RESUMO
Since obesity and male subfertility have increased in parallel during the last decades, the hypothesis of an association between these two phenomena has been explored by several researchers. Although there is no consensus apparently obesity impacts men's reproductive potential by several mechanisms, like alterations on the hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis, modifications of spermatogenesis and semen quality and/or impairment of men's sexual health. This review intends to summarize the underlying bases of such alterations and propose new ones, without miscalculating their biological significance. Obesity is not rigorously related to subfertility; in addition, the existence of a genetic predisposition to obesity-linked sterility is currently under investigation. Nonetheless, the impact of obesity on male reproductive potential must be fully elucidated since the prevalence of obesity is increasing and consequently, the number of obese men with reduced fertility will also rise.
RESUMO
The evaluation of spermatic morphology is of importance due to its prognostic value in potential male fertility, both in natural and in assisted reproduction. In the present work, the morphologic profile of samples of semen from normal and dispermic patients was determined, in order to establish a correlation between structure and function. Samples were obtained from male partners of infertile couples who attended andrologic consultation. The smears were stained by the Papanicolaou technique, and the criteria of the OMS and the recent modification of Kruger were followed to evaluate spermatic morphology. Of all the patients studied (n = 46), 35 were normospermics (A), 39 asthenospermics, 7 oligospermics, 2 terastospermics and 17 presented combined alterations. The average percentage of normal spermatozoa was of 23.7 +/- 1.23 in the whole population. When group A patients were compared with asthenospermics, significant differences were found in the percentage of spermatozoa with middle piece and tail alterations, in the last group (p < 0.02). Similarly, when samples were analysed according to the presence of alterations: none (A), one (B) two or more (C), it was observed that the percentage of normal forms decreased in the groups in that order (A < B < C); (A or B vs C p < 0.05). The percentage of tapering spermatozoa was significantly higher in group C (p < 0.01 vs A or B). From the above results, it appears that 1) the larger number of functional alterations is related to a higher percentage of structural anomalies, and 2) the deficient motility in the asthenospermic group, is associated to the middle piece and tail alterations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Infertilidade Masculina , Contagem de Espermatozoides , EspermatozoidesRESUMO
The evaluation of spermatic morphology is of importance due to its prognostic value in potential male fertility, both in natural and in assisted reproduction. In the present work, the morphologic profile of samples of semen from normal and dispermic patients was determined, in order to establish a correlation between structure and function. Samples were obtained from male partners of infertile couples who attended andrologic consultation. The smears were stained by the Papanicolaou technique, and the criteria of the OMS and the recent modification of Kruger were followed to evaluate spermatic morphology. Of all the patients studied (n = 46), 35 were normospermics (A), 39 asthenospermics, 7 oligospermics, 2 terastospermics and 17 presented combined alterations. The average percentage of normal spermatozoa was of 23.7 +/- 1.23 in the whole population. When group A patients were compared with asthenospermics, significant differences were found in the percentage of spermatozoa with middle piece and tail alterations, in the last group (p < 0.02). Similarly, when samples were analysed according to the presence of alterations: none (A), one (B) two or more (C), it was observed that the percentage of normal forms decreased in the groups in that order (A < B < C); (A or B vs C p < 0.05). The percentage of tapering spermatozoa was significantly higher in group C (p < 0.01 vs A or B). From the above results, it appears that 1) the larger number of functional alterations is related to a higher percentage of structural anomalies, and 2) the deficient motility in the asthenospermic group, is associated to the middle piece and tail alterations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)(Au)
