• Animal Bioscience
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• 제36권12호
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• pp.1796-1805
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• 2023

Objective: This study aims to identify heat shock protein70-2 (HSP70-2) and protamine-1 (PRM1) mRNA and protein in Madura bull sperm and demonstrate their relation as bull fertility biomarkers. Methods: The Madura bull fertility rates were grouped based on the percentage of first service conception rate (%FSCR) as high fertility (HF) (79.04%; n = 4), and low fertility (LF) (65.84%; n = 4). mRNA of HSP70-2 and PRM1 with peptidylprolyl isomerase A (PPIA) as a housekeeping gene were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure protein abundance. In the post-thawed semen samples, sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and sperm DNA fragmentation index were analyzed. Data analysis was performed on the measured parameters of semen quality, relative mRNA expression, and protein abundance of HSP70-2 and PRM1, among the bulls with various fertility levels (HF and LF) in a one-way analysis of variance analysis. The Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between semen quality, mRNA, proteins, and fertility rate. Results: Relative mRNA expression and protein abundance of HSP70-2 and PRM1 were detected and were found to be highly expressed in bulls with HF (p<0.05) and were associated with several parameters of semen quality. Conclusion: HSP70-2 and PRM1 mRNA and protein molecules have great potential to serve as molecular markers for determining bull fertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2007

목 적: 불임 부부에서 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 후 연속하여 시행한 자궁강내 정자주입술 및 전환하여 시행한 체외수정시술이 정액검사소견에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 진단적 목적으로 컴퓨터정액분석기를 이용한 정액검사 (computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA))를 시행한 후 자궁강내 정자주입술을 시행하였으나 임신에 실패한 53예를 대상으로 하였다. 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 후 38예의 환자에서는 두 번째 자궁강내 정자주입술을 시행하였고 (Group 1), 15예의 환자에서는 체외수정시술을 시행하였다 (Group 2). 이들에서 두 번째 불임시술을 위해 채취한 정액의 양 (volume), 정자의 농도 (concentration), 운동성 (motility), 총운동성정자수 (total motile sperm count) 등의 컴퓨터정액분석소견을 이전에 자궁강내 정자주입술 시 시행한 정액검사소견과 비교하였다 결 과: 대상 불임 부부간의 남편 연령, 첫 번째 시술과 두 번째 시술 사이의 시간 간격, 불임의 원인 등에는 유의한 차이가 없었다. Group 1에서 첫 번째 시행 시의 정액검사소견의 정상 여부와 관계없이, 정자의 운동성은 첫 번째 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 시보다 두 번째 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 시에 통계적으로 유의하게 감소하였다. Group 2에서는 첫 번째 자궁강내 정 자주입술 시보다 체외수정시술 시 정자의 농도, 정자의 운동성, 총운동성정자수에서 통계적으로 유의하게 감소하였다. Group 2의 하위그룹 분석에서는 자궁강내 정자주입술 시행 시 정상 정액소견을 보인 경우는 체외수정시술 시 정자의 농도와 총운동성정자수가 유의하게 감소하였으나, 자궁강내 정 자주입술 시행 시 비정상 정액소견을 보인 경우에는 체외수정시술 시 정자의 운동성이 유의하게 감소하였다. 결 론: 자궁강내 정자주입 술 시행 후 임신에 실패하여 체외수정시술을 시행하게 된 환자의 정액검사소견은 자궁강내 정 자주입술을 계속 시행 받은 환자군에 비해 더 악영향을 받는다. 그 이유를 설명하기 위해 심리적 스트레스에 대한 후속적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.339-349
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• 2009

An attempt has been made to assess whether the dose dependent effect of benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves on the morphological changes in the cauda epididymal spermatozoa and sperm parameters in male albino rats. Scanning Electron Microscope observations illustrate the disturbance in plasma membrane as well as acrosomal membrane. Most of the sperms appear morphologically abnormal in the mid region of the tail; there is formation of balloon like cytoplasmic droplet. Sperm parametric study exhibits decrease in the total sperm count, sperm motility, forward velocity and increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms in dose dependent manner on treatment benzene extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves. The results suggest that the effects may have resulted from a general disturbance in the proteins and alteration in cauda epididymal milieu probably due to androgen deficiency consequent upon antiandrogenic property of Ocimum sanctum leaves.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 1993

