Meriem Mehdi

Hospital Fatuma Bourguiba Monastir

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P-741 The COVID-19 pandemic: is there any impact on male fertility?

Human Reproduction (2022)

Amira Sallem S Garrouche Manel Ben Fredj Rim Kooli I Boughzala

Abstract Study question Is there any impact of the pandemic period on semen parameters? Summary answer Both total and progressive sperm motility as well as sperm morphology were impaired during COVID-19 pandemic. What is known already Male fertility could be affected by many environmental conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many dramatic consequences on human lives (psychological, financial level…). However, little information is available on the impact of the emergent COVID-19 on male fertility. Study design, size, duration This was a cohort study comparing semen parameters before and during the two first COVID-19 waves in infertile Tunisian patients. Participants/materials, setting, methods Were included in the current study 90 patients followed in the consultation of the department of Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology (Monastir, Tunisia) for hypofertility. Each of the included patients has already a spermogram before the COVID-19 pandemic and a spermogram during the COVID-19 pandemic allowing the comparison of semen parameters for each patient so that he was considered as his own control. Patients who received medication (antibiotics, antioxidants…) were excluded from the current study. Main results and the role of chance Among standard semen parameters, we have shown a significant decrease in both total and progressive sperm motility during COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001 respectively). The observed decrease 30 min after ejaculation was maintained 2 hours and 4 hours after ejaculation. Furthermore, we observed an impairment in sperm morphology. Indeed, the percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa raises from 90.99±7.37% to 93.67±4.54% (p < 0.0001). The remaining semen parameters was similar between the two compared timepoints except a slight decrease in sperm count during the pandemic (p = 0.079). Multivariate analysis didn’t show among clinical and epidemiological characteristics any associated factor with the observed decrease in semen quality. Limitations, reasons for caution The included patients didn’t have any COVID-19 symptoms on the day of sperm collection. However, as we have no proof of negative PCR test, the observed impairment in semen quality could be not only the consequence of psychological stress but may be also induced by a latent infection. Wider implications of the findings Even in patients with no proof of COVID-19 infection, the pandemic seems to have a real impact on hypofertile men as sperm motility and morphology were significantly impaired. It would be preffered to control semen parameters away from such period before referring patients to assisted reproduction. Trial registration number Not Applicable

Pandemic

Sperm bank

Semen Analysis

Ejaculation

10.1093/humrep/deac105.144

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Hematological, biochemical, and toxicopathic effects of subchronic acetamiprid toxicity in Wistar rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2016)

Sana Chakroun Lobna Ezzi Intissar Grissa Emna Kerkeni Fadoua Neffati

Acetamiprid

Alanine aminotransferase

Beagle

Median lethal dose

10.1007/s11356-016-7650-9

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Citations (77)

P-058 Risk factors associated with sperm DNA fragmentation in Tunisian subfertile men

Human Reproduction (2022)

M Boussabbeh Maïssa Ben Jmaa Amira Sallem I Belghaieb Oumaïma Ammar

Abstract Study question The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for sperm DNA fragmentation to determine which factors influence significantly the sperm DNA fragmentation. Summary answer Obesity seems to lead to higher risk of sperm DNA damage in Tunisian subfertile men. What is known already A positive association between lifestyle conditions, varicocele, advanced age and exposure to toxicants and DNA fragmentation has been documented. Study design, size, duration It’s a retrospective case control study. 61 Patients registered from October 2018 to December 2021 were divided into two groups: group “C” with good quality sperm DNA (n = 20) and group “F” with fragmented sperm DNA (n = 41). Participants/materials, setting, methods DNA fragmentation was measured using terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick and labeling assay. The Odds Ratio (OR) and their 95% CI were calculated using univariate logistic regression in order to quantify the association between the variable of interest “Sperm DNA fragmentation” and the various risk factors: lifestyle conditions (e.g. tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity), age, professional exposure to high temperature and toxic products and urological history (e.g. varicocele, testicular hypotrophy or hypertrophy). Main results and the role of chance Our results showed that tobacco, professional exposure to high temperature and toxic products and urological history are risk factors that may alter sperm DNA with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.1, 1.9 and 1.5, respectively. Interestingly, we demonstrated that obesity seems to be the most significant risk factor of DNA fragmentation with an OR of 4.2 (p = 0.002). Limitations, reasons for caution Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism by which obesity occur sperm DNA damage. Wider implications of the findings Our finding are in accordance with several retrospective studies demonstrating that obesity is liable to sperm DNA damage Trial registration number not applicable

10.1093/humrep/deac107.054

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Pro-inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs in male infertility

Molecular Biology Reports (2021)

Hana Attia Federica Finocchi Monia Orciani Meriem Mehdi Ines Zidi Jrah

Male infertility is a problem that affects 10-15% of men of reproductive age. In particular, gametogenesis is a complex process in which inflammation may play a central role through the secretion of cytokines and the expression of microRNAs. We assessed the potential role of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α) and microRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-23a-3p) in the seminal plasma of infertile men compared to controls, evaluating their correlation with seminal and biochemical parameters.Expression of cytokines and microRNAs was analyzed by ELISA and q-PCR. Our data shows that IL-1α was significantly increased in the azoospermic group compared to controls, TNF-α mRNA was more expressed in the oligozoospermic group than controls. There were no significant differences in miRNAs expression among the three groups. The correlations between sperm parameters and inflammatory markers were evaluated, however no significance was highlighted.The determination of each inflammatory marker separately in the seminal plasma of subfertile men, despite some significant differences, does not have a diagnostic value in male infertility even if an assay of selective pro-inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs in the semen may improve the diagnosis of male infertility.

