CCDC181 is required for sperm flagellum biogenesis and male fertility in mice

The structural integrity of the sperm flagellum is essential for proper sperm function.Flagellar defects can result in male infertility,yet the precise mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood.CCDC181,a coiled-coil domain-containing protein,is known to localize on sperm flagella and at the basal regions of motile cilia.Despite this knowledge,the specific functions of CCDC181 in flagellum biogenesis remain unclear.In this study,Ccdc181 knockout mice were generated.The absence of CCDC181 led to defective sperm head shaping and flagellum formation.Furthermore,the Ccdc181 knockout mice exhibited extremely low sperm counts,grossly aberrant sperm morphologies,markedly diminished sperm motility,and typical multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella(MMAF).Additionally,an interaction between CCDC181 and the MMAF-related protein LRRC46 was identified,with CCDC181 regulating the localization of LRRC46 within sperm flagella.These findings suggest that CCDC181 plays a crucial role in both manchette formation and sperm flagellum biogenesis.

Spermotrend Improves Semen Quality and Infertility in Men with Varicocele —Spermotrend and Male Infertility

Background: Infertility affects 8% - 12% of couples globally, with approximately half of the cases reported in males. Oxidative stress is a common factor increased in the varicocele condition and particularly affects spermatozoa, due to their sensitivity to oxidative signals and testicular hypotrophy. The objective of this clinical trial is to study the effectiveness of Spermotrend in the improvement of sperm parameters in male infertility. Methods: A total of 170 males aged > 18 years with a diagnosis of infertility and varicocele were consecutively enrolled in a Phase II, open-label clinical trial. Spermotrend was administered 1 capsule (450 mg) orally every 8 hours for 6 months and was evaluated through semen analysis at 4 and 6 months of follow-up. Results: The trial results show a significant improvement following the administration of Spermotrend over 6 months in sperm concentration (44.1% at baseline vs. 64.1% at 6 months), sperm survival (28.2% with sperm survival ≥ 2 hours vs.56.5%), normalization of sperm morphology (31.2% vs. 72.9%). Varicocele condition decreased in all patients and, by the end of the study, 55.3% of patients had normal venous flow and dilation. Only 5.9% of the patients showed grade 2 varicocele at the end of the study, while 38.8% showed grade 1 varicocele, with no patients showing grade 3 varicocele. Regarding testicular hypotrophy, 90.6% of the patients completed the study with normalized testicular volume by recovering normal venous flow. Conclusion: A short-term course of Spermotrend may significantly improve sperm parameters associated with male infertility. Clinical Trial Registration: The clinical trial protocol was registered in the international clinical trial registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, with the code: NCT05222841 on 15/06/2021.

Hormonal Status Assessment of Infertile Congolese Men

Background: The pathologies causing male infertility are various (congenital or acquired) and concern several hormone-producing organs: the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testes and adrenals. The hormonal dosage includes systematically testosterone, FSH and LH. These analyses often highlight hypogonadism hypogonadotropic or hypergonadotropic. They can sometimes be normal. The present study aimed to establish the hormonal profile of infertile men residing in Brazzaville. Patients and Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study during five years (from 2018 to 2023). It concerned 344 infertilemen with an abnormal spermogram and spermocytogram. The method was performed from the blood dosage of testosterone, FSH, and LH using the Elisa technique. Results: The hormonal assessment was not normal in 48.83% (168/344) of cases. Increased values of testosterone were noted in 6.10% of cases and decreased in 12.20%. Abnormal high values of FSH were observed in 14.24% of cases and decreased values in 8.13%. LH was elevated, i.e. 2.03% of cases and decreased in 6.10% of subjects. Conclusions: A hormonal disturbance was observed in almost half of the infertile men. It concerned the hypothalamus-pituitary and the testes axis and indicated mainly a state of hypogonadism with high FSH and low LH.

