scholarly journals Sperm DNA Integrity and Meiotic Behavior Assessment in an Infertile Male Carrier of a 9qh+++ Polymorphism

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. García-Peiró ◽  
M. Oliver-Bonet ◽  
J. Navarro ◽  
C. Abad ◽  
M. Guitart ◽  
...  

Although several reports on male infertility suggest a relationship between chromosome 9 polymorphisms and infertility, the effects on the phenotype have not been extensively reported. In this study, an infertile patient was found to carry a 9qh+++ chromosome. The flow cytometric TUNEL assay and SCD test have been applied to characterize sperm DNA integrity. In order to assess its meiotic behaviour, synapsis, recombination, and aneuploidy, analyses have been also performed. Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) was 77.81% and 87% for the TUNEL and SCD tests, respectively. Ninety-two percent of pachytene cells analyzed showed meiotic abnormalities. The mean number of MLH1 foci per pachytene in the control group was higher (49) than the mean found in the 9qh+++ patient (38) (P<.0001). In spermatozoa, significant increases of disomy rates were observed for chromosome 18 and for the sex chromosomes (P<.0001). These disturbances could be present in other male carriers of a less marked 9qh+.

2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Piroozmanesh ◽  
Ebrahim Cheraghi ◽  
Leila Naserpoor ◽  
Masoumeh Aghashahi ◽  
Rahil Jannatifar

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may lead to the infertility of men. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in fertile men. Methods: A total of 100 males were selected and divided into two groups: (1) patients in convalescence (patients suffering from COVID-19 infection in pharyngeal swab in accordance with reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] or antibodies); (2) negative control group (without antibodies). Semen and blood samples were gathered from all subjects. In the native semen, immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies in the blood were confirmed, and COVID-19 was detected via RT-PCR. To this end, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, semen analysis, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and sperm DNA integrity were assessed. Results: Results demonstrated that sperm concentration, motility, sperm viability, and TAC significantly reduced in fertile males with virus infection. In comparison with the control group, sperm DNA integrity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Data indicated that the semen volume was not significantly correlated with COVID-19, and there was a significantly negative correlation between sperm concentration, sperm total motility, sperm vitality, sperm normal forms, and TAC with COVID-19. Sperm DNA fragmentation index had a significant and positive correlation with COVID-19 (P < 0.05). In addition, reproductive hormones significantly reduced in fertile males with COVID-19 infection (P < 0.05). Conclusions: COVID-19 infection has a negative influence on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in fertile males.


Zygote ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Rose dos Santos Hamilton ◽  
Mayra Elena Ortiz D’Ávila Assumpção

SummarySperm DNA fragmentation is referred to as one of the main causes of male infertility. Failures in the protamination process, apoptosis and action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered the most important causes of DNA fragmentation. Action of ROS or changes in sperm protamination would increase the susceptibility of sperm DNA to fragmentation. Routine semen analysis is unable to estimate sperm chromatin damage. Sperm DNA integrity influences sperm functional capability, therefore tests that measure sperm DNA fragmentation are important to assess fertility disorders. Actually, there is a considerable number of methods for assessing sperm DNA fragmentation and chromatin integrity, sperm chromatin stability assay (SCSA modified), sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD), comet assay, transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL); and protamine evaluation in sperm chromatin assay, such as toluidine blue, CMA3, protamine expression and evaluation of cysteine radicals. This review aims to describe the main causes of sperm DNA fragmentation and the tests commonly used to evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
K. E. M. Hendricks ◽  
D. Evenson ◽  
P. J. Hansen ◽  
M. Kaproth ◽  
L. M. Penfold

