This study was designed to determine the ability of computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis （CASA-Morph） with fluorescence to discriminate between spermatozoa carrying different sex chromosomes from the nuclear...This study was designed to determine the ability of computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis （CASA-Morph） with fluorescence to discriminate between spermatozoa carrying different sex chromosomes from the nuclear morphometrics generated and different statistical procedures in the bovine species. The study was divided into two experiments. The first was to study the morphometric differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa （SX and SY, respectively）. Spermatozoa from eight bulls were processed to assess simultaneously the sex chromosome by FISH and sperm morphometry by fluorescence-based CASA-Morph. SX cells were larger than SY cells on average （P 〈 0.001） although with important differences between bulls. A simultaneous evaluation of all the measured features by discriminant analysis revealed that nuclear area and average fluorescence intensity were the variables selected by stepwise discriminant function analysis as the best discriminators between SX and SY. In the second experiment, the sperm nuclear morphometric results from CASA-Morph in nonsexed （mixed SX and SY） and sexed （SX） semen samples from four bulls were compared. FISH allowed a successful classification of spermatozoa according to their sex chromosome content. X-sexed spermatozoa displayed a larger size and fluorescence intensity than nonsexed spermatozoa （P 〈 0.05）. We conclude that the CASA-Morph fluorescence-based method has the potential to find differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in bovine species although more studies are needed to increase the precision of sex determination by this technique.展开更多
The aim of the present study was to compare assessments of sperm concentration and sperm motility analysed by conventional semen analysis with those obtained by computer-assisted semen analysis （CASA） （Copenhagen R...The aim of the present study was to compare assessments of sperm concentration and sperm motility analysed by conventional semen analysis with those obtained by computer-assisted semen analysis （CASA） （Copenhagen Rigshospitalet Image House Sperm Motility Analysis System （CRISMAS） 4.6 software） using semen samples from 166 young Danish men. The CRISMAS software identifies sperm concentration and classifies spermatozoa into three motility categories. To enable comparison of the two methods, the four motility stages obtained by conventional semen analysis were, based on their velocity classifications, divided into three stages, comparable to the three CRISMAS motility categories： rapidly progressive （A）, slowly progressive （B） and non-progressive （C＋ D）. Differences between the two methods were large for all investigated parameters （P〈0.001）. CRISMAS overestimated sperm concentration and the proportion of rapidly progressive spermatozoa and, consequently, underestimated the percentages of slowly progressive and non-progressive spermatozoa, compared to the conventional method. To investigate whether results drifted according to time of semen analysis, results were pooled into quarters according to date of semen analysis. CRISMAS motility results appeared more stable over time compared to the conventional analysis; however, neither method showed any trends. Apparently, CRISMAS CASA results and results from the conventional method were not comparable with respect to sperm concentration and motility analysis. This needs to be accounted for in clinics using this software and in studies of determinants of these semen characteristics.展开更多
BACKGROUND Subchorionic hematoma(SCH)is a common complication in early pregnancy characterized by the accumulation of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.SCH can lead to adverse pregnancy outcome...BACKGROUND Subchorionic hematoma(SCH)is a common complication in early pregnancy characterized by the accumulation of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.SCH can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage,preterm birth,and other complications.Early detection and accurate assessment of SCH are crucial for appropriate management and improved pregnancy outcomes.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of virtual organ computer-assisted analysis(VOCAL)in measuring the volume ratio of SCH to gestational sac(GS)combined with serum progesterone on early pregnancy outcomes in patients with SCH.METHODS A total of 153 patients with SCH in their first-trimester pregnancies between 6 and 11 wk were enrolled.All patients were followed up until a gestational age of 20 wk.The parameters of transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound,including the circumference of SCH(Cs),surface area of SCH(Ss),circumference of GS(Cg),and surface area of GS(Sg),and the parameters of VOCAL with transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound,including the three-dimensional volume of SCH(3DVs)and GS(3DVg),were recorded.The size of the SCH and its ratio to the GS size(Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,3DVs/3DVg)were recorded and compared.RESULTS Compared with those in the normal pregnancy group,the adverse pregnancy group had higher Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,and 3DVs/3DVg ratios(P<0.05).When 3DVs/3DVg was 0.220,the highest predictive performance predicted adverse pregnancy outcomes,resulting in an AUC of 0.767,and the sensitivity,specificity were 70.2%,75%respectively.VOCAL measuring 3DVs/3DVg combined with serum progesterone gave a diagnostic AUC of 0.824 for early pregnancy outcome in SCH patients,with a high sensitivity of 82.1%and a specificity of 72.1%,which showed a significant difference between AUC.CONCLUSION VOCAL-measured 3DVs/3DVg effectively quantifies the severity of SCH,while combined serum progesterone better predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes.展开更多
This paper presents CACA （computer-assisted corpus analysis） conducted by using a compiled representative corpus. As a descriptive study, it explores the written communicative events produced by engineers in the pet...This paper presents CACA （computer-assisted corpus analysis） conducted by using a compiled representative corpus. As a descriptive study, it explores the written communicative events produced by engineers in the petroleum industry in Malaysia. Language use is commonly analyzed for competence and performance. Competence is best described as the internalized linguistic knowledge as acquired by the learners while the notion of＂performance＂ is best defined as the external evidence of language competence. Therefore, the core of this paper is reflecting actual language use of the language learners in Malaysia. The data are drawn from a sample corpus compiled from the written communicative events in three companies of the petroleum industry in Malaysia. The methodology applied is fundamental as it tends to investigate the linguistic constitutions in the genre-specific corpus of the professional discourse produced. Computer-based syntactical studies are limited as they require hard work and long hours in order to key-in the data and then there is the complex analytic method of describing the findings. In contrast, this paper will demonstrate an uncomplicated method of analysis and also encourage the use of existing POS （part-of speech） tagging software available online.展开更多
Despite controversy regarding the clinical value of semen analysis, male fertility investigation still relies on a standardized analysis of the semen parameters. This is especially true for infertility clinics in both...Despite controversy regarding the clinical value of semen analysis, male fertility investigation still relies on a standardized analysis of the semen parameters. This is especially true for infertility clinics in both developing and developed countries. Other optional tests or sophisticated technologies have not been widely applied. The current review addresses important changes in the analysis of semen as described in the new World Health Organization （WHO） manual for semen analysis. The most important change in the manual is the use of evidence-based publications as references to determine cutoff values for normality. Apart from the above mentioned changes, the initial evaluation and handling methods remain, in most instances, the same as in previous editions. Furthermore, the review evaluates the importance of quality control in andrology with emphasis on the evaluation of sperm morphology. WHO sperm morphology training programmes for Sub-Saharan countries were initiated at Tygerberg Hospital in 1995. The external qualitY control programme has ensured that the majority of participants have maintained their morphological reading skills acquired during initial training. This review reports on current sperm functional tests, such as the induced acrosome reaction, and sperm-zona pellucida binding assays, as well as the impact of sperm quality in terms of DNA integrity, and the relationship of sperm function tests to sperm morphology.展开更多
