The influence of Mycoplasma species on human and canine semen quality: a review / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Mycoplasma species (spp.) are bacteria that are difficult to detect. Currently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is considered the most effective diagnostic tool to detect these microorganisms in both human and veterinary medicine. There are 13 known species of human Mycoplasma and 15 species of canine Mycoplasma. Owing to the difficulties in identifying the individual species of Mycoplasma, there is a lack of information regarding which species are saprophytic and which are pathogenic. The prevalence of the individual species is also unknown. In addition, in both humans and dogs, the results of some studies on the impact of Mycoplasma are conflicting. The presence of Mycoplasma spp. on the epithelium of reproductive tract is often associated with infertility, although they are also detected in healthy individuals. The occurrence of Mycoplasma spp. is more common in dogs (even 89%) than in humans (1.3%-4%). This is probably because the pH of a dog's genital is more conducive to the growth of Mycoplasma spp. than that of humans. Phylogenetically, human and canine Mycoplasma are related, and majority of them belong to the same taxonomic group. Furthermore, 40% of canine Mycoplasma spp. are placed in common clusters with those of human. This suggests that species from the same cluster can play a similar role in the canine and human reproductive tracts. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about the impact of Mycoplasma on canine and human male fertility as well as the prospects of further development in this field.

Relationship between serum reproductive hormones and sperm parameters and surgical outcomes in Micro-TESE / 现代泌尿外科杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the relationship between serum reproductive hormones and sperm parameters and outcomes of micro-testicular sperm extraction (Micro-TESE). 【Methods】 Clinical data of 1 091 patients treated in our hospital during Jan. and Dec.2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the sperm concentration,the patients were divided into non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) group (group A,n=418),normal sperm concentration group (group B,n=615),mild to moderate oligospermia group (group C,n=18),severe oligospermia group (group D,n=18),and obstructive azoospermia group (group E,n=22). In group A,244 cases treated with Micro-TESE were grouped into the sperm-acquired group (Micro-TESE positive group,n=82) and non-sperm-acquired group (Micro-TESE negative group,n=162),and according to the pathological types of testicular tissue,the patients were divided into normal testicular tissue with hypospermatogenesis group (HYPO group,n=129),maturation arrest group (MA group,n=10),and support-only cell syndrome group (SCO group,n=122). Differences in semen parameters and reproductive hormone levels were compared,and relationship between reproductive hormones and sperm parameters and Micro-TESE outcomes was determined with Pearson correlation analysis. 【Results】 In the sperm concentration subgroup,the testicular volume of group A was lower than that of group B and group E (P<0.05); the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in group A were the highest (P<0.05),but the level of testosterone (T) was the lowest (P<0.05); the levels of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and serum inhibin B (INHB) in group A were lower than those in group B and group E (P<0.05),the normal sperm morphology rate in group B was higher than that in group A and group E (P<0.05); the percentage of forward moving sperm in group B was the highest (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that sperm concentration,normal sperm morphology rate,and percentage of forward moving sperm were negatively correlated with age,FSH,LH (P<0.05),and positively correlated with testicular volume,T,AMH,and INHB (P<0.05). NOA patients were grouped according to testicular histology and pathology. The INHB in the SCO group was the smallest of the three groups (P<0.05); the FSH and LH levels in the SCO group were higher than those in the MA group (P<0.05),while the 17β-estradiol (E2) levels in the HYPO group were higher than those in the SCO group (P<0.05). NOA patients were grouped according to the results of Micro-TESE surgical treatment. There was a statistically significant difference in AMH and INHB levels between the Micro-TESE positive and negative groups (P<0.05). The binary logistic regression analysis of factors affecting the Micro-TESE outcomes of NOA patients showed AMH was negatively correlated with the Micro-TESE outcome (OR=0.904,95%CI:0.91-1.08,P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Age,FSH,LH,AMH,and INHB are correlated with sperm concentration,normal sperm morphology rate,and percentage of forward moving sperm. The INHB level was the lowest in the SCO group. The results of Micro-TESE in patients with NOA can be predicted by serum AMH level.

The effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality: a retrospective study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study analyzed the effects of male age and abstinence time on semen quality and explored the best abstinence time for Chinese males among different age groups. Semen parameters, including sperm kinetics, morphology, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI), were reviewed from 2952 men. Samples were divided into six age groups (≤25 years, 26-30 years, 31-35 years, 36-40 years, 41-45 years, and >45 years) and were divided into six groups according to different abstinence time (2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, and 7 days). The differences in semen quality between the groups were compared, and the effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality was analyzed. Significant differences were observed in semen volume, progressive motility (PR), and DFI among the age groups (all P < 0.05), and no significant differences were observed in sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). There were significant differences in semen volume, PR, and DFI among different abstinence time groups (all P < 0.05) and no significant differences in sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). Pearson analysis showed that male age and abstinence time were both significantly correlated with sperm kinetics and DFI (both P < 0.05), while no significant correlation was found with sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). The box plots and histograms of men's age, abstinence time, and semen quality show that most semen quality parameters differ significantly between the 2 days and 7 days abstinence groups and other groups at different ages. Except for the sperm morphology parameters, sperm kinetic parameters and sperm DFI are linearly related to male age and abstinence time.

Modified strict sperm morphology threshold aids in the clinical selection of conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

For infertility treatment, the selection of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is decided by multiplying indicators (including fallopian tube factors, semen count, and semen motility), except for sperm morphology. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis, from implantation to birth, over a period of 5 years. A total of 1873 couples with primary or secondary fallopian tube factors and an increased defective sperm morphology rate (DSMR) were divided into different groups to receive IVF or ICSI cycles. By comparing the outcomes, we found that the F1 group (DSMR <96%, IVF group 1) had higher cleavage rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate than the F3 group (DSMR >98%, IVF group 3; P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant difference in the ICSI subgroups. Furthermore, a comparison of the outcomes between IVF and ICSI showed that the S3 group (DSMR >98%, ICSI group 3) had higher cleavage rate (P < 0.001), biochemical pregnancy rate (P < 0.05), clinical pregnancy rate (P < 0.05) and live birth rate (P < 0.05) than the F3 group. However, the ICSI subgroup had a lower two pronuclei fertilization rate than the IVF subgroup (P < 0.05). Our data suggest that the sperm morphology should also be considered when selecting IVF or ICSI combined with other semen parameters before the first assisted reproductive technologies (ART) cycle, especially for males with severe sperm defects.

Effect Of Cigarette Smoking On Sperm Morphology Of Infertile Men

Background:Cigarette smoking is a serious health problem of most societies. Smoking has been suggested to contribute to a number of diseases including male infertility. The present study was aimed at studying effect of cigarette smoking on Sperm morphology of infertile men.Material And Methods:A total of one hundred infertile men (50 Non-smokersand 50 Smokers) between the age group 20-45 years were taken into study. The Sperm morphology in the infertile Non-smokersand infertile Smokers group were compared using Z Test. Infertile Smokers which were divided into Group A (?1 and ?10 cigarettes/ day), Group B (>10 and <20 cigarettes/ day) and Group C (?20 cigarettes/ day) were analyzed for Sperm morphology by ANOVA Test. Result:We observed that Sperm morphology was significantly lower (p<0.01) in infertile Smokers group than infertile Non-smokersgroup. We also observed that Sperm morphology was significantly decreased (p<0.01) in accordance with the severity of smoking.Conclusion:Cigarette smoking adversely affect sperm morphology.

Improvement in semen parameters after varicocoelectomy

Background: Varicoceles are associated with abnormal sperm parameters. The difference is more marked in cases with infertility and higher grades of varicocele. Following ligation of varicocele, there is a significant improvement in the sperm counts.Methods: The study was conducted in the department of general surgery at Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital from September 2012 to April 2014. The study was conducted on 40 numbers of patients. These were divided into 2 groups, group 1 (n=20) constituted of patients with varicocele who are symptomatic. Group 2 (n=20) constituted of patients with varicocele who are asymptomatic (infertile). All patients were evaluated by clinical examination and Doppler to grade the varicocele. All patients underwent detailed semen analysis. Patients of both the groups underwent FNAC of bilateral testes. The patients with clinical or Doppler detectable varicocele were taken up for low ligation of varicocele. Patients were followed up and all above parameters were repeated about 3 months after surgery.Results: The sperm morphology, counts and motility increase significantly in group 2 patients and sperm counts and morphology increased significantly in group 1 while motility not increased significantly.Conclusions: Most of the patients who presented to us were in the age group of 25-35 years. Longer duration of disease in patient with infertility is also suggestive of the fact that varicocele is a progressive disease and leads to testicular dysfunction over time leading to infertility. Most of the varicoceles were either left sided or bilateral

