IVF and Early Pregnancy Outcome in Recent COVID 19 Recoverees.

Abstract Background: COVID-19 global pandemic has affected more than 250 million people so far. Data regarding potential effects on reproduction are still limited. Our aim was to examine the effect of COVID-19 on post exposure IVF cycle parameters and obstetric outcomes of IVF-achieved pregnancies.The study contained two arms: a retrospective arm comparing IVF outcome parameters among patients exposed to COVID-19 having an IVF cycle within 3 months of exposure. Post COVID-19 cycle parameters were compared to previous cycles of the same individual, performed within one year of exposure. If not available, parameters were compared to non-exposed matched patients. Sperm parameters were compared before and after exposure. The second arm was prospective comparing pregnancy outcomes among IVF patients who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy, vs. those who did not. Results: The first arm included 120 cycle of which 60 were in exposed female patients and another 60 in either the same patients prior to exposure or matched non exposed patients. Generally, total FSH dose, cycle length, and ovarian response did not significantly differ across exposure groups: including peak serum estradiol, number of oocytes and endometrial thickness, fertilization rate and number of top-quality embryos, were similar between exposed and non-exposed cycles. In 11 of the cycles in which the female partner was exposed the male partner had been recently exposed as well. In these couples, sperm quality showed a significantly lower post-exposure concentration: 6.27million/ml vs. 16.5 (p= 0.008). Interviews conducted in 189 patients with IVF-achieved pregnancies: pregnancy loss was as well as other pregnancy related complications and hospital admissions did not differ between groups. Conclusion: IVF treatment parameters and IVF-achieved pregnancies appear to be unaffected by SARS-CoV-2 exposure and do not involve an excess risk. Sperm concentration seems to be compromised.

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P–031 The effect of ejaculatory abstinence period on embryological and clinical outcomes in ICSI cycles: A retrospective analysis of 3,353 cycles

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

G C Cermisoni ◽

L Pagliardini ◽

A Alteri ◽

L D Santis ◽

S Esposito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Live Birth ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Live Birth Rate ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Ongoing Pregnancy ◽

Abstinence Period ◽

Blastulation Rate ◽

Ejaculatory Abstinence

Abstract Study question Does ejaculatory abstinence period in male affect embryological and pregnancy outcomes following fresh embryo transfers in ICSI cycles? Summary answer Shorter ejaculatory abstinence period is associated with lower triploid zygotes rate per ICSI cycle but it does not affect clinical outcomes after fresh embryo transfers. What is known already Lower sperm quality may negatively impact on fertilisation rate and embryo morphokinetic parameters after ICSI and the effect of the ejaculatory abstinence period before semen collection on seminal parameters and sperm quality has been widely reported. However, the impact of ejaculatory abstinence on clinical outcomes is still controversial. WHO (World Health Organization) guideline recommended that abstinence period should be 2–7 days. Even so, there are no larger prospective trials determining the optimal timing for ejaculatory abstinence period for infertile couples. Study design, size, duration This is a single center retrospective observational study of 3,353 fresh cycles from January 2017 to December 2020. Semen analysis was done according to the WHO criteria. Exclusion criteria for this study were frozen gametes and cycles with no retrieved oocytes. Primary outcomes were fertilization rate and triploid zygotes rate. Secondary outcomes were blastulation rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and live birth rate per fresh embryo transfer. Participants/materials, setting, methods The correlation between ejaculatory abstinence and continuous outcomes was evaluated by Spearman’s correlation analysis in order to detect potential non-linear associations. Generalized linear model and logistic regression were used, respectively for continuous and binary outcomes, in order to adjust for confounders such as female age, male age, number of retrieved oocytes, percentage of mature oocytes, infertility causes, seminal volume, sperm concentration and total progressive sperm motility. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. Main results and the role of chance The male mean age was 40.3±5.5 and mean duration of abstinence was 2.9±1.7 days. The mean age of female patients was 38.2±4.0. Higher ejaculatory abstinence period was associated with a higher sperm concentration (Spearman p = 3.1x10–6) but not with a higher total sperm progressive motility. Even so, no significant correlation with EA were observed when considering fertilization rate, blastulation rate, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rate per transfer in analyzed cycles. Triploid zygote rate was positively associated with a higher ejaculatory abstinence period. For the ejaculatory abstinence period of 1 day (n = 64), 2 days (n = 1523), 3 days (n = 1032), 4 days (n = 408), 5 days (n = 174), 6 days (n = 47) and ≥7 days (n = 105) the mean triploid rate was 2.4%, 2.4%, 2.5%, 4.1%, 3.6%, 5.4% and 4.3%, respectively (Spearman p = 9x10–3). Triploid zygote rate was independent of semen volume, concentration and total progressive motility. Limitations, reasons for caution This is a large observational study with a retrospective data collection. Despite our methodological approach, the presence of biases related to retrospective design can not be excluded and it may be a reason for caution. Wider implications of the findings: Our results demonstrate that ejaculatory abstinence period do not affect blastulation, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates. The current findings discourage an abstinence time longer than 3 days due to its association with a higher abnormal fertilization rate. Trial registration number Not applicable

