Follicular Fluid Components in Reduced Ovarian Reserve, Endometriosis, and Idiopathic Infertility.

Follicular fluid (FF) molecules, and their increase or decrease, can contribute to appropriate follicular growth and oocyte maturation, thus being related to female infertility conditions. In this paper, we studied the changes and the relationships of some biochemical components, hormones, antioxidant enzymes, F-Isoprostanes (F-IsoPs), and resolvin (Rv) D1 in the FF of infertile women with different reproductive conditions such as endometriosis, reduced ovarian reserve, and idiopathic infertility during assisted reproductive techniques (ART). In the whole population, positive correlations between albumin (ALB)/iron (Fe), ALB/beta-2-microglobulin (B2MG), and F-IsoPs/RvD1 were detected in the FF.

Do Seminal Isoprostanes Have a Role in Assisted Reproduction Outcome?

F-isoprostanes (F-IsoPs), stereoisomers of prostaglandin F2α generated by the free radical-induced oxidation of arachidonic acid, have been associated with different male infertility conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the role of seminal isoprostane levels and sperm characteristics in the reproductive outcome and embryo quality of 49 infertile couples. Semen analysis was performed following WHO guidelines.

Protective Effect of Chlorogenic Acid on Human Sperm: In Vitro Studies and Frozen-Thawed Protocol.

The study evaluated the chlorogenic acid (CGA) antioxidant potential on oxidative stress (OS) induced in vitro in human spermatozoa and during cryopreservation procedure. Swim-up selected spermatozoa were treated with 100 µM CGA, 100 µM HO to induce lipid peroxidation (LPO), and with both compounds and the effects on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by JC-1, DNA integrity by acridine orange (AO), and sperm ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), were evaluated. CGA antioxidant activity was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and F-isoprostanes (F-IsoPs) in the media.

Semen Biochemical Components in Varicocele, Leukocytospermia, and Idiopathic Infertility.

The evaluation of the seminal plasma plays a relevant role in the definition of male infertility and in assisted reproduction outcomes; for this reason, it would be recommended to find biochemical markers able to characterize sperm pathology. In this study, 53 infertile patients (grouped by the presence leukocytospermia, idiopathic infertility, or varicocele) and 10 fertile men were selected. Spermiogram was performed by light microscopy, and sperm ultrastructure was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) mathematically elaborated.

Effects of antioxidant treatment on seminal parameters in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Objective: The aim of this non controlled trial was to assess whether a therapy with an antioxidant supplement may improve spermatozoa quality in terms of number, motility, morphology and a higher number of successful conceptions in patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia undergoing cycles of medically assisted reproduction by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Materials And Methods: 32 patients registered at A.G.

Characterisation of three systematic sperm tail defects and their influence on ICSI outcome.

This study characterized three cases of systematic sperm tail defects using electron microscopy and immunolocalisation of centrin 1 and tubulin and explored their impact on ICSI outcome. Structural sperm tail defects of possible genetic origin were suspected as the eosin test revealed a sperm viability of >70% despite severe asthenozoospermia or the absence of motility. In Patient 1, 80%-85% of axoneme cross sections was incomplete.

Chromosomal aberrations and aneuploidies of spermatozoa.

Chromosomal abnormalities are relevant causes of human infertility, affecting 2 -14 % of infertile males. Patients with seminal anomalies could be affected by improper meiotic recombination and increased sperm chromosome aneuploidy. Since the transmission of a haploid chromosomal asset is fundamental for embryo vitality and development, the study of sperm chromosomes has become fundamental because intracytoplasmic sperm injection allows fertilization in cases of severe male infertility.

Protein modification as oxidative stress marker in normal and pathological human seminal plasma.

Objective: Our study aims to assess the oxidative stress status of seminal plasma from normozoospermic, azoospermic, and leukocytospermic males, since abnormal sperm and leukocytes in human ejaculates are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which lead to oxidative damages. For this purpose we applied a biochemical approach to the assessment of the oxidative stress status by using two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis to check the level of protein oxidation after specific labeling of free thiol (-SH) groups.

Methods: Seminal plasma samples from normal and pathological males were analyzed by a luminol-based chemiluminescent assay.

The impact of environmental exposure to perfluorinated compounds on oocyte fertilization capacity.

In an attempt to assess the effect of perfluorinated compounds (PFC) on oocytes quality and fertilization rate, we studied follicular fluid (FF) PFC levels in 18 patients undergoing IVF-ET cycles. A significant correlation (R = 0.75; P < 0.

Successful multiple pregnancy achieved after transfer of frozen embryos obtained via intracytoplasmic sperm injection with testicular sperm from an AZFc-deleted man.

Objective: To describe a case of successful triplet pregnancy after testicular sperm extraction (TESE) from a man with AZFc deletion and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Design: Case report.

Setting: University hospital.

Sperm aneuploidies after human recombinant follicle stimulating hormone therapy in infertile males.

Errors in sperm chromosome segregation are frequently observed in infertile males. It would therefore be useful to develop methods for reducing the rate of aneuploidy in spermatozoa. Thirty-one males were selected with an elevated frequency of total sperm aneuploidy of sperm chromosomes 18, X and Y by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH): 22 were treated with 150 IU of recombinant FSH on alternate days for 3 months and the other nine (controls) did not receive any hormonal treatment.

