Search Results (368)

Infertility represents a significant global health issue, and the use of antioxidants in sperm preservation techniques provides an effective strategy to improve sperm quality. This study aims to examine the phytochemical components of Phlai and Njui extracts and their antioxidant effects on enhancing the motility of fresh bull semen. Among the extracts, Njui contained the highest levels of total phenolics, total tannins, and lycopene contents along with the strongest DPPH, ABTS, and AOPP inhibition. Phlai contained the highest levels of total flavonoids. Njui and combined extracts showed the strongest AGE inhibition. The motility of sperm in the semen extender supplemented with Phlai, Njui, and their combination exhibited greater total motility, particularly progressive motility, compared to sperm in the normal extender after 48–72 h. Furthermore, there was a reduced generation of ROS compared to sperm in the normal extender and with vitamin E acetate supplementation after 24–72 h. In conclusion, Phlai and Njui extracts, plentiful in bioactive chemicals, showed significant antioxidant activity and enhanced sperm motility by neutralizing free radicals and strengthening antioxidant defenses. The findings indicate that Phlai and Njui, especially in combination, provide advantages for sperm preservation. Full article

Bacterial contamination remains a challenge for multiple facets of modern life. While antibiotics are a primary tool for bacterial control, their overuse has accelerated the appearance of multidrug-resistant bacteria and raises global health concerns. In swine, semen is stored at 17 °C in extenders that contain antibiotics to prevent bacterial growth. Apart from the potential consequences for the female, the proliferation of bacteria in liquid-stored semen is associated with a decline in sperm quality, ultimately reducing farrowing rates and litter sizes. With the aim of reducing the use of antibiotics while keeping bacterial growth under control, we herein investigated whether metal ions could exert an antimicrobial effect without impairing sperm quality. Separate metal ions (Ag, silver sulfadiazine; Al, aluminum chloride; Zn, zinc chloride; and Cu, and cooper chloride) were added at different concentrations (100 μM, 300 μM, 500 μM, 1 mM, and 10 mM) to seminal doses, which were stored at 17 °C for 48 h. Motility, viability, and the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were tested to determine their effects on sperm quality maintenance. In addition, ions were added to bacterial strains and to extended seminal samples to assess the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results showed that, although silver sulfadiazine exerted an antimicrobial effect at all the concentrations tested, it also affected sperm quality negatively (p < 0.05). In contrast, aluminum chloride did not impair sperm quality but failed to inhibit bacterial growth at any of the tested concentrations (p > 0.05). Finally, 1 mM concentrations of copper and zinc chloride reduced microbial growth (p < 0.05) without affecting sperm quality. In spite of this, the inhibition of bacterial growth was not complete, thus suggesting that these two ions could contribute to reducing bacterial growth but should be combined with other strategies, such as a lower storage temperature and a decreased concentration of antibiotics. Further research is warranted to address whether copper and zinc chloride could have a synergistic effect when added together. Full article

The study of the relationship between testicular morphology and sperm quality is a pressing issue, for which molecular genetic approaches, including quantitative analysis of gene expression, are being implemented. The aim of this study was to identify correlations between the histomorphological structure of the testes, fresh sperm parameters, and the expression level of key spermatogenesis genes—TGFB2 and DMRT1—in roosters. The experiment was conducted on 10 Russian Snow White roosters aged 28–32 weeks. Sperm quality was assessed by volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, and viability; histological analysis of the rooster testes was performed. The relative expression of the TGFB2 and DMRT1 genes in sperm was analyzed. Multiple correlation analysis of the data was conducted. A positive correlation was found between ejaculate volume and the number of spermatogonia (p = +0.651), a negative correlation between ejaculate volume and the number of second-order spermatocytes (p = −0.704), a negative correlation between the total cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubules of the testes and sperm viability (p = −0.782), a negative correlation between the number of seminiferous tubules and the average diameter of their cross-section (p = −0.685), and a positive correlation between total and progressive sperm motility (p = +0.794). Analysis of TGFB2 and DMRT1 gene expression in sperm demonstrated a certain relationship between molecular genetic mechanisms and histomorphometric parameters. The expression level of the DMRT1 gene, which plays a key role in sex determination in birds during embryogenesis, had a number of negative correlations with such parameters as testicle weight (r = −0.782), total/progressive sperm motility (r = −0.552; r = −0.612), and viability (r = −0.552). Expression of the TGFB2 gene had no significant relationship with the studied parameters, but correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship (r = +0.321) with DMRT1 gene expression. The data obtained indicate the expediency of integrating morphometric, cellular, and molecular analysis for an objective assessment of rooster reproductive function. 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

