The objective of this study was to compare semen quality (sperm density, progressive motility and spermia) between long-term childhood cancer survivors and a control group of males. The second objective was to correlate the semen analysis of the survivors with cancer treatment and endocrine status. The semen quality of 143 survivors (median age, 23.6 years) was compared to 200 men (median age, 27.9 years) who had not been diagnosed with cancer. The cancer-related risk factors and gonadotrophin levels were compared. Overall, 65% of the survivors had abnormal semen analysis compared to 26.5% of the controls (p < 0.0001). Survivors with nonaspermia had lower sperm density than the controls (p < 0.001). Other observed correlations were not significant. Survivors who were treated with alkylating agents were more likely to have abnormal semen analysis (p < 0.008). Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone levels were significantly elevated (p < 0.0001) in survivors with abnormal semen analysis. The semen quality parameters, except for low sperm density, did not differ in survivors with nonaspermia compared to the controls. The risk factors included treatment with alkylating agents. Elevated gonadotrophin levels correlated with abnormal semen analysis. All cancer survivors should be made aware of the possibility of suffering from cancer treatment-related infertility.

• Klíčová slova
• cancer treatment, childhood cancer survivors, gonadotrophin levels, semen analysis,
• MeSH
• analýza spermatu MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• folikuly stimulující hormon MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• motilita spermií MeSH
• mužská infertilita * etiologie   MeSH
• nádory * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• počet spermií MeSH
• přežívající onkologičtí pacienti * MeSH
• přežívající MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• sperma MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• folikuly stimulující hormon MeSH

Role of male factor in recurrent abortion and in vitro fertilization failure has not been fully defined yet and there is much controversy about evaluating male patients with normal semen analysis. One of the factors that might help establish the male role is DNA fragmentation index. However, strong correlation between this factor and quality of semen, has caused many clinicians to believe that it does not help in abortion and implantation failure. We aim to assess this factor in our patients. In a prospective observational study, we assessed age, duration of infertility, undesired fertility related events (assisted reproductive techniques attempts and abortions), semen parameters and DNA fragmentation index in patients with multiple abortions or in vitro fertilization failures and analysed the results by statistical software SPSS version 24. DNA fragmentation index was remarkably correlated with age, duration of infertility and semen parameters. Among all groups in our study, patients with abnormal semen analysis had statistically significant higher level of DNA fragmentation. Ten percent of patients with normal or slightly abnormal semen analysis had abnormally high SDFI (sperm DNA fragmentation index). Checking DNA fragmentation index is recommended in all couples with fertilization problems even in the presence of normal semen analysis. It might be more reasonable to assess it in aged men, long duration of infertility or candidates with remarkable semen abnormality.

• Klíčová slova
• Abortion, DNA fragmentation index, In vitro fertilization, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, Male, Sperm,
• MeSH
• analýza spermatu MeSH
• fertilizace in vitro metody   MeSH
• fragmentace DNA MeSH
• habituální potrat * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužská infertilita * diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sperma MeSH
• spermie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH

Contamination of semen with urine and asynchronous maturation of males and females are main obstacles in artificial reproduction of pikeperch Sander lucioperca. The objective of this study was to overcome these obstacles using optimization of a procedure for short-term storage of pikeperch semen at 4°C using two immobilizing media (IM): (a) IM1, 180mM NaCl, 2.68mM KCl, 1.36mM CaCl2⋅2H2O and 2.38mM NaHCO3, 343mOsm/kg; and (b) IM2, 200mM NaCl, 2.68mM KCl, 1.36mM CaCl2⋅2H2O and 2.38mM NaHCO3, 381mOsm/kg. Undiluted sperm was used as the control. At 6h poststorage, there were no substantial changes in spermatozoa motility and velocity at 30s postactivation in all groups. Over 48h of storage, the highest spermatozoa motility and velocity were obtained in sperm diluted in IM2 compared to the other groups. IM2 could maintain a significantly higher ATP content of diluted sperm than IM1 and undiluted treatment for 2days. Similarly, the highest values of eyeing and hatching rates were observed in sperm diluted in IM2 compared to sperm in the other studied groups. It can be concluded that the obtained result is a novel and applicable approach to maintain semen quality of pikeperch during short-term storage, suggesting IM2 as a promising medium for short-term storage. The present study also opens possibilities for ensuring a reliable source of semen as a convenient approach for increasing genetic diversity in hatcheries.

