Sperm DNA fragmentation in men of different age

The study objective is to analyze the content of spermatozoa with single and double-stranded DNA breaks in different age groups.Materials and methods. The level of DNA fragmentation was studied in 300 ejaculate samples obtained from 266 sub- or infertile men. The group 1 included 150 samples obtained from 131 patients under the age of 45 (21–44 years), the group 2 included 150 samples obtained from 135 patients above the age of 45 (45–68 years). Mean ages were 34.8 ± 3.9 and 48.6 ± 3.1 years, respectively. The number of sperm with fragmented DNA was evaluated using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method on ejaculate smears. The number of spermatozoa with >15 % of fragmented DNA was considered elevated. Standard semen analysis was performed in 117 and 97 men from the groups 1 and 2, respectively.Results. The number of sperm with fragmented DNA varied in ejaculated samples from 1.5 to 64.5 %. Mean number of sperm with DNA breaks in the group 1 (12.0 ± 6.0 %) was significantly lower than in the group 2 (16.1 ± 8.3 %, p <0.05). Mean sperm count in the ejaculate of the group 1 (267.0 ± 198.7 million) was significantly higher than in the group 2 (201.0 ± 162.9 million, p = 0.02).Conclusion. We revealed that in men over the age of 45 years, the percentage of spermatozoa with DNA fragmentation is higher than in men under 45 years of age, it may indirectly indicate an increased level of reactive oxygen species in the seminal plasma in older patients.

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Analysis of sperm DNA fragmentationin infertility patients

Journal of obstetrics and women s diseases ◽

10.17816/jowd613141-147 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 61 (3) ◽

pp. 141-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Evgeniya Michailovna Shilnikova ◽

Irina Dmitrievna Fedorova ◽

Alexander Mkrtichevich Gzgzyan

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽

Control Group ◽

Structural Abnormality ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Fragmentation Rate ◽

Fragmented Dna ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Infertility Patients

Using Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase dUTP Nick End Labelling (TUNEL) technique the assessment of the frequency of the spermatozoa with fragmented DNA in the ejaculate from sperm donors and men with infertility was analyzed. The DNA fragmentation rate was higher in spermatozoa of carriers of a chromosomal structural abnormality compared with the control group. There was no correlation between the sperm DNA fragmentation rate and the parameters of semen analysis. The direct linear correlation between the frequency of the spermatozoa with fragmented DNA and vacuole sperm head was found. The DNA fragmentation rate was not correlated to the frequency of the spermatozoa with bulb, amorphous heads or spermatozoa with abnormal acrosome

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Impact of percutaneous embolization versus subinguinal microsurgical ligation on semen parameters in primary varicocele patients: comparative study

Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine ◽

10.1186/s43055-020-00370-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Haytham M. Nasser ◽

Ahmed Hussein ◽

Gad M. Behairy ◽

Mostafa Abdo

Keyword(s):

Sperm Count ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Male Factor ◽

Percutaneous Embolization ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Abstract Background Varicocele is an abnormally dilated pampiniform plexus of the veins within the spermatic cord and is considered the most common correctable cause of male factor infertility. Many approaches are described for treatment either surgical (tradition inguinal, subinguinal, and laparoscopic) or non-surgical percutaneous embolization. During the period from August 2017 to December 2018, we prospectively analyzed the preoperative and post-operative alteration of semen parameters (at 3 and 9 months) of the data collected from 63 patients with clinically evident varicocele referred to our tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1, thirty-three patients who underwent subinguinal microsurgical ligation, and group 2, thirty patients who underwent percutaneous embolization. Results Sixty-three patients enrolled in this study were divided in two groups: group 1, patients who underwent surgery, and group 2, patients who underwent embolization; the mean age is 24.6 ± 1.27 years in group 1 and 23.7 ± 2 years in group 2; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards BMI, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. Bilaterality was present in 15.2% of group 1 patients and 10% in group 2 patients (P value 0.06). Most of the patients were classified as grades 2 and 3 with no statistical significance regarding severity of the disease. Preoperative semen parameters for patients including sperm count, motility, and abnormal forms showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Post-intervention semen analysis was done twice during follow-up after 3 months and 9 months from the date of intervention. After 3 months, the semen parameters were improved in both groups in spite of the higher sperm count in group 2 but with no statistical significance. After 9 months follow-up, semen analysis showed persistent increase in sperm mobility in group 1 patients in comparison to group 2 patients. Both groups had better improvement in count of normal form with no statistical significant change. Conclusion Improvement of semen parameters while treating primary varicocele by either subinguinal microsurgery approach or percutaneous embolization shows equivalent outcomes.