Caracterización de la calidad del semen en hombres atendidos en un centro de reproducción asistida en Guayaquil, Ecuador / Description of the semen quality from men treated in an assisted reproduction center in Guayaquil, Ecuador

RESUMEN Con el objetivo de caracterizar la calidad seminal de hombres en un centro de reproducción asistida de la ciudad Guayaquil (Ecuador), se colectaron 204 muestras de semen de pacientes con problemas de fertilidad de entre 20 y 57 años, atendidos entre mayo de 2017 y septiembre de 2018. Se realizó un espermograma básico a cada muestra, siguiendo las recomendaciones del manual para la examinación y procesamiento de semen humano. El 27,4% de las muestras presentó normozoospermia. Dentro de las alteraciones la teratozoospermia fue de 27,9%, oligoteratozoospermia del 8,8%, evidenciándose mayor número en pacientes de 30 a 39 años. Un alto porcentaje de pacientes presentan una calidad del semen y morfología espermática por debajo los limites de referencia establecidos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

ABSTRACT In order to characterize the quality of semen from men in an assisted reproduction center in the city of Guayaquil (Ecuador), 204 semen samples were collected from patients with fertility disorders aged 20 to 57 years, who were admitted between May 2017 and September 2018. A basic spermogram was performed on each sample, following the fabricant recommendations for the examination and processing of human semen. It was found that 27.4% of the samples presented normozoospermia. Among the disorders, it was found that 27.9% had teratozoospermia, 8.8% had oligoteratozoospermia and a higher number of patients were found to be between 30 and 39 years old. A high percentage of patients presented sperm morphology and quality values below the reference limits established by the World Health Organization.

Reference values (RV), MNS and MTS for morphological characteristics of normal and abnormal human spermatozoon describing Teratozoospermic Index (TZI) & Sperm Deformity Index (SDI) in Sudanese infertile couples using CASA System / Valores de referencia (RV), MNS y MTS para las características morfológicas de espermatozoides humanos normales y anormales que describen el Índice Teratozoospérmico (TZI) y el Índice de Deformidad del Esperma (SDI) en parejas infértiles de Sudán que utilizan el sistema CASA

A scientific determination of fertilization ability of the sperm can be made by motility, viability and morphological examinations that are called as potential fertility criteria. Some previous studies documented only the total morphological defect rates without including the morphologic subjects. As it is recorded in many studies, the success of IUI, ICSI and IVF depends mainly on the quality of the collected semen. 1) Determine and classify the common morphological defects and rates of sperms. 2) Analyze the effect of age on the sperm abnormalities and to assess the impact of environment on changing normal sperm characteristics. 3) Determine the common types of semen abnormalities (Asthenoterato-zoospermia, Asthenozoospermia, Azoopyospermia, Azoospermia, Hypospermia, Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, Oligoasthenozoopyospermia, Oligoasthenozoospermia and Teratozoospermia). 4) Determine the range of teratozoospermic index (TZI) and sperm deformity index (SDI). A prospective case series study for 566 men of infertile couples who were requesting semen analysis was applied to those came to the ULTRALAB laboratory center main campus and ULTRALAB branch of the Sudan Assisted Reproduction Center (SARC), Khartoum, Sudan. Data collection was done for 20 months from April 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2011. analysis of semen samples was done using Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA). 1) The study demonstrates that there are differences in normality and abnormality of sperm morphology parameters of sperm between Sudanese population and other studies including WHO standards. 2) SDI and TZI were higher in overall semen as well as in abnormal semen samples. 3) Common semen abnormalities were oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia and asthenozoospermia. There are differences in sperm morphology of both normal and abnormal parameters between Sudanese population and other studies including WHO standards.

