GM-CSF treatment of frozen bovine sperm improves function, fertilization, and subsequent embryo development.

In vitro embryo production (IVP) is used in the cattle industry to increase the rate of genetic gain. IVP uses semen that has been frozen and thawed, a process that renders sperm less viable than sperm from fresh semen. Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is present in bovine seminal plasma, while its receptor is present on bovine sperm.

Mitochondrial activator BGP-15 protects sperm quality against oxidative damage and improves embryo developmental competence.

Objective: To study the efficacy of mitochondrial activator BGP-15 to preserve sperm quality and competence against cellular damage.

Design: Spermatozoa from mice or humans were treated in vitro with BGP-15 and sperm quality markers assessed. Spermatozoa from young (8-12 weeks old) or reproductively old (>14 months old) mice were treated with BGP-15 for 1h and assessed for sperm quality and pre-implantation embryo development after in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Addition of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) during oocyte maturation improves embryo development in a mouse model of advanced maternal age.

Oocyte developmental competence declines in women aged 35 and older resulting in many women resorting to IVF. The present study determined whether adding Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) could improve oocyte developmental competence in a mouse model of advanced maternal age. Oocytes from 12-14 month C57BL6 J × CBA mice were treated with 10 ng/ml of GM-CSF during IVM, and embryo development, mitochondrial activity, spindle formation and chromosomal alignment were examined.

Addition of GM-CSF during in vitro oocyte maturation improves embryo development and implantation and birth rate in mice.

The present study determined whether adding granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) during in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) could improve oocyte developmental competence by examining embryo development and implantation and birth rates following embryo transfer in mice. In an initial dose response experiment, we demonstrated that the addition of 2 and 10 ng/mL of GM-CSF during IVM increased cumulus expansion (P<0.05) but did not affect fertilisation rate compared with the control group.

Investigating the potential of X chromosome shredding for mouse genetic biocontrol.

CRISPR-Cas9 technology has facilitated development of strategies that can potentially provide more humane and effective methods to control invasive vertebrate species, such as mice. One promising strategy is X chromosome shredding which aims to bias offspring towards males, resulting in a gradual and unsustainable decline of females. This method has been explored in insects with encouraging results.

Clinical use of progesterone in human sperm preparation media for increasing IVF success.

Research Question: Can the addition of progesterone and neurotensin, molecular agents found in the female reproductive tract, after sperm washing increase the fertilization potential of human spermatozoa?

Design: (i) Cohort study of 24 men. Spermatozoa selected by swim-up were incubated in either progesterone or neurotensin (0.1-100 µM) for 1-4 h, and hyperactive motility and binding to hyaluronan (0.

Impact of bariatric surgery, lifestyle change, and pharmacotherapy on fertility in men with obesity: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: This review will determine whether various health interventions designed to reduce weight (lifestyle change, bariatric surgery, pharmacotherapy) in men with obesity are associated with improved fertility markers. The review will also establish whether the degree of weight loss achieved through these methods is associated with improvement.

Introduction: Current preconception guidelines provide limited information for men with obesity.

The influence of lifestyle and biological factors on semen variability.

Purpose: Semen parameters are subjected to within-individual variability over time. The driving factors for this variability are likely multi-factorial, with healthier lifestyle associated with better semen quality. The extent in which variations in individual's lifestyle contributes to within-individual semen variability is unknown.

Improved fertilization, degeneration, and embryo quality rates with PIEZO-intracytoplasmic sperm injection compared with conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a sibling oocyte split multicenter trial.

Objective: To investigate whether PIEZO-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PIEZO-ICSI) increases the fertilization rate, decreases the degeneration rate, and increases the utilization rate per oocyte injected compared with conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Design: Sibling oocyte split multicenter trial.

Setting: Fertility clinics.

Assessing the influence of preconception diet on male fertility: a systematic scoping review.

Background: The last decade has seen increased research on the relationship between diet and male fertility, but there are no clearly defined nutritional recommendations for men in the preconception period to support clinical fertility outcomes.

Objective And Rationale: The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the extent and range of research undertaken to evaluate the effect(s) of diet in the preconception period on male clinical fertility and reproductive outcomes.

Search Methods: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE via Ovid, CAB Direct, and CINAHL via EBSCO) were searched from inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (prospective/retrospective, case-control, and cross-sectional).

"No One Asked Me If I'm Alright": A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Information/Support Needs and Challenges Engaging Men Diagnosed With Male-Factor Infertility.

There is limited research exploring men's experiences of infertility, and fewer previous studies have examined what information and support men desire after being diagnosed specifically with male-factor infertility. We conducted a mixed-methods study utilizing a combined sequential, concurrent design (online survey/semi-structured interviews). Survey outcomes ( =12) were analyzed using quantitative data analysis, while qualitative survey data ( = 5) was analyzed by reflexive thematic analysis.

Sperm DNA damage: The possible link between obesity and male infertility, an update of the current literature.

Obesity prevalence worldwide is increasing significantly. Whilst maternal obesity has clear detrimental impacts on fertility, pregnancy and foetal outcomes, more recently there has been an increasing focus on the role of paternal obesity in human fertility. Recent meta-analyses have indicated that obesity in men negatively affects basic sperm parameters such as sperm count, concentration and motility, increases the incidence of infertility and reduces the chances of conception.

