Showing papers on "Semen analysis published in 1998"
TL;DR: The study suggests that the current WHO guidelines for normal semen quality should be used with caution, as some men with sperm counts above the lower limit of the normal range defined by WHO may in fact be subfertile.
703 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that when poor-quality semen samples are used for ICSI, there is a greater likelihood that some sperm selected for injection, despite appearing normal, contain fragmented DNA.
485 citations
TL;DR: CASA, with high repeatability, provided a more discriminating estimate of the percentage of motile sperm cells than did the subjective procedure, and bull effect was much greater than any other variable in the experiments.
318 citations
TL;DR: The inclusion of an accurately evaluated normal sperm morphology count as an integral part of the standard semen analysis makes this analysis still the most cost-effective means of evaluating the male factor.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to conduct a structured review of the literature published on the use of normal sperm morphology, as an indicator of male fertility potential in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) situation, and to establish the universal predictive value of this semen parameter. Published literature in which normal sperm morphology was used to predict fertilization and pregnancy, during the period 1978-1996, was reviewed. A total of 216 articles were identified by the sourcing methodology, but only 49 provided data that could be tabulated and analysed. Of these, only 18 provided sufficient data for statistical analysis. Fifteen studies used the strict criteria to evaluate sperm morphology, two used World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and one used both the strict criteria and the WHO guidelines. All the studies (n = 10) using the 5 and 14% normal sperm morphology thresholds (strict criteria) produced positive predictive values for IVF success. In the prediction of pregnancy, 82% (9/11) and 75% (6/8) of the studies produced positive predictive values when using the 5% and 14% thresholds respectively. Aggregating the data produced around the 5% normal sperm morphology threshold (strict criteria), the overall fertilization rates were 59.3% (1979/3337; per oocyte) for the 4% group, and the overall pregnancy rates were 15.2% (60/395; per cycle) and 26.0% (355/1368; per cycle) respectively. The no-transfer rates across the 5% threshold were 24.0% (86/359; per cycle) in the 4% group. The inclusion of an accurately evaluated normal sperm morphology count as an integral part of the standard semen analysis makes this analysis still the most cost-effective means of evaluating the male factor.
247 citations
TL;DR: A significant increase in the levels of ROS generated by samples prepared by swim-up from a washed pellet compared with spermatozoa isolated directly from seminal plasma is demonstrated and strategies should be developed for minimizing collateral DNA damage.
Abstract: Before the advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) semen preparation techniques focused on the need to sustain the fertilizing potential of the spermatozoa particularly by reducing oxidative stress. However, for severely oligozoospermic patients treated by ICSI, sperm preparation protocols are used which aim to maximize sperm recovery rather than sperm function. In this study we have examined the impact of different sperm preparation techniques on oxidative stress, sperm motion and DNA integrity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was monitored using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, seminal antioxidant activity was assessed using a total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) assay while sperm motility and DNA damage were evaluated using computer assisted semen analysis and in-situ nick translation respectively. The results demonstrate a significant increase in the levels of ROS generated by samples prepared by swim-up from a washed pellet compared with spermatozoa isolated directly from seminal plasma. This oxidative stress was associated with a highly significant increase in the level of DNA damage sustained by the spermatozoa while the quality of sperm motility remained largely unchanged. These results suggest that if repeated centifugation protocols are to be used to prepare spermatozoa, strategies should be developed for minimizing collateral DNA damage.
212 citations
TL;DR: The data demonstrate that, contrary to previous recommendations, infertile men with azoospermia and high FSH values should be reconsidered for testicular biopsy, provided that tissue samples can be cryopreserved for later TESE/ICSI treatment.
