Effects of virtual reality erotica on ejaculate quality of sperm donors: a balanced and randomized controlled cross-over within-subjects trial

Background Previous research has shown that the type and duration of erotic material that men have access to during masturbation can influence semen parameters. To our knowledge, the use of virtual reality (VR) headsets to present erotica has not previously been studied. We reasoned that, because VR can provide a more immersive experience to the user, semen parameters of masturbatory ejaculates may be altered. Methods This study had a balanced and randomized controlled cross-over within-subjects design. 504 ejaculates were collected from 63 sperm donors at 4 locations in Denmark. During masturbation each donor was instructed to observe erotic material either on a touch screen monitor or using a VR headset. The order of each pair of within-subject treatments was randomized by the throw of a dice. Anonymized data were analysed with linear mixed and piecewise structural equation models. Results Both abstinence period and VR-use influenced the total number of motile spermatozoa ejaculated. For short abstinence periods, VR-use increased the number of motile sperm in the ejaculate. However, the difference between VR and non-VR ejaculates decreased as abstinence period increased such that there was no difference at the mean abstinence period of 58 h. For longer abstinence periods, total motile sperm counts were lower, on average, when men used VR compared to those that did not. Conclusion The use of VR headsets to view erotica had a strong positive effect on the number of motile sperm in an ejaculate when the donor’s abstinence time was short (< 24 h). VR-use could improve the ejaculate quality of men who are asked to provide samples after a short period of abstinence, such as men in infertile partnerships producing samples for ART or cancer patients depositing sperm before treatment

Cross-border-assisted reproduction: a qualitative account of UK travellers’ experiences

Surveys on patients’ experiences of cross-border fertility treatment have reported a range of positive and challenging features. However, the number of such studies is limited, and there is no detailed qualitative account of the experiences of UK patients who travel overseas for fertility treatment. The present study used a cross-sectional, qualitative design and in-depth interviews. Fifty-one participants (41 women and 10 men, representing 41 treatment ‘cases’) participated in semi-structured interviews. The experiences reported were broadly positive with a large proportion of participants (39 cases, 95%) citing a favourable overall experience with only two cases (5%) reporting a more negative experience. Thematic analysis revealed 6 major categories and 20 sub-categories, which described the positive and challenging aspects of cross-border fertility travel. The positive aspects were represented by the categories: ‘access’, ‘control’ and ‘care and respect’. The more challenging aspects were categorized as ‘logistics and coordination of care’, ‘uncertainty’ and ‘cultural dissonance’. The study confirms findings from others that despite some challenges, there is a relatively high level of patient satisfaction with cross-border treatment with participants able to extend the boundaries of their fertility-seeking trajectories and in some cases, regain a sense of control over their treatment

Hyaluronic Acid Binding Sperm Selection for assisted reproduction treatment (HABSelect): Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

© Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited.Introduction The selection of a sperm with good genomic integrity is an important consideration for improving intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome. Current convention selects sperm by vigour and morphology, but preliminary evidence suggests selection based on hyaluronic acid binding may be beneficial. The aim of the Hyaluronic Acid Binding Sperm Selection (HABSelect) trial is to determine the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA)-selection of sperm versus conventionally selected sperm prior to ICSI on live birth rate (LBR). The mechanistic aim is to assess whether and how the chromatin state of HA-selected sperm corresponds with clinical outcomes - clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), LBR and pregnancy loss (PL). Methods and analysis Couples attending UK Centres will be approached, eligibility screening performed and informed consent sought. Randomisation will occur within 24 hours prior to ICSI treatment. Participants will be randomly allocated 1:1 to the intervention arm (physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection, PICSI) versus the control arm using conventional methods (ICSI). The primary clinical outcome is LBR ≥37 weeks' gestation with the mechanistic study determining LBR's relationship with sperm DNA integrity. Secondary outcomes will determine this for CPR and PL. Only embryologists performing the procedure will be aware of the treatment allocation. Steps will be taken to militate against biases arising from embryologists being non-blinded. Randomisation will use a minimisation algorithm to balance for key prognostic variables. The trial is powered to detect a 5% difference (24-29%: p=0.05) in LBR ≥37 weeks' gestation. Selected residual sperm samples will be tested by one or more assays of DNA integrity. Ethics and dissemination HABSelect is a UK NIHR-EME funded study (reg no 11/14/34; IRAS REF. 13/YH/0162). The trial was designed in partnership with patient and public involvement to help maximise patient benefits. Trial findings will be reported as per CONSORT guidelines and will be made available in lay language via the trial web site (http://www.habselect.org.uk/). Trial registration number ISRCTN99214271; Pre-results

‘What are you going to do, confiscate their passports?’ Professional perspectives on cross-border reproductive travel

