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Open Access Macedonian Journal of... Aug 2018One of the main factors affecting male infertility is DNA fragmentation in sperm. Male infertility is a heterogeneous group of disorders, known causes account for only...
BACKGROUND
One of the main factors affecting male infertility is DNA fragmentation in sperm. Male infertility is a heterogeneous group of disorders, known causes account for only 30-50%, and unknown cause (idiopathic) constitute the rest. Infertility involves nearly 15% of couples in the reproductive age, and only the male problem involves about 40% of the problems.
AIM
We have studied our DNA damage to sperm cells of a group of infertile males (113 patients) with abnormal sperm parameters (oligoasthenospermia and oligospermia) and a group of male patients (80 patients) with normal semen parameters (normospermia) to document whether the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) analysis could increase the information obtained from the sperm routine analysis to explain the causes of infertility.
MATERIALS
A group of 193 patients were analysed, 113 patients in the working group and 80 patients in the control group were screened. The ejaculate samples were taken by the patient to whom the reason for the analysis was explained. All patients were from the Republic of Kosovo. Samples are collected from 2014/2018. Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) analyses in the ejaculate were analysed by the Biolab Zafi laboratory in Peja.
RESULTS
Clinical data were compared between the two groups by one-way ANOVA, mean ± SD, student's t-test. A p-value of less than P < 0.05% was considered statistically significant. Outcomes: In our study, we have gained significant (P < 0.05) results in the workgroup and the control group across all hormonal parameters, sperm parameters, and fragmented DNA in the sperm.
CONCLUSION
Based on our obtained results we can conclude that DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa is useful in the selection of unsuitable DNA sperm for use in ART methods. We conclude that our DNA fragmentation analysis results are encouraging and can be used for diagnostic purposes in determining male infertility.
PubMed: 30159053
DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.311 -
The Canadian Journal of Urology Oct 2017
Topics: Humans; Male; Oligospermia; Sperm Count
PubMed: 28971781
DOI: No ID Found -
Fertility Research and Practice Dec 2020Infertility is a practical concern of Africans due to social disgrace and exclusion. This meta-analysis aims to analyze the proportion of primary and secondary...
BACKGROUND
Infertility is a practical concern of Africans due to social disgrace and exclusion. This meta-analysis aims to analyze the proportion of primary and secondary infertility and identify the etiologic factors based on the studies conducted in Africa.
METHODS
An internet-based search was conducted on the following databases; PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and google scholar. Both population and institution-based studies conducted among African couples, males, and females were included. Data extraction and critical appraisal of the articles were done by two independent investigators. Meta-analysis using a random effect model was conducted by Stata version 14. Forest plot, heterogeneity test, and funnel plot for publication bias were performed.
RESULTS
The pooled proportion of primary and secondary infertility in Africa was 49.91% (I = 98.7, chi-square = 1509.01, degree of freedom = 19 and p < 0.001) and 49.79% (I = 98.7, chi-square = 1472.69, degree of freedom = 19 and p < 0.001) respectively. The pooled prevalence of the causes of infertility indicated that 54.01% and 22.26% of the infertility cases were respectively due to female and male-related problems. In 21.36% of infertility cases, both sexes were affected, while 10.4% of the causes of infertility were unexplained. The pooled prevalence of mostly reported causes of male infertility was 31% (oligospermia), 19.39% (asthenozoospermia), and 19.2% (varicocele). The most commonly identified causes of female infertility were pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal factors, and abortion with a pooled prevalence of 39.38%, 39.17%, and 36.41% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In Africa, the proportion of primary and secondary infertility is approximately equal. Infertility is mostly due to female-related causes like; pelvic inflammatory diseases, uterine tube related problems, and abortion. Oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, and varicocele were the commonest causes of male-related infertility. It is suggested that interpretation and utilization of these findings should consider the presence of substantial heterogeneity between the included studies.
PubMed: 33292584
DOI: 10.1186/s40738-020-00090-3 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023
Topics: Male; Humans; Infertility, Male; Oligospermia
PubMed: 36950697
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1172878 -
Nepal Journal of Epidemiology Dec 2023Nanoparticles (NPs) are small particles with a surface area ranging from 1 to 100 nm in diameter that are rampantly used in different fields, e.g., medicine,...
