Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silymarin and lithium chloride on DNA integrity and nucleus of ram sperm.
Material and Methods: In this study, Farahani's ram testes were obtained from Arak slaughterhouse immediately after ram daily slaughter and transferred to the research laboratory. A few incisions were made in the epididymis, and spermatozoa were  then washed into a sterile falcon tube by Ham's F10 medium. collected spermatozoa of ram were divided into four groups: 1. Sperm at 0 hour, 2. Sperm incubated for180 minutes (control), 3. Sperm treated with lithium chloride for 180 minutes and 4. Sperm treated with silymarin + lithium chloride for 180 minutes. DNA integrity and DNA fragmentation were investigated by acridine orange staining sperm chromatin expersion (SCD) test respectively. Morphological feature of apoptosis in sperm nucleus was assessed using Diff-Quick staining. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) followed by Turkey's test .
Results: The percentage of DNA fragment and apoptosis were significantly increased in lithium chloride-treated group compared to the control. In silymarin+ lithium chloride group, Silymarin could signicantly compensate these effect compared to the lithium choloride group.
Conclusion: Silymarin as a potent antioxidant could  prevent toxic effect of  lithium  on DNA  fragmentation and apoptosis in sperm nucleus.
 

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study is to compare sperm parameters (concentration, motility and morphology), DNA damage, percentage and intensity of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) and relationship between these parameters in the fertile and infertile men with varicocele.
Material and Methods: In this study, the semen samples from 83 individuals with varicocele and 32 fertile men were studied. Sperm parameters according WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines, protamine deficiency (chromomycin A3 staining), sperm DNA damage (TUNEL assay), percentage and intensity of ROS (DCFH-DA staining) were assessed in fertile and infertile men with varicocele.
Results: The results of this study showed that sperm concentration, percentage of motility and normal morphology were significantly lower in individuals with varicocele compared to fertile individuals. In addition, percentage of sperm DNA damage, protamine deficiency and ROS positive were significantly higher in infertile men with varicocele.
Conclusion: The increase of stress oxidative and testicular temperature in infertile men with varicocele, lead to decrease the quality of sperm parameters as well as negative effects on sperm chromatin integrity. Therefore the process of spermatogenesis and the rate of fertility were affected in these individuals.

Abstract Aim: Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanthine derivative medicine used to improve motility of human spermatozoa in-vitro. It is commonly used in treatment of male-factor infertility, including asthenozoospermia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PTX on human sperm parameters and DNA integrity from asthenozoospermic problem.
Material and methods: A total of 38 infertile men with asthenozoospermia were allocated in this experimental study.  Specimens were randomly divided into experimental group treated with 3.6 mM PTX, and control group. All samples were incubated at 37˚ C for 45 min. Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were measured using sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test.
Results: PTX improved sperm motility, significantly, compared to the control (85.76±5.96 Vs 79.44±9.37, respectively, p < .01). There was also a significant decrease in sperm viability in the PTX- treated group in comparison to controls (87.7±8.3 Vs 83.5±9, respectively, p < .01). In addition, sperm DNA fragmentation was higher in PTX-treated group compared to control (23.36±10.25 and 18.5±8.74, respectively, p < .0001).
Conclusion: PTX might have some negative impact(s) on sperm DNA quality, although it has improved the sperm motility. Further studies are needed to elucidate the safety of PTX treatments in ART clinics.

Abstract Aim: The main goal was to evaluate the impact of different incubation time intervals on human sperm DNA status using terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) test.
Material and methods: This prospective study involved 21 normozoospermic specimens. After direct swim-up, sperm cells were incubated at 37^°C and DNA damage was evaluated at different time intervals (0, 1, 2 and 3 h).  After slide fixation with methanol 100% for 4 minutes and rinse in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS), TUNEL was added to each slide and incubated for 60 minute in dark. Eosin-Nigrosin and Papanicolaou staining protocols were applied in order to assess sperm viability and morphology, respectively.
Results: Sperm viability and normal morphology was improved after sperm processing (100%, 72.3% respectively, p < 0.0001). The rate of DNA damage was significantly higher after 2h compared to 0h (9.19±0.8% Vs 4.9±0.9%, respectively, p=0.008). Also there was significant difference in abnormal sperm DNA between 3h and 1h (10.95±0.7% Vs 7.1±1%, respectively, p=0.020).
Conclusion: Incubation of prepared normozoospermic samples at 37^°C more than 2 h may be associated with sperm DNA fragmentation. Therefore, it seems that incubation of human spermatozoa at 37^°C should be limited up to 2h prior to use in ART clinics.