in developing therapeutic strategies to treat infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parul Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala, Punjab 147004, India
| | - Naveen Kaushal
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Leena Regi Saleth
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Research Institute of Hematology and Oncology, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, Canada; Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, Academia of Silesia, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
| | - Sanjiv Dhingra
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada
| | - Parminder Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160024, India.
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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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Meng M, Zhao X, Huo R, Li X, Chang G, Shen X. Disodium Fumarate Alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, Mitochondrial Damage, and Oxidative Stress Induced by the High-Concentrate Diet in the Mammary Gland Tissue of Hu Sheep. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12020223. [PMID: 36829784 PMCID: PMC9952365 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The long-term feeding of the high-concentrate diet (HC) reduced rumen pH and induced subacute rumen acidosis (SARA), leading to mammary gland tissue damage among ruminants. Disodium fumarate enhanced rumen bufferation and alleviated a decrease in rumen pH induced by the HC diet. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether disodium fumarate could alleviate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, mitochondrial damage, and oxidative stress induced by the high-concentrate diet in the mammary gland tissue of Hu sheep. In this study, 18 Hu sheep in mid-lactation were randomly divided into three groups: one fed with a low-concentrate diet (LC) diet, one fed with a HC diet, and one fed with a HC diet with disodium fumarate (AHC). Each sheep was given an additional 10 g of disodium fumarate/day. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. After the experiment, rumen fluid, blood, and mammary gland tissue were collected. The results show that, compared with the LC diet, the HC diet could reduce rumen pH, and the pH below 5.6 was more than 3 h, and the LPS content of blood and rumen fluid in HC the diet was significantly higher than in the LC diet. This indicates that the HC diet induced SARA in Hu sheep. However, the supplementation of disodium fumarate in the HC diet increased the rumen pH and decreased the content of LPS in blood and rumen fluid. Compared with the LC diet, the HC diet increased Ca2+ content in mammary gland tissue. However, the AHC diet decreased Ca2+ content. The HC diet induced ER stress in mammary gland tissue by increasing the mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, PERK, ATF6, and IRE1α. The HC diet also activated the IP3R-VDAC1-MCU channel and lead to mitochondrial damage by inhibiting mitochondrial fusion and promoting mitochondrial division, while disodium fumarate could alleviate these changes. In addition, disodium fumarate alleviated oxidative stress induced by the HC diet by activating Nrf2 signaling and reducing ROS production in mammary gland tissue. In conclusion, the supplementation of disodium fumarate at a daily dose of 10 g/sheep enhanced rumen bufferation by maintaining the ruminal pH above 6 and reduced LPS concentration in ruminal fluid and blood. This reaction avoided the negative effect observed by non-supplemented sheep that were fed with a high-concentrate diet involving endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage in the mammary gland tissue of Hu sheep.
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Elmas MA, Ozakpinar OB, Kolgazi M, Sener G, Arbak S, Ercan F. Exercise improves testicular morphology and oxidative stress parameters in rats with testicular damage induced by a high-fat diet. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14600. [PMID: 36146902 DOI: 10.1111/and.14600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and male infertility are problems that affect population. Exercise is a nonpharmacological way to reduce the negative health effects of obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on hormone levels, blood-testis barrier, and inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in rats that became obese due to a high-fat diet (HFD). Male rats received a standard diet (STD group) or a HFD (HFD group) for 18 weeks. During the final 6 weeks of the experiment, swimming exercises (1 h/5 days/week) were given to half of these animals (STD + EXC and HFD + EXC groups). Finally, blood and testicular tissues were analysed by biochemical and histological methods. Body weight, leptin, malondialdehyde, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha and myeloperoxidase levels, apoptotic cells and DNA fragmentation were increased, and testis weight, insulin, FSH, LH, testosterone, glutathione and superoxide dysmutase levels, proliferative cells, ZO-1, occludin, and gap junction protein Cx43 immunoreactivity were decreased in the HFD group. All these hormonal, morphological, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers were enhanced in the HFD + EXC group. It is thought that exercise protected testicular cytotoxicity by regulating hormonal and oxidant/antioxidant balances and testicular function, inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, as well as preserving blood-testis barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Acikel Elmas
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Meltem Kolgazi
- Department of Physiology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Goksel Sener
- Fenerbahçe University, Vocational School of Health Service, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Arbak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feriha Ercan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ávila C, Vinay JI, Arese M, Saso L, Rodrigo R. Antioxidant Intervention against Male Infertility: Time to Design Novel Strategies. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123058. [PMID: 36551814 PMCID: PMC9775742 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a highly prevalent condition, affecting 9-20% of couples worldwide. Among the identifiable causes, the male factor stands out in about half of infertile couples, representing a growing problem. Accordingly, there has been a decline in both global fertility rates and sperm counts in recent years. Remarkably, nearly 80% of cases of male infertility (MI) have no clinically identifiable aetiology. Among the mechanisms likely plausible to account for idiopathic cases, oxidative stress (OS) has currently been increasingly recognized as a key factor in MI, through phenomena such as mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and fragmentation and finally, sperm apoptosis. In addition, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in semen are associated with worse reproductive outcomes. However, despite an increasing understanding on the role of OS in the pathophysiology of MI, therapeutic interventions based on antioxidants have not yet provided a consistent benefit for MI, and there is currently no clear consensus on the optimal antioxidant constituents or regimen. Therefore, there is currently no applicable antioxidant treatment against this problem. This review presents an approach aimed at designing an antioxidant strategy based on the particular biological properties of sperm and their relationships with OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristóbal Ávila
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile
| | - José Ignacio Vinay
- Urology Department, University of Chile Clinical Hospital, Santiago 8380000, Chile
- Andrology Unit, Shady Grove Fertility, Santiago 7650672, Chile
| | - Marzia Arese
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi-Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Ramón Rodrigo
- Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380000, Chile
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-229-786-126
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11
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Talibova G, Bilmez Y, Ozturk S. DNA double-strand break repair in male germ cells during spermatogenesis and its association with male infertility development. DNA Repair (Amst) 2022; 118:103386. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2022.103386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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Nabi S, Askari M, Rezaei-Gazik M, Salehi N, Almadani N, Tahamtani Y, Totonchi M. A rare frameshift mutation in SYCP1 is associated with human male infertility. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6563198. [PMID: 35377450 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper assembly of the synaptonemal complex is essential for successful meiosis, and impairments in the process lead to infertility. Meiotic transverse filament proteins encoded by the SYCP1 (synaptonemal complex protein 1) gene are one of the main components of the synaptonemal complex and play an important role in correct synapsis and recombination. Family-based whole exome sequencing revealed a rare homozygous SYCP1 frameshift mutation (c.2892delA: p.K967Nfs*1) in two men with severe oligozoospermia, followed by validation and segregation through Sanger sequencing. This single nucleotide deletion not only changes lysine 967 (K) into asparagine (N) but also causes a premature stop codon, which leads to deletion of 968-976 residues from the end of the C-tail region of the SYCP1 protein. Although, sycp1 knockout male mice are reported to be sterile with a complete lack of spermatids and spermatozoa, to date no SYCP1 variant has been associated with human oligozoospermia. HADDOCK analysis indicated that this mutation decreases the ability of the truncated SYCP1 protein to bind DNA. Immunodetection of ϒH2AX signal, in SYCP1 mutant semen cells and a 40% DNA fragmentation index might indicate that a small number of DNA double-strand breaks, which require SYCP1 and/or synapsis to be repaired, are not efficiently repaired, resulting in defects in differentiation of germline cells and appearance of the oligozoospermia phenotype. To our knowledge, this is the first report of homozygous SYCP1 mutation that decreases sperm count. Further studies are required to determine the function of the SYCP1 mutation, which is potentially associated with human oligozoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Nabi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masomeh Askari
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases,Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rezaei-Gazik
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Najmeh Salehi
- School of Biological Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Almadani
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yaser Tahamtani
