Objectives This study investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in males from infertile couples. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed from September 2018 to September 2019 at the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (HUECREI), Vietnam. The study included men from couples with at least one year of infertility, who were subjected to semen analysis and SDF assay (Halosperm). We also performed a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test and measured lipidemia. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined based on the NHLBI/AHA-ATP III guidelines. Results The mean age of the patients was 35.26 ± 5.87 years and 53.8% of them had a BMI ≥23.0 kg/m 2 . The DNA fragmentation index was significantly associated with overweight (p = 0.024). Men without MetS had a higher rate of big halos and a lower rate of small halos, no halos, and degraded semen compared to that in men with MetS, but the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). By performing multivariable analysis, we found that the SDF value was significantly different among the two groups with either overweight or normal weight. Conclusion In males from infertile couples with a relatively young mean age, BMI can be an independent indicator for SDF. MetS thus has a significant role in the development of sperm DNA fragmentation, at least in overweight individuals; it should thus be assessed under the scope of BMI, for better/earlier detection of increased SDF.

Purpose This study was designed to explore the value of ovarian volume (OV) measured by transvaginal ultrasound and its relationship with anthropometry and serum hormonal levels in a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) population. Patients and Methods A total of 119 women with PCOS from infertile couples were recruited in this cross-sectional study. On days 2–4 of the menstrual cycle, transvaginal ultrasound examinations were performed, and hormonal profiles were measured. PCOS diagnosis was based on the Rotterdam 2003 criteria and classified into four phenotype groups. The PCOS group (study group) and the non-PCOS group (control group) were compared. Results The mean age of the participants was 32.66±4.10 years compared to 33.99±4.78 years in 273 cases (69.6%) without PCOS. The mean OV was statistically larger in the PCOS group than in the non-PCOS group (7.65±3.23 mL vs 6.08±3.67 mL, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with serum anti-Mullerian (AMH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels (r=0.30; p < 0.001 and r=0.23; p < 0.001, respectively), and weakly and inversely correlated with age (−0.182, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of OV in the diagnosis of PCOS was 0.613 (0.557–0.670, 95% CI). Conclusion The enlarged OV is remarkable in women with PCOS and is related to AMH and LH concentrations. Although the diagnostic potential of PCOS is substantially low, OV alone may contribute to predicting the severity of PCOS and better performance for the diagnosis of PCOS phenotypes.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been reported as a deleterious factor in male fertility potential, associated with hypogonadism, impaired spermatogenesis, decreased sperm concentration and motility, and increased sperm DNA damage. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS in men from infertile couples and evaluate its effect on semen analysis (SA). Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in men from infertile couples diagnosed based on the World Health Organization 2010 criteria and treated at the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Vietnam. General information included medical history, lifestyle, MetS factors, SA, and sperm DNA fragmentation test were collected. Based on the diagnostic criteria of the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for Asian men, the study population was divided into two groups: MetS and non-MetS groups. The outcomes were analyzed for any relationship between MetS and the SA index and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Results: A total of 534 men from infertile couples were included in this study. The prevalence of MetS was 23.4%, and abnormal semen analysis accounted for 93.8%. Age, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), hepatitis B and total cholesterol were related to the occurrence of MetS in infertile men (p <0.05). MetS did not reveal any impact on the parameters of SA. There was a positive correlation between waist circumference (WC), WHR, WHtR, and systolic blood pressure (BP) with abnormal sperm head and DFI (p <0.05). Conclusion:Although the prevalence of MetS was remarkable in men from infertile couples, there was no association between MetS and semen quality. However, WC, WHR, WHtR, and systolic BP were found to be significantly associated with abnormal sperm head and DFI.

Objectives: to determine the ability of pre-surgical markers to predict the ability to retrieve sperm in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) undergoing surgical sperm retrieval. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of 136 infertile patients with azoospermia, examined in the Hue Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (HUECREI), Hue University Hospital from August 2014 to July 2018. Patients underwent surgical sperm retrieval in a stepwise manner via percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) then testicular sperm extraction (TESE) until sperm were detected. Patient age, duration of infertility, body mass index (BMI), hormonal profile (FSH, LH & testosterone), and testicular volume were analyzed to determine the predictor of successful sperm retrieval. Analysis was done by univariate & multivariate generalized estimating equation modeling where the primary outcome was sperm retrieved at surgery. Results: In total of 136 infertile men with azoospermia, beside 45 cases with OA, surgical sperm retrieval was successful in 22/91 patients with NOA (24.2%). The group of men with successful sperm retrieval were more likely to live in urban area (P=0.012), higher proportion of normal testicular density (P<0.05), lower serum FSH and serum LH (P<0.001). By multiple logistic regression model, total testicular volume was found to be a only considerable predictor of sperm retrieval in NOA group (OR 1.09, 95%CI 1.013-1.178, P=0.022). Conclusions: The measurement of total testicular volume can be helpful for predicting the successful result of surgical sperm retrieval in Vietnamese infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Key words: testicular ultrasound; endocrine profile; surgical sperm retrieval; non-obstructive; azoospermia.

Đau là biểu hiện phổ biến nhất của lạc nội mạc tử cung. Tuy vậy, tác động lâm sàng của lạc nội mạc tử cung vượt ra ngoài đau vùng chậu, ảnh hưởng sức khoẻ toàn thân, tâm lý và chức năng xã hội, cuối cùng suy giảm chất lượng cuộc sống của bệnh nhân. Do đó, điều quan trọng là đánh giá hiệu quả của phương pháp điều trị đến cuộc sống của người phụ nữ mắc bệnh. Elagolix là một chất đối kháng GnRH, không chỉ hiệu quả trong việc kiểm soát cơn đau vùng chậu mức độ trung bình đến nặng mà còn ảnh hưởng tích cực đến chất lượng cuộc sống của người phụ nữ.