Search Results (506)

The severe decrease in natural sturgeon stocks has led to intensified efforts toward the development of sturgeon aquaculture and the application of reproductive biotechnologies to ensure sustainable production. In cultured male Acipenser ruthenus (sterlet), spermiation must be hormonally induced to obtain high-quality semen; however, reducing hormonal dosages while maintaining or improving sperm quality remains a major challenge. In this study, we investigated the effects of reduced doses of carp pituitary extract (CPE) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LH-RH) combined with Apilarnil supplementation on spermiation and semen quality in A. ruthenus. Semen volume, pH, sperm concentration, total sperm output, total motility, and spermatozoa velocity were evaluated. Administering a reduced CPE dose (1.1 mg·kg⁻¹) combined with 1 g of Apilarnil significantly increased semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm output, as well as improved sperm kinematic parameters (total motility and velocity) compared with the conventional hormonal protocol. Furthermore, treatments using 50% of the standard LH-RH dose supplemented with 1 g or 2 g of Apilarnil resulted in significantly higher sperm motility and velocity than observed in the control group. These results demonstrate that Apilarnil supplementation allows for a substantial reduction in exogenous hormonal doses while enhancing spermiation efficiency and semen quality in sterlet, supporting the spermiation-induction protocol for sturgeon aquaculture. Full article

Chronic stress (CS) contributes to male infertility, reduced testosterone levels, and impaired semen quality. CS models induced by glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone (DEX), negatively affect sperm parameters and testicular health, notably by promoting testicular apoptosis. While individual plant extracts have been studied for their ability to mitigate stress-induced reproductive dysfunction, the preventive effect of the Tri Garn Pis (TGP) polyherbal extract in DEX-induced CS (DexCS) has not previously been investigated. This study evaluated the effects of TGP extract on testicular function, sexual behavior, and sperm quality in DexCS male mice. Seventy-two ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups: control, DexCS, TGP (50, 100, and 200) + DexCS, and TGP200. Mice received TGP (50, 100, 200 mg/kgBW) for 14 days before DEX co-treatment for 28 days. Behavioral and reproductive assessments included depression-like behavior tests, sexual behavior, sperm quality, testicular histopathology, steroidogenesis proteins (AR, CYP11A1, StAR), and apoptosis markers (Hsp70, caspase-3, caspase-9). TGP extract—which is rich in phenolics and flavonoids with antioxidant activity—improved depressive behavior, sexual performance, testicular histology, and low sperm quality. TGP also upregulated testicular StAR expression while reducing caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels. TGP prevents testicular apoptosis, sexual dysfunction, and poor sperm motility induced by DexCS. Full article

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder with far-reaching systemic consequences. While its cardiometabolic and neurocognitive impacts are well established, growing evidence highlights OSA as a contributor to infertility in both men and women. The pathophysiological mechanisms include intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and endocrine disruption, all of which can impair spermatogenesis, reduce semen quality, alter gonadal hormone secretion, and compromise ovarian function. Clinical studies consistently demonstrate associations between OSA and impaired semen parameters, reduced testosterone, and erectile dysfunction in men. In women, OSA is frequently observed in those with polycystic ovary syndrome, is associated with ovulatory dysfunction, and negatively affects in vitro fertilization outcomes, pregnancy rates, and miscarriage risk. Despite these findings, infertility is not systematically included in global burden estimates of OSA, leading to the underestimation of its true health and socioeconomic impact. Therapeutic strategies such as weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure, and integrative approaches show promise, though robust evidence from randomized trials is still lacking. Integrating sleep health into reproductive medicine may provide a cost-effective and equitable pathway to improve fertility outcomes worldwide. Full article

