MLH1 and MSH2 are important genes for DNA mismatch repair and crossing over during meiosis and ar... more MLH1 and MSH2 are important genes for DNA mismatch repair and crossing over during meiosis and are implicated in male infertility. Therefore, the methylation patterns of the DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MSH2 in oligozoospermic males were investigated. Ten oligozoospermic patients and 29 normozoospermic donors were analysed. Methylation profiles of the MLH1 and MSH2 promotors were analysed. In addition, sperm motility and seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to determine the accuracy of the DNA methylation status of MLH1 and MSH2 to distinguish between oligozoospermic and normozoospermic men. In oligozoospermic men, MLH1 was significantly (p = .0013) more methylated compared to normozoospermic men. Additionally, there was a significant positive association (r = .384; p = .0159) between seminal ROS levels and MLH1 methylation. Contrary, no association between MSH2 methylation and oligozoospermia was f...
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of microsurgical varicocelectomy for the treatment of rec... more Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of microsurgical varicocelectomy for the treatment of recurrent varicoceles associated with orchalgia. Methods: Twelve patients with recurrent (or persistent) painful varicocele underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy. Follow-up assessment was available for 11 patients and included a postoperative questionnaire and scrotal examination. Results: Pain disappeared completely in 6 of the 11 patients, and pain severity was reduced in 4 additional patients after microsurgical varicocelectomy, for an overall favorable response in 10 of 11 patients. Most men returned to full activities within 1 month after microsurgical varicocelectomy. Conclusions: Microsurgical varicocelectomy is an effective testicular-sparing treatment modality for recurrent painful varicocele and should be offered to patients who have failed conservative measures.
Despite global overpopulation, human infertility is a growing concern since it is declining in bo... more Despite global overpopulation, human infertility is a growing concern since it is declining in both developed and developing countries. Reasons for this remarkable decline are manifold and include socio-economic changes, changes in lifestyle with higher prevalence of obesity or environmental pollution. In general, data on the prevalence of infertility, i.e. the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy within 1 year’s time, vary considerably between 3% and 25%, of which 15% seek for medical assistance. Infertility is a couple problem as both men and women contribute more or less equally, with prevalence reported for male infertility between 30 and 50%. Approximately 7% of all men are confronted with fertility problems during their reproductive lifetime, thus making male infertility a problem, which has an even higher prevalence than diabetes mellitus with an overall estimate of 2.8% in the year 2000 and 4.4% in 2030, and which is considered a common disease. Potentially correctable causes of male infertility are genital tract infections, which play a major role in male infertility. Infections and inflammations are not only seriously affecting spermatogenesis and sperm transit during ejaculation as can be seen in clinical findings in cases of oligozoospermia (decreased number of sperm), asthenozoospermia (decreased sperm motility) or azoospermia (absence of sperm in the ejaculate) but are also the cause of dysfunctional male accessory glands and significantly impaired sperm functions.
included patients undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All study participants prov... more included patients undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All study participants provided informed consent and the study design was approved by the ethics committee of the IVF Nagata Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 1,242 DC embryos with normal fertilization using a time-lapse incubator. Ex.1: We compared blastocyst formation rates between 3-and R4-cell groups during the first division. Ex.2: The two groups from Ex.1 were classified using ETE methods. The blastocyst formation rates of each group were compared. Embryos were evaluated for EC at 27 hours after insemination and morphology was scored on day2 (poor, R4 cells with R50% frag.; fair, R4 cells with <50% and R20% frag.; good, R4 cells with <20% frag. and equal blastomere). RESULTS: Ex. 1: Among the 1,242 DC embryos, 669 were in the 3-cell group and 573 were in the R4-cell group. The blastocyst and high-quality blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher (p<0.01) in the 3-cell group than in the R4-cell group (53.5% vs. 32.7%, 28.0% vs. 14.1%, respectively). Ex. 2: Among the 669 embryos in the 3-cell group, 211 were in the ECfair embryos, 141 were in the EC-poor embryos, 75 were in the late cleavage (LC)-fair embryos, and 242 were in the LC-poor embryos. Among the 573 R4-cell group, 102 were in the EC-fair embryos, 127 were in the EC-poor embryos, 90 were in the LC-fair embryos, and 254 were in the LC-poor embryos. The blastomeres of DC embryos were unequal and no embryo was evaluated as good. The blastocyst and high-quality blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the EC-fair embryos of the 3-cell group than in the other groups (71.6% vs. 18.5%-57.8%, 44.1% vs. 5.1%-33.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The EC-fair embryos of the 3-cell group had high blastocyst development ability for DC embryos. The results suggest that the detailed evaluation of DC embryos at the early embryonic stage is not only predictive of embryogenic potential, but also useful for the selection of embryos for early embryo transfer.
