This study aimed to assess the association of oestrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) gene polymorphisms and semen variables in infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men. In all, 141 men were grouped into fertile men (n = 60) and infertile OAT men (n = 81). They were subjected to assessment of semen analysis, acrosin activity, serum reproductive hormones and genotyping of ER-α gene. Frequencies of p and x alleles in ER-α gene PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were more prevalent among fertile men compared with infertile OAT men. Presence of P and X alleles was associated with increased incidence of male infertility for genotypes PP, XX compared with genotypes pp and xx (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 2.36-6.97; P = 0.001 and OR = 4.1, 95% CI: 1.49-11.39; P = 0.001, respectively). The mean of semen variables and sperm acrosin activity were significantly higher in cases associated with pp than PP and in xx than XX genotypes of ER-α gene. Mean levels of all serum reproductive hormones demonstrated nonsignificant differences in different ER-α genotypes except oestrogen that was elevated in PP and XX ER-α gene genotypes. It is concluded that as oestrogen is concerned in male gamete maturation, ER-α gene polymorphisms might play a role in the pathophysiology of male infertility.
BackgroundThis is the first study to investigate spermatozoal cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector A (CIDEA) gene expression and DNA fragmentations in the spermatozoa of men diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MS) who have normal seminograms with unexplained infertility, and to correlate these parameters with seminal glucose concentration.MethodsThis study included 120 participants: 75 male subjects with MS (38 fertile and 37 infertile), and a control group of 45 fertile males without MS. HOMA-IR, semen analysis, and biochemical measurement of seminal plasma insulin and glucose levels were carried out. Spermatozoal insulin gene and CIDEA gene expressions were performed by the RT-PCR method. The percentage of spermatozoal DNA fragmentation was also estimated.ResultsThe spermatozoal insulin and CIDEA gene expression, as well as the DNA fragmentation, were significantly higher in the infertile MS group than in the fertile MS group, and significantly higher in both the MS groups than in the control group. Seminal glucose concentration showed significant positive correlations with seminal insulin level, spermatozoa insulin, CIDEA gene expression, and DNA fragmentation. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between spermatozoa CIDEA gene expression and DNA fragmentation.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that MS may affect male fertility at the molecular level, through its possible inducing effect of spermatozoa CIDEA and insulin gene expression, DNA fragmentation, and increased seminal glucose.
Cypermethrin, a type II synthetic pyrethroid pesticide, is widely used in pest control programmes in agriculture and public health. This study aimed to assess the potential effect of cypermethrin on human spermatozoa and the possible ameliorative effects of vitamins C and E. Semen samples of 20 healthy normozoospermic men were divided into six aliquots at room temperature. The first aliquot served as control not exposed to treatments, and the second was incubated with 20 mm vit. C and 2 mm vit. E where the third one was exposed to 10 μm cypermethrin for 6 h. The other three aliquots were incubated with vit. C, vit. E and both vitamins for 30 min before cypermethrin exposure. Semen aliquots were analysed for sperm motility, sperm viability, hypo-osmotic swelling test and modified alkaline comet assay. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in sperm motion, sperm function and increased sperm DNA damage in the cypermethrin group. Addition of vitamins C and E alone/combined led to significant improvement in sperm motion, sperm function and DNA damage, being maximal with both vitamins together. It is concluded that in vitro cypermethrin can alter sperm function and induce DNA damage in spermatozoa, which is improved after using vitamins C and E.
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