Background and Objectives: The association between different anesthesia modalities and spermiogram parameters and reproductive outcomes in patients undergoing microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) remains unclear. In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to compare spermiogram parameters and pregnancy rates between patients receiving general anesthesia (GA) versus spinal anesthesia (SA) for MSV with 2-year follow-up data. Materials and Methods: Male patients aged between 18–50 years, with ASA physical scores between I–III, who underwent unilateral or bilateral primary MSV, were included in the study. To minimize selection bias and balance the baseline characteristics between the GA group and SA group, we employed a propensity score matching approach, matching all 38 SA patients with 380 GA patients selected from a larger pool. Patients with complete 24-month follow-up data were included in the final analysis. The primary outcome of our study was determined as evaluating sperm count changes. Secondary outcomes included other sperm parameters (motility, morphology and semen volume), natural pregnancy rates, perioperative complications and recovery parameters. Results: The final analysis included 418 patients who met all inclusion criteria and completed the follow-up period. The study population comprised 380 patients in the GA group and 38 in the SA group. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of sperm count. Greater improvement in sperm motility was observed in the SA group starting from the third month onwards (p = 0.027). Natural pregnancy was achieved in 16/38 (42.1%) of SA patients versus 125/380 (32.9%) of GA patients (p = 0.031). In addition, better results were obtained in terms of recovery parameters in the SA group. Other results were comparable between the groups. Conclusions: Spinal anesthesia for MSV was associated with greater improvement in sperm motility and higher natural pregnancy rates compared to general anesthesia, despite comparable sperm count improvements. These associations warrant further investigation in prospective randomized trials. Full article

Infertility affects thousands of couples internationally, leaving a profound effect on their families and communities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one out of six individuals of reproductive age worldwide experiences infertility in their life span. Approximately 35% of infertile couples are affected by male factor infertility, in which semen analysis is the gold standard diagnostic procedure. Oxidative stress (OS) is considered to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. A thorough literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, using MeSH terms and free-text keywords, to retrieve eligible articles published in the last decade, focusing on the potential beneficial role of oral antioxidants in male infertility. Antioxidant supplementation appears to improve the majority of sperm parameters. Therefore, antioxidant therapy is emerging as a promising aid in addressing male infertility. The purpose of this comprehensive literature review is to evaluate the significance of antioxidant supplementation in improving sperm parameters. Most of the included randomized controlled trials demonstrated the positive effects of oral antioxidants in various parameters, such as sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility and progressive motility. Consequently, pregnancy outcomes were evaluated, and increased pregnancy rates were reported in the majority of the included studies. Full article

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Turnera diffusa supplementation on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of semen in Duroc boars (n = 4). The experiment was divided into two periods, each corresponding to the duration of one spermatogenic cycle: a control period (40 days) (CP) and an experimental period (40 days) (EP). Nutrition and environmental conditions were kept constant throughout both periods. During the experimental period, each boar received a daily supplement of 7 g of Turnera diffusa extract. In each period, five ejaculates were collected from each boar included in the study. The ejaculates were evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, motility, agglutination, number of insemination doses obtained per ejaculate after dilution, and sperm viability after 24, 48, and 72 h of storage. The results of a two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that the combined effect of boar × treatment significantly influenced ejaculate volume (p < 0.01) and viability after 48 h of storage (p < 0.05). The results of the two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that treatment with the tested additive T. diffusa significantly affected sperm survival during storage for 24 h (p < 0.01), 48 h (p < 0.001), and 72 h (p < 0.05). Bonferroni post hoc analysis indicated that T. diffusa significantly affected only the parameters related to sperm viability, namely survival rates at 24 h (p < 0.001), 48 h (p < 0.01), and 72 h (p < 0.01). The findings of this study demonstrate that the application of the tested supplement, at the specified dose and duration, has a positive effect on semen quality in boars. Full article

Background/Objectives: Male infertility contributes to nearly half of global infertility cases, yet conventional semen analysis is insufficient to predict assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) is a promising biomarker of genomic integrity, but clinical implementation remains hindered by methodological heterogeneity. This study compared two SDF assays—TUNEL and Acridine Orange (AO)—regarding their correlations with semen parameters and ICSI outcomes. Methods: Sixty men undergoing ICSI were prospectively enrolled. SDF was analyzed using two flow cytometric assays: TUNEL (detecting DNA strand breaks) and AO (assessing chromatin instability). Semen quality and ICSI outcomes (fertilization, cleavage, blastulation, and embryo utilization rates) were evaluated. Statistical analyses included Spearman’s rank correlation and Mann–Whitney tests. Results: Median SDF levels were significantly higher by TUNEL than AO (17.2% vs. 10.15%; p = 0.0065). Inter-assay correlation was weak (r = 0.299, p = 0.01). AO-derived SDF correlated positively with age (r = 0.311, p = 0.02), while TUNEL showed no such trend. Neither assay correlated significantly with semen parameters or ICSI outcomes, although AO tended to associate with lower motility and slightly reduced top-quality embryo rates. Conclusions: TUNEL and AO capture distinct facets of sperm DNA damage. Their limited correlation and lack of predictive value for ICSI outcomes highlight the need for assay-specific interpretation and standardization. Integration of SDF with additional biomarkers and oocyte factors may enhance its clinical utility. Full article