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Reproductive Epidemiology Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,School of Biological Science, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran.,Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Nguyen HTT, Dang HNT, Nguyen TTT, Nguyen TV, Dang TC, Nguyen QHV, Le MT. Correlations between abnormalities of morphological details and DNA fragmentation in human sperm. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2022; 49:40-48. [PMID: 35255657 PMCID: PMC8923625 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2021.04777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: As the associations of sperm DNA fragmentation with morphology have not been examined in detail, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between abnormalities of morphological details and DNA integrity in human sperm.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, men from infertile couples were enrolled at Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vietnam. Conventional semen parameters, including morphological details, were analyzed following the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using a sperm chromatin dispersion assay. The relationships and correlations between semen parameters, sperm morphology, and the type of halosperm and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were analyzed.Results: Among 130 men in infertile couples, statistically significant differences were not found in the sperm halo type between the normal and abnormal sperm morphology groups. The percentage of round-head spermatozoa was higher in the DFI >15% group (16.98%±12.50%) than in the DFI ≤15% group (13.13%±8.82%), higher values for amorphous heads were found in the DFI >15% group, and lower values for tapered heads were observed in the DFI ≤15% group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Small-halo sperm and the DFI were positively correlated with round-head sperm (r=0.243, p=0.005 and r=0.197, p=0.025, respectively). Conclusion: The rate of general sperm morphological abnormalities in semen analysis was not related to sperm DNA integrity. However, round sperm heads were closely associated with sperm DNA fragmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hong Nhan Thi Dang
- Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
| | | | - Trung Van Nguyen
- Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
| | - Thuan Cong Dang
- Departments of Histology, Embryology, and Pathology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
| | - Quoc Huy Vu Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
| | - Minh Tam Le
- Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
- Corresponding author: Minh Tam Le Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, 6 Ngo Quyen st, Hue, Viet Nam Tel: +84-23-4626-9696 Fax: +84-23-4382-2173 E-mail:
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14
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Fukunaga H, Yokoya A, Prise KM. A Brief Overview of Radiation-Induced Effects on Spermatogenesis and Oncofertility. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030805. [PMID: 35159072 PMCID: PMC8834293 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Spermatogenesis is one of the most important processes for the propagation of life; however, the testes’ ability to form sperm via this differentiation process is highly radiosensitive and easily impacted by exposure to environmental, occupational, or therapeutic radiation. Furthermore, the possibility that radiation effects on the gonads can be passed on from generation to generation should not be overlooked. This review focuses on the radiation-induced effects on spermatogenesis and the transgenerational effects. We also explore the potential of novel radiobiological approaches to improve male fertility preservation during radiotherapy. Abstract The genotoxicity of radiation on germ cells may be passed on to the next generation, thus its elucidation is not only a scientific issue but also an ethical, legal, and social issue in modern society. In this article, we briefly overview the effects of radiation on spermatogenesis and its associated genotoxicity, including the latest findings in the field of radiobiology. The potential role of transgenerational effects is still poorly understood, and further research in this area is desirable. Furthermore, from the perspective of oncofertility, we discuss the historical background and clinical importance of preserving male fertility during radiation treatment and the potential of microbeam radiotherapy. We hope that this review will contribute to stimulating further discussions and investigations for therapies for pediatric and adolescent/young adult patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisanori Fukunaga
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Akinari Yokoya
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan;
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University, Ibaraki 310-8512, Japan
| | - Kevin M. Prise
- Patrick G Johnstone Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK;
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15
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Kalem HH, Tulay P, Irez T. How does sperm apoptosis affect the outcome of intrauterine insemination and intracytoplasmic sperm injection? Andrologia 2022; 54:e14381. [PMID: 35112373 DOI: 10.1111/and.14381] [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: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 20% of male infertility is caused by abnormal DNA organization of the sperm and anomalies of the sperm apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the sperm DNA apoptosis and viability in patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In the second part of the analysis, sperm DNA apoptosis and viability were investigated in patients with oligozoospermia and normospermia respectively. A total of 45 IUI and 38 ICSI patients were included in this study. Annexin V analysis was performed to investigate the sperm viability, and TUNEL assay was used to evaluate the sperm DNA apoptosis. Further investigations using 12 oligozoospermia and 11 control samples for sperm viability and sperm DNA apoptosis at different incubation periods and temperatures were performed. The results of this study showed a negative correlation between the sperm DNA apoptosis in IUI patients, but no relationship was observed for the ICSI patients. The second part of this study showed that incubation of semen samples at 37°C for 3 h has detrimental effects on the sperm DNA integrity. In conclusion, the incubation of semen at high temperatures affects the sperm quality. The results of this study showed that these tests can be beneficial for the infertile couples to achieve pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Hande Kalem
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pinar Tulay
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.,DESAM Institute, Near East University, Nicosia, Northen Cyprus, Cyprus
| | - Tulay Irez
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Yeni Yuzyil University, Istanbul, Turkey
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16
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Farkouh A, Finelli R, Agarwal A. Beyond conventional sperm parameters: the role of sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility. Minerva Endocrinol (Torino) 2021; 47:23-37. [PMID: 34881857 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-6507.21.03623-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Infertility is a condition that widely affects the couples all over the world. In this regard, sperm DNA fragmentation can lead to harmful reproductive consequences, including male infertility and poor outcomes after assisted reproductive techniques. The investigation of SDF in male infertility diagnostics has constantly increased over time, becoming more common in clinical practice with the recent publication of several guidelines regarding its testing. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis and causes of sperm DNA fragmentation, as well as the assays which are more commonly performed for testing. Moreover, we discussed the most recently published evidence regarding the use of SDF testing in clinical practice, highlighting the implications of high sperm DNA fragmentation rate on human reproduction, and the therapeutic approaches for the clinical management of infertile patients. Our review confirms a significant harmful impact of sperm DNA fragmentation on reproduction, and points out several interventions which can be applied in clinics to reduce sperm DNA fragmentation and improve reproductive outcomes. Sperm DNA fragmentation has been shown to adversely impact male fertility potential. As high sperm DNA fragmentation levels have been associated with poor reproductive outcomes, its testing may significantly help clinicians in defining the best therapeutic strategy for infertile patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ala'a Farkouh
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA -
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17
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Tímermans A, Vázquez R, Otero F, Gosálvez J, Johnston S, Fernández JL. Antibiotic toxicity on human spermatozoa assessed using the sperm DNA fragmentation dynamic assay. Andrologia 2021; 54:e14328. [PMID: 34837416 DOI: 10.1111/and.14328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) dynamic assays were piloted on 4 fresh ejaculates to examine the possible sperm toxicity of three common antibiotics, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and ampicillin, incubated at a concentration estimated to be reached in semen in vivo, and 100×, for 24 h. SDF was assessed in terms of single-strand DNA breaks (SSBs) and double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). Low and high concentrations of ciprofloxacin and high concentration of doxycycline significantly increased the SDF rate, due to sperm containing SSBs. Ampicillin did not affect SDF dynamics at any dose. Based on these results, the effect of antibiotics on the global-SDF dynamics was further examined in 21 ejaculates assessed at 0, 4 and 6 h. Ciprofloxacin increased the rate of SDF at the low concentration in 17 from 21 subjects; the high concentration resulted in a stronger effect in all individuals. A significant increase in the rate of SDF in 17 ejaculates was also noted when spermatozoa were incubated with the high concentration of doxycycline. The dynamic SDF assay is a rapid and sensitive tool to evidence sperm toxicity. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided when it is necessary to preserve sperm quality for reproductive purposes and as additive in semen diluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tímermans
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Fátima Otero
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Genetics Unit, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephen Johnston
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Australia
| | - José Luis Fernández
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiology, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, A Coruña, Spain
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18
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Abstract
Sperm selection in the female reproductive tract (FRT) is sophisticated. Only about 1,000 sperm out of millions in an ejaculate reach the fallopian tube and thus have a chance of fertilizing an oocyte. In assisted reproduction techniques, sperm are usually selected using their density or motility, characteristics that do not reflect their fertilization competence and, therefore, might result in failure to fertilize the oocyte. Although sperm processing in in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) bypasses many of the selection processes in the FRT, selection by the cumulus mass and the zona pellucida remain intact. By contrast, the direct injection of a sperm into an oocyte in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) bypasses all natural selection barriers and, therefore, increases the risk of transferring paternal defects such as fragmented DNA and genomic abnormalities in sperm to the resulting child. Research into surrogate markers of fertilization potential and into simulating the natural sperm selection processes has progressed. However, methods of sperm isolation - such as hyaluronic acid-based selection and microfluidic isolation based on sperm tactic responses - use only one or two parameters and are not comparable with the multistep sperm selection processes naturally occurring within the FRT. Fertilization-competent sperm require a panel of molecules, including zona pellucida-binding proteins and ion channel proteins, that enable them to progress through the FRT to achieve fertilization. The optimal artificial sperm selection method will, therefore, probably need to use a multiparameter tool that incorporates the molecular signature of sperm with high fertilization potential, and their responses to external cues, within a microfluidic system that can replicate the physiological processes of the FRT in vitro.