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Male Infertility in Patients Consulting at the Urology Department of the Yaounde Central Hospital

Introduction: About 10 to 15% of couples in the world and 20 to 30% in Cameroon consult for infertility problems. Infertility is of male origin in 40% of cases. Our objective was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of male infertility in our setting. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study, with retrospective data collection from the files of patients received for male infertility, over 5 years and 6 months (from January 1st, 2016 to April 30th, 2021) at the Urology Department of the Yaounde Central Hospital. Phone calls were made to patients with incomplete records for completion following a verbal consent. Data reported on data collection forms were entered into a data entry form designed on CSPro software version 7.2. The database was later exported for descriptive statistics using the IBM SPSS software version 23. Qualitative variables were summarized in frequencies and percentages while quantitative variables were summarized in means with their standard deviations for normally distributed data, or medians and interquartile ranges otherwise. Results: Out of 110 patients whose records were analyzed, the median age was 37.0 years, with an interquartile range of 8.3, with 55.5% in the age group 30 to 39 years. Of these 95 (86.4%) were married, 58 (52.7%) were from the West region, 76 (69.1%) were employed. Past history was dominated by mumps 40 (36.4%), varicocele surgery 25 (22.7%), alcoholism 87 (79.1%) and smoking 15 (13.6%). A disorder of spermatogenesis was found in all our patients: 37 (33.6%) azoospermia, 27 (24.6%) asthenospermia and 26 (23.7%) oligospermia patients. Paraclinical evidence of chlamydia and gonococcal infections were found respectively in 38 (34.5%) and 14 (12.7%) patients, varicocele and testicular dystrophy respectively in 95 (86.4%) and 38 (34.5%) patients. Infertility was primary in 67 (60.9%) patients. Conclusion: Most patients with infertility were in their thirties, had risky social habits and comorbidities. An early start of health promotion activities, comorbidities prevention and early detection of spermogram abnormalities would make it possible to reduce the frequency of male infertility.

Psychosocial Aspects of Male Infertility at the Service of Urology-Andrology of the Hospital of the Sino-Guinean Friendship

Objective: Describe the psychosocial aspects of male infertility at the hospital of the Sino-Guinean Friendship. Patients and method: It is a prospective study of a descriptive type covering a period of 6 months. The study covered 17 patients, all received for a desire to conceive after at least one year of regular sexual intercourse without contraception. The data were collected from patient interviews using a pre-established questionnaire. Results: The average age of the patients was 32.07 years with extremes of 23 years and 42 years. During this study, 64.70% of patients were no longer participating in community ceremonies. The patients’ relationships with their spouse and family deteriorated in 52.94% and 47.06%, respectively. Conversely, relations with the family of origin remained unchanged in 70.59 percent of cases. The reduction in economic activity was by 13 patients (76.48%). Conclusion: Male infertility causes a real psychic earthquake in men with its corollaries of negative feelings. The rather complex moral repercussions of male infertility affect not only the individual, his/her partner, and family, but also economic activity.

The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile males： a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for poor semen quality in infertile men. We searched for relevant trials registered up to May 2013 in 14 databases. We selected randomized controlled trials （RCTs） that compared acupuncture, with or without additional treatment, against placebo, sham, no treatment, or the same additional treatment. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection, data extraction, risk of bias and reporting quality appraisal. Risk of bias and reporting quality were appraised by the Cochrane risk of bias tool, the consolidated standards of reporting trials and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture. The outcomes were sperm motility, sperm concentration, pregnancy rate, and adverse events. Pregnancy was defined as a positive pregnancy test. Four RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Acupuncture increased the percentage of sperm with rapid progression （mean difference - 6.35, 95% confidence interval （CI）. 4.38-8.32, P〈 0.00001） and sperm concentration （mean difference - 6.42, 95% CI. 4.91-7.92, P〈 0.00001）, but these two outcomes were substantially heterogeneous among the studies （F = 72% and 58%, respectively）. No differences in pregnancy rate were found between acupuncture and control groups （odds ratio 1.60, 95% CI. 0.70-3.69, P= 0.27, F = 0%）. No participants experienced adverse events. The current evidence showing that acupuncture might improve poor semen quality is insufficient because of the small number of studies, inadequacy of procedures and/or insufficient information for semen analysis, high levels of heterogeneity, high risk of bias, and poor quality of reporting. Further large, well-designed RCTs are required.