• Klíčová slova
• Fish, Immobilizing media, Sander lucioperca, Sperm motility,
• MeSH
• analýza spermatu veterinární   MeSH
• motilita spermií MeSH
• sperma * MeSH
• spermie MeSH
• uchování spermatu * veterinární   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been shown to adversely affect human reproduction. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men and its correlation with semen parameters and reproductive outcomes. METHODS: Semen samples and penile swabs were collected from potential sperm donors (SD, n = 97) and male partners of infertile couples (IM, n = 328). The presence of HPV DNA in semen samples and penile swabs was analyzed. Associations between hrHPV positive status and fertility outcomes as well as socio-behavioral and health characteristics were evaluated using the R software package. RESULTS: High-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes were detected in 28.9% of SD and 35.1% of IM (P = 0.312). Penile swabs were more frequently positive for hrHPV genotypes than semen samples in both IM (32.3% vs. 11.9%, P < 0.001) and SD (26.8% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.006). Men with hrHPV positive semen samples had lower semen volume (median volume 2.5 ml vs. 3 ml, P = 0.009), sperm concentration (median concentration 16 × 106/ml vs. 31 × 106/ml, P = 0.009) and total sperm count (median count 46 × 106 vs. 82 × 106, P = 0.009) than men with hrHPV negative samples. No association was identified between penile hrHPV status and semen parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that penile HPV infection is common in both potential sperm donors and men from infertile couples. Although HPV positivity is higher in penile swabs, only HPV infection in semen samples affects sperm parameters. However, there was no association between hrHPV positivity in semen and fertility outcomes including abortion rate.

• Klíčová slova
• Human papillomavirus, Infertility, Penile swab, Semen, Sperm donor,
• MeSH
• analýza spermatu MeSH
• charakteristiky rodiny MeSH
• dárci tkání statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fertilizace in vitro statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• infekce papilomavirem komplikace   diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• infertilita komplikace   diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• Papillomaviridae fyziologie   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• sperma fyziologie   virologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• výsledek těhotenství epidemiologie   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of stallion spermatozoa tends to cause plasma membrane damage due to the low ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids. Gums have been suggested as an alternative cryoprotectant to glycerol for stallion spermatozoa. Therefore, the present experiment was designed to verify whether the effect of addition of cashew gum (CG), or nanoparticles (NP) containing CG, to the extender before cooling on sperm quality in stallion semen. Ejaculates from 6 stallions were extended and split between six treatment groups (control, a-tocopherol [TOC], CG1, CG0.5, NP1 and NP0.5), stored in cryotubes at 4 °C. RESULTS: Aliquots were analysed by computer-assisted sperm motility analysis on the day of collection, and after 24 h and 48 h of cold storage. After 48 h, the total motility with NP1 (78.53 + 6.31%) was similar to control 85.79 + 6.31% at 0 h. The same pattern was observed for progressive motility. Membrane integrity assessed by flow cytometer was similar between control, TOC and G1 at all storage times. The DNA fragmentation in the control group increased at all time points, whereas chromatin integrity was maintained after 24 h in TOC and NP0.5 compared to 0 h. There was no increase in the proportion of live spermatozoa producing hydrogen peroxide, but there was a tendency for an increased proportion of spermatozoa in the live superoxide category in CG1 after 24 h cooled storage. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of CG or CG-derived NP to extender for stallion semen was not harmful to the sperm cells.