Spermatozoa retrieved from the testis of men with high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation （SDF） in the neat semen tend to have better DNA quality. Given the negative impact of SDF on the outcomes of Assisted Reproduc...Spermatozoa retrieved from the testis of men with high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation （SDF） in the neat semen tend to have better DNA quality. Given the negative impact of SDF on the outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technology （ART）, an increased interest has emerged about the use of testicular sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection （Testi-ICSI）. In this article, we used a SWOT （strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats） analysis to summarize the advantages and drawbacks of this intervention. The rationale of Testi-ICSI is bypass posttesticular DNA fragmentation caused by oxidative stress during sperm transit through the epididymis. Hence, oocyte fertilization by genomically intact testicular spermatozoa may be optimized, thus increasing the chances of creating a normal embryonic genome and the likelihood of achieving a live birth, as recently demonstrated in men with high SDF. However, there is still limited evidence as regards the clinical efficacy of Testi-ICSI, thus creating opportunities for further confirmatory clinical research as well as investigation of Testi-ICSI in clinical scenarios other than high SDF. Furthermore, Testi-ICSI can be compared to other laboratory preparation methods for deselecting sperm with damaged DNA. At present, the available literature supports the use of testicular sperm when performing ICSI in infertile couples whose male partners have posttesticular SDF. Due to inherent risks of sperm retrieval, Testi-ICSI should be offered when less invasive treatments for alleviating DNA damage have failed. A call for continuous monitoring is nonetheless required concerning the health of generated offspring and the potential complications of sperm retrieval.展开更多
Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology （ART）, has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. ...Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology （ART）, has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. Indeed, the most recent addition of the ＇World Health Organisation （WHO） Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Hu- man Semen＇ now groups many of these procedures into a section termed Research Procedures. In large part, this reflects the current clinical practice of bypassing the in-depth evaluation of the male partner, while assuming that if a spermatozoon can be found for intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, it must be a healthy cell capable of achieving fertilization. Never- theless, sperm function testing can provide valuable clinical insights into defects causing male infertility. Admittedly, in some cases, functional sperm deficiencies can be overcome using an ART. In other cases, couples will be empowered by the knowledge of the cause of their infertility, and for some couples, perhaps even the likelihood of ICSI success （relative to the spermatozoa）. The knowledge allows them to make truly informed reproductive decisions, including （perhaps） the de- cision to seek donor insemination, to adopt or to remain childless. Knowledge of the cause of their infertility may provide closure for couples and a sense of confidence regarding their choice of reproductive treatment.展开更多
The spermatozoon is the most diverse cell type known and this diversity is considered to reflect differences in sperm function. How the diversity in sperm morphology arose during speciation and what role the different...The spermatozoon is the most diverse cell type known and this diversity is considered to reflect differences in sperm function. How the diversity in sperm morphology arose during speciation and what role the different specializations play in sperm function, however, remain incompletely characterized. This work reviews the hypotheses proposed to explain sperm morphological evolution, with a focus on some aspects of sperm morphometric evaluation; the ability of morphometrics to predict sperm cryoresistance and male fertility is also discussed. For this, the evaluation of patterns of change of sperm head morphometry throughout a process, instead of the study of the morphometric characteristics of the sperm head at different stages, allows a better identification of the males with different sperm cryoconservation ability. These new approaches, together with more studies employing a greater number of individuals, are needed to obtain novel results concerning the role of sperm morphometry on sperm function. Future studies should aim at understanding the causes of sperm design diversity and the mechanisms that generate them, giving increased attention to other sperm structures besides the sperm head. The implementation of scientific and technological advances could benefit the simultaneous examination of sperm phenotype and sperm function, demonstrating that sperm morphometry could be a useful tool for sperm assessment.展开更多
The new World Health Organization （WHO） Manual for Semen Analysis contains several improvements. One is that the 20 million spermatozoa per mL paradigm has been ousted in favour of proper calculations of lower refer...The new World Health Organization （WHO） Manual for Semen Analysis contains several improvements. One is that the 20 million spermatozoa per mL paradigm has been ousted in favour of proper calculations of lower reference limits for semen from men, whose partners had a time-to-pregnancy of 12 months or less. The recommendation to grade the progressive motility as described in the third and fourth editions of the WHO manual was not evidence-based, and WHO was therefore motivated to abandon it. However, the new recommendation is not evidence-based either, and it is difficult to understand the rational for the new assessment. It may have been a compromise to avoid returning to the rather robust system recommended in the first edition （1980）. The unconditional recommendation of the ＇Tygerberg strict criteria＇ is not evidence-based, and seems to be the result of an unfortunate bias in the composition of the Committee in favour of individuals known to support the ＇strict criteria＇ method. This recommendation will have negative effects on the develop- ment ofandrology as a scientific field. Given the importance of the WHO manual, it is unfortunate that the recommenda- tions for such important variables, as motility and morphology, lack evidence-based support.展开更多
The aim of this study was to compare the sperm nuclear and acrosomal morphometry of three species of domestic artiodactyls; cattle （Bos taurus）, sheep （Ovis aries）, and pigs （Sus scrofa）. Semen smears of twenty ...The aim of this study was to compare the sperm nuclear and acrosomal morphometry of three species of domestic artiodactyls; cattle （Bos taurus）, sheep （Ovis aries）, and pigs （Sus scrofa）. Semen smears of twenty ejaculates from each species were fixed and labeled with a propidium iodide-Pisum sativum agglutinin （PI/PSA） combination. Digital images of the sperm nucleus, acrosome, and whole sperm head were captured and analyzed. The use of the PI/PSA combination and CASA-Morph fluorescence-based method allowed the capture, morphometric analysis, and differentiation of most sperm nuclei, acrosomes and whole heads, and the assessment of acrosomal integrity with a high precision in the three species studied. For the size of the head and nuclear area, the relationship between the three species may be summarized as bull 〉 ram 〉 boar. However, for the other morphometric parameters （length, width, and perimeter）, there were differences in the relationships between species for sperm nuclei and whole sperm heads. Bull sperm acrosomes were clearly smaller than those in the other species studied and covered a smaller proportion of the sperm head. The acrosomal morphology, small in the bull, large and broad in the sheep, and large, long, and with a pronounced equatorial segment curve in the boar, was species-characteristic. It was concluded that there are clear variations in the size and shape of the sperm head components between the three species studied, the acrosome being the structure showing the most variability, allowing a clear distinction of the spermatozoa of each species.展开更多
