The effects of male age on sperm analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to investigate the influence of age on sperm quality, as analysed by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Semen samples were collected from 975 men undergoing evaluation or treatment for infertility. Sperm cells were evaluated at 8400× magnification using an inverted microscope equipped with Nomarski (differential interference contrast) optics. Two forms of spermatozoa were considered: normal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV, defined as vacuoles occupying > 50% of the sperm nuclear area). At least 200 spermatozoa per sample were evaluated, and the percentages of normal and LNV spermatozoa were determined. The subjects were divided into three groups according to age: Group I, less than or equal to 35 years; Group II, 36-40 years; and Group III, greater than or equal to 41 years.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no difference in the percentages of normal sperm between the two younger (I and II) groups (<it>P ></it>0.05). The percentage of normal sperm in the older group (III) was significantly lower than that in the younger (I and II) groups (<it>P </it>< 0.05). There was no difference in the percentage of LNV spermatozoa between the younger (I and II) groups (<it>P ></it>0.05). The percentage of LNV spermatozoa was significantly higher in the older group (III) than in the younger (I and II) groups (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Regression analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in the incidence of normal sperm with increasing age (<it>P </it>< 0.05; r = -0.10). However, there was a significant positive correlation between the percentage of spermatozoa with LNV and male age (<it>P </it>< 0.05, r = 0.10).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results demonstrated a consistent decline in semen quality, as reflected by morphological evaluation by MSOME, with increased age. Considering the relationship between nuclear vacuoles and DNA damage, these age-related changes predict that increased paternal age should be associated with unsuccessful or abnormal pregnancy as a consequence of fertilisation with damaged spermatozoa. Given that sperm nuclear vacuoles can be evaluated more precisely at high magnification, these results support the routine use of MSOME for ICSI as a criterion for semen analysis.</p

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

Letter in reply to Fertility preservation before an ABVD protocol: no new evidence to support changing the recommendations

International audienc

Impact of polycystic ovary syndrome on oocyte and embryo quality

National audienceThis review analyzes the literature concerning oocyte and embryo quality, in case of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Alterations in oocyte quality, and consequently in embryo quality, may be due to endocrine and intra-ovarian paracrine changes. However, most of publications find similar biological and clinical results after IVF, with or without microinjection, for women with PCOS compared to those obtained in control populations. Subgroups of more pejorative outcome probably exist within PCOS population. Finally, obesity, which is frequent in PCOS, is clearly deleterious, and multidisciplinary care, including lifestyle modifications, is then needed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved

Nutrition et grossesse : du marché au bébé...

The incidence of overweight and obesity, but also of infertility, is dramaticallyincreasing all around the world. However, malnutrition can also be defined by a nutritional imbalance such as inappropriate consumption of vitamins, minerals, proteins and lipids. Conse- quences of maternal or paternal malnutrition are not limited to gamete qualitative/quantitativealteration: parental malnutrition may also impact on conceptus development with conse- quences on long-term health of offspring. Maternal environment during periconceptional period may alter structure and or function of many foetal organs. This phenomenon is defined as foetal programming. In adulthood, offspring would be at risk to develop many diseases such as meta- bolic disorders. Maternal nutritional imprinting is a phenomenon known as ‘‘Developmental origins of health and diseases’’ (DOHAD). Paternal imprinting is a recent concept.L’augmentation de la prévalence du surpoids et de l’obésité constitue un problème de santé publique partout dans le monde. La malnutrition se définit aussi par un déséquilibre alimentaire, notamment par une consommation inappropriée en vitamines, minéraux, protéines et lipides. De nombreux hommes et femmes en âge de procréer rencontrent des problèmes de fertilité. Les conséquences d’une malnutrition maternelle ou paternelle ne s’arrêtent pas à l’altération de la qualité des gamètes ; elles ont un impact sur le développement du conceptus, avec des conséquences sur la santé des enfants à long terme. L’environnement maternel pendant la période périconceptionnelle peut modifier la structure et/ou les fonctions de différents organes du fœtus : on parle alors de programmation fœtale. Le fœtus devenu adulte aura alors une susceptibilité à développer certaines pathologies, par exemple des maladies métaboliques. La notion d’empreinte nutritionnelle maternelle est un phénomène connu sous le terme de Developmental origins of health and diseases (DOHAD ou origine développementale des maladies de l’adulte). La notion d’empreinte nutritionnelle paternelle est en train d’émerger

Poids, nutrition et infertilité

Le surpoids et l’obésité ont vu leur prévalence augmenter dans la population féminine en âge de procréer et sont de plus en plus fréquents lors des consultations pour infertilité. Ils constituent un facteur non négligeable de baisse de la fertilité naturelle. La graisse abdominale, par le biais de l’insulinorésistance, l’hyperinsulinisme et l’hyperandrogénie, favorise sur un terrain prédisposé à la survenue de troubles de l’ovulation. Le dépistage et la prise en charge du syndrome métabolique doivent être systématiques dans ce cadre. L’obtention d’une perte de poids même modérée suffit à améliorer l’ovulation spontanée ou l’efficacité des traitements inducteurs de l’ovulation. L’alimentation en elle-même affecte également l’ovulation. L’instauration d’un régime de type méditerranéen et d’une activité physique régulière sont des mesures simples à mettre en place. Elles doivent impérativement précéder la mise en route des thérapeutiques spécifiques et peuvent parfois suffire, à elles seules, à l’obtention de la grossesse désirée. Chez les patientes ne présentant pas de troubles de l’ovulation, surpoids et obésité augmentent le délai nécessaire pour concevoir, diminuent les chances de succès des traitements et augmentent le risque de fausse couche. Là aussi, une alimentation de type méditerranéenne et la pratique d’une activité physique régulière sont associées à de meilleures chances de succès des traitements d’AMP. La prise en compte du style de vie et la correction des facteurs défavorables par des conseils appropriés ou une prise en charge spécifique devraient donc être systématiques, tout comme la prescription d’acide folique, chez toute femme désirant concevoir un enfant