Abstract: Spermatozoa recovered from testicular biopsies can be used through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to achieve a pregnancy. To assess the likelihood of successful testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in men suffering from severe oligo- or azoospermia, bilateral biopsy specimens were obtained. Following semi-thin sectioning, the morphology of testicular samples was graded according to a modified Johnsen score. TESE was performed in parallel to this histological examination. The number of isolated spermatozoa was assessed in a semiquantitative way. From 103 patients investigated, 64 (62.1%) showed azoospermia in a preceding semen analysis and 29 (28.2%) patients had sperm concentrations between 0.1 and 1 x 10(6)/ml. In 10 patients who had higher sperm counts, most spermatozoa were non-motile. Spermatozoa could be detected after TESE in the testicular tissue of 49 (77%) azoospermic men. When follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration was normal, most patients had detectable spermatozoa after TESE. Nearly one-third of patients with mildly elevated FSH had no spermatozoa. Thirty-nine percent of patients in whom FSH was elevated to more than twice normal and 50% of patients with grossly elevated FSH had no detectable spermatozoa. In all, 82.8% of men with sperm concentrations between 0.1 and 1x10(6)/ml in their ejaculate showed spermatozoa in the tissue sample after TESE. Our data demonstrate that, contrary to previous recommendations, infertile men with azoospermia and high FSH values should be reconsidered for testicular biopsy, provided that tissue samples can be cryopreserved for later TESE/ICSI treatment.
135 citations
TL;DR: In conclusion, at the chosen dose and duration, rhFSH did not lead to an improvement of conventional or EM sperm parameters nor to an increase in pregnancy rates, however, the increased testicular volume and sperm DNA condensation give reason for further investigations.
Abstract: To examine the role of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (rhFSH) in male idiopathic infertility a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed. Of 211 patients screened, 67 were finally included. After two pre-examinations, patients were randomized and treated for 12 weeks, either with 150 IU rhFSH or with placebo. Examinations (physical examination, scrotal ultrasonography, semen analysis, hormone measurements, and in 31 patients electron microscopy (EM) of spermatozoa were performed 6 and 12 weeks after treatment initiation and 6 and 12 weeks after completion of treatment. Pregnancies were recorded for a further 3 months after the last examination. Of the 67 patients included in the study, 34 treated and 31 placebo patients could be analysed. In the treated group, FSH was elevated compared to baseline values (P < 0.001). At the end of treatment testicular volume in the treated group was increased compared to placebo (P < 0.05) and baseline (P < 0.001). Apart from an increase in sperm motility (P < 0.05) in the placebo group and in sperm DNA condensation (P < 0.001) in the treated group no significant changes were observed in semen parameters. Two spontaneous pregnancies in partners of men in the treated group and none in the placebo group occurred. However, two pregnancies occurred in partners of men in the placebo group induced by intrauterine insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In conclusion, at the chosen dose and duration, rhFSH did not lead to an improvement of conventional or EM sperm parameters nor to an increase in pregnancy rates. However, the increased testicular volume and sperm DNA condensation give reason for further investigations.
124 citations
TL;DR: Aluminium may be one of the environmental pollutants causing impaired semen quality and a high concentration of aluminium in spermatozoa was correlated with decreased sperm motility.
Abstract: Aluminium, cadmium and lead concentrations in the spermatozoa and seminal plasma of 27 employees of two industrial companies, a refinery and a polyolefin factory, and 45 consecutive sperm donor candidates at a sperm bank were studied using atomic absorption measurements. The relationship between metal concentration and parameters of semen analysis was studied. A high concentration of aluminium in spermatozoa was correlated with decreased sperm motility. The concentrations of cadmium and lead were low and did not show any correlation with parameters of semen analysis. Aluminium may be one of the environmental pollutants causing impaired semen quality. The mean sperm concentrations were similar in the factory employees (96 x 10 6 /ml), in the sperm donor candidates of the comparison group (104 x 10 6 /ml) and in 352 donor candidates at the sperm bank of the Family Federation of Finland (107 x 10 6 /ml) between May 1993 and May 1995.
108 citations
TL;DR: HIVP was found to be the best seminal assay and it may improve the in vitro assessment of sperm fertilizing ability, and partial differences were found in the parameters of motility, normal morphology, normal apical ridge, viability, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOS), osmotic resistance test (ORT) and functional membrane integrity.
101 citations
TL;DR: Treatment with pentoxifylline appears to minimize sperm damage during the freeze-thaw process and may improve fertilization rates with assisted reproductive procedures such as intrauterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization.