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

Background/Objectives: Infertility is a multifactorial condition with an etiopathology that remains largely unclear. Although substantial evidence implicates oxidative stress (OS) as a key contributor to both male and female infertility, targeted strategies for OS-mediated reproductive dysfunction are still not well defined and require further investigation. Ubiquinol is the reduced form of Coenzyme Q10 involved in mitochondrial bioenergetics. It can be synthesized by humans endogenously or provided by dietary sources—typically egg yolks, oily fish, organ meats, and in smaller amounts in nuts and seeds and leafy green vegetables. The present article reviews possible mechanisms through which Ubiquinol plays a role in the regulation of fertility and reproduction, discussing why it could be positioned as a conditionally essential nutrient. Several questions and areas for further inquiry are also proposed. Methods: The present position paper narratively summarizes evidence related to Ubiquinol fertility and reproduction, focusing on the literature from PubMed, Science Direct, and Semantic Scholar. Results: Research advancements suggest that when physiological demands rise during certain life stages, e.g., the reproductive years, the amount of Ubiquinol produced internally may not be enough to meet heightened needs, particularly with advanced maternal/paternal age. This places a heavier reliance on obtaining Ubiquinol from the diet, thus presenting itself as a conditionally essential nutrient during certain life stages. Conclusions: Overall, Ubiquinol appears to enhance mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant defense in gametes, a process that appears to aid sperm function, oocyte quality, and early embryo development. Collectively, these data indicate a key physiological role for Ubiquinol in male and female fertility, especially given its age-related decline. 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

Background/Objectives: Infertility affects ~10–15% of couples of reproductive age, and assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) increasingly rely on biomarkers to individualize care. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We specifically evaluated whether AMH predicts embryo competence and clinical pregnancy beyond its established role in ovarian reserve assessment. Methods: This retrospective study included 1990 women undergoing ICSI between 2010 and 2023, categorized into three groups (G1–G3) based on antral follicle count (AFC). Embryo morphology was graded using ASEBIR criteria with prospectively maintained lab SOPs. Clinical, embryological, and pregnancy parameters were compared using non-parametric tests, ROC analysis, and logistic regression. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy; biochemical pregnancy was recorded; live birth was not available and is acknowledged as a limitation. Results: Higher AMH levels correlated with increased AFC and oocyte yield (all p < 0.001) but showed no clinically meaningful association with high-grade embryos (Grade 1–2) or pregnancy. ROC analyses demonstrated limited discrimination for AMH (AUC ≈ 0.49); by contrast, age and FSH showed modest discrimination (AUC 0.56 and 0.55, respectively), and embryo-level features (pronuclear count, Grade 1 and Grade 3 counts) were statistically significant yet of limited clinical utility (AUCs near 0.5) Conclusions: AMH is robust for ovarian reserve and response prediction but is a weak predictor of embryo morphology and clinical pregnancy. Outcome prediction in ART should integrate age, FSH, and embryo morphology (and, where available, sperm quality) rather than AMH alone. Prospective, multicenter studies with live birth as the primary endpoint are warranted. Full article

