The Association of HLA-G Gene Polymorphism and Its Soluble Form With Male Infertility

Successful reproduction depends on many factors. Male factors contribute to infertility in approximately 50% of couples who fail to conceive. Seminal plasma consists of secretions from different accessory glands containing a mixture of various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, which together can induce a local immune response that might impact on a male’s as well as a female’s fertility. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G expression has been suggested as an immunomodulatory molecule that influences pregnancy outcome. The HLA-G gene encodes either membrane-bound or/and soluble proteins. The aim of this study was the evaluation of HLA-G polymorphisms and their impact on soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) production. We tested the HLA-G polymorphism in three positions: rs1632947: c.-964G>A; rs1233334: c.-725G>C/T in the promoter region; rs371194629: c.∗65_∗66insATTTGTTCATGCCT in the 3′ untranslated region. We tested two cohorts of men: 663 who participated in in vitro fertilization (test material was blood or sperm), and 320 fertile controls who possessed children born after natural conception (test material was blood). Since 50% of men visiting assisted reproductive clinics have abnormal semen parameters, we wondered if men with normal sperm parameters differ from those with abnormal parameters in terms of HLA-G polymorphism and secretion of sHLA-G into semen. We found that certain rs1632947-rs1233334-rs371194629 HLA-G haplotypes and diplotypes were associated with male infertility, while others were protective. Normozoospermic men with the A-C-del haplotype and A-C-del/A-C-del diplotype secreted the most sHLA-G into semen (574.1 IU/mL and 1047.0 IU/mL, respectively), while those with the G-C-ins haplotype and G-C-ins/G-C-ins diplotype – the least (80.8 IU/mL and 75.7 IU/mL, respectively). Men with the remaining haplotypes/diplotypes secreted sHLA-G at an intermediate level. However, only in one haplotype, namely G-C-ins, did we observe strong significant differences in the concentration of sHLA-G in the semen of men with teratozoospermia compared to men with normal sperm parameters (p = 0.009). In conclusion, fertile men differ in the profile of HLA-G polymorphism from men participating in IVF. Among all HLA-G haplotypes, the most unfavorable for male fertility is the G-C-ins haplotype, which determines the secretion of the lowest concentration of the soluble HLA-G molecule. This haplotype may reduce sperm parameters.

Effect of silymarin and metformin on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats: An experimental study

Background: Oxidative stress is a major contributor to diabetes, which can lead to testicular damage and infertility. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of metformin as a chemical drug with silymarin as an herbal agent on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats (250-270 gr) were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control; 2) diabetic; 3) diabetic+metformin 200 mg/kg; and 4) diabetic+silymarin 100 mg/kg. Daily injections were administered intraperitoneally for 56 days. At the end of the treatment, blood sampling was performed for biochemical assessment. Then, the rats were sacrificed and their left testis and epididymis were cut for sperm analysis as well as histopathology and morphometric evaluation. Results: Diabetes was associated with a reduced sperm count, motility, viability, maturity, and chromatin quality of sperm (p ≤ 0.001). It was also associated with a higher malondialdehide level and lower total antioxidant capacity level of serum in comparison with the control group (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant difference in the seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, and testicular histopathological alterations in the diabetic rats compared with the control rats (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment with metformin and silymarin improved the above-mentioned parameters and this improvement was more substantial in silymarin-treated animals (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: In diabetic rats, metformin and silymarin improved sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity, seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium thickness, and testicular histopathological complications; this improvement was more substantial in the silymarin-treated group. So, the findings of this study suggest that silymarin is more effective than metformin in treating diabetic-induced infertility. Key words: Diabetes, DNA damage, Metformin, Silymarin, Sperm, Testis.

Curcumin Along With Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Improved Sperm Parameters In Rats With Testicular Ischemia

Background: Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) in testicular tissue is one reason for the worldwide increase in male infertility. In the present study, we assessed the effects of curcumin and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) on sperm parameters in rats with I/R damage. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight adult male rats were divided into two groups (n=24 per group): control and torsion/detorsion. The control and torsion/detorsion groups were divided into four subgroups include sham, Fe3O4 NPs, curcumin, and Fe3O4 NPs+curcumin. After the rats were sacrificed, semen was collected from their epididymal tissues to assess sperm viability, motility, concentration, and morphology. Results: Curcumin significantly improved viability, motility, and normal sperm morphology in rats with I/R damage compared to the control group; however, it did not have a significant effect on sperm concentration (P<0.001). Fe3O4 NPs alone decreased all sperm parameters in the control and I/R rats (P<0.001). However, concomitant administration of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with curcumin significantly improved sperm parameters in rats with I/R damage (P<0.001). Conclusion: The increase in all semen parameters in the experimental groups with concomitant use of Fe3O4 NPs plus curcumin indicated that green synthesis of NPs could be recommended for future clinical studies.

Impact of NiO2 Nanoparticles and Curcumin on Testis Torsion/Detorsion Injury: Role of miR-34 and circRNA 0001518

Background: Testicular torsion is one cause of infertility without proper treatment. In this study, we investigate the effects of NiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and curcumin on sperm parameters in rats and the expressions of genes involved in the apoptotic pathway, as well as expressions of miR-34 and circRNA 0001518. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control (healthy rats), control rats that received NiO2-NPs, healthy rats that received curcumin, rats that received simultaneous NiO2-NPs and curcumin, untreated testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) rats, testicular I/R rats that received NiO2-NPs, testicular I/R rats that received curcumin, and testicular I/R rats that received NiO2-NPs and curcumin. Then, sperms were extracted from the rats’ epididymides to analyze concentration, viability, morphology, and motility. The cellular apoptosis level was studied using flow cytometry. Also, Bad and Bcl-X gene expressions, as well as miR-34 and circRNA 0001518 levels were measured. Results: We observed improved sperm parameters in the testicular I/R) rats that received curcumin and NiO2-NPs. Administration of NiO2-NPs to healthy rats increased both apoptosis and the Bad/Bcl-X expression ratio. However, its administration to testicular I/R rats alone or in combination with curcumin decreased apoptosis and the Bad/Bcl-X expression ratio and increased expressions of miR-34 and circRNA 0001518. Conclusion: Administration of NiO2-NPs and curcumin, alone or in combination, can have therapeutic effects in testicular I/R conditions by altering the expressions of genes in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and their regulatory elements.