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FSH treatment of male idiopathic infertility improves pregnancy rate: a meta-analysis

Endocrine Connections ◽

10.1530/ec-15-0050 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. R46-R58 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

D Santi ◽

A R M Granata ◽

M Simoni

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Male Partner ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Controlled Clinical Trials ◽

Idiopathic Infertility ◽

Reproductive Techniques ◽

Infertile Couples

IntroductionThe aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate whether FSH administration to the male partner of infertile couples improves pregnancy rate, spontaneously and/or after assisted reproductive techniques (ART).MethodsMeta-analysis of controlled clinical trials in which FSH was administered for male idiopathic infertility, compared with placebo or no treatment. Randomization was not considered as an inclusion criterion.ResultsWe found 15 controlled clinical studies (614 men treated with FSH and 661 treated with placebo or untreated). Concerning the type of FSH, eight studies used recombinant FSH, whereas seven studies used purified FSH. Nine studies evaluated spontaneous pregnancy rate, resulting in an overall odds ratio (OR) of about 4.5 (CI: 2.17–9.33). Eight studies evaluated pregnancy rate after ART, showing a significant OR of 1.60 (CI: 1.08–2.37). Sub-dividing studies according to the FSH preparations (purified/recombinant), pregnancy rate improvement remained significant for each preparation. Eleven studies considered sperm quality after FSH treatment, finding a significant improvement of sperm concentration (2.66×106/ml, CI: 0.47–4.84), but not of concentration of sperm with progressive motility (1.22×106/ml, CI: −0.07 to 2.52). Three trials evaluated testicular volume, showing a non-significant increase in men treated (1.35 ml, CI: −0.44 to 3.14).ConclusionThe results of controlled clinical trials available in the literature indicate an improvement of pregnancy rate after FSH administration to the male partner of infertile couples, both spontaneously and after ART. However, the heterogeneity of studies, the high risk of bias and the lack of precise criteria to guide FSH administration limit the strength of these results. Future studies should be designed to identify the markers of FSH response which are helpful in the decision-making process. Meanwhile, the use of FSH in the treatment of male infertility should be cautious.

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14 Sperm membrane integrity in ejaculates from young bulls may be improved by single-layer centrifugation

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv31n1ab14 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 133

Author(s):

E. Hurri ◽

A. Johannisson ◽

I. Lim-Verde ◽

J. M. Morrell

Keyword(s):

Sperm Quality ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Animal Health ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Membrane Integrity ◽

