When evaluating male reproductive potential, it is crucial to evaluate sperm structural abnormalities and sperm DNA damage. Apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption are linked to sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), which is inversely correlated with motility and normal morphology. To enable liquefaction, the semen sample is taken in a sterile collection container and incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes The samples were then split into three groups, P, G, and N, based on the morphological %. To measure chromatin condensation, aniline blue staining (AB), an acidic dye with a strong affinity for non-lysine-rich histones, was employed. The DNA maturity of the spermatozoa was assessed using AB. Sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, and total progressively motile sperm all had means that were above the WHO 2010 standard range. The DNA fragmentation index was significantly higher in patients with pattern P than in patients with patterns G and N, and it differed significantly (P=0.003) between the semen morphological patterns. In conclusion, as DNA fragmentation is an independent test this study showed that a low percentage of normal sperm morphology might indicate DNA integrity status.
The ability of human sperm to fertilize can be compromised both in vivo and in vitro by the toxins found in cigarette smoke, which can lower sperm mitochondrial activity and harm chromatin structure. The aim is to study the effect of smoking on the apoptotic marker (caspase-3) of human sperm. A cross-sectional study of 80 semen samples of sub-fertile men, were divided into smokers (35 patients) and non-smokers (45 patients). All the semen samples after seminal fluid analysis underwent HOST test and grading (A-G) according to the WHO 2021 criteria then the slides were smeared and stained with an immunocytochemistry kit for Caspase-3 apoptotic marker. There was no significant effect of smoking in the concentration of caspase-3 expression, in spite of the high presentation of both grades A and G in the smoker group ( p = 0.57, 0.56 respectively). Smoking has a negative impact on the DNA integrity of sperm as it increases the apoptotic marker within the smoker group.
Background: The Fibroblast associated (Fas) system in the testes has been identified as a key regulator of apoptosis, a process that greatly influences the germ cell population of the testes. Objective: This study measures the level of soluble Fas Ligand (sFasL) in the semen of oligozoospermic men evaluating the association between seminal plasma sFasL and spermatogenesis. Methods: A total 58 oligozoospermic men and 29 normal volunteers were included in this study. semen was evaluated according to World Health Organization 2010 standard parameters. sFasL was measured using ELISA enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of sFasL. Results: s FasL level was found significantly higher (P< 0.01) in seminal plasma of oligozoospermic men, with weak correlation of the level of this marker with the degree of severity of oligozoospermia. Conclusions: The apoptotic marker, sFasL is a novel marker found in the seminal plasma of oligozoospermic men. It's level is higher in cases of oligozoospermia regardless of its severity.