scholarly journals Correlation between Sperm Parameters and Protein Expression of Antioxidative Defense Enzymes in Seminal Plasma: A Pilot Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biljana Macanovic ◽  
Milica Vucetic ◽  
Aleksandra Jankovic ◽  
Ana Stancic ◽  
Biljana Buzadzic ◽  
...  

Background. Semen analysis is the cornerstone in the evaluation of male (in)fertility. However, there are men with normal semen tests but with impaired fertilizing ability, as well as fertile men with poor sperm characteristics. Thus, there is rising interest to find novel parameters that will help to predict and define the functional capacity of spermatozoa.Methods. We examined whether there is a correlation between semen parameters (count, progressive motility, and morphology) and protein expression/activity of antioxidative defense enzymes in seminal plasma from 10 normospermic subjects.Results. Sperm progressive motility was in positive correlation with seminal plasma protein expression of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms (MnSOD and CuZnSOD) and catalase. Also, positive correlation was observed between sperm count and MnSOD protein expression, as well as between sperm morphology and protein expression of catalase in seminal plasma. In contrast, protein expression of glutathione peroxidase was not in correlation with any sperm parameter, while its activity negatively correlated with sperm morphology and motility.Conclusions. These data suggest that evaluation of protein expression of antioxidative defense enzymes in seminal plasma might be of importance in the evaluation of male fertility status and that could be used as an additional biomarker along with classic semen analysis in assessment of semen quality.

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Parveen Fatima ◽  
Nurjahan Begum ◽  
Shakeela Lshrat ◽  
Jesmin Banu ◽  
Shaheen Ara Anwary ◽  
...  

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Inferile males have been shown to have lower levels of seminal plasma zinc which have been associated with reduced levels of zinc in their blood. Supplementation improve semen parameters by improving zinc level in blood. </p><p><strong>Objective:</strong> To fnd out whether zinc supplementation is effective in improving semen parameters in oligo­asthenozoospermic patients.</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> The study was carried out in the Infertility unit of the Dept of Obs &amp; Gynae, BSMMU during the period of March 2011 to February 2012. Seventy five oligo-asthenozoospermic patients having no history of medical treatment were recruited for the study. The patients were divided into two groups by odd and even numbers. Odd numbers received tablet zinc 20 mg twice daily (Group A) and even numbers received placebo (Group B).Serum zinc level and seminal zinc level estimation were done by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectropho­tometry and semen analysis was done according to WHO guidelines (1999). Data analysis was done using software SPSS (version 16) by applying ANOVA (PostHock) and Paired Student's 't' test.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Serum zinc level was low in oligo­zoospermic patients which showed significant improvement with zinc supplementation (A+ 197.83 mmol/1, P&lt;0.01). Mean (±SD) seminal plasma zinc level showed significant improvement in group A following zinc supplementation (+942.39 mmol/L, P&lt;0.001). The mean increase in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm rapid linear motility, sperm morphology in group A following zinc supplementation for 12 weeks was 14.83 million/ml (P&lt;0.01), 16.30% (P&lt;0.01), 11.96% (P&lt;0.01), 4.26% (P&lt;0.001) respectively, which was statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The study shows zinc deficiency affects sperm count, sperm motility, rapid linear motility and sperm morphology and with zinc supplementa­tion there can be significant improvement in semen parameters.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Antinozzi ◽  
Marco Lista ◽  
Luisa Caponecchia ◽  
Pietro Salacone ◽  
Carlo Minganti ◽  
...  