Objective: This article reports findings from a UK-based study which explored the phenomenon of overseas travel for fertility treatment. The first phase of this project aimed to explore how infertility clinicians and others professionally involved in fertility treatment understand the nature and consequences of cross-border reproductive travel. Background: There are indications that, for a variety of reasons, people from the UK are increasingly travelling across national borders to access assisted reproductive technologies. While research with patients is growing, little is known about how ‘fertility tourism’ is perceived by health professionals and others with a close association with infertility patients. Methods: Using an interpretivist approach, this exploratory research included focussed discussions with 20 people professionally knowledgeable about patients who had either been abroad or were considering having treatment outside the UK. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to a thematic analysis. Results: Three conceptual categories are developed from the data: ‘the autonomous patient’; ‘cross-border travel as risk’, and ‘professional responsibilities in harm minimisation’. Professionals construct nuanced, complex and sometimes contradictory narratives of the ‘fertility traveller’, as vulnerable and knowledgeable; as engaged in risky behaviour and in its active minimisation. Conclusions: There is little support for the suggestion that states should seek to prevent cross-border treatment. Rather, an argument is made for less direct strategies to safeguard patient interests. Further research is required to assess the impact of professional views and actions on patient choices and patient experiences of treatment, before, during and after travelling abroad

Whole, half and peak running demands during club and international youth rugby league match-play

Objectives: To quantify, and compare, the whole- half- and peak-match running demands of professional club and international under-16 rugby league match-play. Methods: Four professional Club (n = 30) and two International (n = 23) under-16 matches were analysed using 10-Hz micro-technology units, with players analysed according to positional groups. Absolute (m) and relative (RD; m.min–1) total, high speed (>5 m·s–1; HSR) and sprint (>7 m·s–1) distance were analysed for whole- and half-match alongside maximum velocity (VMAX; m.s–1). Peak running demands were determined via moving averages of RD for 10, 30, and 60- to 600-seconds. Results: International forwards had most likely higher whole match relative sprint and VMAX, and 1st half RD than club level, and had very likely higher peak running demands at 60-, 180- and 600-second durations. For backs, whole game RD was most likely higher and total and sprint distance was likely higher at club level matches. Peak RD was also very likely higher for club backs at 10- and 60-seconds. Conclusions: The running demand differences between club and international level at the under-16 age group are position dependent, with greater running demands at club level match play for backs, but at the international level of forwards

A randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of lactolycopene on semen quality in healthy males

Purpose Poor sperm quality is a major contributor to infertility in heterosexual couples, but at present there are few empirical therapies. Several studies have examined the role of dietary factors and data from randomized controlled trials suggest that oral antioxidant therapy can improve some sperm parameters. Health benefits of lycopene supplementation have been proposed for a variety of health conditions and here we examine whether it can help improve sperm quality. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 14 mg daily lactolycopene for 12 weeks on semen quality in healthy men. Methods Sixty healthy male participants were recruited and randomized to this double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study and received either 14 mg/d lactolycopene or a placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was a change in motile sperm concentration. Secondary endpoints were all other aspects of sperm quality, including the level of sperm DNA damage. Results Fifty-six men completed the intervention and the level of plasma lycopene was significantly increased in the men randomized to receive lycopene supplementation. There was no significant change in the primary endpoint (motile sperm concentration) post-intervention (p = 0.058). However, the proportion of fast progressive sperm (p = 0.006) and sperm with normal morphology (p < 0.001) did improve significantly in response to lactolycopene intervention. Conclusions Supplementation with 14 mg/d lactolycopene improves sperm motility and morphology in young healthy men

Specification and design for Full Energy Beam Exploitation of the Compact Linear Accelerator for Research and Applications

The Compact Linear Accelerator for Research and Applications (CLARA) is a 250 MeV ultrabright electron beam test facility at STFC Daresbury Laboratory. A user beam line has been designed to maximise exploitation of CLARA in a variety of fields, including novel acceleration and new modalities of radiotherapy. In this paper we present the specification and design of this beam line for Full Energy Beam Exploitation (FEBE). We outline the key elements which provide users to access ultrashort, low emittance electron bunches in two large experiment chambers. The results of start-to-end simulations are reported which verify the expected beam parameters delivered to these chambers. Key technical systems are detailed, including those which facilitate combination of electron bunches with high power laser pulses.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figure

Establishment and phenotyping of neurosphere cultures from primary neuroblastoma samples

Background: Primary cell culture using serum free media supplemented with growth factors has been used in a number of cancers to propagate primary cells with stem like properties, which form as spherical cellular aggregates. Methods: We systematically evaluated the capacity of freshly disaggregated neuroblastoma tumors to become established as neurospheres in stem cell media using a uniform protocol. 67 primary neuroblastoma samples from patients treated at a single institution were prospectively evaluated for their ability to become established in culture. Samples, either solid tissue or cells from surgical transit fluid both post chemotherapy and chemotherapy naïve, were evaluated from diagnostic needle biopsies or surgical resections. Results: Overall 37 neurosphere cultures were successfully established from 67 samples. In 11 out of 14 cases investigated by flow cytometry, uniform staining for neuroblastoma markers CD56 and GD2 was demonstrated in CD45 negative non-hemopoietic cells, confirming neuroblastoma origin. Conclusion: We present a simple and reproducible approach for producing primary neurospheres from neuroblastoma samples, which provides a reliable resource for future work including genetic analysis, stem cell research and models for therapeutics