Nanoparticles (NPs) are small particles with a surface area ranging from 1 to 100 nm in diameter that are rampantly used in different fields, e.g., medicine, engineering, and others. Because of their unique properties, such as their tiny size, magnetic properties, quantum size effects, and macroscopic quantum tunnelling effects, they are crucial for a wide range of potential applications. NPs play a significant role in the treatment of vascular disorders, the production of vaccines, and the development of drug carriers for diverse therapies due to their bioavailability, targeting ability, and efficacy. However, significant risks to the environment and health are also associated with it. NPs cause necrotic plasma membrane rupture or apoptosis, which leads to cell death. NPs interfere with cell signalling, endosomal membranes, and organelles like the nucleus or mitochondria, affecting their function. NPs cause autophagic cell death, which causes a stress response and sterile inflammation. The primary routes for the entry of NPs into the human body are inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. NPs accumulate in the respiratory system based on their size, shape, and surface properties. NPs can cause lung inflammation and fibrosis, disrupt the endocrine system by attaching to hormone receptors, and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated with DNA damage, oligospermia, and male infertility. Carcinogenic properties of NPs cause mutations, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Collaborative research between ecologists and epidemiologists may enlighten ways to reduce the harmful effects of NPs.
PubMed: 38299042
DOI: 10.3126/nje.v13i4.61245 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020Obesity is an ever growing pandemic and a prevalent problem among men of reproductive age that can both cause and exacerbate male-factor infertility by means of... (Review)
Review
Obesity is an ever growing pandemic and a prevalent problem among men of reproductive age that can both cause and exacerbate male-factor infertility by means of endocrine abnormalities, associated comorbidities, and direct effects on the precision and throughput of spermatogenesis. Robust epidemiologic, clinical, genetic, epigenetic, and preclinical data support these findings. Clinical studies on the impact of medically induced weight loss on serum testosterone concentrations and spermatogenesis is promising but may show differential and unsustainable results. In contrast, literature has demonstrated that weight loss after bariatric surgery is correlated with an increase in serum testosterone concentrations that is superior than that obtained with only lifestyle modifications, supporting a further metabolic benefit from surgery that may be specific to the male reproductive system. The data on sperm and semen parameters is controversial to date. Emerging evidence in the burgeoning field of genetics and epigenetics has demonstrated that paternal obesity can affect offspring metabolic and reproductive phenotypes by means of epigenetic reprogramming of spermatogonial stem cells. Understanding the impact of this reprogramming is critical to a comprehensive view of the impact of obesity on subsequent generations. Furthermore, conveying the potential impact of these lifestyle changes on future progeny can serve as a powerful tool for obese men to modify their behavior. Healthcare professionals treating male infertility and obesity need to adapt their practice to assimilate these new findings to better counsel men about the importance of paternal preconception health and the impact of novel non-medical therapeutic interventions. Herein, we summarize the pathophysiology of obesity on the male reproductive system and emerging evidence regarding the potential role of bariatric surgery as treatment of male obesity-associated gonadal dysfunction.
Topics: Bariatric Surgery; Gonadal Disorders; Humans; Male; Obesity
PubMed: 32636807
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00408 -
Clinical and Experimental Reproductive... Jun 2024To investigate whether long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Gm8097 (LncGm8097) is associated with male infertility.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Gm8097 (LncGm8097) is associated with male infertility.
METHODS
The expression and bilogical role of LncGm8097 were investigated.
RESULTS
LncGm8097 expression was down-regulated in the testis tissues with moderate and severe hypospermatogenesis compared with those with normal spermatogenesis and mild hypospermatogenesis (p<0.05). LncGm8097 down-regulation significantly promoted apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in GC1 and GC2 cells. In addition, LncGm8097 was significantly down-regulated in mouse model of hypospermatogenesis and correlated with cell apoptosis and proliferation. LncGm8097 was located immediately upstream of PRPS2, and correlated with Bcl-2/P53/caspase 6/caspase 9 signal pathway.
CONCLUSION
LncGm8097 down-regulation correlates with hypospermatogenesis, which may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of male infertility.