Prevalences of oligozoospermia and azoospermia in male partners of infertile couples from different parts of India

Aim： To determine whether there was any regional variation in the prevalence of azoospermia, oligozoospermia and mean sperm counts in male partners of infertile couples from different parts of India. Methods： Data on 16 714 semen samples analyzed over the past five years from six different laboratories located in five cities of India were collated and evaluated. Results： There was a regional variation in the prevalence of azoospermia. The prevalence of azoospermia was extremely high in Kurnool and Jodhpur （38.3% and 37.4%, respectively）. There was also a regional variation in the prevalence of oligozoospermia （51%） in Kurnool. There was no significant difference in the mean sperm counts in normospermic men. Conclusion： There is a regional variation in the prevalence of azoospermia and oligozoospermia in the male partners of infertile couples from different regions of India. The prevalence of azoospermia in Kumool and Jodhpur is higher than any other worldwide reported literature, Further studies need to be carded out to determine the cause of this. （Asian J Androl 2006 Jan; 8： 89-93）

PCR analysis of Yq microdeletions in infertile males, a study from South India

AIM: To estimate the frequency of microdeletions in the long arm of Y-chromosome of 20 infertile males from South India. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using Y-specific STS of azoospermia factor (AZF) regions i.e., SY 84 for AZFa, SY 127 for AZFb and SY 254 for AZFc. RESULTS: Of the 20 infertile subjects 3 (15 %), one azoospermic and two oligozoospermic, showed microdeletions in the AZF region of Y-chromosome. CONCLUSION: The frequency of deletions involving AZF region of the Y-chromosome is 15 % in azoospermic and severely oligozoospermic infertile men. PCR amplification of AZF locus is useful for the diagnosis of microdeletions in the Y-chromosome.

Evidence of increased chromosomal instability in infertile males after exposure to mitomycin C and caffeine

Aim： To evaluate the genetic instability of 11 fertile and 25 infertile men. Methods： The methodology of sister chromatid exchanges （SCEs） was applied to cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes, and the levels of SCEss were analyzed as a quantitative index of genotoxicity, along with the values of the mitotic index （MI） and the proliferation rate index （PRI） as qualitative indices of cytotoxicity and cytostaticity, respectively. The genotoxic and antineoplastic agent, mitomycin C （MMC）, and caffeine （CAF） - both well-known inhibitors of DNA repair mechanism - were used in an attempt to induce chromosomal instability in infertile men, so as to more easily detect the probable underlying damage on DNA. Results： Our experiments illustrated that infertile men, compared with fertile ones, demonstrated a statistically significant DNA instability in peripheral blood lymphocytes after being exposed simultaneously to MMC and CAF. Conclusion： The current study showed vividly that there was genetic instability in infertile men which probably contributes to the development of an impaired reproductive capacity. （Asian JAndro12006 Mar; 8： 199-204）

