Sperm Cryopreservation: Principles and Biology

Cryopreservation is a widely used method to preserve sperm prior to any cytotoxic therapy or testicular surgical intervention to be used later for assisted conception. Despite of multiple modifications in cryopreservation protocols, the yield of post-thaw good quality sperm has not been improved much. There is little data regarding factors affecting cryopreservation techniques and outcomes. Present review focuses on the basic biology of cryopreservation, its current protocols and effects on sperm proteomic and epigenomic modifications.

Adverse Effects of some of the Most Widely used Metal Nanoparticles on the Reproductive System

Nanotechnology, which allows the manipulation of molecular dimensions, is used in many aspects of human life, from industrial to medical and therapeutic aspects. Features of nanoparticles and their unique capabilities have attracted a lot of attention. Among nanotechnology structures, metal nanoparticles have been widely used in many aspects of industry and medicine. The unique properties of these nanoparticles make possible to produce and expand them on a large scale, thus making the possibility of exposure to these nanoparticles more likely. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles like a double-edged sword despite its many benefits, it also has a number of disadvantages. One of the most important of these disadvantages is their toxicity. This toxicity may have adverse effects on the environment and humans. One of the most important adverse effects of nanoparticles is adverse effects on the reproductive system. In this paper, the adverse effects of some of the most widely used metal nanoparticles on the reproductive system are described. These adverse effects can be on: sexual behaviors, sexual organs, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm shape, sperm maturity, ovarian and follicle maturation, their fertility rate and also the level of sex hormones in men and women. The adverse effects of these nanoparticles and their toxicity on a variety of tissues and organs lead us to use safer nanoparticles.

Pedigree Analysis: An Important Diagnostic Tool for Calculating the Risk Factor in Infertile Men of Indian Population

The problem of male infertility is widespread in the modern world and it is of utmost importance to look for risk factors and its early diagnosis so that corrective measures can be taken early on. The pedigree chart analysis is a very important tool in this regard which gives us the pictorial representation of the disease within the family. The research work was conducted in the Department of Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital, and Research Center. Three-generation medical history of healthy control and infertile subjects were taken by preparing a pedigree chart in the form of pictorial representation. Physical examination was done for the Anthropometrical studies and other sexual inconvenience of the enrolled subjects. In the subjects enrolled for study the prevalence of infertility was found to be significantly high in families having a history of infertility and other habits in their generation line.

Association of Copper-to Zinc Ratio with Sperm Concentration among Males Investigated for Infertility

Background: The importance of copper and zinc in the fertility potential of males are well understood. The close relationship and the antagonistic interactions between copper and zinc requires further investigation especially because of conflicting reports in literature on the association of the trace elements with sperm quantity and quality. This study evaluates seminal plasma copper and zinc concentrations, copper-to-zinc ratio and their associations with sperm concentration in infertile males. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 400 males investigated for infertility and 100 male control subjects. Seminal plasma copper and zinc were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique (Buck Scientific Model VGP-210, Germany). The subjects were grouped based on sperm count; normozoospermia(>15 x 106cells/mL), oligozoospermia (<15x106cells/mL) and azoospermia (no sperm cell). The levels of copper, zinc and Cu/Zn ratio were compared using unpaired Students-t-test and analysis of variance while Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between measured variables and sperm count. Results: Seminal plasma zinc was significantly lower (p<0.001) while copper and Cu/Zn ratio were significantly higher (p<0.001) in infertile than fertile males. The Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher (p<0.001) among infertile males than controls. Seminal plasma levels of copper and Cu/Zn ratio increased with decreasing concentrations of sperm cells while zinc levels increase with increasing concentration of sperm cells.

Prediction of Ovarian Response with Ovarian Response Prediction Index (Orpi) during Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in IVF

(Background): To evaluate ORPI as an index to predict the response to ovarian stimulation. (Methods): It is an observational prospective study of 734 patients who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation during period of 1.5 years (July 2017 to December 2018) .Inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken into consideration when patients were recruited. ORPI is calculated by multiplying AMH level (ng/ml) and AFC (n) and the result is divided by age (years) of the patient. The primary outcome measured was number of MII oocytes and secondary outcome was total number of oocytes retrieved. (Results): Positive correlation of ORPI with MII oocytes and total number of oocytes is seen. Regarding the probability of collecting ≥4 oocytes under the ROC curve, the AUC for ORPI is 0.68 (95%CI 0.65-0.72) with sensitivity of 78.4 and specificity of 51.4 for a cut off of >0.44. For collecting ≥ 15 oocytes ROC curve had an AUC of 0.72 with sensitivity of 66.7 and specificity of 73.4 for a cut off of >1.28. ROC curve for the probability of collecting ≥4 MII oocytes depicted an AUC of 0.67 with cut off of >0.77. (Conclusion): The results of our study concluded that in a patient undergoing IVF treatment, ORPI has a poor ability to predict retrieval of ≥4 oocytes or ≥ 4 MII and fair ability for hyper response with ≥15 oocytes. ORPI can serve as a counselling tool for predicting ovarian response.