MiOXSYS and OxiSperm II assays appear to provide no clinical utility for determining oxidative stress in human sperm-results from repeated semen collections.

Background: Oxidative stress in semen contributes up to 80% of all infertility diagnosis. Diagnostics to measure oxidative stress in semen was recently added to the 6th edition WHO methods manual, although diagnostic predictive values need to be interpreted with caution as there are still several research questions yet to be answered.

Objectives: To determine the natural fluctuations in semen redox indicators (MiOXSYS and OxiSperm II) within and between men and their association with markers of sperm oxidative stress.

OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Reactive oxygen species in the mammalian pre-implantation embryo.

In Brief: Reactive oxygen species are generated throughout the pre-implantation period and are necessary for normal embryo formation. However, at pathological levels, they result in reduced embryo viability which can be mediated through factors delivered by sperm and eggs at conception or from the external environment.

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) occur naturally in pre-implantation embryos as a by-product of ATP generation through oxidative phosphorylation and enzymes such as NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase.

Measuring Reactive Oxygen Species in Semen for Male Preconception Care: A Scientist Perspective.

Oxidative stress and elevated levels of seminal and sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to up to 80% of male infertility diagnosis, with sperm ROS concentrations at fertilization important in the development of a healthy fetus and child. The evaluation of ROS in semen seems promising as a potential diagnostic tool for male infertility and male preconception care with a number of clinically available tests on the market (MiOXSYS, luminol chemiluminescence and OxiSperm). While some of these tests show promise for clinical use, discrepancies in documented decision limits and lack of cohort studies/clinical trials assessing their benefits on fertilization rates, embryo development, pregnancy and live birth rates limit their current clinical utility.

Birthweight associations with parental obesity: retrospective analysis of 1,778 singleton term births following assisted reproductive treatment.

Objective: To determine the association of combined parental preconception overweight and obesity on infant birthweight.

Design: Retrospective study of fresh in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (2009-2017).

Setting: Repromed, South Australia, assisted reproductive technology clinic.

Improving Sperm Oxidative Stress and Embryo Quality in Advanced Paternal Age Using Idebenone In Vitro-A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Advanced paternal age is associated with increased sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased fertilization and pregnancy rates. Sperm washing during infertility treatment provides an opportunity to reduce high sperm ROS concentrations associated with advanced paternal age through the addition of idebenone. Sperm from men aged >40 years and older CBAF1 mice (12-18 months), were treated with 5 µM and 50 µM of idebenone and intracellular and superoxide ROS concentrations assessed.

PIEZO-ICSI increases fertilization rates compared with standard ICSI: a prospective cohort study.

Research Question: Is PIEZO-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) coupled with a new novel operational fluid (perfluoro-n-octane) superior to standard ICSI?

Design: A cohort of patients (n = 69) undertaking microinjection were recruited between January and November 2019 and were then prospectively case-matched. Patients required six or more mature oocytes for inclusion in the study. PIEZO-ICSI uses high-speed microinjection drilling to penetrate the zona and oolemma and deposit the spermatozoa into the cytoplasm, compared with the traditional 'cutting' action of ICSI.

High-fat Diet Alters Male Seminal Plasma Composition to Impair Female Immune Adaptation for Pregnancy in Mice.

Paternal experiences and exposures before conception can influence fetal development and offspring phenotype. The composition of seminal plasma contributes to paternal programming effects through modulating the female reproductive tract immune response after mating. To investigate whether paternal obesity affects seminal plasma immune-regulatory activity, C57Bl/6 male mice were fed an obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD) or control diet (CD) for 14 weeks.

Albumin used in human IVF contain different levels of lipids and modify embryo and fetal growth in a mouse model.

Purpose: Different commercial human embryo culture mediums can alter embryo quality and change birthweight. One component that could be contributing to variations but is not widely investigated is human serum albumin (HSA). HSA plays a multitude of roles during embryo culture and is a carrier for molecules including lipids.

Comparison of in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection on live birth rates in couples with non-male factor infertility and advanced maternal age.

Purpose: To determine if the use of ICSI in women of advanced maternal age with non-male factor infertility increases chances of live birth.

Methods: Retrospective data analysis of 10 years of cycle data from a single Australian IVF clinic (Repromed). First cycle patients only of an advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) with non-male factor infertility utilising standard IVF or ICSI insemination and having at least three oocytes collected at egg pick up were assessed for live birth following transfer of single genetically unscreened blastocyst (N = 577).

Increased BMI 'alone' does not negatively influence sperm function - a retrospective analysis of men attending fertility treatment with corresponding liver function results.

Does increased body mass index (BMI) without an underlying metabolic issue negatively influence semen quality? Proof of concept we conducted retrospective data analysis of men (N = 84) undergoing assisted reproductive technology, who had liver function testing with fasted glucose concentrations and corresponding hormone profile (testosterone, LH, FSH and prolactin) and semen analysis. Sperm count and total concentration were only reduced in metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese men. Serum GTT was the biggest predictor of Normozoospermia and Oligospermia, with BMI having no effect.