The role of small non-coding RNAs(sncRNAs)in male infertility:A scoping review

Objective:To give a brief overview of the field of epigenetics and the potential predictive power that small non-coding RNA(sncRNA)may hold in relation to improving the treatment and diagnosis of male infertility.Methods:PRISMA-ScR was used as the scoping review guideline for this investigation.All article data here have been accessed from MEDLINE–PubMed,Science Direct,EBSCO,Scopus,Sage Journals,and Google Scholar.The terms"small non coding RNA,male,infertility,miRNA,sperm"were used in the search between 2015 and 2023.Results:The study comprised 35 publications in total.Several sncRNAs,miR-155,miR-16,miR-196,miR-525-3p,miR-891 were found to be effective in regulating the mechanism of spermatozoa processing in the infertility of men.sncRNA can be used as a biomarker of male infertility.Conclusions:sncRNAs can act as biomarkers for the diagnosis of reproductive diseases.Actually,by recognizing sncRNAs and their mechanisms,a new way to treat infertile men would be paved.The functional annotation of sncRNAs in spermatogenesis is still in its infancy but has enormous potential.This is despite the fact that many potential sncRNAs have been found to date with the use of cutting-edge technology and publicly accessible sncRNA annotation tools.

Genomic Instability Is a Mechanism for Diminished Male Fertility Following Chronic Dichlorvos Exposure

Background and Objectives: Chronic low-dose exposure to dichlorvos occurs in communities in Africa where the substance is used indiscriminately for a variety of purposes. This experiment used an animal model to evaluate genomic instability induced by this pattern of chronic exposure and its relationship with some measures of fertility in males. Methods: Seventy-five male Rattus norvegicus rats obtained for this experiment, were randomly allotted into five groups. Dichlorvos was given by oral gavage at doses of 0.28 mg/kg, 0.56 mg/kg and, 1.68 mg/kg, respectively, to three of the groups, on alternate days for 50 weeks. The remaining two groups received plain drinking water and cyclophosphamide as negative and positive controls, respectively. Samples were collected at 17, 34, and 50 weeks. Sperm count, sperm morphology and serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, dihydrotestosterone, oestrogen and progesterone were determined. Furthermore, the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes was determined in bone marrow cells obtained from the femur. Results: The mean ranks of micronuclei frequency had an increasing trend. The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCE) had a significant negative correlation with oestrogen (rs = -0.47, p = 0.00, n = 50), follicle-stimulating hormone (rs = -0.41, p = 0.00, n = 50) and progesterone (rs = -0.37, p = 0.01, n = 50) serum levels. A positive monotonic relationship also existed between micronuclei frequency and those of tubular necrosis, tubular vacuolation, and residual bodies. A positive significant moderate correlation was found between MnPCE and the proportion of immotile sperms (rs = 0.41, p = 0.00, n = 50). Conclusion: The nature of the correlations between micronuclei frequency and the proportion of immotile sperms, adverse histological changes and serum hormone levels found in this study suggest genomic instability as the possible mechanism for diminished fertility in males chronically exposed to dichlorvos.

Profile of the Infertile Man at the University Hospital of Conakry (Guinea)

Introduction: Male infertility is defined as the inability of a man to impregnate a woman after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without contraception. Objective: To improve the state of knowledge on the profile of the infertile man in Guinea. Methodology: We conducted a prospective, descriptive study over a period of 6 months from October 1st, 2020 to March 31st, 2021. Results: We collected an overall number of 71 patients seen onroutine consultation for infertility. They had a mean age of 36.4 years. More than half of our patients were monogamous (79% of cases). Civil servants were the most affected with 38.02% of cases. Primary infertility was dominant in 65% (n = 46) of cases. On clinical examination, varicocele was the most remarkable abnormality with 88.73% (n = 63) followed by testicular hypotrophy with 59.15% (n = 42). Azoospermia was the most frequent sperm abnormality with 22.54% (n = 16) followed by oligospermia with 15.49% (n = 11). Hormonal assessment based on FSH and LH was performed in 16 patients with azoospermia (22.53%). FSH elevation was associated with azoospermia in 6 patients, i.e. 8.45%, azoospermia associated with a normal FSH level accounting for 14.08% in our series. Conclusion: In our practice, male infertility is becoming more and more of a concern due to the increasing number of patients seeking treatment. The scarcity of a medical assistance for procreation unit alongside with more efficient diagnostic means constitutes a handicap for its management.

