Semen analysis

About: Semen analysis is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 4909 publications have been published within this topic receiving 143225 citations.

The effects of male age on sperm analysis by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME)

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to investigate the influence of age on sperm quality, as analysed by motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME). Methods: Semen samples were collected from 975 men undergoing evaluation or treatment for infertility. Sperm cells were evaluated at 8400× magnification using an inverted microscope equipped with Nomarski (differential interference contrast) optics. Two forms of spermatozoa were considered: normal spermatozoa and spermatozoa with large nuclear vacuoles (LNV, defined as vacuoles occupying > 50% of the sperm nuclear area). At least 200 spermatozoa per sample were evaluated, and the percentages of normal and LNV spermatozoa were determined. The subjects were divided into three groups according to age: Group I, less than or equal to 35 years; Group II, 3640 years; and Group III, greater than or equal to 41 years. Results: There was no difference in the percentages of normal sperm between the two younger (I and II) groups ( P> 0.05). The percentage of normal sperm in the older group (III) was significantly lower than that in the younger (I and II) groups (P 0.05). The percentage of LNV spermatozoa was significantly higher in the older group (III) than in the younger (I and II) groups (P < 0.05). Regression analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in the incidence of normal sperm with increasing age (P < 0.05; r = -0.10). However, there was a significant positive correlation between the percentage of spermatozoa with LNV and male age (P < 0.05, r = 0.10). Conclusion: The results demonstrated a consistent decline in semen quality, as reflected by morphological evaluation by MSOME, with increased age. Considering the relationship between nuclear vacuoles and DNA damage, these age-related changes predict that increased paternal age should be associated with unsuccessful or abnormal pregnancy as a consequence of fertilisation with damaged spermatozoa. Given that sperm nuclear vacuoles can be evaluated more precisely at high magnification, these results support the routine use of MSOME for ICSI as a criterion for semen analysis.

Unbiased label-free quantitative proteomic profiling and enriched proteomic pathways in seminal plasma of adult men before and after varicocelectomy

Abstract: study design, size, duration: A prospective study was carried out including 18 adult men with varicocele. These patients provided one semen sample before they were submitted for bilateral varicocele repair through microsurgical varicocelectomy, and one other semen sample 90 days after the surgery. participants/materials, setting, methods: An aliquot of each semen sample was used for unbiased proteomics analysis by a label-free quantitative approach (2D nanoUPLC-ESI-MS E ). Samples were pooled according to group (normalized to protein content) and run in quadruplicate. These quadruplicate runs provided degrees of freedom in order to compare groups using a non-parametric Mann –Whitney test for quantified proteins. main results and the role of chance: A total of 316 proteins were quantified or identified, of which 91 were exclusively identified or quantified in one of the groups (53 in the pre- and 38 in the post-varicocelectomy group), and 68 were quantified in both groups and submitted to statistical analysis, of which 5 were overrepresented in the pre-varicocelectomy group (P , 0.05). In enriched functional analysis, binding and response to stimulus functions were enriched in a common cluster (present in both groups), nitric oxide metabolism and tetratricopeptide repeat domain-binding functions were enriched in the pre-varicocelectomy group, and response to reactive oxygen species, gluconeogenesis, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-binding and protein stabilization were enriched in the post-varicocelectomy. limitations, reasons for caution: Because a shotgun proteomics analysis was chosen in order to generate a list of putative biomarkers, a targeted follow-up study should be performed to confirm these biomarkers. wider implications of the findings: The proteins found in both groups possess functions usually found in human semen. The enriched function analysis demonstrated a shift back to homeostasis after varicocelectomy, suggesting that varicocele correction promotes return of semen to a physiological state.

Toxic metals signature in the human seminal plasma of Pakistani population and their potential role in male infertility.

Abstract: Aims of this study were to provide firsthand data on the incidence of trace metals in human seminal plasma and find possible correlations between levels of toxic metals and semen quality of Pakistani population. Human semen samples were collected from male partners of couples undergoing infertility assessment at the National Institute of Health Islamabad (Pakistan). We investigated seventy-five seminal plasma samples, which were further categorized into three groups (normozoospermia, oligozoospermia and azoospermia) according to WHO guidelines. The concentration of 17 different toxic metals in human seminal plasma was determined simultaneously by using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Out of 17 trace metals, Cd and Ni showed significant difference (p < 0.05) among three monitored groups. Ni and Cd concentrations in the seminal plasma were negatively correlated with sperm concentration (r = −0.26, −0.29) and motility (r = −0.33, −0.37), respectively. This study suggested that exposure of Ni and Cd is mainly related with the consumption of contaminated dietary items, including ghee (cooking oil), flour and other agri-products. In some semen samples, the concentrations of Sn, V, Cu, Pb, Cr and Hg exhibited high levels suggesting a recent human exposure to surrounding sources. In Pakistani human semen samples, the levels of trace metals were lower and/or comparable to that found in populations of other countries. The results show the first evidence of the effect of toxic metals on semen quality and male infertility in Pakistan.

Influence of counting chamber type on CASA outcomes of equine semen analysis

Abstract: Summary Reasons for performing study: Sperm motility is considered to be one of the key features of semen analysis. Assessment of motility is frequently performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Nevertheless, no uniform standards are present to analyse a semen sample using CASA. Objectives: We hypothesised that the type of counting chamber used might influence the results of analysis and aimed to study the effect of chamber type on estimated concentration and motility of an equine semen sample assessed using CASA. Methods: Commonly used disposable Leja chambers of different depths were compared with disposable and reusable ISAS chambers, a Makler chamber and a World Health Organization (WHO) motility slide. Motility parameters and concentrations obtained with CASA using these different chambers were analysed. The NucleoCounter was used as gold standard for determining concentration. Results: Concentration and motility parameters were significantly influenced by the chamber type used. Using the NucleoCounter as the gold standard for determining concentration, the correlation coefficients were low for all of the various chambers evaluated, with the exception of the 12 µm deep Leja chamber. Filling a chamber by capillary forces resulted in a lower observed concentration and reduced motility parameters. All chambers evaluated in this study resulted in significant lower progressive motility than the WHO prepared slide, with the exception of the Makler chamber, which resulted in a slight, but statistically significant, increase in progressive motility estimates. Conclusions and potential relevance: Computer-assisted sperm analysis can only provide a rough estimate of sperm concentration and overestimation is likely when drop-filled slides with a coverslip are used. Motility estimates using CASA are highly influenced by the counting chamber; therefore, a complete description of the chamber type used should be provided in semen reports and in scientific articles.

Raised inflammatory markers in semen from men with asymptomatic chlamydial infection.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 concentrations, as well as numbers of seminal leukocytes in a population of infertile men, some of whom were Chlamydia trachomatis positive, were related to chlamydial infection. Our patient group included 255 men attending for diagnostic semen analysis as part of infertility investigations. Significantly raised levels of IL-8, but not IL-6, were found in C trachomatis-infected patients but not in uninfected patients. Raised IL-8 levels in semen were also associated with an increase in semen volume. There was a relationship between C trachomatis infection and lower progressive motile sperm, as well as an increase in seminal leukocytes. The overall prevalence rate for C trachomatis was 6.2%, and more infections were detected in semen than in first void urine. This study supports the suggestion that IL-8 might be used as a marker for male genital tract infection, especially when due to C trachomatis. In this study, there was a relationship between the presence of C trachomatis in semen and alterations of some semen parameters. Further investigations should be performed to understand the disparities of first void urine and semen testing for detection of C trachomatis in males.