Effects of Tempol and Quercetin on Human Sperm Function after Cryopreservation.

　　BACKGROUND: Quercetin is a flavonoid with high reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and ion chelating activity. It also enhances the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduces enzymatic activity such as NADPH oxidase and NADH-dependent oxido-reductase. Tempol, as a superoxide dismutase mimetic agent, converts superoxide to less toxic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but cannot reduce highly toxic hydroxyl radicals in Fenton or Haber-Weiss reactions mediated with free iron or cupper. OBJECTIVE: The study was to compare the effect of Quercetin and Tempol in an optimized commercial cryo-protective media on ROS induced cryoinjury for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following administration of these compounds during freezing process, sperm motility, viability, ROS production and DNA integrity were assessed before and after freezing/thawing process. RESULTS: Data showed that 10 µM Quercetin and 5 µM Tempol significantly improved sperm motility and viability, but they together had no additive effect. Supplementation with Quercetin alone or combination of Quercetin with Tempol decrease the ROS concentration, but the reduction was not significant for Tempol alone compared to control group. Quercetin and Tempol significantly decrease DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSION: The supplementation of Quercetin or Tempol, but not their combination improves the quality of cryopreserved human semen.

Zeta potential vs apoptotic marker: which is more suitable for ICSI sperm selection?

PURPOSE: Selection of appropriate sperm is considered as a decision making point in the ICSI procedure. Canonically, sperm selection is based on morphology and motility. Recent advances in this field, have shown that, this procedure can be assisted by further selection based on membrane surface charge (Zeta potential) and surface apoptotic marker (phosphatidylserine externalization) using magnetic activated cell sorter (MACS). Based on the literature, both these procedures improve quality of selected sperm population. Therefore, this study aims to compare the efficiency of these two procedures. METHODS: Semen samples were collected from 36 fertile and infertile (teratozoospermic and /or asthenozoospermic) individuals. Sperm DNA fragmentation, protamine deficiency and morphology were assessed by TUNEL, CMA3 and papanicolaou staining in unprocessed, MACS and Zeta processed samples. RESULTS: Although both MACS and Zeta were able to separate a higher percentage of sperm with normal morphology, and lower DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency compared to unprocessed, MACS procedure could significantly isolate, a greater percentage of sperm with normal acrosome and protamine content compared to Zeta procedure. CONCLUSION: Both MACS and Zeta procedures improve the quality of the selected spermatozoa for ICSI. However, MACS procedure is more efficient in individuals with severe male factor infertility to select sperm with normal acrosome and protamine content but concern regarding transfer of MACS beads into the oocyte remains to be resolved.

Zaditen (Ketotifen), as mast cell blocker, improves sperm quality, chromatin integrity and pregnancy rate after varicocelectomy.

Surgery is considered the most common choice for the treatment of male infertility with clinical varicocele. Increased numbers of mast cells (MCs) have been associated with different types of infertility, including varicocele. Despite there being different reports on improved fertility following administration of MC blockers, there is no report on the effect of a MC blocker on varicocele or after varicocelectomy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Zaditen on semen quality, protamine content, DNA damage and fertility post-surgery. The study included 103 infertile men who were referred to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center for varicocelectomy. Varicocele individuals were randomly divided into control (52) and treatment groups (51). Semen parameters, WBC/mL, protamine content (chromomycin A3 staining) and DNA integrity (sperm chromatin dispersion test) were assessed before and 3 months after surgery. Comparison of the aforesaid parameters between the two groups revealed significant improvement in the treatment group compared with the control group, with the exception of DNA integrity. In addition, the cumulative pregnancy significantly improved by 9 months post-surgery in the treatment group (41.17%) compared with the control group (21.15%). The results of this study, for the first time, reveal that MC blockers such as Zaditen improve semen parameters, chromatin integrity and pregnancy rates when administered as adjunct therapy post-varicocelectomy.

Extensive sino-orbital zygomycosis after heart transplantation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Zygomycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection mainly affecting patients with diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency, and malignancies. The majority of cases in which it has been reported as a posttransplantation complication have been after renal or liver transplantation. There are few instances of rhino-sinusitis and orbital mucormycosis complicating heart transplantation. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old diabetic man who had undergone heart transplantation returned to the transplantation follow-up clinic 20 days after a successful operation with unilateral periorbital swelling, nasal discharge, and multiple cranial nerve dysfunctions. Multidisciplinary investigations resulted in detection of mucormycosis in the paranasal sinuses and the orbital space, as well as a thrombosis of the cavernous sinus. Surgical ablation of the infected parts, along with antifungal treatment and adjustment of immunosuppressive maintenance, restricted extension of the craniofacial involvement. Allograft function remained undisturbed. CONCLUSION: Early detection of opportunistic infections in transplant recipients plays a big role in preventing dissemination. Fungal infections, including zygomycosis, should be considered for recipients, especially those with risk factors, such as diabetes, who present with local unusual manifestations. Sinonasal and orbital mucormycosis, if diagnosed in timely fashion, can be managed to reduce mortality. Although devastation of one-side facial and ophthalmic structures was inevitable in this case, the overall outcome was acceptable.