Lack of Association between Genetic Polymorphisms in Enzymes Associated with Folate Metabolism and Unexplained Reduced Sperm Counts

BACKGROUND: The metabolic pathway of folate is thought to influence DNA stability either by inducing single/double stranded breaks or by producing low levels of S-adenosyl-methionine leading to abnormal gene expression and chromosome segregation. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding enzymes in the folate metabolism pathway show distinct geographic and/or ethnic variations and in some cases have been linked to disease. Notably, the gene Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in which the homozygous (TT) state of the polymorphism c.665C>T (p.A222V) is associated with reduced specific activity and increased thermolability of the enzyme causing mild hyperhomocysteinemia. Recently several studies have suggested that men carrying this polymorphism may be at increased risk to develop infertility. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have tested this hypothesis in a case/control study of ethnic French individuals. We examined the incidence of polymorphisms in the genes MTHFR (R68Q, A222V and E429A), Methionine synthase reductase MTRR; (I22M and S175L) and Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS; G307S). The case population consisted of DNA samples from men with unexplained azoospermia (n = 70) or oligozoospermia (n = 182) and the control population consisted of normospermic and fertile men (n = 114). We found no evidence of an association between the incidence of any of these variants and reduced sperm counts. In addition haplotype analysis did not reveal differences between the case and control populations. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We could find no evidence for an association between reduced sperm counts and polymorphisms in enzymes involved in folate metabolism in the French population

Quel rôle pour l'équipe officinale dans l'amélioration de la couverture vaccinale des adolescents et des adultes ?

L une des missions de l équipe officinale est d améliorer la couverture vaccinale de ses patients. Dans le contexte actuel, la crédibilité et l étique de l industrie pharmaceutique sont parfois remises en cause, le développement des médicaments génériques induits la méfiance des patients vis-à-vis des produits qui leur sont délivrés et l on assiste à une augmentation de la demande pour des médecines dites douces ou des produits bio . Cette mission implique donc de développer une nouvelle argumentation et de nouveaux outils pour aider l équipe officinale à répondre aux attentes de ses patients. Après une présentation des problématiques liées à la vaccination des adolescents et des adultes, sont exposés les résultats d études qualitatives et quantitatives répertoriant la majorité des freins et des motivations des patients face à la vaccination à l échelle d une officine. Les résultats obtenus permettent de définir une typologie des patients face à la vaccination ainsi que de développer l argumentation et les services répondant le mieux à leurs attentes. L utilisation de ce nouvel argumentaire et des nouveaux services autour de la vaccination a pour but d augmenter la couverture vaccinale des patients de l officine.CHATENAY M.-PARIS 11-BU Pharma. (920192101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcomes in the context of malignant disease: a systematic review

International audienceAdvances in the oncology field have led to improved survival rates. Consequently, quality of life after remission is anticipated, which includes the possibility to conceive children. Since cancer treatments are potentially gonadotoxic, fertility preservation must be proposed. Male fertility preservation is mainly based on ejaculated sperm cryopreservation. When this is not possible, testicular sperm extraction (TESE) may be planned. To identify situations in which TESE has been beneficial, a systematic review was conducted. The search was carried out on the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CISMeF databases from 1 January 2000 to 19 March 2020. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were followed in selecting items of interest. Thirty-four articles were included in the systematic review, including 15 articles on oncological testicular sperm extraction (oncoTESE), 18 articles on postgonadotoxic treatment TESE and 1 article on both oncoTESE and postgonadotoxic treatment TESE. Testicular sperm freezing was possible for 42.9% to 57.7% of patients before gonadotoxic treatment and for 32.4% to 75.5% of patients after gonadotoxic treatment, depending on the type of malignant disease. Although no formal conclusion could be drawn about the chances to obtain sperm in specific situations, our results suggest that TESE can be proposed before and after gonadotoxic treatment. Before treatment, TESE is more often proposed for men with testicular cancer presenting with azoospermia since TESE can be performed simultaneously with tumor removal or orchiectomy. After chemotherapy, TESE may be planned if the patient presents with persistent azoospermia

Optimization of pre-analytical conditions for measurement of biomarkers in seminal plasma: application to adipokines

