scholarly journals Reduced Testicular Steroidogenesis and Increased Semen Oxidative Stress in Male Partners as Novel Markers of Recurrent Miscarriage

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Channa N Jayasena ◽  
Utsav K Radia ◽  
Monica Figueiredo ◽  
Larissa Franklin Revill ◽  
Anastasia Dimakopoulou ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Recurrent pregnancy loss, (RPL) affecting 1%–2% of couples, is defined as ≥3 consecutive pregnancy losses before 20-week' gestation. Women with RPL are routinely screened for etiological factors, but routine screening of male partners is not currently recommended. Recently it has been suggested that sperm quality is reduced in male partners of women with RPL, but the reasons underlying this lower quality are unclear. We hypothesized that these men may have underlying impairments of reproductive endocrine and metabolic function that cause reductions in sperm quality. METHODS After ethical approval, reproductive parameters were compared between healthy controls and male partners of women with RPL. Semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured with a validated inhouse chemiluminescent assay. DNA fragmentation was measured with the validated Halosperm method. RESULTS Total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, and normal morphology were all reduced in the RPL group vs controls. Mean ±SE morning serum testosterone (nmol/L) was 15% lower in RPL than in controls (controls, 19.0 ± 1.0; RPL, 16.0 ± 0.8; P < 0.05). Mean ±SE serum estradiol (pmol/L) was 16% lower in RPL than in controls (controls, 103.1 ± 5.7; RPL, 86.5 ± 3.4; P < 0.01). Serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were similar between groups. Mean ±SE ROS (RLU/sec/106 sperm) were 4-fold higher in RPL than in controls (controls, 2.0 ± 0.6; RPL, 9.1 ± 4.1; P < 0.01). Mean ±SE sperm DNA fragmentation (%) was 2-fold higher in RPL than in controls (controls, 7.3 ± 1.0; RPL, 16.4 ± 1.5; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that male partners of women with RPL have impaired reproductive endocrine function, increased levels of semen ROS, and sperm DNA fragmentation. Routine reproductive assessment of the male partners may be beneficial in RPL.

2012 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45.e2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrado Avendaño ◽  
Ariela Mata ◽  
César A. Sanchez Sarmiento ◽  
Gustavo F. Doncel

