scholarly journals Exploratory Analysis in the Differences in Blood Serum and Seminal Plasma of Adipose-Tissue Related Peptides in Obese and Non-Obese Men and Their Correlations With Semen Parameters

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Antinozzi ◽  
Marco Lista ◽  
Luisa Caponecchia ◽  
Pietro Salacone ◽  
Carlo Minganti ◽  
...  

ObjectivesEvaluating the relationship between circulating metabolic biomarkers and semen parameters in obese, overweight and normal-weight patients.MethodsPatients were recruited at the “Andrology and Pathophysiology of Reproduction Unit”, in Santa Maria Goretti Hospital. Divided into three groups were 98 participants (obese, overweight and normal-weight patients) according to BMI and were analyzed for three adipokines and six hormone peptides in blood serum and seminal plasma using Luminex assay. Standard semen analysis was performed for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, morphology and leukocytes.ResultsIn all groups of subjects, we observed a higher concentration of blood serum c-peptide, GIP, PAI-1, leptin, ghrelin and GLP-1 in comparison to seminal plasma; differently, higher levels in seminal plasma were observed for insulin and visfatin. In comparison to the non-obese subjects, obese subjects showed a higher blood serum concentration of c-peptide, GLP-1, GIP and leptin and a higher concentration of seminal plasma of GIP and insulin. Total sperm count, progressive motility, motility, and atypical forms directly correlated with PAI-1 and visfatin, whereas GLP-1 directly correlated only with total progressive motility.ConclusionObese men showed a different pattern of blood serum and seminal plasma adipokines and hormone peptides concentrations in comparison to normal-weight men. Furthermore, these molecules correlated with functional seminal parameters. Our findings support the option to consider these molecules as new biomarkers and pharmacological targets for a new therapeutic approach in male infertility. However, further studies identifying other potential biomarkers of male infertility with important clinical implication and characterizing their mechanisms of action are mandatory.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewa Janiszewska ◽  
Izabela Kokot ◽  
Iwona Gilowska ◽  
Ricardo Faundez ◽  
Ewa Maria Kratz

AbstractIn the seminal plasma (n = 118) and serum (n = 90) clusterin (CLU) the fucosylation and the expression of selected fucosyltransferases (FUTs) were analyzed. Samples from infertile men were divided into groups based on the results of the standard semen analysis: normozoospermic (N), teratozoospermic (T), asthenoteratozoospermic (AT) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT). The CLU fucosylation was analyzed using lectin-ELISAs with biotinylated lectins specific to α1,3-, α1,2-linked antennary fucose, and α1,6-linked core fucose (LTA, UEA, and LCA, respectively). The concentrations of FUT3 and FUT4, reflecting the expression of Le oligosaccharide structures, were measured using ELISA tests. The differences in serum CLU and FUT4 concentrations, and in the expression of core fucose and antennary fucose α1,2-linked in CLU glycans between the N group and other groups examined suggest that the disturbances in sperm count, motility, and morphology are not the only cause of male infertility. Lack of similarities between levels of examined parameters in blood serum and seminal plasma may suggest the differences in mechanisms leading to glycoproteins glycosylation. It confirmed the observed differences in concentrations of seminal plasma CLU, FUT3, and FUT4 between the OAT group and N, T, AT groups, indicating that decreased sperm count may be related to these parameters expression. The serum CLU concentrations and expression of core fucose and fucose α1,2-linked in CLU, seem to be good markers differentiating normozoospermic men from those with abnormal sperm parameters, which was not observed for seminal plasma.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Biljana Macanovic ◽  
Milica Vucetic ◽  
Aleksandra Jankovic ◽  
Ana Stancic ◽  
Biljana Buzadzic ◽  
...  

Background. Semen analysis is the cornerstone in the evaluation of male (in)fertility. However, there are men with normal semen tests but with impaired fertilizing ability, as well as fertile men with poor sperm characteristics. Thus, there is rising interest to find novel parameters that will help to predict and define the functional capacity of spermatozoa.Methods. We examined whether there is a correlation between semen parameters (count, progressive motility, and morphology) and protein expression/activity of antioxidative defense enzymes in seminal plasma from 10 normospermic subjects.Results. Sperm progressive motility was in positive correlation with seminal plasma protein expression of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms (MnSOD and CuZnSOD) and catalase. Also, positive correlation was observed between sperm count and MnSOD protein expression, as well as between sperm morphology and protein expression of catalase in seminal plasma. In contrast, protein expression of glutathione peroxidase was not in correlation with any sperm parameter, while its activity negatively correlated with sperm morphology and motility.Conclusions. These data suggest that evaluation of protein expression of antioxidative defense enzymes in seminal plasma might be of importance in the evaluation of male fertility status and that could be used as an additional biomarker along with classic semen analysis in assessment of semen quality.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
ZU Naher ◽  
SK Biswas ◽  
FH Mollah ◽  
M Ali ◽  
MI Arslan