International audienceA link between obesity and male infertility, concerning particularly semen quality, has been reported. Indeed, circulating levels of adipokines, bioactive peptides secreted by adipose tissue, are correlated with sperm quality in both animals and humans. In this context, levels of adipokines in seminal plasma could influence sperm function and represent useful biomarkers to evaluate fertility-related physiological and pathophysiological conditions

Proteomic identification of target proteins in normal but nonfertilizing sperm

International audienceObjective: To identify the male molecular causes of failures of IVF (with a deficient binding of spermatozoa to the zona pellucida, without any obvious oocyte anomaly), which are undetected by classical sperm analysis. Design: Case-control prospective study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Proteomic profiles of spermatozoa in patients with a complete failure of fertilization and no spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida were compared with those of controls (men with normal fertilization and cleavage rates after classical IVF for tubal indication). Intervention(s): All samples were analyzed by two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) after being divided into three fractions according to their isoelectric point. Main Outcome Measure(s): Differentially expressed proteins between infertile men and controls were identified by mass spectrometry. Result(s): Seventeen proteins differentially expressed between cases and controls were found. Twelve of these proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, and two may influence gametes interaction: laminin receptor LR67 and L-xylulose reductase (P34H). Conclusion(s): This study shows that 2D-DIGE might be useful in finding potential targets for diagnosis and prognosis of idiopathic infertility in IVF

Syndrome de Klinefelter : qualité des gamètes et spermatogenèse. [Klinefelter syndrome: spermatogenesis and quality of gametes].

International audienceKlinefelter syndrome is defined by the presence of a supernumerary X chromosome in a phenotypic male. It is the most frequent gonosomic anomaly in infertile men with an incidence of 0.1 to 0.2% in newborn males. The presence of an additional X chromosome induces spermatogenic failure but when gametes are present, they are usually normal. The risk of transmission of the chromosomal anomaly remains low. In the literature, only one 47,XXY foetus resulting from more than a hundred births from fathers with Klinefelter syndrome, has been reported. One can estimate, that a TESE performed in half of the patients with non-mosaic 47,XXY will be positive and may enable IVF/ICSI to be achieved

Obesity leads to higher risk of sperm DNA damage in infertile patients

There has been a growing interest over the past few years in the impact of male nutrition on fertility. Infertility has been linked to male overweight or obesity, and conventional semen parameter values seem to be altered in case of high body mass index (BMI). A few studies assessing the impact of BMI on sperm DNA integrity have been published, but they did not lead to a strong consensus. Our objective was to explore further the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and BMI, through a 3-year multicentre study. Three hundred and thirty male partners in subfertile couples were included. Using the terminal uridine nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay, we observed an increased rate of sperm DNA damage in obese men (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.5 (1.2-5.1))

Reproductive functions and fertility preservation in transgender women: a French case series

International audienceResearch questionThe reproductive potential of transgender people may be impaired by gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT) and is obviously suppressed by gender-affirming surgery involving bilateral orchiectomy. The evolution of medical support for transgender people has made fertility preservation strategies possible. Fertility preservation in transgender women mainly relies on sperm cryopreservation. There are few studies on this subject, and the sample sizes are small, and so it difficult to know whether fertility preservation procedures are feasible and effective in trans women.DesignThis retrospective study reports the management of fertility preservation in transgender women referred to the study centre for sperm cryopreservation, and the semen parameters of trans women were compared with those of sperm donors.ResultsNinety-six per cent of transgender women who had not started treatment benefitted from sperm cryopreservation, compared with 80% of those who attempted a therapeutic window and 50% of those receiving hormonal treatment at the time of sperm collection. No major impairment of semen parameters was observed in transgender women who had not started GAHT compared with sperm donors. However, even though the frequency of oligozoospermia was no different, two transgender women presented azoospermia. Some transgender women who had started GAHT could benefit from sperm freezing. None of them were treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues.ConclusionsParenthood strategies for transgender people have long been ignored, but this is an important issue to consider, especially because medical treatments and surgeries may be undertaken in adolescents or very young adults. Fertility preservation should ideally be offered prior to initiation of GAHT