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heder Nunes Ferreira ◽  
José Carlos Ferreira-Silva ◽  
Jorge Motta Rocha ◽  
Pamela Ramos-Deus ◽  
Joane Isis Travassos Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Background: fertility rates using horse frozen-thawed semen remain lower than in other livestock species. This fact further suggests that horse semen hold intrinsic sensitivity to cryoinjury that must be investigated. Moreover, there is a substantial influence of genetic factors and diluent choice upon horse cryopreservation outcome. Collectively, these genetic and technical properties of horse semen could be explored to identify factors or conditions that may increase semen viability after freeze-thawing. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of diluents Botu-Crio®,Lactose-EDTA®, and INRA-82® on cryopreserved semen from stallions with high (HFA) and low freezability (LFA).Materials, Methods & Results: frozen-thawed semen was evaluated for motility, membrane integrity, and sperm DNA fragmentation using the thermoresistance test (TRT). Comparisons for each parameter were done in a pair-wise fashion between HFA and LFA semen at one-hour intervals during the TRT (0 h - 4 h). Sperm motility in HFA, regardless of the diluent, was larger (P < 0.05) than LFA, both on 0h and 1h. In the 2h evaluation, sperm motility using Botu-Crio® and Lactose-EDTA® was greater (P < 0.05) for HFA. Analysis of sperm membrane integrity was similar between HFA and LFA semen (P > 0.05) at 0 h and 3 h. Sperm DNA fragmentation was lower (P < 0.05) in HFA semen at 0 h and 1 h. Discussion: frozen-thawed semen from stallions of high freezing ability showed greater motility at all analysis, irrespectively of diluent choice, suggesting a strong influence of genetic factors on cryopreservation outcome. Membrane integrity was similar immediately after thawing but did differ later on other TRT time-points, irrespectively of diluent choice. As observed for motility, it was expected that sperm cells of stallions of HFA would show higher membrane integrity than their LFA counterparts. Sperm DNA fragmentation was quite low for both groups, as described in horses. Surprisingly, sperm DNA fragmentation incidence was constant throughout the analysis for both HFA and LFA. It was initially envisioned that increased DNA fragmentation would be found in semen from LFA stallions, since it is caused by multiple origins such as genetic factors. In conclusion, the semen diluent affects horse sperm motility after thawing, particularly from stallions with lower semen freezability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Cabell. Vives ◽  
P Belchin ◽  
C Lopez-Fernandez ◽  
M Fernandez-Rubio ◽  
J Guerrero-Sanchez ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question Is it useful to avoid sperm centrifugation in laboratory routine work to improve sperm quality and reproductive outcome in Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART)? Summary answer Exclusion of sperm centrifugation for sperm selection using neat sperm samples (IO-lix), increases sperm quality in the collected subpopulation decreasing miscarriage rate after using ICSI. What is known already Inclusion of sperm centrifugation in ART is an aggressive intervention for sperm selection with ineludible production iatrogenic damage affecting sperm integrity. The application of IMSI, PICSI or microfluidic devices avoid sperm centrifugation and may improve the quality of the subsample obtained. However, these methodologies may result time consuming, expensive or producing poor results when the quality of the sperm is limited. We have already shown that a modified swim-up avoiding centrifugation (called IO-lix) is a low-cost and efficient alternative to microfluidic devices, recovers 100 times more concentration and reduces sperm DNA fragmentation with no significant differences to other methodologies. Study design, size, duration This is a retrospective study from 2018 to 2020 which includes patients with an average of age of 38.2 years using their own oocytes with ICSI as fertilization technique. Two aleatory groups of patients were made: Group 1: 88 cycles with 503 fertilized oocytes and 206 blastocysts were obtained with sperm samples processed by IO-lix and Group 2: 303 cycles, 1451 fertilized oocytes and 591 blastocysts using a standard “swim up” technique to process sperm. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 391 ICSI cycles were included in this retrospective study. The male factor was similar in both groups and they showed altered SDF previously to the cycle. We compared data of the motility and SDF of sperm samples before and after applying IO-lix and we analyzed by X2 contingence test differences on miscarriage rates between groups 1 and 2. Main results and the role of chance General sperm parameter changes after IO-lix showed that averaged sperm concentration observed in neat ejaculated samples was 62M/SD=46.4. Values obtained after IO-lix in the same samples were 12.3M/SD8.0. Averaged sperm motility in neat samples was 54%/SD=9.3 and 70.9%/SD=13.2 after IO-lix. Finally, sperm DNA fragmentation in neat samples was 35.8%/SD17.3, while these values decreased to 9.2%/SD=3.9 after IO-lix. About reproductive outcome results, significant differences were not obtained on the development to blastocyst stage rate comparing both groups (X2=0.003; p value = 0.954; Alpha 0.05). In the case of IO-lix processed samples, the pregnancy rate was 59.42% in Group 1 and 44.72% in Group 2 (X2=0.651; p value =0.419; Alpha 0.05). A total of 9 miscarriages of 41 clinical pregnancies (21.95%) were observed after IO-lix, while this number increases to 59 out of 123 clinical pregnancies, which means the 47.96% of the embryo transfers, when “swim-up” was used. In this case significant differences were obtained (X2=3.935; p value = 0.0.047; Alpha 0.05). Limitations, reasons for caution Being a pilot study aimed to understand the results of IO-lix in ART, correlations have not been stablished between the levels of sperm improvement after IO-lix and paired results of ART. This study would be necessary, specially to identify the possible origin of miscarriage associated to the male factor. Wider implications of the findings: Elimination of sperm centrifugation using a combined strategy of gradients and “swim-up” for sperm isolation, reduce miscarriage rate and produce equivalent results of blastocyst development to those obtained with “swim-up”. Being a cost-effective and improving laboratory workload, its use for sperm selection is recommended. Trial registration number Not applicable


Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 151 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Rose dos Santos Hamilton ◽  
Letícia Signori de Castro ◽  
Juliana de Carvalho Delgado ◽  
Patrícia Monken de Assis ◽  
Adriano Felipe Perez Siqueira ◽  
...  

Action of reactive oxygen species, protamination failures and apoptosis are considered the most important etiologies of sperm DNA fragmentation. This study evaluated the effects of induced lipid peroxidation susceptibility on native semen profile and identified the mechanisms involved in sperm DNA fragmentation and testicular antioxidant defense on Santa Ines ram sperm samples. Semen was collected from 12 adult rams (Ovis aries) performed weekly over a 9-week period. Sperm analysis (motility, mass motility, abnormalities, membrane and acrosome status, mitochondrial potential, DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation and intracellular free radicals production); protamine deficiency; PRM1, TNP1 and TNP2 gene expression; and determination of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activity and immunodetection in seminal plasma were performed. Samples were distributed into four groups according to the sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation after induction with ascorbate and ferrous sulfate (low, medium, high and very high). The results were analyzed by GLM test and post hoc least significant difference. We observed an increase in native GPx activity and CAT immunodetection in groups with high susceptibility to induced lipid peroxidation. We also found an increase in total sperm defects, acrosome and membrane damages in the group with the highest susceptibility to induced lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the low mitochondrial membrane potential, susceptible to chromatin fragmentation and the PRM1 mRNA were increased in the group showing higher susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Ram sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation may compromise sperm quality and interfere with the oxidative homeostasis by oxidative stress, which may be the main cause of chromatin damage in ram sperm.


Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Sadeghi ◽  
Raquel Del Gallego ◽  
Balma García-Colomer ◽  
Ernesto A. Gómez ◽  
Jesús L. Yániz ◽  
...  

