Male cancer patient sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation: 10-year monocentric experience

Abstract Background Sperm cryopreservation, an effective method for preserving male fertility, is very advantageous for men suffering from cancer. Unfortunately, as both physicians and cancer patients are unaware of the possibilities for sperm cryopreservation, the data on evaluation of semen parameters and disposition of cryopreserved samples among Chinese cancer patients are scarce. Results Male tumours were classified into six major types, germ cell tumours (26 %), haematological neoplasms (28 %), head and neck cancers (19 %), thoracic tumours (4 %), abdominal tumours (10 %), and others (13 %). Haematological neoplasm was the most prevalent cancer among our cohort of patients who opted for sperm banking, followed by germ cell tumours. Patients with germ cell tumours had the lowest pre-thaw and post-thaw seminal sperm concentrations. We separately compared patients with testicular tumours, lymphoma, and leukaemia, and found that leukaemia patients had the lowest pre-thaw sperm concentrations. Most cancer patients (58 %) chose to keep their specimens stored, while 31 % chose to discard the specimens. Over the years, only 13 patients (4 %) returned to use their spermatozoa by assisted reproductive technology. Of the stored samples, patients with germ cell tumours constituted the highest proportion (29.3 %). Moreover, the percentage of haematological neoplasm patients who had no spermatozoa frozen was the highest (46.2 %). Conclusions The present data confirm the deleterious impact of various cancers on semen quality. Leukaemia was associated with the worst semen quality and the highest number of semen samples that could not be frozen. We suggest that sperm quality may have decreased even before anti-neoplastic treatment and that sperm banking before treatment should be strongly recommended for cancer patients. A sperm banking programme before gonadotoxic therapy requires close cooperation between assisted reproduction centres and cancer clinics.

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Sperm cryopreservation of male cancer patients for fertility preservation : 10-year monocentric experience

10.21203/rs.3.rs-212790/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xiao Liu ◽

Bo Liu ◽

shasha liu ◽

yang xian ◽

wenrui zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Fertility Preservation ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Germ Cell Tumors ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Sperm Cryopreservation ◽

Sperm Banking ◽

Hematological Neoplasms ◽

Body Regions

Abstract Background: Semen cryopreservation is an effective method to preserve fertility, which is very important for male cancer patients. Unfortunately, due to unaware of the opportunities for sperm cryopreservation for both physicians and cancer patients, not a lot of data on evaluating the semen parameters and dispositions of the cryopreserved samples of Chinese cancer population are available in the literature. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed semen parameters as well as the clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive treatments (ART) of 339 male cancer patients of Chinese population who were referred to our center from 2010 to 2019 for fertility preservation. Results: We first classify the male tumors into six major types according to body regions. The most prevalent cancer patients who came from our cohort for sperm banking were hematological neoplasms patients, and the second cancers were germ cell tumors. Patients with germ cell tumors had the lowest pre- thaw and post-thaw concentration among the six major cancer types. However, we separately compared among testicular tumors, lymphoma and leukemia, it turned out that leukemia had the lowest pre-thaw concentration. Most cancer patients (58%) chose to go on keeping their specimens in storage. The second proportion selected to discard their specimens electively (31%). Over the years, there were only 13 patients (4%) returned to use their sperm by ART. In the storage samples, germ cell tumors were the most proportion ones (29.3%). Moreover, in the unfrozen samples, the percentage of hematological neoplasms were the most (45.5%).Conclusions: To our knowledge, we had owned the most numbers of male cancers who came to sperm bank for fertility conservation in the southwest of China. In our study we suggested that sperm quality could decrease even before antineoplastic treatment and sperm banking prior to treatment should be strongly recommended for male cancer patients.

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P–441 Semen quality and cryopreservation in adolescent transgender females

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.440 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

H Amir ◽

L Perl ◽

S Barda ◽

D Lantsberg ◽

A Sege. Becker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reference Values ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Control Group ◽

Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Sperm Cryopreservation ◽

The Impact

Abstract Study question What are the semen quality and cryopreservation outcomes among adolescent transgender females at the time of fertility preservation (FP) before initiating gender-affirming hormone (GAH) treatment? Summary answer Semen quality is strongly reduced among adolescent transgender females before hormone therapy and their stored sperm samples are suitable for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). What is known already The age of individuals seeking treatment for gender affirmation has fallen sharply in recent years and many of them are adolescents. Estrogen, the primary treatment for transgender women, is known to impair semen quality and fertility potential. Sperm cryopreservation enables young transgender females to circumvent GAH therapy-related fertility impairment and have genetically related children. There are recent data on semen quality among adult transgender women who preserve fertility before exposure to GAH therapy, but little is known about pubertal transgender female adolescents. Study design, size, duration This retrospective cohort study included 26 adolescent transgender females who underwent FP between June 2013 and October 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods Before initiating gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists solely or with GAH treatment, 25 adolescent transgender females were referred to FP in our Fertility Institute of a tertiary university-affiliated medical center. Pre-freezing semen parameters were compared to WHO 2010 reference values. Post-thaw semen parameters were used to determine adequate assisted reproductive technology (ART). A multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of selected medical and lifestyle factors on the semen quality of our study participants. Main results and the role of chance The mean age at which adolescent transgender females underwent sperm cryopreservation was 16.2 ± 1.38 years. The median values of all semen parameters in our study group were significantly lower compared to the WHO data on semen quality in the general population of unscreened men, including volume (1.46 ml vs 3.2 ml, respectively, P = 0.001 ), sperm concertation (28*106/ml vs 64*106/ml, P < 0.001), total sperm number (28.2*106 vs 196*106, P < 0.001), total motility (51.6% vs 62%, P < 0.001), and normal morphology (2% vs 14%, P < 0.001). The frequency of semen abnormalities was teratozoospermia 72%, hypospermia 52%, oligozoospermia 28%, and azoospermia 4%. The median post-thaw total motile count was 0.17*106 per vial, and the quality was adequate only for ICSI in 87.7% of the thawed semen samples. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, history of depression/anxiety, medication for ADHD, and antidepressant drugs were found to correlate with hypospermia. No correlation was found between the time of FP, body mass index, autistic spectrum disorder diagnosis, cannabis use, testis tucking, or the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and testosterone on the semen parameters. Limitations, reasons for caution Because no normal values of semen in adolescents are available and the absence of a matched control group, we used WHO 2010 semen data as reference values, and they may not be representative of the adolescent population. Wider implications of the findings: Although adolescent transgender females have poor semen quality and limited stored semen samples suitable for advanced ART interventions, even before starting GAH therapy, we highly recommend sperm cryopreservation before initiating GAH treatment and thereby prevent further impairment of sperm quality associated with the hormonal treatment. Trial registration number Not applicable

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Evaluating bull fertility based on non-return method

Veterinarski glasnik ◽

10.2298/vetgl1202027p ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 66 (1-2) ◽

pp. 27-40

Author(s):

Igor Prka ◽

Dragan Vukovic ◽

Stevan Perkovic

Keyword(s):

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Service Period ◽

Microscopic Evaluation ◽

Live Sperm ◽

Return Method ◽

The Impact ◽

First Time

In order to evaluate the results of reproductive cows and heifers, different parameters of fertility are used, such as the service period, insemination index, intercalving time and others, and of the breeding bulls the values obtained through non-return. An ejaculate is taken up for further processing by veterinary centres only provided it meets the prescribed quality parameters. Rating semen parameters includes a macroscopic (volume, colour, consistency, smell and pH) and a microscopic evaluation (mobility, density, percentage of live sperm and abnormal and damaged sperm). In addition to sperm quality and the fertility of the female animal, the results of the non-return method are also influenced by a number of exogenous causes (season, age, race, insemination techniques) that have no small impact on the end result of insemination - pregnancy. In order to obtain more objective results of the fertility of bulls the following tasks were undertaken, namely: 1. to calculate with the non-return method the fertility of bulls in over 10,000 cows inseminated for the first time during a period of 6 years; and 2. to analyze the impact of semen quality, season, age of cow and bull, and the bull breed on the results of fertility.

