Localization of AKAP4 and tubulin proteins in sperm with reduced motility

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Increased F2-isoprostane levels in semen and immunolocalization of the 8-iso prostaglandin F2α in spermatozoa from infertile patients with varicocele

Polyunsaturated fatty acid damages lead to alterations in sperm function. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), oxidized lipid products from arachidonic acid, in sperm quality impairment. For this purpose, F2-IsoP levels in semen and F2-IsoP localization in spermatozoa were explored in infertile subjects affected by idiopathic infertility or varicocele, as well as in fertile men. As compared to fertile men, in the idiopathic infertility and varicocele groups, sperm concentration, motility, morphology, viability, and fertility index were significantly lower and the mean scores concerning sperm apoptosis, necrosis, and immaturity were significantly higher. The idiopathic infertile group showed a reduction in sperm motility and fertility index, as well as an increase of apoptosis and necrosis percentages, in comparison to the varicocele group. The varicocele group showed the highest levels of F2-IsoPs, a significant increase of sperm immaturity, and a significant correlation between F2-IsoP levels and sperm immaturity. 8-Iso Prostaglandin F2α, biomarker of in vivo F2-IsoP, was clearly localized in sperm midpiece and cytoplasmic residues. Data show that F2-IsoP formation is relevant in semen and sperm from infertile patients with varicocele and high percentage of immaturity, suggesting that a correct fatty acid integrity is needed for sperm maturation

Pro-Atherogenic and Pro-Oxidant Diets Influence Semen and Blood Traits of Rabbit Bucks

: Many dietary factors can affect sperm traits. We compared the effect of diets rich in pro-oxidant (flaxseed oil) and pro-atherogenic (coconut oil) substances without added antioxidants on semen traits, using the rabbit as an animal model. Thirty rabbit bucks (8 months old) were fed three diets for 150 days: CNT (control) a standard diet; HA (high-atherogenic) standard diet + 3% coconut oil, and HO (high-oxidizing) standard diet + 3% flaxseed oil. Semen samples were collected weekly for the evaluation of qualitative traits (kinetics, viability) and the oxidative damage (MDA and cytokines). Blood was collected at the start (T0) and end (T8) of the experimental period for the assessment of the oxidative damage (MDA and isoprostanoids), lipid profile, and testosterone. A worsening of sperm kinetics and viability was recorded in the HA group. Lipid oxidation in seminal plasma, as well as isoprostanoids in blood (F3-IsoPs and F4-NeuroPs), increased in both the HO and HA groups. A high level of TNF-α, a marker of inflammatory status, was recorded in the seminal plasma of the HA group. The resulting outcomes were mainly attributable to the different fatty acid profiles (SFA vs. PUFA) of the diets, which modulated an inflammatory/oxidative response

Oxidation of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids as a Promising Area of Research in Infertility

In this review, the role of fatty acids (FA) in human pathological conditions, infertility in particular, was considered. FA and FA-derived metabolites modulate cell membrane composition, membrane lipid microdomains and cell signaling. Moreover, such molecules are involved in cell death, immunological responses and inflammatory processes. Human health and several pathological conditions are specifically associated with both dietary and cell membrane lipid profiles. The role of FA metabolism in human sperm and spermatogenesis has recently been investigated. Cumulative findings indicate F2 isoprostanes (oxygenated products from arachidonic acid metabolism) and resolvins (lipid mediators of resolution of inflammation) as promising biomarkers for the evaluation of semen and follicular fluid quality. Advanced knowledge in this field could lead to new scenarios in the treatment of infertility

Valutazione submicroscopica dell'infertilita' maschile

Tesi di dottorato in biologia delle cellule germinali. 6. cicloConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7, Rome; Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale - Piazza Cavalleggeri, 1, Florence / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Do Seminal Isoprostanes Have a Role in Assisted Reproduction Outcome?

F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs), stereoisomers of prostaglandin F2α generated by the free radical-induced oxidation of arachidonic acid, have been associated with different male infertility conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the role of seminal isoprostane levels and sperm characteristics in the reproductive outcome and embryo quality of 49 infertile couples. Semen analysis was performed following WHO guidelines. Sperm chromatin maturity was detected using an aniline blue (AB) assay, and DNA integrity was assessed using the acridine orange (AO) test. Seminal F2-IsoP levels were quantified by gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC/NICI–MS/MS) analysis. Correlations among variables and their impact on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome were investigated. F2-IsoP levels are positively correlated with double-stranded DNA sperm (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with mature sperm chromatin (p < 0.001). Patients with positive outcomes had an increased percentage of sperm with double-stranded DNA, as did patients producing high-quality embryo, who showed higher F2-IsoP levels compared to those detected in the low-quality embryo group. An intriguing relationship between a mild increase in F2-IsoP levels, DNA integrity, and embryo quality seems to indicate that the non-enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid can be also a marker of metabolic activity in human semen

Sperm morphology and aneuploidies: defects of supposed genetic origin

As individuals with genetic sperm defects are intracytoplasmic sperm injection candidates, the study of the chromosomal constitution of their spermatozoa is of great interest. This study is a review of the current literature concerning fluorescence in situ hybridisation studies in spermatozoa with genetic sperm defect as 'round head', 'dysplasia of fibrous sheath' (DFS), 'primary ciliary dyskinesia' (PCD), the 'detached tail' and the 'absence of fibrous sheath'. Regarding sperm head defects, elevated XY disomy and diplodies were detected. Genetic defects affecting the sperm tail seemed to have a different correlation with chromosome meiotic segregation. Only chromosome 18, among the autosomes, was studied and the percentage of frequency of disomy was generally within the normal range. In the more frequently studied defect, DFS, the alterations in gonosome disomy and diploidy were recorded by different groups. Regarding PCD defects, elevated frequencies of disomy of sex chromosomes and diploidy were observed, whereas the absence of the fibrous sheath and the detached tail did not show any meiotic disturbance. The problem of genetic sperm defects should be seriously considered when these sperm are used for assisted reproduction, owing to the high risk of transmission of chromosomal imbalance and of mutations that could cause genetic sperm defects in offspring

Ultrastructural and Aneuploidy Studies in Sperm from Patients with History of Consanguinity

The data on the role of consanguinity in male infertility are scarce. The presence of systematic sperm defects in consanguineous respect to non-consanguineous population was demonstrated. Systematic defects are characterized by a specific alteration present in sperm for the whole life of the carrier. This study was aimed at exploring the sperm quality in selected infertile consanguineous patients (group 3) with nonsystematic sperm defects, compared with that of infertile non-consanguineous patients (group 2) and that of proven fertility subjects (group 1). Sperm analysis was performed by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TEM data was mathematically elaborated. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for chromosome 18, X and Y was performed in sperm nuclei for aneuploidy evaluation. The progressive motility was reduced in groups 2 (p < 0.05) and 3 (p < 0.01), compared to group 1, and in group 3 versus group 2 (p < 0.01). Regarding TEM scores, fertility index was reduced in group 3 (p < 0.01); the percentages of sperm apoptosis, necrosis and immaturity were significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 versus group 1 and in group 3 vs. group 2 (except for necrosis). FISH analysis showed increased frequency of diploidy (p < 0.01) in groups 2 and 3 vs. group 1. The consanguinity seems to influence the spermatogenetic process from a morphological point of view, by reducing the motility and fertility index and increasing sperm apoptosis and immaturity; chromosome meiotic segregation was not affected by the condition of consanguinity