Objectives: The aim of the study was to check the quality of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system in comparison to the reference manual method as well as standardization of the computer-assisted semen assessment. Material and methods:The study was conducted between January and June 2015 at the Andrology Laboratory of the Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland. The study group consisted of 230 men who gave sperm samples for the first time in our center as part of an infertility investigation. The samples underwent manual and computer-assisted assessment of concentration, motility and morphology. A total of 184 samples were examined twice: manually, according to the 2010 WHO recommendations, and with CASA, using the program settings provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, 46 samples underwent two manual analyses and two computer-assisted analyses. The p-value of p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Statistically significant differences were found between all of the investigated sperm parameters, except for non-progressive motility, measured with CASA and manually. In the group of patients where all analyses with each method were performed twice on the same sample we found no significant differences between both assessments of the same probe, neither in the samples analyzed manually nor with CASA, although standard deviation was higher in the CASA group. Conclusions:Our results suggest that computer-assisted sperm analysis requires further improvement for a wider application in clinical practice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between apoptotic markers present in human spermatozoa, namely phosphatidylserine translocation (PST) from the inner to the outer layer of the cytomembrane and the active form of caspase-3 (c3) versus the fertilizing potential of male gametes in conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) models. A total of 116 male patients treated with their partners for infertility underwent basic semen analysis and an assessment of the presence of PST and the active c3 in sperm using flow cytometry. Forty patients underwent IVF, group A, while 76 patients underwent ICSI, group B. The fertilizing potential of the gametes was measured as the percentage of oocytes with pronuclei present after either procedure. PST and active c3 were identified in vital gametes, mainly in the midpiece area. Concentration, motility, morphology, and viability of spermatozoa strongly negatively correlated with both markers. In group A, a negative correlation between both markers and the success rate of conventional IVF was observed (r = −0.4, p = 0.04 for PST; r = −0.4, p = 0.02 for active c3, respectively). In group B, the success rate of ICSI did not correlate with either marker (r = −0.2, p = 0.85 for PST and r = 0.1, p = 0.51 for active c3). The two apoptotic markers localized in the sperm midpiece area may affect their function not only by decreasing basic andrologic parameters but also by reducing the probability of conception. Therefore, analysis of PST and active c3 in the sperm of patients undergoing infertility treatment should be recommended.

Background: Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and 2 (ESR2) play an important role in regulating fertility in the human reproductive system. Polymorphisms of these receptor genes have been implicated in male infertility in both Chinese and Caucasian populations. However, studies have produced inconsistent results. Spermatozoa defects that result in conception deficiencies could be related to estrogens, their receptors, or genes involved in estrogen-related pathways. This study aims to explore the potential association between the ESR1 and the ESR2 polymorphisms in relation to semen parameters of Caucasian males as well as fertilization success. Materials/Methods: A total of 116 males were included in this study. Forty couples underwent conventional in vitro fertilization, while 76 couples were treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Standard semen analyses were performed according to the World Health Organization criteria. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms were used to determine genotype and allele distributions. Results: A strong association between the ESR1 rs2234693 recognized by PvuII enzyme, genotype/allele distribution and fertilization success was shown. The T allele occurrence was significantly lower in the case of fertilization failure (p = 0.02). Additionally, the TT genotype was absent in the same group (p=0.02). In the case of the remaining analyzed polymorphisms, little to no interdependence of genotype/allele distribution and fertilization success was noted. Conclusions: Apart from ESR1 rs2234693, the study failed to demonstrate that fertilization success was associated with the selected polymorphisms. In most cases, we did not discover a relationship between both estrogen receptors polymorphisms and sperm function.

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