Evaluation of the effect of shift working and sleep quality on semen parameters in men attending infertility clinic

We aimed to evaluate the effect of shift work on semen parameters together with the effect of sleep quality in men attending infertility clinic. The participants were divided into two groups as follows: 104 shift worker men (Group 1) and 116 nonshift worker men (Group 2). Groups were compared in terms of semen parameters, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. A higher rate of oligozoospermia and poor sleep quality and a lower mean normal morphology percentage was observed in shift workers than nonshift workers (p = .006, .039 and .036 respectively). In addition, a positive correlation was seen between sleep duration and sperm concentration, while a negative correlation was found between sleep latency and total sperm count. Shift working together with high PSQI score was also a significant association with oligozoospermia when controlling for the other variables of age, total testosterone, DASS-21 stress score, smoking and varicocele (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.03–4.34 and OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.01–1.39 respectively). In this study, infertile shift workers had a lower percentage of normal morphology and higher rates of oligozoospermia and poor sleep quality. Considering that shift workers have lower sleep quality, it seems that shift working negatively affects the circadian rhythm.     

Early and late paternal contribution to cell division of embryos in a time-lapse imaging incubation system

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of male age, semen quality and days of ejaculatory abstinence on embryo morphokinetics. A total of 1,220 zygotes obtained from 139 couples in a private in vitro fertilisation centre were analysed. The timing of specific events from the point of insemination, such as timings to pronuclei appearance and fading, to two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight cells and to blastulation were recorded. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of paternal factors on embryo morphokinetic events. Paternal age was positively correlated with delayed cell cleavage and blastulation, and negatively associated with implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy and live–birth chances. The ejaculatory abstinence was inversely correlated with the implantation rate. Inverse relationships were observed between semen parameters (sperm count, progressive sperm motility, total motile sperm count and morphology) and the timing of specific events during embryo development. Sperm morphology was also positively associated with implantation rate and pregnancy and live–birth chances. Increased paternal age and ejaculatory abstinence, and poor semen quality correlate with delayed cell cleavage and blastulation and negatively impact intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes.     

Do environmental and occupational exposure to pyrethroids and organophosphates affect human semen parameters? Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis

Our purpose was to review and analyse the impact of pyrethroids and organophosphates exposure on human semen parameters. A comprehensive literature search was performed through MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus and Webscience. Only cohort studies examining semen parameters in workers or general populations exposed to pyrethroids or organophosphates were included. Ejaculate volume, sperm count, concentration, motility, viability, normal morphology and seminal pH alterations were pooled using the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel Method with the random effect model and expressed as weighted mean difference, risk ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Seven cross-sectional studies regarding pyrethroids were included. Four of them were eligible for meta-analysis. The only parameter affected by pyrethroid exposure was normal sperm morphology (WMD-7,61%, 95%CI –11,92 to −3,30;p = 0,0,005). Nine studies were selected to evaluate the impact of organophosphates on semen parameters with six of them eligible for meta-analysis. A significant reduction was detected for the following: ejaculate volume (WMD −0,47ml, 95%CI −0,69 to −0,25; p < 0,0001), sperm count (WMD-40,03, 95%CI −66,81 to −13,25;p = 0,003), concentration (WMD-13,69 x10⁶/mL, 95%CI −23, 27 to-4,12;p = 0,005) and motility (WMD −5,70%, 95%CI −12,89 to 1,50;p = 0,12). Despite the increase in sperm abnormality, it has been shown that pyrethroids are unrelated to reduced sperm quality. However, the negative association of organophosphates with spermatogenesis is noteworthy.     

Transient association between semen exposure and biomarkers of genital inflammation in South African women at risk of HIV infection

IntroductionSemen induces mucosal changes in the female reproductive tract to improve pregnancy outcomes. Since semen‐induced alterations are likely short‐lived and genital inflammation is linked to HIV acquisition in women, we investigated the contribution of recent semen exposure on biomarkers of genital inflammation in women at high HIV risk and the persistence of these associations.MethodsWe assessed stored genital specimens from 152 HIV‐negative KwaZulu‐Natal women who participated in the CAPRISA 008 trial between November 2012 and October 2014. During the two‐year study period, 651 vaginal specimens were collected biannually (mean five samples per woman). Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) was screened for prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) by ELISA, whereas Y‐chromosome DNA (YcDNA) detection and quantification were conducted by RT‐PCR, representing semen exposure within 48 hours (PSA+YcDNA+) and semen exposure within three to fifteen days (PSA−YcDNA+). Soluble protein concentrations were measured in CVLs by multiplexed ELISA. T‐cell frequencies were assessed in cytobrushes by flow‐cytometry, and vulvovaginal swabs were used to detect common vaginal microbes by PCR. Linear mixed models adjusting for factors associated with genital inflammation and HIV risk were used to assess the impact of semen exposure on biomarkers of inflammation over multiple visits.ResultsHere, 19% (125/651) of CVLs were PSA+YcDNA+, 14% (93/651) were PSA−YcDNA+ and 67% (433/651) were PSA−YcDNA−. Semen exposure was associated with how often women saw their partners, the frequency of vaginal sex in the past month, HSV‐2 antibody detection, current gonorrhoea infection and Nugent Score. Both PSA detection (PSA+YcDNA+) and higher cervicovaginal YcDNA concentrations predicted increases in several cytokines, barrier‐related proteins (MMP‐2, TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐4) and activated CD4+CCR5+HLA‐DR+ T cells (β = 0.050; CI 0.001 to 0.098; p = 0.046) and CD4+HLA‐DR+ T cells (β = 0.177; CI 0.016 to 0.339; p = 0.032) respectively. PSA detection was specifically associated with raised pro‐inflammatory cytokines (including IL‐6, TNF‐α, IP‐10 and RANTES), and with the detection of BVAB2 (OR = 1.755; CI 1.116 to 2.760; p = 0.015), P. bivia (OR = 1.886; CI 1.102 to 3.228; p = 0.021) and Gardnerella vaginalis (OR = 1.815; CI 1.093 to 3.015; p = 0.021).ConclusionsMore recent semen exposure was associated with raised levels of inflammatory biomarkers and the detection of BV‐associated microbes, which declined by three to fifteen days of post‐exposure. Although transient, semen‐induced alterations may have implications for HIV susceptibility in women.     