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23 Sperm quality of Pure Spanish stallions is affected by inbreeding coefficient and age

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv32n2ab23 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 137

Author(s):

Y. Pirosanto ◽

M. Valera ◽

A. Molina ◽

J. Dorado ◽

S. Demyda-Peyrás

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Inbreeding Depression ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Inbreeding Coefficient ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Computer Assisted

Inbreeding depression, a genetic condition produced by the mating of close-related individuals, has been associated with a reduction of fertility in several species. However, a loss in sperm quality was also associated with age. In horses, the few existing reports have described a tendency of both parameters to produce a negative effect on sperm quality. However, those reports were performed using a subjective evaluation of sperm motility. In the present study, a total of 692 ejaculates from 86 Pure Spanish stallions (PRE), aged between 3 and 22 years, were evaluated using a computer-assisted methodology to determine the effect of inbreeding in four semen parameters: free-gel volume (V), sperm concentration (C, by haemocytometer), and total (TM) and progressive (PM) sperm motility (by Spermvision sperm class analyser; Minitube). The inbreeding coefficient (F) was estimated using 300 000 PRE pedigree records approximately (minimum pedigree depth, eight equivalent complete generations; range, between 1 and 30.1%). Stallion, age, ejaculate, and season of semen collection were the variables included in the statistical model (general linear model), with ejaculate and season being the variables with a major effect (by variance components analysis). Our results showed that sperm concentration (r=−0.18; P<0.0001) and volume (to a lesser extent) were reduced with advancing age, both showing a major decline after 15 years of age. To the contrary, sperm motility was not affected by age of the stallion. We also found a negative correlation between the inbreeding coefficient and ejaculate volume (r=−0.14; P<0.001), with a marked decrease seen when F was between 7 and 20%. Also, a negative correlation was observed in PM (r=−0.08; P<0.05), although to a lower extent. Conversely, C and TM were not affected by inbreeding depression (P>0.05). In conclusion, our results demonstrated that high levels of inbreeding can compromise severely the sperm quality of the PRE stallion, which, subsequently, may have a negative influence on fertility. Ongoing studies using genomic data will help to detect genetic variants associated with stallion semen quality and how it is influenced by inbreeding in specific genomic regions.

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The Association Between Abstinence Period and Semen Parameters: Results in Normal Samples and Different Sperm Pathology

10.21203/rs.3.rs-576492/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Min Xie ◽

Silvan Hämmerli ◽

Kerstin Blickenstorfer ◽

Brigitte Leeners

Keyword(s):

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Sexual Abstinence ◽

Normal Morphology ◽

Few Data ◽

Total Motile Sperm Count ◽

Abstinence Period

Abstract Purpose: The length of sexual abstinence seems to influence sperm quality. However, few data on the relevance of abstinence time in pathological sperm samples are available. With our study, we look for associations of abstinence length and semen quality. Methods: We studied semen samples from 4423 men undergoing fertility evaluation. Sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa, total motile sperm count, percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology, were compared after each day and 0-2, 3-7 and >7 days of abstinence. Results: We found that a longer abstinence time was related to higher sperm concentration in normal semen samples (P<0.001) and in semen samples with any sperm pathology (P<0.001, P=0.004) with the exception of oligozoospermia (P=0.125). Longer abstinence time was also associated with significantly reduced progressive motility in normal samples (P<0.001) and in cases of teratozoospermia (P<0.001). In normal samples a higher percentage of sperm were morphologically normal after a shorter abstinence period (P=0.03); in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) samples, this was the case after a longer abstinence period (P=0.013). Conclusion: A longer abstinence time is associated with higher sperm concentration, whereas sperm motility is optimal after shorter abstinence times; results on morphology are controversial. The recommendation on abstinence time needs to be adjusted in relation to the parameter that needs to be improved.

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Effects of human sperm cryopreservation on apoptotic markers in normozoospermic and non-normozoospermic patients

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199418000254 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 308-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Seda Karabulut ◽

Asuman Demiroğlu-Zergeroğlu ◽

Elif Yılmaz ◽

Pelin Kutlu ◽

İlknur Keskin

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Caspase 3 ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Human Sperm ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Sperm Cryopreservation ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Apoptotic Markers ◽