Infertility is a worldwide problem and in almost 50% of cases infertility results from abnormality of the male partners. Apart from endocrine disorders, definitive cause and mechanism of male infertility is not clear in many cases. Recent evidence indicates that imbalance between pro-oxidant stress and antioxidant defense plays an important role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Among the endogenous antioxidant systems, reduced glutathione (GSH) plays a significant role in the antioxidant defense of the spermatogenic epithelium, the epididymis and perhaps in the ejaculated spermatozoa. The current study was therefore designed to evaluate any association that may exist between GSH levels and male infertility. Infertile male patients (having female partners with normal fertility parameters; n=31) and age- matched healthy male fertile control subjects (n=30) were included in this study. In addition to medical history, semen analyses including semen volume, sperm count, motility and morphology were done for each subject. As a measure of antioxidant capacity erythrocyte and seminal plasma GSH concentrations were measured by Ellman's method in fertile and infertile male subjects. The infertile subjects were similar to fertile subjects in terms of age. However, semen volume and sperm count was found significantly lower (p<0.001) in infertile males compared with healthy fertile male subjects. Percentage of subjects with abnormal sperm morphology and motility were found higher in infertile group compared with fertile group. The median (range) erythrocyte GSH level did not differ between the two groups (12.62 (0.67-29.82) versus 13.93 (2.10-21.08) mg/gm Hb). However, the seminal plasma GSH level was found markedly suppressed in infertile group (1.64 (0.23-7.50)) compared with fertile group (4.26 (2.32-7.50)) mg/dl (p<0.001). In the present study seminal plasma GSH level was found markedly suppressed along with abnormal values for semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm morphology and motility in infertile subjects compared with fertile subjects. This finding indicates that low level of seminal plasma GSH level may be associated with male infertility. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v4i2.13772 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2011; 4(2): 20-25


2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Arcaniolo ◽  
Vincenzo Favilla ◽  
Daniele Tiscione ◽  
Francesca Pisano ◽  
Giorgio Bozzini ◽  
...  

Objective: Infertility affects 15% of couples in fertile age. Male factor is a cause of infertility in almost half of cases, mainly due to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). The purpose of this study is to review the effects of nutritional supplements as medical treatment for idiopathic male infertility. Material and methods: A Pub Med and Medline review of the published studies utilizing nutritional supplements for the treatment of male infertility has been performed. Results: Clinical trials on Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C. Arginine, Carnitine, N-Acetyl-Carnitine, Glutathione, Coenzyme Q10, Selenium and Zinc were reviewed. Although there is a wide variability in selected population, dose regimen and final outcomes, nutritional supplements both alone and in combination seems to be able to improve semen parameters (sperm count, sperm motility and morphology) and pregnancy rate in infertile men. Conclusions: There are rising evidences from published randomized trials and systematic review suggesting that nutritional supplementation may improve semen parameters and the likelihood of pregnancy in men affected by OAT. This improvement, however, is not consistent and there is a wide variation in the treatment regimens used. Well designed and adequately powered RCTs are needed to better clarify the role of nutritional supplements as treatment for male infertility.


Author(s):  
W. N. Li ◽  
M. M. Jia ◽  
Y. Q. Peng ◽  
R. Ding ◽  
L. Q. Fan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to provide information on the semen quality pattern of infertile men and age thresholds for semen parameters in China. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study investigating 71,623 infertile men from the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC Xiangya in Hunan, China, from 2011 to 2017. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Kendall test, linear regression model and joinpoint regression were used. Results Although erratic changes were observed in the median semen parameters (sperm concentration 40.1–52.1 × 106/ml, total sperm count 117.8–153.1 × 106, sperm progressive motility 33.4–38.1%) during the 7 years of observation, no significant decrease in semen quality was found, and 47.88% of infertile men showed normal semen parameters according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. According to the joinpoint regression analysis, sperm progressive motility appeared to decrease earlier than the sperm concentration and total sperm count (at 28, 58, and 42 years of age, respectively). Conclusions There is no evidence of a deterioration in semen quality among infertile men in Hunan, China. Semen parameters decreased with increasing age, with turning points noted at different ages. Semen parameters are not absolute evidence for the assessment of male fertility potential. Therefore, we believe that, among semen parameters, the sperm concentration is the best predictor of fertility for ART, followed by motility. Decreased sperm motility may affect natural pregnancy, but it is not necessary for successful IVF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 707-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghazaleh Eslamian ◽  
Naser Amirjannati ◽  
Nazanin Noori ◽  
Mohammad-Reza Sadeghi ◽  
Azita Hekmatdoost