ObjectivesEvaluating the relationship between circulating metabolic biomarkers and semen parameters in obese, overweight and normal-weight patients.MethodsPatients were recruited at the “Andrology and Pathophysiology of Reproduction Unit”, in Santa Maria Goretti Hospital. Divided into three groups were 98 participants (obese, overweight and normal-weight patients) according to BMI and were analyzed for three adipokines and six hormone peptides in blood serum and seminal plasma using Luminex assay. Standard semen analysis was performed for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, morphology and leukocytes.ResultsIn all groups of subjects, we observed a higher concentration of blood serum c-peptide, GIP, PAI-1, leptin, ghrelin and GLP-1 in comparison to seminal plasma; differently, higher levels in seminal plasma were observed for insulin and visfatin. In comparison to the non-obese subjects, obese subjects showed a higher blood serum concentration of c-peptide, GLP-1, GIP and leptin and a higher concentration of seminal plasma of GIP and insulin. Total sperm count, progressive motility, motility, and atypical forms directly correlated with PAI-1 and visfatin, whereas GLP-1 directly correlated only with total progressive motility.ConclusionObese men showed a different pattern of blood serum and seminal plasma adipokines and hormone peptides concentrations in comparison to normal-weight men. Furthermore, these molecules correlated with functional seminal parameters. Our findings support the option to consider these molecules as new biomarkers and pharmacological targets for a new therapeutic approach in male infertility. However, further studies identifying other potential biomarkers of male infertility with important clinical implication and characterizing their mechanisms of action are mandatory.


QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H M A Saleh ◽  
A A Afify ◽  
W A Ahmed ◽  
M S Daruish

Abstract Introduction a varicocele is an abnormally dilated pampiniform plexus of veins. Hyperthermia, oxidative stress, and elevated apoptotic index have been described in men with variocele and infertility. Clusterin (Clu) is a chaperone-like glycoprotein which is synthesized by Sertoli cells in high concentrations and is deposited onto the membranes of and mature spermatozoa, giving rise to the possibility that it has a role in sperm development. Secreted form of clusterin is a powerful anti-apoptotic. Aim To explore clusterin level in seminal plasma of infertile men with varicocele in comparison to normal healthy fertile subjects and to compare the seminal plasma clusterin level before and after varicocelectomy Methods The study included 25 patients suffering from varicocele with infertility (whether primary or secondary) for 12 months, and 10 healthy volunteers of matched age and sex as control. For all the patients Sub-inguinal varicocelectomy was done. Semen analysis, and seminal plasma clusterin assay were carried out before and three months after varicocelectomy. Results there was a statistically significant difference between patients and controls as regards sperm count, progressive motility, and seminal plasma clusterin (P &lt; 0.01). Three months after varicocelectomy, the sperm count had a highly significant improvement in the patient’s group (Mean= 17.90 + 8.86) compared to a preoperative count (Mean= 11.43 + 7.56). There was a highly significant improvement in post-operative progressive motility in the patient’s group (Mean= 34.5 + 20.2) compared to a preoperative progressive motility (Mean= 22.05 + 15.5). Post-operative clusterin showed a highly significant elevation in the patient’s group postoperative (Mean= 10.73 + 4.5) compared to a preoperative clusterin (Mean= 6.68 + 3.8). Conclusion Based on our study we could suggest another way of contribution of varicocele to male infertility by affecting seminal plasma clusterin level.


Author(s):  
Haytham M. Nasser ◽  
Ahmed Hussein ◽  
Gad M. Behairy ◽  
Mostafa Abdo

