AIMTo determine if Yq microdeletion frequency and loci of deletion are similar in two tissues (blood and sperm) of different embryological origin.

METHODSThe present study included 52 infertile oligozoospermic cases. In each case, DNA was isolated from blood and sperms and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microdeletion analysis was done from genomic DNA isolated from both the tissues. The PCR products were analyzed on a 1.8% agarose gel. PCR amplifications found to be negative were repeated at least three times to confirm the deletion of a given marker.

RESULTSOnly 1 case harbored microdeletion in blood DNA, whereas 4 cases harbored microdeletion in sperm DNA.

CONCLUSIONThe frequency of Yq microdeletions is higher in germ cells as compared to blood. As the majority of infertile couples opt for assisted reproduction procreation techniques (ART), Yq microdeletion screening from germ cells is important to understand the genetic basis of infertility, to provide comprehensive counseling and most adapted therapeutics to the infertile couple.

Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; DNA ; blood ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Sequence Deletion ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

AIMTo 1) compare post-wash and post-thaw parameters of sperm processed with PureSperm density gradient technique and swim-up method; and 2) test the efficacy of two commonly available density gradient media PureSperm and ISolate.

METHODSThis prospective study used semen specimens from 22 patients. Specimens from nine patients were processed by both PureSperm density gradient and swim-up method. These specimens were then cryopreserved. Thirteen specimens were processed by both PureSperm (40 % and 80 %) and Isolate (50 % and 90 %) double density gradient techniques. The two fractions processed by both PureSperm and swim-up were analyzed for post-wash sperm characteristics. Post-thaw analysis was done after 24 hours. Sperm fractions obtained after processing with PureSperm and ISolate were compared for post-wash sperm characteristics and ROS levels.

RESULTSSpecimens prepared with PureSperm had significantly higher median total motile sperm counts (TMSC) (32.2 x 10(6) vs. 17.6 x 10(6)), recovery rates (69.2 % vs. 50.0 %), and longevity at 4 hours (83.0 % vs. 55.0 %) compared to specimen prepared by swim-up. Post-thaw specimens also had a higher recovery and longevity at 4 hours with PureSperm as compared to the swim-up. Semen specimens processed by PureSperm had significantly higher total sperm count, TMSC, and percentage recovery rates (30.0 % vs. 19.7 %) than ISolate.

CONCLUSIONSemen quality is better preserved in fresh and cryopreserved semen prepared with PureSperm density gradient compared to swim-up. A significant enrichment of sperm is observed with PureSperm compared to ISolate. Higher recovery rates of mature motile sperm obtained after PureSperm sperm preparation may be beneficial for successful ART.

Cell Separation ; methods ; Centrifugation, Density Gradient ; methods ; Cryopreservation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa

Objective: Cervical cancer (CC) is a major public health problem in women, and its early detection can help reduce morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to compare serum levels of soluble major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (sMICA) levels in various body fluids between women diagnosed with CC and healthy women. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital and a cancer center in Kolhapur, India. Overall, 150 individuals (100 CC patients and 50 healthy women) participated after providing informed written consent. Demographic data, histopathology history, parity, and tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) staging data were collected. Pap smears, saliva, blood, and urine samples were collected. Pap smears were examined microscopically, and sMICA levels in all samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Results: The mean age of women with cervical cancer was 49.86±8.18 years. Squamous cell carcinoma (70%) was the most common histological variant in CC patients. Serum soluble sMICA levels differed significantly with parity and TNM staging (P<0.05). Mean levels of sMICA were significantly different in samples (CC cases vs. healthy patients; saliva: 166.721±108.718 vs. 0.039±0.005 pg/mL; urine: 82.921±45.580 vs. 0.010±0.005 pg/mL; serum: 35.756±10.799 vs. 0.039±0.005 pg/mL, P<0.001). Conclusion Levels of sMICA in body fluids can be considered as a diagnostic or prognostic tool to determine disease progression or tumor regression.

AIMTo investigate the impact of abnormal sperm morphology using the sperm deformity index (SDI) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and its correlation with sperm DNA damage.

METHODSSemen samples were collected from men undergoing infertility screening (n = 7) and healthy donors (n = 6). Mature spermatozoa were isolated and incubated with 5 mmol/L beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) for up to 24 h to induce ROS. Sperm morphology was evaluated using strict Tygerberg's criteria and the SDI. ROS levels and DNA damage were assessed using chemiluminescence and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated fluorescein-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays, respectively.

RESULTSSDI values (median [interquartiles]) were higher in patients than donors (2 [1.8, 2.1] vs. 1.53 [1.52, 1.58], P = 0.008). Aliquots treated with NADPH showed higher ROS levels (1.22 [0.30, 1.87] vs. 0.39 [0.10, 0.57], P = 0.03) and higher incidence of DNA damage than those not treated (10 [4.69, 24.85] vs. 3.85 [2.58, 5.10], P = 0.008). Higher DNA damage was also seen following 24 h of incubation in patients compared to donors. SDI correlated with the percentage increase in sperm DNA damage following incubation for 24 h in samples treated with NADPH (r = 0.7, P = 0.008) and controls (r = 0.58, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONSDI may be a useful tool in identifying potential infertile males with abnormal prevalence of oxidative stress (OS)-induced DNA damage. NADPH plays a role in ROS-mediated sperm DNA damage, which appears to be more evident in infertile patients with semen samples containing a high incidence of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa.

DNA Damage ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Spermatozoa ; abnormalities