The Impact of Body Mass on Male Fertility in a Cohort of 127 Patients

Background: Aromatase and leptin are two adipose tissue cytokines. The former converts androgens into estrogens and stimulates adipogenesis. The latter cannot fully stimulate GnRH release as its hypothalamic receptors are reduced in obese men. Thus, obesity which is associated with an adipose tissue increment can interfere with male fertility. Objective: We aim to study the correlation between the body mass index (BMI) of an individual and the quality of semen he produces. Patients and Method: By means of the software R 4.2.1 we performed a retrospective analysis of the relationship between the BMI and the semen alterations in the patients managed at the former Military Teaching Hospital of Cotonou from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2022: a bi-varied analysis and Fischer’s exact test (significance threshold 5%, confidence interval 95%) followed by a logistic regression when a non-significant p-value is below 0.20. Results: 127 males managed for infertility (mean age = 36.2 years) were recorded, including 11.1% obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and 36.5% overweighted (25 kg/m2 < BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2). The most frequent semen alterations were: oligoasthenospermia (27.8%), asthenospermia (22.2%), oligoasthenoteratospermia (14.3%), azoospermia (13.5%) and asthenoteratospermia (9.5%). Bi-varied analysis showed no correlation between the BMI and the semen alterations (p-value ranged from 0.086 to 0.9) and no difference in semen alterations between patients with BMI below and above 25 kg/m2 (p-value ranged from 0.12 to 0.9). Logistic regression demonstrated that asthenoteratospermia were correlated with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 [OR = 2.1, 95% CI (1.50 - 2.70), p = 0.021]. Conclusion: Male obesity and overweight can trigger asthenoteratospermia.

Mechanism of action of Wuzi Yanzong pill in the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia in rats determined via serum metabolomics

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of action of Wuzi Yanzong pill(WYP)in rats with oligoasthenozoospermia(OAZ)via metabolomics and to provide a possible basis for improving this WYP-based treatment.Methods:A rat model of OAZ was established by treating male SpragueeDawley rats with glucosides from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.F.Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into six groups:control,L-carnitine(positive control),model,and low-,medium-,and high-dose WYP groups.Rats in the experimental groups were treated with WYP for 4 weeks.At the end of the treatment period,sperm cell quality(density,motility,and viability)was assessed using a semen analysis system,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)was assessed using flow cytometry,and testicular injury was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining to validate the therapeutic effect of WYP in OAZ.Further,serum metabolomics-based analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify differential metabolic pathways and possible mechanisms of action of WYP in OAZ treatment.Results:A rat model of OAZ was considered successfully-established after comparing the quality of spermatozoa in the model group to that in the control group.WYP-M and WYP-H treatments significantly improved sperm cell density,motility,and viability compared with those in the model group(all P<.05).Compared with the model group,both WYP-M and WYP-H treatments increased MMP values(P=.006 and P=.021 respectively),while there was no significant difference in the L-carnitine group.L-carnitine and WYP administration reversed damage to the testes to varying degrees compared with that in the model group.Further,44 differential metabolites and four metabolic pathways,especially autophagy pathway,related to OAZ were identified via metabolomics.Conclusions:WYP improves sperm cell quality and MMP in OAZ primarily via autophagy regulation.These findings can be employed to improve the efficacy of WYP in humans.

Germ cell-specific deletion of Pex3 reveals essential roles of PEX3-dependent peroxisomes in spermiogenesis

Peroxisomes are organelles enclosed by a single membrane and are present in various species.The abruption of peroxisomes is correlated with peroxisome biogenesis disorders and single peroxisomal enzyme deficiencies that induce diverse diseases in different organs.However,little is known about the protein compositions and corresponding roles of heterogeneous peroxisomes in various organs.Through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses,we observed heterogenous peroxisomal components among different organs,as well as between testicular somatic cells and different developmental stages of germ cells.As Pex3 is expressed in both germ cells and Sertoli cells,we generated Pex3 germ cell-and Sertoli cell-specific knockout mice.While Pex3 deletion in Sertoli cells did not affect spermatogenesis,the deletion in germ cells resulted in male sterility,manifested as the destruction of intercellular bridges between spermatids and the formation of multinucleated giant cells.Proteomic analysis of the Pex3-deleted spermatids revealed defective expressions of peroxisomal proteins and spermiogenesis-related proteins.These findings provide new insights that PEX3-dependent peroxisomes are essential for germ cells undergoing spermiogenesis,but not for Sertoli cells.