Abstract Background Varicocele is an abnormally dilated pampiniform plexus of the veins within the spermatic cord and is considered the most common correctable cause of male factor infertility. Many approaches are described for treatment either surgical (tradition inguinal, subinguinal, and laparoscopic) or non-surgical percutaneous embolization. During the period from August 2017 to December 2018, we prospectively analyzed the preoperative and post-operative alteration of semen parameters (at 3 and 9 months) of the data collected from 63 patients with clinically evident varicocele referred to our tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1, thirty-three patients who underwent subinguinal microsurgical ligation, and group 2, thirty patients who underwent percutaneous embolization. Results Sixty-three patients enrolled in this study were divided in two groups: group 1, patients who underwent surgery, and group 2, patients who underwent embolization; the mean age is 24.6 ± 1.27 years in group 1 and 23.7 ± 2 years in group 2; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards BMI, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. Bilaterality was present in 15.2% of group 1 patients and 10% in group 2 patients (P value 0.06). Most of the patients were classified as grades 2 and 3 with no statistical significance regarding severity of the disease. Preoperative semen parameters for patients including sperm count, motility, and abnormal forms showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Post-intervention semen analysis was done twice during follow-up after 3 months and 9 months from the date of intervention. After 3 months, the semen parameters were improved in both groups in spite of the higher sperm count in group 2 but with no statistical significance. After 9 months follow-up, semen analysis showed persistent increase in sperm mobility in group 1 patients in comparison to group 2 patients. Both groups had better improvement in count of normal form with no statistical significant change. Conclusion Improvement of semen parameters while treating primary varicocele by either subinguinal microsurgery approach or percutaneous embolization shows equivalent outcomes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
ZU Naher ◽  
SK Biswas ◽  
FH Mollah ◽  
M Ali ◽  
MI Arslan

Infertility is a worldwide problem and in almost 50% of cases infertility results from abnormality of the male partners. Apart from endocrine disorders, definitive cause and mechanism of male infertility is not clear in many cases. Recent evidence indicates that imbalance between pro-oxidant stress and antioxidant defense plays an important role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Among the endogenous antioxidant systems, reduced glutathione (GSH) plays a significant role in the antioxidant defense of the spermatogenic epithelium, the epididymis and perhaps in the ejaculated spermatozoa. The current study was therefore designed to evaluate any association that may exist between GSH levels and male infertility. Infertile male patients (having female partners with normal fertility parameters; n=31) and age- matched healthy male fertile control subjects (n=30) were included in this study. In addition to medical history, semen analyses including semen volume, sperm count, motility and morphology were done for each subject. As a measure of antioxidant capacity erythrocyte and seminal plasma GSH concentrations were measured by Ellman's method in fertile and infertile male subjects. The infertile subjects were similar to fertile subjects in terms of age. However, semen volume and sperm count was found significantly lower (p<0.001) in infertile males compared with healthy fertile male subjects. Percentage of subjects with abnormal sperm morphology and motility were found higher in infertile group compared with fertile group. The median (range) erythrocyte GSH level did not differ between the two groups (12.62 (0.67-29.82) versus 13.93 (2.10-21.08) mg/gm Hb). However, the seminal plasma GSH level was found markedly suppressed in infertile group (1.64 (0.23-7.50)) compared with fertile group (4.26 (2.32-7.50)) mg/dl (p<0.001). In the present study seminal plasma GSH level was found markedly suppressed along with abnormal values for semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm morphology and motility in infertile subjects compared with fertile subjects. This finding indicates that low level of seminal plasma GSH level may be associated with male infertility. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v4i2.13772 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2011; 4(2): 20-25


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 234-241
Author(s):  
HENRY. A. MWAKYOMA ◽  
ERICK. P. MAGOROSA