The use of cooled semen is relatively common in goats. There are a number of advantages of cooled semen doses, including easier handling of artificial insemination (AI) doses, transport, more AI doses per ejaculate, and higher fertility rates in comparison with frozen AI doses. However, cooled semen has a short shelf life. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of temperature and sperm concentration on the in vitro sperm quality during liquid storage for 48 h, including sperm motility and kinetics, response to oxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and DNA fragmentation in goats. Three experiments were performed. In the first, the effects of liquid preservation of semen at different temperatures (5 °C or 17 °C), durations (0, 24 and 48 h) and sperm concentrations (250 × 106 sperm/mL (1:2 dilution rate), 166.7 × 106 sperm/mL (1:3 dilution rate) or 50 × 106 sperm/mL (1:10 dilution rate)) on sperm motility and kinetics were studied. In the second experiment, the effect of temperature, sperm washing and concentration on sperm motility and DNA fragmentation was studied. Finally, the effect of sperm concentration and duration of storage at 5 °C on sperm motility, response to oxidative stress and MMP was examined. We found that refrigerated liquid storage of goat sperm impaired sperm quality, such as motility, MMP and response to oxidation, as storage time increased; however, sperm DNA fragmentation index was not significantly affected. Liquid storage at 5 °C preserved higher total motility than at 17 °C. Moreover, we observed that the reduction of sperm concentration below 500 × 106 sperm/mL did not seem to improve the quality of spermatozoa conserved in milk-based extender in the conditions tested.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Scarselli ◽  
E Cursio ◽  
A Colasante ◽  
V Zazzaro ◽  
P Andrea ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question Can MACS increase euploid blastocyst rate in Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) cycles for AMA-APA (Advanced Maternal-Paternal Age) in patients with high sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF)? Summary answer A slight increase in euploid blastocyst rate was found using MACS in infertile patients with high SDF undergoing PGT cycles compared to the control group. What is known already Many authors have shown a close correlation between the presence of apoptotic markers on spermatozoa and the failure of assisted reproduction treatments. In normal physiological conditions, apoptotic spermatozoa with phosphatidylserine (PS) residues externalized on the plasma membrane, are eliminated along female genital tract, preventing oocyte fertilization. MACS eliminates apoptotic sperm whit PS residues using superparamagnetic microbeads conjugated with annexin V. This technique reduces the proportion of sperm with high rates of SDF and can be used to maximize ART procedures results. MACS application improves sperm quality, fertilization, cleavage and pregnancy rates reducing miscarriage rate. Study design, size, duration From June to November 2020, 10 couples in which MACS was applied to select non-apoptotic spermatozoa, were randomly enrolled in our study (MACS group) and 8 couples without MACS were considered as controls (No-MACS Group). All couples in both groups underwent a PGT cycle and had high sperm DNA Fragmentation (&gt; 20%). A higher rate of euploid and diploid-euploid mosaic blastocysts were obtained in the MACS group compared to the control group. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patients with severe oligoastenoteratozoospermia were excluded. MACS protocol was performed as follows: semen sample was analyzed (WHO 2010) and washed with buffered medium; pellet was removed and a swim-up was performed. Retrieved spermatozoa were washed with a binding buffer (Miltenyi Biotec), centrifuged (400 g x 4 minutes) and supernatant discarded. Pellet was covered with Annexin-V and re-suspended. After 15 minutes incubation at room temperature, the sample was eluted through the column and collected for ICSI. Main results and the role of chance In MACS group, female and male mean age ± SD were 41.6 ± 2.1 and 43.5 ± 7.3, respectively. Female and male mean age ± SD were 41.7 ± 2.8 and 44.6 ± 8.1 in the No-MACS group, respectively. In MACS and No-MACS groups, injected oocytes were 44 and 35, fertilized oocytes were 32 (72.3%) and 27 (77.1%) (NS), blastocyst formation rates were 71.8% (23/32) and 48.1% (13/27) (NS), respectively. In No-MACS group, only 1 euploid and 1 diploid-euploid mosaic blastocysts were obtained (1/13 = 8%) (NS). In MACS group, 4 euploid blastocysts were formed (4/23 = 17.4%) whereas mosaic diploid-euploid blastocysts were 3/23 (13.0%) (NS). Aneuploid blastocysts were 16/23 (69.6%) in MACS group and 11/13 (84.6%) in No-MACS group (NS). Limitations, reasons for caution AMA and APA of couples enrolled should be considered as a limit of the study. A larger number of patients and biopsied blastocysts are needed to analyze clinical results and perform a robust statistical analysis establishing if MACS is useful to improve transferable blastocyst rate in patients with high SDF. Wider implications of the findings: MACS is useful to select non apoptotic sperms; although fertilization, cleavage and blastocyst rates are not improved, aneuploid blastocysts rate slightly decreases using MACS. It I possible that, selecting spermatozoa free from PS residues, MACS allows to choose spermatozoa with a better DNA packaging, thus affecting the embryo ploidy. Trial registration number non applicable


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