Abstract: Cryopreservation causes extensive damage to spermatozoa, thereby impairing their fertilizing ability. The purpose of this study was to determine if the direct addition of pentoxifylline to the seminal plasma before cryopreservation improved sperm motility and acrosome reaction. Semen specimens from 15 healthy volunteers were divided into two aliquots. One aliquot was treated by adding 5 mM pentoxifylline directly to the seminal plasma (treatment group) and the other aliquot received no treatment (control group). Both aliquots were then cryopreserved by using the liquid nitrogen freezing method. The percentage of motile spermatozoa and various motion characteristics were then evaluated by performing computer-assisted semen analysis. The sperm viability was determined with a supra-vital dye, Hoechst-33258, and the acrosome reaction (spontaneous and calcium ionophore-induced) was monitored using fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated peanut lectin (FITC-PNA) binding assays. Pentoxifylline treatment significantly increased the sperm motility, the amplitude of lateral head displacement, the hyperactivation status, and the frequency of spontaneous acrosome reactions before freezing (P < 0.05). After post-thaw, no difference in motion characteristics (except percentage motility) between treated and control groups were observed. Acrosome loss due to the freeze-thaw process was less in the pentoxifylline-treated group (P = 0.0003). In addition, the percentage of cryopreserved acrosome-intact spermatozoa that underwent further acrosome reactions in response to calcium-ionophore challenge was significantly higher in the treated group (P = 0.03). Pentoxifylline treatment before freezing improved the acrosome reaction to ionophore challenge in cryopreserved spermatozoa. Treatment with pentoxifylline appears to minimize sperm damage during the freeze-thaw process and may improve fertilization rates with assisted reproductive procedures such as intrauterine insemination or in-vitro fertilization.
85 citations
TL;DR: Morphology evaluation using strict criteria and concentration of progressively motile spermatozoa were found to be the principal parameters determining the sperm fertilizing capacity in vitro.
Abstract: To determine predictive values of routine semen analysis, sperm morphology evaluation using strict criteria and DNA status for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), 66 consecutive couples undergoing IVF in a university hospital IVF programme were prospectively investigated Semen samples from 66 men were evaluated by routine semen analysis, morphology evaluation using strict criteria and acridine orange staining for determination of DNA status A new technique is described for acridine orange scoring which consisted of evaluation of two smears per case, with and without heat treatment Resistance to heat-provoked denaturation was determined by the difference between two evaluations A logistic regression model was built and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the threshold values and to compare diagnostic properties Morphology evaluation using strict criteria and concentration of progressively motile spermatozoa were found to be the principal parameters determining the sperm fertilizing capacity in vitro The logistic regression model composed of morphology evaluation using strict criteria and acridine orange score had a powerful diagnostic capability for prediction of fertilization in vitro
TL;DR: While the testicular salvage group had no significant seminal or endocrine abnormality, the orchiectomy group had a significant decrease in sperm density and elevation of baseline FSH and LH.
TL;DR: The findings suggest that subtle changes in semen variables, possibly associated with workplace exposure, may be detected only with parametric analyses of continuous variables of semen.
TL;DR: PureSperm appears to be as effective as Percoll (Enhance) for the recovery of good, progressively motile sperm for use in IUI or other assisted reproductive techniques.
TL;DR: Semen centrifugation (sperm pelleting) should be performed in all men considered to have azoospermia by routine semen analysis, especially those with testicular failure and those in whom intracytoplasmic sperm injection is possible.
TL;DR: Even at these very low concentrations, coital lubricants impair sperm motility and thus may adversely affect fertility, according to a prospective longitudinal control-based study using patients undergoing infertility investigations.
Abstract: Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples, and in about one-third the primary cause is a male factor. Patients undergoing infertility investigations frequently experience sexual dysfunction, which often is due to inadequate vaginal lubrication. This can lead to increased use of coital lubricants. The effects of such lubricants on sperm motility have not been widely studied, although sperm motility is one of the best prognostic indicators of fertilization. Using a prospective longitudinal control-based study, we analysed the effect of adding four lubricants: KY jelly, baby oil, olive oil and saliva on sperm motion in 16 samples from patients undergoing infertility investigations. Sperm samples were prepared by density gradient centrifugation prior to mixing with lubricants. Motility parameters were determined using computer-assisted semen analysis after 5, 15 and 30 min. All lubricants except baby oil significantly decreased percentage progressive motility, progressive velocity, curvilinear velocity and lateral head displacement at 12.5% concentration. At a lower concentration of 6.25%, both olive oil and saliva still significantly reduced progressive motility parameters, while KY jelly diminished head movement parameters. Hence, even at these very low concentrations, coital lubricants impair sperm motility and thus may adversely affect fertility.