This study investigated the correlation between sperm motion parameters obtained by a computer-assisted semen analyzer and levels of reactive oxygen species in unwashed semen. In total, 847 patients, except for azoosp...This study investigated the correlation between sperm motion parameters obtained by a computer-assisted semen analyzer and levels of reactive oxygen species in unwashed semen. In total, 847 patients, except for azoospermic patients were investigated. At the time of each patient＇s first consultation, semen parameters were measured using SMASTM or CellSoft 3000TM, and production of reactive oxygen species was measured using a computer-driven LKB Wallac Luminometer 1251 Analyzer. The patients were divided into two groups： reactive oxygen species - positive and negative. The semen parameters within each group were measured using one of the two computer-assisted semen analyzer systems and then compared. Correlations between reactive oxygen species levels and sperm motion parameters in semen from the reactive oxygen species - positive group were also investigated. Reactive oxygen species were detected in semen samples of 282 cases （33.3%）. Sperm concentration （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.01）, motility （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.05）, and progressive motility （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.01） were markedly lower in the reactive oxygen species - positive group than in the reactive oxygen species - negative group. Among the sperm motion parameters in the reactive oxygen species - positive group, sperm concentration （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.01）, motility （P 〈 0.05; P 〈 0.01）, mALH （P 〈 0.05; P 〈 0.01）, and progressive motility （P 〈 0.05; P 〈 0.01） also showed inverse correlations with the logarithmic transformed reactive oxygen species levels. Therefore, this study demonstrated that excessive reactive oxygen species in semen damage sperm concentration, motility, and other sperm motion parameters.展开更多
Background:Sperm motility parameters,which can be measured objectively and repeatedly by a computer-assisted sperm analysis(CASA)system,are important indicators of sperm quality.However,the sperm motility parameters a...Background:Sperm motility parameters,which can be measured objectively and repeatedly by a computer-assisted sperm analysis(CASA)system,are important indicators of sperm quality.However,the sperm motility parameters assessed by a CASA system can be affected by various factors,including instrument components and settings,sperm preparation or analysis procedures.To date,no standardized protocol is available that would permit to assess sperm kinetic characteristics in passerine birds and this lack precludes any comparison of sperm swimming ability and sperm quality across species.Methods:In this study,we chose the Tree Sparrow(Passer montanus)as the object to evaluate sperm motility parameters,including sperm motility,sperm velocity and sperm movement trajectory,at different analysis time,temperatures and pH using the WLJY-9000 CASA system.Results:Sperm motility parameters remained statistically unchanged at 1‒9 min.Progressive motility was similar at 38℃ and 40℃,but a greater percentage of slow progressive sperm was detected at 38℃ compared to 40℃ and 42℃.Additionally,progressive motility was lower and immotility was higher at 42℃than 38℃and/or 40℃(close to the body temperature of the Tree Sparrow).The percentages of rapid progressive sperm,progressive sperm and immotile sperm were statistically similar at pH 7.0,7.5 and 8.0 with the exception of lower percentage of progressive sperm at pH 7.0 compared to pH 7.5.In addition,slower sperm velocity and worse sperm movement trajectory were found at pH 6.0 and 9.0 than those at pH 8.0,7.5 or 7.0.Conclusions:Our study indicates that the ideal conditions for sperm motility parameters assessment in Tree Sparrow are obtained between 1 and 9 min after dilution,an environment at body temperature(40℃)and a pH around 7.5-8.0.The results of this study provide a reference for the evaluation of sperm characteristics and sperm quality using a CASA system in passerine birds.展开更多
Preoperative and postoperative sperm parameter values from infertile men with varicocele were analyzed by computer-aided sperm analysis （CASA） to assess if sperm characteristics improved after varicocelectomy. Semen...Preoperative and postoperative sperm parameter values from infertile men with varicocele were analyzed by computer-aided sperm analysis （CASA） to assess if sperm characteristics improved after varicocelectomy. Semen samples of men with proven fertility （n = 38） and men with varicocele-related infertility （n = 61） were also analyzed. Conventional semen analysis was performed according to WHO （2010） criteria and a CASA system was employed to assess kinetic parameters and sperm concentration. Seminal parameters values in the fertile group were very far above from those of the patients, either before or after surgery. No significant improvement in the percentage normal sperm morphology （P = 0. 10）, sperm concentration （P = 0.52）, total sperm count （P = 0.76）, subjective motility （%） （P = 0.97） nor kinematics （P = 0.30） was observed after varicocelectomy when all groups were compared. Neither was significant improvement found in percentage normal sperm morphology （P = 0.91）, sperm concentration （P =0. 10）, total sperm count （P = 0.89） or percentage motility （P = 0.77） after varicocelectomy in paired comparisons of preoperative and postoperative data. Analysis of paired samples revealed that the total sperm count （P = 0.01） and most sperm kinetic parameters： curvilinear velocity （P = 0.002）, straight-line velocity （P = 0.0004）, average path velocity （P = 0.0005）, linearity （P = 0.02）, and wobble （P = 0.006） improved after surgery. CASA offers the potential for accurate quantitative assessment of each patient＇s response to varicocelectomy.展开更多
The objective of this systemic review was to evaluate the benefit of repairing clinical varicocele in infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia （NOA）. The surgically obtained sperm retrieval rate （SRR） and pre...The objective of this systemic review was to evaluate the benefit of repairing clinical varicocele in infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia （NOA）. The surgically obtained sperm retrieval rate （SRR） and pregnancy rates following assisted reproductive technology （ART） with the use of retrieved testicular sperm were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes included the presence of viable sperm in postoperative ejaculate to avoid the testicular sperm retrieval and pregnancy rates （both assisted and unassisted） using postoperative ejaculated sperm. An electronic search to collect the data was performed using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until April 2015. Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review and accounted for 468 patients who were diagnosed with NOA and varicocele. These patients were subjected to either surgical varicocele repair or percutaneous embolization. Three controlled studies evaluating sperm retrieval outcomes indicated that in patients who underwent varicocelectomy, SRR increased compared to those without varicocele repair （OR： 2,65; 95% Cl. 1.69-4.14; P 〈 0.001）. Although pregnancy rates with the use of testicular sperm favored the varicocelectomy group, results were not statistically significant （clinical pregnancy rate OR： 2.07; 95% CI： 0.92-4.65; P = 0.08; live birth rate OR： 2.19; 95% CI： 0.99-4.83; P = 0.05）. The remaining fifteen studies reported postoperative semen analysis results. In 43.9% of the patients （range： 20.8%-55.0%）, sperm were found in postoperative ejaculates. Pregnancy rates for unassisted and assisted （after IVF/ICSI） were 13.6% and 18.9% in the group of men with sperm in postoperative ejaculates, respectively. Our findings indicate that varicocelectomy in patients with NOA and clinical varicocele is associated with improved SRR. In addition, approximately 44% of the treated men will have enough sperm in the ejaculate to avoid sperm retrieval. Limited data on pregnancy outcomes with both postoperative ejaculated sperm and harvested testicular sperm preclude any firm conclusion with regard to the possible increased fertility potential in treated individuals. In conclusion, the results of our study indicate that infertile men with NOA and clinical varicocele benefit from varicocelectomy. Given the low/moderate quality of evidence available, it is advisable that doctors discuss with their patients with NOA the risks and benefits of varicocele repair.展开更多
