Sexual function in male cancer survivors is not correlated to sperm quality

PURPOSE

Both infertility and erectile dysfunction (ED) are known long-term consequences of cancer treatment in young male cancer survivors. In the present study, we aimed to assess whether sperm quality and sexual function in male cancer survivors are associated.

METHODS

In this prospective study, n = 244 patients male cancer survivors who underwent sperm analysis and cryopreservation between 2008 and 2018 prior to the initiation of gonadotoxic treatment were invited. In total n = 50 had a follow-up sperm analysis and completed two questionnaires, the Aging Males' Symptom Scale (AMS) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF). Differences between the individual parameters were analyzed using the Wilcoxon or Mann Whitney test.

RESULTS

Azoospermia was present in n = 16/50 (32.0%) patients at time of follow-up. ED occurred in n = 9/43 (20.9%) patients and was observed more frequently in patients with oligo- or azoospermia than in those with normospermia, even though this association was not statistically significant. Sperm parameters (total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility) did not differ between time of cryopreservation and time of follow-up. Mean total, somatic, psychological, and sexual AMS score was 23.6, 9.9, 6.6, and 6.8, respectively. Mean total IIEF-EF score was 27.3, indicating mainly mild ED.

CONCLUSIONS

More than one-third of cancer patients suffered from azoospermia, and ED was primarily present in this subgroup. We recommend implementing the screening of sexual dysfunction in the annual sperm testing that should be offered to all men after gonadotoxic treatment. Our study highlights the importance of counseling young cancer patients on both aspects-future infertility and sexual function-prior to treatment and at follow-up visits.

P–423 Lower cytotoxicity: Altered natural killer cell activation in recurrent implantation failure

Study question

Within this prospective study, we aim to differentiate immune cell subpopulations in recurrent implantation failure (RIF) patients and fertile controls.

Summary answer

A misbalanced immune profile of NK cell subpopulations is present in RIF patients and might be a potential risk factor that requires further detailed analysis.

What is known already

So far, there is no conclusive opinion on the prognostic value of testing immune cell populations in women with RIF. Increased numbers of cytotoxic (CD56dimCD16bright) peripheral natural killer (pNK)-cells and CD56brightCD16dim mainly in the uterus occurring NK cells (uNK) seemed to be more prevalent in RIF patients. NK cell cytotoxicity is regulated by a complex interaction of activating and inhibiting receptors, such as the NKGD2 and natural cytotoxicity receptors including NKp46, NKp30 and NKp44. Dysregulated pNK cells could affect the adhesion and implantation of the embryo thereby contributing to RIF.

Study design, size, duration

Within this prospective study between March 2018 and August 2020 immune diagnostics of pNK cells and subpopulations as well as regulatory T-cells in RIF patients (defined as ≥ 3 failed fresh or frozen embryo transfers of good quality embryos (Istanbul criteria) and non-pregnant controls (nulli- and multipara) were performed using flow cytometry analysis.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

In total, n = 42 RIF and n = 85 controls were included. Absolute numbers and percentages of total lymphocytes of CD56dimCD16bright, CD56brightCD16dim NK cells, CD45+CD25+FoxP3+-regulatory T-cells and activation markers (CD57+, CD62L+, NKGD2+, NKp46+) were measured in patients and controls (n = 60 nulligravida, n = 25 para) in the mid-luteal phase. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 26 considering p < 0.05 statistically significant.

Main results and the role of chance

RIF patients showed significantly lower numbers and percentages of CD56dimCD16bright pNK cells (mean±SD per µl: 187,5±113,3 vs. 281,9±163,4 p = 0.001;%: 87,4±8,8 vs. 90,6±6,0 p = 0.017) and higher levels of CD56brightCD16dim pNK cells (mean±SD per%: 10,5±8,3 vs. 7,6±5,5 p = 0.021) compared to controls. Further, lower percentages of CD56dimCD16brightCD62L + (mean±SD per%: 23,5±11,1 vs. 32,0±14,0 p = 0.001), CD56dimCD16brightNKGD2 + (mean±SD per%: 94,0±6,8 vs. 96,4±4,2 p = 0.014) and CD56dimCD16brightNKp46 + (mean±SD per%: 65,8±19,5 vs. 76,1±14,0 p = 0.001) were observed in RIF patients (p < 0.05). A different activation of pNK cells represented by high levels of CD62L+, NKGD2+, NKp46+ surface markers in controls and higher levels of CD56brightCD16dim pNK cells in RIF patients could contribute to RIF. No difference was present in levels of CD45+CD25+FoxP3+-regulatory T-cells within the study population.