Neat Semen

SummaryThe negative effects of cryopreservation on sperm parameters are well documented but little information is known about molecular basis of the process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of sperm cryopreservation on main apoptotic signs including DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation and to determine if these effects vary according to sperm parameters. Sperm samples of 72 patients were cryopreserved. The patients were sub-grouped as normozoospermic or non-normozoospermic patients according to their semen parameters. DNA fragmentation rates and caspase-3 activation levels were analyzed before and after cryopreservation in both groups. Mean DNA fragmentation rate was increased significantly from 23.98% in neat semen samples to 27.34% after cryopreservation (P = 0.03). DNA fragmentation rates were slightly higher in non-normozoospermic patients compared with the normozoospermic patients in both the neat semen and after cryopreservation (23.25 and 24.71% vs. 26.32 and 28.36%, respectively) although the difference obtained were not statistically significant. An increasing trend for caspase-3 activations (0.093 vs. 0.116) was observed after cryopreservation but the differences were not statistically significant. Caspase-3 activation was found to be slightly higher in non-normozoospermic patients both in the neat semen and after cryopreservation compared with the normozoospermic patients but the differences were not statistically significant. Caspase-3 expression was also shown using immunocytochemistry in both fresh ejaculated sperm and thawed sperm after cryopreservation but at different localizations. The cryopreservation process had detrimental effects on sperm quality but the quality of the sperm samples was not adversely effective for the apoptotic markers including DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation patterns. In fact, it was the cryopreservation process itself that adversely effected the above apoptotic markers and apoptosis. It was concluded therefore that sperm cell cryopreservation triggers apoptosis after thawing and this process adversely affects semen parameters.

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Risking Less Treatment in Cancer Patients: Lessons from Germ-cell Tumours

The Lancet ◽

10.1016/s0140-6736(88)90418-7 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 332 (8608) ◽

pp. 430-431 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Germ Cell Tumours

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The aging male: Relationship between male age, sperm quality and sperm DNA damage in an unselected population of 3124 men attending the fertility centre for the first time

Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia ◽

10.4081/aiua.2018.4.254 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 90 (4) ◽

pp. 254-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alessandro Colasante ◽

Maria Giulia Minasi ◽

Filomena Scarselli ◽

Valentina Casciani ◽

Vincenzo Zazzaro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Sperm Morphology ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

World Health ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Sperm Dna Damage ◽

Male Age ◽

Sperm Dna

Objective: the aim of our study was to put forward insights to treat any possible correlation among sperm quality, sperm DNA damage and male age as they may have fertility implications for men who choose to delay fatherhood. Materials and methods: Our study is a non-interventional retrospective analysis of 3124 semen samples from patients that were investigated for the conventional semen parameters. Tunel test assay was set up for the evaluation of the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). We applied the Kappa index to compare both the 1999 and the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) reference criteria to evaluate the competence of such semen parameters categorization during the standard routine of our laboratory. Results: With regards to our findings, it is possible to underline a significant relationship between aging and semen volume (p = 0.001), motility (p = 0.009), semen viscosity (p < 0.003) and sperm DNA damage (p < 0.009). We found a trend when focusing on the semen concentration (p = 0.05). The analysis of sperm morphology did not show any influence with advancing age (p = 0.606). When comparing both the 1999 and the 2010 WHO scales we found no accordance in the appraisal of sperm morphology but a very good one in the evaluation of the other parameters. Conclusions: Conventional semen analysis represents the opportunity to draw up a proxy insight on the male fertility status even if semen quality can only indirectly assess the probability of pregnancy. Several studies have verified a decay in the male reproductive system, sperm quality and fertility with advancing age although the reported results are not yet conclusive. Our results substantially agree with those findings outlined in the literature. Moreover we find that the discrepancy between the two WHO reference scales would eventually lead to an improper diagnosis of infertility.

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Dietary Patterns and Poor Semen Quality Risk in Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10091162 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1162 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Anna Danielewicz ◽

Katarzyna Przybyłowicz ◽

Mariusz Przybyłowicz

Keyword(s):

Dietary Patterns ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Increased Risk

The etiology of diminished sperm quality in about 30% of male infertility cases generally remains unexplained. Some studies have suggested that specific nutritional factors can affect semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate an association between dietary patterns (DPs) and the risk of abnormal semen quality parameters in men. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 114 men aged 20–55 years from Poland. Semen parameters were assessed via computer-aided semen. Diet was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DPs were derived using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Two DPs were derived: Pro-healthy and Western. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of abnormal progressive motility was significantly higher in the middle (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.03–8.09) and upper (OR: 7.78, 95% CI: 1.52–15.06) tertiles of the Western DP. A trend for increased risk of the abnormal total count, progressive motility, and morphology (P-trend < 0.050) was found in Western DP. To conclude, the Western DP may increase the risk of abnormal semen parameters, whereas no association was found in the case of Pro-healthy DP. These findings stand in contrast to an increasing number of research findings indicating a positive relation between intake of healthy foods or diet and semen quality parameters. The results highlight the need to study whether modifications in diet and lifestyle factors improve semen quality.

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