Sperm DNA damage is prevalent among infertile men and is known to influence natural reproduction. However, the impact of sperm DNA damage on assisted reproduction outcomes remains controversial. Here, we conducted a m...Sperm DNA damage is prevalent among infertile men and is known to influence natural reproduction. However, the impact of sperm DNA damage on assisted reproduction outcomes remains controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies on sperm DNA damage （assessed by SCSA, TUNEL, SCD, or Comet assay） and clinical pregnancy after IVF and/or ICSI treatment from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PUBMED database searches for this analysis. We identified 41 articles （with a total of 56 studies） including 16 IVF studies, 24 ICSI studies, and 16 mixed （IVF ＋ ICSI） studies. These studies measured DNA damage （by one of four assays： 23 SCSA, 18 TUNEL, 8 SCD, and 7 Comet） and included a total of 8068 treatment cycles （3734 IVF, 2282 ICSI, and 2052 mixed IVF ＋ ICSI）. The combined OR of 1.68 （95% Ch 1.49-1.89; P 〈 0.0001） indicates that sperm DNA damage affects clinical pregnancy following IVF and/or ICSI treatment. In addition, the combined OR estimates of IVF （16 estimates, OR = 1.65; 95% CI： 1.34-2.04; P 〈 0.0001）, ICSI （24 estimates, OR = 1.31; 95% Ch 1.08-1.59; P = 0.0068）, and mixed IVF ＋ ICSI studies （16 estimates, OR = 2.37; 95% Ch 1.89-2.97; P〈 0.0001） were also statistically significant. There is sufficient evidence in the existing literature suggesting that sperm DNA damage has a negative effect on clinical pregnancy following IVF and/or ICSI treatment.展开更多
Noninvasive parameters for predicating sperm retrieval rate （SRR） are desirables. Follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） has been an important predictor since the first years of testicular sperm extraction. Recent stu...Noninvasive parameters for predicating sperm retrieval rate （SRR） are desirables. Follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） has been an important predictor since the first years of testicular sperm extraction. Recent studies showed continuous interests in FSH, with both pros and cons. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of FSH as a predictor for patients with nonobstructive azoospermia （NOA） taking testicular sperm retrieval. Eligible diagnosis tests were identified from electronic databases （Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, and EMBASE） without language restrictions. The database search, quality assessment, and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The reference standard was the sperm retrieval result. Diagnostic value of FSH were explored by area under receiver operation characteristics （ROC） curve using Review Manager, version 5.1.0 （Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK） and Meta-DiSc, version 1.4. Meta regression will be done if there is heterogeneity. Then, we find 11 tests including a total of 1350 patients met the inclusion criteria. Our pooled analysis showed that the area under ROC curve of FSH was 0.72 ~ 0.04. Meta regression analyses showed that region and average age have an influence on the diagnostic value. FSH showed more diagnostic value with patients in East Asia and with younger patients. We concluded that FSH had moderate value in independently predicating SRR in men with NOA （area under curve 〉0.7）. More detailed diagnosis tests should be anticipated in the future to confirm the diagnostic value of other noninvasive parameters.展开更多
This study is first to investigate proteomic changes in sheep sperm induced by carbon ion radiation using two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE） analysis in the project of breeding a new variety of sheep. Differenti...This study is first to investigate proteomic changes in sheep sperm induced by carbon ion radiation using two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE） analysis in the project of breeding a new variety of sheep. Differential expression proteins were detected using the PDQuest 8.0 software after staining with Coomassie blue. Valid spots were then analyzed through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. Among the 480 total protein spots displayed in 2-D gels, 6 specific protein spots were observed in sperm gels. A search against protein sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information databases （NCBI） indicated that differentially expressed proteins correspond to two proteins, identified to be enolase and transcription factor AP-2-alpha （TFAP-2c0. The two proteins were up-regulated in the irradiated sperm. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to identify proteomic changes induced by carbon ion radiation in sheep sperm. The analysis of differential expression protein may be useful in identifying new breeding markers in sheep reproduction and in clarifying the mechanisms involved in irradiation or space breeding.展开更多
Accurate semen analysis is critical for decisions about patient care, as well as for studies addressing overall changes in semen quality, contraceptive efficacy and effects of toxicant exposure. The standardization of...Accurate semen analysis is critical for decisions about patient care, as well as for studies addressing overall changes in semen quality, contraceptive efficacy and effects of toxicant exposure. The standardization of semen analysis is very difficult for many reasons, including the use of subjective techniques with no standards for comparison, poor technician training, problems with proficiency testing and a reluctance to change techniques. The World Health Organization （WHO） Semen handbook （2010） offers a vastly improved set of standardized procedures, all at a level of detail that will preclude most misinterpretations. However, there is a limit to what can be learned from words and pictures alone. A WHO- produced DVD that offers complete demonstrations of each technique along with quality assurance standards for motility, morphology and concentration assessments would enhance the effectiveness of the manual. However, neither the manual nor a DVD will help unless there is general acknowledgement of the critical need to standardize techniques and rigorously pursue quality control to ensure that laboratories actually perform techniques ＇according to WHO＇ instead of merely reporting that they have done so. Unless improvements are made, patient results will continue to be compromised and comparison between studies and laboratories will have limited merit.展开更多
Aim: The data on semen analysis of subjects attending the Fertility Clinic at NIHFW (National Institute of Health and Family Welfare) Munirka, New Delhi for the last 11 years were analyzed to verify the claims and spe...Aim: The data on semen analysis of subjects attending the Fertility Clinic at NIHFW (National Institute of Health and Family Welfare) Munirka, New Delhi for the last 11 years were analyzed to verify the claims and speculations on declining sperm counts in men. Methods: Approximately 10 % of the records every year starting from 1990 to 2000 (numbering 1176 in total) were randomly selected for analysis. Subjects with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia were excluded from analysis. Results: The average age of the men attending the infertility clinic was 31.2 years. The average semen volume and sperm count were found to be (2.6 ±0.1) mL and (60.6 ± 0.9) × 106/mL, respectively. No significant decline in sperm counts was observed in any year during the entire study period. Only 1.8 % of the total number of sperm counts in the random sampling were less then 20 × 106/mL. On the basis of WHO criteria on motility, the total percentage of non-progressive and non-motile sperm in the ejaculate was higher (63 %) as compared to the combined categories of slow and rapid linear progressive. Conclusion: The present study has confirmed similar findings from other different countries that declining sperm counts in humans is not a global phenomenon.展开更多