ABSTRACT Background It is unknown which compounds in spermatozoa or seminal plasma may be involved in the regulation of sperm motility. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DHA (22:6n–3), vitamin E, and their probable interactions in men with asthenozoospermia. Methods A factorial, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in infertility clinics in Tehran, Iran. The participants were idiopathic asthenozoospermic men aged 20–45 y, with normal endocrine function. Their concentration of spermatozoa and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa were equal to or above the lower reference limits, according to the fifth edition of the WHO guideline. Out of 717 men referred to the infertility clinics, 180 asthenozoospermic men were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups according to stratified blocked randomization by age and sperm concentration. Participants took daily 465 mg DHA plus 600 IU vitamin E (DE), 465 mg DHA plus placebo (DP), 600 IU vitamin E plus placebo (EP), or both placebo capsules (PP) for 12 wk. Sperm characteristics, oxidative stress of seminal plasma, serum and sperm membrane fatty acids, dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements, and physical activity were measured at baseline and after 12 wk. Results After the intervention, mean ± SD sperm progressive motility was greater in the DE group (27.9 ± 2.8) than in the DP (25.7 ± 3.4), EP (26.1 ± 2.8), and PP (25.8 ± 2.6) groups (P &lt; 0.05). Sperm count (P = 0.001) and concentration (P = 0.044) increased significantly in the DE group compared with the other 3 groups, whereas other semen parameters were not significantly different between the groups after the intervention. Serum concentrations of n–3 PUFAs were significantly higher in the DE and DP groups than in the EP and PP groups. Conclusions Combined DHA and vitamin E supplements led to increased sperm motility; however, no significant changes occurred in sperm morphology and vitality in asthenozoospermic men. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01846325.


2016 ◽  
Vol 195 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alba Fernandez-Encinas ◽  
Agustí García-Peiró ◽  
Jordi Ribas-Maynou ◽  
Carlos Abad ◽  
María José Amengual ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayad Palani ◽  
Ahmed Alahmar

Abstract Background Oxidative stress has been implicated in male infertility through decrease in sperm quality. However, men with normal semen parameters (normozoospermia) may be unable to fertilize their partners even when they have normal sperm function. Thus, they would be considered infertile. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of unexplained male infertility. Methods In this case–control study, infertile men with normozoospermia (n = 46) and fertile control group (n = 21) underwent seminal fluid analyses according to WHO 2010 criteria. Serum and seminal plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione, malondialdehyde, uric acid and albumin were also measured using colorimetric methods. Results The level of total antioxidant capacity in both serum and seminal plasma was significantly lower in normozoospermic infertile men in comparison with fertile group (p < 0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed in serum and seminal plasma levels of glutathione, uric acid, albumin and malondialdehyde between infertile and fertile groups. Conclusion Low TAC level induces oxidative stress and consequently causes sperm dysfunction and male infertility. Estimation of TAC can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of male infertility. Antioxidant supplementation should be considered in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced male infertility.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf TS ◽  
Panti AA ◽  
Ekele BA ◽  
Nwobodo EI

Background: Male infertility can occur when sperms are limited innumber or function. Infertility is a socially destabilizing and stigmatizing condition for couples but in our society many erroneously believe it is a problem from the female alone. Objectives: To evaluate the semen of infertilemale partners of couplesattending gynaecological clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted at the gynaecological clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto between 1stJanuary 2011 and 30th June 2011. For the purpose of this study all male partners of women who complained of inability to conceive after a period of a year or more of unprotected sexual intercourse were recruited into the study. Data was extracted and analyzed using SPSS (version 11). A P–value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were 125 cases of male infertility recruited during the period. Majority of the male patients (51.2%) were aged 40 years and above. Considerable percentage of the patients (46.4%) presented with duration of Infertility of 5 years and above. The identified risk factors were a previous history of Urethral discharge (37.6%) and previous treatment of sexually transmitted infections (29.6%). Hypospermia (33%) and Asthenospermia (42.4%) were the commonest disorders of semen Parameters seen. Low sperm count was seen in (36.8%) of studysubjects, Azoospermia was observed in 8% while 16% of them had disorder of sperm morphology. Conclusion: The study shows that infertility is associated with relatively high rate of abnormal sperm volume, motility and count. In addition, genital tract infections are major associated factors. Therefore, efforts to address STIs through primary, secondary and tertiary preventive measures may make significant contributions to reducing the prevalence of male infertility in Sokoto State.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-104
Author(s):  
Ahmed T. Alahmar ◽  
Aldo E. Calogero ◽  
Rajender Singh ◽  
Rossella Cannarella ◽  
Pallav Sengupta ◽  
...  

Male infertility has a complex etiopathology, which mostly remains elusive. Although research has claimed that oxidative stress (OS) is the most likely underlying mechanism of idiopathic male infertility, the specific treatment of OS-mediated male infertility requires further investigation. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like substance, has been found in measurable levels in human semen. It exhibits essential metabolic and antioxidant functions, as well as playing a vital role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. Thus, CoQ10 may be a key player in the maintenance of biological redox balance. CoQ10 concentrations in seminal plasma directly correlate with semen parameters, especially sperm count and sperm motility. Seminal CoQ10 concentrations have been shown to be altered in various male infertility states, such as varicocele, asthenozoospermia, and medical or surgical regimens used to treat male infertility. These observations imply that CoQ10 plays an important physiological role in the maintenance and amelioration of semen quality. The present article thereby aimed to review the possible mechanisms through which CoQ10 plays a role in the regulation of male reproductive function, and to concisely discuss its efficacy as an ameliorative agent in restoring semen parameters in male infertility, as well as its impact on OS markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, pregnancy, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes.


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