Aberrant protamination in sperm correlates to anomalous nuclear and cytoplasmic architectures in infertile males with sperm dysmorphology

Aberrant sperm protamination is linked to sperm dysmorphology and nuclear chromatin condensation.Yet,its effects on sperm cytoplasmic maturation remain largely unexplored.The relationships of protamines,sperm morphology,DNA damage,and cytoplasmic remodeling were illustrated in this study to provide fresh perspectives on the mechanisms of male infertility.A total of 205 infertile males were allocated into 5 groups according to the percentage of spermatozoa exhibiting abnormal morphology within their samples.Sperm concentration,motility,abnormal sperm morphology,cytoplasmic droplets(CDs),and excess residual cytoplasm(ERC)were analyzed according to the World Health Organization manual(2010).Sperm nuclear vacuoles(NVs)were determined by propidium iodide(PI)staining.Sperm protamine expressions(P1 and P2)were detected by western blot.DNA damage was measured by acridine orange test(AOT)to calculate the proportion of sperm with single-strand DNA breaks(SSBs).Our data showed that sperm concentration and motility in infertile males significantly decreased with the severity of abnormal sperm morphology(both P<0.01).P1 level,P1/P2 ratio,and SSB rate increased with the severity of sperm dysmorphology,whilst the P2 level decreased(all P<O.01).NVs,CDs,and ERC were more common in males with sperm dysmorphology and positively correlated with the SSB rate(all P<O.01).The relationships between the SSB rate and the P1/P2 ratio were also significant(P<0.01).Aberrant protamination may cause sperm dysmorphology and compromise male fertility by impairing sperm's nucleus and cytoplasm maturation,with the P1/P2 ratio potentially serving as a valuable indicator of sperm quality and male fertility.

Varicocele repair in improving spermatozoa,follicle-stimulating hormone,and luteinizing hormone parameters in infertile males with azoospermia:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Patients with azoospermia show a prevalence of varicocele of 10.9%and a 14.8%contribution to male infertility.Patients with azoospermia are thought to produce high-quality semen following varicocele treatment.Advising varicocelectomy prior to sperm retrieval in a reproductive program is still debated.This study reviewed the impact of varicocele repair on male infertility using several factors.A literature search was conducted using Scopus,PubMed,Embase,the Wiley Online Library,and Cochrane databases.Sperm concentration,sperm progression,overall sperm motility,sperm morphology,and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and luteinizing hormone(LH)levels were also compared.Outcomes were compared between those who received treatment for varicocele and those who did not.The data from the pooled analysis were presented as standardized mean difference(SMD)along with a 95%confidence interval(CI).Heterogeneity was evaluated using I2.Additionally,we conducted analyses for publication bias,sensitivity,and subgroup analysis as appropriate.Nine studies were included after screening relevant literature.Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in sperm concentration(SMD:1.81,95%CI:0.84–2.77,P<0.001),progressive sperm motility(SMD:4.28,95%CI:2.34–6.22,P<0.001),and sperm morphology(SMD:3.59,95%CI:2.27–4.92,P<0.001).Total sperm motility showed no significant difference following varicocele repair(SMD:0.81,95%CI:−0.61–2.22,P=0.26).No significant differences were seen in serum FSH(SMD:0.01,95%CI:−0.16–0.19,P=0.87)and LH(SMD:0.19,95%CI:−0.01–0.40,P=0.07)levels as well.This study supports varicocele repair in infertile men with clinical varicocele,as reflected by the improvement in sperm parameters after varicocelectomy compared with no treatment.There were no significant improvements in serum FSH and LH levels.

