scholarly journals Testis-Specific SEPT12 Expression Affects SUN Protein Localization and is Involved in Mammalian Spermiogenesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung-Hsin Yeh ◽  
Ya-Yun Wang ◽  
Shi-Kae Wee ◽  
Mei-Feng Chen ◽  
Han-Sun Chiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Nuclear Membrane ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Protein Localization ◽  
Cancer Cell Line ◽  
Structural Defects ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Severe Oligozoospermia ◽  
Vitro Fertilization

Male infertility is observed in approximately 50% of all couples with infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a conventional artificial reproductive technique for treating male infertility, may fail because of a severe low sperm count, immotile sperm, immature sperm, and sperm with structural defects and DNA damage. Our previous studies have revealed that mutations in the septin (SEPT)-coding gene SEPT12 cause teratozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. These spermatozoa exhibit morphological defects in the head and tail, premature chromosomal condensation, and nuclear damage. Sperm from Sept12 knockout mice also cause the developmental arrest of preimplantation embryos generated through in vitro fertilization and ICSI. Furthermore, we found that SEPT12 interacts with SPAG4, a spermatid nuclear membrane protein that is also named SUN4. Loss of the Spag4 allele in mice also disrupts the integration nuclear envelope and reveals sperm head defects. However, whether SEPT12 affects SPAG4 during mammalian spermiogenesis remains unclear. We thus conducted this study to explore this question. First, we found that SPAG4 and SEPT12 exhibited similar localizations in the postacrosomal region of elongating spermatids and at the neck of mature sperm through isolated murine male germ cells. Second, SEPT12 expression altered the nuclear membrane localization of SPAG4, as observed through confocal microscopy, in a human testicular cancer cell line. Third, SEPT12 expression also altered the localizations of nuclear membrane proteins: LAMINA/C in the cells. This effect was specifically due to the expression of SEPT12 and not that of SEPT1, SEPT6, SEPT7, or SEPT11. Based on these results, we suggest that SEPT12 is among the moderators of SPAG4/LAMIN complexes and is involved in the morphological formation of sperm during mammalian spermiogenesis.

scholarly journals Ureaplasma Urealyticum as a Possible Hidden Cause of Couple Infertility

2020 ◽  
Vol I (2) ◽  
pp. 23-24
Author(s):  
Andrea Fabiani
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Disease ◽  
Ureaplasma Urealyticum ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sperm Mobility

Currently an high percentage of Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is deemed to be responsible for over 50% of cases of infertility in couples. A large percentage of sexually transmitted disease caused by intracellular germs seems to have a significant influence on couple fertility and in the outcome of In Vitro Fertilization Treatment (IVF). In particular, we considered the Ureaplasma Urealyticum (UU) infections. Less clear is their influence on male infertility alone. Several studies reported that UU is present in an high percentage of fertile men, despite being sometimes the likely cause of significant reductions in sperm count number, sperm mobility and morphology

scholarly journals Post-wash total motile sperm count a useful predictor in the decision to perform IVF/ICSI in patients with non-male factor infertility

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106
Author(s):  
Sara Mahmood Qureshi ◽  
Salma Kafeel ◽  
Riffat Bibi ◽  
Jawad Mohmand
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Male Factor Infertility ◽  
Motile Sperm ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Male Factor ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Total Motile Sperm Count

