bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P–082 Effect of semen hyper viscosity (SHV) on blastocyst formation rate and implantation rate
Authors: Suthar A , Sharma N , Mishra V , Aggarwal R , Sheth H , Patel K 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
Does semen hyper viscosity effects blastocyst formation rate

Summary answer
Hyper viscosity of semen sample later results in poor blastocyst formation rate and lower implantation rate.

What is known already
Normal range of semen hyper viscosity ranges between 12–29%.Highly viscous semen samples impairs the physical and chemical characteristics of seminal fluid and due to which seminal oxidative damage increases which further increases the ROS and reduces the sperm motility there are some factors that can affect the seminal viscosity out of which one is Male accessory gland infection, Hypo function of prostate seminal vesicles and varicoceles. SHV create hindrance in semen preparation.

Study design, size, duration
Retrospective study was conducted from June 2019 to Oct 2020 at IVF unit IKDRC hospital.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
142 patients were enrolled from June 2019 to Oct 2020 in IVF unit IKDRC hospital and divided into two groups. Group A (n = 83) patients with hyper semen viscosity and Group B (n = 69) patients with normal semen viscosity, inclusion and exclusion criteria’s were same for both the groups, only patient with normozoospermia were taken. Semen analysis was done by using WHO manual 2010.

Main results and the role of chance
In group A with hyper semen viscosity fertilization rate was (49.2% vs. 70% p = &lt;0.001) vs in group B with normal semen viscosity which is significantly higher in group B, Blastocyst formation rate ( 18.4% vs 35% p = &lt;0.01) and implantation rate (9.4% vs 20% p = &lt;0.005) both are significantly higher in group B . Which implies fertilization rate , blastocyst formation rate and implantation rate is significantly lower in patients with semen hyper viscosity.

Limitations, reasons for caution
Larger randomized control studies are needed to strengthen these results.
Wider implications of the findings: Our study demonstrates that patients having higher semen viscosity have poor blastocyst formation rate and implantation rate due to oxidative stress.

Trial registration number
Not applicable
P–085 Sperm retrieval after microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) and pregnancy outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in men with Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Dinh V H , Nguye T H H , H. Nguye B , T. Nguye A , C. Trin K , Q. H D , D. Nguye M , H. L T , H. Pha M 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
What are the sperm retrieval rate and ICSI outcomes in azoospermic men with Klinefelter syndrome (KS)?

Summary answer
In men with KS, a sperm retrieval rate of 51.3% after the first attempt micro-TESE, and 4 live births after ICSI were observed. What is known already: Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is encountered in 10% of men with azoospermia. Micro-TESE is presently used to treat infertility for KS patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. The retrieved sperms can be used for ICSI. Study design, size, duration: From June 2019 to July 2020, 39 azoospermic patients with KS were examined for the presence of testicular spermatozoa. Participants/materials, setting, methods: Participants were recruited from couples attending the Andrology and Fertility Hospital of Hanoi Vietnam, for infertility treatment. Micro-TESE was performed to extract testicular tissue. After retrieval, ICSI was used with fresh sperm. Main results and the role of chance: The sperm retrieval rate of first attempt micro-TESE in KS men was 51.3% (20/39). Logistic regression analysis showed patient age did not affect the sperm retrieval rate of micro-TESE (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.88 - 1.11). Similarly, no association was observed between serum FSH, LH, testosterone level, and testicular volume with the success of sperm retrieval. The fertilization rate after ISCI in patients with retrieved sperm was 60% (12/20). Clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates were 50% (10/20) and 40% (8/20). There were 4 live births. No sufficient data were available to test the effect of clinical or biological parameters on ICSI outcomes.

Limitations, reasons for caution
Our data rely on a cohort of KS patients attending a single fertility clinic. The sample size did not allow regression analysis for any ICSI outcome.
Wider implications of the findings: Micro-TESE is helpful in retrieving sperm in azoospermia KS patients with sperm retrieval rate reaching 50%. ICSI following micro-TESE can lead to an ongoing pregnancy rate of 40% with some result in live births. The outcome of micro-TESE is independent of any clinical or biochemical parameters tested.

Trial registration number
Not applicable
P–089 Paternal age affects the performance of EAU guidelines for genetic testing in infertile men: implications for candidate selection
Authors: Ventimiglia E , Boeri L , Pozzi E , Belladelli F , Fallara G , Candela L , Capogrosso P , Schifano N , Cignoli D , Colandrea G , Cornelius J , Mattei A , Abbate C , Montorsi F , Salonia A 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
We aimed at challenge EAU Guidelines for genetic testing performance in infertile men according to normal vs. advanced paternal age (APA).