The present study was designed to test the validity of the semen analysis(S/A) and the sperm penetration assay(SPA) as a prognostic indicator of male fertility in 123 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization(IVF). We attempted to correlate the traditional semen parameters or the extent of sperm penetration in SPA with the results of human IVF rate or cleavage rate. Poor correlation was found between the results of S/A and human IVF rate(sensitivity, 80.6% ;specificity, 46.7%; positive predictive value, 91.6%;negative predictive value, 25%). Conversely, good correlation was found between the results of SPA and human IVF rate(sensitivity, 100% ; specificity, 80% ;positive predictive value, 97.3% ;negative predictive value, 100%). Our results corroborate the conclusion that SPA can be a valuable tool as a prognostic indicator of male fertilizing ability.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.157-164
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• 2019

The study was conducted to investigate the acute and sub-acute toxicity effect of Aquilaria malaccensis leaves aqueous extract (AEAM) towards male ICR mice in terms of body weight, relative organ weight, mortality rate and sperm parameters. In acute toxicity study, a single dose at of 2000 mg/kg was performed. In sub-acute toxicity study, the mice were received normal saline (control group), 50, 100, 150, 200, 500, or 1000 mg/kg of AEAM orally for 21 days of treatment. In sub-acute toxicity study, the number of abnormal sperm were significantly decreased in AEAM 100, 150, 200, 500, and 1000 when compared to the control group. While, the motility of sperm were found to be significantly increased in AEAM 100, 150, 200, and 1000 as compared to the control group. No mortality was recorded in the control group and treated groups in both toxicity studies except for one mouse from AEAM 1000 group. However, the mild sedative effect in terms of the tendency to sleep was clearly noticeable in both toxicity studies. Results indicated that the AEAM can be one of the useful alternative medicine to enhance fertility rate by increasing healthy sperm production.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.142-149
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• 2021

Objective: Bacteriospermia and urogenital infections are common problems in male infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bacteriospermia on sperm parameters and clinical outcomes in semen samples infected with two common bacteria (Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli) in northern Iran. Methods: Microbiological tests were performed to isolate and identify organisms from 435 semen samples from infertile couples. Semen samples were assessed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The protamine status, chromatin structure, chromatin condensation, and acrosome reaction of sperm and assisted reproductive outcomes were determined in couples with different male infertility factors. Results: Among the total cases, the two most prevalent pathogens were considered: S. saprophyticus (38.2%) and E. coli (52.9%). In the semen samples infected with E. coli, the spontaneous acrosome reaction and abnormal chromatin condensation were more common (p<0.05). Significant increases in abnormal chromatin condensation and deprotamination were seen in the presence of S. saprophyticus. In washed semen, tight adhesion between the sperm midpiece and S. saprophyticus was observed. There was also a significant decrease in the fertilization rate using semen samples infected with S. saprophyticus and E. coli during in vitro fertilization cycles (p<0.001). In addition, the presence of S. saprophyticus and E. coli in semen samples was associated with a lower likelihood of clinical pregnancy in couples with various factors of male infertility. Conclusion: Poor results of assisted reproductive techniques may be correlated with semen samples infected with two common bacteria in northern Iran.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.307-316
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• 2022

The misuse of pesticides has resulted in environmental pollution, which directly or indirectly affects all life on earth. Chlorpyrifos is a chlorinated organophosphorus pesticide that is commonly used in agriculture. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chlorpyrifos on the fertilization function of boar spermatozoa. Sperm samples from boars were subjected to varying concentrations of chlorpyrifos from 10 to 200 µM for two incubation periods, 30 min or 2 hrs. The boar spermatozoa were then evaluated for motility, motion kinematics, viability, acrosome integrity, chromatin stability, and generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). There was a significant percentage reduction in sperm motility and motion kinematic parameters after both incubation periods (p < 0.05). The proportion of viable spermatozoa decreased after incubation for 30 min and 2 hrs in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). A significantly lower percentage of normal acrosomes was observed in spermatozoa exposed to 200 µM chlorpyrifos over both incubation periods, compared to the controls. The damage to sperm DNA was significantly higher when the exposure time to chlorpyrifos was longer. There was a significant increase in the ROS levels in spermatozoa incubated with chlorpyrifos for 2 hrs (p < 0.05). From the results of the present study, it is concluded that direct exposure of boar spermatozoa to chlorpyrifos altered boar sperm characteristics, suggesting potential toxicity that may affect the male reproductive function.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.255-263
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• 2017

