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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics

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01-05-2015 | Reproductive Physiology and Disease

Scrotal heat stress causes sperm chromatin damage and cysteinyl aspartate-spicific proteinases 3 changes in fertile men

Authors: Mei-Hua Zhang, Zhi-Da Shi, Jian-Chun Yu, Yan-Ping Zhang, Lei-Guang Wang, Yi Qiu

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 5/2015

Abstract

Purpose

To observe changes in semen parameters, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin condensation and cysteinyl aspartate-spicific proteinases (Caspase-3) in adult healthy men after scrotal heat stress (SHS).

Methods

The scrotums of 19 healthy male volunteers were exposed to the condition of 40–43 °C SHS belt warming 40 min each day for successive 2 days per week. The course of SHS was continuously 3 months. Routine semen analysis, hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test, eosin Y (EY) staining sperm HOS and chromatin dispersion (HOS/SCD) test, HOS and aniline blue (HOS/AB) staining test were carried out before, during and after SHS. The activated Caspase 3 levels of spermatozoa were determined with a microtiter plate reader.

Results

The mean parameters of sperm concentration, motility and normal morphological sperm were significantly decreased in groups with sperm being collected during SHS 1, 2 and 3 months when compared with those in groups of pre-SHS (P < 0.01). Statistically significant differences of sperm DNA fragmentation, normal sperm membrane and vitality, and Caspase-3 activity were observed between the groups of before SHS and after SHS 3 months and the groups of during SHS 1, 2 and 3 months (P < 0.001). Three months the SHS stopped, various parameters recovered to the level before SHS. Abnormal sperm with HOS/AB and HOS/SCD showed a negatively significant correlation with normal sperm by HOS/EY test, and WBC in semen showed a positively significant correlation with Caspase-3 activity. The percentage of abnormal sperm by using the test of HOS/SCD showed a positively significant correlation with that of HOS/AB.

Conclusions

The continuously constant SHS can impact the semen quality, sperm DNA integrity, chromatin condensation and Caspase-3, and the combination of HOS plus AB test may simultaneously determine the integrity of membrane and chromatin condensation at the same spermatozoon.

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Title: Scrotal heat stress causes sperm chromatin damage and cysteinyl aspartate-spicific proteinases 3 changes in fertile men
Authors: Mei-Hua Zhang
Zhi-Da Shi
Jian-Chun Yu
Yan-Ping Zhang
Lei-Guang Wang
Yi Qiu
Publication date: 01-05-2015
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-015-0451-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Scrotal heat stress causes sperm chromatin damage and cysteinyl aspartate-spicific proteinases 3 changes in fertile men

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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