Infertility has been defined as the disability to fulfill pregnancy after twelve months of regular sex coition, with no contraceptive taken. Male factor infertility was explained in terms of low spermatozoa concentration (oligozoospermia), or morphology (teratozoospermia), impaired motility (asthenozoospermia), or in some cases, total lack of spermatozoa in the ejaculate (azoospermia). In several cases, a collection of one, or more of these sperm variables defects may be noticed, evaluation these factors by the initial and most important step is seminal analysis. Our study aims to study some sperm characteristics in asthenozoospermia men in comparison with normozoospermia men before and after glass wool and Sephadex activation. This study involved 60 semen samples collected from male patients that came to male infertility clinic at Al-Nahrain University; the recruited semen samples were divided into 2 groups, (40 asthenozoospermic and 20 normozoospermic subjects). After collected semen samples, and assessed analysis of seminal fluid. Each semen samples were divided into 3 aliquots. The first aliquot prepared was In-Vitro to assessed sperm characterization before activation, the second part using glass wool filtration (GWF) technique, while the last part was prepared using Sephadex. Both techniques resulted equally in reducing sperm concentration, were equally effective in upgrading sperm motility and in minimizing round cell count; however, Sephadex was superior to glass wool method in upgrading the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. Both Sephadex and glass wool techniques has been proved effective to improve semen quality.
Background: Pretreatment of the semen samples of the asthenozoospermia patients with certain sperm stimulant agents prior to use for assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has been reported to have beneficial effects on fertilization rates. Objectives: Investigating the influence of addition of different concentrations of oxytocin (OT) to semen samples of asthenozoospermic patients for in vitro sperm activation as a new method for stimulation of sperm motility in these patients and exploring the concentration of OT that harvests amaximal numberofmotile sperms. Methods: Simple layer technique for in vitro sperm activation using culture medium enriched with OT was studied in asthenozoospermic patients (No. 90). Semen samples were examined before sperm activation, and then they were divided into three equal groups. In the first group, three concentrations of OT (2, 4, and 6 IU/ml) were applied. Based on the results of the mentioned work, OTat the concentration of 2 IU/mlwas applied with sperm preparation medium (SPM) and without in the second and third groups, respectively. Results: Results showed that there was a significantimprovementin the percentageof sperm motilityand spermgrade activity of the OT-treated samples atthe concentration of 2IU/mlas comparedto the control samples. Moreover, there was a tendency for a decrease in sperm grade activity with increase OT concentration. The outcome of sperm activation in presence of SPM revealed a significant increase in the sperm motility characteristics (the percentage of sperm motility and sperm grade activity) in the control and OT-treated samples and the best improvement in these sperm motility characteristics was observed in the OT-treated samples. When SPM was absent, a significant improvement in the sperm motility characteristics was observed only in the OTtreated samples. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that OT at the concentration of 2 IU/ml has got a stimulatory effecton sperm motility characteristics; also, the use of SPM succeeds to supportthis effect.
One-half of the genome is delivered by the sperm, and a healthy sperm is needed for fertilization, fetal development, and child wellbeing. Abnormal sperm DNA can impact any of these processes. The measurement of sperm DNA fragmentation has been added to some medical andrology laboratories as a crucial addition to the standard analysis of the semen. Sperm DNA fragmentation has also been linked to male infertility including idiopathic male infertility. Some degree of controlled DNA nicking is essential for adequate DNA compaction, but excessive sperm DNA fragmentation is usually associated with reduced male fertility potential, reduced fertilization, poor embryo quality, recurrent pregnancy loss and poor assisted reproductive techniques outcomes. Semen samples from 50 infertile males (as 19 asthenozoospermia, 7 oligozoospermia, 13 normospermia and 11 combined defects) were analyzed for sperm DNA fragmentation. This study followed the World Health Organization 2010 guidelines to assess the sperm parameters. Sample were collected by masturbation and put in a 37 °C incubator to be liquefied, then they were placed in a centrifuge (3000 rpm for 10 min) to extract the pellet, which was used for assessment of DFI% by anillin blue staining. Negative significant correlation (p = 0.023) between morphologically normal sperms and DFI % was found in normozoospermia group. The objective of this study is to examine the correlation of DFI among different seminal fluid categories (normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and, combined).
