Human sperm DNA integrity in normal and abnormal semen samples and its correlation with sperm characteristics.

Reports indicate an increase in the incidence of DNA fragmentation in male factor infertility and its role in the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques (ART). However, reports are conflicting between the relationships of sperm DNA integrity with conventional semen parameters. We examined the relationship between conventional sperm parameters and DNA integrity using acridine orange (AO) test. The study included 373 patients and 28 fertile volunteers. DNA normality was compared with semen parameters between the patient and donor populations. Significant correlations were noted between DNA normality and sperm concentration (r = 0.18, P = 0.000), motility (r = 0.21, P = 0.0001), rapid motility (0.19, P = 0.000), normal morphology by World Health Organization (r = 0.15, P = 0.019) and head defects (r = -0.15, P = 0.023). A significant difference was noted in AO levels between donors and patients with asthenozoospermia (P = 0.002) and oligoasthenozoospermia (P = 0.001). A significant difference in DNA integrity was noted in samples having <30% and >30% normal morphology. A wide range of % DNA normality was observed in the patient group. Sperm assessment for DNA status using AO is reliable and shows good correlation with sperm count, motility and morphology. Assessment of sperm DNA status with AO staining may be helpful prior to ART.

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor polymorphism and seminal anti-Müllerian hormone in fertile and infertile men.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is fundamental for Sertoli cell function stimulating spermatogenesis and follicular growth by a specific receptor (FSHR). This work aimed to investigate the occurrence of Asn and Ser FSHR gene variants and its relationship with seminal anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) among normozoospermic and infertile oligoasthenozoospermic (OAT) males. Eighty-two Caucasian males grouped into normozoospermic healthy controls (n = 30) and infertile OAT males (n = 52). FSHR gene variants were determined by DNA from anti-coagulated blood and underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and electrophoresis in detecting amplification products. AMH in seminal plasma was determined by ELISA. The results showed that the frequency of FSHR gene variants among fertile men was 46.7% Asn/Asn (N680S), 33.3% Asn/Ser, and 20% Ser/Ser, whereas among OAT men were 34.6%, 38.5% and 26.9% respectively with nonsignificant differences. Seminal AMH was significantly higher in fertile than infertile OAT men. There was significant increase in seminal AMH with Asn/Asn variant of FSHR gene than those with Asn/Ser or Ser/Ser. It is concluded that FSH gene variants showed no difference in distribution between fertile or infertile OAT men. However, when correlated with seminal AMH values, there was an increase in Asn/Asn in men with high seminal AMH.