Evaluación de la fertilidad masculina en casa / Assessment of male fertility at home

La evaluación del factor masculino es obligada durante la consulta de una pareja a un especialista en fertilidad. Sin embargo, para muchos hombres el proceso de recolección de la muestra de semen en el laboratorio puede ser estresante, por lo que actualmente se encuentran disponibles pruebas caseras para el análisis seminal. El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa de la literatura es dar a conocer las pruebas que permiten valorar la calidad seminal en casa.En el mercado existen 11pruebas que proporcionan información sobre uno o 2parámetros seminales. Así mismo, se pueden encontrar pruebas que utilizan teléfonos inteligentes dando resultados de concentración y movilidad espermáticas, algunas utilizan los parámetros seminales estipulados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud y su precio se encuentra en un rango de USD 15 a USD 90; además de la privacidad y la comodidad, pueden revelar alteraciones en la calidad seminal de forma temprana. Entre sus limitaciones, se indican la poca información que proporcionan, además, la recolección y la manipulación pueden afectar los resultados. En conclusión, aunque las pruebas caseras pueden alertar tempranamente de alteraciones en la calidad seminal, no reemplazan el análisis exhaustivo del laboratorio, por lo que se pueden utilizar como un complemento en la evaluación del factor masculino.

Evaluation of the male factor is critical when a couple consults with a fertility specialist. However, for many men the process of collecting a semen sample for laboratory analysis can be stressful, which is why home semen tests are now available. This narrative review aimed to present the tests available to evaluate male fertility at home.Eleven tests on the market provide information on one or 2seminal parameters. Likewise, tests can be found that use smartphones to obtain sperm concentration and motility results; some use the parameters stipulated by the World Health Organization and their price range is between USD 15 and USD 90. They have the advantage of privacy and comfort.Their limitations include the fact that they provide little information, and that collection and handling can affect the results. In conclusion, home tests can be used in the first instance to reveal alterations in sperm quality, especially when there are risk factors. However, these tests are not a substitute for laboratory analysis, therefore they can be used as an adjunct in evaluating the male factor.

Are oxidative stress markers associated with unexplained male infertility?

Male infertility can be responsible for up to 20% of the cases attending fertility consultation facilities; nonetheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms that could explain it are still elusive. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate conventional and functional parameters of semen samples from patients who presented with male infertility of unknown origin. Conventional semen parameters and functional parameters (i.e. intracellular reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential, sperm chromatin structure assay, sperm membrane lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma) were evaluated on semen samples from 54 healthy donors, 23 patients with idiopathic infertility and 34 fertile controls. No significant differences were observed in the conventional seminal parameters between the fertile and infertile men. However, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA fragmentation were observed in the infertile patients compared to the fertile group. Alterations in intracellular ROS production and DNA fragmentation could be associated with male idiopathic infertility. These parameters could eventually distinguish both groups more accurately than the conventional parameters. Our current results are encouraging, and the efficacy of these parameters in the clinical settings needs to be further assessed to establish their predictive potential as a marker of unexplained male infertility.

Anticuerpos antiespermatozoides y su asociación con la fertilidad / Antisperm antibodies and fertility asociation

Objetivo: Evaluar la importancia de los anticuerpos antiespermatozoides (AAE) y su relación con la fertilidad humana mediante una revisión de la literatura científica de los últimos 45 años. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura científica basada en investigaciones realizadas sobre anticuerpos antiespermatozoides e infertilidad publicada en español e inglés en bases de datos del área de la salud, Pubmed, Medline, Scielo, libros y otra literatura gris que incluya información afín a la revisión y que se encuentre publicada en los últimos 45 años. Parejas infértiles padecen de infertilidad causada por mecanismos inmunológicos, principalmente por la presencia de AAE en sangre, semen o inclusive en secreciones cervicovaginales; la formación de AAE en hombres y mujeres puede estar asociada a trastornos en mecanismos inmunomoduladores, que traen como consecuencia la alteración funcional del espermatozoide y por ende su incapacidad para fecundar al oocito. Conclusión: La infertilidad inmunológica causada por AAE es el resultado de la interferencia de estos anticuerpos en las diferentes etapas de la fecundación, inhibiendo la capacidad de interacción entre el espermatoozide y el oocito (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the relation between antisperm antibodies (ASA) and human fertility by reviewing the scientific literature of the last 45 years. Methods: We carried out a review of scientific literature about antisperm antibodies and infertility published in spanish or english in databases as Pubmed, Medline, Scielo, some books and another gray literature include information related to this review and that is published in the last 45 years. Summary of evidence: Infertile couples suffers infertility by immunological mechanisms mainly by the presence of antisperm antibodies ASA in blood, semen or cervicovaginal secretions; the formation of ASA in men and women may be associated with disturbance in immunomodulatory mechanisms that result in functional impairment of sperm and thus its inability to fertilize the oocyte. Conclusion: Immunological infertility caused by ASA is the result of interference of these antibodies in various stages of fertilization process, inhibiting the ability of interaction between sperm and oocyte (AU)