PubMed: 38853128
DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2024.06835 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2019Spermiogenesis is a complex cellular differentiation process that the germ cells undergo a distinct morphological change, and the protamines replace the core histones to... (Review)
Review
Spermiogenesis is a complex cellular differentiation process that the germ cells undergo a distinct morphological change, and the protamines replace the core histones to facilitate chromatin compaction in the sperm head. Recent studies show the essential roles of epigenetic events during the histone-to-protamine transition. Defects in either the replacement or the modification of histones might cause male infertility with azoospermia, oligospermia or teratozoospermia. Here, we summarize recent advances in our knowledge of how epigenetic regulators, such as histone variants, histone modification and their related chromatin remodelers, facilitate the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the modification and replacement of histones during spermiogenesis will enable the identification of epigenetic biomarkers of male infertility, and shed light on potential therapies for these patients in the future.
PubMed: 31649732
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00962 -
Current Urology Dec 2020We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between seminal parameters and cystatin C seminal levels in an infertility evaluation of chronic hemodialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between seminal parameters and cystatin C seminal levels in an infertility evaluation of chronic hemodialysis patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study, aged 18-60 years, in a group of 60 men undergoing hemodialysis (case) for more than 6 months, and a group of 15 healthy men (control) without clinical or laboratory signs of genitourinary tract infection. We performed a spermogram, hormonal profile, and assessment of leukocytes and cystatin levels in the semen.
RESULTS
The ages in the case and control were similar (p = 0.060). The seminal cystatin was significantly different between the case group and control group (41.16 ± 26.59 vs. 79.00 ± 05.68 mg/l, respectively, p < 0.001) and between normospermia and oligospermia (83.50 ± 02.40 vs. 30.34 ± 02.52 mg/l, respectively, p < 0.001). The mean seminal cystatin levels identified by the degrees of oligospermia (severe, moderate, and slim) were similar to each other (p > 0.05) and significantly different (p < 0.05) in relation to normospermia in the case group. The seminal cystatin levels positively correlated (p < 0.05) with sperm motility and sperm density.
CONCLUSION
Seminal cystatin levels are associated with the numerical and motility changes evidenced in the spermogram and may be of help in the initial evaluation of clinical suspicion of sub-fertility and infertility.
PubMed: 33488335
DOI: 10.1159/000499241 -
Fertility and Sterility Nov 2016To evaluate how varicocele repair (VR) impacts pregnancy (PRs) and live birth rates in infertile couples undergoing assisted reproduction wherein the male partner has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Undergoing varicocele repair before assisted reproduction improves pregnancy rate and live birth rate in azoospermic and oligospermic men with a varicocele: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate how varicocele repair (VR) impacts pregnancy (PRs) and live birth rates in infertile couples undergoing assisted reproduction wherein the male partner has oligospermia or azoospermia and a history of varicocele.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
SETTING
Not applicable.
PATIENT(S)
Azoospermic and oligospermic males with varicoceles and in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) with IUI, IVF, or testicular sperm extraction (TESE) with IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
INTERVENTION(S)
Measurement of PRs, live birth, and sperm extraction rates.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Odds ratios for the impact of VR on PRs, live birth, and sperm extraction rates for couples undergoing ART.
RESULT(S)
Seven articles involving a total of 1,241 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that VR improved live birth rates for the oligospermic (odds ratio [OR] = 1.699) and combined oligospermic/azoospermic groups (OR = 1.761). Pregnancy rates were higher in the azoospermic group (OR = 2.336) and combined oligospermic/azoospermic groups (OR = 1.760). Live birth rates were higher for patients undergoing IUI after VR (OR = 8.360). Sperm retrieval rates were higher in persistently azoospermic men after VR (OR = 2.509).
CONCLUSION(S)
Oligospermic and azoospermic patients with clinical varicocele who undergo VR experience improved live birth rates and PRs with IVF or IVF/ICSI. For persistently azoospermic men after VR requiring TESE for IVF/ICSI, VR improves sperm retrieval rates. Therefore, VR should be considered to have substantial benefits for couples with a clinical varicocele even if oligospermia or azoospermia persists after repair and ART is required.
Topics: Azoospermia; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Live Birth; Male; Odds Ratio; Oligospermia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Risk Factors; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Sperm Retrieval; Treatment Outcome; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male; Varicocele
PubMed: 27526630
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1093