Summary answer
EAU Guidelines perform better in karyotype analysis (KA) and Y-chromosome microdeletions (YCM) investigation in men above 35 years of age.

What is known already
EAU Guidelines for genetic testing in infertile men recommend specific threshold for candidate selection for both KA (&lt;10 million spermatozoa/ml) and YCM (&lt;5 million spermatozoa/ml). However, paternal age is not taken into account for candidate selection in this setting.

Study design, size, duration
Data from 2188 infertile men (according to WHO definition) consecutively evaluated at a single academic centre were analysed.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were analysed. Semen analyses were based on 2010 WHO criteria. Advanced age was defined as above 35. All men underwent KA and YCM testing. EAU Guidelines were validated in our cohort and according to APA. Specificity, sensitivity, and AUC were estimated for all scenarios. A Wald-type test compared AUC according to APA for KA and YCM. Decision curve analysis (DCA) estimated the benefit of using EAU Guidelines according to APA.

Main results and the role of chance
Median (IQR) paternal age was 37 (34–41) years. Advanced paternal age was found in 1306 (60%) of included men. Prevalence of KA and YCM was 4% (48 men) and 1% (13 men), respectively. EAU Guidelines sensitivity, specificity and AUC in the overall population were 85%, 47% and 66% for KA, whereas they were 100%, 57% and 80% for YCM. When stratifying according to APA, EAU Guidelines performed better in men over 35 both in terms of KA and YCM detection. Specifically, AUC for KA detection in men with APA was 70% vs. 63% in younger men (p = 0.04). AUC for YCM detection in men with APA was 82% vs. 79% in younger men (p = 0.03). DCA confirmed higher net benefit in using EAU Guidelines in old vs. young men for the detection of both KA and YCM.

Limitations, reasons for caution
It is a retrospective analysis at a single, tertiary-referral academic centre, thus raising the possibility of selection biases.
Wider implications of the findings: EAU Guidelines for genetic testing in infertile men perform differentially according to APA. KA and YCM are better detected in older men, likely due to a wider pool of confounding etiological factors in young men. These results suggest the implementation of more accurate predictive models in younger men.

Trial registration number
Not applicable
P–099 MYD88 dependent pathway through TLR 1,2 and 6 activation play a role in interaction of high DNA fragmented human sperm with fallopian tube epithelial cells
Authors: Govahi A , Zahra Z , Fatemehsadat A , Azin A , Reza A 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
How does sperm with high DFI disrupt the female reproductive system?

Summary answer
Sperm with damaged DNA could disrupt the female reproductive system by production of high inflammatory factors through activation of TLRs and MyD88-dependent pathway .

What is known already
Previous studies have also shown that the interaction between sperm and fallopian tube is a complex process and activates a number of immune mechanisms. Many TLRs, including TLR1, TLR2, and TLR6 are expressed in fallopian tube epithelial cells. TLRs have an important role in the immune interaction between fallopian tube and sperm. They are also involved in sperm capacitation, fertilization and pregnancy. Examining this interaction may lead us to valuable data.

Study design, size, duration
In this study, 10 Recurrent Implantation failure couples with high DFI ( &gt;30% by SCSA evaluation) and 10 healthy donors men with low DFI (&lt;30%) were considered as high DFI group and low DFI group respectively. After fresh semen preparation, sperm were co-cultured with human fallopian tube epithelial cell line( OE-E6/E7) for 24 hours.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
RNA were extracted from the cell line and PCR array for human innate and adaptive immune responses was performed by RT2 profiler PCR array.

Main results and the role of chance
Analysis of PCR array data showed that the expression of TLR–1, TLR–2, TLR–6, MYD88, TIRAP, IRAKS,TRAF6, MAPKS, NF-KB, G-CSF, GM-CSF, CXCL8, CXCL10, CCL2, IL–6, IL–1, TNFa in high DFI group was significantly higher than control group. All these factors are involved in the MyD88-dependent pathway. Our research suggests that the MyD88-dependent pathway through TLR1,2 and 6 activation may be the main inflammatory pathway activated by sperm with high DFI. The released DAMPs through damaged sperms were recognized by TLRs on the epithelial cells. Following the TLR1,2 and 6 signaling, and MYD88 activation, epithelial cells were producing the inflammatory cytokines which result in the neutrophils infiltration. In the lumen of the fallopian tube, the neutrophils were activated via TLR1/TLR2, complexes that lead to the neutrophils activation, phagocytosis, NET formation, and apoptosis.

Limitations, reasons for caution
Studying with a larger sample size and examining the final factors at the protein level will be better to detect the effect of sperm DNA fragmentation on fallopian tube.
Wider implications of the findings: MyD88-dependent pathway could be one of the mechanisms that involved in interaction of high DNA fragmented sperm with female reproductive tract.

