Therapeutic potential of testosterone on sperm parameters and chromatin status in fresh and thawed normo and asthenozoospermic samples / Potencial terapéutico de la testosterona sobre los parámetros espermáticos y el estado de la cromatina en muestras frescas y descongeladas de normo y astenozoospermia

Background: Hormonal changes alter the physiological level of ROS and cause oxidative stress in the cell. As estimated, hormonal deficiencies, environmental and ideological factors make up about 25% of male infertility. Pathogenic reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a chief cause of unexplained infertility. Limited studies exist on the effects of testosterone on human sperm culture. Therefore, in the current study, the effect of different doses of testosterone on sperm parameters and chromatin quality was investigated. Materials and methods: Semen samples from 15 normospermic and 15 asthenospermic patients were prepared by swim up method, and then were divided into four groups by exposing to different concentrations of testosterone (1, 10, and 100nM) for 45min. Samples without any intervention were considered as control group. All samples were washed twice. Sperm parameters and chromatin protamination were assessed in each group and the remains were frozen. After two weeks, all tests were repeated for sperm thawed. Also, the MSOM technique was used to determine the sperm morphology of class 1. Results: Although sperm parameters were not show any significant differences in normospermic and asthenospermic samples exposed to different concentrations of testosterone before and after freezing, chromatin protamination was significantly decreased in the normospermic samples exposed to 10nM of testosterone before freezing (p<0.006), as well as 1 and 10nM of testosterone after freezing compared to control samples (p=0.001 and p=0.0009, respectively). (AU)

Antecedentes: Los cambios hormonales alteran el nivel fisiológico de las especies reactivas de oxígeno (reactive oxygen species [ROS]) patógenas y provocan estrés oxidativo en la célula. Según estimaciones, las deficiencias hormonales, los factores ambientales y los ideológicos constituyen alrededor del 25% de la infertilidad masculina. Las ROS son una causa principal de infertilidad inexplicable. Existen estudios limitados sobre los efectos de la testosterona en el cultivo de esperma humano. Por lo tanto, en el estudio actual se ha investigado el efecto de diferentes dosis de testosterona sobre los parámetros del esperma y la calidad de la cromatina. Materiales y métodos: Se prepararon muestras de semen de 15 pacientes normospérmicos y 15 astenospérmicos mediante el método swim up, y luego se dividieron en cuatro grupos exponiéndolos a diferentes concentraciones de testosterona (1, 10 y 100nM) durante 45min. Las muestras sin ninguna intervención se consideraron como grupo control. Todas las muestras se lavaron dos veces. En cada grupo se evaluaron los parámetros espermáticos y la protaminación de la cromatina, y los restos se congelaron. Dos semanas después se repitieron todas las pruebas de esperma descongelado. Asimismo, se utilizó la técnica MSOM para determinar la morfología espermática de clase 1. Resultados: Aunque los parámetros espermáticos no mostraron diferencias significativas en las muestras normospérmicas y astenospérmicas expuestas a diferentes concentraciones de testosterona antes y después de la congelación, la protaminación de la cromatina disminuyó significativamente en las muestras normospérmicas expuestas a 10nM de testosterona antes de la congelación (p<0,006), así como a 1 y 10nM de testosterona después de la congelación, en comparación con las muestras de control (p=0,001 y p=0,0009, respectivamente). (AU)

The effects of sesame oil and different doses of estradiol on testicular structure, sperm parameters, and chromatin integrity in old mice.

OBJECTIVE: Studies of the effects of estrogens on the male reproductive system have emphasized the role of these hormones in male fertility. Sesame oil has many phytoestrogenic compounds and may improve male fertility. This study investigated the effects of sesame oil and different concentrations of estrogen on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in male mice. METHODS: Twenty old NMRI (The Naval Medical Research Institute) male mice (40 weeks; weight, 30-35 g) were treated with sesame oil or different concentrations of estrogen (estradiol, 1 and 10 µL/kg/ day) or received no treatment (controls). After 35 days, sperm parameters and DNA integrity were assessed and analyzed. RESULTS: Sperm count, progressive motility, and morphology were decreased in the group that received 10 µL/kg of estradiol. A remarkably lower percentage of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were detected in the group that received 1 µL/kg of estradiol. In the groups that received sesame oil and 1 µL/kg of estradiol, the numbers of spermatogonia and Leydig cells were higher than in controls. The combination of sesame oil and 1 µL/kg of estradiol led to improved sperm parameters and chromatin and testicular structure. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, consumption of sesame oil and a low concentration of estradiol may improve testicular function in older mice.