The Cellsoft computerized Semen Analysis System. II. on the Optimalization of running Conditions concerning Gray Scale and cell size Range/Das "CellSoft computerized semen analysis system". II. Zur Optimierung der Grauwert-Zuordnung sowie des Einstellungsbereichs für Zellgrößen

The CellSoft automated semen analysis system was studied concerning the effect of gray scale (GSc) variation on cell motion parameters and to establish an appropriate setting for human spermatozoal sizes (PixMin and PixMax) based on the cell's instant velocities (InsVels). GSc could be set within a range from "optimum" till +10 units without, except for curvilinear velocity, the CellSoft generated sperm measures being altered (p greater than 0.05). The aspect of a sample specific GSc setting according to certain criteria is stressed. Considering the area of immobilized spermatozoa (at GSc + 20) and of motile cells with low InsVel, PixMin should be set at 3 pixels. Correspondingly, the InsVel determined setting for PixMax (at a maximum velocity threshold set at 200 microns/sec.) was 28 pixels. A final recommendation on the setting for cell sizes can, however, only be determined in considering sizes of nonsperm seminal elements and in studying the appropriate setting for the maximum velocity threshold.     

无精子症患者精液检查与血清性激素含量的分析

目的:对无精子症病因进行诊断分析.方法:对28例无精子症患者进行精液分析和用放射免疫法检测其血清中性激素含量,并结合文献进行病因分析、讨论.结果:无精子症患者精液量、PH值、液化时间及果糖含量等均显著下降,与对照组比较有非常显著差异(P＜0.01);无精子患者的果糖含量与精液量、PH值之间呈正相关(P＜0.01),随着果糖含量的下降,其精液量和PH值也会下降;无精子症患者血清以配子生成素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),睾酮(T)、雌二醇(E2)、催乳素(PRL)与对照组比较无显著差异(P＞0.05).结论:无精子症患者要依据果糖含量、精液量、PH值、液化时间以及性激素的高低等综合分析才能正确地诊断其产生无精子的原因.     

精液中分类白细胞对精液质量参数的影响

60例男性不良患者精液标本,采用一种免疫组织化学技术分析精液中白细胞类型和数量。结果显示高浓度的中性粒细胞和单核/巨噬细胞可减少精液量;高浓度的中性粒细胞对精子总数和总活动精子数有降低作用。高浓度的T淋巴细胞可显著的降低精子活率。     

Effect of Percoll wash on sperm motion parameters and subsequent fertility in intrauterine insemination cycles

Purpose This study examined sperm motion parameters as measured by computerized automated semen analysis before and after a Percoll wash and determined if differences in any parameter were correlated with fertility subsequent to intrauterine insemination (IUI).Results Total motile sperm decreased following the washing procedure from 79.0 ± 9.0 to 37.2 ± 7.6 million sperm. Motility increased from a mean of 43.4% to 61.7% (P<0.001). Other motility parameters also changed significantly (P<0.001) as follows: curvilinear velocity (VCL), 43.4 to 61.7 m/s; straight-line velocity (VSL), 21.3 to 26.7 m/s; linearity 53.1 to 45.2%; lateral head displacement (ALH), 2.97 to 3.94 m. Similar changes occurred following a swim-up preparation, although changes in mean motility, VCL, and ALH were significantly greater when compared to Percoll. The postwash changes were not accounted for merely by time lapse in preparation since reanalyzed untreated controls did not show the same changes in motion parameters. Prewash linearity in those specimens which resulted in pregnancies was greater than in those which did not (P=0.28). No other significant differences in pre-or post-Percoll washed sperm motion parameters were found between pregnant vs nonfertile cycles.Conclusion Following Percoll wash all CASA-generated motility parameters were significantly altered, but there was little association between these parameters and pregnancy achieved in IUI cycles.Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Fertility Society, San Antonio, Texas, November 5–10, 1994.     

长期饮酒对男性生殖系统功能影响

目的探讨饮酒对男性生殖系统的损害及其机理。方法选择45名男性饮酒者和9名慢性酒精中毒者为研究对象,以15名不吸烟不接触毒物的男性为对照组。结果长期大量饮酒和酒精中毒者血清中T和CS水平下降,而LH和FSH水平升高;精浆和精子中LDH,LDH-x和G-6PD活力下降,以LDH-x下降为敏感;精子数量和活动精子年均降低,精子畸形率及异常精液检出率均升高。上述各指标与对照组比较差异均有高度显著性（P＜0.01）。结论长期饮酒可损害男性生殖系统功能。