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Journal of Endocrinological... Jul 2021No data are currently available on the implication of amicrobial leukocytospermia in male adolescents. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the...
BACKGROUND
No data are currently available on the implication of amicrobial leukocytospermia in male adolescents. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of amicrobial leukocytospermia among non-smoker late adolescents who were exposed to other risky lifestyles for the andrological health. The main andrological clinical features of adolescents with leukocytospermia were also reported.
METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study carried out in 80 boys. Each adolescent underwent a physical examination, and to the assessment of sperm conventional parameters, seminal leukocytes concentration and immature germ cell evaluation. A possible correlation between seminal leukocytes and immature germ cells and testicular volume (TV) was tested.
RESULTS
The adolescents enrolled in this study had 18.0 ± 0.4 (range 18.1-18.9) years. Unprotected sexual intercourse was referred by 38% of them. Sexual dysfunctions were found in 25% and isolated hypoactive sexual desire in 12.5% of boys. Low TV and penile length in flaccidity were found in 44% and 30% of them, respectively. Only 41% had normozoospermia at the sperm analysis, whereas 19% had isolated oligozoospermia, 15% oligo-asthenozoospermia, and 25% oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia. Leukocytospermia occurred in 25% (20 out of 80) of adolescents. No seminal infection was detected in 19% (15 out of 80) of them. Adolescents with leukocytospermia had lower progressive sperm motility, percentage of normal forms, TV, and a higher percentage of immature germ cells compared to those without leukocytospermia. Semen leukocyte concentration correlated negatively with TV and positively with the percentage of immature germ cells in the ejaculate.
CONCLUSION
Leukocytospermia, increased immature germ cell number, and low TV identify a distinct phenotype suggestive of testicular tubulopathy. Primary prevention of male infertility and the counselling for andrological risky lifestyles is mandatory and should be started as early as possible.
Topics: Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infertility, Male; Italy; Leukocytes; Leukocytosis; Leukopenia; Male; Prognosis; Semen; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33226627
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01462-8 -
Andrology Jan 2023The cellular and molecular mechanisms of the events that help spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing capability during capacitation and acrosome reaction are not...
BACKGROUND
The cellular and molecular mechanisms of the events that help spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing capability during capacitation and acrosome reaction are not completely understood.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed with a postulation that the identification of sperm proteins and their changes during in vitro capacitation and acrosome reaction will unravel unknown molecular aspects of fertilization that impact male fertility.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Spermatozoa collected from sequential conditions, that is, separation of ejaculated spermatozoa by Percoll gradient centrifugation, in vitro capacitation, and acrosome reaction were processed for tandem mass spectrometric analysis, followed by protein identification, label-free quantitation, and statistical analysis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Collectively, a total of 1088 sperm proteins were identified. In comparison to ejaculated spermatozoa, 44 and 141 proteins were differentially expressed in capacitated and acrosome reacted spermatozoa, respectively. A large number of proteins were found downregulated, including clusterin, pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component, semenogelin-1 and 2, heat shock protein 90, beta-microseminoprotein, and keratin. It was expected as sperm-membrane-associated proteins are removed during capacitation. There were significant proteomic alterations in asthenozoospermia compared to normozoospermia; however, variation was more noticeable among proteins of acrosome reacted spermatozoa and those released during the acrosome reaction. The processes enriched among downregulated proteins in asthenozoospermia included acrosome assembly, binding of spermatozoa to zona pellucida, nucleosome assembly, flagellated sperm motility, protein folding, oxidative phosphorylation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, chromatin silencing, gluconeogenesis, glycolytic process, and glycolysis.
CONCLUSION
The dynamic information generated about proteomic alterations in spermatozoa during capacitation and acrosome reaction and their variability in asthenozoospermia will contribute not only to enhancing our understanding of processes that prepare spermatozoa to acquire fertilization capability but also help in deciphering novel factors of male infertility.
