Evaluation of sperm DNA abnormality index as a indicator of male infertility

Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known endocrine disruptor present in epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, negatively disturbs the male reproductive system affecting male fertility. In vivo studies showed that BPA exposure has deleterious effects on spermatogenesis by disturbing the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis and inducing oxidative stress in testis. This compound seems to disrupt hormone signalling even at low concentrations, modifying the levels of inhibin B, oestradiol, and testosterone. The adverse effects on seminal parameters are mainly supported by studies based on urinary BPA concentration, showing a negative association between BPA levels and sperm concentration, motility, and sperm DNA damage. Recent studies explored potential approaches to treat or prevent BPA-induced testicular toxicity and male infertility. Since the effect of BPA on testicular cells and spermatozoa is associated with an increased production of reactive oxygen species, most of the pharmacological approaches are based on the use of natural or synthetic antioxidants. In this review, we briefly describe the effects of BPA on male reproductive health and discuss the use of antioxidants to prevent or revert the BPA-induced toxicity and infertility in men.

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Oxidation of Sperm DNA and Male Infertility

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10010097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 97

Author(s):

Leila Rashki Ghaleno ◽

AliReza Alizadeh ◽

Joël R. Drevet ◽

Abdolhossein Shahverdi ◽

Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Oxidative Damage ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Dna Bases ◽

De Novo Mutation ◽

Easy Access ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Dna Base ◽

Sperm Dna

One important reason for male infertility is oxidative stress and its destructive effects on sperm structures and functions. The particular composition of the sperm membrane, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the easy access of sperm DNA to oxidative damage due to sperm cell specific cytologic and metabolic features (no cytoplasm left and cells unable to mount stress responses) make it the cell type in metazoans most susceptible to oxidative damage. In particular, oxidative damage to the spermatozoa genome is an important issue and a cause of male infertility, usually associated with single- or double-strand paternal DNA breaks. Various methods of detecting sperm DNA fragmentation have become important diagnostic tools in the prognosis of male infertility and such assays are available in research laboratories and andrology clinics. However, to date, there is not a clear consensus in the community as to their respective prognostic value. Nevertheless, it is important to understand that the effects of oxidative stress on the sperm genome go well beyond DNA fragmentation alone. Oxidation of paternal DNA bases, particularly guanine and adenosine residues, the most sensitive residues to oxidative alteration, is the starting point for DNA damage in spermatozoa but is also a danger for the integrity of the embryo genetic material independently of sperm DNA fragmentation. Due to the lack of a spermatozoa DNA repair system and, if the egg is unable to correct the sperm oxidized bases, the risk of de novo mutation transmission to the embryo exists. These will be carried on to every cell of the future individual and its progeny. Thus, in addition to affecting the viability of the pregnancy itself, oxidation of the DNA bases in sperm could be associated with the development of conditions in young and future adults. Despite these important issues, sperm DNA base oxidation has not attracted much interest among clinicians due to the lack of simple, reliable, rapid and consensual methods of assessing this type of damage to the paternal genome. In addition to these technical issues, another reason explaining why the measurement of sperm DNA oxidation is not included in male fertility is likely to be due to the lack of strong evidence for its role in pregnancy outcome. It is, however, becoming clear that the assessment of DNA base oxidation could improve the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies and provide important information on embryonic developmental failures and pathologies encountered in the offspring. The objective of this work is to review relevant research that has been carried out in the field of sperm DNA base oxidation and its associated genetic and epigenetic consequences.

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86 THE CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF SPERM DNA FRAGMENTATION ASSAY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF MALE INFERTILITY

Reproductive BioMedicine Online ◽

10.1016/s1472-6483(10)62504-7 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. S34-S35

Author(s):

S. Venkatesh ◽

A. Singh ◽

M.B. Shamsi ◽

R. Kumar ◽

D.N. Mitra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Sperm Dna

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Impairment of sperm DNA methylation in male infertility: a meta-analytic study

Andrology ◽

10.1111/andr.12379 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 695-703 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

D. Santi ◽

S. De Vincentis ◽

E. Magnani ◽

G. Spaggiari

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Analytic Study ◽

Sperm Dna ◽

Sperm Dna Methylation

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P–068 CatSper4 cation channel expression is low in male infertility and is affected by cryopreservation

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deab130.067 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

N Kilic ◽

T İrez ◽

N Dayiolu

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Semen Analysis ◽

Middle Part ◽

Cation Channel ◽

The Other ◽

Control Group ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Sperm Dna

Abstract Study question Is CatSper4 expression in sperm related to functional parameters and does cryopreservation affect CatSper4 expression? Summary answer In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether CatSper4 has a relationship with sperm parameters and is CatSper 4 affected by cryopreservation. What is known already CatSper membrane channels, known as cation channels, are thought to play an important role in the insufficiency of sperm physiology, acrosome reaction, and chemotaxis movement. There is no study on cation channel distribution in an infertile male patient. In addition, studies conducted in recent years have shown that cryopreservation techniques have negative effects on sperm DNA, but there is no analysis in the literature regarding the effects of cryopreservation on CatSper4 ion channel proteins. Study design, size, duration Samples of the patients who applied to the Andrology laboratory in the Medical Park Hospital IVF unit between March 1 and June 1 in 2020 were included in the study. Also, patients with no family history of no genetic anomalies , no varicocele and azoospermia were included.The study were divided into 4 groups in accordance with the male infertility guideline of the European Association of Urology as normozoospermic (control group), the asthenoteratozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and oligoastenotheratozoospermia. Participants/materials, setting, methods In this prospective study, semen analysis, DNA fragmentation, and CatSper 4 by IHC of control group patients with normospermia (n = 40) and oligospermia(n = 50), asthenospermia(n = 40), and teratozoospermia(n = 38) patients were compared and differences resulting from cryopreservation were evaluated by Wilcoxon signed Ranks Test. Main results and the role of chance It was observed that CatSper4 protein positivity was localized in the middle part of the sperm and it was statistically higher in the normozoospermic patient group compared to the other groups (p = 0,01). When the positivity values of CatSper4 protein before and after freezing were compared in the groups, it was seen that the values decreased (p = 0,001,p=0,01). Sperm DNA fragmentation was found to be lowest in normospermia and statistically significantly higher in other groups. Cryopreservation application increased DNA fragmentation in all groups (p < 0,001 , p < 0,01). Limitations, reasons for caution Unfortunately, embryo screening in patients with low CatSper4 expression is not available in the present study. Soon we plan to screen a broader clinical pregnancy series and present the IVF results associated with CatSper4. Wider implications of the findings: Our study indicated that, CatSper4 expression is quite high in normospermia when compared with the other groups, particularly oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and asthenoteratozoospermia. There are almost no studies on this subject in the literature, and we think that it should be studied in larger patient groups and in unexplained infertile cases. Trial registration number Not applicable

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