Background: Male infertility is a frequent reproductive health problem in the world. It is usually related to abnormal spermproduction or function and these abnormalities can occur anywhere in the production of sperm including hormonal regulation, storage andtransport of sperm. Various factors are known to be responsible for seminal fluid abnormalities. Usually the first step in evaluating for maleinfertility is semen analysis. Setting: The study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital mainly in the department of Pathology laboratory,cytology unit. Study design: The study was a hospital based cross-sectional type. Objective: To determine semen pH in patients presenting withinfertility complains and relate how pH of seminal fluid and other semen parameters influence each other. Material and methods: Beforesemen collection, patients were instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse for a minimum of 48 hours to 7 days and collect semen bymasturbation and transport it to the laboratory through shirt pocket. Semen was to reach the laboratory for examination in not more than onehour from time of collection. Semen was examined macroscopically for volume, colour, viscosity and pH by using a pH meter (Consort C830)followed by microscopic examination which included motility of spermatozoa and sperm count by using Neuber counting chamber. The smearwas made on glass slides, fixed in 95% ethyl alcohol for 30 minutes then stained by using Papanicolaou’s staining technique and then analyzedmicroscopically for morphological examination. Results: In the analysis of the influence of semen parameters on semen pH, there wasdecrease in seminal fluid pH with age whereby as age increased the pH of seminal fluid decreased.. The general trend observed was that thepH of seminal fluid tended to decrease with an increase in the days of abstinence. pH tended to decrease with an increase of seminal fluidvolume. The pH of seminal fluid also increased with an increase in viscosity (Hyperviscosity >Hypoviscosity). The pH of seminal fluid in patientswith less than 50% forward progressive movement of spermatozoa was higher when compared to those with more than 50% forwardprogressive movement. pH had an influence on the motility of spermatozoa. Conclusions and recommendation: pH and other parameterstended to have an influence each other during seminal analysis in our study. There is a variation of pH in different parts of the World according tothe studies done. It is recommended that pH should be included during seminal analysis because our study has shown that it affects most of theseminal fluid parameters in and contribute to the problem of infertility.


Author(s):  
W. N. Li ◽  
M. M. Jia ◽  
Y. Q. Peng ◽  
R. Ding ◽  
L. Q. Fan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to provide information on the semen quality pattern of infertile men and age thresholds for semen parameters in China. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study investigating 71,623 infertile men from the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC Xiangya in Hunan, China, from 2011 to 2017. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Kendall test, linear regression model and joinpoint regression were used. Results Although erratic changes were observed in the median semen parameters (sperm concentration 40.1–52.1 × 106/ml, total sperm count 117.8–153.1 × 106, sperm progressive motility 33.4–38.1%) during the 7 years of observation, no significant decrease in semen quality was found, and 47.88% of infertile men showed normal semen parameters according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. According to the joinpoint regression analysis, sperm progressive motility appeared to decrease earlier than the sperm concentration and total sperm count (at 28, 58, and 42 years of age, respectively). Conclusions There is no evidence of a deterioration in semen quality among infertile men in Hunan, China. Semen parameters decreased with increasing age, with turning points noted at different ages. Semen parameters are not absolute evidence for the assessment of male fertility potential. Therefore, we believe that, among semen parameters, the sperm concentration is the best predictor of fertility for ART, followed by motility. Decreased sperm motility may affect natural pregnancy, but it is not necessary for successful IVF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosita A. Condorelli ◽  
Aldo E. Calogero ◽  
Giorgio I. Russo ◽  
Sandro La Vignera

The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate whether infertile patients may benefit from the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters in addition to the conventional semen analysis. To accomplish this, we evaluated the correlation between conventional and bio-functional sperm parameters based on their percentile distribution in search of a potential threshold of these latter that associates with conventional sperm parameter abnormalities. The study was conducted on 577 unselected patients with infertility lasting at least 12 months. We identified cut-off values according to the median of the population for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), number of alive spermatozoa, and chromatin abnormality. High MMP (HMMP) (≥46.25%) was associated with sperm concentration, sperm count, progressive motility, and normal form. Low MMP (LMMP) (≥36.5%) was found to be associated with semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, and normal form. The number of alive spermatozoa (≥71.7%) was associated with sperm concentration and progressive motility whereas abnormal chromatin compactness (≥21.10%) was associated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, and progressive motility. The data would suggest that, for every increase in the percentile category of sperm concentration, the risk of finding an HMMP≤46.25 is reduced by 0.4 and by 0.66 for a total sperm count. This risk is also reduced by 0.60 for every increase in the percentile category of sperm progressive motility and by 0.71 for total sperm motility. Each increment of percentile category of the following sperm parameter was followed by a decrease in the risk of finding an LMMP≤36.5: sperm concentration 1.66, total sperm count 1.28, sperm progressive motility 1.27, total sperm motility 1.76, and normal form 1.73. Lastly, the data showed that, for every increase in the percentile category of total sperm count, the risk of finding an abnormal chromatin compactness ≤21.10 is reduced by 1.25 (1.04–1.51, p < 0.05) and an increase of total sperm motility is associated with a reduced risk by 1.44 (1.12–1.85, p < 0.05). Results suggest a correlation between bio-functional and conventional sperm parameters that impact the sperm fertilizing potential. Therefore, the evaluation of bio-functional sperm parameters by flow cytometry may be useful to explain some cases of idiopathic male infertility.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 882-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
María F García ◽  
Romina Nuñez Favre ◽  
María C Stornelli ◽  
Ramiro Rearte ◽  
María C García Mitacek ◽  
...  

