Seminal cell-free DNA and sperm characteristic's: An added biomarker for male infertility investigation.

Cell-free DNA (Cf-DNA) fragments may constitute an easy-to-measure molecular tool for guiding the choice of care provided to infertile couples who benefit assisted reproductive technology (ART) programmes. Data on Cf-DNA levels in the seminal plasma of men with sperm alterations are scarce. The objective of the present study was to quantify the presence of Cf-DNA in semen by using a quantitative real-time PCR.

Effect of Gonadotropin Types and Indications on Homologous Intrauterine Insemination Success: A Study from 1251 Cycles and a Review of the Literature.

Objective: To evaluate the IUI success factors relative to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and infertility type, this retrospective cohort study included 1251 couples undergoing homologous IUI.

Results: We achieved 13% clinical pregnancies and 11% live births. COS and infertility type do not have significant effect on IUI clinical outcomes with unstable intervention of various couples' parameters, including the female age, the IUI attempt rank, and the sperm quality.

Serum antimüllerian hormone levels are independently related to miscarriage rates after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Objective: To investigate whether serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels are independently related to miscarriage rates after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: University-affiliated IVF-ET center.

Circulating microRNAs in follicular fluid, powerful tools to explore in vitro fertilization process.

Circulating or "extracellular" microRNAs (miRNAs) detected in biological fluids, could be used as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of several disease, such as cancer, gynecological and pregnancy disorders. However, their contributions in female infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) remain unknown. This study investigated the expression profiles of five circulating miRNAs (let-7b, miR-29a, miR-30a, miR-140 and miR-320a) in human follicular fluid from 91 women with normal ovarian reserve and 30 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their ability to predict IVF outcomes.

[Circulating nucleic acids and infertility].

Circulating nucleic acids (cell-free DNA and microRNAs) have for particularity to be easily detectable in the biological fluids of the body. Therefore, they constitute biomarkers of interest in female and male infertility care. Indeed, in female, they can be used to detect ovarian reserve disorders (polycystic ovary syndrome and low functional ovarian reserve) as well as to assess follicular microenvironment quality.

Sperm global DNA methylation level: association with semen parameters and genome integrity.

Sperm DNA methylation abnormalities have been detected in oligozoospermic men. However, the association between sperm DNA methylation defects, sperm parameters and sperm DNA, and chromatin integrity remains poorly understood. This study was designed to clarify this issue.

High body mass index has a deleterious effect on semen parameters except morphology: results from a large cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on semen characteristics.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Single private andrology laboratory.

Cell-free nucleic acids as non-invasive biomarkers of gynecological cancers, ovarian, endometrial and obstetric disorders and fetal aneuploidy.

Background: Proper folliculogenesis is fundamental to obtain a competent oocyte that, once fertilized, can support the acquisition of embryo developmental competence and pregnancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of folliculogenesis, which are expressed in the cumulus-oocyte complex and in granulosa cells and some can also be found in the bloodstream. These circulating miRNAs are intensively studied and used as diagnostic/prognostic markers of many diseases, including gynecological and pregnancy disorders.

Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid damage in normozoospermic men is related to age and sperm progressive motility.

Objective: To evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation in normozoospermic male partners of couples undergoing infertility evaluation.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Clinical andrology laboratory.

How to overcome male infertility after 40: Influence of paternal age on fertility.

The recent trend toward delayed parenthood raises major safety concerns because of the adverse effects of aging on couple fertility. Studies have demonstrated that aging clearly affects female fertility, but can also affect male fertility. Although several theories have been proposed, the exact mechanisms responsible for the observed age-related decline in male fertility remain to be elucidated.

Management of infertility in women over 40.

Women's fertility potential is declining with age because of multiples intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as life style, oxidative stress and/or endocrine disruptors and is affecting the ability of these women to conceive naturally. This declining fertility potential and the late age of motherhood is increasing significantly the number of patients consulting infertility specialists. Different strategies of investigation and management are proposed to patients over 40 in order to overcome their infertility and improve the live birth rate in these patients.