Proinflammatory cytokine

10.1007/s11033-021-06593-6

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Citations (16)

Phoenix dactylifera L. sap enhances wound healing in Wistar rats: Phytochemical and histological assessment

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2016)

Raed Abdennabi Sana Bardaa Meriem Mehdi Mostafa E. Rateb Andrea Raab

Phytochemical

10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.04.015

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Citations (24)

Semen Parameters and Sperm DNA Fragmentation as Causes of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Urology (2011)

Sonia Brahem Meriem Mehdi Hanène Landolsi Soumaya Mougou Hatem Elghezal

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase

Semen Analysis

Semen quality

10.1016/j.urology.2011.05.049

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Citations (100)

Deleterious impact of COVID-19 pandemic: Male fertility was not out of the bag

PLoS ONE (2023)

Siwar Garrouch Amira Sallem Manel Ben Fredj Rim Kooli Manel Bousabbeh

The emergence and the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) induced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has multiple consequences in all countries around the world. Male germ cells of infertile patients which are shown to be vulnerable to many environmental conditions, could be particularly vulnerable to such an exceptional pandemic situation. We aimed through the current study to investigate the potential variations in sperm quality of infertile patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisia.This was a cohort study including 90 infertile patients addressed to Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Reproductive Biology of Monastir Department of Maternity and Neonatology in Monastir, during the two first COVID-19 waves in Tunisia and who already have a spermogram before the pandemic period.We have pointed out a significant decrease in both total and progressive sperm motility during COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.0001 and p = 0.001 respectively). The percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa increased from 90.99±7.38 to 93.67±4.55% during the pandemic (p< 0.001). The remaining sperm parameters were similar between the two compared timepoints. Interestingly, the univariate analysis didn't show any other associated factor to the observed impairment in sperm mobility and morphology.These data highlight the severe impact of the pandemic of the male reproductive health of hypofertile patients. Delaying infertility investigations and management after pandemic waves is recommended to hope a better gamete quality and hence to improve conception potential.

Pandemic

Semen quality

Semen Analysis

10.1371/journal.pone.0284489

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Citations (3)

Assessment of human sperm DNA integrity using two cytochemical tests: Acridine orange test and toluidine blue assay

Andrologia (2017)

Tesnim Ajina Oumaïma Ammar Zohra Haouas Amira Sallem Lobna Ezzi

Primary infertility affects approximately 15% of couples, with male factor infertility accounting for 50% of cases. Semen samples from 41 patients with asthenoteratospermia and 28 men with proven fertility were analysed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Abnormal sperm chromatin structure was assessed by toluidine blue assay (TBA), and DNA denaturation (DD) was detected by the acridine orange test (AOT). The mean (±SEM) rates of DD and abnormal chromatin structure were significantly higher in infertile subjects compared to fertile group respectively p = .003 and p < .001. A significant correlation was established between sperm DD and abnormal chromatin structure (R = .431, p < .001). Sperm DNA damage correlated significantly with abnormal morphology, sperm motility and necrozoospermia. Our study shows that men with increased levels of abnormal sperm chromatin structure have a high incidence of DNA denaturation and altered semen parameters. These findings suggest that male infertility has been linked to sperm DNA damage.

Acridine orange

Semen Analysis

10.1111/and.12765

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Citations (33)

The association between iron, calcium, and oxidative stress in seminal plasma and sperm quality

Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2019)

Oumaïma Ammar Zohra Houas Meriem Mehdi

Malondialdehyde

Semen quality

10.1007/s11356-019-04575-7

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Citations (47)

P–086 High level of sperm DNA breaks in infertile men with varicocele: its association with sperm cells death, seminal oxidative stress, and spermatic parameters

Human Reproduction (2021)

Oumaïma Ammar Meriem Mehdi

Abstract Study question Our objectives were to determine the extent of nuclear sperm injury in varicocele patients with and without altered spermatic parameters and to investigate its relationship with apoptosis and oxidative stress. Summary answer Oxidative stress (OS) in the varicocele patients may play a role in the etiology of nuclear sperm DNA damage associated with apoptosis. What is known already Varicocele is associated with high level of DNA Breaks. Study design, size, duration Ejaculated sperm samples from 51 patients diagnosed with varicocele and 29 fertile men were examined. According to the guidelines, the patient’s sperm samples were classified into varicocele with normal semen parameters (n = 11) and varicocele with abnormal semen parameters (n = 40). Participants/materials, setting, methods Sperm DNA breaks was assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. The proportion of both viable and dead spermatozoa with externalized phosphatidylserine was detected by the bivariate annexin V cy3/6-CFDA staining method. Seminal malondialdehyde (MDA) amounts and antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured spectrophotometrically. Main results and the role of chance Sperm DNA Breaks, viable spermatozoa with externalized PS, and MDA levels were significantly higher in studied subgroups of patients with varicocele, either with normal or with abnormal semen parameters than controls. The seminal antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly reduced in both subgroups of patients with varicocele compared to the controls. The percentage of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA was positively correlated to the MDA level as well as the proportion of viable spermatozoa with externalized PS. However, the decreased seminal antioxidant status was negatively correlated with the increased proportion of sperm DNA fragmentation and apoptotic spermatozoa. Limitations, reasons for caution We suggest further comparative studies connecting the varicocele patients with and without altered spermatic parameters representing high level of DNA fragmentation with more apoptotic and oxidative stress markers. Wider implications of the findings: This study reveals that impaired seminal antioxidant profile and increased seminal level of lipid peroxidation may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of cell death-mediated DNA breaks in patients with varicocele. Trial registration number Not applicable

Semen Analysis

10.1093/humrep/deab130.085

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