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Comprehensive analysis of male ejaculate from infertile couples in the age aspect

Andrology and Genital Surgery ◽

10.17650/1726-9784-2021-22-3-56-69 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 56-69

Author(s):

E. A. Epanchintseva ◽

V. G. Selyatitskaya ◽

S. V. Yankovskaia

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Reference Values ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Total Sample ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Male Factor ◽

Male Population ◽

Study Objective ◽

Age Related ◽

Infertile Couples

Introduction. According to Russian Association of Urology a number of infertile couples ranges from 8 to 17.2 % in various regions of Russia. One of the causes of which is the male factor. Raising the age of the father reduces the chance of conception, increases the risk of early termination of pregnancy and the risk of certain diseases of the child. In this regard the existing knowledge of age-related changes in ejaculate parameters needs to be de veloped. This is particularly true for men of infertile couples.The study objective – to investigate the age patterns of change in the spermological status of infertile men and identify the most age-related variations.Materials and methods. Research design – observation, retrospective, crossection. Analysis of the medical records of 517 Novosibirsk male residents from couples with infertility in marriage was made. The sampling is divided into 5 age groups: 1st group (n = 108) – men of ≤29.9 years old; 2nd group (n = 171) – 30.0–34.9 years old; 3rd group (n = 130) – 35.0–39.9 years old; 4th group (n = 68) – 40.0–44.9 years old; 5th group (n = 40) – ≥45.0 years old.Results. Median of male age in total sample – 34 years, frequency of persons over 40 years – 21 %. Overall sample shows a decline in reference values of proportion of morphologically normal forms – 3.0 (1.5–5.0) % and increase in sperm DNA fragmentation index (SDFI) – 16.0 (11.0–22.2) %. In groups from 1st to 5th there is an age-specific decrease in ejaculate volume (3.5 (2.5–4.8) ml; 3.3 (2.4–4.2) ml; 3.2 (2.4–4.5) ml; 3.0 (1.7–4.9) ml; 2.7 (1.9–3.5) ml, р1–5 <0.005) and sperm count (127.1 (58.8–264.0) million; 122.5 (62.4–214.0) million; 118.5 (52.8–217.5) million; 98.0 (58.5–199.5) million; 81.0 (36.5–137.9) million, р1–5, 2–5 <0.005). SDFI has an age-associated increase in the value of the indicator (14.4 (10.8–19.5) %; 15.0 (10.0–21.0) %; 17.2 (11.0–22.0) %; 18.5 (14.0–24.2) %; 19.2 (13.2–29.6) %, р1–4 <0.005).Conclusion. It was first time shown for the male population of Novosibirsk of Siberian Federal District that a reduction in the proportion of morphologically normal sperm below the reference values observed in the total sample and it did not depend on the age of the men examined. Only three of the examined indicators of sperm status studied infertile males had a significant age dependency: ejaculate volume decrease, reduction of total sperm, increased DNA fragmentation of sperm. The lack of a reliable influence of age on HBA-test indicators was first shown. However the trends identified require further study. The results show that age-associated increase in DNA fragmentation of sperm starts with young men under 30, and underscores the need to define SDFI in actual clinical practice. And negative processes of age influence on the quantitative, morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of sperm occur most frequently in men after 40 years.