Topics: Male; Humans; Acrosome Reaction; Sperm Capacitation; Asthenozoospermia; Sperm Motility; Proteomics; Semen; Spermatozoa; Acrosome
PubMed: 36057948
DOI: 10.1111/andr.13289 -
Reproduction & Fertility Apr 2022Sperm motility varies between ejaculates from different men and from individual men. We studied normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic ejaculates after density-gradient...
UNLABELLED
Sperm motility varies between ejaculates from different men and from individual men. We studied normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic ejaculates after density-gradient centrifugation washing (DCG, 80/40%) and compared high- (80%) and low (40%)-motility sperm populations within the same sample. Our objective was to identify differences in endogenous metabolomes and energy metabolism in relation to sperm motility. H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) measured the endogenous metabolome of live human sperm. Incubating sperm with C-labelled substrates detected energy metabolism by C-NMR. The study examined 850 ejaculates and diagnosed asthenozoospermia in 6.1%. DGC was used to wash 160 normozoospermic (N) and 52 asthenozoospermic (A) ejaculates to recover high-motility sperm from the pellet (80N/80A) and low motility from the interface (40N/40A). H-NMR spectra, 45(N) and 15(A), were binned and the integrals normalised by sperm concentration. Sperm from 126(N) and 36(A) ejaculates were incubated with either C-glucose, C-fructose or C-pyruvate. C-NMR lactate and bicarbonate integrals were normalised by motile or vital sperm concentrations. H-NMR spectra choline integrals from the 80A population were significantly lower than the 80N, < 0.0001. C-substrate conversion to lactate was significantly higher for 40A sperm than 80A sperm when normalised by motile sperm concentration. Bicarbonate integrals were sporadically observed. Sperm from asthenozoospermic ejaculates had similar glycolytic requirements to normozoospermic ones, with larger differences observed between 40 and 80% sperm populations. Higher lactate levels produced by 40% sperm may indicate that impaired sperm motility is due to dysregulated energy metabolism. The alteration in choline metabolism provides opportunities to understand the aetiology of asthenozoospermia.
LAY SUMMARY
How well sperm swim (motility) varies between ejaculates from different men? Normal sperm motility is beneficial to conception and some men diagnosed with infertility have low sperm motility. Sperm metabolise molecules to produce the energy required for motility. We measured concentrations of molecules within sperm and metabolism of molecules given to sperm and related these to the proportion of motile sperm. The study examined 850 sperm samples and found low motility in 6.1%. Metabolism of molecules given to sperm was similar between low and normal motility sperm samples. However, when the most motile sperm were separated from the rest, they were more efficient in metabolising these molecules to achieve motility. Lower concentrations of a molecule called choline were found in low-motility sperm samples compared to normal samples. Choline is associated with cell membranes, energy metabolism and oxidative stress, which may give opportunities to understand the causes of low motility.
Topics: Asthenozoospermia; Bicarbonates; Choline; Humans; Lactates; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Male; Semen; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35514541
DOI: 10.1530/RAF-21-0101 -
Asian Journal of Andrology 2022Large numbers of microbes can be present in seminal fluid, and there are differences in the semen microbiota between normal and abnormal semen samples. To evaluate the...
Large numbers of microbes can be present in seminal fluid, and there are differences in the semen microbiota between normal and abnormal semen samples. To evaluate the semen microbiota in patients with leukocytospermia, 87 seminal fluid samples, including 33 samples with a normal seminal leukocyte count and 54 samples with leukocytospermia, were obtained for a cross-sectional analysis. Twenty samples with a normal seminal leukocyte count had normal sperm parameters (Control group), and 13 samples with a normal seminal leukocyte count were from asthenozoospermia patients (Ast group). However, 32 samples with leukocytospermia were from asthenozoospermia patients (LA group), and only 22 samples with leukocytospermia had normal sperm parameters (Leu group). The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing method was used to sequence the microbiota in the seminal fluid, and multiple bioinformatics methods were utilized to analyze the data. Finally, the results showed that the worse sperm parameters were observed in the leukocytospermia-related groups. Semen microbiota analysis found that there was increased alpha diversity in the leukocytospermia-related groups. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the primary phyla in the seminal fluid. Two microbiota profiles, namely, Lactobacillus-enriched and Streptococcus-enriched groups, were identified in this study. The majority of the samples in the groups with a normal seminal leukocyte count could be categorized as Lactobacillus-enriched, whereas the majority of the leukocytospermia samples could be categorized as Streptococcus-enriched. Our study indicated that males with leukocytospermia have worse sperm parameters and a different semen microbiota composition compared to males with a normal seminal leukocyte count.
