Sperm-structure-integrating nanodecorated microrobots have shown promise in medicine delivery and infertility treatment. A variety of spermbots use cutting-edge nanomaterials and 3D printing technology to enhance their functioning, such as biomimetic sperms and flagellate microorganisms. The success rates of assisted reproductive technology techniques like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may increase as a result of these developments. Furthermore, the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into spermbots has the potential to optimize reproductive therapies by reducing inherited illnesses through genetic screening and editing. However, before the widespread implementation of spermbots in clinical practice, several critical aspects must be addressed. Thorough investigations into biocompatibility, ethical considerations, and long-term safety are necessary to ensure that these technologies are safe and effective for in vivo applications.
Objective: To evaluate how DNA fragmentation index (DFT) and chromatin denaturation index (CDI) relate to semen parameters across different types of male infertility, thereby improving the understanding and assessment of sperm quality.
Methods: A prospective and descriptive cohort study was conducted over two years at the Integrated Physiology Laboratory of the University of Carthage in collaboration with the Alyssa Fertility Group, Tunisia. A total of 163 participants were classified into five groups based on their semen parameters: normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia. The normozoospermia group was selected from volunteers who had children. Semen samples were analyzed according to WHO guidelines. DFI was measured using Halosperm® and CDI was tested using aniline blue staining.
Results: Both DFI and CDI were significantly higher in all infertility groups, with the oligozoospermia group showing the highest DFI and CDI. Negative correlations were found between DFI/CDI and sperm motility, concentration, and morphology in the affected groups. The normozoospermia group served as a control with the lowest DFI and CDI values.
Conclusions: DFI and CDI are increasingly recognized as important biomarkers for evaluating sperm quality in cases of male infertility. Their elevated levels in patients with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia underscore their potential role in not only diagnosing male infertility but also in assessing the overall reproductive outcomes for affected individuals, thus guiding more effective treatment strategies.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of two doses of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on semen parameters, sperm DNA damage, and the partner pregnancy rate in men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia.
Methods: 250 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia were examined. The first group (n=125) received 100 mg/day of CoQ10 and the second group (n=125) received 200 mg/day of CoQ10 orally for 6 months. Semen parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and the partner pregnancy rate were analyzed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment.
Results: Comparing with baseline data, treatment with CoQ10 (100 mg/day or 200 mg/day) resulted in a significant increase in sperm concentration (both P<0.001), a significant improvement in progressive motility and total motile sperm count (P=0.05, P=0.001, respectively). The mean DFT was significantly improved after treatment with CoQ10 at 100 mg/day and at 200 mg/day, after 6 months of treatment (P<0.01). Moreover, CoQ10 significantly improved the partner pregnancy rate. A strongest correlation was found between seminal fluid parameters and DFI (P<0.001).
Conclusions: CoQ10 is effective in improving semen parameters, DFI and on the partner pregnancy rate after 6 months with CoQ10 at two doses, with a greater improvement shown in men who took 200 mg/day than in those who took 100 mg/day.
Objective: To investigate the influence of age, body mass index (BMI), varicocele, diabetes, tobacco use, and environmental occupational risks on sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFT) and its association with semen parameters and in vitro fertility (IVF) outcomes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 116 infertile men. Conventional semen parameters were analyzed according to the World Health Organization criteria. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated using sperm chromatin dispersion method. After visiting the infertility center, the men's height and weight were measured, and blood tests were performed to check for diabetes, and medical records were reviewed for varicocele, tobacco use, and type of occupation. The sperm was then examined for DFI. Then, the association between sperm DFI and IVF failure rate was investigated.
Results: The study showed a significant association between DFI≥20% with BMI (OR 1.134, 95% CI 1.04-1.24, P=0.006), varicocele (OR 4.330, 95% CI 1.25-14.96, P=0.021), tobacco use (OR 3.066, 95% CI 1.06-8.90, P=0.039) and environmental and occupational risks (OR 2.694, 95% CI 1.08-6.75, P=0.034) as well as sperm motility (P<0.05). Although the amount of DNA damage increased in those aged ≥40 years, there was no significant association between the amount of DFT ≥20% and age, diabetes, sperm volume and concentration, morphology and progressive rate (P>0.05). The IVF failure rate was higher in people with a DFI ≥20%.
Conclusions: Factors such as BMI, varicocele, improper working conditions and environment cause damage to sperm DNA, and DFI ≥20% damage can have adverse effects on IVF outcomes.
Objective: To assess the biological characteristics of human spermatozoa at room temperature (RT, 25 °C) and 37 °C at different time intervals (0, 0.5, 2, and 24 h) post liquefaction.
Methods: Twenty oligoasthenoteratozoospermic samples after liquefaction were incubated at 37 °C or RT. Incubation was performed at 4 interval times of 0 (after liquefaction), 0.5, 2, and 24 h. The samples were evaluated for sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation, acrosome reaction, mitochondrial integrity, and lipid peroxidation, at each time interval.
Results: After 0.5 h of incubation at RT and 37 °C, there were slight variations in sperm viability, normal morphology and DNA fragmentation. Similarly, mitochondrial integrity, acrosome reaction and lipid peroxidation exhibited slight differences following incubation at 0.5 h at both RT and 37 °C. In addition, the assessed parameters were mostly damaged at 24 h of incubation. The results confirmed that incubation at 37 °C was better than RT in terms of parameters and sperm functional tests, but the difference was not significant.
Conclusions: Incubation of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic samples should be done within 0.5 h to minimize the destructive effects of prolonged incubation time (e.g. 24 h) on general and specific sperm parameters. The findings declared that incubation temperature of 37 °C is safer than RT on the biological characteristics of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic processed spermatozoa.