Protective effect of alpha glucosyl hesperidin (G-hesperidin) on chronic vanadium induced testicular toxicity and sperm nuclear DNA damage in male Sprague Dawley rats.

The study was conducted to evaluate the vanadium-induced testicular toxicity and its effect on sperm parameters, sperm nuclear DNA damage and histological alterations in Sprague Dawley rats and to assess the protective effect of G-hesperidin against this damage. Treatment of rats with vanadium at a dose of 1 mg kg bw(-1) for 90 days resulted in significant reduction in serum testosterone levels, sperm count and motility. Further, a parallel increase in abnormal sperm morphology and adverse histopathological changes in testis was also associated with vanadium administration when compared to normal control. Moreover, sperm chromatin dispersion assay revealed that vanadium induces sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation. A marked increase in testicular malondialdehyde levels and decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase indicates vanadium-induced oxidative stress. Co-administration of G-hesperidin at a dose of 25 and 50 mg kg bw(-1) significantly attenuated the sperm parameters and histological changes by restoring the antioxidant levels in rat testis. These results suggested that vanadium exposure caused reduced bioavailability of androgens to the tissue and increased free radical formation, thereby causing structural and functional changes in spermatozoa. G-hesperidin exhibited antioxidant effect by protecting the rat testis against vanadium-induced oxidative damage, further ensures antioxidant potential of bioflavonoids.

Sperm DNA fragmentation assay by sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD): correlation between DNA fragmentation and outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation index (sDFI) and outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: All the patients were divided into two groups based on sperm DNA fragmentation analysis by the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) method. A total of 237 patients were in the DNA fragmentation normal group (sDFI ≤ 30 %), and 140 patients were in the DNA fragmentation abnormal group (sDFI ≥ 30 %). The relationship of sDFI with the outcome of ICSI was analyzed. RESULTS: A significant difference in semen parameters was observed between the DNA fragmentation normal and abnormal groups [count, motility and morphology (p < 0.05)]. However, no significant difference was seen between the number of oocytes retrieved and fertilization rates between the two groups, whereas the number of embryos progressed to day 3 and the blastocyst formation rate in the remaining embryos after transfer were significantly more in the DNA fragmentation normal group (p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was noted between DFI values of more than 30 % and number of pregnancies and deliveries (p < 0.05). A higher DFI was also associated with increased abortion rates. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, sperm with DNA fragmentation showed a negative correlation with semen parameters. Further, sperm with damaged DNA have potential adverse effects on embryo progression, clinical pregnancy rate, and ongoing pregnancies.

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects on sperm morphological and functional characteristics, nuclear DNA integrity and outcome of assisted reproductive technique.

The aim of the study was to compare the semen characteristics and nuclear DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa of diabetic and nondiabetic men undergoing assisted reproduction and correlate them with pregnancy outcome. Semen characteristics and nuclear DNA fragmentation were analysed using computer-aided semen analysis system and sperm chromatin dispersion assay (SCD), respectively. Spermatozoa from diabetic patients showed significantly lower progressive (Type A) motility (14.64 ± 9.60 versus 17.99 ± 11.51, P < 0.02) and increased nuclear DNA fragmentation (37.05 ± 12.68 versus 21.03 ± 10.13, P < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed in diabetic patients in terms of blastocyst formation rate (38.13% versus 55.46%, P < 0.001), pregnancy rate (28.57% versus 46.34%, P < 0.001) and miscarriage rate (50.0% versus 24.56%, P < 0.001). The higher percentage of sperm DNA damage because of oxidative stress seen in diabetic patients may be responsible for the poor embryonic development and pregnancy outcome in these individuals.

Comparison of follitropin-beta administered by a pen device with conventional syringe in an ART programme - a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: This study compares the efficacy and patient tolerance of follitropin-beta (recagon) administered using a pen device with conventional syringe in infertile couples undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. METHODS: Data for 481 patients were retrieved retrospectively for the analysis. Conventional syringe group constituted 204 patients with 217 cycles and 265 patients with 294 cycles in the pen-device group. Down-regulation was achieved with GnRH agonist. RESULTS: Comparison of follitropin-beta administered with pen and syringe showed the following data, respectively. A total dose of 1909.38/2100.65 IU (P < 0.001), duration of stimulation, 9.70/10.47 days (P < 0.05), oestradiol levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin, 1488.34/1067.63 pg/ml, number of follicles reaching >16-mm size, 9.75/7.34 (P < 0.05), number of oocytes retrieved, 13.84/9.55 (P < 0.001) and number of embryos available for freezing, 4.56/1.30 (P < 0.05), the above data were observed in pen/conventional syringe groups, respectively. The live birth rates per cycle were 28.85% and 30.95% in the conventional syringe/pen-device groups, respectively. Patient tolerance with respect to pain at injection site was better with the pen device (P < 0.025). CONCLUSION: The data show that follitropin-beta administered with pen device is well tolerated and more efficacious with respect to ovarian stimulation outcome compared with the conventional syringe.