The fifth edition of the World Health Organization （WHO） manual for semen analysis includes for the first time reference values for human semen characteristics. This paper considers whether such values will help to ...The fifth edition of the World Health Organization （WHO） manual for semen analysis includes for the first time reference values for human semen characteristics. This paper considers whether such values will help to resolve the intensely debated data indicating temporal and geographical shifts in sperm counts and hypotheses that anthropogenic activities that result in the release of chemicals into the environment are detrimental to male reproductive health. The reasons that these reference values will not fulfil these purposes are also explained. Although established reference values for semen characteristics are of limited value in analytical epidemiologic research, the WHO guidelines are of utmost importance for supporting the development of appropriate research protocols. Moreover, in spite of its limitations, semen analysis is still a useful research tool in epidemiological research, and no superior alternatives are on the horizon.展开更多
文摘This study was designed to determine the ability of computer-assisted sperm morphometry analysis （CASA-Morph） with fluorescence to discriminate between spermatozoa carrying different sex chromosomes from the nuclear morphometrics generated and different statistical procedures in the bovine species. The study was divided into two experiments. The first was to study the morphometric differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa （SX and SY, respectively）. Spermatozoa from eight bulls were processed to assess simultaneously the sex chromosome by FISH and sperm morphometry by fluorescence-based CASA-Morph. SX cells were larger than SY cells on average （P 〈 0.001） although with important differences between bulls. A simultaneous evaluation of all the measured features by discriminant analysis revealed that nuclear area and average fluorescence intensity were the variables selected by stepwise discriminant function analysis as the best discriminators between SX and SY. In the second experiment, the sperm nuclear morphometric results from CASA-Morph in nonsexed （mixed SX and SY） and sexed （SX） semen samples from four bulls were compared. FISH allowed a successful classification of spermatozoa according to their sex chromosome content. X-sexed spermatozoa displayed a larger size and fluorescence intensity than nonsexed spermatozoa （P 〈 0.05）. We conclude that the CASA-Morph fluorescence-based method has the potential to find differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa in bovine species although more studies are needed to increase the precision of sex determination by this technique.
文摘The aim of the present study was to compare assessments of sperm concentration and sperm motility analysed by conventional semen analysis with those obtained by computer-assisted semen analysis （CASA） （Copenhagen Rigshospitalet Image House Sperm Motility Analysis System （CRISMAS） 4.6 software） using semen samples from 166 young Danish men. The CRISMAS software identifies sperm concentration and classifies spermatozoa into three motility categories. To enable comparison of the two methods, the four motility stages obtained by conventional semen analysis were, based on their velocity classifications, divided into three stages, comparable to the three CRISMAS motility categories： rapidly progressive （A）, slowly progressive （B） and non-progressive （C＋ D）. Differences between the two methods were large for all investigated parameters （P〈0.001）. CRISMAS overestimated sperm concentration and the proportion of rapidly progressive spermatozoa and, consequently, underestimated the percentages of slowly progressive and non-progressive spermatozoa, compared to the conventional method. To investigate whether results drifted according to time of semen analysis, results were pooled into quarters according to date of semen analysis. CRISMAS motility results appeared more stable over time compared to the conventional analysis; however, neither method showed any trends. Apparently, CRISMAS CASA results and results from the conventional method were not comparable with respect to sperm concentration and motility analysis. This needs to be accounted for in clinics using this software and in studies of determinants of these semen characteristics.
文摘BACKGROUND Subchorionic hematoma(SCH)is a common complication in early pregnancy characterized by the accumulation of blood between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.SCH can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage,preterm birth,and other complications.Early detection and accurate assessment of SCH are crucial for appropriate management and improved pregnancy outcomes.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of virtual organ computer-assisted analysis(VOCAL)in measuring the volume ratio of SCH to gestational sac(GS)combined with serum progesterone on early pregnancy outcomes in patients with SCH.METHODS A total of 153 patients with SCH in their first-trimester pregnancies between 6 and 11 wk were enrolled.All patients were followed up until a gestational age of 20 wk.The parameters of transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound,including the circumference of SCH(Cs),surface area of SCH(Ss),circumference of GS(Cg),and surface area of GS(Sg),and the parameters of VOCAL with transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound,including the three-dimensional volume of SCH(3DVs)and GS(3DVg),were recorded.The size of the SCH and its ratio to the GS size(Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,3DVs/3DVg)were recorded and compared.RESULTS Compared with those in the normal pregnancy group,the adverse pregnancy group had higher Cs/Cg,Ss/Sg,and 3DVs/3DVg ratios(P<0.05).When 3DVs/3DVg was 0.220,the highest predictive performance predicted adverse pregnancy outcomes,resulting in an AUC of 0.767,and the sensitivity,specificity were 70.2%,75%respectively.VOCAL measuring 3DVs/3DVg combined with serum progesterone gave a diagnostic AUC of 0.824 for early pregnancy outcome in SCH patients,with a high sensitivity of 82.1%and a specificity of 72.1%,which showed a significant difference between AUC.CONCLUSION VOCAL-measured 3DVs/3DVg effectively quantifies the severity of SCH,while combined serum progesterone better predicts adverse pregnancy outcomes.
文摘This paper presents CACA （computer-assisted corpus analysis） conducted by using a compiled representative corpus. As a descriptive study, it explores the written communicative events produced by engineers in the petroleum industry in Malaysia. Language use is commonly analyzed for competence and performance. Competence is best described as the internalized linguistic knowledge as acquired by the learners while the notion of＂performance＂ is best defined as the external evidence of language competence. Therefore, the core of this paper is reflecting actual language use of the language learners in Malaysia. The data are drawn from a sample corpus compiled from the written communicative events in three companies of the petroleum industry in Malaysia. The methodology applied is fundamental as it tends to investigate the linguistic constitutions in the genre-specific corpus of the professional discourse produced. Computer-based syntactical studies are limited as they require hard work and long hours in order to key-in the data and then there is the complex analytic method of describing the findings. In contrast, this paper will demonstrate an uncomplicated method of analysis and also encourage the use of existing POS （part-of speech） tagging software available online.