Single Layer ◽

Before And After ◽

Sperm Membrane ◽

Chromatin Integrity ◽

Species Production

Sperm quality in the first ejaculates of young bulls is often poor, leading to rejection of these samples for commercial freezing. It may be several weeks before sperm quality reaches the thresholds regarded as being acceptable for commercial production. Single-layer centrifugation (SLC) has been shown to separate robust bull spermatozoa from the rest of the ejaculate (Goodla et al. 2015 J. Dairy Sci. 97, 2204-2212; Nongbua et al. 2017 Reprod Domest. Anim. 52, 596-602). The aim of this study was to test whether SLC can be used to select spermatozoa from the ejaculates of young bulls and thus freeze samples earlier than is currently possible. Ejaculates (at least 3 per bull; n=33) were collected from 9 young Holstein or Swedish Red bulls, 255 to 415 days old. The sperm concentration was adjusted to 69×106 spermatozoa mL−1 with Andromed™ (Minitub, Tiefenbach, Germany) before layering part of the sample over 4mL of Bovicoll colloid. The remaining sample served as the unselected control. After centrifugation at 300×g for 20min, the sperm pellet was aspirated into fresh extender. Both control (uncentrifuged) and SLC samples were frozen and stored in LN pending analysis. Membrane integrity was evaluated by flow cytometry after staining for 10min at 37°C with SYBR14/propidium iodide (Live-Dead Sperm Viability Kit, L-7011; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Paired t-test was used to compare results for control and SLC samples, and Pearson correlation was used for age and membrane integrity. The median age at which the samples were taken was 319 days (range: 255-415 days). Membrane integrity varied considerably among bulls (range: 11-72%). The mean proportion of membrane-intact spermatozoa in controls and SLC samples was 40±15 and 47±16%, respectively (P<0.01). In 21 of the 33 ejaculates (64%), the SLC sample had a higher membrane integrity than the controls (Table 1). Age in days was positively correlated with membrane integrity for SLC samples (r=0.40; P<0.05) but not for controls. These results suggest that SLC might be a useful technique for selecting membrane-intact spermatozoa from the ejaculates of young bulls. However, there is considerable variation among bulls, possibly due to age, which is currently being investigated. Other parameters of sperm quality, such as chromatin integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential reactive oxygen species production, and motility, are also being evaluated. Table 1.Age and membrane integrity (mean±standard deviation) in ejaculates from young bulls before and after SLC (n=33) This project was funded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry, Viking Genetics, and the Faculty for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, SLU. We thank Viking Genetics for supplying the semen samples.

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The Effects of Foeniculum vulgare Seed Extract on Fertility Results of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Women With Poor Ovarian Response

International Journal of Women s Health and Reproduction Sciences ◽

10.15296/ijwhr.2020.32 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 203-208

Author(s):

Mahnaz Yavangi ◽

Ilnaz Mohammadi ◽

Shahedeh Khansari ◽

Shirin Moradkhani ◽

Tayebe Artimani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽

Endometrial Thickness ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Reproductive Technology ◽

Seed Extract ◽

Poor Ovarian Response ◽

Foeniculum Vulgare ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After

Objectives: Foeniculum vulgare due to phytoestrogens is important in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction including infertility. Accordingly, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of the F. vulgare seed extract on the fertility results of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in women with a poor ovarian response (POR). Materials and Methods: In this before-after intervention, 19 infertile women with POR were enrolled by a convenience sampling method. T h e amounts of luteinizing hormone ( LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), ovarian ultrasound volume, the number of preantral follicles, and the size of the prominent ovary were measured before treatment with F. vulgare. Then, patients were treated with F. vulgare for two months, followed by initiating the in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. The number of embryos transferred in previous and current cycles was investigated after IVF. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS 16. Results: There was a significant difference in the serum LH level (P=0.002), LH/FSH (P=0.049), the number of follicles and ovules (P=0.003), endometrial thickness (P=0.04), and ovarian volume (P=0.03) between before and after treatment with F. vulgare. Moreover, a significant difference regarding the decreased number of required days for induction was observed between before and after treatment with F. vulgare (P=0.022). Conclusions: In general, the use of F. vulgare had positive effects on improving t h e quality of oocytes and female fertility indices in women with POR.