Spermatogenesis in a man with complete deletion of USP9Y.

Deletions in the azoospermia factor region AZFa on the human Y chromosome and, more specifically, in the region that encompasses the ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9, Y-linked gene USP9Y have been implicated in infertility associated with oligospermia and azoospermia. We have characterized in detail a deletion in AZFa that results in an absence of USP9Y in a normospermic man and his brother and father. The association of this large deletion with normal fertility shows that USP9Y, hitherto considered a candidate gene for infertility and azoospermia, does not have a key role in male reproduction.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection and pregnancy with decapitated sperm.

Objective: To perform intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in couples with primary infertility owing to sperm defects causing total immotility.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Couple Sterility Center, University of Siena.

Correlation between oocyte preincubation time and pregnancy rate after intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Background And Aim: Both nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes have to be completed in a coordinated manner to ensure optimal conditions for fertilization. This is well known for in vitro fertilization, but is debated for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It has been reported that preincubation of oocytes prior to ICSI is associated with improved maturation of oocytes, fertilization and embryo quality.

Sperm quality improvement after natural anti-oxidant treatment of asthenoteratospermic men with leukocytospermia.

Aim: To study the immune-modulating and anti-oxidant effects of beta-glucan, papaya, lactoferrin, and vitamins C and E on sperm characteristics of patients with asthenoteratozoospermia associated with leucocytosis.

Methods: Fifty-one patients referred to our Sterility Center for semen analysis were selected. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after patient's treatment with beta-glucan, lactoferrin, papaya, and vitamins C and E.

[Association of antioxidants and natural immune activators in the treatment of astheno-teratospermia and abacterial leukocytosis].

Aim: Leukocytes are often present in human seminal plasma and more frequently in infertile men. Leukocytospermia is associated with sperm morphological and functional alterations. Immune cell activation leads to an increase of free radical production, without any antioxidant defence activation.

Sperm quality and pregnancy rate after COX-2 inhibitor therapy of infertile males with abacterial leukocytospermia.

Background: Leukocytes are a frequent finding in seminal plasma of infertile males with abacterial inflammation. We evaluated the effects of treatment with rofecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on sperm quality and pregnancy rate after intrauterine insemination (IUI) or monitored intercourse.

Methods: We selected 47 infertile patients referred to our sterility centre for semen analysis.

Ultrastructural and DNA fragmentation analyses in swim-up selected human sperm.

Seventeen sperm samples were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before and after swim-up separation. DNA-fragmentation was tested by terminal d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) in unselected and selected semen samples, and the results were analyzed in relation to sperm ultrastructural characteristics detected by TEM. A significant improvement in mean numbers and percentages of structurally normal sperm was observed after swim-up selection, corresponding to a significant decrease in the percentage of necrotic and apoptotic sperm, while the percentage of sperm with immature nuclei did not change significantly.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization and molecular studies in infertile men with dysplasia of the fibrous sheath.

Objective: To perform fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular analysis in patients with the genetic sperm defect "dysplasia of the fibrous sheath" (DFS).

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Regional Referral Center for Male Infertility, Siena, Italy.

An ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study of a rare genetic sperm tail defect that causes infertility in humans.

Objective: To characterize and describe the ontogenesis of a rare flagellar defect affecting the whole sperm population of a sterile man.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Regional referral center for male infertility in Siena, Italy.

Effect of follicle-stimulating hormone on sperm quality and pregnancy rate.

Aim: To evaluate the possible links between ultrastructural sperm quality and the clinical pregnancy rate in infertile males treated with FSH before intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods: Forty-four infertile males with idiopathic oligo-asthenozoospermia were randomly allocated to the treated (n=24) and non-treated (control, n=20) groups. Semen analysis was carried out by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before and 12 weeks after FSH therapy.

10, 15 reciprocal translocation in an infertile man: ultrastructural and fluorescence in-situ hybridization sperm study: case report.

Background: Peculiar sperm defects are described in a sterile man heterozygous for a balanced translocation t(10;15) (q26;q12). As this structural reorganization was absent in the parents, the translocation must have appeared de novo in the present patient.

Methods: Spermatozoa were analysed under light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Infertile spermatozoa in a human carrier of robertsonian translocation 14;22.

Objective: To present the ultrastructural, functional, and chromosomal analyses of spermatozoa from an infertile man with normal phenotype and chromosomal translocation 14;22.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Regional Reference Center for Male Infertility in Siena, Italy.

Helicobacter pylori infection and infertility.

Objective: To determine (1) the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in male and female patients with reproductive disorders and controls; (2) the presence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in samples of follicular fluid, vaginal secretions and sperm; and (3) the existence of a structural homology between a major spermatozoa protein, tubulin, and H. pylori proteins.

Localization of molecules related to cholinergic signaling in eggs and zygotes of the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus.

In recent years, the finding of a complete set of molecules related to the cholinergic neurotransmitter system in male gametes of different invertebrate and vertebrate species has opened the question of the possible involvement of this signaling system in the regulation of intracellular ion change, functional to sperm motility and probably also to interaction with the egg. In this work, we localized molecules immunologically related to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) eggs and zygotes, by use of the monoclonal antibody M35. The ultrastructural analysis of immunoreactivity revealed that the localization of M35-positive molecules is different between unfertilized and fertilized egg.