Objective: To investigate the influence of zinc on the generation of motility. Design: Prospectiv... more Objective: To investigate the influence of zinc on the generation of motility. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Outpatient clinic of the Center of Dermatology and Andrology. Patient(s): Seventy-three patients and 10 sperm donors. Intervention(s): Motile spermatozoa were isolated by swim-up and incubated for 1, 2, 4 or 6 hours with DL-penicillamine, 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-sulfonate, and meso-2,3-dimercapto-succinimic acid at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 mol/L. Main Outcome Measure(s): Motility was analyzed by means of computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Result(s): Significant dose-dependent changes in nonlinear motility, progressive motility, and velocity straight line (VSL) were observed. After only 1 hour of incubation, nonlinear motility decreased, and progressive motility and VSL increased. The percentage of immotile spermatozoa was not affected. Timedependent changes in motility were observed on a significantly higher or lower level as compared to the control. Comparing the chelators after 2 hours revealed that DL-penicillamine showed the strongest effect on the sperm. Conclusion(s): The results imply that chelators can eliminate at least some part of the zinc from the flagellum. This zinc elimination appears to lead to comparable changes of the outer dense fibers as seen in vivo during epididymal maturation, finally resulting in improved motility.
Introduction: Relationship between human papillomavirus infection and chronic prostatitis/chronic... more Introduction: Relationship between human papillomavirus infection and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is not clear in the Indian population. The present study evaluated human papillomavirus infection as a risk factor in the development of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Methods: Patients between the age group of 18 and 50 years, diagnosed with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (Cases) or sexually active asymptomatic men with primary infertility (Controls), were recruited. Recording of the personal and/or family history and National Institute of Health-chronic prostatitis symptom index scoring (pain score, urinary score, and quality-of-life score) was done in all prostatitis patients. Seminal fluids of all study patients were evaluated for genomic sequences of human papillomavirus including oncogenic subtypes human papillomavirus-16 and-18. Results: Study participants were divided in cases (n = 50) and controls (n = 50). The mean age of cases and controls were 30.72 and 32.48 years, respectively. Among the cases, the mean duration of symptoms was 9.98 months and mean total National Institute of Health-chronic prostatitis symptom index scoring score and mean International Prostate Symptom Score were 20.52 and 5.8, respectively. Among cases, 26 (52%) were found positive for human papillomavirus infection compared to only 6 (12%) in control group (risk ratio = 0.43; 95% confidence interval = 0.3-0.62; p < 0.001). Infection with human papillomavirus-16 subtype was significantly associated with patients from cases group (χ 2 = 4.17; risk ratio (confidence interval) (0.39-0.59); p = 0.041). Oncogenic human papillomavirus-18 subtype was not found in any of the group. Conclusion: These observations indicate that infection with human papillomavirus (HPV-16 subtype) can be considered as a risk factor for the development of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in Indian males under the age of 50 years.
