Chromatin – DNA fragments by sonication and immunoprecipitated
DNA Fragmentation microbiome and its impact on sperm function a
The semen microbiome and its impact on sperm function and male fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Male factor is attributable in up to 50% of cases of infertility. In-vitro studies demonstrate that bacteria can negatively impact sperm function. The use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have provided a better understanding of the human microbiome, and dysbiosis has been reported to impact health. Evidence regarding the impact of the semen microbiome on sperm function and fertility remains conflicting.
Materials and methods: A systematic search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. The databases MEDLINE, OVID and PubMed were searched to identify English language studies related to the identification of bacteria in the semen of infertile and fertile men, between 1992-2019. 55 observational studies were included, with 51299 subjects. We included studies identifying bacteria using NGS, culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: The semen microbiome (SM) was rich and diverse in both fertile and infertile men. Three NGS studies reported clustering of the seminal microbiome with a predominant species. Lactobacillus and Prevotella were dominant in respective clusters. Lactobacillus was associated with improvements in semen parameters.
Prevotella appeared to exert a negative effect on sperm quality. Bacteriospermia negatively impacted sperm concentration and progressive motility (PM), and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (MD 3.518,95%CI 0.907 to 6.129, p=0.008). There was an increased prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum(UU) in infertile men(OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.47-3.46). UU negatively impacted concentration and morphology.
There was no difference in the prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis (CT) between fertile and infertile men and no significant impact on semen parameters. Enterococcus faecalis (EF) negatively impacted total motility and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) negatively impacted concentration, PM and morphology.
Sperm DNA Fragmentation: A New Guideline for Clinicians
Sperm DNA integrity is crucial for fertilization and development of healthy offspring. The spermatozoon undergoes extensive molecular remodeling of its nucleus during later phases of spermatogenesis, which imparts compaction and protects the genetic content.
Testicular (defective maturation and abortive apoptosis) and post-testicular (oxidative stress) mechanisms are implicated in the etiology of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), which affects both natural and assisted reproduction. Several clinical and environmental factors are known to negatively impact sperm DNA integrity.
An increasing number of reports emphasize the direct relationship between sperm DNA damage and male infertility. Currently, several assays are available to assess sperm DNA damage, however, routine assessment of SDF in clinical practice is not recommended by professional organizations.
This article provides an overview of SDF types, origin and comparative analysis of various SDF assays while primarily focusing on the clinical indications of SDF testing. Importantly, we report four clinical cases where SDF testing had played a significant role in improving fertility outcome. In light of these clinical case reports and recent scientific evidence, this review provides expert recommendations on SDF testing and examines the advantages and drawbacks of the clinical utility of SDF testing using Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis.
Description: Delivers up to 150 Watts of ultrasonic power to the Titanium Tip. The Timer and Duty Cycle function increase preciosion in sample processing processing.
Description: Delivers up to 300 Watts of ultrasonic power to the Titanium Tip and includes an intergrated Sound Abating Chmaber to reduce cavitational sound emitted during processing. The Timer and Duty Cycle function increase preciosion in sample.
Description: Delivers up to 300 Watts of ultrasonic power to the Titanium Tip with preciosion control from a microprocessor and a graphical user interface displayed on a large (145 mm) LCD display. The integrated Sound Abating Chamber reduces cavitational sound emitted during processing.
Description: Designed to Perform multi-plate Assays on round 90/100mm Petri Dishes. The integrated LED illumination system provides transmitted light for brightfield and darkfield illumination of transparent media.
Description: A robotic liquid handling system designed to dispense Peni Cylinders and fill Peni Cylinders with the corresponding antibiotic liquid sample.
Custom development of ELISAs for other species or antibody isotypes not listed in the catalog. Custom testing of samples for IgG/IgM/IgA or total (IgG+IgM+IgA)
Description: Alpha-bungarotoxin from Krait snake venom (Bungarus multicinctus)
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Discordance between human sperm quality and telomere length following differential gradient separation/swim-up
Background: Strong evidence has suggested an important role of telomeres in meiosis, fertilization, and embryo development.
Purpose: To determine if sperm telomere length (STL) in sperm purified by differential gradient centrifugation followed by swim-up (selected STL) is correlated with sperm quality and clinical outcomes.
Methods: Relative selected STL was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) in 78 consecutive assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments during 2017. Statistical analyses were performed in the totality of patients, and in normozoospermic and non-normozoospermic patients. These included correlations between selected STL and sperm quality parameters, embryological parameters (multivariable linear regression), and clinical parameters (multivariable logistic regression).
Results: No significant correlations were found between selected STL and sperm quality in the total population. However, selected STL was significantly correlated with total sperm count (r = 0.361; P = 0.039) and sperm DNA fragmentation-post-acrosomal region pattern (r = – 0.464; P = 0.030) in normozoospermic patients. No relation was observed between selected STL and clinical outcomes in any clinical group.
Conclusions: As the correlations observed in normozoospermic patients were not representative of the whole heterogeneous population, differences in the sperm characteristics of the study population may lead to discrepant results when evaluating the association of STL with sperm quality. Since the total population selected STL was not related with sperm quality and with clinical outcomes, results do not support the use of selected STL measurement to evaluate the reproductive potential of the male patient or to predict the success rates of ART treatments.
Keywords: Assisted reproduction; Infertility biomarkers; Male infertility; Sperm telomere length
Description: A polyclonal antibody raised in Rabbit that recognizes and binds to Human Dnalc4 - middle region. This antibody is tested and proven to work in the following applications:
ARP52101_P050-25UL - Dnalc4 Antibody - middle region
Description: DNAL1 Antibody: DNAL1 was identified as a potential candidate gene for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetically heterologous disorder characterized by chronic infections of the upper and lower airways that often leads to permanent lung damage, randomization of left/right body symmetry, and reduced fertility. DNAL1 is reported to be expressed solely in tissues carrying motile cilia for flagella and interacts with DNAH5, a protein that when mutated has been shown to result in PCD. It has been suggested that DNAL1 serves a regulatory function for DNAH5 activity in outer dynein arms of sperm flagella, respiratory cilia, and ependymal cilia. DNAL1 has also been recently identified as an HIV dependency factor (HDF), suggesting that DNAL1 may be an important drug target in HIV treatment. At least two isoforms of DNAL1 are known to exist.
Description: DNAL1 Antibody: DNAL1 was identified as a potential candidate gene for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetically heterologous disorder characterized by chronic infections of the upper and lower airways that often leads to permanent lung damage, randomization of left/right body symmetry, and reduced fertility. DNAL1 is reported to be expressed solely in tissues carrying motile cilia for flagella and interacts with DNAH5, a protein that when mutated has been shown to result in PCD. It has been suggested that DNAL1 serves a regulatory function for DNAH5 activity in outer dynein arms of sperm flagella, respiratory cilia, and ependymal cilia. DNAL1 has also been recently identified as an HIV dependency factor (HDF), suggesting that DNAL1 may be an important drug target in HIV treatment. At least two isoforms of DNAL1 are known to exist.
