WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen

Background Sperm cell death appears to be a cause of male infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the most reliable method for the evaluation of sperm quality in semen samples during sperm preparation for IVF. Methods Conventional analysis of semen samples was compared with several cytofluorometric methods detecting death-associated changes. Neat semen from infertile patients and sperm prepared by PureSperm gradient were studied by conventional microscopy and analysed for mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)), generation of reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation and cell viability. Results In neat semen, a positive correlation was found between the percentage of Delta Psi(m)(high) sperm cells and standard semen parameters (concentration/motility). Sperm cells depicting Delta Psi(m)(high) and cells with low DNA fragmentation displayed high fertilization rate after IVF. The only changes that could be detected in prepared sperm were changes in Delta Psi(m), with Delta Psi(m)(high) sperm positively correlated with forward motility and also with high fertilization rates after IVF. Conclusion Analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential is the most sensitive test by which to determine sperm quality. These findings promise development of a test that may help to predict successful IVF.

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Study of mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation and cell viability by flow cytometry in human sperm

BACKGROUND: In fertile populations, little is known about the association between semen parameters and time to pregnancy (TTP) METHODS: Pregnant women from Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Paris and Turku who conceived without medical intervention were asked for their TTP (942 couples), and their partners provided a semen sample The proportion of morphologically normal sperm and the multiple anomalies index (MAI, ratio of the total number of anomalies to the number of abnormal sperm) were centrally estimated We estimated rate ratios for the occurrence of a pregnancy by a discrete survival model, adjusted for sexual activity and female factors affecting fecundity RESULTS: Increasing sperm concentration influenced TTP up to 5510 6 /ml The proportion of morphologically normal sperm influenced TTP up to 39% according to David’s criteria, and this association held among the subjects with a sperm concentration >5510 6 /ml For strict criteria, the threshold value was 19% normal sperm An increase of 05 in MAI was associated with an adjusted rate ratio for the occurrence of a pregnancy of 068 (95% confidence interval: 054–085) CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the importance of sperm morphology parameters and indicate that the effect of proportion of normal sperm on TTP may be independent of sperm concentration

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Time to pregnancy and semen parameters: a cross-sectional study among fertile couples from four European cities

Background:High exposure to phthalates, which are ubiquitous contaminants, has been shown in animal studies to produce detrimental effects on male reproductive functions. A recent study in humans reported dose–response relations between low phthalate levels in urine and human semen parameters, which

Urinary phthalate metabolites and biomarkers of reproductive function in young men.

Sperm DNA damage is a useful biomarker for male infertility diagnosis and prediction of assisted reproduction outcomes. It is associated with reduced fertilization rates, embryo quality and pregnancy rates, and higher rates of spontaneous miscarriage and childhood diseases. This review provides a synopsis of the most recent studies from each of the authors, all of whom have major track records in the field of sperm DNA damage in the clinical setting. It explores current laboratory tests and the accumulating body of knowledge concerning the relationship between sperm DNA damage and clinical outcomes. The paper proceeds to discuss the strengths, weaknesses and clinical applicability of current sperm DNA tests. Next, the biological significance of DNA damage in the male germ line is considered. Finally, as sperm DNA damage is often the result of oxidative stress in the male reproductive tract, the potential contribution of antioxidant therapy in the clinical management of this condition is discussed. DNA damage in human

https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/S1472-6483(13)00363-5/pdf

The impact of sperm DNA damage in assisted conception and beyond: recent advances in diagnosis and treatment

The predictive value of sperm motility parameters obtained by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) was evaluated for the fertility of men from general population. In a prospective study with couples stopping use of contraception in order to try to conceive, CASA was performed on semen samples from 358 men. A recently developed CASA system, Copenhagen Rigshospitalet Image house sperm Motility Analysis System (CRISMAS) was used for assessment of motility parameters. This system has an editing function which allows correction of tracks made by the computer. Probably due to this function, the concentration assessment made by CRISMAS was very close to that made by the technician (median difference <5%) in all concentration ranges. Correlation between CASA parameters and fertility of normal couples (measured as probability of achieving pregnancy) was examined by the Cox regression model. In univariate models ln(sperm concentration) [beta = 0.331, risk ratio (RR) = 1.392, P = 0.0001], ln(total sperm count) (beta = 0.252, RR = 1.286, P = 0.0007) and percentage motile spermatozoa (beta = 0.014, RR = 1.014, P = 0.0004) were most significant predictors for fertility. In a multivariate analysis ln(sperm concentration) (beta = 0.268, RR = 1.307, P = 0.0016) and percentage motile spermatozoa (beta = 0.010, RR = 1.010, P = 0.011) but even more significantly the combined parameter, ln(concentration of motile spermatozoa) (beta = 0.329, RR = 1.389, P = 0.0001), were the only parameters of predictive value for fertility of men in the general population. In conclusion, these parameters obtained by CASA measurements can be used for prediction of fertility potential in normal men. This appears to be the first study showing the value of CASA in prediction of fertility in the general male population.

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Computer-assisted semen analysis parameters as predictors for fertility of men from the general population

Burgeoning evidence suggests that exercise improves physical and mental health in people with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of high-intensity training in patients with first-episode psychosis. This qualitative study explored motivation, social interaction and experiences of participants and instructors in relation to an eight-week moderate to high intensity exercise training programme in a clinical trial including patients with first-episode psychosis. The study used a combination of method, source and investigator triangulation. Data were collected by means of semi-structured individual interviews with participants at baseline (n = 16) and at follow-up (n = 9), as well as by means of participant observations during the programme (8 sessions × 1.5 h, 12 h in total) and focus group discussions with participants (n = 3) and instructors (n = 4), respectively, after the programme. Data were analysed using thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clarke. Three main themes and ten subthemes emerged during the analysis: 1) motivation and expectations for enrolment (subthemes: routines and structure, social obligation, goal setting and self-worth); 2) new demands and opportunities (subthemes: practicalities of the training, an understanding exercise setting, and alone and together); and 3) looking ahead – reflections on impact (subthemes: restored sleep and circadian rhythm, energy and sense of achievement, changed everyday life, and hope of finding a new path). Findings suggest that the programme was appealing to, and appreciated by, the participants because of its potential to create an equally challenging and caring non-clinical environment. This study indicates that supervised, group-based, moderate to high intensity exercise training complementary to early intervention in psychosis is acceptable. Specifically, the intervention appeared to provide patients an opportunity to integrate the notion of being a young individual along with being a patient with a psychiatric diagnosis, thus supporting and promoting recovery. ClinicalTrials.gov
 identifier: NCT03409393. Registered January 24, 2018.

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The impact of exercise training complementary to early intervention in patients with first-episode psychosis: a qualitative sub-study from a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

Lene Q. Larsen

Papers

Computer-assisted semen analysis parameters as predictors for fertility of men from the general population

The impact of exercise training complementary to early intervention in patients with first-episode psychosis: a qualitative sub-study from a randomized controlled feasibility trial.