TL;DR: Simultaneous measurement of both FSH and inhibin B identified more cases with oligozoospermia than either hormone alone and the indirect mixed antiglobin reaction (MAR) test result appears accurate in identifying subfertility.
TL;DR: This study indicates that surgery in adolescence can be useful, possibly because the testis is still developing at that age, and large-scale, double-blind controlled trials on early treatment of left varicocele are needed to identify possible markers of disease severity.
TL;DR: Tests for ionophore-induced AR may provide additional information about sperm fertilizing ability but may not indicate specific defects of the physiological AR in patients with teratozoospermic semen.
Abstract: 1 To whom correspondence should be addressed The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between calcium ionophore A23187-induced acrosome reaction (AR) and sperm fertilizing ability. Semen samples remaining after preparation for standard IVF were studied in 109 patients who had sperm concentrations o20H10 6 /ml. Ionophore-induced AR was performed on motile spermatozoa selected by centrifugation on a Percoll gradient. Semen analysis was performed using standard methods. Patients with higher (>50%, n J 76) fertilization rates had significantly higher ionophore-induced AR than patients with lower (<50%, n J 33) fertilization rates (49 K 14 versus 38 K 21%, P < 0.05). When the data from all patients were analysed by logistic regression, only the percentage sperm motility in insemination medium and ionophore-induced AR were significantly related to fertilization rates. Similar results were also obtained when the data from a subgroup of patients with poor (<15% normal) sperm morphology were analysed. However, when patients with normal sperm morphology o o15% were analysed separately, only sperm count and the percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility in semen were significantly related to fertilization rates. In conclusion, ionophore-induced AR was significantly related to fertilization rates in vitro mainly in patients with teratozoospermic semen. Tests for ionophoreinduced AR may provide additional information about sperm fertilizing ability but may not indicate specific defects of the physiological AR.
TL;DR: Varicocele repair in subfertile men improves Kruger strict morphology and motility and total motile sperm are significantly improved after repair, since the stoichiometry of the sperm head is crucial to egg and sperm interaction.
TL;DR: Computer-assisted semen analysis provided a good assessment of various sperm motility characteristics and it is recommended that evaluation using such objective methods, to allow comparison among studies, is recommended.
Abstract: Objective
To evaluate semen quality and fecundity in a group of men with initially untreated varicocele testis, in comparison with control subjects.
Patients, subjects and methods
In a prospective, longitudinal study, 77 men (39 with varicocele and 38 control subjects) were evaluated in 1989 and re-investigated after 8 years. Fifty-seven men (29 with varicocele, 28 controls) were available for evaluation and they all completed a questionnaire. Semen from a total of 46 men (24 with varicocele) was compared with findings in 22 men from the control group.
Results
There was a decline in sperm count in the control group from 80×106 /mL to 55×106 /mL over the 8-year period, but nearly no change in the sperm count in the men with varicocele. The withdrawal rate from each group was the same and included both men with and without reduced semen quality. There were no differences between the groups in sperm motility values (straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity) evaluated using computer-assisted semen analysis. Paternity was achieved by 10 of 14 men in the varicocele group, compared with 14 of 16 in the control group.
Conclusions
There was no evidence that varicocelectomy might benefit patients, because the sperm concentration did not decline among men with varicocele over time. Computer-assisted semen analysis provided a good assessment of various sperm motility characteristics and we recommend evaluation using such objective methods, to allow comparison among studies
TL;DR: Semen quality in men with SCI does not progressively decline after the SCI, and men who are considering biologic fatherhood should be advised that the number of years after injury need not be a determinant in deciding when to start a family.
TL;DR: Nuclear protein maturation correlates with sperm motility and morphology, however, acridine orange staining did not predict fertilization efficiency or pregnancy outcome in IVF cycles.