Topics: Asthenozoospermia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Microbiota; Semen; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 34916474
DOI: 10.4103/aja202172 -
The World Journal of Men's Health Oct 2022The protein encoded by dynein axonemal heavy chain 1 () is a part of dynein, which regulates the function of cilia and sperm flagella. The mutant of causes the deletion... (Review)
Review
The protein encoded by dynein axonemal heavy chain 1 () is a part of dynein, which regulates the function of cilia and sperm flagella. The mutant of causes the deletion of inner dynein arm 3 in the flagellum, leading to multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) and severe asthenozoospermia. However, instead of asthenozoospermia and MMAF, the result caused by the mutation of remains unknown. Here we report a male infertility patient with severe asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia. We found two heterozygous mutations in (c.6912C>A and c.7076G>T) and which were reported to be associated with MMAF for the first time. We next collected and analyzed 65 cases of mutation and found that the proportion of short flagella is the largest, while the bent flagella account for the smallest, and the incidence of head deformity is not high in the sperm of these patients. Finally, we also analyzed 31 mutation patients who were treated with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and achieved beneficial outcomes. We hope our research will be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility caused by mutation.
PubMed: 35118838
DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.210119 -
Health Science Reports Dec 2021Motility and morphological defects of spermatozoa can cause male infertility. Sperm RNAs are related to sperm quality. They are considered to have clinical values as a...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Motility and morphological defects of spermatozoa can cause male infertility. Sperm RNAs are related to sperm quality. They are considered to have clinical values as a biomarker for assessing sperm quality and fertility potential. The annulus, located in the mammalian sperm tail, is required for motility and terminal differentiation of the spermatozoa. SEPT2, 4, 6, 7, and 12 proteins are the main components of the annulus in the sperm tail. The study aimed to evaluate and mRNA contents in the spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia.
METHODS
We evaluated transcript levels of and in the sperm samples of 20 asthenozoospermic, 20 teratozoospermic, and 20 normozoospermic samples using quantitative PCR.
RESULTS
The transcript level was significantly decreased in the asthenozoospermia samples compared with the normal group ( = .013). However, was not significantly different between these two groups. The transcript levels of and were not statistically different between teratozoospermic and normozoospermic groups.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, downregulation of in patients with asthenozoospermia appears to be associated with poor sperm motility.
PubMed: 34849407
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.436 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2023Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder affecting the function of motile cilia in several organ systems. In PCD, male infertility is caused by...
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder affecting the function of motile cilia in several organ systems. In PCD, male infertility is caused by defective sperm flagella composition or deficient motile cilia function in the efferent ducts of the male reproductive system. Different PCD-associated genes encoding axonemal components involved in the regulation of ciliary and flagellar beating are also reported to cause infertility due to multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF). Here, we performed genetic testing by next generation sequencing techniques, PCD diagnostics including immunofluorescence-, transmission electron-, and high-speed video microscopy on sperm flagella and andrological work up including semen analyses. We identified ten infertile male individuals with pathogenic variants in (one) and (two) encoding ruler proteins, (two) and (one) encoding radial spoke head proteins, and (two) and (two) encoding CP-associated proteins, respectively. We demonstrate for the first time that pathogenic variants in and cause male infertility due to sperm cell dysmotility and abnormal flagellar RSPH1 and RSPH9 composition. We also provide novel evidence for MMAF in - and -mutant individuals. We show absence or severe reduction of CCDC39 and SPEF2 in sperm flagella of - and -mutant individuals and - and -mutant individuals, respectively. Thereby, we reveal interactions between CCDC39 and CCDC40 as well as HYDIN and SPEF2 in sperm flagella. Our findings demonstrate that immunofluorescence microscopy in sperm cells is a valuable tool to identify flagellar defects related to the axonemal ruler, radial spoke head and the central pair apparatus, thus aiding the diagnosis of male infertility. This is of particular importance to classify the pathogenicity of genetic defects, especially in cases of missense variants of unknown significance, or to interpret variants that are confounded by the presence of the almost identical pseudogene .
