An overview on ethical issues about sperm donation

Beyond the scientific progress in assisted reproductive technologies （ART）, it is necessary to discuss the ethical considerations behind these advances. Ethical issues concerning sperm donation have been considered and discussed by government and non-governmental agencies, the public, media and academic institutions in many countries. Recommendations and guidelines concerning sperm donation issues vary from country to country and between professional groups within countries. This paper attempts to present an overview of findings and reports from various agencies concerning the ethics of sperm donation. The following topics are considered： limiting the number of donor offspring; minimizing risk of infection and genetics from sperm donors; age requirements for sperm donors; and anonymity versus non-anonymity of sperm donors. The diversity of policies shows that each country has its unique set of guidelines tailored toward its own specific needs. Similarly, countries designing their own procedures and guidelines concerning reproductive medicine must tailor them toward their own needs and practical considerations. In China's Mainland, the anonymous policy for sperm donation should still be carried out, and the number of donor offspring should be revaluated. ART procedures must be conducted in a way that is respectful of those involved. Ethical principles must respect the interests and welfare of persons who will be born as well as the health and psychosocial welfare of all participants, including sperm donors.

Exploring the impact of pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 on fertility in sperm donors

Pericentric inversion of chromosome 9(inv[9])is a common chromosomal structural variant,but its impact on clinical outcomesremains debated.The screening criteria of sperm banks are rarely mentioned to individuals with inv(9).In this study,we evaluatedthe fertility of sperm donors with inv(9)who met eligibility criteria for sperm banks(inv[9]-eligible donors).From March 2004 toMay 2022,chromosomal analysis of 16124 sperm donors at CITIC-Xiangya Human Sperm Bank in Hunan Province(Changsha,China)found that 251(1.6%)had chromosome variations,with inv(9)being the most prevalent at 1.1%.All 169 inv(9)-eligibledonors were contacted to collect fertility outcome data,along with 206 eligible donors without inv(9)as controls.In addition,semen samples from inv(9)-eligible donors and eligible donors underwent assessments of sperm fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH),mitochondrial membrane potential,DNA fragmentation index,acrosome integrity,reactive oxygen species(ROS),andsperm morphology.Results showed that inv(9)did not significantly increase reproductive risks overall.Despite detecting ROSlevel differences,the clinical impact may be insignificant.This study provides new data on the inv(9)population that can serveas a valuable reference for decision-making by sperm banks as well as for genetic counseling and clinical guidance for individualscarrying inv(9)variant.

Fertility outcome of patients with testicular tumor： before and after treatment

Testicular cancer （TC） is the most curable type of cancer, with a survival rate of more than 95%. Oncologists are faced with the challenge that gonadotoxic cancer treatments can compromise future fertility, either temporarily or permanently. Our aim was to investigate the long-term effects of TC treatments on male fertility and on the offspring of patients who had received these treatments. Between January 1996 and December 2010, 125 eligible patients, ranging from 18 to 54 years （median age 36.3 _＋ 15.7）, with unilateral TC underwent surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy at our center. Some of these patients had their semen samples cryopreserved in the Shanghai Human Sperm Bank. The clinical data were evaluated, and questionnaire and telephone follow-up surveys were given to all patients. The data were analyzed to determine the patients＇ fertility status pre- and posttreatment. Of the 125 eligible patients, 93.6% （117/125） were accessible and were evaluated. Among 81 men who were married before diagnosis, 21 had conceived successfully before diagnosis and six reported azoospermia. Posttreatment conception was attempted by 73 men; of these, 16 conceived naturally and 19 conceived by artificial reproductive techniques, resulting in 37 healthy babies with no congenital malformations. Of the patients who had not conceived before treatment, 21.9% （21/96） banked their sperm and 23.8% of these patients （5/21） subsequently used the banked sperm. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were the most highly correlated with lack of conception to TC patients with the desire for biological conception. There is no birth defects or childhood malignancies. post-TC treatment. Sperm banking should be recommended evidence to suggest that TC treatments are associated with

Basic Phenotyping of Male Fertility from 2019 to 2020 at the Human Sperm Bank of Fudan University

The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to analyze the semen parameters of volunteers from the Human Sperm Bank of Fudan University,as well as the related factors influencing these parameters.From January 2019 to December 2020,semen parameters from a total of 5214 men were included in this survey.The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to detect differences associated with several independent variables.A total of 5214 volunteers were included.The volunteers were registered in 33 provinces,autonomous regions,municipalities(including Macao and Taiwan)and 294 prefecture-level cities.The average age of volunteers was 27.40 years.Overall,76.50%of the volunteers had a college education or higher.Volunteers with BMI values of 18.5-23.9 kg/m2 accounted for 60.70%of participants.Semen parameters were significantly different according to season,education level,duration of abstinence,age group and BMI.The basic male fertility phenotypes(semen parameters)showed new trends in the study period,and accurate long-term tracking of male semen parameters will help researchers to better understand the changes in male fertility phenotypes(semen).

Multivariate model for predicting semen ：ryopreservation outcomes in a human sperm ban

Semen cryopreservation is widely used in assisted reproductive technologies, but it reduces sperm quality dramatically. The aim of this study was to develop a model using basal semen quality to predict the outcome of postthaw semen parameters and improve the efficiency of cryopreservation in a human sperm bank. Basal semen parameters of 180 samples were evaluated in the first stage, and a multiple logistic regression analysis involving a backward elimination selection procedure was applied to select independent predictors. After a comprehensive analysis of all results, we developed a new model to assess the freezability of sperm. Progressive motility （PR）, straight-line velocity （VSL） and average path velocity （VAP） were included in our model. A greater area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was obtained in our model when compared with other indicators. In the second stage of our study, samples that satisfied the new model were selected to undergo freeze-thawing. Compared with the first stage, the rate of good freezability was increased significantly （94% vs 67%, P = 0.003）. By determining basal semen quality, we have developed a new model to improve the efficiency of cryopreservation in a human sperm bank.