文摘Despite controversy regarding the clinical value of semen analysis, male fertility investigation still relies on a standardized analysis of the semen parameters. This is especially true for infertility clinics in both developing and developed countries. Other optional tests or sophisticated technologies have not been widely applied. The current review addresses important changes in the analysis of semen as described in the new World Health Organization （WHO） manual for semen analysis. The most important change in the manual is the use of evidence-based publications as references to determine cutoff values for normality. Apart from the above mentioned changes, the initial evaluation and handling methods remain, in most instances, the same as in previous editions. Furthermore, the review evaluates the importance of quality control in andrology with emphasis on the evaluation of sperm morphology. WHO sperm morphology training programmes for Sub-Saharan countries were initiated at Tygerberg Hospital in 1995. The external qualitY control programme has ensured that the majority of participants have maintained their morphological reading skills acquired during initial training. This review reports on current sperm functional tests, such as the induced acrosome reaction, and sperm-zona pellucida binding assays, as well as the impact of sperm quality in terms of DNA integrity, and the relationship of sperm function tests to sperm morphology.
文摘Spermatozoa retrieved from the testis of men with high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation （SDF） in the neat semen tend to have better DNA quality. Given the negative impact of SDF on the outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technology （ART）, an increased interest has emerged about the use of testicular sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection （Testi-ICSI）. In this article, we used a SWOT （strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats） analysis to summarize the advantages and drawbacks of this intervention. The rationale of Testi-ICSI is bypass posttesticular DNA fragmentation caused by oxidative stress during sperm transit through the epididymis. Hence, oocyte fertilization by genomically intact testicular spermatozoa may be optimized, thus increasing the chances of creating a normal embryonic genome and the likelihood of achieving a live birth, as recently demonstrated in men with high SDF. However, there is still limited evidence as regards the clinical efficacy of Testi-ICSI, thus creating opportunities for further confirmatory clinical research as well as investigation of Testi-ICSI in clinical scenarios other than high SDF. Furthermore, Testi-ICSI can be compared to other laboratory preparation methods for deselecting sperm with damaged DNA. At present, the available literature supports the use of testicular sperm when performing ICSI in infertile couples whose male partners have posttesticular SDF. Due to inherent risks of sperm retrieval, Testi-ICSI should be offered when less invasive treatments for alleviating DNA damage have failed. A call for continuous monitoring is nonetheless required concerning the health of generated offspring and the potential complications of sperm retrieval.
文摘Sperm function testing, once commonly performed for the infertile couple before employing assisted reproductive technology （ART）, has fallen out of favour in many reproductive medicine centers throughout the world. Indeed, the most recent addition of the ＇World Health Organisation （WHO） Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Hu- man Semen＇ now groups many of these procedures into a section termed Research Procedures. In large part, this reflects the current clinical practice of bypassing the in-depth evaluation of the male partner, while assuming that if a spermatozoon can be found for intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, it must be a healthy cell capable of achieving fertilization. Never- theless, sperm function testing can provide valuable clinical insights into defects causing male infertility. Admittedly, in some cases, functional sperm deficiencies can be overcome using an ART. In other cases, couples will be empowered by the knowledge of the cause of their infertility, and for some couples, perhaps even the likelihood of ICSI success （relative to the spermatozoa）. The knowledge allows them to make truly informed reproductive decisions, including （perhaps） the de- cision to seek donor insemination, to adopt or to remain childless. Knowledge of the cause of their infertility may provide closure for couples and a sense of confidence regarding their choice of reproductive treatment.
文摘The spermatozoon is the most diverse cell type known and this diversity is considered to reflect differences in sperm function. How the diversity in sperm morphology arose during speciation and what role the different specializations play in sperm function, however, remain incompletely characterized. This work reviews the hypotheses proposed to explain sperm morphological evolution, with a focus on some aspects of sperm morphometric evaluation; the ability of morphometrics to predict sperm cryoresistance and male fertility is also discussed. For this, the evaluation of patterns of change of sperm head morphometry throughout a process, instead of the study of the morphometric characteristics of the sperm head at different stages, allows a better identification of the males with different sperm cryoconservation ability. These new approaches, together with more studies employing a greater number of individuals, are needed to obtain novel results concerning the role of sperm morphometry on sperm function. Future studies should aim at understanding the causes of sperm design diversity and the mechanisms that generate them, giving increased attention to other sperm structures besides the sperm head. The implementation of scientific and technological advances could benefit the simultaneous examination of sperm phenotype and sperm function, demonstrating that sperm morphometry could be a useful tool for sperm assessment.
文摘The new World Health Organization （WHO） Manual for Semen Analysis contains several improvements. One is that the 20 million spermatozoa per mL paradigm has been ousted in favour of proper calculations of lower reference limits for semen from men, whose partners had a time-to-pregnancy of 12 months or less. The recommendation to grade the progressive motility as described in the third and fourth editions of the WHO manual was not evidence-based, and WHO was therefore motivated to abandon it. However, the new recommendation is not evidence-based either, and it is difficult to understand the rational for the new assessment. It may have been a compromise to avoid returning to the rather robust system recommended in the first edition （1980）. The unconditional recommendation of the ＇Tygerberg strict criteria＇ is not evidence-based, and seems to be the result of an unfortunate bias in the composition of the Committee in favour of individuals known to support the ＇strict criteria＇ method. This recommendation will have negative effects on the develop- ment ofandrology as a scientific field. Given the importance of the WHO manual, it is unfortunate that the recommenda- tions for such important variables, as motility and morphology, lack evidence-based support.
文摘The aim of this study was to compare the sperm nuclear and acrosomal morphometry of three species of domestic artiodactyls; cattle （Bos taurus）, sheep （Ovis aries）, and pigs （Sus scrofa）. Semen smears of twenty ejaculates from each species were fixed and labeled with a propidium iodide-Pisum sativum agglutinin （PI/PSA） combination. Digital images of the sperm nucleus, acrosome, and whole sperm head were captured and analyzed. The use of the PI/PSA combination and CASA-Morph fluorescence-based method allowed the capture, morphometric analysis, and differentiation of most sperm nuclei, acrosomes and whole heads, and the assessment of acrosomal integrity with a high precision in the three species studied. For the size of the head and nuclear area, the relationship between the three species may be summarized as bull 〉 ram 〉 boar. However, for the other morphometric parameters （length, width, and perimeter）, there were differences in the relationships between species for sperm nuclei and whole sperm heads. Bull sperm acrosomes were clearly smaller than those in the other species studied and covered a smaller proportion of the sperm head. The acrosomal morphology, small in the bull, large and broad in the sheep, and large, long, and with a pronounced equatorial segment curve in the boar, was species-characteristic. It was concluded that there are clear variations in the size and shape of the sperm head components between the three species studied, the acrosome being the structure showing the most variability, allowing a clear distinction of the spermatozoa of each species.