Introduction: The unrestricted use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for non-male factor infertility is associated with adverse outcomes. Post-wash total motile sperm count (PW-TMSC) offers prognostic value to assess sperm quality and aid in the decision to perform in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the effect of PW-TMSC on fertilization rates in patients undergoing IVF cycles exclusively with non-male factor infertility. It also aimed to identify whether unnecessary ICSI could be avoided in such cases, thus maximizing optimal outcomes. Materials & Methods: We retrospectively analyzed age, semen volume, prewash TMSC, and PW-TMSC in 68 conventional IVF cycles of infertile couples with non-male factor infertility. Clinical characteristics including female age, number of follicles, level of estradiol on trigger day, mature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collected, were also included. Results: Incidence of <30% fertilization was significantly higher in the 4-<10 Million group compared with the ≥20 Million post-wash TMSC group (P<0.001). Furthermore, Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis revealed post-wash TMSC as a significant predictor (P<0.05) of total failed fertilization (TFF) and of ≥30% fertilization (P<0.05) with area under curve (AUC) of 0. 79 and 0.77, respectively, with a deemed cutoff of 10.89 Million. Conclusion: Post-wash TMSC is a good predictor of fertilization; it can help in avoiding potentially low or even total fertilization failure (TFF). A cut-off point of 10.89 Million or less should warrant the use of ICSI.

scholarly journals Effects of Supplementation with Natural Antioxidants on Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Budani ◽  
Gian Mario Tiboni
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Natural Antioxidants ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Ivf Outcomes ◽  
Positive Effects

For most infertile couples, in vitro fertilization (IVF) represents the only chance to conceive. Given the limited success of IVF procedures, novel approaches are continuously tested with the aim of improving IVF outcomes. Growing attention is devoted today to the potential benefit of natural antioxidants in the optimization of infertility treatments. This review summarizes current data in this context, focusing on both experimental studies on oocytes/embryos and clinical trials on antioxidants supplementation. Based on information gained from experimental studies, antioxidant supplementation may have beneficial effects on IVF outcomes in terms of quality and cryotolerance of in vitro produced embryos, together with positive effects on in vitro maturation oocytes and on early embryonic development. Unfortunately, from the clinical side, there is a paucity of evidence favoring the protective qualities of antioxidants. Among the antioxidants considered, coenzyme Q10 may be regarded as one of the most promising for its positive role in rescuing the oxidative stress-induced damages, but further data are needed. It is concluded that further trials are necessary to characterize the potential clinical value of antioxidants in IVF treatments.

scholarly journals Disorders of Puberty: Endocrinology of the Pre-Pubertal Testis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro La Vignera ◽  
Rossella Cannarella ◽  
Rosita A. Condorelli ◽  
Aldo E. Calogero
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Practical Approach ◽  
Testicular Function ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Meta Regression

Male infertility is a widespread condition among western countries. Meta-regression data show that sperm concentration and total sperm count have halved in the last decades. The reasons of this decline are still unclear. The evaluation of testicular function in pre-pubertal children may be effective in the timely detection of Sertoli cell (SC) disfunction, which anticipates the diagnosis of male infertility. The aim of this Special Issue is to gather together in vitro evidence on SC physiology, causes of SC dysfunction, and to suggest a practical approach to be adopted in children.

scholarly journals Should azoospermic patients with varicocele disease undergo surgery to recover fertility?

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo de Souza Alves ◽  
Francisco Batista de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Count ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Donor Sperm ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Positive Rate

Summary Introduction: Varicocele disease is well-known cause of infertility in men. The presence of spermatic varices veins create a hostile environment to spermatogenesis. It results in reduced quality of the sperm production and in some cases can determine a total absence of sperm. The varicocelectomy procedure in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) can raise the rates of sperm in the semen analysis. A positive rate for sperm, even if very low, may be sufficient to enable the capture of sperm intended for in-vitro fertilization without the use of donor sperm. Objetive: To evaluate the raise of sperm in NOA patients with varicocele disease who were submitted to a bilateral procedure to recovery sperm production. Method: We analized the sperm results of 25 NOA patients who undergone to a bilateral varicocelectomy procedure. Results: From a total of 25 patients, three (12%) recovered sperm count four months after procedure. One year after the procedure, five (20%) patients recovered sperm production. Conclusion: Patients with varicocele disease and azoospermia, without genetic changes or obstruction of the spermatic tract, should undergo surgical procedure to recover sperm.

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