Factors Affecting The Outcome of in Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

The high prevalence of infertility motivated researchers to find a solution, henceforth In Vitro Fertilization was invented. Factors that affect the outcome of IVF may include sperm analysis, maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), maternal smoking habits, endometriosis, and maternal age. However, there are ongoing debates about the role of said factors regarding the outcome of IVF. The objective of this research is to analyze those factors. This research is a Case-Control study with an analytical observational design. Data were retrieved from patients’ medical records undergoing IVF in Graha Amerta Fertility Clinic from January 2019-October 2020. First, the Chi-Square Test revealed sperm abnormality (p=0.212), Maternal BMI (p=0.427), endometriosis (p=0.067), meaning there was no connection with the outcome of IVF. Simultaneously, maternal age (p=0.037) showed a connection with the outcome of IVF. From the Binary Logistic Regression Test, maternal age 36-40 years old (p=0.044) affects the outcome of IVF significantly. Concurrently maternal BMI, endometriosis, and sperm abnormality have p value>0.05 meaning it is insignificant to the outcome of IVF. This research concluded that sperm abnormality, maternal BMI, and endometriosis do not affect the outcome of IVF. There was no data about maternal smoking habits. Whilst maternal age affects the outcome of IVF. Conclusion: This research concluded that sperm abnormality, maternal BMI, and endometriosis do not affect the outcome of IVF. There was no data about maternal smoking habits. Whilst maternal age affects the outcome of IVF.

A High Incidence of Sperm with Cytoplasmic Droplets Affects the Response to Bicarbonate in Preserved Boar Semen

Retained cytoplasmic droplets (CD) are the most frequent sperm abnormality in boar semen. A high incidence of CD is associated with subfertility, but the underlaying reasons are not well understood. The storage of extended semen might augment the adverse effects of CD on essential steps towards fertilization, such as capacitation. The aim of this study was to examine whether the enhanced presence of CD in boar semen influences sperm’s response to the capacitation stimulus bicarbonate during long-term semen storage. Extended semen samples (n = 78) from 13 artificial insemination centers were analyzed using a flow cytometric calcium influx assay. Samples with >15% of CD showed a reduced specific response to bicarbonate and a higher non-specific destabilization after storage for 96 h and subsequent incubation at 38 °C in three variants of Tyrode`s medium (p < 0.05). The size of the bicarbonate-responsive sperm population was inversely correlated with the presence of CD-bearing sperm (r = −0.61, p < 0.01). Samples with ≤15% and samples with >15% of CD did not differ in motility or viability and acrosome integrity during semen storage. In conclusion, incomplete epididymal sperm maturation impairs the in vitro capacitation ability and promotes sperm destabilization in stored boar semen.

​Association of Bio-acoustic Features of Vocal Signals with Age and Semen Quality in Sahiwal Bulls

Background: Bio-acoustic features of animal’s voice can provide meaningful information about their biological and physical characteristics. The present study was conducted to get indicators of age from voice analysis and explore the relationship between voice features and seminal parameters in Sahiwal bulls. Methods: Voice samples were collected from healthy bulls (n=20), maintained at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. Bulls were classified into two groups i.e. young bulls and adult bulls. The voice signals were analyzed by Adobe Premium software and acoustic features were extracted by using PRAAT software. Result: The mean of acoustic features viz. call duration (sec), mean intensity (dB), total energy (P2S), amplitude (P), pitch (Hz), unvoiced frame (%), jitter (%), bandwidth (Hz) mean N/H ratio (%) have been found significantly different while mean H/N ratio (dB), shimmer (%) and pulses were not found statistically (P greater than 0.05) different between adult and young bulls. The seminal parameters viz mass activity (0-5 scale), individual progressive motility (%), live sperm count (%) and total sperm abnormality (%) were found significantly different between adult and young bulls. No significant association between voice features and semen quality of bulls was observed. Hence, voice signals of male might provide some clues about their age but for semen quality, there is further need to explore the interesting relationship between voice features and fertility of breeding bulls.

The Effect of Genetically Modified Food on Infertility Indices: A Systematic Review Study

Background and Objectives. With the increase in the growth of genetically modified (GM) crops, concerns as to the adverse effects of GM crops have risen in the community. The present systematic review seeks to assess the GM plants’ potential impacts on the sperm parameters, including sperm head, sperm motility, sperm abnormality, and fertility index. Materials and Methods. A structured literature search was independently performed by three authors on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase in January 2019. A total of 1467 publications were obtained by the search strategy after eliminating the duplicates. Moreover, the review only included articles written in English language. Other pertinent peer-reviewed publications were chosen (“snowballing”) from the reference lists in the selected publications. To assess the GM crop effects on infertility, experimental studies designed with the control group were selected. On the basis of abstract screening and full-text reviewing, 39 relevant publications were selected, seven of which were used in our review. To access the quality of articles, we used the Cochrane checklist. The collected articles were scored independently by three authors, and the publications with the eligibility criteria were included in our review. No article was excluded due to quality assessment. Results and Conclusion. Our findings indicated that GM products had no adverse effects on infertility indices such as the sperm head, sperm motility, sperm abnormality, and fertility indices. Long-term research still seems to be strongly necessary to ensure that the use of GM plants does not cause any harm to consumers, especially in infertility area.