Limitations, reasons for caution

As controls composed out of not only nulli- but also multipara, higher levels of pNK cells in controls, could be induced by fetal microchimerism in multiparas, however, results remained significant after removing multipara from statistical analysis.

Wider implications of the findings: These findings condense into the assumption of a non-linear association between NK cytotoxicity and successful pregnancy. A lower NK cytotoxicity in RIF patients could potentially lead to an altered immune environment impeding a successful implantation process.

Trial registration number

Drks00020803

P–088 Sexual functioning is impaired in cancer survivors after cancer therapy

Study question

Is impaired sexual functioning correlated to sperm quality in cancer survivors?

Summary answer

Erectile dysfunction affects 25.0% of cancer survivors, independent of sperm quality. 22.9% of patients show symptoms consistent with a reduced testosterone level.

What is known already

Gonadotoxic treatment in male cancer patients can end up in reversible or permanent impaired spermatogenesis, testosterone insufficiency, and sexual dysfunction.

Study design, size, duration

In this prospective single-center study, sexual functioning was assessed in male cancer survivors, who underwent sperm cryopreservation at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria from 01/2010 to 12/2018. Sexual functioning was assessed between 03–12/2020 via two questionnaires: Aging Male Score (AMS) and International Index of Erectile Function (IEEF-EF).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Thirty-five cancer survivors (testicular cancer: n = 16 [45.7%], hematological malignancies: n = 15 [42.9%], others: n = 4 [n = 11.4%]) filled in two questionnaires (AMS and IEEF-EF) during routine follow-up visit at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck and the Department of Urology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. Moreover, sperm quality was assessed and normozoospermia was defined in accordance with the 2010 WHO criteria (sperm concentration ≥15 million/mL, progressive motility ≥32%, and ≥4% normal morphology).

Main results and the role of chance

Mean age at sperm cryopreservation and follow-up visit was 25.1±4.2 and 31.9±6.3 years, respectively with a mean follow-up time of 81.4±12.5 months. Rate of erectile dysfunction was low (75.0% no dysfunction, 15.6% low dysfunction, 3.1% low-moderate dysfunction, 3.1% moderate, 3.1% severe dysfunction). Moreover, AMS score indicated no, low, moderate and severe symptoms consistent with a low testosterone level in 77.1%, 8.6%, 2.9%, and 2.9% of patients, respectively. Oligozoospermia was observed in up to 48% of the patients with TM and in only 23% patients with HM. Patients with TM showed significantly reduced sperm count (18.7 × 106/mL [5.3–43.0]) and total sperm count (42.4 × 106/ejaculate [13.3–108.5]) compared to HM (p = 0.03). There was no difference in sexual functioning between patients with HM or TM. Sexual functioning did no correlate with sperm count, progressive motility or morphology.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Although the study may be limited by its small sample size, it is the first to assess a correlation of sperm quality and sexual dysfunction in cancer survivors.

Wider implications of the findings: As every fourth male cancer patient suffers from impaired sexual functioning after gonadotoxic treatment, this important topic should be addressed in clinical and scientific future. Future studies should focus on both, somatic and psychosomatic reasons for sexual dysfunction.

Trial registration number

none

Immunological Risk Factors in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Guidelines Versus Current State of the Art

Around 1-5% of all couples experience recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Established risk factors include anatomical, genetic, endocrine, and hemostatic alterations. With around 50% of idiopathic cases, immunological risk factors are getting into the scientific focus, however international guidelines hardly take them into account. Within this review, the current state of immunological risk factors in RPL in international guidelines of the European Society of Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), German/Austrian/Swiss Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (DGGG/OEGGG/SGGG) and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) are evaluated. Special attention was drawn to recommendations in the guidelines regarding diagnostic factors such as autoantibodies, natural killer cells, regulatory T cells, dendritic cells, plasma cells, and human leukocyte antigen system (HLA)-sharing as well as treatment options such as corticosteroids, intralipids, intravenous immunoglobulins, aspirin and heparin in RPL. Finally, the current state of the art focusing on both diagnostic and therapeutic options was summarized.