Biological samples, including cryopreserved sperm, are routinely shipped using air transportation, in dry shippers that are x-rayed along with routine baggage. Accordingly, it is important to demonstrate that there are no potential risks associated with semen transport. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of airport radiation used for a) checked luggage and b) carry-on luggage on bovine sperm DNA integrity, fertilizing ability, and embryo development. Frozen domestic bull sperm collected from known fertile bulls (n = 9) and stored in a dry shipper (–196°C) were x-rayed 0, 1, 2, and 3 times as a) checked luggage and b) carry-on luggage. Duplicate straws were thawed and assessed for DNA damage using the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA®, SCSA Diagnostics, Brookings, SD) and fertilization and embryo development by in vitro fertilization. The SCSA® parameters are the mean and SD of the DNA fragmentation index (mean DFI and SD DFI). Multiple x-rays did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect sperm chromatin heterogeneity assessed by SCSA® and no differences were observed in the mean, SD, and DFI for any of the sperm treatments. No differences (P > 0.05) were seen in embryo cleavage or blastocyst development rates (expressed as percentage of oocytes becoming blastocysts or percentage of cleaved embryos becoming blastocysts) for sperm x-rayed 0, 1, 2, or 3 times using either checked or carry-on luggage doses. The percentage of oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage was 13.8, 11.5, 12.8, and 9.0% (SEM = 2.3%) for sperm exposed to the checked luggage dose 0, 1, 2, and 3 times. The percentage of oocytes developing to the blastocyst stage was 13.0, 12.8, 14.0, and 13.5% (SEM = 3.5%) for sperm exposed to the carry-on luggage dose 0, 1, 2, and 3 times. As future x-ray machines are planned that deliver greater doses of radiation to scan large quantities of baggage with a single scan, it is important that continued monitoring of shipped sperm is performed. The authors are grateful to Lara Metrione, Brian Delauter, and the TSA staff at Jacksonville Airport for assistance with this study.


Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (5) ◽  
pp. 433-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Simões ◽  
Weber Beringui Feitosa ◽  
Adriano Felipe Perez Siqueira ◽  
Marcilio Nichi ◽  
Fabíola Freitas Paula-Lopes ◽  
...  

Sperm chromatin fragmentation may be caused by a number of factors, the most significant of which is reactive oxygen species. However, little is known about the effect of sperm oxidative stress (OS) on DNA integrity, fertilization, and embryonic development in cattle. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of sperm OS susceptibility on the DNA fragmentation rate and in vitro embryo production (IVP) in a population of bulls. Groups of cryopreserved sperm samples were divided into four groups, based on their susceptibility to OS (G1, low OS; G2, average OS; G3, high OS; and G4, highest OS). Our results demonstrated that the sperm DNA integrity was compromised in response to increased OS susceptibility. Furthermore, semen samples with lower susceptibility to OS were also less susceptible to DNA damage (G1, 4.06%; G2, 6.09%; G3, 6.19%; and G4, 6.20%). In addition, embryo IVP provided evidence that the embryo cleavage rate decreased as the OS increased (G1, 70.18%; G2, 62.24%; G3, 55.85%; and G4, 50.93%), but no significant difference in the blastocyst rate or the number of blastomeres was observed among the groups. The groups with greater sensitivity to OS were also associated with a greater percentage of apoptotic cells (G1, 2.6%; G2, 2.76%; G3, 5.59%; and G4, 4.49%). In conclusion, we demonstrated that an increased susceptibility to OS compromises sperm DNA integrity and consequently reduces embryo quality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktor Alargkof ◽  
Larissa Kersten ◽  
Romil Stanislavov ◽  
Zdravko Kamenov ◽  
Panagiotis Nikolinakos

Objective: This exploratory retrospective study aimed to compare the level of Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF) and investigate its association with bulk semen parameters, for the first time in Bulgarian patients with varicocele, using a distinct methodology. Material and methods: Standard semen analysis was performed according to the 2010 criteria of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology - Nordic Association for Andrology (ESHRE-NAFA-2010) and DNA fragmentation was assessed using the Halosperm® kit. The total sample included 28 males: the control group consisted of men with normal genital examination and unknown fertility (n = 10), group one consisted of men with varicocele, normozoospermia and DNA fragmentation > 15% (n = 9) and group two consisted of men with varicocele, abnormal sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation > 15% (n = 9). Results: DNA fragmentation was found to be higher in patients with abnormal sperm parameters (43.78 ± 30.78) compared to the normozoospermic group (21.22 ± 3.93) (p = 0.008). In normozoospermic patients, no statistically significant correlations were observed between SDF and bulk semen parameters. In patients with abnormal sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation exhibited significant very strong negative association with motility (a+b), vitality and typical morphology (p < 0.001). Conclusions: DNA integrity assays could be used for a better evaluation and management of male infertility, particularly in normozoospermic varicocele patients.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Bungum