PubMed: 36873931
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1117821 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of abnormal semen parameters on embryo aneuploidy based on single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP array).
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of abnormal semen parameters on embryo aneuploidy based on single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP array).
METHODS
A total of 464 blastocysts from 103 PGT-A cycles were analyzed. The embryo quality and embryo aneuploidy rates were compared between different groups which divided by male semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and DFI) according the WHO criteria (2021).
RESULTS
The total blastocysts chromosome aneuploidy rate was 42.3% (191/452). In the teratozoospermia group, the good-quality embryo and blastocyst formation rate were lower than the normal group(44.4% vs 60.7%, P <0.01; 33.3% vs 43.5%, P <0.05), The good-quality embryo rate in normal DFI group was significantly higher than high-DFI group (59.0% vs 48.4%, P < 0.05). The blastocyst aneuploidy rate in low sperm concentration group, and high DFI group was no differences between with that in normal sperm concentration and DFI group (47.7% vs 37.8% and 44.7% vs 37.8%, P>0.05). The aneuploid rate of blastocyst in teratozoospermic and asthenozoospermia group was significantly higher than that of normal morphology and motility group (50.0% vs 34.0% and 46.7% vs 33.7%, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed that sperm DFI were positively correlated with blastocyst aneuploidy rate, while sperm motility and sperm morphology rate were negatively correlated with blastocyst aneuploidy rate. Abnormal semen parameters may affect embryo quality and increase the aneuploidy rate of blastocyst chromosomes, suggesting that in clinical practice of assisted reproduction patients with abnormal semen parameters can be treated in advance to improve sperm quality, so as to reduce the impact on embryo quality and achieve a better pregnancy outcome.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Male; Humans; Fertilization in Vitro; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Semen; Correlation of Data; Sperm Motility; Genetic Testing; Aneuploidy; Teratozoospermia
PubMed: 36778601
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1072176 -
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 -
Genes Feb 2023Infertility is a major health problem worldwide without an effective therapy or cure. It is estimated to affect 8-12% of couples in the reproductive age group, equally... (Review)
Review
Infertility is a major health problem worldwide without an effective therapy or cure. It is estimated to affect 8-12% of couples in the reproductive age group, equally affecting both genders. There is no single cause of infertility, and its knowledge is still far from complete, with about 30% of infertile couples having no cause identified (named idiopathic infertility). Among male causes of infertility, asthenozoospermia (i.e., reduced sperm motility) is one of the most observed, being estimated that more than 20% of infertile men have this condition. In recent years, many researchers have focused on possible factors leading to asthenozoospermia, revealing the existence of many cellular and molecular players. So far, more than 4000 genes are thought to be involved in sperm production and as regulators of different aspects of sperm development, maturation, and function, and all can potentially cause male infertility if mutated. In this review, we aim to give a brief overview of the typical sperm flagellum morphology and compile some of the most relevant information regarding the genetic factors involved in male infertility, with a focus on sperm immotility and on genes related to sperm flagellum development, structure, or function.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Sperm Tail; Asthenozoospermia; Semen; Sperm Motility; Infertility, Male
PubMed: 36833310
DOI: 10.3390/genes14020383