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

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=O.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 routineclinicaldiagnosis.

Association between semen collection time and semen parameters:an observational study

The process of semen collection plays a key role in the quality of semen specimens.However,the association between semen collection time and semen quality is still unclear.In this study,ejaculates by masturbation from 746 subfertile men or healthy men who underwent semen analysis were examined.The median(interquartile range)semen collection time for all participants was 7.0(5.0-11.0)min,and the median time taken for semen collection was lower in healthy men than that in subfertile men(6.0 min vs 7.0 min).An increase in the time required to produce semen samples was associated with poorer semen quality.Among those undergoing assisted reproductive technology(ART),the miscarriage rate was positively correlated with the semen collection time.After adjusting for confounders,the highest quartile(Q4)of collection time was negatively associated with semen volume and sperm concentration.A longer time to produce semen samples(Q3 and Q4)was negatively correlated with progressive and total sperm motility.In addition,there was a significant negative linear association between the semen collection time and the sperm morphology.Higher risks of asthenozoospermia(adjusted odds ratio[OR]=2.06,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.31-3.25,P=0.002)and teratozoospermia(adjusted OR=1.98,95%CI:1.10-3.55,P=0.02)were observed in Q3 than those in Q1.Our results indicate that a higher risk of abnormal semen parameter values was associated with an increase in time for semen collection,which may be related to male fertility through its association with semen quality.

Association of sexually transmitted infection with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility

This study aims to compare the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections(STIs)with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility.Semen samples were collected from 133 men who requested fertility evaluation.Seminal tract infection with Ureaplasma spp.(UU),Mycoplasma hominis(MH),Mycoplasma genitalium(MG),Chlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG),and herpes simplex virus-2(HSV-2)was assessed by PCR-based diagnostic assays.Among all patients,the prevalence of STIs was higher in men from couples with primary infertility than that in men from couples with secondary infertility(39.7%vs 21.7%,P=0.03).The prevalence of UU was 28.8%and 13.3%in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility,respectively.Men from couples with primary infertility were more likely to be positive for UU than men from couples with secondary infertility(P=0.04).Regarding the UU subtype,the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum(Uuu)and Ureaplasma parvum(Uup;including Uup1,Uup3,Uup6,and Uup14)did not differ between the two groups.No associations between the prevalence rates of MH,MG,and CT were found in men from either infertility group.A lower sperm concentration was associated with STI pathogen positivity in men with primary infertility according to the crude model(P=0.04).The crude and adjusted models showed that semen volume(both P=0.03)and semen leukocyte count(both P=0.02)were independently associated with secondary infertility.These findings suggest the importance of classifying the type of infertility during routine diagnosis of seminal tract infections.