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Comparison of seminal characteristics of Aberdeen Angus, Holstein and Nelore bulls before and after cryopreservation

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i16.23382 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (16) ◽

pp. e408101623382

Author(s):

Diego André Costa Saranholi ◽

Rafael Rocha de Paula ◽

Edmilson Pytilak ◽

Fabíola Afonso ◽

Luis Felipe Canela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Difference ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Holstein Bulls ◽

The Difference ◽

Fresh Semen

The aim of this study was to evaluate parameters indicative of sperm quality of fresh and post-thawed semen of Aberdeen Angus, Holstein and Nelore bulls. Thirty-nine bulls were used: Aberdeen Angus (n=13), Holstein (n=13) and Nelore (n=13). The ejaculate collects were performed twice a week using artificial vagina, totaling 792 semen collections, 307 for Aberdeen Angus, 225 for Holstein and 260 for Nelore bulls. After collection, fresh semen was evaluated and semen freezing was performed. After freezing, the batches were thawed and progressive motility was determined. The analysis of fresh semen showed that there was no difference (P = 0.053) between the Aberdeen Angus and Nelore breeds, while ejaculates from Holstein bulls showed a statistical difference (P = 0.024). As well, a difference (P<0.001) was identified in the sperm concentration of the three breeds. In the samples evaluated after thawing, a statistical difference was observed between Holstein and Nelore breeds (P<0.001), while the values of the Angus breed were similar to the other two breeds. The difference in motility of fresh and post-thawing semen showed that Nelore and Angus bulls showed greater variation in values between the analyzes (26.0±8.9% and 25.3±8.4%, respectively) showing a significant difference (P<0.001) in relation to Holstein bulls (20.6±9.3%) that obtained the smallest difference. The analysis of fresh and post-thawing semen did not show any significant difference (P=0.13) between breeds. In conclusion, the semen cryopreservation process causes a decrease in the physical parameters of the semen and these quality losses suffer interference according to the breeds.

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PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN MADU DENGAN DOSIS BERBEDA DALAM MEDIA PENGENCER NaCl FISIOLOGIS TERHADAP KUALITAS SPERMA IKAN TAWES (Barbonymus gonionotus)

Sains Akuakultur Tropis ◽

10.14710/sat.v3i2.3904 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Oni Septiana Devi ◽

Titik Susilowati ◽

Ristiawan Agung Nugroho

Keyword(s):

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Fertilization Rate ◽

Hatching Rate ◽

Dilute Solution ◽

Randomized Design ◽

Test Fish ◽

Different Doses ◽

Silver Barb

Silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) is one of the freshwater fish that is native in Indonesia. One of the problems in hatching of silver barb is because the maturation period of gamete broodstock male and female fish does not happen together. The solution to solving this problem is through the application of reproductive biotechnology in form of sperm storage. High sperm concentration can inhibit spermatozoa activity and affect sperm to find microphils. The addition of honey in dilute solution of physiological NaCl is expected to be able to improve the quality of sperm of silver barb. The aim this research was to know the effect and the best honey dosage in physiological NaCl on sperm quality of silver barb. The test fish that will be used in this research is 1 broodstock male and 1 broodstock female with 1-1,5 years old. In this research, the Completely Randomized Design experimental method is used. This research also using 4 treatments and 3 repetitions. Those treatment were A (0 ml honey + 100 ml physiological NaCl), B (0,2 ml honey + 99,8 ml physiological NaCl), C (0,4 ml honey + 99,6 ml physiological NaCl), D (0,6 ml honey + 99,4 ml physiological NaCl). The result of this research shows, addition of honey with different doses in dilute solution of physiological NaCl gave significant effect (p < 0,05) on fertilization rate and hatching rate of silver barb. The treatment D (0,6 ml honey + 99,4 ml physiological NaCl) gave the best on fertilization rate 90,67% and hatching rate 86,67%.

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Sperm Quality and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Fragmentation after 5 and 10 min Centrifugation with Swim-Up Processing Technique: A Prospective Cohort Study

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2021.6458 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (B) ◽

pp. 626-630

Author(s):

Binarwan Halim ◽

Jesselyn Angellee ◽

Hilma Putri Lubis ◽

Bob Bachsinar

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Deoxyribonucleic Acid ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Before And After ◽