Background: Sperm functional tests as an addition to semen analysis have been used to study the f... more Background: Sperm functional tests as an addition to semen analysis have been used to study the fertilization ability of spermatozoa. Besides the usual variability of the seminal analysis an individual variability in the results of functional tests has been recently found. Aim: to evaluate in a three months period, the individual variability of sperm parameters and sperm maturation using the chromatin condensation test and epidydime a-glucosidase (that allows to discriminate obstructive processes). Material and method: The evaluation was carried out in two donors (12 samples) apparently in good health. One of them presented evident semen analysis alterations (donor 1) and the other was considered normal under the WHO standards (donor 2). Results: The averages for donor 1 were: Sperm count 24x106 sperm/ml (range 10-58x106 sperm/ml), morphology 31.8% (range 30-35%), total motility 33% (range 20-42%), sperm maturation 38% (range 28-78%), a-glucosidase 8.65 (U/ml (range 5-10 (U/ml). The averages for donor 2 were: Sperm count 96x106 sperm/ml (range 50-140x106 sperm/ml), morphology 32.2% (range 30-35%), total motility 69% (range 58-78%), sperm maturation 17% (range 7-30%), a-glucosidase 36.9 (U/ml (range 20-82 (U/ml). Conclusions: These results show that significant variations can be found in the sperm parameters and in seminal plasma a-glucosidase; however these variations are generally maintained at the normal or abnormal ranges for each individual, except the sperm morphology that was constant and with low variation in both donors. The determination of the chromatin condensation in the semen analysis gives an additional information about the grade of sperm maturation and would be of great value for differentiating between sperm samples that show similar morphology values. (Rev Med Chile 2000; 128: 483-9)
Laboratories having large testing volumes for male infertility and IVF clinics may acquire more t... more Laboratories having large testing volumes for male infertility and IVF clinics may acquire more than one instrument from the same vendor but of different models or with upgraded software. Although the instrument may be certified by the manufacturer to perform as per specifications listed, very rarely is diagnostic equipment tested for the comparability in their performance with clinical testing guidelines in Andrology and IVF laboratory setting. Differences in the results obtained with various models of the same instrument may differentially categorize a patient as normal or abnormal because of changes in the technical settings of the instrument. There are no guidelines from the "Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, American College of Pathologists, or Joint Commission on Accreditation Health Care Organization or State Licensing Agencies" on the performance verification following hardware or software upgrades of instruments used in the clinical laboratories for diagnostic purposes. Therefore, the accuracy of the results, even if the same methodology is used, should be established by comparing the performance of two different instruments under identical assay conditions to minimize interassay variability. Before using a new instrument in the clinical laboratory, the concordance of two different models of the same instrument needs INTRODUCTION Male factor accounts for approximately 20% of cases of male infertility. 1 Sperm DNA integrity testing has been proposed to be a test with promising potential to complement standard semen analysis. 2 Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has an adverse effect on fertility and causes failure to conceive, 3 longer time to pregnancy, 4 poor outcome following stimulated intrauterine insemination, 5,6 impaired embryo development, 7 higher miscarriage rates, 8 and increased pregnancy loss after both in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. 9 Furthermore, it may have far-reaching consequences for reproductive outcome. Although all SDF tests currently suffer from the common pitfall that the nature and type of DNA damage are unclear, numerous studies have illustrated the prognostic value of SDF tests irrespective of the testing method used. 10,11 In spite of the above data, separate reports from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Practice Committee (2008), 12 the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, 13 and the British Fertility Society 14 have all concluded that, at the present time, there is insufficient evidence for sperm DNA testing to be introduced as part of clinical laboratory work-up with the need for further research being identified.
The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) on human sperm functions and integri... more The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) on human sperm functions and integrity was studied in vitro. Semen was obtained by masturbation after 3-5 days' abstinence from 34 healthy donors in Western Cape, South Africa. Liquefied semen was washed in human tubular fluid supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin (HTF-BSA;1:5) with 10 min centrifugation at 300 g. Sperm suspensions were subsequently incubated with MO extract (0.625, 6.25, 62.5 and 625 µg/ ml) for 1 hr, where HTF-BSA served as control. Sperm motility, vitality, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential, capacitation and acrosome reaction were assessed. Sperm motility, vitality, mitochondrial membrane potential and capacitation remained unchanged (p > .05). A dose-dependent decrease in sperm reactive oxygen species production (p < .0001), DNA fragmentation (p < .0001) and acrosome reaction (p < .001) was observed. An increase in the percentage of non-capacitated sperm (p < .01) was noted at 625 µg/ ml. The antioxidant properties of MO actively maintained basic sperm functions, inhibited excess sperm free superoxide production and preserved acrosome reaction and DNA integrity. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect of aqueous MO leaf extract on fertility potential.
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the development of ... more The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the development of adequate vaccines. Despite vaccines being demonstrated to be safe and effective for preventing severe disease and death, vaccine hesitancy remains. Reasons include concerns over adverse effects on male fertility, which have not been widely investigated. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on semen parameters in a retrospective cohort study of South African males undergoing fertility assessment. The patients for this study were adult men who have previously undergone routine semen analysis for fertility assessment at Androcryos Andrology Laboratory (Johannesburg, South Africa) between March 2021 and March 2022. They also received vaccination within 3 months following a semen analysis and underwent a second semen analysis any time post-COVID-19 vaccination. From 277 records analysed, 46 patients met the inclusion criteria, receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b1) (63%), Johnson and Johnson (JNJ-78436735/Ad26.COV2S) (34.8%), and the AstraZeneca (AZD1222) (2.2%) vaccines. Sperm concentration significantly increased postvaccination (P = 0:0001), with no significant changes in semen pH, volume, total sperm count, progressive motility, normal sperm morphology, or chromatin condensation. Results were not influenced by age, type of vaccine received, and the number of days following vaccination, as depicted by multiple regression analysis. In conclusion, there is no evidence of a negative impact of COVID-19 vaccination on male semen parameters, which is consistent with the emerging literature on COVID-19 vaccination and male fertility. COVID-19 vaccinations should not be dismissed based on fear of adverse effects on male fertility parameters.