Trial registration number
Not applicable
P–112 Association between dietary total antioxidant capacity and semen quality parameters in male partners of couples attempting fertility
Authors: Eslamian G , Rohani S , Shoaibinobarian N 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
Is there any association between dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and semen quality parameters in male partners of couples attempting fertility?

Summary answer
Greater adherence to diets high in TAC was significantly associated with higher total sperm count, sperm concentration, and sperm motility.

What is known already
Among multiple factors that affect the etiology of poor semen quality and male infertility, dietary factors have an important contribution. Also, chronic oxidative stress negatively effects semen quality. Whether adherence to the diet rich in antioxidants is associated with better semen quality remains largely unexplored.The concentration of single antioxidant cannot show the total antioxidant power of the diet, therefore the concept of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was invented.Dietary scores are useful approach to evaluate the degree of adherence to specific dietary pattern and its benefits in regard to health

Study design, size, duration
This was a cross-sectional study of 350 men from couples attending a fertility center in Tehran, Iran, recruited between June 2015 and September 2019. Men aged 25–50 years with complete dietary data were analyzed.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
Diet was assessed via a reproducible and valid 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to determine the entire antioxidants of the usual diet in order to calculate dietary TAC. Semen quality was assessed according to World Health Organization 2010 guidelines. The association between dietary TAC and semen parameters were assessed adjusting for potential confounders through multiple logistic regression analysis.

Main results and the role of chance
The average age of study participants was 34.9 ± 7.6 years and their BMI was 28.5 ± 4.3 kg/m2. Participants in the lower tertile of the dietary TAC were lower educated (p &lt; 0.01), more physically active (p &lt; 0.05), and predominantly had abnormal sperm progressive motility (p &lt; 0.01). In the multivariable adjusted models, men in the lowest tertile of the dietary TAC Score had 2.9 times higher likelihood of having abnormal sperm motility, total sperm count and concentration, compared to men in the highest tertile of the TAC score (p &lt; 0.05).

Limitations, reasons for caution
The main limitation of our study was its cross-sectional design, limiting our ability to derive causal association.
Wider implications of the findings: Our study suggests that dietary pattern comprising mainly of antioxidant nutrients may help improve semen quality. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing that plant-based diet contains higher levels of antioxidants are associated with better measures of semen quality.

Trial registration number
Not applicable
P–114 Correlation of GSTM1 polymorphism and oxidative stress with male infertility
Authors: Mavrogianni D , Voitse A , Evgeni L , Stavros S , Drakakis P 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
Is GSTM1 polymorphism a putative biomarker of male infertility. Is there a possible correlation between GSTM1 presence, oxidative stress and male infertility?

Summary answer
A possible correlation may be established between GSTM1 polymorphism, and sperm mobility and morphology. Additionally oxidative potential may also be associated with fertility.

What is known already
Approximately 7% of men worldwide are affected by male infertility, which contributes to 40–50% of all infertility cases. Basic sperm analysis remains the main procedure of diagnosing male infertility, although there is still doubt whether it provides accurate clinical outcomes More accurate tests are essential for the diagnosis of male infertility. Oxidative stress is involved in the etiology of male infertility, with 30% to 80% of infertile men having increased levels of sperm free radicals. Recent research has shown that oxidative stress when combined with GSTM1-null genotype negatively affected the sperm quality of infertility group compared to the control group.

Study design, size, duration
Ninety semen samples were collected and divided into 2 groups. The study group consisted of sperm samples from 51 men identified as infertile according to WHO guidelines(case group).Sperm samples from 39 men with normal sperm count parameters (control group) were used for the control group.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
For all samples a sperm diagram was performed. and DNA was extracted. Polymerase chain reaction with specific for GSTM1 gene primers followed by agarose electrophoresis was applied to detect the presence of polymorphism. The MiOXSYS method was used to detect the oxidative potential.

Main results and the role of chance
This study shows that in the control group the presence of polymorphism was associated with a reduced number of immobile sperm cells (p = 0,035) while it appears to affect the normal morphology of the sperm(p = 0,042). In the infertility group the presence of the gene was significantly correlated with age(p = 0.046). No statistically significant difference was observed for the presence of the polymorphism between the 2 groups.In addition, we investigated the effect of oxidative potential with the MiOXSYS system and its relationship with sperm parameters. It was found that the two groups differed significantly when measuring oxidative potential, and that oxidoreduction potential affects sperm concentration/ml, total sperm count, type B motility and viscosity in the infertile male group.

Limitations, reasons for caution
A larger sample size could increase the accuracy of the results.
Wider implications of the findings: Studying the relation of the oxidative stress with sperm parameters may lead to the establishment of a genetic profile of increased risk of infertility, which would be of major importance especially in cases of idiopathic infertility.