Cryopreservation of equine semen remains challenging due to pronounced individual variability in cryotolerance. Because freezing induces oxidative stress and spermatozoa are particularly susceptible to such damage, this study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects of natural extracts from nutraceutical compounds with high antioxidant activity, specifically matcha, spirulina, and horseradish, as well as quercetin, a well-known antioxidant molecule. These compounds were added to the freezing extender, and semen from 12 Salernitano stallions (48 ejaculates in total) was analyzed. Several parameters were assessed, including sperm kinetics, bioenergetics, oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, and the sperm DNA fragmentation index, both before and after cryopreservation. Neither the natural extracts nor quercetin significantly improved sperm freezability, likely due to the high degree of inter-individual variability. Stallion age also had a significant effect on nearly all the parameters evaluated, although no significant interactions were observed between age and treatment for any of the sperm quality traits. In conclusion, supplementation of the freezing extender with matcha, spirulina, horseradish extracts, or quercetin did not significantly enhance stallion semen cryopreservation outcomes. Conversely, stallion age and individual variability had a marked effect on sperm cryotolerance, highlighting the need for customized and holistic strategies to optimize cryotolerance in individual stallions. Full article

Objectives: We aimed to develop and validate a per-cycle prediction model for in vitro fertilization (IVF) success using only preprocedural clinical variables available at the first consultation. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 1243 IVF/ICSI cycles (University of Szeged, 21 January 2022–12 December 2023). An Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost version 1.7.7.1) classifier was trained on 14 baseline predictors (e.g., female age, AMH, BMI, FSH, LH, sperm concentration/motility, and infertility duration). A parsimonious 9-variable model was derived by feature importance. Model performance was assessed on the untouched test set and, as a final step, on an independent same-centre external validation cohort (n = 92) without re-fitting or recalibration. Results: The 9-variable model achieved an AUC of 0.876 on the internal test set, with an accuracy of 81.70% (95% CI 76.30–86.30%), sensitivity of 75.60%, specificity of 84.40%, PPV of 68.60%, and NPV of 88.50%. In external validation, the model maintained strong performance with an accuracy of 78.30%, confirming consistent discrimination on an independent same-centre cohort. Female age was the dominant high-impact feature, while AMH and BMI acted as “workhorse” predictors, and male factors added incremental value. Conclusions: IVF outcome can be predicted at the first visit using routinely collected preprocedural data. The model showed consistent discrimination internally and in external validation, supporting its potential utility for early, individualized counselling and treatment planning. Full article

Background: Asthenozoospermia is defined as a condition in which the total motility of sperm in a semen sample is less than 40%. Due to impairing sperm motility, asthenozoospermia was linked to different mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between MT-CO2 gene variants and the development of asthenozoospermia and male infertility in the Jordanian population. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were collected from 196 men, including 119 asthenozoospermic (infertile) and 77 normozoospermia (control), from the Royal Jordanian Medical Services in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit. The isolated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was subjected to a polymerase chain reaction to amplify the MT-CO2 gene. Genetic variants were screened using direct Sanger sequencing. Genotypes and allele frequencies between the case and control groups were compared by the chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: Three novel variants in the MT-CO2 gene were identified in nine asthenozoospermic cases, including two missense variants (m.8222T>A and m.7997G>A) and one synonymous variant (m.7846 A>G). In addition, the current study reported twenty-three known substitutions. In particular, the rs1556423316 T>C variant showed a significant association with asthenozoospermic infertile men in the studied population (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The detected missense variants in the MT-CO2 gene in asthenozoospermic infertile men underscore the important role of these variants in the development of asthenozoospermic male infertility. Full article