Síndrome postorgásmico: alergia al semen en hombres / Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome: Semen Allergy in Men

No disponible

Evaluación de los parámetros funcionales espermáticos en individuos infértiles normozooespérmicos / Evaluation of Sperm Functional Parameters in Normozoospermic Infertile Individuals

Objetivo: El presente estudio piloto evaluó la integridad de la cromatina, los niveles de especies reactivas del oxígeno (ROS), el potencial de membrana mitocondrial (PMM), el daño en el ADN y la lipoperoxidación de la membrana espermática en muestras de hombres clasificados como infértiles de causa desconocida. Método: Entre febrero de 2010 y julio de 2011 se evaluaron los parámetros seminales y pruebas funcionales en 10 individuos con fertilidad probada, 10 donantes pertenecientes a la población general y 8 con infertilidad idiopática. Adicional al espermiograma convencional se realizaron los siguientes análisis seminales no convencionales: evaluación de ROS, PMM, ensayo de la cromatina espermática (SCSA) por citometría de flujo, evaluación de la lipoperoxidación de la membrana espermática por espectrofotometría y el ensayo cometa mediante electroforesis alcalina. Resultados: Se observó un aumento significativo (p<0,05) en la producción de ROS y en la fragmentación o daño del ADN espermático en la población de hombres infértiles. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0,05) en los análisis de integridad de membranas espermáticas entre los grupos. Adicionalmente, se observaron correlaciones significativas (p<0,05) entre SCSA y el ensayo cometa (r=0,86) y la producción de ROS intracelular (r=−0,588). Conclusión: Los espermatozoides de los individuos diagnosticados con infertilidad idiopática mostraron altos niveles de ROS intracelular y un aumento en los niveles de fragmentación del ADN espermático. Estos resultados sugieren que estos parámetros se encuentran relacionados con la infertilidad de origen desconocido, y por tanto tienen potencial importancia clínica como una posible herramienta diagnóstica y pronóstica en la evaluación de la infertilidad idiopática masculina (AU)

Objective: This study evaluated the integrity of the chromatin structure, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage and lipid peroxidation of semen samples from infertile men classified as unexplained infertility. Methods: Between February 2010 and July 2011 semen parameters and functional tests were evaluated in 10 subjects with proven fertility, 10 that belong to general population and 8 with idiopathic infertility. In addition to the conventional semen analysis, the following unconventional seminal analysis were conducted: evaluation of ROS, MMP, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) by flow cytometry, assessment of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation by spectrophotometry, and alkaline comet assay by electrophoresis. Results: We observed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the production of ROS and the fragmentation or sperm DNA damage in the population of infertile men. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) in the analysis of sperm membrane integrity between the groups. Moreover, we observed significant correlations (P<0.05) between SCSA and comet assay (r=0.86) and the production of intracellular ROS (r=-0.588). Conclusion: The sperm from individuals with idiopathic infertility showed high levels of intracellular ROS and increased levels of DNA fragmentation in the sperm. These results suggest that these two parameters are related to unexplained infertility and therefore have clinical importance as a possible diagnostic and prognostic tool in the evaluation of idiopathic male infertility (AU)

Antisperm antibodies and fertility association.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between antisperm antibodies (ASA) and human fertility by reviewing the scientific literature of the last 45 years. METHODS: We carried out a review of scientific literature about antisperm antibodies and infertility published in spanish or english in databases as Pubmed, Medline, Scielo, some books and another gray literature include information related to this review and that is published in the last 45 years. SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE: Infertile couples suffer infertility by immunological mechanisms mainly by the presence of antisperm antibodies ASA in blood, semen or cervicovaginal secretions; the formation of ASA in men and women may be associated with disturbance in immunomodulatory mechanisms that result in functional impairment of sperm and thus its inability to fertilize the oocyte. CONCLUSION: Immunological infertility caused by ASA is the result of interference of these antibodies in various stages of fertilization process, inhibiting the ability of interaction between sperm and oocyte.