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Spermatological characteristics of mosaic and non-mosaic forms of Klinefelter syndrome

Andrology and Genital Surgery ◽

10.17650/2070-9781-2019-20-4-12-16 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 12-16

Author(s):

M. I. Shtaut ◽

T. M. Sorokina ◽

L. F. Kurilo ◽

V. B. Chernykh

Keyword(s):

Germ Cells ◽

Klinefelter Syndrome ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Study Objective ◽

Cell Parameters ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Group 2 ◽

Mosaic Form ◽

Immature Cells ◽

Group 1

The study objective is to compare of ejaculate parameters in mosaic, non-mosaic Klinefelter syndrome (KS).Materials and methods. Eighty-five patients with KS were examined. The group 1 included 75 patients between the ages of 17 and 39 with non-mosaic KS (47,XXY), the group 2 included 10 males between the ages of 22 and 57 years with mosaic KS: 47,XXY/46,XY (n = 9), 48,XXY,der(X)/47,XXY/46,XY (n = 1).Results. KS patients semen volume was 1.9 ± 1.3 (0.1–5.5) ml in non-mosaic KS patients (47,XXY) and 1.5 ± 1.2 (0.05–4.00) ml in patients with a mosaic form of a KS, respectively, рН semen – 7.8 ± 0.5 (6.5–9.0) and 7.8 ± 0.2 (7.5–8.1), sperm count – 0.27 ± 1.42 (0.00–12.50) and 0.12 ± 0.28 (0.00–0.90) million/ml, respectively. The viscosity was increased (>20 mm) at 41 % non-mosaic KS (group 1) and 22 % of mosaic KS (group 2) patients. The ejaculate sediment was investigated by quantitative karyological analysis of immature germ cells. The germ cells in 42 % samples of the ejaculate of the patients with a classical form of a KS and in 20 % samples of the ejaculate of the patients with a mosaic form was found. That indicates a partial preservation of spermatogenesis.Conclusion. The degree of spermatogenesis depletion in KS patients widely varied, ejaculate and germ cell parameters in the ejaculate sediment weren’t significantly different. Presence of few sperms (cryptozoospermia) and immature cells in the ejaculate sediment point to partial preservation of spermatogenesis.

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Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy on Sperm DNA Integrity of HIV-1-Infected Men

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988318794282 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1835-1842 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Valeria Savasi ◽

Monica Oneta ◽

Arianna Laoreti ◽

Francesca Parisi ◽

Bina Parrilla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Sperm Chromatin ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Fragmentation Rate ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Group 2 ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Group 1

HIV-1-affected couples’ desire to have children and free sexual intercourses with the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis for the negative partner has emerged as an alternative option to assisted reproduction in aviremic patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). It is already known that sperm quality may be impaired in HIV-infected men. The underlying physiopathological mechanism is still debated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HAART on sperm DNA fragmentation, comparing HIV-1-infected patients taking HAART versus naïve HIV-1-infected patients. This is a prospective case-control study. Sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation rate was evaluated by the sperm chromatin dispersion test in 77 HIV-infected men: 53 HIV-1 patients receiving HAART (Group 1) versus 24 naïve HIV-1 patients not receiving HAART (Group 2). Complete semen analysis was performed according to WHO 2010 recommendations. Patients with HBV infection or HCV infection coinfections and genital tract infections wre excluded. All the patients did not present any clinical signs of their disease. Seminal parameters were examined in the two groups, showing no significant differences. Increased sperm DNA fragmentation > 30% was demonstrated in 67.9% of patients in Group 1 and 37.5% of patients in Group 2, respectively ( p = .02). A positive but nonsignificant trend toward increased fragmentation was reported with advancing patients’ age. In conclusion, sperm nuclear fragmentation rate is increased in HIV-1-infected patients taking HAART compared to HIV-1 patients not receiving HAART.