Introduction: Metabolic Age (MetAge) and body composition analysis may reflect an individual's me... more Introduction: Metabolic Age (MetAge) and body composition analysis may reflect an individual's metabolic status, which is believed to influence male sexual and gonadal functions. Although erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypogonadism are increasingly prevalent with age, they are also detected among younger men. This study aims to assess the impact of MetAge and body composition on male sexual and gonadal status overall, and particularly in men younger than 40 years of age. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 90 male healthcare workers, between the ages of 18-55, randomly selected based on their corporation numbers. In addition to Bioelectric Impedance Analysis, subjects were requested to fill the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF-5) and to provide an early morning serum testosterone (T) sample. Results: The mean participants' age was 39.4 ± 9.4 years, MetAge was 45.54 ± 10.35 years, serum T level was 13.68 ± 4.49 nmol/L and BMI was 28.8 ± 4.7 kg/m 2. Significant negative correlations were obtained between serum T, MetAge, body weight and fat composition. Significant negative correlations between the IIEF-5 score, MetAge, and fat composition, were only reported in subjects <40 years of age. Significantly lower T levels (p=0.002), significantly older MetAge (p=0.034), and higher BMI (p=0.044) and degree of obesity (p=0.042) were observed in participants <40 years with erectile dysfunction (ED) compared to their counterparts without ED. Discussion: MetAge and body composition parameters significantly impact the androgenic state. ED in men <40 years is associated with lower T levels, older MetAge and higher BMI and degree of obesity.
ability to support mouse blastocyst development, cell differentiation (inner cell mass (ICM) and ... more ability to support mouse blastocyst development, cell differentiation (inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE)), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, as well as blastocyst implantation potential and subsequent fetal development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo matured oocytes were obtained from outbred CF1 mice and subsequently fertilized in vitro. Zygotes were randomly assigned to sequential embryo culture medium containing AlbIX (2.5mg/ml), Vitrolife HSA (5.0 mg/ml), or GroPro (5.0 mg/ml) (4 replicates, n¼525). After 112h of culture, development was assessed and blastocysts were either fixed and immunostained to visualize ICM and TE cells (n¼153), or flash frozen individually to determine mtDNA copy number using qPCR relative to genomic DNA (n¼30). D3.5 blastocysts cultured in Vitrolife HSA and GroPro were surgically transferred into recipients (n¼258). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Pearson's Chi-Square (ET results); significance was determined at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no differences in blastocyst development (AlbIX 52.0% AE 6.5%, Vitrolife HSA 57.3% AE 5.3%, GroPro 69.0% AE 1.6%) or hatching (AlbIX 47.4% AE 5.4%, Vitrolife HSA 50.0% AE 3.9%, GroPro 58.1% AE 1.6%) between treatments. Embryos cultured in Vitrolife HSA contained significantly (p<0.01) more TE cells and total cells, while embryos cultured in AlbIX contained significantly (p<0.05) less ICM cells compared to every other treatment; the ratio of ICM to TE was not different between treatments. There was significantly lower relative mtDNA copy number in embryos cultured in AlbIX compared to embryos cultured in GroPro (p<0.05). No difference in implantation potential (Vitrolife HSA 51%, GroPro 57%) or fetal development (Vitrolife HSA 28%, GroPro 22%) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that in the mouse, additional antioxidants, growth factors and fatty acids do not provide any additional benefit over HSA alone, although they are not detrimental to embryo development or quality. This novel protein supplement may be a viable alternative for the culture of human embryos, in which complex protein supplements such as SPS and SSS support better blastocyst development than HSA alone. SUPPORT: None.