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

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).

Emerging molecular methods for male infertility investigation.

Male factors account for approximately 50% of reproductive pathology. Different disorders, including urogenital and endocrine system development abnormalities, lead to testicular and gametogenesis defects. Parallely, studies have reported that somatic and germ cell genome decay are a major cause of male infertility.

[Oxidative stress and fertility: false evidence and bad recipes].

Worldwide statistics agree that at least one out of six couples has fertility problems. If the male gamete is the origin of this problem, it is generally admitted that the oxidative stress is involved. Modern life has obviously increased fertility problems through pesticides, xenoestrogenes, endocrine disrupting chemicals involved in plastic technology such as polychlorinated bisphenyls, bisphenol A, phthalates and alkylphenols… and other cosmetic additives.

Sperm vacuoles are linked to capacitation and acrosomal status.

Study Question: Is the presence of nuclear vacuoles really a negative parameter?

Summary Answer: As sperm vacuoles are associated with acrosomal and capacitation status, they appear to be a reflection of normal sperm physiology.

What Is Known Already: The selection of sperm under a high magnification has been proposed as a strategy to increase the success rates of ICSI, through a better selection of sperm for injection. The presence of vacuoles on the sperm head is said to be a negative parameter.

Sperm transcriptome profiling in oligozoospermia.

Purpose: Investigate in what extent sperm transcriptome of infertile men is different from that of fertile individuals.

Methods: Semen samples were collected for determination of sperm parameters as well as for RNA isolation. Gene expression profile was investigated in spermatozoa of 8 infertile and 3 fertile men by microarray analysis using the Affymetrix Chip HG-U133 Plus 2.

[Teratozoospermia, myth or reality? A 10-years retrospective study on 101404 consecutive sperm samples].

Objectives: Several studies have reported a time-related decline in semen quality. In this context, 101,404 spermograms-spermocytograms performed in a single andrology laboratory from January 2000 to December 2009 were investigated retrospectively. Variations of sperm parameters were analyzed over the years.

Polymorphisms in MTHFR and MTRR genes associated with blood plasma homocysteine concentration and sperm counts.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between MTHFR and MTRR genetic variants with respect to both blood plasma homocysteine concentration and sperm counts.

Design: Polymerase chain reaction followed by specific enzymatic digestion to determine the genotype of the individuals and blood plasma homocysteine quantification by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Malonaldehyde formation and DNA fragmentation: two independent sperm decays linked to reactive oxygen species.

Malondialdehyde (MDA), a product involved in membrane lipid peroxidation, was dosed in the sperm of 163 patients who had consulted the clinic regarding hypofertility. We attempted to determine if there was correlation between MDA content, sperm World Health Organization parameters and DNA fragmentation that results mainly from reactive oxygen species assaults. We found that no correlation could be established; however MDA and sperm decondensation were shown to be significantly linked.

Paternal age and sperm DNA decay: discrepancy between chromomycin and aniline blue staining.

The effect of paternal age on sperm DNA fragmentation and decondensation was determined in a retrospective study involving 1769 patients. TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase)-mediated dUDP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay was used to assess fragmentation, and DNA decondensation was measured with either chromomycin or aniline blue staining. The impact of atypical forms was also analysed.

[Teratozoospermia at the time of intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI)].

Until now, the morphological sperm analysis (spermocytogram) allows to define sperm normality, but the relationship between sperm morphology and fertility is not yet assessed. Although several studies do not report any relationship between abnormal sperm morphology and ICSI results, nevertheless, the success rate of ICSI sems to be dependent on injected sperm morphological aspect. Detailed morphological sperm examination (especially sperm head) at high magnification (from x 6600 to x 12500) (MSOME) in real time allows to select the best spermatozoa before oocyte injection (IMSI).