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The experience of using the UltraFertile Plus micronutrient complex for correction of idiopathic forms of secretory infertility in men

Andrology and Genital Surgery ◽

10.17650/2070-9781-2020-21-1-60-64 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 60-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S.Kh. Al-Shukri ◽

S. Yu. Borovets ◽

M. A. Rybalov

Keyword(s):

Sperm Count ◽

Free Testosterone ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Motile Sperm ◽

Flow Cytofluorometry ◽

Study Objective ◽

Normal Morphology ◽

Fragmented Dna ◽

Test Number ◽

Sperm Dna

The study objective is to evaluate the effect of the UltraFertile Plus micronutrient complex on parameters of the ejaculate in men with idiopathic infertility.Materials and methods. The study included 45 men aged between 24 and 48 years (median 31 years) suffering infertility in marriage. All patients took 2 capsules of UltraFertile Plus once a day in the morning at breakfast for 3 months. The patients didn’t receive any other therapy during the study. Hormonal status, spermogram parameters, MAR test, number of sperm with fragmented DNA using flow cytofluorometry with monoclonal antibodies were analyzed prior to treatment and after it.Results. After a course of UltraFertile Plus therapy, significant improvement of spermogram parameters was observed in the majority of patients. Sperm count increased from 43.5 to 62.0 million/ml (p < 0.001), percent of progressive motile sperm (categories А and В) increased from 29.3 to 44.4 % (p <0.001), normal morphology sperm count increased from 3.0 to 4.0 % (p <0.001). Administration of UltraFertile Plus promoted a decrease in the number of sperm with fragmented DNA from 14.7 to 10.1 % (p = 0.001) and was effective for patients with this parameter below 22 %. No significant effect of UltraFertile Plus was observed in MAR test. Plasma total and free testosterone levels significantly increased as a result of administration of UltraFertile Plus.Conclusion. Administration of the UltraFertile Plus micronutrient complex promotes a decrease in sperm DNA fragmentation, an increase in sperm count, percentage of progressive motile sperm and normal morphology sperm, testosterone level.The authors declare no conflict of interest.All patients gave written informed consent to participate in the study.

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SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS IN HIV-INFECTED MEN

HIV Infection and Immunosuppressive Disorders ◽

10.22328/2077-9828-2019-11-2-94-102 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 94-102

Author(s):

F. N. Selimova ◽

S. G. Perminova ◽

E. V. Mityurina ◽

N. V. Kozyrina

Keyword(s):

Cell Count ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Cd4 Cell Count ◽

Semen Volume ◽

Male Patients ◽

The Difference ◽

Group 2 ◽

Cd4 Cell ◽

Group 1

The goal of the study was to evaluate the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the semen characteristics in HIV-infected men.Materials and methods. A prospective case-control study enrolled 66 HIV-infected male patients who presented for fertility assessment. Group 1 included 51 male patients treated with ART; Group 2 included 15 males who were not receiving ART. 97 and 25 semen samples were analyzed, respectively. HIV status was assessed based on the data regarding the stage and phase of the disease, viral load, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ counts and the ART duration.Study results. At enrollment in the study, the duration of HIV infection in Group 1 was longer than that in Group 2 (the difference being statistically significant): 5 years (2–9 years) versus 2,5 years (0,4–4,5), respectively (р=0,0004). Median duration of treatment in Group 1 was 1,5 years. The most common type of abnormal semen morphology in ART-treated patients was teratozoospermia (40%), and the percentage of abnormally shaped spermatozoa in this group was higher compared to Group 2 (the difference being statistically significant): 97 (96–98) versus 96 (94,5–96,5); р=0,006). Group 1 demonstrated a negative relationship between the count of abnormally shaped spermatozoa and CD4+ cell count (r=–0,362; р=0,026), disease duration (r=0,173; р=0,173) and sperm count (r=–0,242; р=0,020), progressively motile (category B) sperm count (r=–0,241; р=0,024). The ART duration showed an inverse correlation with the progressively motile sperm count (category B) (r=–0,224; р=0,036). Group 2 demonstrated a statistically significant positive relationship between the CD4+ cell count, the semen volume (r=0,778; p=0,014), and the count of progressively motile (category B) spermatozoa (r=0,667; р=0,05). We also revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between the viral load and the semen volume (r=–0,669; р=0,035). Sperm DNA fragmentation was found to be higher in HIV-infected patients treated with ART compared to HIV-infected men not receiving ART (15,8% (12,4–23,0) and 14% (10,9–20,5); р=0,533), respectively. Thus, HIV-infected patients treated with ART demonstrated abnormal sperm morphology (increased abnormal sperm count), decreased sperm motility and increased sperm DNA fragmentation level. The percentage of abnormally shaped sperm was higher in patients with lower CD4+ cell counts. In patients with a long history of HIV infection, the sperm count decreases and the count of immotile spermatozoa increases. HIV-infected individuals who are not receiving ART and have high viral loads show decreased semen volume. This value increases upon an increase in the CD4+ cell count.