MLH1 and MSH2 are important genes for DNA mismatch repair and crossing over during meiosis and ar... more MLH1 and MSH2 are important genes for DNA mismatch repair and crossing over during meiosis and are implicated in male infertility. Therefore, the methylation patterns of the DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1 and MSH2 in oligozoospermic males were investigated. Ten oligozoospermic patients and 29 normozoospermic donors were analysed. Methylation profiles of the MLH1 and MSH2 promotors were analysed. In addition, sperm motility and seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to determine the accuracy of the DNA methylation status of MLH1 and MSH2 to distinguish between oligozoospermic and normozoospermic men. In oligozoospermic men, MLH1 was significantly (p = .0013) more methylated compared to normozoospermic men. Additionally, there was a significant positive association (r = .384; p = .0159) between seminal ROS levels and MLH1 methylation. Contrary, no association between MSH2 methylation and oligozoospermia was f...
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of microsurgical varicocelectomy for the treatment of rec... more Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of microsurgical varicocelectomy for the treatment of recurrent varicoceles associated with orchalgia. Methods: Twelve patients with recurrent (or persistent) painful varicocele underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy. Follow-up assessment was available for 11 patients and included a postoperative questionnaire and scrotal examination. Results: Pain disappeared completely in 6 of the 11 patients, and pain severity was reduced in 4 additional patients after microsurgical varicocelectomy, for an overall favorable response in 10 of 11 patients. Most men returned to full activities within 1 month after microsurgical varicocelectomy. Conclusions: Microsurgical varicocelectomy is an effective testicular-sparing treatment modality for recurrent painful varicocele and should be offered to patients who have failed conservative measures.
Despite global overpopulation, human infertility is a growing concern since it is declining in bo... more Despite global overpopulation, human infertility is a growing concern since it is declining in both developed and developing countries. Reasons for this remarkable decline are manifold and include socio-economic changes, changes in lifestyle with higher prevalence of obesity or environmental pollution. In general, data on the prevalence of infertility, i.e. the inability of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy within 1 year’s time, vary considerably between 3% and 25%, of which 15% seek for medical assistance. Infertility is a couple problem as both men and women contribute more or less equally, with prevalence reported for male infertility between 30 and 50%. Approximately 7% of all men are confronted with fertility problems during their reproductive lifetime, thus making male infertility a problem, which has an even higher prevalence than diabetes mellitus with an overall estimate of 2.8% in the year 2000 and 4.4% in 2030, and which is considered a common disease. Potentially correctable causes of male infertility are genital tract infections, which play a major role in male infertility. Infections and inflammations are not only seriously affecting spermatogenesis and sperm transit during ejaculation as can be seen in clinical findings in cases of oligozoospermia (decreased number of sperm), asthenozoospermia (decreased sperm motility) or azoospermia (absence of sperm in the ejaculate) but are also the cause of dysfunctional male accessory glands and significantly impaired sperm functions.
included patients undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All study participants prov... more included patients undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All study participants provided informed consent and the study design was approved by the ethics committee of the IVF Nagata Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 1,242 DC embryos with normal fertilization using a time-lapse incubator. Ex.1: We compared blastocyst formation rates between 3-and R4-cell groups during the first division. Ex.2: The two groups from Ex.1 were classified using ETE methods. The blastocyst formation rates of each group were compared. Embryos were evaluated for EC at 27 hours after insemination and morphology was scored on day2 (poor, R4 cells with R50% frag.; fair, R4 cells with <50% and R20% frag.; good, R4 cells with <20% frag. and equal blastomere). RESULTS: Ex. 1: Among the 1,242 DC embryos, 669 were in the 3-cell group and 573 were in the R4-cell group. The blastocyst and high-quality blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher (p<0.01) in the 3-cell group than in the R4-cell group (53.5% vs. 32.7%, 28.0% vs. 14.1%, respectively). Ex. 2: Among the 669 embryos in the 3-cell group, 211 were in the ECfair embryos, 141 were in the EC-poor embryos, 75 were in the late cleavage (LC)-fair embryos, and 242 were in the LC-poor embryos. Among the 573 R4-cell group, 102 were in the EC-fair embryos, 127 were in the EC-poor embryos, 90 were in the LC-fair embryos, and 254 were in the LC-poor embryos. The blastomeres of DC embryos were unequal and no embryo was evaluated as good. The blastocyst and high-quality blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the EC-fair embryos of the 3-cell group than in the other groups (71.6% vs. 18.5%-57.8%, 44.1% vs. 5.1%-33.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The EC-fair embryos of the 3-cell group had high blastocyst development ability for DC embryos. The results suggest that the detailed evaluation of DC embryos at the early embryonic stage is not only predictive of embryogenic potential, but also useful for the selection of embryos for early embryo transfer.