Objectives The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between specific seminal plasma components – cholesterol (CHOL), triacylglycerols (TAG) and total protein (PROT) concentrations – and semen quality in cats. A further aim was to determine the relationship between specific seminal protein bands and semen quality. Methods Thirteen toms, 2–5 years of age, were included. Semen collection was performed by electroejaculation every 4 weeks. Fifty-eight ejaculates were assessed for motility, velocity, volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology. Samples were divided into two groups: good semen quality (GSQ) and poor semen quality (PSQ). After evaluation, seminal plasma was separated from the sperm by centrifugation and stored at −20°C. CHOL, TAG and PROT concentrations were then assessed and seminal plasma protein profile was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results Seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations, motility, velocity, sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm morphology were significantly higher in GSQ cats compared with PSQ cats ( P <0.01). Moreover, seminal plasma SDS-PAGE analysis showed an identifiable extra band exclusively in the GSQ group. Conclusions and relevance Data obtained in this study showed that seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations and specific protein bands could be used to improve semen evaluation in toms. In this sense, the 14 kDa protein band could be a valuable marker for semen quality in the cat and should be further investigated. However, more studies are necessary to determine its relationship with fertility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazaleh Eslamian ◽  
Naser Amirjannati ◽  
Nazanin Noori ◽  
Mohammad-Reza Sadeghi ◽  
Azita Hekmatdoost

ABSTRACT Background It is unknown which compounds in spermatozoa or seminal plasma may be involved in the regulation of sperm motility. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DHA (22:6n–3), vitamin E, and their probable interactions in men with asthenozoospermia. Methods A factorial, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in infertility clinics in Tehran, Iran. The participants were idiopathic asthenozoospermic men aged 20–45 y, with normal endocrine function. Their concentration of spermatozoa and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were equal to or above the lower reference limits, according to the fifth edition of the WHO guideline. Out of 717 men referred to the infertility clinics, 180 asthenozoospermic men were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups according to stratified blocked randomization by age and sperm concentration. Participants took daily 465 mg DHA plus 600 IU vitamin E (DE), 465 mg DHA plus placebo (DP), 600 IU vitamin E plus placebo (EP), or both placebo capsules (PP) for 12 wk. Sperm characteristics, oxidative stress of seminal plasma, serum and sperm membrane fatty acids, dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements, and physical activity were measured at baseline and after 12 wk. Results After the intervention, mean ± SD sperm progressive motility was greater in the DE group (27.9 ± 2.8) than in the DP (25.7 ± 3.4), EP (26.1 ± 2.8), and PP (25.8 ± 2.6) groups (P &lt; 0.05). Sperm count (P = 0.001) and concentration (P = 0.044) increased significantly in the DE group compared with the other 3 groups, whereas other semen parameters were not significantly different between the groups after the intervention. Serum concentrations of n–3 PUFAs were significantly higher in the DE and DP groups than in the EP and PP groups. Conclusions Combined DHA and vitamin E supplements led to increased sperm motility; however, no significant changes occurred in sperm morphology and vitality in asthenozoospermic men. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01846325.


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