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19
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Karakaya FB, Yavuz M, Sirvanci S. Histological analysis of the effects of thymoquinone on testicular damage in pentylenetetrazole-induced temporal lobe epilepsy model. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14130. [PMID: 34414592 DOI: 10.1111/and.14130] [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: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, it was aimed to investigate possible ameliorating effects of thymoquinone on testicular damage in an epilepsy model. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups. The animals in sham-operated groups were given saline or thymoquinone (s.c.); and the animals in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) group were applied PTZ. The animals in PTZ+thymoquinone group were given thymoquinone (i.p) for 6 days after applying PTZ. Hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and TUNEL staining and PCNA, StAR, inhibin β-B immunohistochemistry and ZO-1 immunofluorescence methods were applied. Staining intensity and cell numbers were determined. Degeneration of seminiferous tubules was observed in PTZ group. Most of the tubules showed normal morphology in the PTZ+thymoquinone group. Apoptotic cell index was found to be increased and proliferative index decreased in PTZ group. Thymoquinone administration decreased apoptotic index and increased proliferation index. In PTZ group, ZO-1, StAR and inhibin β-B immunohistochemical staining intensity was observed to be decreased and after thymoquinone application, ZO-1 was increased. StAR and inhibin β-B-positive cell numbers were decreased in PTZ group and increased in the PTZ +thymoquinone group. In this study, it was observed that PTZ-induced epileptic seizures caused testicular damage in the rat and thymoquinone ameliorated these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Bedia Karakaya
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Melis Yavuz
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Serap Sirvanci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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20
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Dai C, Zhang Z, Shan G, Chu LT, Huang Z, Moskovtsev S, Librach C, Jarvi K, Sun Y. Advances in sperm analysis: techniques, discoveries and applications. Nat Rev Urol 2021; 18:447-467. [PMID: 34075227 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-021-00472-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Infertility affects one in six couples worldwide, and fertility continues to deteriorate globally, partly owing to a decline in semen quality. Sperm analysis has a central role in diagnosing and treating male factor infertility. Many emerging techniques, such as digital holography, super-resolution microscopy and next-generation sequencing, have been developed that enable improved analysis of sperm motility, morphology and genetics to help overcome limitations in accuracy and consistency, and improve sperm selection for infertility treatment. These techniques have also improved our understanding of fundamental sperm physiology by enabling discoveries in sperm behaviour and molecular structures. Further progress in sperm analysis and integrating these techniques into laboratories and clinics requires multidisciplinary collaboration, which will increase discovery and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changsheng Dai
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhuoran Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Guanqiao Shan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lap-Tak Chu
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zongjie Huang
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Keith Jarvi
- Division of Urology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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21
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Falahieh FM, Zarabadipour M, Mirani M, Abdiyan M, Dinparvar M, Alizadeh H, Paktinat S, Hosseinirad H. Effects of moderate COVID-19 infection on semen oxidative status and parameters 14 and 120 days after diagnosis. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:683-690. [PMID: 34324827 DOI: 10.1071/rd21153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because COVID-19 is a multisystem infection, there are some concerns regarding its possible effects on male fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on semen oxidative status and parameters 14 and 120 days after diagnosis in patients presenting with moderate infection (defined as respiratory symptoms, with or without fever, with Spo2 <93% and >90% and lung involvement <50%). Semen samples were obtained from 20 participants at two time points: the first sample on Day 14 and the second on Day 120 after diagnosis. Semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and viability) were evaluated, as were levels of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and sperm DNA fragmentation. Semen parameters, including sperm motility and DNA integrity, improved at 120 days after the COVID-19 diagnosis relative to values at 14 days. In addition, ROS and MDA levels were significantly reduced in patients 120 days after infection, and TAC increased at 120 days compared with 14 days (during the acute stage of infection). In conclusion, the present study shows that the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on sperm properties caused by oxidative stress decrease up to Day 120 after diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahsa Zarabadipour
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Mirani
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Milad Abdiyan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Dinparvar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hamideh Alizadeh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Imam Khomeini University Hospital, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Paktinat
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseinirad
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; and Corresponding author.
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22
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Gajski G, Ravlić S, Godschalk R, Collins A, Dusinska M, Brunborg G. Application of the comet assay for the evaluation of DNA damage in mature sperm. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2021; 788:108398. [PMID: 34893163 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
DNA integrity is considered an important parameter of semen quality and is of significant value as a predictor of male fertility. Currently, there are several methods that can assess sperm DNA integrity. One such assay is the comet assay, or single-cell gel electrophoresis, which is a simple, sensitive, reliable, quick and low-cost technique that is used for measuring DNA strand breaks and repair at the level of individual cells. Although the comet assay is usually performed with somatic cells from different organs, the assay has the ability to detect genotoxicity in germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis. Since the ability of sperm to remove DNA damage differs between the stages, interpretation of the results is dependent on the cells used. In this paper we give an overview on the use and applications of the comet assay on mature sperm and its ability to detect sperm DNA damage in both animals and humans. Overall, it can be concluded that the presence in sperm of significantly damaged DNA, assessed by the comet assay, is related to male infertility and seems to reduce live births. Although there is some evidence that sperm DNA damage also has a long-term impact on offspring's health, this aspect of DNA damage in sperm is understudied and deserves further attention. In summary, the comet assay can be applied as a useful tool to study effects of genotoxic exposures on sperm DNA integrity in animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Gajski
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Mutagenesis Unit, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Sanda Ravlić
- University of Zagreb, Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Roger Godschalk
- Maastricht University, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew Collins
- University of Oslo, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Nutrition, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Dusinska
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Department of Environmental Chemistry, Health Effects Laboratory, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Gunnar Brunborg
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), Section of Molecular Toxicology, Department of Environmental Health, Oslo, Norway
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Sperm Oxidative Stress during In Vitro Manipulation and Its Effects on Sperm Function and Embryo Development. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10071025. [PMID: 34202126 PMCID: PMC8300781 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated at low levels during mitochondrial respiration have key roles in several signaling pathways. Oxidative stress (OS) arises when the generation of ROS exceeds the cell's antioxidant scavenging ability and leads to cell damage. Physiological ROS production in spermatozoa regulates essential functional characteristics such as motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, hyperactivation, and sperm-oocyte fusion. OS can have detrimental effects on sperm function through lipid peroxidation, protein damage, and DNA strand breakage, which can eventually affect the fertility of an individual. Substantial evidence in the literature indicates that spermatozoa experiencing OS during in vitro manipulation procedures in human- and animal-assisted reproduction are increasingly associated with iatrogenic ROS production and eventual impairment of sperm function. Although a direct association between sperm OS and human assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is still a matter of debate, studies in animal models provide enough evidence on the adverse effects of sperm OS in vitro and defective fertilization and embryo development. This review summarized the literature on sperm OS in vitro, its effects on functional ability and embryo development, and the approaches that have been proposed to reduce iatrogenic sperm damage and altered embryonic development.
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24
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Collapsed mitochondrial cristae in goat spermatozoa due to mercury result in lethality and compromised motility along with altered kinematic patterns. Sci Rep 2021; 11:646. [PMID: 33436823 PMCID: PMC7804962 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80235-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Earlier we have reported mercury-induced alterations in functional dynamics of buck spermatozoa through free radicals-mediated oxidative stress and spontaneous acrosome reaction. Based on our earlier findings, we aimed to investigate the effect of mercury exposure on motility, kinematic patterns, DNA damage, apoptosis and ultra-structural alterations in goat spermatozoa following in vitro exposure to different concentrations (0.031-1.25 µg/ml) of mercuric chloride for 15 min and 3 h. Following exposure of sperm cells to 0.031 µg/ml of mercuric chloride for 3 h, livability and motility of sperms was significantly reduced along with altered kinematic patterns, significant increase in per cent necrotic sperm cells and number of cells showing DNA damage; and this effect was dose- and time-dependent. Contrary to up-regulation of Bax gene after 3 h in control group, there was significant increase in expression of Bcl-2 in mercury-treated groups. Transmission electron microscopy studies revealed rifts and nicks in plasma and acrosomal membrane, mitochondrial sheath, and collapsed mitochondria with loss of helical organization of mitochondria in the middle piece of spermatozoa. Our findings evidently suggest that mercury induces necrosis instead of apoptosis and targets the membrane, acrosome, mid piece of sperms; and the damage to mitochondria seems to be responsible for alterations in functional and kinematic attributes of spermatozoa.