Objective: To investigate the influence of zinc on the generation of motility. Design: Prospectiv... more Objective: To investigate the influence of zinc on the generation of motility. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Outpatient clinic of the Center of Dermatology and Andrology. Patient(s): Seventy-three patients and 10 sperm donors. Intervention(s): Motile spermatozoa were isolated by swim-up and incubated for 1, 2, 4 or 6 hours with DL-penicillamine, 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-sulfonate, and meso-2,3-dimercapto-succinimic acid at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 mol/L. Main Outcome Measure(s): Motility was analyzed by means of computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Result(s): Significant dose-dependent changes in nonlinear motility, progressive motility, and velocity straight line (VSL) were observed. After only 1 hour of incubation, nonlinear motility decreased, and progressive motility and VSL increased. The percentage of immotile spermatozoa was not affected. Timedependent changes in motility were observed on a significantly higher or lower level as compared to the control. Comparing the chelators after 2 hours revealed that DL-penicillamine showed the strongest effect on the sperm. Conclusion(s): The results imply that chelators can eliminate at least some part of the zinc from the flagellum. This zinc elimination appears to lead to comparable changes of the outer dense fibers as seen in vivo during epididymal maturation, finally resulting in improved motility.
Introduction: Relationship between human papillomavirus infection and chronic prostatitis/chronic... more Introduction: Relationship between human papillomavirus infection and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is not clear in the Indian population. The present study evaluated human papillomavirus infection as a risk factor in the development of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Methods: Patients between the age group of 18 and 50 years, diagnosed with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (Cases) or sexually active asymptomatic men with primary infertility (Controls), were recruited. Recording of the personal and/or family history and National Institute of Health-chronic prostatitis symptom index scoring (pain score, urinary score, and quality-of-life score) was done in all prostatitis patients. Seminal fluids of all study patients were evaluated for genomic sequences of human papillomavirus including oncogenic subtypes human papillomavirus-16 and-18. Results: Study participants were divided in cases (n = 50) and controls (n = 50). The mean age of cases and controls were 30.72 and 32.48 years, respectively. Among the cases, the mean duration of symptoms was 9.98 months and mean total National Institute of Health-chronic prostatitis symptom index scoring score and mean International Prostate Symptom Score were 20.52 and 5.8, respectively. Among cases, 26 (52%) were found positive for human papillomavirus infection compared to only 6 (12%) in control group (risk ratio = 0.43; 95% confidence interval = 0.3-0.62; p < 0.001). Infection with human papillomavirus-16 subtype was significantly associated with patients from cases group (χ 2 = 4.17; risk ratio (confidence interval) (0.39-0.59); p = 0.041). Oncogenic human papillomavirus-18 subtype was not found in any of the group. Conclusion: These observations indicate that infection with human papillomavirus (HPV-16 subtype) can be considered as a risk factor for the development of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in Indian males under the age of 50 years.