Infertility affects 15% of all couples. Although male infertility factors with reduced semen quality are contributing to about half of all involuntary childlessness, the value of standard semen parameters in prediction of fertilityin vivoand choice of proper method for assisted reproduction is limited. In the search for better markers of male fertility, during the last 10 years, assessment of sperm DNA integrity has emerged as a strong new biomarker of semen quality that may have the potential to discriminate between infertile and fertile men. Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) as assessed by the flow cytometric Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA) can be used for evaluation of sperm chromatin integrity. The biological background for abnormal DFI is not completely known, but clinical data show that DFI above 30% is associated with very low chance for achieving pregnancy in natural way or by insemination, but notin vitro. Already when the DFI is above 20%, the chance of natural pregnancy may be reduced, despite other sperm parameters being normal. Thus this method may explain a significant proportion of cases of unexplained infertility and can be beneficial in counselling involuntary childless couples need ofin vitrofertilisation.


Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Caixia Yuan ◽  
Haixia Song ◽  
Zhulin Wang ◽  
Huaixiu Wang

Summary Intact human sperm DNA is an essential prerequisite for successful fertilization and embryo development. Abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation is a independent factor for male infertility. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Peijingsu, a health product, on the DNA integrity of human sperm. Peijingsu was administered for 15 days to 22 patients who had an abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). The DFIs before and after treatment were compared and analyzed using paired t-test. DFIs decreased significantly (P = 0.0008) after treatment, therefore it was concluded that Peijingsu effectively improved sperm DNA integrity in infertile patients who had an abnormal sperm DFI.


2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1826) ◽  
pp. 20152708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier delBarco-Trillo ◽  
Olga García-Álvarez ◽  
Ana Josefa Soler ◽  
Maximiliano Tourmente ◽  
José Julián Garde ◽  
...  

Sperm competition, a prevalent evolutionary process in which the spermatozoa of two or more males compete for the fertilization of the same ovum, leads to morphological and physiological adaptations, including increases in energetic metabolism that may serve to propel sperm faster but that may have negative effects on DNA integrity. Sperm DNA damage is associated with reduced rates of fertilization, embryo and fetal loss, offspring mortality, and mutations leading to genetic disease. We tested whether high levels of sperm competition affect sperm DNA integrity. We evaluated sperm DNA integrity in 18 species of rodents that differ in their levels of sperm competition using the sperm chromatin structure assay. DNA integrity was assessed upon sperm collection, in response to incubation under capacitating or non-capacitating conditions, and after exposure to physical and chemical stressors. Sperm DNA was very resistant to physical and chemical stressors, whereas incubation in non-capacitating and capacitating conditions resulted in only a small increase in sperm DNA damage. Importantly, levels of sperm competition were positively associated with sperm DNA fragmentation across rodent species. This is the first evidence showing that high levels of sperm competition lead to an important cost in the form of increased sperm DNA damage.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agustín García-Peiró ◽  
Jordi Ribas-Maynou ◽  
María Oliver-Bonet ◽  
Joaquima Navarro ◽  
Miguel A. Checa ◽  
...  

Varicocele is one of the most common causes of low semen quality, which is reflected in high percentages of sperm cells with fragmented DNA. While varicocelectomy is usually performed to ameliorate a patient’s fertility, its impact on sperm DNA integrity in the case of subclinical varicocele is poorly documented. In this study, multiple DNA fragmentation analyses (TUNEL, SCD, and SCSA) were performed on semen samples from sixty infertile patients with varicocele (15 clinical varicoceles, 19 clinical varicoceles after surgical treatment, 16 subclinical varicoceles, and 10 subclinical varicoceles after surgical treatment). TUNEL, SCD, and SCSA assays all showed substantial sperm DNA fragmentation levels that were comparable between subclinical and clinical varicocele patients. Importantly, varicocelectomy did improve sperm quality in patients with clinical varicocele; however, this was not the case in patients with subclinical varicocele. In summary, although infertile patients with clinical and subclinical varicocele have similar sperm DNA quality, varicocelectomy should only be advised for patients with clinical varicocele.


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