The maturation and motility of epididymal sperm (ES) cells are largely driven by changes in protein expression. This study aimed to analyze the proteomic profile of canine (Canis lupus familiaris) ES across groups characterized by different progressive motility (PMOT) values to identify motility-related sperm proteins (MRSPs). ES were obtained from the epididymal semen of 19 dogs. The motility and movement parameters of ejaculated sperm (ES) were evaluated using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Samples were classified into two groups: good sperm motility (GSM), defined as PMOT% ≥ 55%, and poor sperm motility (PSM), defined as PMOT < 55%. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the first two components could explain 88.1% of the total variance between the GSM and PSM groups. Protein profiling of ES was performed using NanoUPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Significant statistical differences were demonstrated between the GSM and PSM groups for the TMOT (p = 0.039) and PMOT (p < 0.001). For five common proteins, their abundance was estimated to be higher in the GSM group than in the PSM group: ACTB (p = 0.2732), CRISP2 (p = 0.1558), LTF (p = 0.2661) and significantly higher: ce10 (p = 0.009) and NPC2 (p < 0.0044). These findings may be used to develop diagnostic MRSP-based tests related to ES quality in assisted reproduction techniques in dogs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Varicocele is a common cause of testicular hypotrophy and impaired semen quality in adolescents. Laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV) and microsurgical varicocelectomy (MV) with internal spermatic vein-superficial epigastric vein bypass are established treatment options. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes, complication rates, and functional recovery between LV and MV in adolescents. Methods: A retrospective two-center analysis was conducted on adolescents who underwent LV or MV between 2019 and 2024. Primary outcomes included postoperative complications, recurrence, testicular volume recovery, and semen parameter improvement. Secondary outcomes included operative time, hospital stay, and return to full activity. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 430 patients met the inclusion criteria (270 LV, 160 MV). LV had a significantly shorter operative time (15 ± 5.1 min vs. 55.5 ± 6.4 min; p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in hospital stay (p = 0.28), postoperative hematoma (p = 0.06), hydrocele (p = 0.06), or recurrence rates (p = 0.20). Full recovery of testicular volume occurred in 75.0% after LV vs. 70.6% after MV (p = 0.40). Overall semen improvement was 89.5% in LV vs. 100% in MV (p = 0.07). Normalization of oligospermia was significantly higher in the MV group (92.8% vs. 65.3%; p = 0.0048). Conclusions: Both LV and MV are safe and effective techniques for adolescent varicocele repair, with comparable complication and recurrence rates. LV offers significantly shorter operative time, whereas MV provides a superior improvement in semen parameters, suggesting a potential advantage of microsurgical repair in adolescents presenting with abnormal semen analysis. Full article

Background/Objectives: The hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis is known to be dysregulated in patients with hematological malignancies. However, data on the association between the type of hematological malignancies and semen quality are discordant. In the era of personalized medicine, identifying disease-specific patterns of reproductive impairment is crucial to optimize fertility preservation strategies. While patients with leukemia often show a clear deterioration in semen quality, studies on Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas have shown that spermatogenesis is not always compromised. Indeed, some patients may present normospermia before treatment. This study aimed to assess semen parameters in males affected by hematological malignancies compared with a non-cancer population and to explore implications for individualized fertility preservation counseling. Methods: We performed a retrospective monocentric study including all patients affected by hematological malignancies who underwent fertility preservation at the Maternal and Child Department, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Oncofertility Unit, Federico II of Naples, from January 2017 through December 2024. In total, 247 patients with hematological malignancies and 63 non-cancer males undergoing in vitro fertilization for female tubal factor, selected as a control group, were included in the analysis. Sperm parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology) were first compared between the hematological malignancy group and the control group, and then among hematological malignancies classified as Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and leukemia (L). Results: Overall, according to World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) criteria, semen parameters of patients with hematological malignancies were at the 25th percentile, except for motility, which was below the 5th percentile. Significant differences were observed in sperm concentration/mL, total sperm number, and percentage of total sperm motility between the hematological malignancy group and the control group (p = 0.0004; p = 0.0003; p < 0.0001). Based on disease classification, 158 patients had Hodgkin lymphoma, 54 had non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 35 had leukemia. Significant differences in concentration/mL and total sperm number were found between the Hodgkin lymphoma group and the control group (p = 0.003; p = 0.001). The percentage of total sperm motility was significantly decreased in all subtypes of hematological malignancies compared with controls, especially in the leukemia group (HL p = 0.001; NHL p = 0.004; L p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings highlight significant impairment of semen quality, particularly motility, reinforcing the role of personalized medicine in tailoring fertility preservation strategies according to malignancy subtype and baseline reproductive risk. Full article