Se realizó una determinación científica de la capacidad de fertilización de los espermatozoides mediante motilidad, viabilidad y exámenes morfológicos denominados criterios de fertilidad potencial. Algunos estudios previos documentan solamente el total de las tasas de defectos morfológicos sin incluir a los sujetos morfológicos. Como se registra en muchos estudios, el éxito de IUI, ICSI y FIV depende principalmente de la calidad del semen recolectado. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: 1) Determinar y clasificar los defectos morfológicos comunes y las tasas de espermatozoides; 2) Analizar el efecto de la edad en las anomalías de los espermatozoides y evaluar el impacto del medio ambiente en el cambio de las características normales de los espermatozoides; 3) Determinar los tipos comunes de anomalías en el semen (astenoterato-zoospermia, astenozoospermia, azoopiepermia, azoospermia, hipospermia, oligoastenoteratozoospermia, oligoastenozoopermia, oligoastenozoospermia y teratozoospermia); 4) Determinar el rango del índice teratozoospérmico (TZI) y el índice de deformidad del esperma (IDE). Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de series de casos en 566 hombres, de parejas infértiles, que solicitaban análisis de semen en laboratorios ULTRALAB y la sucursal de ULTRALAB del Centro de Reproducción Asistida de Sudán (SARC), Jartum, Sudán. La recolección de datos se realizó durante 20 meses, desde el 1 de abril de 2010 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2011. El análisis de las muestras de semen se realizó mediante el análisis de semen asistido por computadora (CASA). Existen diferencias en la normalidad y anormalidad de los parámetros de la morfología de los espermatozoides entre la población sudanesa y otros estudios, incluidas las normas de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Los parámetros SDI y TZI fueron más altos en el semen general, así como en muestras de semen anormales. Las anomalías comunes del semen fueron oligoastenatoatoospermia, astenoteratozoospermia y astenozoospermia. Existen diferencias en la morfología de los espermatozoides de los parámetros normales y anormales entre la población sudanesa y otros estudios que incluyen las normas de la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

Seminal reactive oxygen species and total antioxidant capacity: Correlations with sperm parameters and impact on male infertility / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the seminal fluid of the male partners in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination and to evaluate correlations between these values and their semen parameters. METHODS: The study was conducted at Vamsam Fertility Center, Coimbatore, India and enrolled 110 male patients from whom semen samples were collected. ROS production was measured by a thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay, and TAC was measured by a 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical assay. The differences in the TAC and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels between the subfertile and fertile groups were analysed. Correlations between sperm parameters and TAC and MDA levels were statistically analysed, and cutoff values with respect to the controls were determined. All hypothesis tests used were two-tailed, with statistical significance assessed at the level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 87 subfertile and 23 fertile men were included in the study. The mean MDA level was significantly higher in the subfertile subjects than in the fertile subjects, and the mean antioxidant level was significantly lower in the subfertile subjects than in the fertile subjects. Seminal MDA levels were negatively associated with sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, whereas the opposite was seen with TAC levels. CONCLUSION: Measurements of seminal TAC and ROS are valuable for predicting semen quality, and hence predicting the outcomes of fertility treatment.

Analysis on other sperm parameters of sperm with different sperm acrosomal arginine enzyme activity / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the value of sperm acrosomal arginine enzyme activity in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility by studying its relationship with sperm motility and morphology.Methods The sperm acrosomal arginine enzyme activity was detected by chemical colorimetric method,and the routine parameters of sperm and sperm morphology were detected by computer-aided analysis.Results There were significant differences on sperm concentration,motility and progressive motility between normal sperm acroso-mal arginine enzyme activity group and abnormal sperm acrosomal arginine enzyme activity group(P<0.05). The percentage of deformities in head,neck and middle segment were significant different between normal sperm acrosomal arginine enzyme activity group and abnormal sperm acrosomal arginine enzyme activity group (P<0.05).Conclusion T he activity of sperm acrosin is a very efficient marker in sperm quality,and an effec-tive indicator of the evaluation of sperm fertilization potential and the diagnosis of male infertility.