Infertility is the inability of a sexually active non-contraceptive couple to achieve pregnancy in one year. Sperm motility is one of the most important prerequisites to achieving fertilization and pregnancy . The objective of the current study was to improve certain sperm function parameters following in vitro activation of men suffering from asthenozoospermia by using a novel combination of motility stimulant substances, namely Maca, L-carnitine, and Pentoxifylline, to be used for assisted reproductive technologies programs in the future.Ninety asthenozoospermic patients were involved in the current study. Each sample was divided into two equal portions. One part was considered as a control by using Ham’s F12 medium, and the other part was considered as a treated group by adding medium content, a mixed combination of Maca powder extracts (Lepidium meyenii) (M)1mg/ml, Pentoxifylline (PTX) 10 mg /ml, and L-Carnitine (LC) 0.5mg /. Certain sperm function parameters were examined before and following in vitro preparation using the swim-up technique according to WHO guidelines.The results showed a significant (p<0.001) elevation in active sperm motility grade A, B, and progressive motility following in vitro preparation by Ham’s F12 media and mixed culture medium compared to before activation. The morphologically normal sperm percentage was significantly higher in mixed culture medium compared to control medium, and before activationWhile the results of DNA normality by using mixed culture and Ham’s F12 media were statistically shown a significant (p<0.001) reduction compared with before activation . It is concluded that the combination medium have a superior effects on certain sperm function parameters and DNA normality enhance its usage in sperm activation by swim up technique for ART programs.
Background: Over 70 million couples suffer from infertility worldwide and the majority of those couples can be found in developing countries. Aims of study: This study aims to determine if there is any significant difference in levels of inhibin B and gonadal hormones in fertile and infertile men. Subjects, Materials & Methods: Clinical and hormonal characteristics related to male infertility factor of the infertile patients(n=75)and representative proven fathers as a control(normozoospermic ones)(n=25)were studied. All males attending infertility clinic at Baquba General Hospital, Diyala in Iraq. The study included the measurement of gonadal hormones levels by using (ELISA)method and it was also used in analyzing the inhibin B hormone. The VIDAS instruments were used for enzyme immunoassay measurements Luteininzing Hormone(LH),Testosterone(T) ;and Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH). The samples were analyzed and classified according to WHO criteria. Results: The results of this study showed that inhibin B hormone and other gonadal hormones in control (representative proven fathers-normozoospermic ones)as inhibin B (240.2±17.4)Pg/ml, LH (1.639±0.103)mIU/ml, Testosterone (0.6253±0.035)ng/ml and FSH (0.469±0.0103)mIU/ml. In asthenozoospermic ones as an example of infertile patients the results showed that inhibin B (76.9±8.99)Pg/ml, LH(1.4311±0.033)mIU/ml, T (0.5483±0.030)ng/ml and FSH (0.495±0.0124)mIU/ml. Except the inhibin B comparisons all of other non significant evaluated parameters & correlations within this study could be ascribed to the role of cascaded role of inhibin B with the gonadal hormones in spermatogenesis. Conclusions: It concluded from this study that decreased levels of inhibin B, LH,Testosterone, but increased levels of FSH hormones were shown in asthenozoospermia group as an example of infertile patients,and increased levels of inhibin B,LH and Testosterone but decreased levels of FSH were shown in normozoospermia as control.
The objective of the research was to investigate the potential correlation between serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and sperm parameters such as sperm concentration, sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. A hundred male patients voluntarily participated in the study at a private andrology clinic in Al Najaf Al Ashraf City, Iraq, between October 2023 and November 2023. The patients were divided into four groups: 26 patients with oligozoospermia, 21 patients with asthenozoospermia, 28 patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), and those with normozoospermia. Semen quality was evaluated by conducting a semen analysis according to the 2021 World Health Organization guidelines. The ELISA method was employed to measure the levels of AMH in serum samples. Biotechnology Instrument, USA, manufactured the ELIZA components that were used. The average age of the participants was 30.85 ± 0.70 years, BMI was 27.60 ± 0.58 kg/m2, and serum AMH was 2.08 ± 0.11 ng/ml. We did not find any negative or positive correlation between AMH levels in the blood with sperm concentration, sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology in all study groups. The results of this study showed that serum AMH is an unreliable marker for predicting spermatogenic abnormalities.
Background: The procedures of assisted reproductive technologies have been developed during recent years and have been revealed the need for new suitable and effective techniques of sperm treatment in the laboratory. Objectives: This study is designed to normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic compare the semen outcomes of two in vitro sperm activation techniques and evaluate their efficiency, namely; Glass wool filtration technique and a new technique of Glass wool filtration combined with Pentoxifylline. Subjects, Materials and Methods: Fifty five semen samples were collected from the patients, fifteen were obtained from normozoospermic men, forty were obtained from asthenozoospermic men who at tend the infertility clinic were involved in this study. Sperm parameters were assessed according to WHO (2010 and 1999). Post-activation of each sample were divided into two aliquots, the first one : using Glass wool filtration technique , the second : using Glass wool filtration technique with Pentoxifylline. Results: A significant increase of sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and morphologically normal sperm when using Glass wool filtration technique combined with Pentoxifylline as compared to Glass wool filtration technique. Regarding sperm agglutination and Round cells count the study showed the best results by decreasing their levels when using Glass wool filtration technique combined with Pentoxifylline as compared to Glass wool filtration technique alone. Conclusions: From the results of the present study, the sperm function parameters outcome when using glass wool filtration technique combined with Pentoxifylline were superior to other technique since it yields better sperm function parameters rather than the outcome of glass wool filtration ; respectively especially when using a low quality of semen samples such as decreased sperm function parameters (sperm motility) so it was fit in cases of asthenozoospermia which taken as an example of infertile group within this study.
