Comparison of zeta potential and physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection in obtaining sperms with a lower DNA fragmentation index: A cross-sectional study

Background: The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is one of the men’s reproductive health criteria that affects assisted reproductive technique outcomes. Efforts in obtaining high-quality mature sperms seem to be necessary. Advanced sperm selection techniques (including physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection [PICSI], zeta potential, microfluidic, etc.) have gained popularity in this regard. Objective: The study aimed to compare the efficacy of zeta potential and PICSI sperm selection in obtaining sperms with better DNA integrity. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 48 couples were enrolled where the male partner had increased sperm DFI in his ejaculated sample and the female was in normal reproductive health. For each male partner, the semen sample was processed with zeta potential and PICSI techniques, then the sperm DFI of neat semen was compared to zeta and PICSI samples by the sperm chromatin dispersion test. Results: Data showed that both the zeta potential and PICSI technique decreased sperm DFI in comparison with the neat semen sample (p < 0.001 for both). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in sperm DFI between the PICSI and zeta potential samples (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The current study showed that both zeta potential and PICSI could result in sperm with a lower DFI. However, PICSI seems to be superior to zeta potential in this regard. Key words: PICSI, ZETA potential, Hyaluronic acid, DNA integrity

Relationship between sperm quality and total fertilization failure in intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro fertilization cycles: A cross-sectional study

Background: Total fertilization failure (TFF) is associated with essential mechanistic and cellular events. Objective: The present study is a comprehensive examination of detrimental effects with well-known assays for predicting TFF in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Materials and Methods: Semen parameters of 90 men, including 60 cases who had experienced IVF/ICSI failure and a control group of 30 individuals, were evaluated. Sperm chromatin/DNA quality assessments were done by aniline blue, toluidine blue, chromomycin A3, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. A lipid hydroperoxide (LPO) kit was used to measure the LPO, and JC1 staining was used to evaluate mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Results: There were statistically significant differences found between the IVF, ICSI and control groups by the toluidine blue (p = 0.01), TUNEL (p = 0.02), and chromomycin A3 (p < 0.001) tests, but not by the aniline blue staining. Furthermore, there was a significant difference regarding LPO concentration and high MMP in cases of IVF fertilization failure compared to the control group (p = 0.04, p = 0.02, respectively). The logistic regression model showed that sperm viability was predictive for fertilization failure in the ICSI group. Sperm chromatin and DNA quality assays were not predictors for TFF in either group. Conclusion: Cellular events such as high DNA fragmentation damage, high levels of reactive oxygen species, and low MMP levels can cause TFF in IVF and ICSI programs. Diagnostic tests, especially in cases with previous fertilization failure, showed significant differences in sperm chromatin and DNA quality between groups but could not predict the risk of TFF. Key words: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, In vitro fertilization, Reactive oxygen species, Chromatin, DNA fragmentation

Success rate and ART outcome of microsurgical sperm extraction in non obstructive azoospermia: A retrospective study

Background: The management of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) disease relies on microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Few studies have assessed the role of micro-TESE in men with NOA in our country. Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the success rate of micro- TESE. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 463 men with NOA in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute during September 2017 through September 2019. Sperm were retrieved and frozen according to the rapid sperm freezing protocol. After preparing the oocyte of the male partner’s spouse, sperms were thawed and then entered the intracytoplasmic sperm injection process. The clinical pregnancy of individuals was confirmed via ultrasound. Demographic data were extracted from medical records. Results: The success rate of micro-TESE was 38% and successful fertilization, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live birth were observed in 111 (85.4%), 29 (22.3%), 29 (22.3%) and 14 (10.7%) men, respectively. A significant difference was seen between the two groups, regarding age (p = 0.01). In addition, the mean follicle-stimulating hormone in men with positive micro-TESE was significantly lower than in men with negative micro-TESE (p = 0.02). Conclusion: The success of pregnancy in couples with NOA managed via micro-TESE was significant. The study found that the success rate of micro-TESE was higher in older men and in those with lower follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Key words: Azoospermia, Fertilization, Microdissection, Testicular