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25
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Takeshima T, Usui K, Mori K, Asai T, Yasuda K, Kuroda S, Yumura Y. Oxidative stress and male infertility. Reprod Med Biol 2021; 20:41-52. [PMID: 33488282 PMCID: PMC7812476 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 30% and 80% of patients with male infertility produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their ejaculate even though the cause of male infertility is unexplained in approximately half of cases. The strong connection between oxidative stress (OS) and male infertility has led recent investigators to propose the term "Male Oxidative Stress Infertility (MOSI)" to describe OS-associated male infertility. METHODS We searched the PubMed database for original and review articles to survey the effects of OS on male infertility, and then verified the effects and treatments. MAIN FINDINGS Seminal plasma contains many antioxidants that protect sperm from ROS, because low amounts of ROS are required in the physiological fertilization process. The production of excessive ROS causes OS which can lower fertility through lipid peroxidation, sperm DNA damage, and apoptosis. Several assays are available for evaluating OS, including the MiOXSYS® analyzer to measure oxidation-reduction potential. Several measures should be considered for minimizing OS and improving clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION Accurately diagnosing patients with MOSI and identifying highly sensitive biomarkers through proteomics technology is vital for better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teppei Takeshima
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohama cityJapan
| | - Kimitsugu Usui
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohama cityJapan
| | - Kohei Mori
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohama cityJapan
| | - Takuo Asai
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohama cityJapan
| | - Kengo Yasuda
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohama cityJapan
| | - Shinnosuke Kuroda
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohama cityJapan
| | - Yasushi Yumura
- Department of Urology, Reproduction CenterYokohama City University Medical CenterYokohama cityJapan
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26
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Pacheco A, Blanco A, Bronet F, Cruz M, García-Fernández J, García-Velasco JA. Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting (MACS): A Useful Sperm-Selection Technique in Cases of High Levels of Sperm DNA Fragmentation. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9123976. [PMID: 33302575 PMCID: PMC7763893 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9123976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) can be used to separate apoptotic sperm with high proportions of fragmented DNA from the rest, thus improving the overall quality of the seminal sample. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the efficiency of the MACS technique to increase reproductive outcomes in patients with high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm-injection (ICSI) cycles. In this study, we analyzed a total of 724 assisted-reproduction-technique (ART) cycles that were divided into two groups: the study group (n = 366) in which the MACS selection technique was performed after density-gradient centrifugation (DGC), and the control group (n = 358) in which only DGC was used for sperm selection. Reproductive outcomes were analyzed in both groups according to three different ART procedures: preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), and autologous and oocyte-donation cycles. The MACS group showed significantly lower miscarriage rates in autologous ICSI cycles, higher pregnancy rates in oocyte-donation cycles, and a significant increase in live-birth rates in both autologous and oocyte-donation cycles. Overall, these results suggested that the MACS technique can be effectively used to eliminate sperm with high SDF levels, and therefore may help to improve reproductive outcomes in couples undergoing ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Pacheco
- IVI Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain; (F.B.); (M.C.); (J.A.G.-V.)
- Science Faculty, Alfonso X “El Sabio” University, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28691 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-911-802-900
| | | | - Fernando Bronet
- IVI Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain; (F.B.); (M.C.); (J.A.G.-V.)
| | - María Cruz
- IVI Madrid, 28023 Madrid, Spain; (F.B.); (M.C.); (J.A.G.-V.)
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27
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Moichela FT, Adefolaju GA, Henkel RR, Opuwari CS. Aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera reduced intracellular ROS production, DNA fragmentation and acrosome reaction in Human spermatozoa in vitro. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13903. [PMID: 33225471 DOI: 10.1111/and.13903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) on human sperm functions and integrity was studied in vitro. Semen was obtained by masturbation after 3-5 days' abstinence from 34 healthy donors in Western Cape, South Africa. Liquefied semen was washed in human tubular fluid supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin (HTF-BSA;1:5) with 10 min centrifugation at 300 g. Sperm suspensions were subsequently incubated with MO extract (0.625, 6.25, 62.5 and 625 µg/ml) for 1 hr, where HTF-BSA served as control. Sperm motility, vitality, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential, capacitation and acrosome reaction were assessed. Sperm motility, vitality, mitochondrial membrane potential and capacitation remained unchanged (p > .05). A dose-dependent decrease in sperm reactive oxygen species production (p < .0001), DNA fragmentation (p < .0001) and acrosome reaction (p < .001) was observed. An increase in the percentage of non-capacitated sperm (p < .01) was noted at 625 µg/ml. The antioxidant properties of MO actively maintained basic sperm functions, inhibited excess sperm free superoxide production and preserved acrosome reaction and DNA integrity. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect of aqueous MO leaf extract on fertility potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith T Moichela
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
| | - Gbenga A Adefolaju
- Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
| | - Ralf R Henkel
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa.,American Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Chinyerum S Opuwari
- Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa
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28
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Sharma R, Iovine C, Agarwal A, Henkel R. TUNEL assay-Standardized method for testing sperm DNA fragmentation. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13738. [PMID: 32706440 DOI: 10.1111/and.13738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm DNA integrity is important for normal functions such as fertilization, implantation, pregnancy and fetal development. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is more common in infertile men and may be responsible for poor reproductive function. Although there are a number of tests available to measure SDF, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling TUNEL) assay using flow cytometry is becoming more popular to measure the sperm DNA fragmentation. It is a direct test that measures both single- and double- DNA strand breaks. In this review, we describe the protocol, quality control and measurement of sperm DNA fragmentation using a benchtop flow cytometer. We also briefly discuss the factors that can affect the results, challenges and clinical implications of TUNEL in assessing male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Sharma
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Concetta Iovine
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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29
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Fernandez-Encinas A, García-Peiró A, del Rey J, Ribas-Maynou J, Abad C, Amengual MJ, Prada E, Navarro J, Benet J. Proteomic Analysis in Seminal Plasma of Fertile Donors and Infertile Patients with Sperm DNA Fragmentation. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145046. [PMID: 32708913 PMCID: PMC7404047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Seminal plasma proteomics studies could represent a new approach for the determination of molecular elements driving male infertility, resulting in a better male infertility characterization. The aim of this study is to investigate proteomic differences in seminal plasma samples from fertile and infertile individuals. For that, semen samples were selected according to semen analysis, clinical pathology, and values of sperm DNA fragmentation (alkaline and neutral Comet assay and Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test). A total of 24 seminal plasma samples classified in four groups were processed: fertile donors (FD), recurrent miscarriage patients (RM), asthenoteratozoospermic patients (ATZ), and asthenoteratozoospermic patients with varicocele (ATZ-VAR). Results obtained by 2D-differential gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) revealed 26 spots significantly increased in fertile donors when compared to patient groups. Also, eight spots in the ATZ group and two in the ATZ-VAR group were decreased compared to the other groups. Twenty-eight proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS), most of them involved in metabolic and cellular processes and with a catalytic or binding function. Protein-protein interactions through Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) tool suggest that a large part of them were associated with each other. Furthermore, most of them were associated with ubiquitin C, indicating that it could play an important regulation role, resulting in a potential male infertility biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Fernandez-Encinas
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.F.-E.); (J.d.R.); (J.R.-M.); (J.N.)
| | - Agustín García-Peiró
- Centro de Infertilidad Masculina y Análisis de Barcelona (CIMAB), 08192 Sant Quirze del Vallès, Spain;
| | - Javier del Rey
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.F.-E.); (J.d.R.); (J.R.-M.); (J.N.)
| | - Jordi Ribas-Maynou
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.F.-E.); (J.d.R.); (J.R.-M.); (J.N.)
| | - Carlos Abad
- Servei d’Urologia, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Institut Universitari Parc Taulí—UAB, 08208 Sabadell, Spain;
| | - Maria José Amengual
- UDIAT, Centre Diagnòstic, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, Sabadell, Institut Universitari Parc Taulí—UAB, 08208 Sabadell, Spain;
| | - Elena Prada
- Servei de Ginecologia, Hospital Universitari Mútua de Terrassa, 08221 Terrassa, Spain;
| | - Joaquima Navarro
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.F.-E.); (J.d.R.); (J.R.-M.); (J.N.)
| | - Jordi Benet
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (A.F.-E.); (J.d.R.); (J.R.-M.); (J.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-935-811-773
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30
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Tímermans A, Vázquez R, Otero F, Gosálvez J, Johnston S, Fernández JL. DNA fragmentation of human spermatozoa: Simple assessment of single- and double-strand DNA breaks and their respective dynamic behavioral response. Andrology 2020; 8:1287-1303. [PMID: 32416007 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Procedures to detect sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), like the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, determine the "global" SDF without discriminating between spermatozoa with single-strand DNA breaks only (SDF-SSBs) and those containing double-strand DNA breaks (SDF-DSBs). OBJECTIVES (a) To validate a test to distinguish human spermatozoa with massive DSBs (DSB-SCD assay), (b) to study the baseline SDF-SSBs and SDF-DSBs, and (c) to assess their dynamics in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS (a) SDF-DSBs were determined by visualization of diffused DNA fragments from spermatozoa lysed under non-denaturing conditions. This was validated by in vitro incubation with DNase I and the comet assay. (b) Baseline SDF-DSBs and SDF-SSBs were determined in ejaculates from 95 males. (c) Their dynamic appearance was studied in samples untreated or exposed to hyperthermia, acidic pH, nitric oxide released by sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and the metabolic energy inhibitors 2-deoxy-D-glucose and antimycin A. RESULTS (a) DNase I and comet assay experiments confirmed that the assay successfully determined SDF-DSBs. (b) The higher the SDF of the semen sample, the higher the frequency of SSBs, whereas DSBs behaved independently. Abnormal samples showed higher SDF than normozoospermic, the difference being only significant for SDF-SSBs. (c) During the first hours of incubation, the linear rate of increase in SDF-SSBs was 3.7 X higher than that of SDF-DSBs. All hazardous agents accelerated the SDF rate when compared to untreated spermatozoa, primarily being associated with SDF-SSBs. SNP treatment was the most damaging, rapidly inducing spermatozoa with SSBs which progressively evolved to DSBs. Remarkably, this phenomenon was also evidenced after acute SNP exposure, revealing cryptic sperm damage. CONCLUSION The DSBs-SCD is an easy complement for SDF assessment. The dynamic study of SSBs and DSBs may improve the evaluation of sperm quality in clinical settings, particularly "unmasking" the presence of non-specific cryptic sperm damage that might otherwise go undetected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Tímermans
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain
| | | | - Fátima Otero
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Genetics Unit, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephen Johnston
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD, Australia
| | - José Luis Fernández
- Genetics Unit, INIBIC-Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (CHUAC), A Coruña, Spain.,Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Radiobiolgy, Centro Oncológico de Galicia, A Coruña, Spain
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31
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The Impact of Single- and Double-Strand DNA Breaks in Human Spermatozoa on Assisted Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113882. [PMID: 32485940 PMCID: PMC7312948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Several cellular insults can result in sperm DNA fragmentation either on one or both DNA strands. Oxidative damage, premature interruption of the apoptotic process and defects in DNA compaction during spermatogenesis are the main mechanisms that cause DNA breaks in sperm. The two-tailed Comet assay is the only technique that can differentiate single- (SSBs) from double- (DSBs) strand DNA breaks. Increased levels of the phosphorylated isoform of the H2AX histone are directly correlated with DSBs and proposed as a molecular biomarker of DSBs. We have carried out a narrative review on the etiologies associated with SSBs and DSBs in sperm DNA, their association with reproductive outcomes and the mechanisms involved in their repair. Evidence suggests a stronger negative impact of DSBs on reproductive outcomes (fertilization, implantation, miscarriage, pregnancy, and live birth rates) than SSBs, which can be partially overcome by using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In sperm, SSBs are irreversible, whereas DSBs can be repaired by homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and alternative NHEJ pathways. Although few studies have been published, further research is warranted to provide a better understanding of the differential effects of sperm SSBs and DSBs on reproductive outcomes as well as the prognostic relevance of DNA breaks discrimination in clinical practice.
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32
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Arafa M, Henkel R, Agarwal A, Robert K, Finelli R, Majzoub A, ElBardisi H. Seminal oxidation-reduction potential levels are not influenced by the presence of leucocytospermia. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13609. [PMID: 32400005 DOI: 10.1111/and.13609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) is characterised by an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which negatively affect sperm functions. In this study, the influence of leucocytes on seminal oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) was investigated in 1,068 men. Seminal leucocyte concentration did not correlate with SDF, unadjusted ORP, ORP normalised for sperm concentration (sORP), ORP normalised for total motile sperm concentration (motORP) or total motile sperm count (TMSC-ORP). Although receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses show that leucocytospermia does not predict high sORP values (>1.34 mV/106 spermatozoa/ml), the motORP (AUC: 0.666) and TMSC-ORP (AUC: 0.683) predict the rate of leucocytospermia significantly (p = .0195 and p = .0085 respectively). Moreover, SDF can significantly predict leucocytospermia (AUC: 0.679; p = .011) and vice versa (AUC: 0.657, p = .0298). Our data confirm the association between OS and SDF. In conclusion, motORP and TMSC-ORP may be better predictive factors of leucocytospermia, probably because sperm motility, included in motORP and TMSC-ORP calculation, is the first seminal parameter to be affected by OS. Although all these parameters are indicative of OS, ORP values, SDF and leucocytospermia should be considered independently for the evaluation of redox seminal status, as they probe distinct seminal features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Arafa
- Male Infertility Unit, Urology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.,Urology Department, Weill Cornell Medical-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Andrology Department, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kathy Robert
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ahmad Majzoub
- Male Infertility Unit, Urology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.,Urology Department, Weill Cornell Medical-Qatar, Doha, Qatar.,American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Haitham ElBardisi
- Male Infertility Unit, Urology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar.,Urology Department, Weill Cornell Medical-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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33
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Panner Selvam MK, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Henkel R. Evaluation of seminal oxidation-reduction potential in male infertility. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13610. [PMID: 32399973 DOI: 10.1111/and.13610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of oxidative stress in male infertility has been broadly recognised, and the search for a new marker to determine the redox environment in semen has gained considerable interest. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) or redox potential, is a measure of the electron transfer from antioxidants to oxidants and provides information on the redox balance. In this review, the benefits of ORP as a new oxidative stress marker, the protocol for its evaluation and the importance of its measurement in the context of male infertility are discussed. In association with the standard semen analysis, seminal ORP has been analysed to evaluate semen quality and male fertility status. However, further studies are required to establish its use in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Medical Bioscience, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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34
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Abstract
With the increasing incidence of male infertility, routine detection of semen is insufficient to accurately assess male fertility. Infertile men, who have lower odds of conceiving naturally, exhibit high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). The mechanisms driving SDF include abnormal spermatogenesis, oxidative stress damage, and abnormal sperm apoptosis. As these factors can induce SDF and subsequent radical changes leading to male infertility, detection of the extent of SDF has become an efficient routine method for semen analysis. Although it is still debated, SDF detection has become a research hotspot in the field of reproductive medicine as a more accurate indicator for assessing sperm quality and male fertility. SDF may be involved in male infertility, reproductive assisted outcomes, and growth and development of offspring. The effective detection methods of SDF are sperm chromatin structure analysis (SCSA), terminal transferase-mediated dUTP end labeling (TUNEL) assay, single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay, and sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and all of these methods are valuable for assisted reproductive techniques. Currently, the preferred method for detecting sperm DNA integrity is SCSA. However, the regulation network of SDF is very complex because the sperm DNA differs from the somatic cell DNA with its unique structure. A multitude of molecular factors, including coding genes, non-coding genes, or methylated DNA, participate in the complex physiological regulation activities associated with SDF. Studying SDF occurrence and the underlying mechanisms may effectively improve its clinical treatments. This review aimed to outline the research status of SDF mechanism and detection technology-related issues, as well as the effect of increased SDF rate, aiming to provide a basis for clinical male infertility diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Qiu
- The Reproductive Medical Center, Nanning Second People's Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Hua Yang
- The Reproductive Medical Center, Nanning Second People's Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Chunyuan Li
- The Reproductive Medical Center, Nanning Second People's Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
| | - Changlong Xu
- The Reproductive Medical Center, Nanning Second People's Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China (mainland)
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35
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Jakubik-Uljasz J, Gill K, Rosiak-Gill A, Piasecka M. Relationship between sperm morphology and sperm DNA dispersion. Transl Androl Urol 2020; 9:405-415. [PMID: 32420146 PMCID: PMC7215007 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2020.01.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The pathogenesis of teratozoospermia (<4% morphologically normal sperm cells) and the relationship between sperm morphological abnormalities and abnormal sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation, which are considered indicators of male fertility, have not been elucidated. Our research was designed to determine the prevalence of different sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) levels in men with teratozoospermia and to establish a discriminating threshold value for SDF in assessing sperm morphology. Methods Basic semen characteristics and detailed sperm morphological analysis (head, neck, midpiece, and tail defects and excess residual cytoplasm) (WHO, 2010), and the nuclear sperm DNA dispersion test were performed on semen samples obtained from 523 men with teratozoospermia (n=296) and those without teratozoospermia (n=227). Results Subjects with abnormal sperm morphology had not only lower results for standard sperm characteristics, including detailed sperm morphological abnormalities, but also a higher proportion of sperm cells with SDF vs. men with normal sperm morphology. Moreover, significantly fewer subjects with low SDF levels (≤15%), more subjects with high SDF levels (>30%) and a higher odds ratio (OR) for having high SDF levels were found in the group of men with teratozoospermia vs. men without teratozoospermia. However, the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that a SDF >18% was a significant negative predictive value to distinguish between men with normal sperm morphology or men with abnormal sperm morphology. The optimal area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.746. In the group of men with teratozoospermia, a higher incidence of men with >18% SDF and a higher OR for having >18% SDF were observed. SDF negatively correlated with sperm number, morphologically normal sperm cells, sperm motility and sperm vitality but positively correlated with the teratozoospermia index (TZI) and detailed sperm morphological abnormalities. Conclusions The obtained findings demonstrated that: (I) detailed sperm structural defects coexist with abnormal nuclear sperm DNA dispersion, (II) men with teratozoospermia may have a higher risk for sperm DNA damage, (III) the calculated optimal SDF value of 18% measured by the DNA sperm dispersion test is the best criterion to predict normal and abnormal sperm morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Jakubik-Uljasz
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Rosiak-Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland.,VitroLive Fertility Clinic in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
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Kuroda S, Takeshima T, Takeshima K, Usui K, Yasuda K, Sanjo H, Kawahara T, Uemura H, Murase M, Yumura Y. Early and late paternal effects of reactive oxygen species in semen on embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2020; 66:122-128. [PMID: 32063036 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2020.1720865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Although reactive oxygen species in semen are associated with unfavorable results with respect to assisted reproductive technology, their effects based on the detailed stages of embryo development are unclear. We investigated the relationship between reactive oxygen species in semen and the oocyte fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and blastulation rate of intracytoplasmic sperm injections. This retrospective study enrolled 77 couples who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection and analyzed 887 eggs from 141 cycles of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The reactive oxygen species level in semen was compared between the fertilized and nonfertilized groups, between the good-cleavage-embryo and non-developed-embryo groups, and between the good-quality-blastocyst and poor-quality-blastocyst groups. The cut-off level of reactive oxygen species was calculated to predict good-cleavage-embryo and good-quality-blastocyst development. The fertilization rate was 65.4%, and the mean reactive oxygen species levels were not significantly different between the fertilized and nonfertilized groups. The reactive oxygen species level was significantly higher in the non-developed-embryo group than in the good-cleavage-embryo group (P = 0.0026) and was significantly lower in the good-quality-blastocyst group than in the poor-quality-embryo group (P = 0.015). Cleavage embryos and blastocysts were divided into high- and low-reactive-oxygen-species groups using a cut-off value of 6601 and 4926 relative light units, as calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve. The rates of good-cleavage embryos and good-quality blastocysts were lower in the high-reactive-oxygen-species group than in the low-reactive-oxygen-species group, which were both statistically significant. To conclude, reactive oxygen species in semen is considered to have an adverse effect on both the early and late stages of embryo development in intracytoplasmic sperm injection.Abbreviations: GnRH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone; ICSI, intracytoplasmic sperm injection; IVF, in vitro fertilization; LPO, lipid peroxidation; NADPH, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; RLU, relative light units; ROC, receiver operating characteristic; ROS, reactive oxygen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Kuroda
- Department of Urology, Reproduction Centre, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Teppei Takeshima
- Department of Urology, Reproduction Centre, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazumi Takeshima
- Department of Gynaecology, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kimitsugu Usui
- Department of Urology, Reproduction Centre, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kengo Yasuda
- Department of Urology, Reproduction Centre, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sanjo
- Department of Urology, Reproduction Centre, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Kawahara
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroji Uemura
- Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Mariko Murase
- Department of Gynaecology, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yumura
- Department of Urology, Reproduction Centre, Yokohama City University Medical Centre, Kanagawa, Japan
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Baldi E, Tamburrino L, Muratori M, Degl'Innocenti S, Marchiani S. Adverse effects of in vitro manipulation of spermatozoa. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 220:106314. [PMID: 32089373 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Development of in vitro reproduction techniques has not only offered some infertile couples the possibility to have a child, it also revolutionized animal reproduction. Although in vitro reproduction techniques for humans or domestic and non-domestic animals have been designed to mimic in vivo conditions, modifications due to environmental effects or in vitro manipulation of gametes and embryos are unavoidable. For male gametes, in vitro manipulations include techniques to select spermatozoa, cryopreservation and other incubation procedures, during which spermatozoa may be exposed to oxidative stress and other insults that may damage their functions and DNA. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of key studies reporting sperm damage during in vitro manipulation, with particular focus on effects on DNA integrity, a fundamental factor for fertilization and transmission of paternal genetic information to offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Baldi
- Departments of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Lara Tamburrino
- Departments of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Monica Muratori
- Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Science, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Selene Degl'Innocenti
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
| | - Sara Marchiani
- Departments of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
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Elbardisi H, Finelli R, Agarwal A, Majzoub A, Henkel R, Arafa M. Predictive value of oxidative stress testing in semen for sperm DNA fragmentation assessed by sperm chromatin dispersion test. Andrology 2020; 8:610-617. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haitham Elbardisi
- Male Infertility Unit Urology Department Hamad General Hospital Doha Qatar
- Urology Department Weill Cornell Medical‐Qatar Doha Qatar
| | - Renata Finelli
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine Cleveland Clinic Cleveland OH USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine Cleveland Clinic Cleveland OH USA
| | - Ahmad Majzoub
- Male Infertility Unit Urology Department Hamad General Hospital Doha Qatar
- Urology Department Weill Cornell Medical‐Qatar Doha Qatar
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine Cleveland Clinic Cleveland OH USA
| | - Ralf Henkel
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine Cleveland Clinic Cleveland OH USA
- Department of Medical Bioscience University of the Western Cape Bellville South Africa
| | - Mohamed Arafa
- Male Infertility Unit Urology Department Hamad General Hospital Doha Qatar
- Urology Department Weill Cornell Medical‐Qatar Doha Qatar
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine Cleveland Clinic Cleveland OH USA
- Andrology Department Cairo University Cairo Egypt
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Grèze C, Guttmann A, Pons-Rejraji H, Vasson MP, Lornage J, Ouchchane L, Brugnon F. Can the SCD test and terminal uridine nick-end labeling by flow cytometry technique (TUNEL/FCM) be used interchangeably to measure sperm DNA damage in routine laboratory practice? Basic Clin Androl 2019; 29:17. [PMID: 31890218 PMCID: PMC6933933 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-019-0098-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous tests have been proposed to evaluate sperm DNA integrity. To assess the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test in an andrology laboratory, twenty-five men attending Clermont-Ferrand (France) University Hospital’s Center for Reproductive Medicine were recruited. Sperm DNA damage was measured in the same semen samples using the SCD test and the Terminal Uridine Nick-end Labeling by flow cytometry technique (TUNEL/FCM) after density gradient centrifugation. Results SCD test reliability between readings, readers or slides was clearly established with very high agreement between measurements (Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) at 0.97, 0.95 and 0.98 respectively). Despite very good agreement between the SCD test and TUNEL/FCM (ICC at 0.94), the SCD test tended to slightly but significantly underestimate DNA damage compared with TUNEL (p = 0.0127). This systematic difference between the two techniques was − 3.39 ± 1.45% (mean ± SE). Conclusions Andrology laboratories using the SCD test to measure sperm DNA damage need to know that it appears to give slightly underestimated measurements compared to TUNEL/FCM. However, this systematic underestimation is very small in amplitude. Both techniques give almost perfectly congruent results. Our study underlines the importance for each laboratory to validate its method to assess sperm DNA damage before implementing it in routine andrology lab practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Grèze
- 1Assistance Médicale à la Procréation, CECOS, Pôle Femme et Enfant, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,2Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Laboratoires de Biologie de la Reproduction et de Diagnostic préimplantatoire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Aline Guttmann
- 3Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,4Institut Pascal, UMR 6602-CNRS/UCA/SIGMA, Image Guided Therapy/PEPRADE, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hanae Pons-Rejraji
- 1Assistance Médicale à la Procréation, CECOS, Pôle Femme et Enfant, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,5Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, U 1240 Inserm, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Ferrand, France
| | - Marie-Paule Vasson
- 6Unité de Nutrition Humaine, UMR 1019 - INRA/UCA, Equipe ECREIN, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Unité de Nutrition, Centre de Lutte contre le Cancer Jean-Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jacqueline Lornage
- 8Service de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, CHU de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Lemlih Ouchchane
- 3Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,4Institut Pascal, UMR 6602-CNRS/UCA/SIGMA, Image Guided Therapy/PEPRADE, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Florence Brugnon
- 1Assistance Médicale à la Procréation, CECOS, Pôle Femme et Enfant, CHU Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,8Service de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, CHU de Lyon, Bron, France
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Castellini C, Mattioli S, Dal Bosco A, Collodel G, Pistilli A, Stabile AM, Macchioni L, Mancuso F, Luca G, Rende M. In vitro effect of nerve growth factor on the main traits of rabbit sperm. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019; 17:93. [PMID: 31718673 PMCID: PMC6849245 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-019-0533-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophins family, plays an important role not only in the nervous but also in other non-nervous systems such as the reproductive system. The aim of the paper is to study the in vitro effect of NGF on rabbit sperm functions. METHODS Ten adult rabbit bucks were collected five times, and pooled semen samples have been analysed. NGF was quantified in seminal plasma, and the distribution of NGF receptors (TrKA and p75NTR) in sperm was established. Moreover, the dose-effect of NGF on motility rate and track speed was evaluated. Successively, the effect of the neutralisation of NGF receptors was assessed to verify the specific role of each receptor. Untreated sperm were used as control. RESULTS Our study identified several interesting results: i) We detected NGF in seminal plasma and TrKA and p75NTR in sperm surface. In particular, TrKA is localised in the head and p75NTR in the midpiece and tail of rabbit sperm. ii) Once the optimal dose of NGF (100 ng/mL) was established, its addition affected both kinetics and other physiological traits (capacitation, apoptosis and necrosis) of rabbit sperm. (iii) The neutralisation of TrKA and p75NTR receptors affected sperm traits differently. In particular, sperm speed, apoptosis and capacitation seemed mainly modulated via p75NTR receptor, whereas motile, live cells, necrosis and acrosome reaction were modulated via TrKA. CONCLUSION For the first time, we showed the presence of p75NTR in rabbit sperm. NGF affects kinetic and other physiological traits of rabbit sperm. Most of these changes are modulated by the receptors involved (TrKA or p75NTR). Considering that some seminal disorders in human have been correlated with a lower NGF concentration and no studies have been done on the possible involvement of NGF receptors, these findings also provide new insights on human fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Castellini
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06100, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Simona Mattioli
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Dal Bosco
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Science, University of Perugia, Borgo XX Giugno 74, 06100, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Collodel
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, S. Maria dalle Scotte Hospital, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pistilli
- Section of Human, Clinical and Forensic Anatomy, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi, 1, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Stabile
- Section of Human, Clinical and Forensic Anatomy, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi, 1, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Lara Macchioni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, P.Le Lucio Severi, 1, Sant'Andrea delle delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancuso
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, P.Le Lucio Severi, 1, Sant'Andrea delle delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, P.Le Lucio Severi, 1, Sant'Andrea delle delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Mario Rende
- Section of Human, Clinical and Forensic Anatomy, Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Perugia, P.le Lucio Severi, 1, Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, 06132, Perugia, Italy
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Amor H, Shelko N, Hamad MF, Zeyad A, Hammadeh ME. An additional marker for sperm DNA quality evaluation in spermatozoa of male partners of couples undergoing assisted reproduction technique (IVF/ICSI): Protamine ratio. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13400. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Houda Amor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Reproductive Medicine Saarland University Clinic Homburg Germany
| | - Nyaz Shelko
- Community Health Department Technical College of Health Sulaimani Polytechnic University Sulaimanyah Iraq
| | - Mohammed F. Hamad
- Department of Basic Sciences College of Science and Health Professions King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences Jeddah Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Zeyad
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Reproductive Medicine Saarland University Clinic Homburg Germany
| | - Mohamad Eid Hammadeh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine Biochemistry & Molecular Biology of Reproductive Medicine Saarland University Clinic Homburg Germany
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RETRACTED ARTICLE: Sperm DNA damage due to the oxidative stress associated with varicocele. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 36:1295. [DOI: 10.1007/s10815-010-9532-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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El Fekih S, Tous C, Gueganic N, Brugnon F, Ali HB, Bujan L, Moinard N, Caire-Tetauru E, Ajina M, Douet-Guilbert N, Morel F, Perrin A. Decrease of spermatozoa with an unbalanced chromosome content after cell sorting in men carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality. Andrology 2019; 8:181-190. [PMID: 31116011 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12643] [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: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We showed that in men with a constitutional chromosomal abnormality, DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in chromosomally unbalanced spermatozoa than in spermatozoa with a normal or balanced chromosomal content. These results could be explained by a phenomenon already described in infertile men: abortive apoptosis. OBJECTIVES To determine whether magnetic-activated cell separation could select spermatozoa with lower levels of DNA fragmentation and unbalanced chromosome content in men carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS The spermatozoa of ten males with a chromosomal rearrangement were separated into two populations using magnetic-activated cell separation (annexin V (-) and annexin V (+) fractions), in order to study meiotic segregation by fluorescence in situ hybridization, the percentage of spermatozoa with an externalization of phosphatidylserine by annexin V staining and DNA fragmentation by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling on the whole ejaculate and on selected spermatozoa in the same patient. RESULTS For all patients, the percentage of spermatozoa with externalization of phosphatidylserine decreased in the annexin V (-) fraction and increased in the annexin V (+) fraction as compared to the frozen-thawed semen sample. The rates of DNA fragmentation were statistically much lower in the annexin V (-) fraction when compared to the rate before magnetic-activated cell separation for all but one patient. Conversely, we observed a statistically significantly higher rate of DNA fragmentation in the annexin V (+) fraction for six patients. After magnetic-activated cell separation, there was a significant increase of normal/balanced spermatozoa in the fraction of annexin V (-) for all patients. Conversely, we observed a significant decrease in the fraction of annexin V (+) for seven patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Magnetic-activated cell separation is a promising tool for increasing the selection of healthy spermatozoa, with a decrease in the number of spermatozoa with externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA fragmentation, and chromosome unbalance, for use in assisted reproductive technologies such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection for males with a chromosomal structural abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- S El Fekih
- Laboratoire d'histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, INSERM U1078, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Génétique Moléculaire et Biologie de la Reproduction Humaines, CHU Farhat Hached Sousse et Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisie
| | - C Tous
- Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU Morvan, Brest, France
| | - N Gueganic
- Laboratoire d'histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, INSERM U1078, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France
| | - F Brugnon
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, AMP, CECOS, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Faculté de Médecine, IMOST, INSERM 1240, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - H Ben Ali
- Laboratoire de Cytogénétique, Génétique Moléculaire et Biologie de la Reproduction Humaines, CHU Farhat Hached Sousse et Université de Monastir, Monastir, Tunisie
| | - L Bujan
- Groupe de Recherche en Fertilité Humaine, EA 3694, Groupe d'activité de Médecine de la Reproduction, Université Paul Sabatier et CECOS, CHU Toulouse, France
| | - N Moinard
- Groupe de Recherche en Fertilité Humaine, EA 3694, Groupe d'activité de Médecine de la Reproduction, Université Paul Sabatier et CECOS, CHU Toulouse, France
| | - E Caire-Tetauru
- Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU Morvan, Brest, France
| | - M Ajina
- Unité de Médecine de la Reproduction, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - N Douet-Guilbert
- Laboratoire d'histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, INSERM U1078, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU Morvan, Brest, France
| | - F Morel
- Laboratoire d'histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, INSERM U1078, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU Morvan, Brest, France
| | - A Perrin
- Laboratoire d'histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, INSERM U1078, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie de la Reproduction, CHRU Morvan, Brest, France
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Ferigolo PC, Ribeiro de Andrade MB, Camargo M, Carvalho VM, Cardozo KHM, Bertolla RP, Fraietta R. Sperm functional aspects and enriched proteomic pathways of seminal plasma of adult men with obesity. Andrology 2019; 7:341-349. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. C. Ferigolo
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - M. B. Ribeiro de Andrade
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
| | - M. Camargo
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
| | | | | | - R. P. Bertolla
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
- Hospital São Paulo São Paulo Brazil
| | - R. Fraietta
- Department of Surgery Division of Urology Human Reproduction Section Sao Paulo Federal University Sao Paulo Brazil
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Potential Role of Chromothripsis in the Genesis of Complex Chromosomal Rearrangements in Human Gametes and Preimplantation Embryo. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1769:35-41. [PMID: 29564816 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7780-2_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of a new class of massive chromosomal rearrangement, baptized chromothripsis, in different cancers and congenital disorders has deeply modified our understanding on the genesis of complex genomic rearrangements. Several mechanisms, involving abortive apoptosis, telomere erosion, mitotic errors, micronuclei formation, and p53 inactivation, might cause chromothripsis. The remarkable point is that all these plausible mechanisms have been identified in the field of human reproduction as causal factors for reproductive failures and chromosomal abnormality genesis. Specific features of gametogenesis and early embryonic development may contribute to the emergence of chromothripsis. Multiple lines of evidence support the assumption that chromothripsis may arise more frequently than previously thought in both gametogenesis and early human embryogenesis.
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Grunewald S, Fitzl G, Springsguth C. Induction of ultra-morphological features of apoptosis in mature and immature sperm. Asian J Androl 2018; 19:533-537. [PMID: 27270340 PMCID: PMC5566845 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.180974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a fundamental body of evidence suggesting that activated apoptosis signaling in ejaculated human sperm negatively influences their fertilization potential. However, it is still controversial whether this apoptotic signaling is a relic of an abortive apoptosis related to spermatogenesis or if it should be regarded as a functional preformed pathway in mature sperm leading to stereotypical morphological changes reflecting nuclear disassembly. To address this question, apoptosis was induced using betulinic acid in mature and immature ejaculated human sperm enriched by density gradient centrifugation. Execution of apoptosis was monitored by observing ultra-morphological changes via transmission electron microscopy. Typical morphological signs of apoptosis in somatic cells include plasma membrane blebbing with the formation of apoptotic bodies, impaired mitochondrial integrity, defects of the nuclear envelope, and nuclear fragmentation; these morphologies have also been observed in human sperm. In addition, these apoptotic characteristics were more frequent in immature sperm compared to mature sperm. Following betulinic acid treatment, apoptosis-related morphological changes were induced in mature sperm from healthy donors. This effect was much less pronounced in immature sperm. Moreover, in both fractions, the betulinic acid treatment increased the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm. The results of our ultra-morphological study prove the functional competence of apoptosis in mature ejaculated human sperm. The theory of a sole abortive process may be valid only for immature sperm. The induction of the acrosome reaction by stimulating apoptosis might shed light on the biological relevance of sperm apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Grunewald
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Guenther Fitzl
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christopher Springsguth
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Choobineh H, Kazemi M, Sadighi Gilani MA, Heydari T, Shokri S, Bazrafkan M, Hassanzadeh G. Testosterone Reduces Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Effects on Male Reproduction by Preventing CADM1 Defect. CELL JOURNAL 2018; 20:138-149. [PMID: 29633590 PMCID: PMC5893284 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2018.5003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective This study evaluated the effects of exogenous testosterone molecule-1 (CADM1) pathological defect during early
and chronic periods of spinal cord injury (SCI).
Materials and Methods In this experimental study, testosterone was administered immediately or after one week of SCI
induction. Along with quantification of CADM1 gene expression and its immunoreactivity, we evaluated sperm parameters and
serum testosterone level post-SCI.
Results Different grades of abnormalities in sperm parameters and testis architecture were observed along with
significant reductions in the level of CADM1 expression and its immunoreactivity in the seminiferous tubules of both
acute and chronic SCI groups. Exogenous testosterone, by compensating the serum testosterone level. reduced
the percentage of apoptotic and both short head and abnormal sperm froms in the caudal epididymis. Importantly,
the beneficial effects of immediate administration of testosterone were prominent. Increases in the level of CADM1
transcription and its immunoreactivity in the testis of SCI mice treated with testosterone were accompanied by
improvement of sperm motility as well as testicular Johnsen’s and Miller’s criteria.
Conclusion Since immediate testosterone treatment improved the immunoreactivity and transcription level of CADM1,
the observed beneficial effect of exogenouse testosterone can be attributed to its effect on CADM1 dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Choobineh
- School of Allied Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Zeoonosis Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Kazemi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Tahereh Heydari
- Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Parand Branch, Iran
| | - Saeed Shokri
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mahshid Bazrafkan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hassanzadeh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronicaddress:
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Takeshima T, Yumura Y, Yasuda K, Sanjo H, Kuroda S, Yamanaka H, Iwasaki A. Inverse correlation between reactive oxygen species in unwashed semen and sperm motion parameters as measured by a computer-assisted semen analyzer. Asian J Androl 2018; 19:350-354. [PMID: 26975485 PMCID: PMC5427793 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.173933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the correlation between sperm motion parameters obtained by a computer-assisted semen analyzer and levels of reactive oxygen species in unwashed semen. In total, 847 patients, except for azoospermic patients were investigated. At the time of each patient's first consultation, semen parameters were measured using SMAS™ or CellSoft 3000™, and production of reactive oxygen species was measured using a computer-driven LKB Wallac Luminometer 1251 Analyzer. The patients were divided into two groups: reactive oxygen species - positive and negative. The semen parameters within each group were measured using one of the two computer-assisted semen analyzer systems and then compared. Correlations between reactive oxygen species levels and sperm motion parameters in semen from the reactive oxygen species - positive group were also investigated. Reactive oxygen species were detected in semen samples of 282 cases (33.3%). Sperm concentration (P < 0.01; P < 0.01), motility (P < 0.01; P < 0.05), and progressive motility (P < 0.01; P < 0.01) were markedly lower in the reactive oxygen species - positive group than in the reactive oxygen species - negative group. Among the sperm motion parameters in the reactive oxygen species - positive group, sperm concentration (P < 0.01; P < 0.01), motility (P < 0.05; P < 0.01), mALH (P < 0.05; P < 0.01), and progressive motility (P < 0.05; P < 0.01) also showed inverse correlations with the logarithmic transformed reactive oxygen species levels. Therefore, this study demonstrated that excessive reactive oxygen species in semen damage sperm concentration, motility, and other sperm motion parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teppei Takeshima
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yumura
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kengo Yasuda
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sanjo
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shinnosuke Kuroda
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamanaka
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Akira Iwasaki
- Department of Urology, Reproductive Center, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.,YMRAC Urology Office, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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Engel KM, Springsguth CH, Grunewald S. What happens to the unsuccessful spermatozoa? Andrology 2018; 6:335-344. [PMID: 29438593 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
To study apoptosis as a functional pathway in mature spermatozoa and apoptosis correlated to the acrosome reaction via the intracellular calcium concentration, semen samples from 27 healthy human donors were treated with inducers of apoptosis (betulinic acid, thapsigargin), inducers of the acrosome reaction (thapsigargin, calcium ionophore) or hydrogen peroxide to produce reactive oxygen species with and without prior incubation with a calcium chelator. Computer-assisted sperm analysis, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to analyze changes in the acrosomal status and in apoptotic features. Betulinic acid, thapsigargin, and the calcium ionophore treatment resulted in an increased number of sperm cells with caspase 9 and caspase 3 activation, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and a reacted acrosome. Sperm motility was decreased in all cases. Transmission electron analyses showed ultra-morphological changes, such as membrane integrity, membrane blebbing, the formation of head vacuoles, defects of the nuclear envelope, nuclear fragmentation, and the acrosome reaction. Acrosome reaction and apoptotic features decreased due to the reduction in intracellular calcium by the calcium chelator NP-EGTA, AM. Therefore, apoptotic cell death in acrosome-reacted sperm cells mediated by high intracellular calcium levels is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Engel
- Andrological Unit, Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology Clinic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Institute for Medical Physics and Biophysics, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - C H Springsguth
- Andrological Unit, Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology Clinic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - S Grunewald
- Andrological Unit, Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology Clinic, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Paoli D, Pallotti F, Lenzi A, Lombardo F. Fatherhood and Sperm DNA Damage in Testicular Cancer Patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:506. [PMID: 30271379 PMCID: PMC6146098 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular cancer (TC) is one of the most treatable of all malignancies and the management of the quality of life of these patients is increasingly important, especially with regard to their sexuality and fertility. Survivors must overcome anxiety and fears about reduced fertility and possible pregnancy-related risks as well as health effects in offspring. There is thus a growing awareness of the need for reproductive counseling of cancer survivors. Studies found a high level of sperm DNA damage in TC patients in comparison with healthy, fertile controls, but no significant difference between these patients and infertile patients. Sperm DNA alterations due to cancer treatment persist from 2 to 5 years after the end of the treatment and may be influenced by both the type of therapy and the stage of the disease. Population studies reported a slightly reduced overall fertility of TC survivors and a more frequent use of ART than the general population, with a success rate of around 50%. Paternity after a diagnosis of cancer is an important issue and reproductive potential is becoming a major quality of life factor. Sperm chromatin instability associated with genome instability is the most important reproductive side effect related to the malignancy or its treatment. Studies investigating the magnitude of this damage could have a considerable translational importance in the management of cancer patients, as they could identify the time needed for the germ cell line to repair nuclear damage and thus produce gametes with a reduced risk for the offspring.
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