Bone mineral density (BMD) is a key indicator of skeletal health in boars that influences their reproductive performance. Systematic research on the relationship between BMD and semen quality in adult boars of different breeds and ages is scarce. This study used quantitative ultrasound (QUS) technology to measure BMD in 492 adult and 208 replacement boars. The boars were divided into four equal groups based on descending BMD rankings to analyze correlations with semen quality. Simultaneously, a 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OH-D₃) intervention trial was conducted on 150 adult Duroc boars. A control group and four dose groups (50 μg, 125 μg, 200 μg, and 250 μg) were established. After 90 days, the boars’ semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and bone metabolism indicators were evaluated. The results showed no significant differences in BMD between adult and replacement boars. However, adult Landrace exhibited significantly higher BMD than Duroc and Yorkshire (p < 0.01). Within the BMD groups, Group D boars had significantly higher rates of sperm abnormality than Groups A and B (p < 0.01), and this trend was consistent across breeds. The 25-OH-D₃ intervention results indicated that the 250 μg dosage produced the optimal effect. In this group, boar semen motility significantly improved while sperm abnormality rates significantly decreased. Concurrently, levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), serum osteocalcin (OC), and BMD all increased to some degree. In summary, boar BMD is significantly influenced by breed and age and is closely correlated with the rate of sperm abnormality rate. Supplementing with 250 μg of 25-OH-D₃ effectively enhances reproductive hormone secretion, improves semen quality, and promotes bone formation. This demonstrates its potential value in breeding and nutritional regulation applications. Full article

Plastic pollution represents a significant emerging environmental problem. Micro-sized particles of synthetic polymers—microplastics (MPs)—have been identified in all parts of marine ecosystems. In the marine environment, organisms are exposed to MPs, which undergo a constant process of physicochemical and biological degradation. Utilization of UV irradiation as the optimal exposure factor in the simulation of fundamental natural conditions is a widely accepted approach. This enables the study of the harmful effects of such particles when interacting with aquatic organisms. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pristine and photoaging primary polystyrene microspheres (µPS) at three concentrations on the viability and DNA integrity of the sperm of the sand dollars Scaphechinus mirabilis. The results of the investigation demonstrated that IR spectroscopy revealed structural changes in polystyrene, confirming the oxidative degradation of the polymer under UV irradiation. The study demonstrated that artificially aged µPS exhibited a more pronounced effect than pristine particles, as evidenced by reduced sperm viability and increased DNA damage. Thus, the resazurin test showed that after exposure to UV-irradiated µPS, sperm viability decreased to 83–85% at concentrations of 10 and 100 particles and to 70% at a concentration of 1000. In addition, the Comet assay showed that the particles increased the percentage of DNA in the tail from 20% to 30% in a dose-dependent manner. The findings substantiate and augment the existing body of experimental data of the toxicity of aged plastic fragments, thereby underscoring the need for further study into the toxicity of aged MPs on marine invertebrates. Full article

Previous studies have demonstrated that melatonin (MLT) enhances boar sperm motility by modulating energy metabolism status, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate whether sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a key mitochondrial deacetylase, mediates MLT’s effects. Herein, the semen of six Landrace boars (16–18 months of age) was treated with 1.0 μM MLT with/without the SIRT3 inhibitor 3-TYP, preserved at 17 °C for 3 days, and subsequently maintained at 37 °C for a duration of 10 min. We demonstrated that MLT upregulated SIRT3 protein expression and reduced the acetylation level in mitochondrial proteins. MLT significantly increased glucose uptake and suppressed lactate release in the sperm, while elevating levels of pyruvate and acetyl-CoA, the substrates of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, respectively, and the protein expression of PDH, indicating enhanced metabolic flux. Notably, inhibition of SIRT3 reversed MLT’s effects: it blocked the increases in SIRT3 expression, glucose consumption, PDH expression, complex I activity, ATP content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and prevented the decreases in the levels of acetylation and lactate, as well as pyruvate kinase (PK) activity, confirming the essential role of SIRT3. Functionally, the MLT-induced improvements in sperm motility parameters (total, progressive, fast motility, immotile) were also reversed by 3-TYP. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the SIRT3-mediated pathway is essential for MLT to enhance boar sperm energy metabolism and antioxidant defense, thereby increasing ATP production and enhancing sperm motility. Targeting SIRT3 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for improving boar fertility and may also provide insights for research into human male infertility. Full article