The relationship between major dietary patterns and fertility status in iranian men:a case–control study

In this case–control study, we aimed to investigate the association between major dietary patterns and fertility status in Iranian men. The study population included 400 newly diagnosed infertile men and 537 healthy individuals without a history of infertility in Yazd, Iran. Infertility was confirmed clinically, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Dietary intake was assessed using a 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and dietary patterns were determined based on a principal component analysis. Four major dietary patterns were found in this study, including healthy, Western, mixed, and traditional dietary patterns. After adjustments for potential confounders, men above the median of a healthy dietary pattern showed a reduced risk of infertility compared to those below the median (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.33–0.83). In contrast, men with greater adherence to Western and mixed dietary patterns were more likely to be infertile (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.70–4.17 and OR 2.82; 95% CI 1.75–4.56, respectively). Also, there was no significant association between the traditional dietary pattern and the odds of infertility. The present study suggests that greater adherence to a healthy dietary pattern may have an inverse association with the odds of infertility; however, Western and mixed dietary patterns may be associated with an increased risk of infertility

Does resveratrol affect prepared sperm parameters and chromatin quality in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients before and after freezing? A lab trial study

Background: Previous studies have examined the effect of resveratrol as a potent antioxidant for free radicals in semen. While, the prepared spermatozoa are more affected by ROS factors due to centrifugation and incubation. Objective: To evaluate the RSV’s effects on the prepared sperm parameters and chromatin quality in both normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic cases before and after freezing. Materials and Methods: The sample of 10 normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men was prepared through the swim-up method. The groups were then divided into two samples of control and experimental (exposure to 30 μmol/l of RSV) to evaluate and compare the sperm parameters and chromatin quality before and after freezing. Results: The motility and viability of spermatozoa were seen to be significantly different before and after freezing separately in the control and treatment samples of the groups (p ≤ 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). However, the stated difference between the control and treatment samples of normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients were not significant (p > 0.05). In addition, the sperm morphology and chromatin quality were not significantly different between the two samples of each group; nonetheless, chromatin quality of the treated sample was better than that of the control before and after freezing. Conclusion: Despite the protective effects of RSV on the semen samples, RSV cannot affect significantly the prepared sperms parameters and chromatin quality in normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic patients. Key words: Resveratrol, Chromatin, Motility, Spermatozoa, Freeze

The role of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium in infertile couples.

Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases. Previous work has shown that C. trachomatis IgG antibody is correlated with tubal factor infertility and reduced pregnancy rates. There has been little research on Mycoplasma genitalium and the incidence in infertile couples remains unknown. This study has investigated 250 infertile couples as well as 250 fertile women. The presence of these organisms was detected by polymerase chain reaction and an analysis of serum IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis. Low prevalence of C. trachomatis, low level of concordance within couples and no evidence of M. genitalium was found. Elevation of IL6 and 8 were observed in C. trachomatis positive men and this varied with diagnostic method. Seminal IL-8 was correlated negatively with semen volume and positively with age. Sperm DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) and chromatin structure (AB, AO & CMA3) were not correlated with C. trachomatis infection. TUNEL results correlated negatively with semen volume and the percentage of protamination was related to age. Urethritis was more common in men diagnosed with C. trachomatis by urine DNA. Men who work as drivers were more likely to be positive for IgG. PCOS was more common in women with positive serology for IgM and IgG. C. trachomatis infection in men or women did not affect pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome in either assisted or spontaneous conception. In conclusion, this thesis does not support the hypothesis that there is a strong relationship between C. trachomatis infection and infertility. Nor does it support the idea that C. trachomatis is linked to poor semen quality. Study limitations include the lack of fertile men as control group and difficulties with some methodology. A number of future studies are suggested along with some recommendations of C. trachomatis screening programmes both in Iran and the world