TL;DR: In this paper, the importance of interindividual variations in the disomy frequencies of human sperm and their possible correlation with the principal semen parameters was evaluated, and the positive correlation can be explained by an abnormality of chromosomal segregation at the time of meiosis that would cause disturbances during the transition of nucleoprotein or by one or several premeiotic abnormalities of chromatin that would perturb both the meiotic process and the construction of definitive proteins.
TL;DR: Elevated FSH levels are significantly higher and sperm counts are significantly lower in formerly cryptorchid men than in controls, and in the Cryptorchidism group the same differences are found in fertile and infertile men.
TL;DR: The use of flow cytometry and FISH in cases where genetic and developmental chromatin abnormalities are suspected is a valuable adjunct to other available techniques, and can guide the clinicians to decide which samples are unsuitable for intracytoplasmic injection.
Abstract: 5 To whom correspondence should be addressed Routine semen analysis in an infertile patient revealed severe teratospermia associated with malformation of head and tail in 100% of the sperm cells. Flow cytometry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) were shown to supplement routine semen analysis by providing information on the sperm chromatin. Using flow cytometry, propidium iodide-stained spermatozoa from the same sperm sample were compared with a normal reference pool, and with human lymphocytes. The results point to a population of diploid sperm cells rather than to mature haploid spermatozoa. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities of the spermatozoa were subsequently evaluated using FISH. A total of 1000 sperm cells were scored for X and Y chromosomes, and an additional 1128 sperm cells for chromosome 18. Aneuploidy of chromosomes X and Y was revealed in 96.9% of the cells and of chromosome 18 in 90.3% of the cells. Non-disjunction of chromosome X and Y in meiosis I and II occurred in 54.8 and 2.7% of the sperm cells respectively. Non-disjunction in both meiosis I and II occurred in 39.4% of the sperm cells. A normal haploid pattern for chromosomes X and Y was observed in only 3.1%, and for chromosome 18 in 9.7%, of the cells. Using three colour FISH for the sex chromosomes and for chromosome 18, diploidy was demonstrated in 19.4% of 500 sperm cells and aneuploidy in virtually all sperm cells (99.2%). The use of flow cytometry and FISH in cases where genetic and developmental chromatin abnormalities are suspected is a valuable adjunct to other available techniques, and can guide the clinicians to decide which samples are unsuitable for intracytoplasmic injection.
TL;DR: Because of the unpredictable effect of sarcoidosis on the male genital tract, all patients interested in paternity should obtain a semen analysis at the time of disease diagnosis.
TL;DR: Because decreases in sperm motility would be expected to directly affect fertility, CASA may be a more robust endpoint for risk assessment in reproductive toxicology studies than flow cytometric analysis of membrane integrity.
TL;DR: The data presented here in men firing the 155-mm howitzer combined with the results from the previous studies confirms that there are no deficits in semen quality in these men, contradicting the previous report indicating that radar exposure caused a significant decrease in sperm numbers.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Antibiotic therapy significantly improved the sperm parameters, antioxidant activity and IL-4 but reduced IL-2 andIL-8 and had no effect on antisperm antibody titer.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of antibiotic therapy on seminal infection.
STUDY DESIGN: The seminal plasma of 50 men was evaluated in three groups: (1) men with seminal infection (20), (2) men with leukocytospermia only (18), and (3) men of proven fertility (12). The evaluation protocol included semen analysis, culture and antibiotic sensitivity test, total antioxidant activity, alpha-tocopherol and retinol, T-helper cytokines, IL-2, IL-8, IL-4 and antisperm antibodies.
RESULTS: Sperm parameters were worse with seminal infection: 25 versus 84 million per milliliter for fertile men. Antioxidant activity, total alpha-tocopherol and retinol were reduced in leukocytospermia (P < .02, .01) and seminal infection (P < .01, .05) as compared to controls. Antisperm antibodies IL-2 and IL-8 were highly expressed, while IL-4 was low in men with leukocytospermia and bacteriospermia. Gram-negative organisms were more associated with expression of T-helper 1 cytokines than T-helper 2 cytokines. Antibiotic therapy significantly improved the sperm parameters, antioxidant activity and IL-4 but reduced IL-2 and IL-8 and had no effect on antisperm antibody titer.
CONCLUSION: Antibiotic therapy improves sperm parameters by increasing antioxidant activity and IL-4 and by reducing IL-2 and IL-8.