Comparison of Sperm Telomere Length between Two Sperm Selection Procedures: Density Gradient Centrifugation and Zeta Potential.

Background: Telomeres are particular sequences of DNA located at the end of the eukaryotic chromosomes that are essential for genome integrity. Telomere length in spermatozoa differs among males, as well as spermatozoa. Also, decreased telomere length in spermatozoa of infertile men is associated with the reduction of fertility potential and embryo quality.

Effects of assisted oocyte activation with calcium- ionophore and strontium chloride on ICSI outcomes.

Objectives: Failed fertilization after intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is mainly attributed to failed oocyte activation and can be overcome by artificial oocyte activation (AOA). The present study aims to compare outcomes of ICSI following two different assisted oocyte activation chemical procedures (SrCl and Ionomycin) in sibling oocytes of ICSI candidates.

Materials And Methods: From March 2015 until February 2016, 105 infertile men with 99-100% abnormal sperm morphology, irrespective of sperm motility, concentration, or origin (semen or testicular) were included in this study.

A Preliminary Study: N-acetyl-L-cysteine Improves Semen Quality following Varicocelectomy.

Background: Surgery is considered the primary treatment for male infertility from clinical varicocele. One of the main events associated with varicocele is excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals, is considered a supplement to alleviate glutathione (GSH) depletion during oxidative stress.

Addition of Tempol in semen cryopreservation medium improves the post-thaw sperm function.

Despite extensive research carried out for optimization and commercialization of sperm cryopreservation media, percentage of motility and viability remain low following cryopreservation. These adverse effects have been partially ascribed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during cryopreservation. Therefore, we proposed that addition of a cell permeable antioxidant like Tempol, with superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic action, may overcome these effects in an optimized commercially available cryo-protective medium.

Selection of Sperm Based on Hypo-Osmotic Swelling May Improve ICSI Outcome: A Preliminary Prospective Clinical Trial.

Background: The intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique selects sperm according to morphology and motility. However, these parameters cannot predict the chromatin integrity of sperm. Considering the detrimental effects of DNA-damaged sperm on reproductive outcomes, novel sperm selection procedures have been proposed to circumvent the possibility of inseminating DNA-damaged sperm.