Background: Sperm functional tests as an addition to semen analysis have been used to study the f... more Background: Sperm functional tests as an addition to semen analysis have been used to study the fertilization ability of spermatozoa. Besides the usual variability of the seminal analysis an individual variability in the results of functional tests has been recently found. Aim: to evaluate in a three months period, the individual variability of sperm parameters and sperm maturation using the chromatin condensation test and epidydime a-glucosidase (that allows to discriminate obstructive processes). Material and method: The evaluation was carried out in two donors (12 samples) apparently in good health. One of them presented evident semen analysis alterations (donor 1) and the other was considered normal under the WHO standards (donor 2). Results: The averages for donor 1 were: Sperm count 24x106 sperm/ml (range 10-58x106 sperm/ml), morphology 31.8% (range 30-35%), total motility 33% (range 20-42%), sperm maturation 38% (range 28-78%), a-glucosidase 8.65 (U/ml (range 5-10 (U/ml). The averages for donor 2 were: Sperm count 96x106 sperm/ml (range 50-140x106 sperm/ml), morphology 32.2% (range 30-35%), total motility 69% (range 58-78%), sperm maturation 17% (range 7-30%), a-glucosidase 36.9 (U/ml (range 20-82 (U/ml). Conclusions: These results show that significant variations can be found in the sperm parameters and in seminal plasma a-glucosidase; however these variations are generally maintained at the normal or abnormal ranges for each individual, except the sperm morphology that was constant and with low variation in both donors. The determination of the chromatin condensation in the semen analysis gives an additional information about the grade of sperm maturation and would be of great value for differentiating between sperm samples that show similar morphology values. (Rev Med Chile 2000; 128: 483-9)
Laboratories having large testing volumes for male infertility and IVF clinics may acquire more t... more Laboratories having large testing volumes for male infertility and IVF clinics may acquire more than one instrument from the same vendor but of different models or with upgraded software. Although the instrument may be certified by the manufacturer to perform as per specifications listed, very rarely is diagnostic equipment tested for the comparability in their performance with clinical testing guidelines in Andrology and IVF laboratory setting. Differences in the results obtained with various models of the same instrument may differentially categorize a patient as normal or abnormal because of changes in the technical settings of the instrument. There are no guidelines from the "Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988, American College of Pathologists, or Joint Commission on Accreditation Health Care Organization or State Licensing Agencies" on the performance verification following hardware or software upgrades of instruments used in the clinical laboratories for diagnostic purposes. Therefore, the accuracy of the results, even if the same methodology is used, should be established by comparing the performance of two different instruments under identical assay conditions to minimize interassay variability. Before using a new instrument in the clinical laboratory, the concordance of two different models of the same instrument needs INTRODUCTION Male factor accounts for approximately 20% of cases of male infertility. 1 Sperm DNA integrity testing has been proposed to be a test with promising potential to complement standard semen analysis. 2 Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has an adverse effect on fertility and causes failure to conceive, 3 longer time to pregnancy, 4 poor outcome following stimulated intrauterine insemination, 5,6 impaired embryo development, 7 higher miscarriage rates, 8 and increased pregnancy loss after both in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. 9 Furthermore, it may have far-reaching consequences for reproductive outcome. Although all SDF tests currently suffer from the common pitfall that the nature and type of DNA damage are unclear, numerous studies have illustrated the prognostic value of SDF tests irrespective of the testing method used. 10,11 In spite of the above data, separate reports from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Practice Committee (2008), 12 the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, 13 and the British Fertility Society 14 have all concluded that, at the present time, there is insufficient evidence for sperm DNA testing to be introduced as part of clinical laboratory work-up with the need for further research being identified.
The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) on human sperm functions and integri... more The effects of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) on human sperm functions and integrity was studied in vitro. Semen was obtained by masturbation after 3-5 days' abstinence from 34 healthy donors in Western Cape, South Africa. Liquefied semen was washed in human tubular fluid supplemented with 1% bovine serum albumin (HTF-BSA;1:5) with 10 min centrifugation at 300 g. Sperm suspensions were subsequently incubated with MO extract (0.625, 6.25, 62.5 and 625 µg/ ml) for 1 hr, where HTF-BSA served as control. Sperm motility, vitality, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential, capacitation and acrosome reaction were assessed. Sperm motility, vitality, mitochondrial membrane potential and capacitation remained unchanged (p > .05). A dose-dependent decrease in sperm reactive oxygen species production (p < .0001), DNA fragmentation (p < .0001) and acrosome reaction (p < .001) was observed. An increase in the percentage of non-capacitated sperm (p < .01) was noted at 625 µg/ ml. The antioxidant properties of MO actively maintained basic sperm functions, inhibited excess sperm free superoxide production and preserved acrosome reaction and DNA integrity. Further studies are needed to confirm the effect of aqueous MO leaf extract on fertility potential.
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the development of ... more The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the development of adequate vaccines. Despite vaccines being demonstrated to be safe and effective for preventing severe disease and death, vaccine hesitancy remains. Reasons include concerns over adverse effects on male fertility, which have not been widely investigated. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on semen parameters in a retrospective cohort study of South African males undergoing fertility assessment. The patients for this study were adult men who have previously undergone routine semen analysis for fertility assessment at Androcryos Andrology Laboratory (Johannesburg, South Africa) between March 2021 and March 2022. They also received vaccination within 3 months following a semen analysis and underwent a second semen analysis any time post-COVID-19 vaccination. From 277 records analysed, 46 patients met the inclusion criteria, receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b1) (63%), Johnson and Johnson (JNJ-78436735/Ad26.COV2S) (34.8%), and the AstraZeneca (AZD1222) (2.2%) vaccines. Sperm concentration significantly increased postvaccination (P = 0:0001), with no significant changes in semen pH, volume, total sperm count, progressive motility, normal sperm morphology, or chromatin condensation. Results were not influenced by age, type of vaccine received, and the number of days following vaccination, as depicted by multiple regression analysis. In conclusion, there is no evidence of a negative impact of COVID-19 vaccination on male semen parameters, which is consistent with the emerging literature on COVID-19 vaccination and male fertility. COVID-19 vaccinations should not be dismissed based on fear of adverse effects on male fertility parameters.
