Human sperm centrin levels & outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - A pilot study.

Background & objectives: The objective of the present study was to compare the levels of sperm centrin a centrosomal protein that influences cell migration, in normal fertile donors and in oligoasthenozoospermic males (count 5 million/ml and motility <40%, grade c+d) undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to correlate with the outcome of ICSI. Methods: The prospective study carried out at Inkus IVF Centre, Mumbai, India, during (January-December 2003). It included 20 normal fertile donor males (group I) and 20 oligoasthnozoospermic (OA) males (group II). Group II was further divided in II a and II b according to the centrin levels. Centrin levels were measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in both groups. All participants underwent an ICSI procedure and the levels of centrin and outcome of ICSI were correlated. Results: Centrin levels were significantly lower (P<0.001) in group II (0.39) as compared with group I (1.34). With centrin levels <0.45 optical density (OD) (group II a) the pregnancy rate was further reduced, with only 2 pregnancies (out of 14) both of which, ended in abortion. Cases in group II showed levels of centrin much lower than in the fertile group. Further lowered centrin levels were associated with lowered pregnancy rates in OA males, but statistically was not significant. Interpretation & conclusions: The study revealed that lower centrin levels in OA males resulted in lower pregnancy percentage in this group after ICSI. Disturbances in centrosomal protein could be one of the possible causes of ICSI failure.

Human sperm centrin levels & outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)--a pilot study.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to compare the levels of sperm centrin a centrosomal protein that influences cell migration, in normal fertile donors and in oligoasthenozoospermic males (count 5 million/ml and motility <40%, grade c+d) undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to correlate with the outcome of ICSI. METHODS: The prospective study carried out at Inkus IVF Centre, Mumbai, India, during (January-December 2003). It included 20 normal fertile donor males (group I) and 20 oligoasthnozoospermic (OA) males (group II). Group II was further divided in II a and II b according to the centrin levels. Centrin levels were measured by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in both groups. All participants underwent an ICSI procedure and the levels of centrin and outcome of ICSI were correlated. RESULTS: Centrin levels were significantly lower (P<0.001) in group II (0.39) as compared with group I (1.34). With centrin levels <0.45 optical density (OD) (group II a) the pregnancy rate was further reduced, with only 2 pregnancies (out of 14) both of which, ended in abortion. Cases in group II showed levels of centrin much lower than in the fertile group. Further lowered centrin levels were associated with lowered pregnancy rates in OA males, but statistically was not significant. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The study revealed that lower centrin levels in OA males resulted in lower pregnancy percentage in this group after ICSI. Disturbances in centrosomal protein could be one of the possible causes of ICSI failure.

Chromosomal studies in infertile men with oligozoospermia & non-obstructive azoospermia.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Chromosomal anomalies have been postulated to be as one of the principal genetic factors in male infertility. Cytogenetic evaluation of men with severely compromised semen parameters reveals an increased incidence of chromosomal aberrations when compared with the normal population. The objective of this study was to determine the chromosomal constitution and sperm characteristics among Indian males with severe male factor infertility. METHODS: In this prospective study we investigated 88 infertile men (42 men with azoospermia and 46 men with sperm count <5 x 10(6) million/ml) prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. Karyoptying was performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes according to standard methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to screen the microdeletions in the AZF region of the Y chromosome. RESULTS: Constitutional chromosome abnormalities were identified in 14.3 per cent of azoospermic and 6.5 per cent of oligozoospermic men, with an overall rate of 10.2 per cent. Chromosomal abnormalities included gonosomal aberrations in 5 cases. Robertsonian translocation in one, trisomy 7 mosaicism in one case, deletion in chromosome 16 in one, and a marker chromosome in one case. Chromosome variants were observed in 33 (37.5%) subjects. Yqh- was the most frequent variant in sex chromosomes and increased length in heterochromatin and satellites were observed in autosomal chromosomes. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The high rate of chromosomal anomalies among infertile men strongly suggests the need for routine cytogenetic analysis prior to employment of assisted reproduction techniques. In addition, meticulous follow-up of babies born after ICSI, especially male offsprings, is necessary.