Fresh Semen

AIM: This study aimed to assess the difference in sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation index (DFI) before and after processing with 5 and 10 min swim-up (SU). METHODS: Fifty patients who met the study inclusion criteria from June 2020 to October 2020 were subjected to routine semen and sperm DNA fragmentation analysis. Each of the samples was then divided into three tubes, one as control and the others were processed using the SU method with 5 and 10 min centrifugation time, respectively. After being processed, the samples were subjected again to routine semen and sperm DNA fragmentation analysis. The results were being compared among three groups. RESULTS: The sperm concentration after 5 and 10 min SU (27.78–39.79 and 35.36–51.09, respectively; p < 0.05) was significantly higher compared to fresh semen (24.85–32.33). The total motility before and after 5 and 10 min SU were 43.78–51.08, 97.66–98.20, and 97.86–98.20, respectively. The progressive motility after 5 and 10 min SU (0–41 and 0–54, respectively) was significantly higher than fresh semen (0–24; p < 0.05). The DFI was significantly better after 5 min SU (3.82–6.98) compared to fresh semen and after 10 min SU (13.48–19.04 and 1–25, respectively; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prolonged centrifugation time may yield a higher number of sperm concentration and motility, but it may also lead to a higher DFI. Hence, a shorter centrifugation time should be used for a better semen quality intended for assisted reproductive technologies.

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Melatonin and Caffeine Supplementation Used, Respectively, as Protective and Stimulating Agents in the Cryopreservation of Human Sperm Improves Survival, Viability, and Motility after Thawing compared to Traditional TEST-Yolk Buffer

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2019/6472945 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Juliana R. Pariz ◽

Caroline Ranéa ◽

Rosa A. C. Monteiro ◽

Donald P. Evenson ◽

Joël R. Drevet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Human Sperm ◽

Mitochondrial Activity ◽

Ros Production ◽

Stimulant Effect ◽

Progressive Motility ◽

Before And After

Cryopreservation processes can damage spermatozoa and impair structural and functional cell characteristics. Plasma, nuclear membranes, and cellular organelles can suffer from the freeze and thaw process. This study evaluates the protective and stimulant effect of melatonin and caffeine supplementation on the functional characteristics of human spermatozoa before and after freezing. Thirty seminal samples from normozoospermic men aged 19–45 years old collected between October 2012 and May 2017 were included. Semen samples were supplemented with either 2 mM melatonin (MEL) prior to cryopreservation, 2 mM caffeine (CAF) in postthaw, or CAF and MEL (CM) in precryopreservation and postthaw, respectively. Kinetics and seminal parameters, mitochondrial activity, DNA fragmentation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed before and after cryopreservation. A significant reduction in sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm kinetics, and mitochondrial activity, as well as a significant increase in DNA fragmentation and ROS production in postthaw samples compared to fresh samples, was identified. After administration of a caffeine and/or melatonin supplement, there was a significant increase in progressive motility in the CAF (p=0.005) and CM (p=0.048) groups, as well as mitochondrial activity in the CM group (p<0.05). Cryopreservation has negative effects on overall sperm quality and increases ROS production. A combination of caffeine and melatonin in prefreeze and postthaw sperm samples has proven to be a very effective and simple way to improve semen quality. This will be particularly useful for initial low-quality semen samples, those which suffer the most from the freezing/thawing process.

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Effect of new dietary supplement on sperm quality

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2012.29468 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 153 (45) ◽

pp. 1787-1792 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mária Horváth ◽

Endre Czeizel

Keyword(s):

Adverse Effect ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Dietary Supplement ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Before And After ◽

The Usa ◽

New Treatments

Introduction: There is a decline in male fertility thus new treatments are needed. Aims: To test the efficacy of a new dietary supplement developed in the USA and registered as a curing drug in Hungary (OGYI). Methods: In a clinical trial 100 men with low sperm quality (spermium count 5–20 M/ml, good motility 10–40%, and adverse shape 30–50%) were examined. Results: Sperm parameters were measured before and after a 3-month treatment and after another 3-month without treatment. This dietary supplement statistically and clinically significantly improved sperm count and motility. In 74 cases this dietary supplement demonstrated a beneficial effect on sperm quality (more than 10% increase in sperm count, or quality of motility, or shape); in 16 cases the improvement exceeded 30%. No adverse effect could be accounted for this treatment. Conclusions: This new dietary supplement may contribute to the treatment of male infertility. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1787–1792.

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