Improvement of sperm motility in patients with asthenozoospermia by kallikrein treatment.

Parenteral and oral application of kallikrein (EC 3.4.21.8)--a kinin-releasing proteinase from porcine pancreatic tissue--significantly stimulates quantitative and qualitative sperm motility in subfertile males with semen criteria of asthenozoospermia. Improvement of sperm motility was found to exist for at least 3 months following termination of the 7 week duration kallikrein treatment. Additionally, a significant increase in the number of spermatozoa was observed 3 and 5 months after starting parenteral application of kallikrein.     

The analysis of CFTR mutations in men with azoospermia, oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia

Mutations in cystic fibrosis transductance regulator gene (CFTR) are known to result in some forms of male infertility. An association between CFTR gene mutations and obstructive azoospermia in cystic fibrosis (CF) and in congenital unilateral and bilateral absence of vas deferens (CUAVD, CBAVD) has been proven. However, the role of CFTR gene mutations in the etiology of non-obstructive azoospermia, as well as in the regulation of spermatogenesis remains unsolved. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of CFTR mutations in patients diagnosed with different forms of spermatogenesis impairment MATERIAL: The molecular analyses were performed in the group of 93 infertile men, diagnosed with either azoospermia, oligospermia or asthenoteratozoospermia. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed the presence of F508del and IVS8-T in 5.4% of analyzed cases. No difference in CFTR gene mutations frequencies among patients with azoospermia, oligospermia and asthenoteratozoospermia has been observed. CONCLUSION: The CFTR gene mutations frequency in men with nonobstructive azoospermia, oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia is similar to those observed in general population.     

Relationship between absence of annulus and asthenozoospermia in Iranian men

Purpose

To find a relationship between absence of annulus and asthenozoospermia in Iranian men.

Methods

In the present study, semen samples from 100 asthenozoospermic and 20 normozospermic patients were analyzed for sperm concentration and motility. Spermatozoa were immunostained for the two septin subunits Sept4 and Sept7. The absence of the annulus structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and western blot analysis for septin 4. DNA sequencing for all coding exons of SEPT12 was performed for a patient using peripheral blood sample.

Results

Specific antibodies for SEPT4 and SEPT7 consistently labeled the annuli in spermatozoa from all of the 20 normozospermic men, while in one of 100 patients with asthenozoospermia, 75 % of sperms lacking septin 4 or septin 7 proteins at the annulus. It was shown that the structural defect in annulus formation is not caused by point mutation of SEPT12 gene.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrated that the frequency of the absence of annulus in asthenozoospermic sample of Iranian population has a low frequency and could not be assume as a diagnostic marker for classifying asthenozoospermic patients.     

Altered circadian clock gene expression in the sperm of infertile men with asthenozoospermia

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - Male infertility is a complex multifactorial pathological condition, and asthenozoospermia (AZS) is one of the most common causes. Current evidence...     

A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial of the use of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine treatment in men with asthenozoospermia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine therapy in infertile males with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia. DESIGN: Placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): Sixty infertile patients (aged 20-40 years) with the following baseline sperm selection criteria: concentration, 10 to 40 x 10(6)/mL; forward motility, <15%; total motility, 10% to 40%; and atypical forms, <80%. Fifty-six patients completed the study. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were submitted to a combined treatment of l-carnitine (2 g/d) and l-acetyl-carnitine (1 g/d) or of placebo; the study design was 2 months' wash-out, 6 months of therapy or of placebo, and 2 months' follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Variation in the semen parameters that were used for patient selection. RESULT(S): Even though increases were seen in all sperm parameters after combined carnitine treatment, the most significant improvement in sperm motility (both forward and total) was present in patients who had lower initial absolute values of motile sperm (<4 x 10(6) forward or <5 x 10(6) total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate). CONCLUSION(S): Combined treatment with l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine in a controlled study of efficacy was effective in increasing sperm motility, especially in groups with lower baseline levels.     