Different Background: Natural Killer Cell Profiles in Secondary versus Primary Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

(1) Background: Prior studies suggested a significant impact of previous live births on peripheral natural killer cells (pNK) in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Patients with primary RPL (pRPL, no live birth) showed higher numbers of pNK than secondary RPL patients (sRPL, ≥ 1 live birth). (2) Methods: To further determine immunological differences between RPL patients and controls, we analysed pNK subpopulations and activation markers in pRPL (n = 47), sRPL (n = 24) and controls with previous live birth (sCtrl, n = 25) and nullipara (pCtrl, n = 60) within a prospective study. Percentages and numbers of CD56dimCD16bright cells, subpopulations and activation markers (CD57+, CD62L+, NKG2D+, NKp46+) were measured in non-pregnant RPL patients and n = 85 controls (n = 60 pCtrl, n = 25 sCtrl) in the mid-luteal phase by flow cytometry. (3) Results: Compared to sRPL patients, sCtrls showed higher CD56+ and CD56dimCD16bright numbers. Further, sRPL patients showed lower numbers of CD56dimCD16brightNKG2D+ and CD56dimCD16brightNKp46+ than sCtrls. (4) Conclusion: We suggest a chronic immune stimulation leading to a lower NK-cell count in sRPL patients with a lower NK cytotoxicity. This underlines the necessity to investigate pNK subpopulations as well as pRPL and sRPL separately to delineate the immune alterations in RPL.

What is new in 2017? Update on fertility preservation in cancer patients

The prevention of fertility loss due to cancer treatment as well as non-malignant causes has been gaining importance over the last few decades. Clinically applied modalities for fertility preservation in cancer patients include cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, the application of GnRH agonists, ovarian tissue banking, and cryopreservation of ejaculated or surgically extracted sperm. In addition, several new possibilities to restore fertility are currently being investigated, such as the establishment of in-vitro culture systems for gonadal tissue, the development of artificial gonads, and the application of germline stem cells. This review aims to provide an update on the methods currently applied in clinical practice for fertility preservation, as well as to summarize the progress made in the development of novel strategies for fertility preservation.

Follicular growth after xenotransplantation of cryopreserved/thawed human ovarian tissue in SCID mice: dynamics and molecular aspects

Purpose

To study the influence of xenotransplantation on follicular recruitment and growth in cryopreserved/thawed human ovarian tissue.

Method

Two 3-mm pieces of cryopreserved/thawed human ovarian tissue obtained from female cancer patients (n = 11) were xenotransplanted into a subcutaneous neck pouch of 6-week-old ovarectomized SCID mice (n = 33) for 4 (n = 18) and 12 (n = 15) weeks.

Result

Thirty-two out of 33 mice survived the entire observation periods. Graft recovery rate was 95.58 % (65 of 68 grafts). The percentages of primordial follicles after 4 weeks (P < 0.001) and 12 weeks (P = 0.009) of grafting were significantly lower in comparison to pregraft controls. The percentage of secondary follicle was significantly higher after 4 weeks of grafting (P = 0.018) and after 12 weeks (P = 0.001) of grafting in comparison to pregraft controls. Ki67 immunohistochemistry showed that proliferative follicles were significantly higher after 4 and 12 weeks of grafting compared to pregraft controls (P < 0.001). All follicles analyzed by TUNEL staining appeared healthy after xenotransplantation. The expression level of PTEN was reduced by 2.47-fold after 4 weeks of xenotransplantation, and this result was significant when 2^−ΔCt were analyzed (P = 0.042).

Conclusion

The higher proportion of growing follicles compared to resting follicles observed after xenotransplantation is most likely due to downregulation of PTEN gene expression followed by acceleration of follicular recruitment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10815-016-0769-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.