[Evaluation of sperm functional parameters in normozoospermic infertile individuals]. / Evaluación de los parámetros funcionales espermáticos en individuos infértiles normozooespérmicos.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the integrity of the chromatin structure, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage and lipid peroxidation of semen samples from infertile men classified as unexplained infertility. METHODS: Between February 2010 and July 2011 semen parameters and functional tests were evaluated in 10 subjects with proven fertility, 10 that belong to general population and 8 with idiopathic infertility. In addition to the conventional semen analysis, the following unconventional seminal analysis were conducted: evaluation of ROS, MMP, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) by flow cytometry, assessment of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation by spectrophotometry, and alkaline comet assay by electrophoresis. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase (P<.05) in the production of ROS and the fragmentation or sperm DNA damage in the population of infertile men. There were no statistically significant differences (P>.05) in the analysis of sperm membrane integrity between the groups. Moreover, we observed significant correlations (P<.05) between SCSA and comet assay (r=0.86) and the production of intracellular ROS (r=-0.588). CONCLUSION: The sperm from individuals with idiopathic infertility showed high levels of intracellular ROS and increased levels of DNA fragmentation in the sperm. These results suggest that these two parameters are related to unexplained infertility and therefore have clinical importance as a possible diagnostic and prognostic tool in the evaluation of idiopathic male infertility.

[Virus of sexual transmission: semen and virus relationship]. / Virus de transmisión sexual: relación semen y virus.

INTRODUCTION: The possible "infection"/interaction processes between sperm and different microorganisms are being under discussion nowadays. This process might include some viruses and even recent investigations are aiming to elucidate the mechanisms and the receptors that may be involved in this interaction. Furthermore, it has been reported the presence of some viral genomes within the sperm DNA, raising the possibility of transmitting the infection to the partner and offspring. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to describe the mechanisms by how viruses could possibly infect some seminal fractions. This is pursued by performing a literature review for answering the question: how the sexually transmitted virus could be infecting sperm? MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a bibliographic review about sperm and virus interaction. RESULTS: Some viruses interact with sperm cells; and sperm cells could transfer the viruses to offspring, however, in most cases, the receptors that allow this interaction are not clearly described. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current information, new in vitro studies are needed to determine the role of sperm in spreading viruses of sexually transmitted infections.

Virus de transmisión sexual: relación semen y virus / Virus of Sexual transmission: Semen and virus relationship

Introducción: Actualmente, existe debate sobre la posibilidad de «infección»/interacción de los espermatozoides con diferentes virus, inclusive para algunos virus se intentan dilucidar mecanismos y receptores que podrían estar involucrados en esta interacción. Adicionalmente, se ha reportado la presencia de algunos genomas virales en el DNA espermático, planteando la posibilidad de transmitir la infección a la pareja y a la descendencia. Objetivo: En la presente revisión se pretende describir los mecanismos de infección de algunos virus a las fracciones seminales, pretendiendo mediante una revisión bibliográfica, responder a la pregunta ¿cómo los virus de transmisión sexual infectan al semen?. Materiales y métodos: Se realizo una búsqueda bibliográfica sobre la interacción de virus y espermatozoides. Resultados: Algunos virus pueden interactuar con los espermatozoides y estos podrían transferir el virus a la descendencia; sin embargo, en la mayoría de los casos, los receptores que permiten esta interacción no están claramente descritos. Conclusiones: A pesar de la información actual, nuevos estudios experimentales son necesarios para determinar el papel de los espermatozoides en la diseminación de la infecciones de transmisión sexual (AU)

Introduction: The possible “infection”/interaction processes between sperm and different microorganisms are being under discussion nowadays. This process might include some viruses and even recent investigations are aiming to elucidate the mechanisms and the receptors that may be involved in this interaction. Furthermore, it has been reported the presence of some viral genomes within the sperm DNA, raising the possibility of transmitting the infection to the partner and offspring. Objective: The aim of this review is to describe the mechanisms by how viruses could possibly infect some seminal fractions. This is pursued by performing a literature review for answering the question: how the sexually transmitted virus could be infecting sperm?. Materials and methods: We carried out a bibliographic review about sperm and virus interaction. Results_ Some viruses interact with sperm cells; and sperm cells could transfer the viruses to offspring, however, in most cases, the receptors that allow this interaction are not clearly described. Conclusions: Based on the current information, new in vitro studies are needed to determine the role of sperm in spreading viruses of sexually transmitted infections (AU)

