Sperm morphological defects related to environment, lifestyle and medical history of 1001 male partners of pregnant women from four European cities

Auger, Jacques; Eustache, Florence; Andersen, Aage; Irvine, D. Stewart; Jørgensen, Niels; Skakkebæk, Niels E.; Suominen, J.; Toppari, Jorma; Vierula, Matti; Jouannet, Pierre

doi:10.1093/humrep/16.12.2710

Cited by 188 publications

(147 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Another potential weakness of our study is that sperm morphology was assessed using the David classification rather than strict (Tygerberg) criteria. However, we believe that the application of the 4 % thresholds (the 5th percentile from the new WHO reference range) is appropriate given that the new WHO semen analysis morphology reference values were derived in large part from studies using the David morphology classification [23,[25][26][27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The morphology thresholds of 4 % was taken from new WHO semen analysis manual and was deemed appropriate given that the new WHO semen analysis morphology reference values were derived in large part from studies using the David morphology classification [23,26,27]. A 700 μL aliquot of raw semen was collected from the original sample and stored at 4°C for the subsequent evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation.…”

Section: Semen Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Which isolated sperm abnormality is most related to sperm DNA damage in men presenting for infertility evaluation

Belloc¹,

Benkhalifa²,

Cohen-Bacrie³

et al. 2014

J Assist Reprod Genet

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Background Sperm DNA damage is common in infertile men and is associated with poor semen parameters but the impact of an isolated sperm abnormality on sperm DNA damage has not been studied. Objective To evaluate sperm DNA damage in a large cohort of infertile men with isolated sperm defects. Design, setting and participants Retrospective study of 1084 consecutive, non-azoospermic infertile men with an isolated sperm defect: isolated oligozoospermia (iOligo), isolated asthenozoospermia (iAstheno) or isolated teratozoospermia (iTerato). Outcome measurements and statistical analysis We examined and compared clinical parameters, conventional semen parameters and %sperm DNA fragmentation (%SDF, assessed by flow cytometry-based Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End-Labeling assay) in the three groups of men. Results and limitations The mean (±SD) %SDF was significantly higher in the iAstheno compared to the iOligo and iTerato groups (25.0±14.0 vs. 19.2±11.6 and 20.7±12.1 %, respectively, P<0.0001). Similarly, the proportion of men with high %SDF (>30 %) was significantly higher in the iAstheno compared to the iOligo and iTerato groups (31 % vs. 18 % and 19 %, respectively, P<0.0001). In the group of 713 men with iAstheno, %SDF was positively correlated with paternal age (r=0.20, P<0.0001) and inversely correlated with %progressive motility (r=−0.18, P<0.0001). In the subset of 218 men with iTerato, %SDF was also positively correlated with paternal age (r=0.15, P=0.018) and inversely correlated with %progressive motility (r=−0.26, P=0.0001). Conclusions In this large cohort of infertile men with isolated sperm abnormalities, we have found that the sperm DNA fragmentation level is highest in the men with sperm motility defects and that 31 % of these men have high levels of sperm DNA fragmentation. The data indicate that poor motility is the sperm parameter abnormality most closely related to sperm DNA damage.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Semen Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Which isolated sperm abnormality is most related to sperm DNA damage in men presenting for infertility evaluation

Belloc¹,

Benkhalifa²,

Cohen-Bacrie³

et al. 2014

J Assist Reprod Genet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Recent data suggest that infertility is a major clinical problem and that it occurs in one in four couples (Guillette et al, 1994;Auger et al, 2001;Arabi et al, 2004). Sperm counts in healthy men around the world have fallen by about 50 per cent in the last 50 years in the Western world (Auger et al, 1995;Kasahara et al, 2002).…”

Section: Infertility Oxidative Stress and Vitamin Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

et al. 2011

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In this article, we focus on the fundamental role of vitamin C transporters for the normal delivery of vitamin C to germ cells in the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules. We argue that the redox status within spermatozoa or in semen is partly responsible for the etiology of infertility. In this context, antioxidant defence plays a critical role in male fertility. Vitamin C, a micronutrient required for a wide variety of metabolic functions, has long been associated with male reproduction. Two systems for vitamin C transport have been described in mammals. Facilitative hexose transporters (GLUTs), with 14 known isoforms to date, GLUT1-GLUT14, transport the oxidized form of vitamin C (dehydroascorbic acid) into the cells. Sodium ascorbic acid co-transporters (SVCTs), SVCT1 and SVCT2 transport the reduced form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Sertoli cells control germ cell proliferation and differentiation through cell-cell communication and form the blood-testis barrier. Because the blood-testis barrier limits direct access of molecules from the plasma into the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule, one important question is the method by which germ cells obtain vitamin C. Some interesting results have thrown light on this matter. Expression of SVCT2 and some isoforms of GLUT transporters in the testis have previously been described. Our group has demonstrated that Sertoli cells express functionally active vitamin C transporters. Kinetic characteristics were described for both transport systems (SVCT and GLUT systems). Sertoli cells are able to transport both forms of vitamin C. These fi ndings are extremely relevant, because Sertoli cells may control the amount of vitamin C in the adluminal compartment, as well as regulating the availability of this metabolite throughout spermatogenesis.

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“…The oxidative stress-induced sperm damage has been suggested to be a significant contributing factor in 30-80% of all cases of male infertility [33]. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of can be exacerbated by environmental, infectious and lifestyle conditions.…”

Section: Oxidative Stress Measurementmentioning

confidence: 99%

What is New in the Clinical Assessment and Treatment of the Infertile Male

Esteves¹

2011

TORSJ

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Male infertility is a fast-evolving area. Recently published evidence has challenged several established concepts and added to the knowledge in the field. Traditionally, the clinical assessment of the subfertile male includes a history and physical examination, hormonal evaluation and semen analyses. Regarding the latter, the World Health Organization has established new reference values that in general include lower limits than those of previous editions. Specialized sperm function assays, such as sperm DNA integrity and measurements of oxidative stress, are now clinically available and may be integrated to the conventional semen analysis to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of a man's fertility status. Also, molecular biology genetic testing involving the Y-chromosome can correctly identify oligozoospermic and azoospermic men misdiagnosed as having idiopathic infertility and be of prognostic value for sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia. In the field of treatment, emerging evidence suggests that antioxidant therapy along with life-style modifications improve the male reproductive health. Microsurgery has increased the success rates for both varicocele treatment and sperm retrieval for assisted conception. Microsurgical treatment of clinical varicoceles may optimize reproductive outcome of couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection or microsurgical testicular sperm extraction. Men with non-obstructive azoospermia, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels and small testes may no longer be considered sterile. Modern retrieval techniques are used to collect testicular sperm that can be used to produce a healthy biological offspring via assisted conception. This article reviews what is new in the clinical assessment and treatment of the infertile male, including the implications of this increased knowledge in the management of the infertile couple and assisted reproduction technology outcomes.

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Sperm morphological defects related to environment, lifestyle and medical history of 1001 male partners of pregnant women from four European cities

Abstract: The present study indicated that the detailed assessment of sperm abnormalities is a useful biomarker of the effect of various external factors which may qualitatively affect human spermatogenesis.

Cited by 188 publications

References 37 publications

Which isolated sperm abnormality is most related to sperm DNA damage in men presenting for infertility evaluation

Which isolated sperm abnormality is most related to sperm DNA damage in men presenting for infertility evaluation

Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium

What is New in the Clinical Assessment and Treatment of the Infertile Male

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