文摘This study investigated the correlation between sperm motion parameters obtained by a computer-assisted semen analyzer and levels of reactive oxygen species in unwashed semen. In total, 847 patients, except for azoospermic patients were investigated. At the time of each patient＇s first consultation, semen parameters were measured using SMASTM or CellSoft 3000TM, and production of reactive oxygen species was measured using a computer-driven LKB Wallac Luminometer 1251 Analyzer. The patients were divided into two groups： reactive oxygen species - positive and negative. The semen parameters within each group were measured using one of the two computer-assisted semen analyzer systems and then compared. Correlations between reactive oxygen species levels and sperm motion parameters in semen from the reactive oxygen species - positive group were also investigated. Reactive oxygen species were detected in semen samples of 282 cases （33.3%）. Sperm concentration （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.01）, motility （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.05）, and progressive motility （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.01） were markedly lower in the reactive oxygen species - positive group than in the reactive oxygen species - negative group. Among the sperm motion parameters in the reactive oxygen species - positive group, sperm concentration （P 〈 0.01; P 〈 0.01）, motility （P 〈 0.05; P 〈 0.01）, mALH （P 〈 0.05; P 〈 0.01）, and progressive motility （P 〈 0.05; P 〈 0.01） also showed inverse correlations with the logarithmic transformed reactive oxygen species levels. Therefore, this study demonstrated that excessive reactive oxygen species in semen damage sperm concentration, motility, and other sperm motion parameters.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31572216)
文摘Background:Sperm motility parameters,which can be measured objectively and repeatedly by a computer-assisted sperm analysis(CASA)system,are important indicators of sperm quality.However,the sperm motility parameters assessed by a CASA system can be affected by various factors,including instrument components and settings,sperm preparation or analysis procedures.To date,no standardized protocol is available that would permit to assess sperm kinetic characteristics in passerine birds and this lack precludes any comparison of sperm swimming ability and sperm quality across species.Methods:In this study,we chose the Tree Sparrow(Passer montanus)as the object to evaluate sperm motility parameters,including sperm motility,sperm velocity and sperm movement trajectory,at different analysis time,temperatures and pH using the WLJY-9000 CASA system.Results:Sperm motility parameters remained statistically unchanged at 1‒9 min.Progressive motility was similar at 38℃ and 40℃,but a greater percentage of slow progressive sperm was detected at 38℃ compared to 40℃ and 42℃.Additionally,progressive motility was lower and immotility was higher at 42℃than 38℃and/or 40℃(close to the body temperature of the Tree Sparrow).The percentages of rapid progressive sperm,progressive sperm and immotile sperm were statistically similar at pH 7.0,7.5 and 8.0 with the exception of lower percentage of progressive sperm at pH 7.0 compared to pH 7.5.In addition,slower sperm velocity and worse sperm movement trajectory were found at pH 6.0 and 9.0 than those at pH 8.0,7.5 or 7.0.Conclusions:Our study indicates that the ideal conditions for sperm motility parameters assessment in Tree Sparrow are obtained between 1 and 9 min after dilution,an environment at body temperature(40℃)and a pH around 7.5-8.0.The results of this study provide a reference for the evaluation of sperm characteristics and sperm quality using a CASA system in passerine birds.
文摘Preoperative and postoperative sperm parameter values from infertile men with varicocele were analyzed by computer-aided sperm analysis （CASA） to assess if sperm characteristics improved after varicocelectomy. Semen samples of men with proven fertility （n = 38） and men with varicocele-related infertility （n = 61） were also analyzed. Conventional semen analysis was performed according to WHO （2010） criteria and a CASA system was employed to assess kinetic parameters and sperm concentration. Seminal parameters values in the fertile group were very far above from those of the patients, either before or after surgery. No significant improvement in the percentage normal sperm morphology （P = 0. 10）, sperm concentration （P = 0.52）, total sperm count （P = 0.76）, subjective motility （%） （P = 0.97） nor kinematics （P = 0.30） was observed after varicocelectomy when all groups were compared. Neither was significant improvement found in percentage normal sperm morphology （P = 0.91）, sperm concentration （P =0. 10）, total sperm count （P = 0.89） or percentage motility （P = 0.77） after varicocelectomy in paired comparisons of preoperative and postoperative data. Analysis of paired samples revealed that the total sperm count （P = 0.01） and most sperm kinetic parameters： curvilinear velocity （P = 0.002）, straight-line velocity （P = 0.0004）, average path velocity （P = 0.0005）, linearity （P = 0.02）, and wobble （P = 0.006） improved after surgery. CASA offers the potential for accurate quantitative assessment of each patient＇s response to varicocelectomy.
文摘The objective of this systemic review was to evaluate the benefit of repairing clinical varicocele in infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia （NOA）. The surgically obtained sperm retrieval rate （SRR） and pregnancy rates following assisted reproductive technology （ART） with the use of retrieved testicular sperm were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes included the presence of viable sperm in postoperative ejaculate to avoid the testicular sperm retrieval and pregnancy rates （both assisted and unassisted） using postoperative ejaculated sperm. An electronic search to collect the data was performed using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until April 2015. Eighteen studies were included in this systematic review and accounted for 468 patients who were diagnosed with NOA and varicocele. These patients were subjected to either surgical varicocele repair or percutaneous embolization. Three controlled studies evaluating sperm retrieval outcomes indicated that in patients who underwent varicocelectomy, SRR increased compared to those without varicocele repair （OR： 2,65; 95% Cl. 1.69-4.14; P 〈 0.001）. Although pregnancy rates with the use of testicular sperm favored the varicocelectomy group, results were not statistically significant （clinical pregnancy rate OR： 2.07; 95% CI： 0.92-4.65; P = 0.08; live birth rate OR： 2.19; 95% CI： 0.99-4.83; P = 0.05）. The remaining fifteen studies reported postoperative semen analysis results. In 43.9% of the patients （range： 20.8%-55.0%）, sperm were found in postoperative ejaculates. Pregnancy rates for unassisted and assisted （after IVF/ICSI） were 13.6% and 18.9% in the group of men with sperm in postoperative ejaculates, respectively. Our findings indicate that varicocelectomy in patients with NOA and clinical varicocele is associated with improved SRR. In addition, approximately 44% of the treated men will have enough sperm in the ejaculate to avoid sperm retrieval. Limited data on pregnancy outcomes with both postoperative ejaculated sperm and harvested testicular sperm preclude any firm conclusion with regard to the possible increased fertility potential in treated individuals. In conclusion, the results of our study indicate that infertile men with NOA and clinical varicocele benefit from varicocelectomy. Given the low/moderate quality of evidence available, it is advisable that doctors discuss with their patients with NOA the risks and benefits of varicocele repair.