Coenzyme Q(10) supplementation in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia: an open, uncontrolled pilot study

OBJECTIVE: To clarify a potential therapeutic role of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. DESIGN: Open, uncontrolled pilot study. PATIENT(S): Infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. INTERVENTION(S): CoQ(10) was administered orally; semen samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE (S): Semen kinetic parameters, including computer-assisted sperm data and CoQ(10) and phosphatidylcholine levels. RESULT(S): CoQ(10) levels increased significantly in seminal plasma and in sperm cells after treatment. Phosphatidylcholine levels also increased. A significant increase was also found in sperm cell motility as confirmed by computer-assisted analysis. A positive dependence (using the Cramer's index of association) was evident among the relative variations, baseline and after treatment, of seminal plasma or intracellular CoQ(10) content and computer-determined kinetic parameters. CONCLUSION(S): The exogenous administration of CoQ(10) may play a positive role in the treatment of asthenozoospermia. This is probably the result of its role in mitochondrial bioenergetics and its antioxidant properties.     

Association of asthenozoospermia with a deficiency of a seminal glycoprotein

Two major glycoprotein bands (Rf 0.67 and 0.49) were detected with polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis in normal human semen, spermatocele fluid and prostatovesicular fluid. The most rapidly migrating band (Rf 0.67) was either present in only trace amounts or absent in asthenozoospermic semen. The protein moiety of this glycoprotein was present in normal and asthenozoospermic semen, but it was not glycosylated in asthenozoospermic semen. It is suggested that there is a relationship between this glycoprotein and the acquisition of sperm motility.     

Calcium- and integrin-binding protein-1 is down-regulated in the sperm of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine whether altered expression and distribution of calcium- and integrin-binding protein-1 (CIB1) is involved in the pathogenesis of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia.

Methods

Sperm samples were obtained from 25 infertile Chinese men who had failed to achieve conception after a period of 1–2 y and had been referred to the Reproductive Laboratory of the second hospital affiliated to the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants were divided into two groups: oligoasthenozoospermia (n = 13) and asthenozoospermia (n = 12); as a third group, fertile men (n = 19) were included as controls. The expression levels of mRNA and protein levels of CIB1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) were measured using qRT-PCR and western blotting.

Results

mRNA and protein expression levels of CIB1 were decreased in the oligoasthenozoospermia patients. Interestingly mRNA and protein expression levels of CDK1 were increased in the oligoasthenozoospermia patients.

Conclusion

The results of the present study indicate that that CIB1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of oligoasthenozoospermia by the CDK1 signaling pathway.     

Follicle-stimulating hormone bioactivity in idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenozoospermia: double-blind trial with gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

OBJECTIVE: To identify, among patients with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenozoospermia, those with low bioactive follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), possibly because of inadequate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility, whose bioactive FSH and sperm could be improved by GnRH treatment. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with intranasal (IN) GnRH, followed by open GnRH treatment. SETTING: Outpatient endocrinology clinic. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight infertile men with idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenozoospermia. INTERVENTIONS: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone or placebo was self-administered IN every 2 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum immunoreactive and bioactive FSH and semen analyses. RESULTS: Ten men showed a low basal FSH bioactive/immunoreactive ratio, which increased in 5 of them under GnRH without parallel sperm modification. Sperm improvements were observed in 10 patients with no parallel evolution of FSH bioactive/immunoreactive ratio. Unpredicted by sperm changes, three pregnancies developed on placebo and 5 on GnRH. CONCLUSIONS: Low bioactive FSH was not the cause of idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenozoospermia in our patients and could not predict response to GnRH. Pulsatile GnRH did not improve sperm beyond random fluctuations.     

Spermatogenic patterns and early embryo development after intracytoplasmic sperm injection in severe oligoasthenozoospermia

