To investigate the correlation of sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) with routine semen parameters and the effect of MMP on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF).We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 727 IVF cycles, including 231 fresh transplantation cycles, in our hospital from November 2018 to October 2019. According to the MMP level determined by JC-1 staining and flow cytometry, we divided the patients into a low MMP (≤52%) and a high MMP (> 52%) group and compared the rates of fertilization, clinical pregnancy, abortion and live birth between the two groups. Meanwhile, we analyzed the correlation of sperm MMP with the semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, total sperm motility, percentages of progressively motile sperm (PMS) and morphologically normal sperm (MNS), and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI).The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the high MMP than in the low MMP group (85.3% ［2 211/2 592］ vs 81.7% ［3 910/4 785］, P < 0.01), and so were the rates of clinical pregnancy (50.00% ［41/82］ vs 48.32% ［72/149］, P < 0.05) and live birth (43.90%［36/82］ vs 40.94% ［61/149］, P < 0.05), while the abortion rate was lower in the former than in the latter group (12.20% ［5/41］ vs 15.28% ［11/72］, P > 0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in sperm concentration, total sperm motility, percentages of PMS and MNS, and sperm DFI (P< 0.05), but not in the semen volume and total sperm count (P > 0.05). Sperm MMP was found correlated positively with sperm concentration (r = 0.11, P < 0.05), total sperm motility (r = 0.304, P < 0.01) and percentages of PMS (r = 288, P < 0.01) and MNS (r = 458, P < 0.01) but negatively with sperm DFI (r = 0.387, P < 0.01).The level of sperm MMP is related to decreased sperm motility, increased sperm abnormality, elevated sperm DFI and reduced IVF rate. It is also an important index for sperm function evaluation and, together with routine semen parameters, helps to comprehensively evaluate and optimize the assisted pregnancy program of infertile men in assisted reproduction technology.
Objective
To explore the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation rates and male infertility.
Methods
Case-control study was used. Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were compared between the primary infertile males for unknown reasons(n= 126) and the males whose spouses undergoing delivery in three months(n= 100).
Results
Sperm DNA fragmentation rate of the research group was(11.95±4.89)%. Sperm DNA fragmentation rate of the control group was(10.07±3.56)%.Significant difference was found between the two groups on sperm DNA fragmentation rate(t=- 3.326,P= 0.001). The 226 men were divided into group A with sperm DNA fragmentation rates<10%(n= 130)and group B with sperm DNA fragmentation rates≥10%(n= 96). The percentage of male infertility in group A was significantly lower than that in group B(50.00% vs 61.62%)(χ2= 4.105,P= 0.043).
Conclusion
Correlation is found between sperm DNA fragmentation rates and male infertility.
Key words:
Infertility, Male; DNA fragmentation rate; Spermatozoa
Objective: To study the effects of preconceptional thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels on antral follicle count (AFC) and pregnancy outcomes in a first in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to explore the effects of preconceptional TSH levels on AFC and pregnancy outcomes in 1340 patients. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1, 0.55≤ TSH <2.5 uIU/mL ( n = 868); group 2, 2.5≤ TSH <4.0 uIU/mL ( n = 334); and group 3, TSH ≥4.0 uIU/mL ( n = 138). Results: There were significant differences in AFC ( P = 0.002), number of zygotes ( P = 0.008), and fertilization rate ( P = 0.015) among the three groups. Among the three groups, there were no obvious differences in live birth ( P = 0.559), high-quality embryo ( P = 0.108), or clinical pregnancy ( P = 0.939) rates. Binary logistics regression analysis showed that TSH correlated with AFC when TSH was ≥4 uIU/mL ( P = 0.033); however, TSH levels had no effect on live birth or clinical pregnancy rate. Conclusions: Although the preconceptional TSH level negatively related with AFC, number of zygotes, and fertility rate, especially when TSH was >4 uIU/mL, TSH was not an independent factor on the live birth rate among fertile women undergoing their first IVF/ICSI-embryo transfer treatment. The effect of TSH levels on couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology requires further investigation.
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