Combined therapy of Compound Xuanju Capsules and traditional Chinese medicinal formula for infertility in male smokers / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the clinical effects of the combined therapy of Compound Xuanju Capsules (CXJC) and traditional Chinese medicinal formula on infertility in male smokers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 176 male infertility patients were divided into a smoking and a non-smoking group and the former further divided into mild, moderate and heavy smokers according to the daily consumption of cigarettes and the length of smoking history. The patients were treated with CXJC combined with traditional Chinese medicinal formula for 3 four-week courses and the therapeutic results were evaluated by comparing the indicators of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome, routine semen parameters, sperm morphology, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) among different groups before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The baseline TCM syndrome scores were remarkably higher in the heavy smokers than in the non-smoking group (P < 0.05) but showed no statistically significant differences between the mild and moderate smokers (P > 0.05). The baseline percentage of sperm head defects and DFI were also markedly higher in the heavy and moderate smokers than in the non-smoking group (P < 0.05). Compared with the baseline, significant improvement was achieved after treatment in the TCM syndrome, routine semen parameters, sperm morphology and sperm DFI, especially in the heavy smokers in the percentages of grade a+b sperm (［17.12 ± 2.54］ vs ［30.15 ± 3.10］%, P < 0.05), morphologically normal sperm (［15.54 ± 1.98］ vs ［26.82 ± 3.52］%, P < 0.05), and head-defective sperm (［27.02 ± 2.14］ vs ［22.07 ± 1.52］%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sperm quality is significantly decreased while the risk of infertility remarkably increased in moderate and heavy smokers. The combined therapy of CXJC and traditional Chinese medicinal formula can effectively improve semen quality, sperm morphology and sperm DFI in male smokers with infertility, though more evidence is to be collected from further studies.</p>

Effects of sperm morphology, sperm DNA fragment index and seminal plasma zinc on pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of sperm morphology, sperm DNA fragmentation index and seminal plasma zinc on pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).MethodsA total of 341 infertile couples underwent IVF-ET were selected from January 2016 to June 2016 in our hospital.Sperm morphology, sperm DNA fragmentation index and seminal plasma zinc level were compared according to pregnancy.ResultsIn 341 cases, 204 cases pregnancy and 137 cases of no pregnancy, with the pregnancy rate of 59.8%(204/341).Compared with the pregnancy group, the percentage of normal sperm percentage was low, the abnormal sperm index was higher in the non-pregnant group (P<0.05), the sperm DNA index was higher (P<0.05).The percentage of normal sperm, sperm DNA fragmentation index and seminal plasma zinc and pregnancy rate in sperm morphology were linear (P<0.05), And there was a negative correlation between abnormal sperm index and sperm DNA fragment index (P<0.05), and other indicators were positively correlated (P<0.05).ConclusionSperm morphology, sperm DNA fragmentation index and seminal plasma zinc levels may influence the outcome of IVF-ET.The above parameters can be used to predict pregnancy outcome of IVF-ET.

The application value of sperm nuclear DNA integrity and sperm morphology in the treatment of ICSI / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the effects of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF)and sperm morphology on the fertilization and embryo development in ICSI.Methods SDF and sperm morphology were detected in the meanwhile of taking eggs in 1 45 ICSI treatment cycle.On the basis of SDF index (DFI)divided into group A (DFI≤30%)and group B (DFI >30%).According to the normal sperm morphology divided into group C (NMSR≥4%), group D (1 %≤NMSR 30% and NMSR 0.05).(2)The normal fertilization rate was statistically significant in group C,group D,group E (χ2 =34.5,65.8,11 .8,all P 0.05).(3 )The normal fertilization rate,embryo utilization rate,good quality embryo rate,implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in group F were significantly higher than those in group G,and normal fertilization rate,embryos utilization rate,good quality embryo rate had statistically significant differences (χ2 =37.5,1 1 .0,4.3,all P <0.05). Conclusion Sperm abnormal morphology has negative effect on fertilization,and the high DNA fragments have negative effects on fertilization and embryo development.

Effect of sperm spreparation in male infertility on sperm morphology and DNA integrity / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of sperm preparation in male infertility on sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation index(DFI). Methods Four hundred men were divided into the groups of fertile , teratozoospermics and unexplained subfertility. Sperm morphology and DFI were analyzed before and after the sperm preparation. Results Sperm abnormal morphology and DFI in the infertility group were higher than those in the fertile group ,but significantly decreased after sperm preparation. The method of density gradient separation results in obtaining better sperm(P<0.01). Conclusions Compared to the method of swimming up ,the method of density gradient separation could result in obtaining sperm with improved normal morphology and DNA integrity.