Purpose: Evaluate the influence of different baseline spermatogenic patterns [meiotic pattern (normal or abnormal), sperm concentration ( > 1 × 10⁶/mL or 1 × 10⁶/mL), and the combined meiosis–sperm concentration pattern] on early embryo development in severe oligoasthenozoospermia. Methods: Embryo outcomes (fertilization rate, cleavage rate, and 4-cell stage embryo division rate on day 2) after IVF–ICSI in 75 oligoasthenozoospermia and 79 normozoospermic males. Results: The embryo division rate was significantly lower in oligoasthenozoospermia compared to normozoospermia (50.43% vs. 58.72%, p < 0.01) and in the oligoasthenozoospermia group for meiotic anomalies (43.40%), sperm concentration 1 × 10⁶/mL (44.35%), and the combined pattern 1 × 10⁶/mL with meiotic anomalies (37.17%). Logistic regression analysis showed a synergic effect (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.28–3.12) when the two spermatogenic patterns predictive of slow embryo development [meiotic anomalies (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.03–2.15) and sperm concentration 1 × 10⁶/mL (OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.09–2.13)] were present. Conclusions: The data suggest that the early embryonic developmental capacity is inversely related to the severity of spermatogenic impairment (meiotic anomalies and/or sperm concentration 1 × 10⁶/mL).     

A proteomic analysis on human sperm tail: comparison between normozoospermia and asthenozoospermia

Purpose

Asthenozoospermia is a common cause of human male infertility characterized by reduced sperm motility. The molecular mechanism that impairs sperm motility is not fully understood. This study proposed to identify novel biomarkers by focusing on sperm tail proteomic analysis of asthenozoospermic patients.

Methods

Sperm were isolated from normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic semen samples. Tail fractions were obtained by sonication followed by Percoll gradient. The proteins were extracted by solubilization and subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE); then, the spots were analyzed using Image Master 2D Platinum software. The significantly increased/decreased amounts of proteins in the two groups were exploited by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) mass spectrometry.

Results

Three hundred ninety protein spots were detected in both groups. Twenty-one protein spots that had significantly altered amounts (p < 0.05) were excised and exploited using MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. They led to the identification of the following 14 unique proteins: Tubulin beta 2B; glutathione S-transferase Mu 3; keratin, type II cytoskeletal 1; outer dense fiber protein 2; voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2; A-kinase anchor protein 4; cytochrome c oxidase subunit 6B; sperm protein associated with the nucleus on the X chromosome B; phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase-mitochondrial; isoaspartyl peptidase/L-asparaginase; heat shock-related 70 kDa protein 2; stress-70 protein, mitochondrial; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, testis-specific and clusterin.

Conclusion

Fourteen proteins present in different amounts in asthenozoospermic sperm tail samples were identified, four of which are reported here for the first time. These proteins might be used as markers for the better diagnosis of sperm dysfunctions, targets for male contraceptive development, and to predict embryo quality.     

Analysis and difference of voltage-dependent anion channel mRNA in ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic fertile donors and infertile patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia

Purpose  

To analyze the abundance and difference of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) mRNA in ejaculated spermatozoa from normozoospermic fertile donors and infertile patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia.     

Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men who have sex with men

IntroductionQuantitative research into sexual function and dysfunction in men who have sex with men (MSM) has been sparse due in large part to a lack of validated, quantitative instruments for the assessment of sexuality in this population.AimTo assess prevalence and associations of erectile problems and premature ejaculation in MSM.MethodsMSM were invited to complete an online survey of sexual function. Ethnodemographic, sexuality, and health‐related factors were assessed.Main Outcome MeasureParticipants completed a version of the International Index of Erectile Function modified for use in MSM (IIEF‐MSM) and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT). Total score on the erectile function (EF) domain of the IIEF‐EF (IIEF‐MSM‐EF) was used to stratify erectile dysfunction (ED) severity (25–30 = no ED, 16–24 mild or mild moderate ED, 11–15 moderate ED, and ≤10 severe ED). PEDT scores were used to stratify risk of premature ejaculation (PE, diagnosed as PEDT score ≥9).ResultsNearly 80% of the study cohort of 2,640 men resided in North America. The prevalence of ED was higher in older men whereas the prevalence of PE was relatively constant across age groups. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that increasing age, HIV seropositivity, prior use of erectogenic therapy, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and lack of a stable sexual partner were associated with greater odds of ED. A separate multivariate analysis revealed that younger age, LUTS, and lower number of lifetime sexual partners were associated with greater odds of PE.Conclusions.Risk factors for sexual problems in MSM are similar to what has been observed in quantitative studies of non‐MSM males. Urinary symptoms are associated with poorer sexual function in MSM. Shindel AW, Vittinghoff E, and Breyer BN. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men who have sex with men. J Sex Med 2012;9:576–584.