The purpose of the study was to determine if age and body mass index in infertile men were associated with stress levels as determined by salivary stress biomarkers (cortisol and alpha-amylase). A cross-sectional study comprising 100 males with an infertility challenge was divided into 25 normozoospermia, 26 oligozoospermia, 21 asthenozoospermia, and 28 oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were examined using the ELISA technique . The average age of the patient was 30.85±7.03, and their average BMI was 27.604±5. 7894. The infertile duration mean was 4.7896±3. 85932. The average amylase content in the saliva was 127.3721±40.0952, while the average cortisol content was 72.67±49.09. There are no discernible variations between the comparison mean of BMI and the duration of infertility. In the current investigation, there was no discernible relationship between SAA and age, BMI, or the length of infertility. Saliva cortisol and BMI in the oligoasthenoteratozoospermia group showed a substantial negative correlation (r = 0.483 & p = 0.009), although no significant link was seen with age, BMI, or length of infertility in the other study groups. There was no significant positive or negative correlation found between SAA level and the age and BMI of the four study groups, whereas salivary cortisol showed a substantial negative correlation with BMI in OAT and a non-significant correlation with age.
Background: Semen preparation techniques were developed to separate motile sperm that are morphologically normal from seminal plasma to optimize successful assisted reproductive technology cycles which seem to be the most effective options in cases of a male factor infertility. Objective: The objective of the present study was to compare between outcomes of two sperm preparation techniques for asthenozoospermic patients includes:1-Centrifugation swim up technique.2-Glass wool filtration technique. Subjects, Materials and Methods: Fifty three infertile males were participated in this study during their attendance to the Infertility Clinic at High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies; Al-Nahrain University. Semen samples were collected and SFA was done according to WHO (2010 and 1999). Each semen sample was divided into two aliquots. The first one prepared using centrifugation swim up technique, while the other one prepared using glass wool filtration technique then sperm parameters were assessed for both techniques and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: After in vitro sperm activation using both techniques, there was significant reduction (P<0.05) in the sperm concentration, significant improvement (P<0.05) in the percentages of sperm motility and morphologically normal sperm when compared to pre-activation. Present study appeared that the glass wool filtration technique resulted in significantly (P<0.05) better results for sperm concentration and total number of progressive motile sperm than the swim-up technique. The present study proved that there was significant (P<0.05) improvement in sperm parameters (increment for sperm motility (%), progressive sperm motility (%), total number of progressive motile sperm and normal sperm morphology (%), while reduction for round cell count and sperm agglutination percent) for all cases using glass wool filtration techniques. In contrast, there was failure of sperm activation for 10 cases using centrifugation swim up technique. Conclusions: From results of the present study, the sperm parameters outcomes using glass wool filtration technique was superior to the outcomes of centrifugation swim up technique when prepare semen of asthenozoospermic patients.
Mitochondria play a significant key in sperm metabolism as well as power generation. The mitochondria nucleolus is essential for several sperm activities. such as sperm capping, hyperactivation, and acrosome reactions, and oocyte fusion, mitochondrial membrane potential can be used to study sperm mitochondrial activity, the mitochondrial integrity of sperm is evaluated by examination of mitochondrial membrane potential MMP, which may be achieved by using fluorescent dyes like JC-1 probe is composed of 5,5,6,6-tetrachloro-1,1,3,3-tcarbocyanine iodide. To study the correlation between mitochondrial membrane potential Red MMP and sperm motility . This study included 42 male samples who were separated into two groups. (21 normozoospermic, 21 asthenozoospermia) through the period of attendance at the infertility clinic at High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Al-Nahrain University, and Um Al-Banin Center for Management and in vitro fertilization the collected semen was obtained and seminal fluid analysis was assisted according to (WHO,2021). fluorescent staining of the sample prepared is done by using an MMP Assay Kit (with JC-1) was performed. A positive significant correlation between sperm motility percentage and red MMP intensity (p < 0.001). Mitochondrial activity plays an essential function in sperm motility and male fertility Male infertility, Sperm Motility, Mitochondrial Membrane Potential, MMP Assay Kit (with JC-1).