• Klíčová slova
• Cashew gum, Cooling, Nanoparticles, Semen, Stallion,
• MeSH
• Anacardium chemie   MeSH
• gingiva chemie   MeSH
• koně fyziologie   MeSH
• kryoprotektivní látky chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• nanočástice chemie   MeSH
• sperma fyziologie   MeSH
• uchování spermatu přístrojové vybavení   veterinární   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kryoprotektivní látky MeSH

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a preparation from herbal extracts (PHE) on libido and semen quality in breeding artificial insemination boars. Ten fertile boars were divided into control and experimental groups according to significant difference of libido. There were no differences in semen quality between groups. Animals were fed a commercial feeding mixture for boars. The feeding mixture for the experimental group was enriched with PHE, which was prepared from Eurycoma longifolia, Tribulus terrestris and Leuzea carthamoides. Duration of the experiment was 10 weeks. Samples of ejaculate were collected weekly. Libido was evaluated according to a scale of 0-5 points. Semen volume, sperm motility, percentage of viable spermatozoa, sperm concentration, morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, daily sperm production and sperm survival were assessed. Amounts of mineral components and free amino acids were analysed in seminal plasma. Significant differences were found in these parameters: libido (4.05 ± 0.22 vs 3.48 ± 0.78; p < 0.001), semen volume (331.75 ± 61.91 vs 263.13 ± 87.17 g; p < 0.001), sperm concentration (386.25 ± 107.95 vs 487.25 ± 165.50 × 10(3) /mm(3); p < 0.01), morphologically abnormal spermatozoa (15.94 ± 11.08 vs 20.88 ± 9.19%; p < 0.001) and Mg concentration (28.36 ± 11.59 vs 20.27 ± 13.93 mm; p < 0.05). The experimental group's libido was increased by 20% in comparison with the beginning of the experiment. Results of this study showed positive effect of PHE on libido and some parameters of boar semen quality.

• MeSH
• analýza spermatu veterinární   MeSH
• krmivo pro zvířata MeSH
• prasata fyziologie   MeSH
• rostlinné přípravky farmakologie   MeSH
• rozvrh dávkování léků MeSH
• sexuální chování zvířat účinky léků   MeSH
• sperma chemie   MeSH
• spermie účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky kontrolované MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• rostlinné přípravky MeSH

Obesity can adversely affect human health, including fertility. While obesity can disturb the hormonal profile of the female organism and is associated with fertility loss, little is known about what effect male obesity has on fertility. The present study analysed sperm samples of 153 donors. The men were selected from couples attending an infertility clinic, who had tried for 12 months or more to achieve pregnancy without success. The age of the men under investigation was recorded, and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. All semen samples were assessed for volume, concentration, motility and morphology. Sperm chromatin integrity was measured by sperm chromatin structure assay. Quality of sperm chromatin condensation was assessed by toluidine blue, aniline blue and chromomycin A3 staining. We can conclude that the impact of elevated BMI on the parameters investigated (basic semen parameters, chromatin integrity and chromatin condensation) was not proven in this study. On the other hand, ejaculate quality appeared to be affected by ageing. The impact was reflected by chromatin integrity, which is a factor that can substantially affect fertility in men, rather than by basic sperm parameters.

• MeSH
• analýza spermatu * MeSH
• chromatin genetika   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fragmentace DNA MeSH
• index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• motilita spermií MeSH
• mužská infertilita etiologie   MeSH
• obezita komplikace   MeSH
• počet spermií MeSH
• sperma MeSH
• spermie cytologie   MeSH
• stárnutí * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chromatin MeSH

