The impact of alcohol on the male reproductive system

Although alcohol has been consumed by humans for centuries, its effect on reproductive function is still not fully understood. Numerous studies have examined the effects of alcohol on ejaculate parameters and male fertility. This article provides an overview of the main preclinical and clinical studies. Studies in experimental animals have shown that ethanol-rich diets cause spermatogenesis abnormalities, a variety of abnormalities involving different parts of the reproductive tract, and a decreased frequency of fertilization in murine oocytes. These effects quickly disappeared with the cessation of alcohol use. Most of the studies examining the effects of alcohol on men have shown a negative effect on ejaculate parameters. An association of hypogonadism and low or elevated gonadotropin levels has been reported, suggesting a combined central and peripheral damaging effect of ethanol. Thus, alcohol consumption has a pronounced negative effect on ejaculate parameters, which can be reversible upon cessation of alcohol consumption.

Male infertility, metabolic syndrome and obesity

The review article is devoted to the current understanding of the mechanisms that can have a negative impact on the reproductive function of men with metabolic syndrome and obesity. The article presents the results of clinical studies proving the existence of a relationship between the severity of metabolic disorders, copulatory activity, ejaculate parameters, the likelihood of pregnancy, as well as the health of the offspring.

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Leads to Impaired Semen Parameters, Increased Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Unfavorable Changes of Sperm Protamine mRNA Ratio

Background: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a frequent disease affecting men of every age and accounting for a great number of consultations at urology departments. Previous studies suggested a negative impact of CP/CPPS on fertility. As increasing attention has been attributed to additional aspects, such as sperm DNA integrity and sperm protein alterations, besides the WHO standard semen analysis when assessing male fertility, in this prospective study, we aimed to further characterize the fertility status in CP/CPPS patients with a focus on these parameters. Methods: Sperm DNA fragmentation measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and protamine 1 to protamine 2 mRNA ratio assessed by RT-qPCR were analyzed along with conventional ejaculate parameters and inflammatory markers in 41 CP/CPPS patients and 22 healthy volunteers. Results: We found significant differences between the groups concerning multiple conventional ejaculate parameters. A significant increase in sperm DNA fragmentation was shown in CP/CPPS patients with association to other sperm parameters. The majority of CP/CPPS patients exhibited protamine mRNA ratios out of the range of regular fertility. Conclusions: This is a pioneering study with a strong practical orientation revealing that CP/CPPS leads to increased sperm DNA damage and changes in sperm protamine levels, emphasizing an unfavorable impact of CP/CPPS on fertility.

Prostatic peptides for the correction of pathospermia in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis

The study aims to assess the effectiveness of prostatic biopeptides in the comprehensive treatment of prospermia in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Microscopic and bacteriological examination of the prostate gland secretion was performed in order to confirm the presence of the disease. The findings of spermograms were interpreted according to the reference values of the ejaculate parameters recommended by WHO in 2010. All patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the therapy. The patients in both groups received the standard 4-week nonsurgical therapy (antibiotics, α-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). After completing the course of standard therapy, patients of Group 1 (31 people) received a standard amount of antioxidants for the following 4 weeks to correct prospermia. In addition to antioxidants, the patients of Group 2 (37 people) were assigned to rectal administration of prostate extract suppositories, one suppository once a day. It has been established that the long-term drug therapy is required for the correction of prospermia in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis. The standard nonsurgical therapy consisting of antibiotics, β-blockers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs does not lead to a significant improvement in the key ejaculate parameters. The use of prostatic biopeptides improves the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of sperm motility, which is a valuable result of therapy for patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis, who make reproductive life plans.

Effect of thawing method on bull sperm survival in ejaculates frozen in 4 ml and 8 ml volumes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different thawing protocols (slow (P1), medium (P2), and fast (P3)) on percentage of motile sperm (MOT) and percentage of sperm cells with intact membranes (INT) in Holstein (4 bulls; 72 samples) and Czech Fleckvieh (4 bulls; 72 samples) semen frozen-thawed in 4 ml and 8 ml volumes. MOT was analysed in fresh semen, as well as immediately after thawing (T0) and 30 min after thawing (T30). INT was analysed using hypoosmotic swelling test (HOS test) in fresh ejaculate (FE), after diluting (DE), and at T0. The differences between FE parameters and frozen-thawed ejaculate parameters, expressing changes that occur during cryopreservation, were calculated. Apart from the effect of thawing protocol, the effect of breed and the effect of quality of FE expressed by MOT immediately after collecting were evaluated, too. Unlike thawing of semen cryopreserved in straws (0.25 and 0.5 ml), thawing using the slow protocol (P1) was the most appropriate (P < 0.05) for both observed volumes. There were found significantly higher MOT in the volume of 8 ml in both T0 and T30 and in the volume of 4 ml in T30 in samples thawed using P1 and P2. MOT in T0 was significantly affected by breed in samples frozen in 8 ml and in T30 in samples frozen in 4 and 8 ml. There were found no significant differences in INT in all reported volumes, however decrease of INT during cryopreservation was affected by breed.

AVALIAÇÃO DO POTENCIAL REPRODUTIVO DE TOUROS DA RAÇA BLONEL

The search for beef cattle ideal for tropical countries, such as Brazil, raised the Blonel breed (5/8 Blonde and 3/8 Nellore). This is the newest breed of cattle registered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA). The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of bulls of the Blonel evaluating the immediate and immediate analysis of ejaculate parameters. Specifically, evaluate the immediate and mediate analysis of ejaculate parameters. The collection of reproductive data was made in the year 2012, in the herd of Fazenda Três Furnas in Buriti Alegre - GO. We studied 14 animals submitted to andrological examination between 24 and 63 months of age. The andrological exam was performed by the same veterinarian, during the months of August and September. Immediately after collection, immediate semen analyzes were performed: motility, vigor and sperm concentration. The data of the reports were collected, typed in spreadsheet, subject to analysis and average calculation. For statistical analysis, the results were submitted to ANOVA at 5% of the level of significance. The 68 Colloquium Agrariae, vol. 13, n. Especial 2, Jan–Jun, 2017, p. 67-71. ISSN: 1809-8215. DOI: 10.5747/ca.2017.v13.nesp2.000210 results (mean ± standard deviation) were: 30.14 ± 1.34 and 28.93 ± 1.69 cm for scrotal circumference, 5.5 ± 0.0 and 4.64 ± 0.8 ml for volume of 2.71 ± 0.49 and 2.57 ± 0.53% for swirling, 54.28 ± 6.07 and 67.86 ± 9.51% for motility, 3.57 ± 0.79 and 3 , 28 ± 0.75% for vigor, 657.14 ± 97.59 and 678.57 ± 138.01% for concentration, 7.57 ± 1.27 and 5.71 ± 2.43% for total major defects, 5.43 ± 2.76 and 2.29 ± 1.60% for total lower defects for young and adult bulls, respectively. The results observed in this study are within acceptable parameters for bovines of these age groups.