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Evaluating the effect of BESTFertil antioxidant complex on semen parameters and severity of asthenic syndrome in men with a recent history of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

Andrology and Genital Surgery ◽

10.17650/1726-9784-2021-22-4-68-76 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 68-76

Author(s):

T. V. Shatylko ◽

S. I. Gamidov ◽

A. Yu. Popova

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

History Of ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Group 1

Introduction. Direct influence of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on male fertility is still unproven. However, through prolonged fever, hypoxia, systemic inflammation and other yet incompletely described factors this disease may apparently cause not only “long COVID” syndrome, but also transitory non-specific impairment of spermatogenesis. The study objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of administration of Russian complex with unique composition BESTFertil in case of decreased fertility and asthenic syndrome in males after new coronavirus infection.Materials and methods. We performed a non-blinded randomized prospective controlled trial which included 60 male patients with a history of COVID-19 not earlier than 6 months prior to enrollment from couples planning to have children. Patients were included if they had pre-disease semen analysis results available. They were divided into two equal groups. Group 1 (main group) received BESTFertil complex for 12 weeks, while Group 2 (comparison group) received no additional treatment. At baseline and 12-week follow-up all patients underwent semen analysis, MAR test, sperm DNA fragmentation test, serum sex hormone profiling and completed the “Asthenic condition scale” questionnaire. Student's t-test, Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney U-test and McNemar test were used for statistical analysis.Results. When comparing retrospective and baseline values we found no critical influence of COVID-19 on semen parameters, though a moderate decrease of percentage of sperm with progressive motility could be observed (40.5 % vs 30 %, p = 0.008). Group 1 had a stronger tendency toward recovery of semen parameters. Patients receiving BESTFertil had median total motile sperm count increased from 48.5 million to 76.8 million (p = 0.032), while in comparison group it increased from 39.8 million to 49.2 million (p = 0.317). BESTFertil antioxidant complex had no negative influence on endocrine profile. Moreover, there was a statistically significant decrease of sperm DNA fragmentation index from 21.2 to 13.9 % (p = 0.007) in Group 1. Lower rate of asthenic symptoms was observed in Group 1 which received BESTFertil.Conclusion. Men with a recent history of COVID-19 had a moderate decrease of surrogate fertility markers, most probably due to non-specific mechanisms. Patients receiving BESTFertil had a more pronounced recovery of semen parameters and improvement in post-COVID asthenic syndrome.

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DNA fragmentation and morphometric studies in sperm of stallions supplemented with maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199420000751 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Emanuele D’Anza ◽

Sara Albarella ◽

Giacomo Galdiero ◽

Simona Tafuri ◽

Chiara Del Prete ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Food Supplementation ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Economic Management ◽

Lepidium Meyenii ◽

The Andes ◽

Length Width

Summary The reproductive performances of livestock play an essential role in the economic management of the farm. The improvement of semen quantity and quality through the use of food supplements that lack substances which are forbidden in animal feeding, or that may have detrimental effects, is an important goal. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that has been used for centuries in the Andes for nutrition and fertility enhancement in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of food supplementation of stallions with maca during the breeding season on spermatozoa parameters such as DNA fragmentation and shape, which are two predictive indexes of spermatozoa functionality. For this purpose, ejaculate volume, semen gel-free volume, sperm concentration and motility, total sperm count, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm head parameters (length, width, perimeter, area, shape factor, roughness) were measured in four stallions. Maca food supplementation in stallions during breeding reduced the percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA, increased significantly sperm concentration and exerted an elongation of the spermatozoa head, a condition that is believed to improve spermatozoa functionality, suggesting that food supplementation of maca could be useful in horse breeding during the breeding season.

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