BACKGROUND: It is generally accepted that oxidative stress is an important factor in male infertility because it may impair the physiological function of spermatozoa at the molecular level. Nevertheless, although several approaches have been reported, the imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activity of the antioxidant defense system in semen is difficult to investigate and remains poorly understood. METHODS: This study compares measurement of ROS production in neat semen and in washed spermatozoa obtained from the same ejaculate, and suspended in phosphate buffered saline using exactly the same luminol-mediated chemiluminescence method. Ninety one samples were obtained from males of infertile couples and 34 from volunteers with proven fertility. RESULTS: As expected, ROS levels were markedly lower in neat semen than in washed spermatozoa suspensions where seminal plasma with its potent antioxidant capacity was removed. In the cases of both neat semen and washed spermatozoa, ROS production was lowest in samples from normozoospermic males and highest in samples containing more than half million peroxidase-positive leukocytes per milliliter. For all samples, there was a significant positive correlation between ROS production by neat semen and that by washed spermatozoa suspension. CONCLUSION: Measurement of ROS production in neat semen better reflects actual oxidative status because it detects only the overproduction of ROS which are not effectively scavenged by antioxidant capacity of seminal fluid. The results of our study show a good commutability of both measurements for identification of semen samples with high ROS production. The measurement in neat semen is even less time consuming and therefore easier to implement into laboratory routine.

• MeSH
• analýza spermatu MeSH
• chlorid sodný farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• odběr spermií MeSH
• pomocné látky farmakologie   MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• sperma chemie   účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• uchování spermatu metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chlorid sodný MeSH
• pomocné látky MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku MeSH

The aim of our study was to examine effects of the length of semen equilibration as well as two freezing techniques on ram sperm post-thaw quality. The ejaculates of Wallachian sheep rams (n = 12) were collected by an electro-ejaculation, equilibrated in a Triladyl® (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h) containing glycerol and egg yolk and frozen by programmable freezing (PF) or manual freezing (MF). After thawing, sperm samples were subjected to the motility (computer-assisted sperm analysis [CASA]), viability (SYBR-14/PI), and fertilizing ability (FA) (in vitro penetration/fertilization test on bovine oocytes) assays. It was found that the equilibration of 6 h (E-6) ensured higher post-thaw sperm motility and progressive movement compared with other lengths tested, irrespective of a freezing technique. The E-6 sperm viability did not differ between PF and MF but was lower (P < 0.05) than control. Sperm FA (E-6) was similar in PF (60.44%) and MF (62%) but slightly lower than in fresh (72.8%). Our data demonstrate that the use of MF was comparable with PF, which can be applied in the field conditions without need in a piece of cost-expensive equipment, which can greatly benefit the gene bank of animal genetic resources.

• Klíčová slova
• freezing, semen, sheep,
• MeSH
• kryoprezervace veterinární   MeSH
• kryoprotektivní látky MeSH
• motilita spermií MeSH
• ovce MeSH
• skot MeSH
• sperma * MeSH
• spermie MeSH
• uchování spermatu * veterinární   MeSH
• zmrazování MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kryoprotektivní látky MeSH

Human populations living in urban industrial regions of developed countries are exposed to high levels of environmental pollutants. The reproductive consequences of the exposure to air pollution can be monitored through semen analysis and molecular methods. In this study, we tested the possible impact of seasonal changes in the level of air pollution on the semen quality and sperm DNA methylation of 24 men living and working in the industrial agglomeration of Ostrava (Czech Republic). The study participants were healthy non-smokers. The study group was homogeneous regarding their profession, moderate alcohol consumption, no drug abuse and no additional exposure to chemical toxicants. We performed targeted methylation next generation sequencing (NGS) using Agilent SureSelect Human Methyl-Seq and Illumina NextSeq 500 platform to analyze semen samples collected repeatedly from the same men following the season of high (winter) and low (summer) air pollution exposure. We did not detect any adverse effects of the increased exposure on the semen quality; neither we found any difference in average sperm DNA methylation between the two sampling periods. Our search for differentially methylated CpG sites did not reveal any specific CpG methylation change. Our data indicate that the seasonal changes in the level of the air pollution probably do not have any substantial effect on sperm DNA methylation of men living in the highly polluted industrial agglomeration for a long period of time.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA methylation, air pollution, epigenetics, exposure, sperm,
• MeSH
• analýza spermatu * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metylace DNA genetika   MeSH
• průmysl MeSH
• spermie MeSH
• znečištění ovzduší * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH