Is there a relationship between sperm chromosome abnormalities and sperm morphology?

The clinical impact of oligozoospermia in oocyte donation ICSI cycles using preimplantation genetic test for aneuploidy

STUDY QUESTION

Do severely impaired sperm concentrations (oligozoospemia) in male factor infertility affect embryo aneuploidy rates and clinical results after IVF oocyte donation cycles?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Severe oligozoospermia (SO) in IVF cycles utilizing donor oocytes does not significantly affect embryo euploidy rates or IVF outcomes or cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

SO has previously been linked to elevated rates of chromosomal abnormalities in spermatozoa and altered rates of embryo development with poorer reproductive outcomes. Nonetheless, the precise impacts of severe male factor infertility on embryonic aneuploidy rates and the success of IVF, in the context of controlled female ages in oocyte donation cycles with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A), are still not fully understood.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This retrospective observational cohort study involved 690 IVF oocyte donation cycles undergoing PGT-A from multiple clinics across Europe between January 2017 and December 2023. The study population was divided into three groups based on sperm concentration: SO (<5 million sperm/ml), moderate oligozoospermia (MO, 5-16 million sperm/ml), and a normozoospermia control group (≥16 million sperm/ml) for outcome analysis.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

The IVF outcomes and variables for couples undergoing oocyte donor cycles were investigated. ICSI was performed in all cycles using fresh sperm samples that were assessed for standard semen parameters with fresh or frozen donated oocytes. All of the resulting embryos were biopsied at the blastocyst stage for PGT-A, and all transfers were of single embryos performed in subsequent cycles after vitrification and warming. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate regression models to identify correlations between rates of oligozoospermia and clinical, embryological and genetic outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The study included 690 couples, in the SO (N = 202), MO (N = 102), and the control normozoospermia (N = 386) groups. The SO group had significantly lower sperm motility (P < 0.0001) and significantly reduced fertilization rates compared to the MO and control groups (P < 0.01). However, no statistical difference was observed for the blastocyst formation rate (per fertilized oocyte). Mostly due to the reduced fertilization rates, the number of euploid blastocysts obtained was significantly lower in the SO group (P = 0.007), however, this did not affect the pregnancy, biochemical or clinical miscarriage (P = 0.37, P = 0.22, and P = 0.86), or CLBRs (P = 0.26) after single blastocyst transfers. The multivariate analysis showed no effect of SO or MO on aneuploidy, miscarriage, or live birth rates. Interestingly, the PGT laboratory strategy (<0.001) was associated with the rate of euploid blastocysts but had no significant effect on pregnancy outcomes.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

This is a retrospective observational study focusing on outcomes associated with reduced sperm concentration. Other elements of severe male factor infertility may have different associations with outcomes. Also, potential confounding factors including male lifestyle factors that can influence sperm quality were not considered.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

In this oocyte donation setting, we demonstrated that SO is unlikely to significantly affect IVF outcomes following blastocyst development, which contradicts previous findings in less controlled settings. This suggests that male factor infertility in the setting of oocyte donation is not an indication per se to perform PGT-A. These results provide reassurance for couples when undergoing treatment with oocyte donation that any related male factor infertility will not significantly impact treatment outcomes. Further research should use similar controlled oocyte donation settings to investigate other severely impaired sperm parameters to better understand associations with paternal embryonic aneuploidy and IVF outcomes, guiding a more informed path for male factor infertility treatment.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

No external funding was used and the authors have no conflicting interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Health risk assessment of toxic metals and DNA damage in somatic and germ cells by soil and groundwater of a major cement factory in Nigeria

The waste generated from cement manufacturing is an important source of heavy metal contamination of groundwater and soil. This study investigated the concentration of toxic metals in the soil of a major cement factory and nearby groundwater. Ecological and carcinogenic risks of the metals were calculated. Potential reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects of the samples were assessed in the sex and somatic cells of male mice using sperm abnormalities and bone marrow micronucleus (MN) assays, respectively. Also, the serum ALP, ALT, AST, total testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); and liver SOD and CAT activities were measured in the treated mice. Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb levels in the soil and groundwater exceeded the allowable maximum standard. Ingestion and dermal contact were the most probable routes of human exposure with children having about 3 times higher probability of exposure to the metals than adults. Ni, Pb, and Cr presented carcinogenic risks in children and adults. In the MN result, nuclear abnormalities in the studied mice especially micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to the negative control, the ratio of PCE/NCE showed the cytotoxicity of the 2 samples. Data further showed a significant increase in the serum ALP, AST, and ALT while the liver CAT and SOD activities concomitantly decreased in the exposed mice. Sperm morphology results showed that the samples contained constituents capable of inducing reproductive toxicity in exposed organisms, with alterations to the concentrations of TT, LH, and FSH. Toxic metal constituents of the samples were believed to induce these reported reproductive toxicity and genotoxic effects. These results showed the environmental pollution caused by cement factories and the potential effects the pollutants might have on exposed eukaryotic organisms.

Assessment of sperm chromosomal abnormalities using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): implications for reproductive potential

PURPOSE

Chromosomal abnormalities play an important role in male infertility, which is becoming a significant issue in human fertility. Aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of spermatic aneuploidies and diploidies in human sperm, according to semen parameters.

METHODS

We performed semen analysis according to the 6th edition of WHO criteria in 50 male subjects; samples were divided into normozoospermic (n = 23) or those with altered seminal parameters (n = 27). To assess chromosomal numerical alterations of sperm, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used.

RESULT

A significant increase in aneuploidies and diploidies was observed in samples with altered seminal parameters. Furthermore, stratifying this group, we observed a significant increase in aneuploidies and total abnormalities in oligozoospermic, asthenoteratozoospermic (AT), and oligoteratoasthenozoospermic (OAT) samples compared to normozoospermic.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed the correlation between altered seminal parameters and numerical chromosomal abnormalities, confirming that sperm FISH analysis could be an additional clinical tool to assess reproductive potential in infertile males. Moreover, our results point to the importance of updating the normality ranges for detecting chromosomal aneuploidies using FISH.

Preterm Delivery and Neonatal Deaths among Anaemic Pregnant Women in the Bolgatanga Metropolis of Ghana

Preterm deliveries and neonatal deaths as functions of anaemia in pregnancy are of major public health interest. However, data on the prevalence of preterm deliveries and their association with mortality in anaemic pregnant women in the study area are scanty. Thus, the study sought to investigate the prevalence of preterm delivery and neonatal deaths among anaemic pregnant women in the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital in the Upper East Region of Ghana during the past five years. A retrospective study design was adopted, and data were gathered between March and May 2016. Records of women who were anaemic during any trimester of their pregnancy and delivered in the hospital within the last five years were included in the study. In all, two hundred (200) cases were reviewed. Data on the sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and birth outcome of participants were captured, and analyses were conducted using SPSS version 21 while considering significant differences at p < 0.05. The study revealed that more than half of the anaemic women (52.5%, n = 105) had preterm deliveries, while neonatal mortality was 8.5% (n = 17). The proportion of mothers who received dietary or medical intervention for the treatment of anaemia and the number of attendances to antenatal clinics were comparable between preterm and normal-term mothers (p > 0.05). Mothers with preterm deliveries had a higher risk of neonatal mortality (AOR = 13.66, 95% CI = 1.65-113.30, and p=0.015). This study has shown that anaemia in pregnancy increases the risk of preterm delivery and neonatal death. It is recommended that extra care be given to pregnant women with anaemia, while further studies are conducted with a larger sample size to substantiate the claims made in this study.

A complete dissection of the whole testicular parenchyma is required in most patients with nonobstructive azoospermia to obtain enough good quality testicular spermatozoa for ICSI

BACKGROUND

Due to the heterogeneous distribution of seminiferous tubules (STs) in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), retrieving enough good quality spermatozoa for ICSI may require a complete testicular dissection. According to the only available study in this field, spermatozoa may be found in the testis surface in 34.2% of patients, while a deeper testicular dissection is able to provide spermatozoa for ICSI in 28% of those without spermatozoa in the testis surface.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the probability of finding enough spermatozoa for ICSI at the initial wide incision of the testis in a cohort of men with NOA undergoing microdissection testicular spermatozoa extraction (mTESE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated 276 patients, aged 37 (20-62) years, who underwent unilateral (86, 31.15%) or bilateral (190, 68.8%) mTESE from January 2018 through December 2021. During mTESE, the entire surface of the testicular parenchyma was explored first in search for dilated STs: if no/ not enough spermatozoa were retrieved, the deeper portion of the parenchyma was explored.

RESULTS

Spermatozoa were retrieved in 137 patients (49.6%). Histopathology demonstrated Sertoli-cell only syndrome in 65.6% of operated testes, while maturation arrest was found in 19.5%, hypospermatogenesis (HS) in 12.7%, and hyalinosis in 2%. Spermatozoa were obtained from the testis surface in 46 of 276 patients (16.6%), and after a complete dissection in 91 subjects (32.9%). On multivariate logistic regression, only the histopathological subcategory HS was predictive of the chance of retrieving spermatozoa from the surface of the testis (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.37-7.69, p = 0.007).

DISCUSSION

Most patients with NOA, particularly those with unfavorable histopathological patterns, require a complete dissection of the testicular parenchyma to obtain enough good quality for ICSI.

CONCLUSIONS

By enabling the complete exploration of the testicular parenchyma, mTESE is to be preferred to cTESE to retrieve spermatozoa in patients with NOA.

Altered Expression of GDF9 and BMP15 Genes in Granulosa Cells of Diminished Ovarian Reserve Patients: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a challenging issue encountered during assisted reproductive technology. Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) belong to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily which are essential for folliculogenesis. We aimed to the evaluation of the GDF9 and BMP15 expression in the granulosa cells (GCs) of DOR patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-control study included 14 women with DOR and 12 controls, who were between 28- 40 years of age undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation with a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. DOR patients were selected by the Bologna criteria. The GCs were extracted from the aspirated follicular fluids and RNA isolated from this. The fold change of gene expressions was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

GDF9 expression in patients was 0.23 times lower than the control group, which was significant (P<0.0001). BMP15 expression in patients was 0.32 times lower than the control group, which was significant (P<0.0001). The number of archived oocytes, MII, and two pronuclei (PN) embryos was higher in the control group and these differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Given that GDF9 and BMP15 are specifically involved during follicular recruitmen., we expect expression of these two genes in DOR patients which is greatly reduced by reducing follicular reserve.

Comparative study of the reproductive toxicity and modulation of enzyme activities by crude oil-contaminated soil before and after bioremediation

Contamination of soil with crude oil is a serious ecological problem with potential adverse public health effects. This study assessed the germ cell toxicity of simulated leachates from crude oil-contaminated soil before and after bioremediation using the murine sperm abnormality assay, sperm count, and testes histopathology. The levels of Total Testosterone (TT), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH); and activities of catalase (CAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined. The physicochemical, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), and heavy metal analyses of the leachates were also carried out. Male mice were exposed to 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1% (v/v; leachate:distilled water) of the leachate samples for five consecutive days, and were sacrificed after 35 days. The result showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05), concentration-dependent increase in abnormal sperm cells in exposed mice, with aberrations such as folded sperm, amorphous head, wrong tail attachment, distal droplet, no hook, and looped tail. Data further showed a concentration-dependent significant reduction in mean sperm count in the exposed mice. Alterations of seminiferous tubules with different lesions and activities of ALT, AST, ALP, FSH, LH, and TT were also recorded. The high level of selected heavy metals (As, Cr, Cd, Cu, and Pb) and TPH was believed to contribute to the observed reproductive toxicity and modulated enzyme activities in the treated mice. It is therefore concluded that the microbial remediation of the crude oil contaminated soil produced a reduction in the levels of heavy metals and TPH in the soil, reduced reproductive toxicity, and modulation of enzyme activities. However, the induced reproductive toxicity by the bioremediated soil is still significant, hence, further work could be done to employ a consortium of bacteria and extend the period of the bioremediation process to ensure complete removal of the contaminants.

Ablation of the sperm-associated antigen 11A (SPAG11A) protein by active immunization promotes epididymal oncogenesis in the rat

Incidence of cancer in the epididymis is very rare. It is proposed that proteins specific to this organ may contribute to this unique property. We previously demonstrated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of SPAG11A mRNA resulted in increased proliferation of epididymal epithelial cells, whereas overexpression of this gene caused reduced proliferation in immortalized cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the oncogenesis-related anatomical and transcriptome changes in the epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats challenged with a low dose of diethyl nitrosamine (DEN). DEN treatment or SPAG11A immunization alone did not cause any histopathological changes in the epididymis. Interestingly, indications of oncogenesis were observed in SPAG11A-immunized + DEN-treated rats. Using high throughput sequencing, we observed that 3549 transcripts that were differentially expressed in the caput epididymis of DEN only-treated rats displayed similar differential expression in the caput epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats, indicating that the microenvironment that contributes to oncogenesis sets in when SPAG11A protein is ablated. Differential expression of genes that are involved in 10 major cancer related pathways was also analyzed. Majority of the genes related to these pathways that were differentially expressed in the caput epididymis of DEN only-treated rats also showed similar pattern in the caput epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats. For the first time, results of our study demonstrate that ablation of SPAG11A by active immunization renders the epididymis susceptible to oncogenesis and that this protein may be one of the factors that contributes to the rarity of epididymal cancer.

Early warming stress on rainbow trout juveniles impairs male reproduction but contrastingly elicits intergenerational thermotolerance

The exposure of adult fish to warm or high temperatures is known to impair reproduction, yet the long-term reproductive impacts for treatments at early life are not well clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of warm temperature (WT) during juvenile stage on gonad maturation, gamete quality, and offspring thermotolerance in rainbow trout. While the comparison of basic reproductive parameters in WT females did not reveal any kind of impairment, many WT males showed an atrophied, undeveloped gonad, or a smaller testis with lower milt volume; sperm quality parameters in WT males and deformity rates in the respective progeny were also highly affected. However, despite of such negative effects, many of the remaining progeny presented better rates of survival and growth when exposed to the same conditions as those of parental fish (WT), suggesting that thermal stress in parr stage males elicited intergenerational thermotolerance after a single generation. The present results support that prolonged warming stress during early life stages can adversely affect key reproductive aspects, but contrastingly increase offspring performance at upper thermal ranges. These findings have implications on the capacity of fish to adapt and to cope with global warming.

Nickel oxide nanoparticles induce genotoxicity and cellular alterations in the ground beetle Blaps polycresta (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) have advantageous applications in the industry; however, little is known of their adverse effects on biological tissues. In the present study, the ground beetle Blaps polycresta was employed as a sensitive indicator for nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) toxicity. Adult male beetles were injected with six dose levels of NiO-NPs (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, and 0.06 mg/g body weight). Mortality was reported daily over 30 days under laboratory conditions to establish an LD₅₀. Nickel was detected in the testicular tissues of the beetles using X-ray analysis and transmission electronic microscopy. Beetles treated with the sublethal dose of 0.02 mg/g were selected to observe molecular, cellular, and subcellular changes. Gene transcripts of HSP70, HSP90, and MT1 were found to be increased >2.5-, 1.5-, and 2-fold, respectively, in the treated group compared with the controls. Decreased gene expression of AcPC01, AcPC02, and AcPC04 (≤1.5-, ≤2-, and < 2.5-fold, respectively, vs. controls) also were reported in the treated group. Under light microscopy, various structural changes were observed in the testicular tissues of the treated beetles. Ultrastructure observations using scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed severe damage to the subcellular organelles as well as deformities of the heads and flagella of the spermatozoa. Therefore, the present study postulated the impact of NiO-NPs in an ecological model.

The Effect of Teratozoospermia on Sex Chromosomes in Human Embryos

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of abnormal semen morphology on the frequency of sex chromosomal abnormalities in embryos obtained by ICSI, which represents the first to be studied in Egyptian population.

Methods

Forty-two couples suffering from male infertility due to teratozoospermia were divided into two groups: patients with severe and moderate teratozoospermia (group A and B, respectively). All involved couples were subjected to careful history taking and had a normal clinical examination and karyotype. Females were subjected to hormonal assays, pelvic ultrasound, hysterosalpingography and yielded normal results, while male partners were subjected to computerized semen analysis. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis was performed for all suitably developed embryos including embryo biopsy, fixation of biopsied cells and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis.

Results

Couples included in the two groups were found to be homogenous in terms of age of both partners and duration of infertility. Interpretation of FISH results was performed by evaluation of embryos’ chromosomal constitution as regards abnormalities in chromosomes X, Y and 18. Twenty-seven embryos (48.2%) were found chromosomally abnormal in group A, while only 14 embryos (25.0%) were found chromosomally abnormal in group B. Aneuploidies involved only sex chromosomes were tripled in group A embryos when compared to their frequency in group B embryos (26.8% and 8.3%, respectively) with statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.002). Monosomies were the most common type of aneuploidy and were significantly higher in group A (14.3%) when compared to group B (3.6%) (p=0.047). Embryos with mosaic abnormalities were more common in group A (12.5%) when compared to group B (3.6%), however not statistically significantly different (p= 0.162). A significant difference between the two studied groups as regards the total number of potentially viable chromosomal abnormalities detected and the potentially viable sex chromosomal aneuploidies detected (p<0.001 and p=0.002), respectively.

Conclusion

The cases with severe teratozoospermia undergoing ICSI treatment can display a higher rate of sex chromosome aneuploidies in their embryos (threefold) than cases with moderate teratozoospermia.

Abnormal fertilization in ICSI and its association with abnormal semen parameters: a retrospective observational study on 1855 cases

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) efficiently addresses male factor infertility. However, the occurrence of abnormal fertilization, mainly characterized by abnormal pronuclei (PN) patterns, merits investigation. To investigate abnormal fertilization patterns following ICSI and identify their respective associations with abnormal parameters in semen analysis (SA), a retrospective observational study including 1855 cycles was performed. Male infertility diagnosis relied on the 2010 WHO criteria. The population was divided into groups based on their SA results. The presence of 2PNs and extrusion of the second polar body (PB) indicated normal fertilization. A Kruskal–Wallis test along with a Wilcoxon post hoc evaluation and Bonferroni correction was employed for comparison among the groups. For the pregnancy rate, logistic regression was employed. No correlation was established between the SA abnormalities and the 1PN or 3PN formation rates. The highest and lowest 0PN rates were reported for the oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and normal groups, respectively. The lowest cleavage formation rates were identified in the oligoasthenozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic groups. The aforementioned groups along with the oligoteratozoospermic group similarly presented the lowest blastocyst formation rates. For the clinical pregnancy rate, no statistically significant difference was observed. In conclusion, the incidence of two or more abnormal SA parameters – with the common denominator being oligozoospermia – may jeopardize normal fertilization, cleavage, and blastocyst rates. Once the developmental milestone of achieving blastocyst stage status was achieved, only oligoasthenozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia were associated with lower rates. Interestingly, following adjustment for the number of blastocysts, no statistically significant differences were observed.

Transgenesis and active immunization mediated reduction of sperm associated antigen 11A mRNA and protein levels affect fecundity in the rat

Spermatozoa acquire motility and fertilizing ability during their transit through the epididymis. A wide variety of proteins secreted into the epididymal lumen are added on to the sperm surface to allow morphological and molecular changes involved in sperm maturation. Proteins of the Sperm Associated Antigen 11 (SPAG11) family are known to be localized on the sperm surface. The rat SPAG11A protein was implicated in sperm maturation during epididymal transit in vitro. However, systematic analyses on the significance of SPAG11A in fertility and sperm function is not yet reported in vivo. In this study, using testicular electroporation, we generated transgenic rats that express shRNA to ablate endogenous Spag11a mRNA. Genotyping revealed the integration of the plasmid that expresses shRNA against Spag11a mRNA. Significant decrease in the mRNA levels of Spag11a and its encoded protein was observed in the caput epididymis of transgenic rats. We also generated an active immunization rat model to ablate endogenous SPAG11A protein by administering recombinant SPAG11A protein. Immunized rats had a high antibody titer in the serum and the tissue fluids of caput, cauda and testis. In both these model systems, the litter size and sperm count was significantly reduced. However, spermatozoa obtained from the transgenic or immunized rats underwent capacitation and acrosome reaction and the associated calcium release. Results of this study indicate the role of SPAG11A in fecundity and sperm production and not in sperm function, especially capacitation and acrosome reaction.

Mechanistic model of hormonal contraception

Contraceptive drugs intended for family planning are used by the majority of married or in-union women in almost all regions of the world. The two most prevalent types of hormones associated with contraception are synthetic estrogens and progestins. Hormonal based contraceptives contain a dose of a synthetic progesterone (progestin) or a combination of a progestin and a synthetic estrogen. In this study we use mathematical modeling to understand better how these contraceptive paradigms prevent ovulation, special focus is on understanding how changes in dose impact hormonal cycling. To explain this phenomenon, we added two autocrine mechanisms essential to achieve contraception within our previous menstrual cycle models. This new model predicts mean daily blood concentrations of key hormones during a contraceptive state achieved by administering progestins, synthetic estrogens, or a combined treatment. Model outputs are compared with data from two clinical trials: one for a progestin only treatment and one for a combined hormonal treatment. Results show that contraception can be achieved with synthetic estrogen, with progestin, and by combining the two hormones. An advantage of the combined treatment is that a contraceptive state can be obtained at a lower dose of each hormone. The model studied here is qualitative in nature, but can be coupled with a pharmacokinetic/pharamacodynamic (PKPD) model providing the ability to fit exogenous inputs to specific bioavailability and affinity. A model of this type may allow insight into a specific drug's effects, which has potential to be useful in the pre-clinical trial stage identifying the lowest dose required to achieve contraception.

Integration and reanalysis of transcriptomics and methylomics data derived from blood and testis tissue of men with 47,XXY Klinefelter syndrome indicates the primary involvement of Sertoli cells in the testicular pathogenesis

Klinefelter syndrome (KS; 47,XXY) is the most common sex chromosomal anomaly and causes a multitude of symptoms. Often the most noticeable symptom is infertility caused by azoospermia with testicular histology showing hyalinization of tubules, germ cells loss, and Leydig cell hyperplasia. The germ cell loss begins early in life leading to partial hyalinization of the testis at puberty, but the mechanistic drivers behind this remain poorly understood. In this systematic review, we summarize the current knowledge on developmental changes in the cellularity of KS gonads supplemented by a comparative analysis of the fetal and adult gonadal transcriptome, and blood transcriptome and methylome of men with KS. We identified a high fraction of upregulated genes that escape X-chromosome inactivation, thus supporting previous hypotheses that these are the main drivers of the testicular phenotype in KS. Enrichment analysis showed overrepresentation of genes from the X- and Y-chromosome and testicular transcription factors. Furthermore, by re-evaluation of recent single cell RNA-sequencing data originating from adult KS testis, we found novel evidence that the Sertoli cell is the most affected cell type. Our results are consistent with disturbed cross-talk between somatic and germ cells in the KS testis, and with X-escapee genes acting as mediators.

siRNA-mediated knockdown of sperm-associated antigen 11a (Spag11a) mRNA in epididymal primary epithelial cells affects proliferation: a transcriptome analyses

Differential expression of a variety of proteins in the four major regions of the epididymis contributes to maturation of spermatozoa and region-specific cellular functions as well. Proliferation of epithelial cells of the epididymis is highly controlled and thus is one of the major reasons for the nonoccurrence of cancers in this organ system. The molecular mechanisms and the contribution of region-specific genes in epithelial cell proliferation are not yet fully understood. In this study, for the first time, we analyzed the role of sperm-associated antigen 11a (Spag11a), a caput-specific beta-defensin-like antimicrobial gene in governing epididymal cell proliferation and global gene expression. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Spag11a mRNA in epididymal primary epithelial cells resulted in increased cell proliferation. Out of the 68,842 genes analyzed, 4182 genes were differentially expressed (2154 upregulated and 2028 downregulated). A variety of genes that participate in different cellular processes and pathways were differentially regulated. Genes that are important for epithelial cell proliferation were found to be differentially regulated and these changes were confirmed by real-time PCR. Overexpression of Spag11a in immortalized rat caput epididymal cells resulted in decreased proliferation capacity. Results of this study indicate that Spag11a plays a crucial role in governing epididymal epithelial cell proliferation.

Tlr1-13, Nod1/2 and antimicrobial gene expression in the epididymis and testis of rats with alloxan-induced diabetes

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nuclear oligomerization domain (NOD) receptors along with antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) are crucial for innate immunity. The pathology of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with the disrupted expression of TLRs, NODs and AMPs in the kidney, lungs and other organs. However, such a relation in the male reproductive tract is not yet investigated. In this study, we analysed the expression pattern of Tlr1-13, Nod1/2 receptors and AMPs (β-defensins and defensin-like proteins of the Sperm-Associated Antigen 11 (Spag11) family) in the male reproductive tissues (caput, cauda and testis) obtained from diabetic or insulin-treated diabetic or untreated control rats. Alterations in the expression pattern of Tlr1-13, Nod 1/ 2, Defb1, 2, 21, 24, 27, 30 and Spag11a/ c/ t were observed under diabetic conditions. Administration of insulin to diabetic rats could modulate the expression pattern of only some these genes. Results of our study indicate perturbed gene expression profile of Tlrs, Nod1/2, Defbs and Spag11 isoforms in the epididymis and testis of diabetic rats, and this could be one of the important reasons for the increased risk of infections in the male genital tract.

Male reproductive tract antimicrobial expression in the extremes of ages of rats

Alterations in the global gene expression profile are considered to contribute to the various physiological and pathological changes during the course of ageing. Genes that code for the molecular components of the innate system are alter markedly as ageing occurs; and this may define the susceptibility of very young and very old individuals to reproductive tract infections. The expression pattern of genes that code for beta-defensins (effectors of innate immune response) in male reproductive tract tissues of different stages of ageing is not yet reported. Further, the induction of beta-defensins during endotoxin challenge and whether epigenetic modulators can influence the expression of these genes in different stages of ageing are not reported. We analyzed the basal mRNA levels of beta-defensins and defensin-like proteins (Sperm Associated Antigen 11 (SPAG11) family members), their induction during endotoxin challenge and modulation by epigenetic modifiers (Trichostatin A and Azacytidine) in the caput, cauda, testis, prostate and seminal vesicle of rats that represent early stage to late stages of life (20 day to 730 day old). We observed differential basal gene expression pattern in the male reproductive tract tissues and the induction by LPS was not consistent neither among the age groups not the tissues analyzed. Trichostatin A and Azacytidine also influenced antimicrobial gene expression and the pattern was not consistent in different tissues obtained from different age groups. Results of this study demonstrate that antimicrobial gene expression varies to a great extent during ageing and is strongly influenced by endotoxins and epigenetic modulators.

The use of fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis on sperm: indications to perform and assisted reproduction technology outcomes

PURPOSE

To determine the consequences of an altered sperm fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) result for ART outcomes and the indications for a sperm FISH analysis.

METHODS

Data from 439 infertile men were collected. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine the association of men's age, seminal alterations, and sperm FISH indication, with the incidence of X, Y, 13, 18, and 21 sperm chromosomal abnormalities. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the most predictive variables for altered sperm FISH. Results from the IVF/ICSI cycles were collected for 248 out of 439 patients. Two distinct groups were established: 151 couples that used their own oocytes and 97 couples involved in egg donation programs. In both groups, ART outcomes were compared between normal and altered sperm FISH.

RESULTS

Teratozoospermia and oligozoospermia were associated with sperm chromosome anomalies (p < 0.05). Indications for sperm FISH analysis with the highest predictability were teratozoospermia, male age, oligozoospermia, and implantation failure (AUC = 0.702). Embryo quality (p = 0.096), pregnancy rate (p = 0.054), and implantation rate (p = 0.089) were higher in own-oocytes couples with normal sperm FISH than in altered sperm FISH couples, although differences were not statistically significant. In donor-oocytes couples, in which high-quality embryos were transferred later than in own-oocytes couples (3.8 vs. 3.0 days), we did not identify differences in the ART outcome between normal and altered sperm FISH couples. In both groups, the possible interference of woman age was negligible.

CONCLUSIONS

Sperm FISH is indicated in middle-aged oligoteratozoospermic patients with implantation failures in previous IVF/ICSI cycles. Sperm chromosome anomalies have a moderate detrimental impact on embryo quality, implantation, and pregnancy rates.

Dependence of the frequency of sperm defects and dimensions on sperm motility in ejaculates of Polish Landrace boars

An attempt was made to determine the dependence of the frequency of sperm defects and dimensions on sperm motility in ejaculates of Polish Landrace boars. The study was conducted on 393 ejaculates collected from 33 Polish Landrace boars. Ejaculates were grouped according to the percentage of sperm with progressive motility, distinguishing ejaculates in which the percentage of motile sperm was 70% and 80%. In each ejaculate, the frequency of morphological changes in the sperm was determined and morphometric measurements of the sperm were made. Ejaculates with a higher proportion of sperm with progressive motility were found to contain more sperm. The ejaculate volume and sperm concentration in the ejaculate were not found to be directly associated with sperm motility. The frequency of primary defects was linked to sperm motility. Ejaculates with higher sperm motility contained fewer sperm with primary defects. The frequency of minor morphological changes, however, shows no significant dependence on sperm motility in the ejaculate. The primary morphological sperm defects most often found in ejaculates are a proximal droplet and the Dag defect. Both of these morphological forms are more common in ejaculates with lower sperm motility. The most common secondary sperm defects include sperm with a simple bent tail, sperm with a free normal head, and sperm with a distal droplet. These defects were not found to depend on sperm motility in the ejaculate. Sperm cells in ejaculates with greater sperm motility had slightly larger dimensions than sperm in ejaculates with lower sperm motility. Ejaculates with higher sperm motility are preferable for use in practice, not only because more insemination portions can be prepared from them, but also due to the lower frequency of primary defects.

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol-A altered miRNA-224 and protein expression of aromatase in ovarian granulosa cells concomitant with elevated serum estradiol levels in F1 adult offspring

This study was aimed to predict bisphenol-A (BPA)-responsive miRNA's using an in silico approach and to study their expression in granulosa cells of animals exposed prenatally to BPA. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to BPA through water (25 μg/L, 250 μg/L, and 2.5 mg/L) during gestation. The expression of miRNA-133b, miRNA-378 and miRNA-224 were analyzed in ovarian granulosa cells. BPA affected the postnatal developmental landmarks such as weight of the pups at birth and reduced anogenital distance. BPA exposed animals showed elevated serum estradiol (E2) levels, while follicle-stimulating hormone levels were reduced. The expression of miRNA-224 and aromatase protein levels were found to be increased. This preliminary finding reveals the impact of early life exposure to BPA on the long-term ovarian functions that may be mediated through miRNA-based granulosa cell response. Besides, it is also a compelling indicator for the subclinical response that could have important consequences on female fertility.

The Role of microRNAs in Ovarian Granulosa Cells in Health and Disease

The granulosa cell (GC) is a critical somatic component of the ovary. It is essential for follicle development by supporting the developing oocyte, proliferating and producing sex steroids and disparate growth factors. Knowledge of the GC's function in normal ovarian development and function, and reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian failure (POF), is largely acquired through clinical studies and preclinical animal models. Recently, microRNAs have been recognized to play important regulatory roles in GC pathophysiology. Here, we examine the recent findings on the role of miRNAs in the GC, including four related signaling pathways (Transforming growth factor-β pathway, Follicle-stimulating hormones pathway, hormone-related miRNAs, Apoptosis-related pathways) and relevant diseases. Therefore, miRNAs appear to be important regulators of GC function in both physiological and pathological conditions. We suggest that targeting specific microRNAs is a potential therapeutic option for treating ovary-related diseases, such as PCOS, POF, and GCT.

Sperm macrocephaly syndrome in the ostrich Struthio camelus: morphological characteristics and implications for motility

Sperm macrocephaly syndrome (SMS) is characterised by a high percentage of spermatozoa with enlarged heads and multiple tails, and is related to infertility. Although this multiple sperm defect has been described in other mammalian species, little is known about this anomaly in birds. Morphological examination of semen from nine South African black ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) involved in an AI trial revealed the variable presence of spermatozoa with large heads and multiple tails. Ultrastructural features of the defect were similar to those reported in mammals except that the multiple tails were collectively bound within the plasmalemma. The tails were of similar length and structure to those of normal spermatozoa, and the heads were 1.6-fold longer, emphasising the uniformity of the anomaly across vertebrate species. Flow cytometry identified these cells as diploid and computer-aided sperm analysis revealed that they swim slower but straighter than normal spermatozoa, probably due to the increased drag of the large head and constrained movement of the merged multiple tails. The high incidence of this defect in one male ostrich indicates that, although rare, SMS can occur in birds and may potentially have an adverse effect on breeding programs, particularly for endangered species.

Weighted single-step GWAS and gene network analysis reveal new candidate genes for semen traits in pigs

Background

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the study of the molecular processes that affect semen traits. In this study, our aim was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions associated with four semen traits (motility, progressive motility, number of sperm cells per ejaculate and total morphological defects) in two commercial pig lines (L1: Large White type and L2: Landrace type). Since the number of animals with both phenotypes and genotypes was relatively small in our dataset, we conducted a weighted single-step genome-wide association study, which also allows unequal variances for single nucleotide polymorphisms. In addition, our aim was also to identify candidate genes within QTL regions that explained the highest proportions of genetic variance. Subsequently, we performed gene network analyses to investigate the biological processes shared by genes that were identified for the same semen traits across lines.

Results

We identified QTL regions that explained up to 10.8% of the genetic variance of the semen traits on 12 chromosomes in L1 and 11 chromosomes in L2. Sixteen QTL regions in L1 and six QTL regions in L2 were associated with two or more traits within the population. Candidate genes SCN8A, PTGS2, PLA2G4A, DNAI2, IQCG and LOC102167830 were identified in L1 and NME5, AZIN2, SPATA7, METTL3 and HPGDS in L2. No regions overlapped between these two lines. However, the gene network analysis for progressive motility revealed two genes in L1 (PLA2G4A and PTGS2) and one gene in L2 (HPGDS) that were involved in two biological processes i.e. eicosanoid biosynthesis and arachidonic acid metabolism. PTGS2 and HPGDS were also involved in the cyclooxygenase pathway.

Conclusions

We identified several QTL regions associated with semen traits in two pig lines, which confirms the assumption of a complex genetic determinism for these traits. A large part of the genetic variance of the semen traits under study was explained by different genes in the two evaluated lines. Nevertheless, the gene network analysis revealed candidate genes that are involved in shared biological pathways that occur in mammalian testes, in both lines.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12711-018-0412-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

First-line antituberculosis drugs disrupt endocrine balance and induce ovarian and uterine oxidative stress in rats

BACKGROUND

The first-line antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs, isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), ethambutol (EMB), and pyrazinamide (PZA), are effective in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, the toxicity of these drugs in the clinical setting limits their use. Here, we evaluated the effects of anti-TB drugs on the reproductive system in female rats.

METHODS

Thirty-five female Wistar rats were assigned into five groups of seven animals each. The control group received normal saline, whereas others received INH (5 mg/kg), RIF (10 mg/kg), EMB (15 mg/kg), and PZA (15 mg/kg) through gavage thrice a week for 8 consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

Administration of anti-TB drugs significantly (p<0.05) reduced uterine and ovarian weight, as well as the relative weight of the uterus when compared with controls. In addition, anti-TB drugs increased the activities of alanine aminotransferase as well as the level of total bilirubin. Treatment with INH, RIF, and PZA significantly (p<0.05) reduced the levels of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, estrogen, and prolactin. The INH, RIF, EMB, and PZA caused significant (p<0.05) increases in uterine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 281%, 214%, 273% and 190%, respectively, whereas INH and EMB increased the ovarian malondialdehyde by 111% and 129%, respectively. These drugs significantly (p<0.05) decreased the activities of ovarian glutathione-S-transferase and uterine glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Histology revealed the erosion of uterine mucosa, debris in the lumen of the uterus, congestion, and underdeveloped follicles in ovaries.

CONCLUSIONS

The first-line anti-TB drugs elicited reproductive toxicity in the uterus and ovaries of rats through mechanisms that involved oxidative stress.

Genetic, Reproductive and Hematological Toxicity Induced in Mice Exposed to Leachates from Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene Dispensing Sites

BACKGROUND

With a population of over 165,000,000, growing at an average rate of 2.7% per annum and an economic growth rate of about 5.7% in the past five years, the market for refined petroleum products in Nigeria is growing. As a result, the number of filling stations is increasing.

OBJECTIVES

The present study evaluated the reproductive and genetic toxicity of simulated leachate of soil from petrol, diesel and kerosene dispensing sites in a filling station using the murine sperm abnormality test, sperm count and bone marrow micronucleus assay.

METHODS

Simulated leachate of soil collected from petrol, diesel and kerosene dispensing sites in a filling station was intraperitoneally administered to mice at different concentrations. Bone marrow micronucleus assay was carried out after 5-days exposure, while sperm morphology assay was carried out 35 days from the first day of exposure. Alterations to hematological parameters were evaluated and physico-chemical analysis of the leachate samples was also carried out.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant (p<0.05) concentration-dependent increase in abnormal sperm cells and decrease in mean sperm count in all the samples tested. Increased induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was observed in the exposed mice. Hematological analysis showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the values of white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), while a significant (p<0.05) reduction in basophils, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), packed cell volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values were observed.

DISCUSSION

In the present study, simulated leachates from soil obtained from petrol, diesel and kerosene dispensing sites were shown to cause genomic disruptions in germ and somatic cells, and hematotoxicity in an animal model. These observed reproductive, genetic and hemato-toxicities are believed to be caused by the presence of lead, copper, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and benzene in the samples.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the negative impact of petroleum products in the contamination of soil, with a capability of inducing genetic damage in somatic and germ cells of exposed plants and animals.

ETHICS APPROVAL

The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection: state of the art in humans

Among infertile couples, 25% involve both male and female factors, while male factor alone accounts for another 25% due to oligo-, astheno-, teratozoospermia, a combination of the three, or even a complete absence of sperm cells in the ejaculate and can lead to a poor prognosis even with the help of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been with us now for a quarter of a century and in spite of the controversy generated since its inception, it remains in the forefront of the techniques utilized in ART. The development of ICSI in 1992 has drastically decreased the impact of male factor, resulting in millions of pregnancies worldwide for couples who, without ICSI, would have had little chance of having their own biological child. This review focuses on the state of the art of ICSI regarding utility of bioassays that evaluate male factor infertility beyond the standard semen analysis and describes the current application and advances in regard to ICSI, particularly the genetic and epigenetic characteristics of spermatozoa and their impact on reproductive outcome.

Relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQA1*0102/HLA-DQB1*0602 polymorphism and preeclampsia

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is a condition associated with systemic disorders in the mother and the fetus. However, the exact causes of preeclampsia are unknown, but several genetics and environmental factors play role in development of this disease. Major histocompatibility complex role is very important during pregnancy through which the fetus is not rejected by mother's immune system.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the relationship of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQA1*0102/HLA-DQB1*0602 polymorphism with preeclampsia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Genomic DNA of 181 pregnant women with a history of preeclampsia as the case group and 228 pregnant women with no history of preeclampsia as the controls were extracted. The HLA-DQA1*0102/HLA-DQB1*0602 polymorphisms of all DNA samples were identified by the SSP-PCR method. Frequencies difference of variables between case and control groups were calculated by Chi-square test. The ethnic origin of the participants in this study was extracted from their medical records.

RESULTS

There was a significant association between preeclampsia and Sistani ethnic group (p=0.031). Moreover, there was a significant association between preeclampsia and frequencies of allele HLA-DQB1*0602 (p<0.001), and genotypes of heterozygote (+0102/-0602) (p<0.001) and negative homozygote (-0102/-0602) (p=0.005). There also was an association between allele HLA-DQB1*0602 and preeclampsia in Fars ethnic group (p=0.028).

CONCLUSION

It seems that immune incompatibility may have an important role in preeclampsia predisposition. According to our results, the lack of locus HLA-DQB1*0602 may be a risk factor for preeclampsia.

Facilitating and inhibiting factors related to treatment adherence in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Adherence issues in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients have not been examined thoroughly. Patients report prolonged periods of treatment and side effects of the drug as the most common reason for withdrawal from treatment. To improve the effective management of PCOS patients, it is fundamental to understand facilitating and inhibiting factors to treatment adherence.

OBJECTIVE

To explore facilitating/inhibiting factors related to treatment adherence among PCOS patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a qualitative study with a purposive sample of women with confirmed diagnosis of PCOS. The data were collected via 20 in-depth semi-structured interviews with women aged between 21-34 yr. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Five themes were identified which described different types of facilitating/ inhibiting factors to treatment adherence. Inhibiting factors included financial issues, patient-related, disease-related, and health care provider-related factors; while social factors were found to be both facilitating and inhibiting.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that successful adherence to PCOS treatment is highly dependent on patients recognizing and adapting to financial, social, and health care related inhibiting factors. It is also crucial for clinicians and policy makers to recognize these key inhibiting factors in order to improve treatment outcomes.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor gene transitions (c.-742C>T; c.1661G>A) and idiopathic male infertility: a case-control study with in silico and meta-analysis

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is responsible for crucial events in male reproductive biology. Here, the association of the AHR transitions c.-742C>T and c.1661G>A with idiopathic male infertility was investigated in a case-control study, which is followed by a meta-analysis and a bioinformatic investigation. Blood and semen samples were obtained from a total of 135 idiopathic infertile men and 130 healthy controls. Participants were genotyped for the transitions using a PCR-RFLP method. A meta-analysis of five sets of data evaluated the association of c.1661G>A with male infertility, and using an in silico analysis, the possible molecular effects of the transitions predicted. Genotypes and alleles of AHR-c.-742C>T and c.1661G>A polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of male infertility significantly. However, the frequency of C/A haplotype was significantly associated with the increased risk of male infertility, and T/A haplotype was higher among controls significantly. Also, the frequencies of combined genotypes CT/GG, CT/GA and TT/GG were significantly associated with decreased risk of infertility. And, the meta-analysis showed that the AA versus GA/GG recessive model is associated with decreased risk of male infertility among the Iranian population. In silico analysis predicted that c.-742C>T does not alter the binding sites of the proposed transcription factors, but c.1661G>A poses a tolerable structural disturbance in AHR protein. In conclusion, these results showed that AHR c.-742C>T and c.1661G>A transitions separately could not be nominated as a risk or protective factor for male infertility. However, some combined models could affect infertility risk, especially among Iranian men.

α-Lipoic acid attenuates transplacental nicotine-induced germ cell and oxidative DNA damage in adult mice

BACKGROUND

Smoking during pregnancy is associated with numerous fetal and developmental complications and reproductive dysfunctions in the offspring. Nicotine is one of the key chemicals of tobacco responsible for addiction. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective role of α-lipoic acid (ALA) during the transplacental nicotine-induced germ cell and DNA damage in the offspring of Swiss mice.

METHODS

Pregnant mice were treated with nicotine (20 mg/kg/day) in drinking water from 10 to 20 days of gestation period, and ALA (120 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for the same period. Endpoint of evaluation includes general observations at delivery and throughout the study, litter weight and size, sperm count and sperm head morphology, while structural damages and protein expression were assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

RESULTS

Maternal nicotine exposure led to decreased growth rate, litter and testicular weight, testosterone level, 3β-HSD expression and sperm count as well as increased sperm head abnormalities, micronucleus frequency and 8-oxo-dG positive cells, and the effects have been restored by ALA supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study clearly demonstrated that ALA ameliorates nicotine-associated oxidative stress, DNA damage and testicular toxicity in the offspring by improving steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and sperm count.

Molecular cues to the anti-implantation effect of nano-puerarin in rats

Puerarin, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, intercepts implantation in rats, albeit at unacceptably higher doses. We developed poly lactic-co-glycolic acid-encapsulated nano-puerarin (PN) and mapped the molecular pathway underlying its anti-implantation effects. Smooth-surfaced and spherical PN having a mean diameter of ∼147nm was obtained with good yield, efficient encapsulation, and optimum drug loading. In culture, PN slowly and steadily released puerarin, which was readily taken up by the decidual cells. PN exerted a dose-dependent anti-implantation effect. As marked by attenuated expression of stromal cell desmin, alkaline phosphatase, IGFBP1, and decidual prolactin-related protein, the anti-implantation effect of PN seemed secondary to compromised decidualization. Usingin vivo(pregnant and pseudopregnant rats) andin vitro(endometrial stromal cell culture) treatment models, we document that PN enforced inhibition of uterine expression ofHbegfandHoxa10and their downstream signalling molecules, Cyclin D3 (CCND3)/CDK4. PN also efficiently ablated theIhh-Nr2f2-Bmp2signalling pathway and invited the loss of uterine potential for decidualization. There was a dose-dependent up-regulation of RHOA and its effector protein kinase, ROCK1, leading to the promotion of MLC phosphorylation and actin–myosin interaction. PN also down-regulated the stromal cell activation of ERK½ and expression of MMP9. These effects acting together stabilized the stroma and inhibited the stromal cell migration. Central to this array of events was the adversely altered endometrial expression of oestrogen receptor subtypes and repression of progesterone receptor that indulged endless proliferation of luminal epithelia and distorted the precisely choreographed stroma–epithelia crosstalk. Thus, PN dismantles the endometrial bed preparation and prevents implantation.

Protective effect of silymarin on viability, motility and mitochondrial membrane potential of ram sperm treated with sodium arsenite

BACKGROUND

Sodium arsenite can impair male reproductive function by inducing oxidative stress. Silymarin is known as a potent antioxidant.

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to investigate if silymarin can prevent the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on ram sperm viability, motility and mitochondrial membrane potential.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Epidydimal spermatozoa obtained from ram were divided into five groups: 1) Spermatozoa at 0 hr, 2) spermatozoa at 180 min (control), 3) spermatozoa treated with sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min, 4) spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) + sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min and 5) spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) for 180 min. MTT assay and Rhodamine 123 staining were used to assess sperm viability and mitochondrial membrane potential respectively. Sperm motility was performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

RESULTS

Viability (p<0.01), nonprogressive motility (p<0.001) and intact mitochondrial membrane potential (p<0.001) of the spermatozoa were significantly decreased in sodium arsenite treated group compared to control group. In silymarin + sodium arsenite group, silymarin could significantly reverse the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on these sperm parameters compared to sodium arsenite group (p<0.001). In addition, the application of silymarin alone for 180 minutes could significantly increase progressively motile sperm (p<0.001) and decrease non motile sperm (p<0.01) compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

Silymarin could compensate the adverse effect of sodium arsenite on viability, nonprogressive motility and mitochondrial membrane potential of ram sperm.

New insights about the evaluation of human sperm quality: the aromatase example

Male contribution to the couple's infertility is at first evaluated by the routine examination of semen parameters upon optical microscopy providing valuable information for a rational initial diagnosis and for a clinical management of infertility. But the different forms of infertility defined according to the WHO criteria especially teratozoospermia are not always related to the chromatin structure or to the fertilization capacity. New investigations at the molecular level (transcript and protein) could be developed in order to understand the nature of sperm malformation responsible of human infertility and thus to evaluate the sperm quality. The profile analysis of spermatozoal transcripts could be considered as a fingerprint of the past spermatogenic events. The selection of representative transcripts of normal spermatozoa remains complex because a differential expression (increased, decreased or not modified levels) of specific transcripts has been revealed between immotile and motile sperm fractions issued from normozoospermic donors. Microarrays tests or real-time quantitative PCR could be helpful for the identification of factors involved in the male infertility. Differences in the expression of specific transcripts have been reported between normal and abnormal semen samples. With the aromatase example, we have noted a negative strong correlation between the amount of transcript and the percentage of abnormal forms especially in presence of head defects. Immunocytochemical procedures using fluorescent probes associated with either confocal microscopy or flow cytometry can be also helpful to proceed with further investigations about the localization of proteins in the compartmentalized spermatozoa or the acrosome reaction. The dual location of aromatase both in the equatorial segment, the mid-piece and the tail could explain the double role of this enzyme in acrosome reaction and motility.

Silymarin protects plasma membrane and acrosome integrity in sperm treated with sodium arsenite

BACKGROUND

Exposure to arsenic is associated with impairment of male reproductive function by inducing oxidative stress. Silymarin with an antioxidant property scavenges free radicals.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate if silymarin can prevent the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on ram sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ram epidydimal spermatozoa were divided into five groups: spermatozoa at 0 hr, spermatozoa at 180 min (control), spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) + sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min, spermatozoa treated with sodium arsenite (10 μM) for 180 min and spermatozoa treated with silymarin (20 μM) for 180 min. Double staining of Hoechst and propidium iodide was performed to evaluate sperm plasma membrane integrity, whereas comassie brilliant blue staining was used to assess acrosome integrity.

RESULTS

Plasma membrane (p< 0.001) and acrosome integrity (p< 0.05) of the spermatozoa were significantly reduced in sodium arsenite group compared to the control. In silymarin + sodium arsenite group, silymarin was able to significantly (p< 0.001) ameliorate the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on these sperm parameters compared to sodium arsenite group. The incubation of sperm for 180 min (control group) showed a significant (p< 0.001) decrease in acrosome integrity compared to the spermatozoa at 0 hour. The application of silymarin alone for 180 min could also significantly (p< 0.05) increase sperm acrosome integrity compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

Silymarin as a potent antioxidant could compensate the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on the ram sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity.

Indium acetate toxicity in male reproductive system in rats

Indium, a rare earth metal characterized by high plasticity, corrosion resistance, and a low melting point, is widely used in the electronics industry, but has been reported to be an environmental pollutant and a health hazard. We designed a study to investigate the effects of subacute exposure of indium compounds on male reproductive function. Twelve-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into test and control groups, and received weekly intraperitoneal injections of indium acetate (1.5 mg/kg body weight) and normal saline, respectively, for 8 weeks. Serum indium levels, cauda epididymal sperm count, motility, morphology, chromatin DNA structure, mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative stress, and testis DNA content were investigated. The indium acetate-treated group showed significant reproductive toxicity, as well as an increased percentage of sperm morphology abnormality, chromatin integrity damage, and superoxide anion generation. Furthermore, positive correlations among sperm morphology abnormalities, chromatin DNA damage, and superoxide anion generation were also noted. The results of this study demonstrated the toxic effect of subacute low-dose indium exposure during the period of sexual maturation on male reproductive function in adulthood, through an increase in oxidative stress and sperm chromatin DNA damage during spermiogenesis, in a rodent model.

Identification of candidate causal genes and their associated pathogenic mechanisms underlying teratozoospermia based on the spermatozoa transcript profiles

Teratozoospermia with unclear pathomechanism is one of the common causes for failed fertilisation. This study aimed to further explore the pathological mechanism for teratozoospermia. Spermatozoal transcript profiles generated from 13 normal fertile men and eight infertile males with a consistent severe heterogeneous teratozoospermia were used. These data were pre-processed, and differentially expressed genes were screened. Besides, gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were performed, and then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and spermatogenesis-related genes in the PPI network were extracted. As a result, 366 up-regulated and 2158 down-regulated genes were identified. Multiple gene ontology terms and pathways including cell-cell signalling and reproduction enriched by differentially expressed genes were obtained. Moreover, four clusters including cluster 1 associated with RNA catabolic process were identified from the PPI network. In addition, genes including cyclin B1, proteasome (prosome, macropain) activator subunit 4, Rac GTPase-activating protein 1 and pituitary tumour-transforming 1 were received. In conclusion, abnormal expression of cyclin B1 and Rac GTPase-activating protein 1, still proteasome (prosome, macropain) activator subunit 4 and pituitary tumour-transforming 1 would impede cell cycle progression during sperm development and maturation, which may contribute to the occurrence and development of teratozoospermia.

Three-dimensional sperm surface reconstruction: a novel approach to assessing sperm morphology

OBJECTIVE

To create a rapid, inexpensive, efficient, and reproducible real-time three-dimensional (3-D) analysis of viable spermatozoa. Previous studies have demonstrated that abnormal semen profiles are associated with a modest increase in the frequency of sperm chromosomal abnormalities, and that sperm with aberrations in the shape and contours of the head may be carriers of chromatinic defects. Although high-power magnification and enhanced video-generated magnification have been suggested, these techniques are inherently limited by the clarity of the image, the time required for the analysis, and the risk of variable head-positioning during imaging.

DESIGN

In vitro experiment.

SETTING

University-affiliated infertility research laboratory.

PATIENT(S)

Anonymous sperm donors.

INTERVENTION(S)

Individual motile sperm were identified, analyzed at ×600 magnification, and a 10-second digital video was obtained.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Image-tracking software captured serial photographs of sperm from recorded videos. Images were automatically extracted from each video frame using enhanced correlation coefficient maximization; the general shape of the sperm was extracted via space-carving. The reconstructed image was rotated to permit viewing from any direction, and the final image was rendered through interpolation.

RESULT(S)

This technique yielded images that enable noninvasive, 3-D, real-time, in vitro assessment of sperm surface morphology.

CONCLUSION(S)

This proof-of-principle demonstrates that by keeping spermatozoa in a fluid environment, a 3-D sperm-surface reconstruction can be created. This technique can be automated, requires minimal computing power, and utilizes equipment already available in most embryology laboratories.

Teratozoospermia: spotlight on the main genetic actors in the human

BACKGROUND

Male infertility affects >20 million men worldwide and represents a major health concern. Although multifactorial, male infertility has a strong genetic basis which has so far not been extensively studied. Recent studies of consanguineous families and of small cohorts of phenotypically homogeneous patients have however allowed the identification of a number of autosomal recessive causes of teratozoospermia. Homozygous mutations of aurora kinase C (AURKC) were first described to be responsible for most cases of macrozoospermia. Other genes defects have later been identified in spermatogenesis associated 16 (SPATA16) and dpy-19-like 2 (DPY19L2) in patients with globozoospermia and more recently in dynein, axonemal, heavy chain 1 (DNAH1) in a heterogeneous group of patients presenting with flagellar abnormalities previously described as dysplasia of the fibrous sheath or short/stump tail syndromes, which we propose to call multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF).

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the scientific literature available in PubMed/Medline was conducted for studies on human genetics, experimental models and physiopathology related to teratozoospermia in particular globozoospermia, large headed spermatozoa and flagellar abnormalities. The search included all articles with an English abstract available online before September 2014.

RESULTS

Molecular studies of numerous unrelated patients with globozoospermia and large-headed spermatozoa confirmed that mutations in DPY19L2 and AURKC are mainly responsible for their respective pathological phenotype. In globozoospermia, the deletion of the totality of the DPY19L2 gene represents ∼ 81% of the pathological alleles but point mutations affecting the protein function have also been described. In macrozoospermia only two recurrent mutations were identified in AURKC, accounting for almost all the pathological alleles, raising the possibility of a putative positive selection of heterozygous individuals. The recent identification of DNAH1 mutations in a proportion of patients with MMAF is promising but emphasizes that this phenotype is genetically heterogeneous. Moreover, the identification of mutations in a dynein strengthens the emerging point of view that MMAF may be a phenotypic variation of the classical forms of primary ciliary dyskinesia. Based on data from human and animal models, the MMAF phenotype seems to be favored by defects directly or indirectly affecting the central pair of axonemal microtubules of the sperm flagella.

CONCLUSIONS

The studies described here provide valuable information regarding the genetic and molecular defects causing infertility, to improve our understanding of the physiopathology of teratozoospermia while giving a detailed characterization of specific features of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, these findings have a significant influence on the diagnostic strategy for teratozoospermic patients allowing the clinician to provide the patient with informed genetic counseling, to adopt the best course of treatment and to develop personalized medicine directly targeting the defective gene products.

Evaluation of sperm nuclear integrity in patients with different percentages of decapitated sperm in ejaculates

The decapitated sperm defect is a rare type of teratozoospermia responsible for male infertility. Spermatozoa from patients affected by this syndrome are used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) although little is known about their DNA integrity. This study evaluated sperm nuclear alterations in four patients and ten fertile men (control group). Sperm samples were examined by light, transmission electron and high-magnification contrast microscopy and analysed after terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling, aniline blue staining and fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Spermatozoa from patients presented varying degrees of decapitation, along with morphological and ultrastructural head abnormalities. Whereas the proportion of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA and numerical chromosome abnormalities was similar in patients 1-3 and controls, the percentage of spermatozoa with hypocondensed chromatin was higher in patients 1-3 than in fertile men. Patient 4 presented a distinct phenotype, with an increased proportion of flagellated spermatozoa with DNA strand breaks as well as increased aneuploidy and diploidy rates compared with controls and with patients 1-3. No successful pregnancy resulted from ICSI although embryos were obtained for three patients. The morphological defects and the nuclear alterations observed in spermatozoa of patients with the decapitated sperm syndrome may have contributed to ICSI failures.

Molecular modeling of the human sperm associated antigen 11 B (SPAG11B) proteins

Antimicrobial proteins and peptides are ubiquitous in nature with diverse structural and biological properties. Among them, the human beta-defensins are known to contribute to the innate immune response. Besides the defensins, a number of defensin-like proteins and peptides are expressed in many organ systems including the male reproductive system. Some of the protein isoforms encoded by the sperm associated antigen 11B (SPAG11) gene in humans are beta-defensin-like and exhibit structure dependent and salt tolerant antimicrobial activity, besides contributing to sperm maturation. Though some of the functional roles of these proteins are reported, the structural and molecular features that contribute to their antimicrobial activity is not yet reported. In this study, using in silico tools, we report the three dimensional structure of the human SPAG11B proteins and their C-terminal peptides. web-based hydropathy, amphipathicity, and topology (WHAT) analyses and grand average of hydropathy (GRAVY) indices show that these proteins and peptides are amphipathic and highly hydrophilic. Self-optimized prediction method with alignment (SOPMA) analyses and circular dichroism data suggest that the secondary structure of these proteins and peptides primarily contain beta-sheet and random coil structure and alpha-helix to a lesser extent. Ramachandran plots show that majority of the amino acids in these proteins and peptides fall in the permissible regions, thus indicating stable structures. The secondary structure of SPAG11B isoforms and their peptides were not perturbed with increasing NaCl concentration (0-300 mM) and at different pH (3, 7, and 10), thus reinforcing our previously reported observation that their antimicrobial activity is salt tolerant. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, results of our study provide vital information on the structural features of SPAG11B protein isoforms and their contribution to antimicrobial activity.

Evaluation of mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of infertility in male rats

INTRODUCTION

The present study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from the bone marrow of rats (BM) against toxic effects of lead (Pb) on the male gonads of experimental rats.

METHODS

The experimental animals were exposed to lead in the form of lead nitrate (LN) one quarter of the LD50. The efficacy of MSCs to reduce gonado-totoxicity induced by lead nitrate at 21, 30 and 60 days, was evaluated experimentally in male rats.

RESULTS

The results showed that testosterone levels and semen quality ameliorated following treatment with MSCs. Also, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels were increased 21, 30 and 60 days post treatment of MSCs. Moreover, a decrease in genomic DNA alteration and percentage of fragmented DNA was recorded after MSCs treatment. Lead nitrate caused degeneration, necrosis, interstitial edema, and reduction in spermatogenic activity in some seminiferous tubules. The LN-induced changes in histopathologic findings of testis were partially reversed by treatment with MSCs. Histological examination of testis showed deformities in morphology of testis in test animals with gross damage within the seminiferous tubules in Lead nitrate group. The LN-induced changes in histopathologic findings of testis were partially reversed by treatment of MSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that lead is a gonadotoxic with a tendency of suppressing semen characteristics and testosterone levels of animals, the presence of MSCs was found to alleviate the toxic effects of lead. We conclude that MSCs derived from the bone marrow of rats can be an effective therapy of LN induced gonado toxicity, thus can contribute to the treatment of infertility.