Sperm DNA fragmentation: A new guideline for clinicians

Sperm DNA integrity is crucial for fertilization and development of healthy offspring. The spermatozoon undergoes extensive molecular remodeling of its nucleus during later phases of spermatogenesis, which imparts compaction and protects the genetic content. Testicular (defective maturation and abortive apoptosis) and post-testicular (oxidative stress) mechanisms are implicated in the etiology of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), which affects both natural and assisted reproduction. Several clinical and environmental factors are known to negatively impact sperm DNA integrity. An increasing number of reports emphasizes the direct relationship between sperm DNA damage and male infertility. Currently, several assays are available to assess sperm DNA damage, however, routine assessment of SDF in clinical practice is not recommended by professional organizations

Quality of human spermatozoa: relationship between high-magnification sperm morphology and DNA integrity

The aim of this work is to establish the relationship between the morphology of Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI)-selected spermatozoa and their DNA integrity. The 45 ejaculates were randomly distributed into three treatment groups: normozoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic and oligoasthenotheratozoospermic samples. The evaluation of DNA integrity was performed using the sperm chromatin dispersion test. It was established that DNA integrity of spermatozoa is strongly dependent on ejaculate quality (P0.1). With decreased ejaculate quality, the percentage of spermatozoa with nonfragmented DNA decreased significantly (P<0.05) independent from morphological class. Nevertheless, the rate of IMSI-selected spermatozoa with fragmented DNA within of Class 1 in normozoospermic (Group 1), in oligoasthenozoospermic (Group 2) and in oligoasthenotheratozoospermic (Group 3) samples was 21.1%, 31.8% and 54.1%, respectively. In conclusion, there is a direct relationship between morphological parameters of spermatozoa and their DNA integrity. However, the IMSI technique alone is not enough for the selection of spermatozoa with intact nuclei

In vitro Micro-Vibration Increases Implantation Rate after Embryonic Cell Transplantation

In natural conditions the oocyte and embryo are subjected to ever changing dynamic processes. However, the routine assisted reproductive technologies today involve the use of static in vitro culture systems. Objective was to determine whether there is any difference in the viability of embryos after in vitro culture under static and mechanical micro-vibration condition. It was evaluated the viability of embryonic cells (9,624 embryos) generated from 4,436 couples after in vitro culture. For Groups <29 years, 30-34 years, 35-39 years and >40 years, the following rate of high quality embryos without fragmentation (2 to 4 blastomeres on Day 2; 6 to 8 blastomeres and compacting morula on Day 3; blastocyst, expanded and hatching blastocyst on Day 5) was detected (static vs. vibration, respectively): 65% vs. 71%, 44% vs. 69%, 67% vs. 76% (for statistic significant differences between respective rates in these three groups P<0.05) and 67% vs. 66% (P>0.1). The following baby-take-home rate was detected for Groups <29 years, 30-34 years, 35-39 years and >40 years, (static vs. vibration, respectively): 30% vs. 31% (P>0.1, increasing only on the level of tendency), 28% vs. 37%, 23% vs. 29% and 9% vs. 15% (differences between respective rates in these three groups with P<0.05). It was concluded that in vitro culture of embryos under micro-vibration (with a mimic of conditions in nature whereby oviductal fluid is mechanically agitated by the epithelial cilia) significantly increases baby-take-home rate for patients of 30 years and older.PublishedArtículo in Pres

In Vitro Microvibration Increases Implantation Rate After Embryonic Cell Transplantation

In natural conditions the oocyte and embryo are subjected to ever-changing dynamic processes. However, the routine assisted reproductive technologies today involve the use of static in vitro culture systems. The objective was to deteimine whether there is any difference in the viability of embryos after in vitro culture under static and mechanical microvibration conditions. The viability of embryonic cells (9,624 embryos) generated from 4,436 couples after in vitro culture was evaluated. For groups = 40 years, the following rates of high-quality embryos without fragmentation (two to four blastomeres on day 2; six to eight blastomeres and compacting morula on day 3; blastocyst, expanded and hatching blastocyst on day 5) were detected (static vs. vibration, respectively): 65% versus 71%, 44% versus 69%, 67% versus 76% (for statistically significant differences between respective rates in these three groups, p 0.1). The following baby-take-home rates were determined for groups = 40 years (static vs. vibration, respectively): 30% versus 31% (p>0.1, increasing only on the level of tendency), 28% versus 37%, 23% versus 29%, and 9% versus 15% (differences between respective rates in these three groups with p <0.05). It was concluded that in vitro culture of embryos under microvibration (with a mimic of conditions in nature whereby oviductal fluid is mechanically agitated by the epithelial cilia) significantly increases the baby-take-home rate for patients 30 years and older

Naturalization of Routine Assisted Reproductive Technologies by In Vitro Culture of Embryos with Microvibration: Sex Ratio, Body Length, and Weight of 2,456 Live-Birth Deliveries after Transfer of 9,624 Embryos In Vitro Cultured in Static System and with Microvibration

Aim was to determine whether there is any difference in the sex ratio, body length, and body weight of 2,456 deliveries after transfer of 9,624 embryos derived using in vitro culture under static and mechanical microvibration conditions. Pronuclear embryos from 4435 patients were cultured in vitro under two different conditions: without (n = 4821) and with mechanical agitation (n = 4803). Sex ratio, body length, and weight of 2,456 live-birth deliveries after transfer of 9,624 embryos were noted. The proportion of males at birth was significantly associated with mode of in vitro culture of embryos only among women aged 40 years and older. The rate body length was significantly associated with mode of in vitro culture of embryos only among women aged 29 and younger. In the same time, among twins, this ratio positively associated with in vitro culture of embryos under microvibration only among women aged 30-34 years as well as >= 40 years and negatively among women aged 35-39 years. It was concluded that birth weight of infants was positively associated with mode of in vitro culture of embryos under microvibration among women of all age groups