Trial registration number
Not applicable
P–134 Zygote morphokinetic parameters (ZMP) differs between fertilized and non-fertilized (in vitro maturation) oocytes
Authors: Zhao M , Li H , Wang S , Alqawasmeh O , Xu M , Chung J , Chan D Y L 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
Is there any difference on the ZMP between the fertilized and the non-fertilized oocytes in an IVM cohort?

Summary answer
The zona pellucida (zp_g) , cytoplasm greyscale（cm_g),the cytoplasm size (cm_size), radius (cm_r) and deviation (cm_d) showed different patterns from the two groups.

What is known already
We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) based algorithm that provides instant and bias-free analytical outcomes of oocyte morphological segmentation. The mature but not-fertilized oocytes tend to be static while the fertilized oocytes are more dynamic for preparing its following biological events.

Study design, size, duration
This was a case-control study on oocytes including 631 normal fertilized oocytes and 100 IVM oocytes from 01/08/2017 to 31/12/2019 conducted in the Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
We used the convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm to segment the ZMPs of the cytoplasm and zona pellucida of the oocytes. The ZMPs include cm_g, cm_size, cm_r, cm_d, zp_g, thickness of zona pellucida and the area of perivitelline space. For the ZMPs that did not change with time, we used t-test to test the significance and for the parameters changed with time we used dynamic warp timing and similarity test to find the difference.

Main results and the role of chance
The IVM group had a higher intensity of zp_g of 142.03 (128.52–158.70) compared with the fertilized group of 137.04 (121.69–154.37). The cm_g of IVM group was higher than fertilized group [122.55 (114.87–137.62) vs 119.37(108.88–132.87)]. The cm_size, cm_r and cm_d as parameters changed with time and showed a different pattern in two groups. The IVM group decreased the cm_size faster than the fertilized group but the fertilized group had a more dynamic change in the shape of cytoplasm (cm_d) during the development. The cm_r changed with the same pattern of cm_size provided evidence supporting the finding above.

Limitations, reasons for caution
The ZMPs in the IVM group was captured for 21 hours from the first polar body extrusion. Though the duration was similar to the one from fertilized to the first cleavage. The morphology change during that period may not represent the holistic one of IVM oocytes.
Wider implications of the findings: The IVM oocytes have different morphokinetic performance from fertilized oocytes. We used a novel method based on CNN to confirm the differences between the two groups showing that our algorithm was able to describe the morphokinetic changes in a quantitative way and corresponded with embryologist’s experience.

Trial registration number
The Hong Kong Obstetrical & Gynaecological Trust Fund
P–139 The role of hormones and LH receptor expression of granulosa cells collected from large and small follicles in natural/minimal stimulation cycle IVF
Authors: Okubo T , Teruaki H , Noriyuki O , Kenji O , Tomoya S 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Study question
Do different follicle sizes influence gonadotropins (LH, FSH) and sex steroid (estradiol) in follicular fluids and LH receptor expression (LHCGR) in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs)?

Summary answer
It was found that differences in levels of FSH, estradiol values and LHCGR mRNA expression level in COCs between small and large follicles.

What is known already
The maturity rate in oocytes of small follicle is significantly lower compared to that of large follicles.

Study design, size, duration
After obtaining written consents from 78 infertile patients, we aspirated the large (&gt;15 mm) and small (&lt;5 mm) follicles, and collected follicular fluids at oocyte retrieval.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
We measured levels of LH, FSH and estradiol by enzyme immunoassay from large and small follicular fluids after oocytes retrievals. All collected oocytes were distinguished from large and small follicles, we confirmed the maturity of retrieved oocytes by the presence of first polar body. Then we extracted total RNA from granulosa cells and measured mRNA expression of LHCGR, encoding the human LH receptor, by quantitative real-time PCR. Each value was normalized to ACTB mRNA levels.

Main results and the role of chance
LH levels were nearly equal between small and large follicles (P = 0.8356). Whereas FSH and estradiol levels were significantly lower in small follicles (P &lt; 0.0001). The expression levels of LHCGR mRNA were significantly lower in small follicles than in large follicles during natural cycles. The maturity rate in oocytes of small follicle was significantly lower compared to that of large follicles (96.0% vs. 21.7%, P &lt; 0001).

Limitations, reasons for caution
The main limitation of the present study was collected by 42 natural cycles and 36 mild stimulation cycles with letrozole following low-dose clomiphene.
Wider implications of the findings: In spite of almost the same LH levels between two groups, the reason why the significantly lower maturation rates of oocytes collected from small follicles is poor LHCGR mRNA expression due to insufficient granulosa cells glowth because of low FSH and estradiol levels.

Trial registration number
Not applicable