Introduction: Metabolic Age (MetAge) and body composition analysis may reflect an individual's me... more Introduction: Metabolic Age (MetAge) and body composition analysis may reflect an individual's metabolic status, which is believed to influence male sexual and gonadal functions. Although erectile dysfunction (ED) and hypogonadism are increasingly prevalent with age, they are also detected among younger men. This study aims to assess the impact of MetAge and body composition on male sexual and gonadal status overall, and particularly in men younger than 40 years of age. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 90 male healthcare workers, between the ages of 18-55, randomly selected based on their corporation numbers. In addition to Bioelectric Impedance Analysis, subjects were requested to fill the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF-5) and to provide an early morning serum testosterone (T) sample. Results: The mean participants' age was 39.4 ± 9.4 years, MetAge was 45.54 ± 10.35 years, serum T level was 13.68 ± 4.49 nmol/L and BMI was 28.8 ± 4.7 kg/m 2. Significant negative correlations were obtained between serum T, MetAge, body weight and fat composition. Significant negative correlations between the IIEF-5 score, MetAge, and fat composition, were only reported in subjects <40 years of age. Significantly lower T levels (p=0.002), significantly older MetAge (p=0.034), and higher BMI (p=0.044) and degree of obesity (p=0.042) were observed in participants <40 years with erectile dysfunction (ED) compared to their counterparts without ED. Discussion: MetAge and body composition parameters significantly impact the androgenic state. ED in men <40 years is associated with lower T levels, older MetAge and higher BMI and degree of obesity.
ability to support mouse blastocyst development, cell differentiation (inner cell mass (ICM) and ... more ability to support mouse blastocyst development, cell differentiation (inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE)), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, as well as blastocyst implantation potential and subsequent fetal development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo matured oocytes were obtained from outbred CF1 mice and subsequently fertilized in vitro. Zygotes were randomly assigned to sequential embryo culture medium containing AlbIX (2.5mg/ml), Vitrolife HSA (5.0 mg/ml), or GroPro (5.0 mg/ml) (4 replicates, n¼525). After 112h of culture, development was assessed and blastocysts were either fixed and immunostained to visualize ICM and TE cells (n¼153), or flash frozen individually to determine mtDNA copy number using qPCR relative to genomic DNA (n¼30). D3.5 blastocysts cultured in Vitrolife HSA and GroPro were surgically transferred into recipients (n¼258). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Pearson's Chi-Square (ET results); significance was determined at p<0.05. RESULTS: There were no differences in blastocyst development (AlbIX 52.0% AE 6.5%, Vitrolife HSA 57.3% AE 5.3%, GroPro 69.0% AE 1.6%) or hatching (AlbIX 47.4% AE 5.4%, Vitrolife HSA 50.0% AE 3.9%, GroPro 58.1% AE 1.6%) between treatments. Embryos cultured in Vitrolife HSA contained significantly (p<0.01) more TE cells and total cells, while embryos cultured in AlbIX contained significantly (p<0.05) less ICM cells compared to every other treatment; the ratio of ICM to TE was not different between treatments. There was significantly lower relative mtDNA copy number in embryos cultured in AlbIX compared to embryos cultured in GroPro (p<0.05). No difference in implantation potential (Vitrolife HSA 51%, GroPro 57%) or fetal development (Vitrolife HSA 28%, GroPro 22%) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that in the mouse, additional antioxidants, growth factors and fatty acids do not provide any additional benefit over HSA alone, although they are not detrimental to embryo development or quality. This novel protein supplement may be a viable alternative for the culture of human embryos, in which complex protein supplements such as SPS and SSS support better blastocyst development than HSA alone. SUPPORT: None.
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Papers by Ralf Henkel