Beta-defensin126 is correlated with sperm motility in fertile and infertile men†.

A crucial function of the epididymis is providing a surface glycocalyx that is important for sperm maturation and capacitation. Defensins are antimicrobial peptides expressed in the epididymis. In the macaque epididymis, defensin beta 126 (DEFB126) is important for sperm motility, however, it is not known whether this is the case in humans.

IL-17A concentration of seminal plasma and follicular fluid in infertile men and women with various clinical diagnoses.

Seminal plasma and follicular fluid (FF) cytokine analysis are valuable tools for diagnoses and validation of therapeutic approaches for improving the chance of conception. Despite the initial discovery over a decade ago, the IL-17 family has not received much attention in the case of infertility. In this study, we analyzed the level of IL-17A in seminal plasma, follicular fluid and blood serum of infertile patients with different clinical diagnoses by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Effects of selenium, calcium and calcium ionophore on human oocytes in vitro maturation in a chemically defined medium.

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes is an emerging procedure quickly incorporated into the world of assisted reproductive technologies. As an effective method of in vitro maturation, several studies have reported the critical role of differentions on activating the complex process involved in both gamete maturation and fertilization.

Objective: In this study, we supplemented a chemically defined medium with different combinations of selenium, calcium and calcium ionophore concentrations to obtain the best rate of human oocytes maturation, survival, and fertilization.