Modulatory Effect of Rutin on the Antitumor Activity and Genotoxicity of Cisplatin in Tumor-Bearing Mice

Purpose: Cisplatin is a cancer chemotherapeutic drug that has been extensively used in the treatment of a variety of cancers. However, the full usage of cisplatin is limited due to its treatment associated development of multiple side effects in the host. In the present study, the modulatory effect of rutin, a type of flavonoid, on the cisplatin mediated antitumor activity and allied genotoxicity in ascites Dalton’s lymphoma (DL)-bearing mice were investigated. Methods: The antitumor activity was determined by calculating the percent increase in the life span of mice, cell viability and scanning electron microscopy of DL cells. Further, the modulatory effect of rutin on the cisplatin-induced genotoxic effects in the same DL-bearing mice was assessed by the analysis of micronuclei, chromosomal aberration and sperm abnormality. Results: The combination treatment of mice with rutin and cisplatin showed a considerable increase in the life span of the DL-bearing mice depicting better antitumor efficacy. Scanning electron microscopy of these DL cells showed severe membrane deformities in DL cells such as fusion of cell membrane, membrane blebbing, cell shrinkage, membrane folding and loss in microvilli from the tumor cell surface which may lead to cell death. Cisplatin alone treatment caused an increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei and sperms abnormality. However, the combination treatment of DL-bearing mice with rutin and cisplatin comparatively reduced these genotoxic effects. Conclusion: The overall findings suggest that rutin enhances the cisplatin-mediated antitumor activity and cytotoxicity against DL cells and at the same time diminishes the genotoxic effects induced by cisplatin in the DL-bearing mice.

Alpha-tocopherol improves sperm quality by regulate intracellular Ca2+ intensity (influx/efflux) of Simmental bull cattle sperm

Background: The effects of α-tocopherol on intracellular Ca2+ intensity in semen cryopreservation by regulate intracellular Ca2+ intensity have not been reported yet. Objective: The research was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation α-tocopherol into egg yolk skim milk extender on sperm quality and intracellular Ca2+ intensity. Methods: Semen samples were collected and supplemented with respectively 0mM (P0); 0.5mM (P1); 1mM (P2); 1.5mM (P3) and 2mM (P4) α-tocopherol in extender before cryopreservation processes. Post-thawing sperm was evaluated for motility, viability, and abnormality using Phase Contrast Microscope (200x) with eosin-nigrosine staining, and intracellular Ca2+ intensity of the best result dose was evaluated using Confocal Laser Scan Microscope (400x) with Fluo-3 Staining. Results: The results showed there was a significant difference (P≤0.05) in sperm motility and viability between P0; P1 with P2; P3; P4. The Motility and viability between groups P0; P1 and P3; P4 showed no significant difference (P≥0.05), while P2 with P3; P4 showed significant difference (P≤0.05). There was a significant difference (P≤0.05) in sperm abnormality of P0; P1 with P2; P3; P4. The abnormality between P0; P1 and P2; P3 showed no significant difference (P≥ 0.05), while P2; P3 showed a significant difference with P4 (P≤0.05). The best result in sperm quality was supplementation with 1.5mM α-tocopherol. Ca2+ intracellular intensity: 142.76 ± 21.8 au (P0) and 176.06 ± 61.43 au (P3). Conclusions: It was concluded that 1.5mM α-tocopherol is the best dose to improve sperm quality by regulating intracellular Ca2+ intensity on Simmental bull cattle.

A retrospective study of various factors affecting infertility in Rajasthan, India

Background: Infertility is seen fairly common in these days and it cause not only reproductive but also psychological impairment of the parents. Infertility leads to multitude of personal as well as societal repercussions. There are various advances in technology which help the parents suffering from infertility. Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year of regular intercourse in women <35 years not using contraception and after six months in women >35 years.Methods: A retrospective study of 400 females and their husbands’ coming to the department of gynecology, Umaid Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan was undertaken from February 2020 to March 2020. A structural self-constructed questionnaire was used in the study. A well-informed verbal consent was taken by the participants of the study. It had open and closed ended questions. Further, an ultrasound sonography (USG) was performed to check the reproductive organs of the patient, to find the cause of infertility, as well as biochemical examination on male sperm, was performed to find out the sperm abnormality, ejection disorders and other long-term illness.Results: In our study, we found multiple factors affecting infertility issues in females. These factors were- menstrual cycle abnormally, bleeding abnormality and years of active married life. We also found Polycystic ovarian disorder as a major underlying cause of female infertility and sperm abnormality as a major cause of male infertility.Conclusions: Authors recommend frequent female routine checkups to asses early case of infertility and treat it as early as possible.