Association between MTHFR c.677C>T variant and erectile dysfunction among males attending fertility clinic.

ABSTRACT: Genetic risk factors have been shown to contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction. However, the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants in the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 1254 participants who underwent ED assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5. The MTHFR c.677C>T variant was also measured by fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No significant difference in the genotypic frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (CC, CT, and TT) was observed between men from the ED and non-ED groups. In addition, on binary logistic regression analysis, both crude and adjusted models showed that the risk of ED was not significantly associated with the C677T polymorphism. Interestingly, a significantly higher frequency of the 677TT polymorphism was found in severe and moderate ED (P = 0.02). The positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and severe ED was confirmed by logistic regression analysis, even after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-5.50, P = 0.02). These findings suggest a positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and the risk of severe ED. Identification of MTHFR gene polymorphisms may provide complementary information for ED patients during routine clinical diagnosis.

Semen parameters in men recovered from COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is emerging as a global health threat and shows a higher risk for men than women. Thus far, the studies on andrological consequences of COVID-19 are limited. To ascertain the consequences of COVID-19 on sperm parameters after recovery, we recruited 41 reproductive-aged male patients who had recovered from COVID-19, and analyzed their semen parameters and serum sex hormones at a median time of 56 days after hospital discharge. For longitudinal analysis, a second sampling was obtained from 22 of the 41 patients after a median time interval of 29 days from first sampling. Compared with controls who had not suffered from COVID-19, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa in the patients were significantly lower at first sampling, while sperm vitality and morphology were not affected. The total sperm count, sperm concentration, and number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was reduced at the second sampling compared with those at first in the 22 patients examined. Though there were higher prolactin and lower progesterone levels in patients at first sampling than those in controls, no significant alterations were detected for any sex hormones examined over time following COVID-19 recovery in the 22 patients. Although it should be interpreted carefully, these findings indicate an adverse but potentially reversible consequence of COVID-19 on sperm quality.

[Ultra-rapid cryopreservation of human spermatozoa with different concentrations of sucrose].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of ultra-rapid freezing of human spermatozoa in the cryogenic vial with different concentrations of sucrose solution. METHODS: We divided 40 normal semen samples prepared with the routine swim-up technique into 6 aliquots, 1 as the control and the other 5 cryopreserved with sucrose solution at the concentrations of 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 mol/L, respectively. After thawing, we determined and compared the motility, progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity of the sperm among the 6 groups. RESULTS: The motility, progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity of the sperm were significantly lower after thawing than before cryopreservation ([96.2 +/- 1.8]%, [93.8 +/- 2.8]% and [99.0 +/- 0.8 ]%) (P<0.05). Post-thawing sperm motility was (55.5 +/- 6.3)% in the 0.20 mol/L sucrose group, significantly higher than in the 0.15, 0.25 and 0.30 mol/L groups ([45.9 +/- 6.6]%, [50.4 +/- 9.4]% and [45.5 +/- 11.2]%) (P<0.05), and it was (53.6 +/- 5.0)% in the conventional freezing group, with no statistically significant difference from the 0.20 and 0.25 mol/L sucrose cryopreservation groups (P> 0.05), but remarkably higher than in the 0.15 and 0.30 mol/L groups (P<0.05). Post-thawing progressive sperm motility exhibited no statistically significant differences between the 0.20 mol/L sucrose and conventional freezing groups ([44.4 +/- 7.4]% vs [42.3 +/- 8.1]%, P>0.05), but markedly higher in both than in the 0.15, 0.25 and 0.30 mol/L sucrose groups ([37.1 +/- 8.3 ]%, [33.1 +/- 9.2]% and [22.0 +/- 9.1]%) (P<0.05). Post-thawing plasma membrane integrity was significantly higher in the 0.20 mol/L sucrose cryopreservation group ( [70.1 +/- 6.9]%) than in either the conventional freezing group ([63.1 +/- 6.8]%) or the 0.15, 0.25 and 0.30 mol/L sucrose groups ([57.7 +/- 8.3]%, [63.5 +/- 10.7]% and [57.8 +/- 12.9]%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As a simple, safe and effective method, ultra-rapid freezing with sucrose solution at the final concentration of 0.20 mol/L can be used for the cryopreservation of human spermatozoa.