Exposure to radiation of various forms is one of the many environmental, health, and lifestyle variables that have been linked in recent years to an increase in the rate of male infertility. According to data from several recently published studies, mobile phone use may negatively affect sperm parameters, which may lower male fertility. Ninety-seven samples of semen from fertile and infertile individuals were sent to the "High Institute for Infertility Diagnosis and Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Al-Nahrain University in Baghdad, between November 2022 and May 2023. The samples were split into four groups: normozoospermia (n = 40), asthenozoospermia (n = 25), oligozoospermia (n = 16), and teratozoospermia (n = 16). Each group was further divided into two groups based on the amount of time spent using a mobile phone each day: less than 4 hours per day and equal to or more than 4 hours per day. A routine seminal fluid analysis was carried out to measure the sperm parameters and test the deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation rate using an acridine orange stain. Samples exposed to electromagnetic waves of cell phones showed a significant decrease in DNA normality. deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation index (p < 0.001) in normozoospermia patients exposed to more than 4 hours/day of non-ionizing electromagnetic waves. The results of deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation index after treatment were shown a significant improvement compared to before the treatment in all fertile and infertile groups. Electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones are associated with a decrease of deoxyribonucleic acid normality when exposure for <4hours/day. The study recommend that men of reproductive age avoid keeping their cell phones in the hip pocket and front pants pocket which may negatively affect spermatozoa deoxyribonucleic acid integrity and impair male fertility.
Background: Human growth hormone (HGH) is undisputedly a potent hormone with a wide variety of biological effects. The anabolic actions of human growth hormone have made it attractive as a potential agent for catabolic problems in a wide range of clinical conditions. Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the possible relationship between levels of HGH in serum (S. HGH) and seminal plasma (Sp. HGH) and semen parameters in normozoospermic (NZS) men and infertile patients. Materials and Methods: In total, 66 infertile patients with azoospermia (AZS; no. 52), asthenozoospermia (AsZS; no. 6) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATZS; no. 8), and normozoospermic men (NZS; no. 12) were included in this study. From each subject, semen and blood samples were taken to assess seminal plasma and sperm parameters and levels of S. HGH and Sp. HGH; respectively. Results: The highest S. HGH was evaluated in AZS patients when compared to NZS and other infertile groups. Significant elevation (P<0.05) in the level of S. HGH was assessed for AZS patients as compared to NZS men. In contrast, the level of Sp. HGH in NZS men was significantly elevated (P<0.05) when compared to AZS patients only. Positive and significant correlations were noticed between levels of Sp. HGH and semen liquefaction time in NZS, AZS and OATZS groups. In NZS men, positive and significant correlation were observed between Sp. HGH and semen volume and negative and significant correlations were detected between Sp. HGH and percentages of sperm motility, progressive motility, immobility and agglutination. Conclusion: Our study represents the first study in Iraq showing that the level of HGH in serum and seminal plasma affect male fertility and sperm parameters in normozoospermic males and infertile patients. Further biochemical and molecular studies are recommended to investigate the mode of action of HGH and its receptors in relation to fertility.
Background: Seminal fructose is derived from the seminal vesicle and is therefore a suitable marker for its function. Fructose is the energy source for sperm and may have an importance in pathological conditions of semen, e.g. in asthenozoospermia. Objective: To find out if there is a correlation between seminal plasma fructose level and sperm concentration and motility in infertile Iraqi men. In addition, the study assessed the reliability of using seminal fructose concentration as indicator of seminal vesicles function. Patients and Methods: Forty six infertile men, free from infectious disease or endocrine disorders, were selected for the study. Control group, selected from couples with proven male fertility, were 10 fertile men. Semen samples, collected from theses fertile and infertile men, were analyzed for general seminal fluid examination and fructose concentration determination. Results: Seminal fructose has been noticed to have significant negative correlations with sperm count, with percentage of motile sperm and with absolute number of motile sperms. These negative correlations may be due to increased rate of fructolysis with higher sperm count and motility or due to an endocrine cause related to relatively high FSH in infertile men. To use seminal plasma fructose as a marker for seminal vesicles function, a correction for the opposing factors that affect fructose level such as sperm count and motility is carried out. Corrected seminal fructose is positively correlated with the total number of motile sperm. Furthermore, a positive correlation between true corrected fructose and the percentage as well as the total number of motile sperm has been found. Conclusion: Seminal fructose level has an inverse correlation with sperm count and percentage and number of motile sperm in the study group. Seminal fructose is a good marker of seminal vesicle function after using the correction formulae.