Objective: The objectives of this study were to characterize the clinical, hormonal, and extended biomarker profile of infertile men in a Moroccan context, based on a retrospective single-center study, and to assess the relevance of selected markers for initial andrological assessment. Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, single-center study included 1399 men consulting for infertility between January and December 2024 in a specialized center. Collected data encompassed lifestyle habits, medical history, semen parameters (WHO 2021 criteria), sperm DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay), nuclear decondensation, and hormonal assays (FSH, testosterone, and inhibin B) available in a subset of 156, 56, and 26 patients (for FSH, testosterone, and inhibin B, respectively). Associations with oligozoospermia were explored using univariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 39.0 ± 8.0 years; 57% presented with primary infertility, and 82.8% were active smokers. A sperm concentration <16 M/mL was observed in 31.6% of patients. Among the 156 patients analyzed, high FSH levels were observed in 24% of cases. As for inhibin B, among the 26 patients evaluated, a decrease in levels was observed in 38% of cases. Pathological DNA fragmentation was found in 9.6%. In univariate analysis, oligozoospermia was significantly associated with elevated FSH (OR = 7.25; 95% CI: 3.15–16.70), varicocele (OR = 1.81), and smoking (OR = 0.66). Conclusion: This is the first large-scale Moroccan study integrating advanced biomarkers into the assessment of male infertility. The observed associations between elevated FSH, sperm DNA fragmentation, and varicocele support the development of a simplified andrological triage strategy, particularly relevant in resource-limited settings. Full article

Cryopreservation is a key tool in assisted reproduction, but it often compromises post-thaw sperm quality due to cryodamage. Optimizing the initial cooling phase, specifically from room temperature to 5 °C, is a critical determinant of successful outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different pre-freeze cooling rates on stallion sperm quality using a novel, precision cooling device. Semen samples from five healthy stallions were divided into three groups and cooled at distinct rates: Slow (0.3 °C/min), Moderate (1 °C/min), and Fast (approximately 30 °C/min). Sperm motility parameters were assessed using a Computer-Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA) before freezing and after thawing. Additionally, sperm integrity and physiological parameters, including viability, acrosomal integrity, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) expression, and mitochondrial membrane potential, were assessed by flow cytometry post-thaw. The analysis of post-thaw kinematics revealed a significant interaction between the cooling rate and processing stage (post-cooling vs. post-thaw). The Fast-cooling protocol resulted in higher post-thaw total motility (51.8%) compared to the Slow protocol (45.01%). Crucially, no significant differences were detected among cooling rates for the critical parameter of progressive motility or curvilinear velocity (VCL). Circle motility had higher values in the Fast-cooling group compared to the Slow group. Cell viability demonstrated a tendency (p = 0.08), where the Slow cooling group exhibited higher mean values (65.59%) compared to the Fast group (61.67%). Comprehensive flow cytometry assessments of other cellular integrity markers, including acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial function (MMP), and ROS expression, were statistically equivalent across all cooling rates (p > 0.05). The results confirm that this fast pre-freeze cooling rate, integrated within the highly controlled environment of Directional Freezing technology, successfully preserved essential sperm function and structure. Critically, the demonstrated functional equivalence in progressive motility validates the Fast protocol as an efficacious strategy to increase the efficiency and adaptability of equine semen cryopreservation protocols for commercial utilization. Full article