The association of seminal plasma hepatitis B virus DNA copy with sperm quality / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between seminal plasma hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA copy and semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF).Methods The seminal plasma HBV-DNA was detected by the real-time PCR in 148 infertility males,and those with serum HBV-DNA above (positive) or below (negative) 5.0 × 102U/ml were analyzed respectively by semen parameters,sperm morphology and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF).Results Of 148 male,60 (40.5％) were seminal plasma HBV-DNA positive,and of 60 positive patients,56 (93.3％) were serum hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg) positive,which was higher than those of seminal plasma HBV-DNA negative males (31cases,35.2％).Serum HBeAg and HBV-DNA in seminal plasma HBV-DNA positive patients were 845.7(0.2 ～ 1455.0) S/CO and (1.7 ± 1.1) × 108U/ml,which were higher than those of HBV-DNA negative patients [HBeAg:0.1 (0.1 ～ 1374.0) S/CO;HBV-DNA:(2.3 ± 1.1) × 107 U/ml,P ＜ 0.01].Seminal plasma HBV-DNA positive patients exhibited lower semen volume,sperm concentration,the percentage of forward moving sperm and less normal morphology compared to HBV-DNA negative patients [(2.44±1.2)mlvs.(3.07±1.3)ml,(66.8±49.1) ×106/mlvs.(87.1 ±65.4) ×106/ml,(54.3± 16.1)％ vs.(59.1 ±15.3)％,(3.77 ±2.8)％ vs.(6.15 ±4.2)％,P＜0.05].The number of patients with teratozoospermia was significantly higher in seminal plasma HBV-DNA positive patients (56.7％ versus 34.1％,(P ＜ 0.01).The SDF in seminal plasma HBV-DNA positive patients was(18.1 ± 12.3)％,while it was(14.4 ± 8.4)％ in negative patients,and the difference of SDF in these two groups was significantly (t =2.197,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Seminal plasma HBV-DNA positive could affect the semen parameters,sperm morphology and SDF.

Routine semen parameters and sperm morphological index of infertile males with partial globozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the routine semen parameters and sperm morphological indexes of the patients with partial globozoospermia (PGZ).@*METHODS@#We included in this study 100 infertile males with PGZ and another 180 non-PGZ infertile men as controls. According to the proportion of round-headed sperm (RHS) in the semen, we classified the PGZ males into five subgroups: 25%－40%, 41%－55%, 56%－70%, 71%－85%, and 86%－99% RHS. We obtained sperm concentration, total sperm motility, the percentage of progressively motile sperm, teratozoospermia index (TZI), and sperm deformity index (SDI) from the subjects and compared them among different groups.@*RESULTS@#Statistically significant differences were found between the PGZ patients and non-PGZ controls in total sperm motility (［35.76±24.88］% vs ［62.03±10.20］%, P0.05), sperm concentration (［46.01±40.38］ vs ［54.00±25.15］ ×106/ml, P>0.05), or TZI (1.35±0.11 vs 1.34±0.54, P>0.05). There were also significant differences among the five PGZ subgroups in total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, TZI, and SDI (P0.05). Morphologically, the sperm head changed from heterogeneous to homogeneous with the increased proportion of round-headed sperm.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Different proportions of round-headed sperm are closely related to routine semen parameters and sperm morphological index in PGZ patients, which can help clinicians choose the proper assisted reproductive technology and predict the rate of fertilization for infertile males.

ICSI significantly improved the pregnancy rate of patients with a high sperm DNA fragmentation index / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Correlations between semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were investigated to identify characteristics of sperm without DNA damage that could be used in selecting sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Pregnancy outcomes were compared to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI is a better choice for patients who have sperm with a high-DFI. METHODS: Semen analysis was carried out in 388 patients who visited our IVF center for the first time to investigate correlations between sperm DFI and semen parameters. In addition, 1,102 IVF cycles in 867 patients were carried out in the present study; 921 cycles in the low-DFI group (DFI <30%) and 181 cycles in the high-DFI group (DFI ≥30%). Both the low- and high-DFI groups were subdivided into IVF and ICSI cycle groups. RESULTS: Sperm DFI showed significant inverse correlations with sperm motility (r=−0.435, p<0.001) and morphology (r=−0.153, p<0.05). Sperm DFI also showed significant correlations with rapid motility (r=−0.436, p<0.001), and the kinetic parameters of average-path velocity (r=−0.403) and linearity (r=−0.412). Although there was no significant difference in the pregnancy rates between IVF (48.6%) and ICSI (44.8%) in the low-DFI group, the pregnancy rate of ICSI cycles (44.8%, p<0.05) was significantly higher than IVF cycles (25.0%) in the high-DFI group. No significant difference was observed in the abortion rates between the low-DFI (52 of 921, 5.6%) and high-DFI groups (7 of 181, 3.8%). CONCLUSION: ICSI is a better choice than IVF for improving the pregnancy outcomes of patients who have sperm with a high DFI.