文摘Sperm DNA damage is prevalent among infertile men and is known to influence natural reproduction. However, the impact of sperm DNA damage on assisted reproduction outcomes remains controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies on sperm DNA damage （assessed by SCSA, TUNEL, SCD, or Comet assay） and clinical pregnancy after IVF and/or ICSI treatment from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PUBMED database searches for this analysis. We identified 41 articles （with a total of 56 studies） including 16 IVF studies, 24 ICSI studies, and 16 mixed （IVF ＋ ICSI） studies. These studies measured DNA damage （by one of four assays： 23 SCSA, 18 TUNEL, 8 SCD, and 7 Comet） and included a total of 8068 treatment cycles （3734 IVF, 2282 ICSI, and 2052 mixed IVF ＋ ICSI）. The combined OR of 1.68 （95% Ch 1.49-1.89; P 〈 0.0001） indicates that sperm DNA damage affects clinical pregnancy following IVF and/or ICSI treatment. In addition, the combined OR estimates of IVF （16 estimates, OR = 1.65; 95% CI： 1.34-2.04; P 〈 0.0001）, ICSI （24 estimates, OR = 1.31; 95% Ch 1.08-1.59; P = 0.0068）, and mixed IVF ＋ ICSI studies （16 estimates, OR = 2.37; 95% Ch 1.89-2.97; P〈 0.0001） were also statistically significant. There is sufficient evidence in the existing literature suggesting that sperm DNA damage has a negative effect on clinical pregnancy following IVF and/or ICSI treatment.
文摘Noninvasive parameters for predicating sperm retrieval rate （SRR） are desirables. Follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH） has been an important predictor since the first years of testicular sperm extraction. Recent studies showed continuous interests in FSH, with both pros and cons. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic value of FSH as a predictor for patients with nonobstructive azoospermia （NOA） taking testicular sperm retrieval. Eligible diagnosis tests were identified from electronic databases （Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, and EMBASE） without language restrictions. The database search, quality assessment, and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The reference standard was the sperm retrieval result. Diagnostic value of FSH were explored by area under receiver operation characteristics （ROC） curve using Review Manager, version 5.1.0 （Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK） and Meta-DiSc, version 1.4. Meta regression will be done if there is heterogeneity. Then, we find 11 tests including a total of 1350 patients met the inclusion criteria. Our pooled analysis showed that the area under ROC curve of FSH was 0.72 ~ 0.04. Meta regression analyses showed that region and average age have an influence on the diagnostic value. FSH showed more diagnostic value with patients in East Asia and with younger patients. We concluded that FSH had moderate value in independently predicating SRR in men with NOA （area under curve 〉0.7）. More detailed diagnosis tests should be anticipated in the future to confirm the diagnostic value of other noninvasive parameters.
基金supported by the Key Scientific Technology Research Projects of Gans u Province, China (1102NKDA022)the Major Program of Ministry of Agriculture to Cultivate New Varieties of Genetically ModifiedOrganisms of China (2008ZX08008-003)+1 种基金the National Basic Research Program of Chinathe National Natural Science Foundation of China (2010CB834202)
文摘This study is first to investigate proteomic changes in sheep sperm induced by carbon ion radiation using two-dimensional electrophoresis （2-DE） analysis in the project of breeding a new variety of sheep. Differential expression proteins were detected using the PDQuest 8.0 software after staining with Coomassie blue. Valid spots were then analyzed through liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. Among the 480 total protein spots displayed in 2-D gels, 6 specific protein spots were observed in sperm gels. A search against protein sequences in the National Center for Biotechnology Information databases （NCBI） indicated that differentially expressed proteins correspond to two proteins, identified to be enolase and transcription factor AP-2-alpha （TFAP-2c0. The two proteins were up-regulated in the irradiated sperm. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to identify proteomic changes induced by carbon ion radiation in sheep sperm. The analysis of differential expression protein may be useful in identifying new breeding markers in sheep reproduction and in clarifying the mechanisms involved in irradiation or space breeding.
文摘Accurate semen analysis is critical for decisions about patient care, as well as for studies addressing overall changes in semen quality, contraceptive efficacy and effects of toxicant exposure. The standardization of semen analysis is very difficult for many reasons, including the use of subjective techniques with no standards for comparison, poor technician training, problems with proficiency testing and a reluctance to change techniques. The World Health Organization （WHO） Semen handbook （2010） offers a vastly improved set of standardized procedures, all at a level of detail that will preclude most misinterpretations. However, there is a limit to what can be learned from words and pictures alone. A WHO- produced DVD that offers complete demonstrations of each technique along with quality assurance standards for motility, morphology and concentration assessments would enhance the effectiveness of the manual. However, neither the manual nor a DVD will help unless there is general acknowledgement of the critical need to standardize techniques and rigorously pursue quality control to ensure that laboratories actually perform techniques ＇according to WHO＇ instead of merely reporting that they have done so. Unless improvements are made, patient results will continue to be compromised and comparison between studies and laboratories will have limited merit.
文摘Aim: The data on semen analysis of subjects attending the Fertility Clinic at NIHFW (National Institute of Health and Family Welfare) Munirka, New Delhi for the last 11 years were analyzed to verify the claims and speculations on declining sperm counts in men. Methods: Approximately 10 % of the records every year starting from 1990 to 2000 (numbering 1176 in total) were randomly selected for analysis. Subjects with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia were excluded from analysis. Results: The average age of the men attending the infertility clinic was 31.2 years. The average semen volume and sperm count were found to be (2.6 ±0.1) mL and (60.6 ± 0.9) × 106/mL, respectively. No significant decline in sperm counts was observed in any year during the entire study period. Only 1.8 % of the total number of sperm counts in the random sampling were less then 20 × 106/mL. On the basis of WHO criteria on motility, the total percentage of non-progressive and non-motile sperm in the ejaculate was higher (63 %) as compared to the combined categories of slow and rapid linear progressive. Conclusion: The present study has confirmed similar findings from other different countries that declining sperm counts in humans is not a global phenomenon.
文摘The fifth edition of the World Health Organization （WHO） manual for semen analysis includes for the first time reference values for human semen characteristics. This paper considers whether such values will help to resolve the intensely debated data indicating temporal and geographical shifts in sperm counts and hypotheses that anthropogenic activities that result in the release of chemicals into the environment are detrimental to male reproductive health. The reasons that these reference values will not fulfil these purposes are also explained. Although established reference values for semen characteristics are of limited value in analytical epidemiologic research, the WHO guidelines are of utmost importance for supporting the development of appropriate research protocols. Moreover, in spite of its limitations, semen analysis is still a useful research tool in epidemiological research, and no superior alternatives are on the horizon.