Obesity leads to higher risk of sperm DNA damage in infertile patients

There has been a growing interest over the past few years in the impact of male nutrition on fertility. Infertility has been linked to male overweight or obesity, and conventional semen parameter values seem to be altered in case of high body mass index （BMI）. A few studies assessing the impact of BMI on sperm DNA integrity have been published, but they did not lead to a strong consensus. Our objective was to explore further the relationship between sperm DNA integrity and BMI, through a 3-year multicentre study. Three hundred and thirty male partners in subfertile couples were included. Using the terminal uridine nick-end labelling （TUNEL） assay, we observed an increased rate of sDerm DNA damage in obese men （odds ratio （95% confidence interval）： 2.5 （1.2-5.1））.

Lycopene and male infertility

Excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species （ROS） cause a state of oxidative stress, which result in sperm membrane lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and apoptosis, leading to decreased sperm viability and motility. Elevated levels of ROS are a major cause of idiopathic male factor infertility, which is an increasingly common problem today. Lycopene, the most potent singlet oxygen quencher of all carotenoids, is a possible treatment option for male infertility because of its antioxidant properties. By reacting with and neutralizing free radicals, lycopene could reduce the incidence of oxidative stress and thus, lessen the damage that would otherwise be inflicted on spermatozoa. It is postulated that lycopene may have other beneficial effects via nonoxidative mechanisms in the testis, such as gap junction communication, modulation of gene expression, regulation of the cell cycle and immunoenhancement. Various lycopene supplementation studies conducted on both humans and animals have shown promising results in alleviating male infertility--lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were decreased, while sperm count and viability, and general immunity were increased. Improvement of these parameters indicates a reduction in oxidative stress, and thus the spermatozoa is less vulnerable to oxidative damage, which increases the chances of a normal sperm fertilizing the egg. Human trials have reported improvement in sperm parameters and pregnancy rates with supplementation of 4-8 mg of lycopene daily for 3-12 months. However, further detailed and extensive research is still required to determine the dosage and the usefulness of lycopene as a treatment for male infertility.

Prevalent false positives of azoospermia factor a （AZFa） microdeletions caused by single-nucleotide polymorphism rs72609647 in the sY84 screening of male infertility

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） has been widely used to detect Y-chromosome micredeletions, which is one of the major causes of male infertility. Both the European Academy of Andrology （EAA） and the European Molecular Genetics Quality Network （EMQN） have recommended the use of sY84 and sY86 markers for the detection of azoospermia factor a （AZFa） microdeletion during DNA testing for male infertility. In this study, a large-scale analysis of AZF microdeletion in a total of 630 Chinese males, including healthy semen donors （n=200）, infertile males with normal sperm count （n=226） and patients with either nonobstructive azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia （n=204）, was performed. A series of nine sequence-tagged site （STS） markers from the AZF region of the Y chromosome was used to detect microdeletions. All primers were designed based on the recommendations of the National Center for Biotechnology Information. An unusually high incidence （73/630, 11.6%） of sY84-absent but sY86-present genotypes was observed in the AZFa microdeletion screening. Sequencing the sY84-flanking region revealed a total of 73 patients with sY84-absent but sY86-present genotypes have a T-to-G transversion at the fifth base from the 5＇ end of the reverse sY84 primer. These prevalent false positives, which were not only observed in infertile men, but also observed in donors, resulted from a single-nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） named rs72609647 in the targeting sequence of the reverse sY84 primer. Our study suggests that a pre-screening of existence of rs72609647 polymorphism can prevent the frequent false positive results of AZFa microdeletions detection in the infertile Chinese males. Given the SNP rs72609647 was recently found in a deep sequencing of a Chinese individual, the current EAA and EMQN standards may need to be scrutinized among different populations to avoid the potential genetic variations in the primer binding sequences.