Influencia de la impronta genómica masculina en la reproducción / Influence of the male genomic imprinting on the reproduction

Objetivo: La impronta genómica es la modificación epigenética que ocurre de manera diferencial tanto en genes específicos del oocito como del espermatozoide de acuerdo con su origen paterno o materno, permitiendo así una expresión monoalélica. En esta revisión se realiza un análisis crítico de la información relacionada con el papel que tiene la impronta masculina sobre el éxito reproductivo. Metodología: Se hizo una búsqueda bibliográfica sobre algunos de los componentes que regulan la impronta geonómica masculina y el posible papel sobre los eventos reproductivos como la espermatogénesis y el desarrollo placentario y embrionario. Resultados: Este análisis de la literatura permitió valorar que los cambios estructurales, genéticos y epigenéticos que ocurren durante la formación del gameto masculino, pueden tener repercusiones en el desarrollo embrionario, principalmente en la formación de tejidos extraembrionarios como la placenta. Conclusión: Las alteraciones en los mecanismos moleculares implicados en el proceso de metilación del ADN durante la espermatogénesis, pueden generar errores en el patrón normal de expresión requerido para el adecuado desarrollo de los componentes feto-placentarios (AU)

Objective: Genomic imprinting is the epigenetic change that occurred differentially in the specific genes in spermatozoa and oocyte according to their paternal or maternal origin, thus allowing a monoallelic expression. This review is a critical analysis of the published information relating to the role of the male imprinting on the successful reproduction. Methods: We performed a literature search on some of the components that regulate the male genomic imprinting and the possible role on reproductive events such as spermatogenesis, and placental and embryo development. Results: The literature analysis allowed us to appreciate structural, genetic and epigenetic changes occurring during the formation of the male gamete that could have an impact on embryo development, mainly in the formation of extraembryonic tissues as the placenta. Conclusion: Alterations in the molecular mechanisms involved in the sperm DNA methylation during the spermatogenesis, could induce alterations in the normal pattern of expression required in the fetal-placental components development (AU)

[Comparing the sperm concentration determined by the Makler and the Neubauer chambers]. / Comparación de la concentración espermática usando la cámara de Makler y la cámara de Neubauer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to determine the concordance between the counts obtained with the Makler and the Neubauer chambers in ejaculates from fertile men. DESIGN: Cross sectional study in Reproduction Group, University of Antioquia, Medellin-Colombia. METHODS: 112 ejaculates from fertile men were analyzed in the present study. Sperm count was determined using both chambers, the comparisons between chambers were determined using a Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: The means values for sperm count were 107.8 and 106.2 x 10(6) sperm/mL using the Makler and the Neubauer chamber, respectively, and there was concordance between both methods. CONCLUSION: Our results show that the determination of sperm concentration with the Makler chamber is as accurate as with the Neubauer chamber and that either chamber can be used in routine semen analyses.

[Relationship between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism and homocysteine levels in women with recurrent pregnancy loss: a nutrigenetic perspective]. / Relación entre los polimorfismos de la metilen-tetrahidrofolato-reductasa y los niveles de homocisteína en mujeres con pérdida gestacional recurrente: perspectiva desde la nutrigenética.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if there is any difference in the proportion of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms and the homocysteine levels in a group of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and a control group. Ninety-three patients with diagnosis of three or more gestational losses and 206 healthy women with two or more children, were included. After acceptance of informed consent, samples of peripheral blood were taken to determine the genetic polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T and the plasmatic levels of homocysteine. The carriers of the homozygous mutation TT of MTHFR 677T polymorphism were 12.9% (12 of 93) in the group of patients and 14.6% (30 of 206) in the control group; 46.2% (43 of 93) and 40% (83 of 206) in the group of patients and controls respectively, were heterozygous CT for MTHFR gene. The levels of homocysteine were 7.2 micromol/ml in the group of patients and 7.7 mmol/l in controls. There was no relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and the increase of homocysteine levels, nor of these one with RPL. From the nutrigenetics perspective we suggest that studies related to MTHFR polymorphisms and the risk of disease include the levels of folate and B6 and B12 vitamins participating in the tetrahydrofolate cycle for trying to establish a direct relation among the genotype, the level of metabolite and the clinical manifestations. In this regard, we recommend the administration of folic acid in women in search of pregnancy due to the high frequency of heterozygous and homozygous for MTHFR C677T mutation in our population.