The effect of L-carnitine on Oocyte Mitochondrial Activity after Cryopreservation

Background: Mitochondria are cellular organelles required for energy production, vital to reproduction, especially oocyte maturation and fertilization. It has been seen that oocyte cryopreservation (OC) can cause mitochondria damage, aggregation of lipid droplets near mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, and cryoinjury. In recent studies use of antioxidants such as L- carnitine can increase the number of active mitochondria and decrease intracellular ROS levels. The present study aimed to determine the beneficial effect of L –carnitine on oocyte mitochondrial activity after vitrification. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, 6-8 weeks of female NMRI mice were taken from the Royan Institute of Iran and stimulated with 7.5 IU Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) and 10 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) after 48 hours was injected. After stimulation, oocytes were collected, and MII oocytes were selected. A two-step vitrification procedure was done, and 0.6mg/ml of L –carnitine was added to both ES and VS mediums. After two weeks, oocyte thawing was performed, intracellular GSH level was also measured mitochondrial membrane potential was measured. Captured images were analyzed by J software (Version 1.40; and obtained data were analyzed using SPSS Ver.20. Results: Average difference in intracytoplasmic GSH level in the study group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). So, L –carnitine could successfully increase the oocyte intracytoplasmic GSH level. Also, it has been seen that the LC supplement could successfully grow oocyte mitochondrial function and subsequent mitochondrial membrane potentials(P<0.001). Conclusion: Adding LC to the cryopreservation media could increase mitochondrial activity, GSH level, and mitochondrial membrane potentials. Adding LC to the cryopreservation could enjoy the beneficial effect of L –carnitine on oocyte mitochondrial activity after vitrification and minimize mitochondrial damage and boost oocyte quality which can lead to successful fertilization and embryo growth

Relationship Between Heavy Metal levels in Seminal Plasma and Sperm Quality in Iranian Men

Introduction: During the last decades, frequent reports on the poor semen quality in humans have raised many researchers' concerns to study the possible impact of lifestyle or environmental factors on semen quality. The debate is continuously growing on the adverse reproductive effects of exposure to heavy and trace metals found in the environment, even at their relatively low levels. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out from July 2018 to February 2019.  A total of 40 men were divided into two groups (idiopathic oligo– and/or asthenozoospermia and normozoospermic men) to determine the correlation between arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) levels in the seminal plasma with sperm quality parameters including concentration, total motility, progressive motility, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), sperm plasma membrane integrity (SPMI), acrosome integrity (AI) and DNA fragmentation in Iranian men with idiopathic oligo– and/or asthenozoospermia and normozoospermic individuals.  Results: A significant positive or suggestive correlation was found between as concentrations in the seminal plasma and sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, viability, MMP, SPMI, and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, seminal plasma Cd concentrations were also correlated negatively with sperm viability. We also found a positive correlation between the seminal plasma Mn levels and sperm concentration, motility, progressive motility, morphology, viability, acrosome integrity, and DNA fragmentation. Conclusion: We showed that the levels of As, Cd, and Mn levels in the seminal plasma are associated with the sperm functional parameters. Considering the unpleasant effects of the studied metals on semen quality, it is suggested that long-term contact with these metals be avoided, especially by people at their reproductive age

Male obesity is associated with sperm telomere shortening and aberrant mRNA expression of autophagy-related genes

Abstract Background Obesity is regarded a global public health crisis. It has been implicated in a variety of health problems, but when it comes to male fertility, how and to what extent obesity affects it are poorly understood. Accordingly, semen samples from 32 individuals with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) and 32 individuals with normal weight (BMI: 18.5-25 kg/m2) were obtained. Here, for the first time, we examined the association between obesity, relative sperm telomere length (STL) and autophagy-related mRNA levels such as Beclin1, AMPKa1, ULK1, BAX, and BCL2. Each group was also evaluated for conventional semen parameters, sperm apoptotic changes, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), sperm chromatin maturation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Results Based on our findings, there was a marked reduction in relative STL in individuals with obesity as compared to the normal-weight group. We also found a significant negative correlation between relative STL and age, BMI, DFI, percentage of sperm with immature chromatin, and intracellular ROS levels in patients with obesity. In the normal-weight group, relative STL was only negatively correlated with DFI and intracellular ROS levels. Regarding mRNA expression, there was considerable upregulation of Beclin1, ULK1, and BCL2 in the group with obesity compared to the normal-weight group. Obesity was also found to be associated with a considerable decline in semen volume, total sperm count, progressive motility, and viability in comparison to normal-weight individuals. Furthermore, obesity was associated with considerably higher percentages of DFI, sperm with immature chromatin, late-stage apoptosis, and elevated ROS levels. Conclusion According to our findings, obesity is associated with sperm telomere shortening and aberrant autophagy-related mRNA expression. It should be emphasized that telomere shortening in sperm may be an indirect consequence of obesity due to the oxidative stress associated with the condition. Nevertheless, further investigation is required for a more comprehensive understanding

Testicular toxicity and reproductive performance of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats: the ameliorating role of silymarin as an antioxidant

<p>Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a glucose, fat, and protein metabolism disorder. Testicular toxicity and reproductive dysfunction are consequences of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Oxidative stress has been suggested as one of the main mechanism involved in STZ-induced toxicity. Since many studies revealed that Silymarin (SMN), a plant extract, has anti-diabetic and antioxidant activity, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of this natural agent on testicular function and male reproductive parameters in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Sperm parameters, <i>in vivo</i> reproductive performance, and oxidative stress markers were measured. In addition, relative expression of apoptotic-related genes and testosterone level were evaluated. STZ-induced diabetes altered sperm parameters, reduced reproductive performances, increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities. Our results showed that SMN intake improved sperm parameters, reproductive performances, decreased LPO, and increased antioxidant enzyme activities. The relative mRNA expression of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced, and that of Bax, Caspase-3 was significantly increased in the diabetic rats compared to the control group. SMN significantly increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax, Caspase-3. Serum levels of testosterone showed a significant decreased in diabetic rats, compared to the control group and serum testosterone levels revealed a significant increase in groups that received SMN. The protective potential of SMN against oxidative stress in STZ-induced testicular toxicity and its potential to improve fertility in diabetic rats makes it a potential candidate to reverse the toxic effect of diabetes on the testis by herbal antioxidants.</p

Autophagy, a critical element in the aging male reproductive disorders and prostate cancer: a therapeutic point of view

Abstract Autophagy is a highly conserved, lysosome-dependent biological mechanism involved in the degradation and recycling of cellular components. There is growing evidence that autophagy is related to male reproductive biology, particularly spermatogenic and endocrinologic processes closely associated with male sexual and reproductive health. In recent decades, problems such as decreasing sperm count, erectile dysfunction, and infertility have worsened. In addition, reproductive health is closely related to overall health and comorbidity in aging men. In this review, we will outline the role of autophagy as a new player in aging male reproductive dysfunction and prostate cancer. We first provide an overview of the mechanisms of autophagy and its role in regulating male reproductive cells. We then focus on the link between autophagy and aging-related diseases. This is followed by a discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy before we end with limitations of current studies and suggestions for future developments in the field