Role and Significance of Sperm Function in Men with Unexplained Infertility

Esteves, Sandro C.; Verza, S.; Sharma, Rakesh; Gosálvez, Jaime; Agarwal, Ashok

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2140-9_11

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 161 publications

(184 reference statements)

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“…The capacitation reaction involves the spermatozoa changes, both physiological and chemical, that occur in the oviduct after ejaculation, preparing the sperm to undergo the acrosomal reaction by releasing lytic enzymes responsible for sperm penetration through the zona pellucida (ZP) and exposing membrane receptors on the sperm head, needed to bind to the ZP ( Figure 4 ) [ 18 , 68 ].…”

Section: Effects On Male Gamete and Fertilization Capabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

How Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Affect Gamete Viability and Fertilization Capability: Insights from the Literature

Lockington,

Favetta

2024

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There has been emerging research linking per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to gamete viability and fertility. PFAS, prevalent in the environment and water supplies, undergo slow degradation due to their C-F bond and a long half-life (2.3–8.5 years). In females, PFAS inhibit the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, reducing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, leading to the inhibition of androgen and estradiol production. PFAS have been found to cause detrimental effects on egg quality through impairing folliculogenesis. In males, PFAS can impair sperm motility and morphology: two fundamental qualities of successful fertilization. PFAS exposure has been proven to inhibit testosterone production, sperm capacitation, and acrosomal reaction. After fertilization, the results of PFAS exposure to embryos have also been investigated, showing reduced development to the blastocyst stage. The aim of this review is to report the main findings in the literature on the impact of PFAS exposure to gamete competency and fertilization capability by highlighting key studies on both male and female fertility. We report that there is significant evidence demonstrating the negative impacts on fertility after PFAS exposure. At high doses, these environmentally abundant and widespread compounds can significantly affect human fertility.

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Section: Effects On Male Gamete and Fertilization Capabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

How Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Affect Gamete Viability and Fertilization Capability: Insights from the Literature

Lockington,

Favetta

2024

JoX

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“…However, due to its labour-intensiveness, the necessity for specialised expensive equipment and the fact that human zonae pellucidae are not readily available, the hemizona assay is rarely used today. cut-off is considered abnormal (Esteves, Verza, Sharma, Gosálvez, & Agarwal, 2015). Regarding the competitive intact zona binding assay, Liu et al (1989) concluded that the result of this test is correlated with the fertilisation rate in patients with abnormal sperm morphology.…”

Section: Hemizona Assaymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cut-off value for the ratio of the number of test spermatozoa to that of control spermatozoa is 30%, and a value of less than the F I G U R E 1 Acrosome reaction testing using lectins labelled with fluorescence (Reprinted with permission, Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Art & Photography ©2011-2020. All Rights Reserved) cut-off is considered abnormal (Esteves, Verza, Sharma, Gosálvez, & Agarwal, 2015). Regarding the competitive intact zona binding assay, Liu et al (1989) concluded that the result of this test is correlated with the fertilisation rate in patients with abnormal sperm morphology.…”

Section: Competitive Intact Zona Binding Assaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic value of advanced semen analysis in evaluation of male infertility

2020

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Couples who are unable to conceive within a year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse are recommended to seek evaluation. In about 40% of the couples, infertility is caused by a male factor and by both partners in an additional 20% of couples. The underlying causes for male infertility are multifactorial, with about 20% of these cases being idiopathic (Ayaz et al., 2015; Louis et al., 2013). 1.1 | Overview of semen analysis and its implications According to the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010), the clinical evaluation of male patients includes a medical history, physical examination and at least two semen analyses. The conventional semen analysis is very important in identifying the severity of male factor infertility and guiding future analysis and treatment (Agarwal & Bui, 2017). It further includes the determination of volume, pH, colour, viscosity, liquefaction time, number of round cells, sperm total count, concentration, motility and normal sperm morphology. 1.2 | Limitations of semen analysis in predicting fertility status Although standard semen analysis remains the standard of care to initially evaluate male patients with infertility, a routine semen analysis does not accurately identify the aetiology of infertility or predict the reproductive success (Snow-Lisy & Sabanegh, 2013). Routine semen analysis yields variable results due to inter-and intra-observer variability, and it gives no information about sperm dysfunctions at cellular and molecular levels (Agarwal & Bui, 2017; Esteves, 2014). Moreover, the lower reference limits established by the WHO are not applicable to all men as values of semen parameters overlap in fertile and infertile men. Therefore, the exact cause of idiopathic and unexplained male infertility remains unknown, even after performing routine semen analysis (Hamada, Esteves, & Agarwal, 2011; Wallach et al., 1983). Normal semen parameters do not equate with a normal fertilisation potential of spermatozoa (Hamada et al., 2011; Lewis, 2007). As a consequence, more advanced tests are needed to accurately diagnose male infertility and predict pregnancy in couples trying to conceive naturally or couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART; Oehninger, Franken, & Ombelet, 2014).

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