Spermatogenic Efficacy of Pausinystalia yohimbe (K. Schum.) Pierre ex Beille Roots in Male Rats

Background: The roots of Pausinystalia yohimbe have been traditionally acclaimed as aphrodisiac. In the present study, methanol extract of the root was evaluated for its effect on sexual orientation behaviour and spermatogenesis in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Forty five (45) male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of nine rats each. Rats in group I (control) were administered 1 mL/kg body weight distilled water (vehicle), group II received 5 mg/kg body weight sildenafil citrate (Viagra), while those in groups III, IV, and V were given 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively, of methanol extract of Pausinystalia yohimbe root in the same volume. Female albino rats were made receptive by hormonal treatment. Sexual orientation behaviour parameters were monitored on days 1, 7 and 14 by pairing with receptive females. A change in sexual orientation behaviuor was assessed by orientation towards female, towards environment and towards self, while spermatogenic activity was evaluated on day 14. Results: Administration of the extract had pronounced effect on sexual orientation behaviour of male towards the female rats on days 7 and 14. Males treated with the extract displayed more frequent and vigorous anogenital sniffing and mounting as compared to untreated animals. Libido was also at increase in extract treated male rats. The extract had stimulated the spermatogenetic activity and accessory reproductive organs performance in albino rats. The increased spermatogenesis in extract treated groups was confirmed by change in histoarchitecture as evidenced by increase in number of spermatogenic elements and parameters. Conclusion: P. yohimbe exhibited remarkable increase in sexual orientation, libido and spermatogenic activity which are some of the indices that determine the ability of a male to produce viable spermatozoa. These findings support the folk use of this plant as an aphrodisiac.

COVID 19 Pandemic, Mechanism of Pathogenesis, Preventions and Possible Cures to Save Humanity: A Study

The name "coronavirus" is derived from Latin corona, meaning "crown" or "wreath due to the characteristic appearance of virions , which have a fringe of large, bulbous surface projections creating an image reminiscent of a crown or of a solar corona. Human coronaviruses were discovered in the 1960s. The third novel coronavirus to emerge in this century is called SARS-CoV-2. It caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which emerged from China in December 2019 and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The virus enters into the host body through the mouth, nose and eye. From there, the virus makes its way down into the air sacs inside the lungs, known as alveoli. Once in the alveoli, the envelope spike glycoprotein present in the virus binds to its cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for SARS-CoV-2. There are two commonly used nucleic acid detection technologies forSARS-CoV-2 are real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing. With no sure shot vaccine/ drug in sight till late 2021, medical practioners are using existing therapies and repurposing drugs to save lives. Prevention is the only way to stay safe and healthy. Immunity plays an important role in this disease, so it important have nutritious and healthy food to boost the immunity.

The Novel Coronavirus: A Major Global Health Concern

Today, Coronavirus (Cov) is one of the most dangerous diseases worldwide, and many people suffer from it. Coronavirus as a deadly virus was first recognized and spread in the City of Wuhan, Province of Hubei, China. This virion contains nucleocapsid, which is consists of phosphorylated nucleoprotein (N) and genomic RNA. The RNA of coronaviruses is enveloped, not fragmented, and is a positively sensitive single-stranded RNA that is known to be the largest viral genome in various sizes from 26 to 32 kV. Cov usually tends to provoke mild to severe respiratory disease. The symptoms of Cov may comprise headache, cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, and a discomfort sensation. People with chronic diseases and health care staff are at greater risk of infection. Some compounds, such as mycophenolic acid and cyclosporine A, RNAi, and monoclonal antibodies have shown inhibitory effects against Cov. This article briefly discusses the nature, symptoms, transmission, treatment, prevention, and protection of this deadly virus.

A Brief Clinical Overview of Etiological Factors in Infertility

Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of cohabitation without the use of any contraceptives. Infertility is a common problem that affects one in six couples. Some of the causes of infertility in men include varicocele, testicular torsion or trauma, cryptorchidism, infections of the seminal vesicles, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, genital dyskinesia, reproductive canals obstruction, anti-sperm antibodies, and obesity. Bacterial infections of the genital system are also important and common causes of infertility. Infections can disrupt the reproductive process through a variety of processes. Also, various studies have shown that Chlamydia trachomatis is directly related to sperm function and its effect on sperm parameters. This article gives you a brief overview of infertility and the factors that cause infertility and exacerbate it.