Application of stereological methods for unbiased estimation of sperm morphology in the mice induced by busulfan / 대한해부학회지

Busulfan is an anticancer drug, which causes the apoptosis germ cells and azoospermia in humans and animals. Abnormal morphology of spermatozoa related to the male infertility. The sperm morphology is evaluation of sperm size, shape and appearance characteristics should be assessed by carefully observing a stained sperm sample under the microscope. Evaluation of sperm morphology has been considered as one of the most important factors for a successful fertilization and determining sperm quality. The mice were assigned to tow experimental groups: control and busulfan. Each group included six mice that were housed under standard conditions. The volume was estimated using the nucleator method. The sperm's flegellum and mid-piece length was estimated by counting the number of intersections between the tails and Merz grid test line in an unbiased counting frame, superimposed on live images of sperms. Our results demonstrated a significant different in the volume and surface of the sperm's head and the length of the sperm's flagellum in the control and busulfan groups. Busulfan can effect on the volume of the sperm's head and the length of the sperm's flagellum in rat.

Evaluation of sperm protamine deficiency and apoptosis in infertile men with idiopathic teratozoospermia / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Sperm morphology plays an important role in infertility, especially in cases of defects in the heads of spermatozoa. Tapered-head or elongated-head spermatozoa are examples of morphological abnormalities. The aim of this study was to compare the semen parameters, levels of protamine deficiency, and frequency of apoptosis between patients with normozoospermia and those with teratozoospermia with tapered-head spermatozoa. METHODS: Fifty-two semen samples (27 patients with tapered-head sperm and 25 fertile men) were collected and semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization criteria for each sample. Protamine deficiency and the percentage of apoptotic spermatozoa were evaluated using chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assays, respectively. RESULTS: Sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology in the tapered-head spermatozoa (cases) were significantly lower than in the normozoospermic samples (controls). CMA3-reactive spermatozoa (CMA3+) in the case group were more common than in the controls. Apoptotic spermatozoa (TUNEL-positive) were significantly more common in the cases than in the controls. CONCLUSION: This analysis showed that tapered-head spermatozoa contained abnormal chromatin packaging and exhibited a high rate of apoptosis, which can be considered to be an important reason for the impaired fertility potential in teratozoospermic patients with tapered-head spermatozoa.

Correlation of the DNA fragmentation index and malformation rate of optimized sperm with embryonic development and early spontaneous abortion in IVF-ET / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the effects of the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and malformation rate (SMR) of optimized sperm on embryonic development and early spontaneous abortion in conventional in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We selected 602 cycles of conventional IVF-ET for pure oviductal infertility that had achieved clinical pregnancies, including 505 cycles with ongoing pregnancy and 97 cycles with early spontaneous abortion. On the day of ovum retrieval, we examined the DNA integrity and morphology of the rest of the optimized sperm using the SCD and Diff-Quik methods, established the joint predictor (JP) by logistic equation, and assessed the value of DFI and SMR in predicting early spontaneous abortion using the ROC curve.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The DFI, SMR, and high-quality embryo rate were (15.91±3.69)%, (82.85±10.24)%, and 46.53% (342/735) in the early spontaneous abortion group and (9.30±4.22)%, (77.32±9.19)%, and 56.43% (2263/4010) respectively in the ongoing pregnancy group, all with statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05 ). Both the DFI and SMR were the risk factors of early spontaneous abortion (OR = 5.96 and 1.66; both P< 0.01). The areas under the ROC curve for DFI, SMR and JP were 0.893±0.019, 0.685±0.028, and 0.898±0.018, respectively. According to the Youden index, the optimal cut-off values of the DFI and SMR obtained for the prediction of early spontaneous abortion were approximately 15% and 80%. The DFI was correlated positively with SMR (r= 0.31, P<0.01) but the high-quality embryo rate negatively with both the DFI (r= －0.45, P<0.01) and SMR (r= －0.22, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The DFI and SMR of optimized sperm are closely associated with embryonic development in IVF. The DFI has a certain value for predicting early spontaneous abortion with a threshold of approximately 15%, but SMR may have a lower predictive value.</p>