Background: Assisted reproductive therapy (ART) has been utilized as an effective therapeutic strategy for addressing infertility worldwide, and one of the key determinants of ART success is the acquisition of high-quality embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF). We investigated which male factors were associated with embryo formation and quality in conventional IVF (cIVF). Methods: This study was an exploratory subanalysis of a trial conducted to examine the associations of clinical and lifestyle factors with sperm abnormalities in 41 men from infertile couples without identifiable male factors. From the original cohort, 21 men whose partners underwent cIVF were included for blastocyte outcome assessment. Semen samples were evaluated for standard sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Blood biochemical parameters and lifestyle habits were also evaluated. Blastocysts were assessed 5 days after cIVF, and implantation success was determined 10 days after embryo transfer. Results: All participants showed normozoospermia, with mild sperm DFI in 76%. Blastocysts were formed in 32% of the oocytes following cIVF, with good blastocyst development and quality observed in 71% and 39%, respectively. The implantation success and live birth rates after embryo transfer were 53% and 43%, respectively. Regression analysis identified sperm DFI as the only variable inversely associated with all blastocyst outcomes. In contrast, no parameters were associated with implantation success or live birth rates. Conclusions: The present subanalysis suggests the hypothesis that sperm DNA fragmentation may be negatively associated with high-quality embryo formation in cIVF, even among normozoospermic men with non-severe levels of sperm DFI. Full article

Background/Objectives: To examine whether extending sexual arousal through lengthened erotic video viewing during semen collection improves semen parameters in infertile men. Methods: In this prospective within-subject study, 205 infertile men supplied semen samples in two sessions about four weeks apart and followed strict uniform protocols. In the first session, participants ejaculated after the customary viewing length of erotic videos. During the second session, viewing time was increased prior to ejaculation. Semen volume, sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, and morphology were assessed as per the WHO 2021 guidelines. Comparisons were analyzed using paired samples t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test and correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results: Median duration of erotic video watching increased from 8 min (IQR: 5–10) to 15 min (IQR: 11–20) (p < 0.001). Moreover, extended arousal was associated with increased sperm concentration (from 19 × 10⁶/mL to 24 × 10⁶/mL, p < 0.001), total motility (43% to 46%, p < 0.001), and progressive motility (33% to 37%, p < 0.001) with unchanged morphology (p = 0.053). Increases in arousal duration exhibited a weak but significant correlation with changes in concentration (ρ = 0.21, p = 0.003), total motility (ρ = 0.27, p < 0.001), and progressive motility (ρ = 0.22, p = 0.002). Subgroup analysis showed improvements in non-smokers but not in smokers. Conclusions: Extended erotic stimulation during semen sample collection significantly enhances sperm motility and modestly increases concentration in men with infertility, albeit without changing morphology. These findings suggest that extended erotic stimulation during semen collection may be a simple, non-invasive strategy to help optimize semen quality in infertile men, especially non-smokers. Full article

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the main pollinators of many plant species, particularly agricultural crops. The concern over Colony Collapse Disorder of bee colonies in recent years necessitates the use of new approaches for their conservation in in situ and ex situ conditions. Modern techniques for cryopreservation of drone spermatozoa allow for the preservation of their genetic diversity. Some of the challenges in the field of cryopreservation are the alterations induced by the low temperatures, including morphological disruptions, plasma membrane integrity, formation of reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation, loss of motility, mitochondrial activity and viability, early hyperactivation, depletion of proteins from the acrosome region, premature capacitation, reduced sperm–oocyte fusion, and the occurrence of other cellular cryoinjuries. The objective of the current study is to contribute to the ongoing efforts in identifying substances added to semen extenders aimed at inhibiting cryogenic-induced changes. Our study investigates the impact of antioxidant supplements, scilicet vitamins C, vitamin E, and L-carnitine, on attenuating the adverse effects of cryogenic storage on drone spermatozoa. Using a Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis, we evaluated the effectiveness of various antioxidants added to the extender in maintaining sperm motility parameters following liquid nitrogen storage. The data indicated significant differences in sperm traits among treatments with supplements after post-thawing. These findings emphasize the advantageous contribution of these added antioxidants within semen extenders for drone spermatozoa in preserving sperm quality parameters. The establishment of novel protocols for cryogenic storage of honey bee drone spermatozoa, incorporating low-cytotoxicity additives, is of utmost importance for the conservation of this endangered species. Full article