Chemotherapy is associated with male infertility. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (II) (CDDP) as a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of cancers has been reported to most likely induce testicular toxicity. Administration of antioxidants, such as pentoxifylline (PTX) may reduce some Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) of CDDP. Therefore, this study investigated the potentially protective effects of PTX on CDDP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats. For this purpose, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rats were orally pretreated with PTX at the 3 doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg once a day for 14 successive days. On the $14^{th}$ day of the study, they were intraperitoneally (IP) administered with a single dose of CDDP (7 mg/kg). Finally, the sperm/testis parameters, serum levels of reproductive hormones, including testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) as the pivotal endocrine factors controlling testicular functions, and histopathological changes of testis tissue were examined. Pretreatment with the two doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg PTX indicated significant increases in the sperm count and motility induced by CDDP administration. The right and significantly left testis weights were decreased following the treatment with 300 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP. However, 75 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP showed the best near-to-normal histopathological features. The results demonstrated that PTX alone enhanced some parameters, such as the sperm count, while reducing other parameters, including sperm fast motility and germ layer thickness. Furthermore, despite testosterone or LH levels, the mean serum FSH level was significantly augmented by the doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg. It was concluded that PTX administration cannot reduce CDDP-induced testicular toxicity even at high doses (e.g., 300 mg/kg), while it seemed to partially intensify CDDP toxicity effects at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Thus, further research is required in this regard.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.123-126
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to determine the potential hazardous effects of sorting process by flowcytometry on the quality of boar spermatozoa by flowcytometer. Freshly collected boar semen was diluted and divided into two groups; control none sorted and sorted. Sperms in sorted group were processed with flowcytometer for cell sorting with $100\;{\mu}M$ nozzle under the 20 psi pressure. Measurements on each parameter were made at two time points, 0hr (right after sorting) and 24 hr post sorting. Although there was a tendency of lower viability in sorted group than none sorted control group, the percentage of live cells in control ($75.83{\pm}6.92\;&\;59.53{\pm}10.34$) was not significantly different from sorted ($59.70{\pm}7.37\;&\;43.97{\pm}3.76$) at both 0 and 24 hr post sorting. However, sorted sperm showed significantly lower mitochondrial function compared to the control at both 0 h ($79.37{\pm}3.22\;vs.\;63.50{\pm}10.05$) and 24 hr ($67.27{\pm}3.22$ vs. $46.97{\pm}5.37$) time points (p<0.007). Sperm DNA fragmentation rate was significantly lower in control ($22.0{\pm}7.04$) than that of sorted ($32.27{\pm}7.49$) at 24 hr time point (p<0.0002). Taken together, these data suggested thatsorting process by flowcytometer may have influenced sperm motility rather than viability. Also high speed sperm sorting by flowcytometer has significant effects on DNA fragmentation on elapsed time after sorting.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.102-105
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• 2016

Objective: The goal of this study was to compare the semen parameters of two successive samples obtained within an interval of less than 60 minutes from patients planning to undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI) whose first samples exhibited low semen quality. Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. On the day of IUI, the semen analysis of the samples initially presented by all patients met at least two of the following criteria: sperm concentration $<5{\times}10^6/mL$, total sperm count $<10{\times}10^6$, progressive sperm motility (a+b) in the native sample <30%, and total motile sperm count (TMSC) $<4{\times}10^6$. A successive semen sample was obtained no more than 60 minutes after the first sample. Results: Compared to the first sample, the second exhibited significantly (p<0.05) improved sperm concentration, TMSC, progressive motility, and vitality. Regarding TMSC, the most critical parameter on the day of IUI, 23 patients (71.8%) improved it, while nine (28.2%) displayed poorer outcomes. Conclusion: In defined cases, requesting a second successive ejaculate on the day of insemination may result in a high percentage of cases in an improvement of the quality of the sample.