Alex C. Varghese

Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) from cellular phones on human ejaculated semen: an in vitro pilot study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of cellular phone radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) during talk mode on unprocessed (neat) ejaculated human semen. DESIGN Prospective pilot study. SETTING Center for reproductive medicine laboratory in tertiary hospital setting. SAMPLES Neat semen samples from normal healthy donors (n = 23) and infertile patients (n = 9). INTERVENTION(S) After liquefaction, neat semen samples were divided into two aliquots. One aliquot (experimental) from each patient was exposed to cellular phone radiation (in talk mode) for 1 h, and the second aliquot (unexposed) served as the control sample under identical conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Evaluation of sperm parameters (motility, viability), reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of semen, ROS-TAC score, and sperm DNA damage. RESULT(S) Samples exposed to RF-EMW showed a significant decrease in sperm motility and viability, increase in ROS level, and decrease in ROS-TAC score. Levels of TAC and DNA damage showed no significant differences from the unexposed group. CONCLUSION(S) Radiofrequency electromagnetic waves emitted from cell phones may lead to oxidative stress in human semen. We speculate that keeping the cell phone in a trouser pocket in talk mode may negatively affect spermatozoa and impair male fertility.

Current trends, biological foundations and future prospects of oocyte and embryo cryopreservation

For a long time, the cryopreservation of gametes and embryos remained a major hurdle for the clinicians and scientists in terms of success. However, recent technical advancement in the field of cryobiology has opened up various options for freezing gametes and embryos at different developmental stages. The tendency of the IVF world to switch over to natural-cycle IVF and to elective single-embryo transfer has put cryotechnology in the forefront of research. Still, the intricacies of the cold-induced changes in human gametes and embryos that could affect the intracellular and developmental processes need to be known. The transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomic platforms hold promise for elucidating these complex processes during cryopreservation processes.

Semen quality and age-specific changes: a study between two decades on 3,729 male partners of couples with normal sperm count and attending an andrology laboratory for infertility-related problems in an Indian city

OBJECTIVE To compare the semen quality and age-specific changes in men between the 1980s and 2000s. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Andrology laboratory, University of Calcutta, India. PATIENT(S) A semen sample was obtained from 3729 men presenting for infertility problems in two distinct decades, that is, between 1981-85 and 2000-2006. INTERVENTION(S) Subjects with sperm count >20 x 10(6)/mL without any extreme pathological disorders were selected. Samples having a major liquefaction problem were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) A standard World Health Organization procedure for semen analysis was performed that included assessment of volume, sperm concentration, and percentage motility. The motility parameters were further classified into forward progressive motility and nonprogressive motility. RESULT(S) The present large-scale study confirms a significant decline in the sperm motility parameters and seminal volume in the present decade. However, no change in overall sperm concentration was noted. A decline was seen in sperm motility with increasing age in both decades. CONCLUSION(S) There are significant changes in sperm motility and volume between the two decades, and the age-related changes in semen parameters are also different in the two decades.

Cell phones: modern man's nemesis?

Over the past decade, the use of mobile phones has increased significantly. However, with every technological development comes some element of health concern, and cell phones are no exception. Recently, various studies have highlighted the negative effects of cell phone exposure on human health, and concerns about possible hazards related to cell phone exposure have been growing. This is a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute overview of the effects of cell phone exposure on human health. The types of cell phones and cell phone technologies currently used in the world are discussed in an attempt to improve the understanding of the technical aspects, including the effect of cell phone exposure on the cardiovascular system, sleep and cognitive function, as well as localized and general adverse effects, genotoxicity potential, neurohormonal secretion and tumour induction. The proposed mechanisms by which cell phones adversely affect various aspects of human health, and male fertility in particular, are explained, and the emerging molecular techniques and approaches for elucidating the effects of mobile phone radiation on cellular physiology using high-throughput screening techniques, such as metabolomics and microarrays, are discussed. A novel study is described, which is looking at changes in semen parameters, oxidative stress markers and sperm DNA damage in semen samples exposed in vitro to cell phone radiation.

Markers of oxidative stress and sperm chromatin integrity.

Oxidative stress (OS) is an imbalance between the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced and the ability of the antioxidants to scavenge these. OS has been established as a major etiological cause of male infertility. High levels of ROS are harmful and cause damage to sperm nuclear DNA. Evaluation of OS-related damage to spermatozoa is therefore highly relevant in assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI is an effective therapy for severe male factor infertility that bypasses the majority of reproductive tract deficiencies. Despite the controversial findings in the existing literature, there is now enough evidence to show that sperm DNA damage is detrimental to reproductive outcomes. In addition to impairment of fertility, such damage might increase the transmission of genetic diseases to the offspring. Standardization of protocols to assess ROS, antioxidant status, and DNA damage is very important for implementation of these tests in clinical practice. Estimation of seminal ROS levels and extent of sperm DNA damage, especially in an infertile male, may help develop new therapeutic strategies and improve the success of ART.

Cryopreservation/transplantation of ovarian tissue and in vitro maturation of follicles and oocytes: Challenges for fertility preservation

Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue and in vitro follicle maturation are two emerging techniques for fertility preservation, especially in cancer patients. These treatment regimes are opening up more options and allow for more suitable choices to preserve fertility according to the patients specific circumstances. If these technologies are to become widely accepted, they need to be safe, easy to perform and must obtain favorable results. The generation of healthy eggs with the normal genetic complement and the ability to develop into viable and healthy embryos requires tight regulation of oocyte development and maturation. Novel freezing techniques such as vitrification, along with whole ovary cryopreservation and three-dimensional follicle cultures, have shown favorable outcomes. The scope of this article is to take a comprehensively look at the challenges still faced in order for these novel technologies to be routinely employed with the aim of successful fertility preservation.

Male gamete survival at stake: causes and solutions

Over the years, the development of assisted reproductive technology to bypass male factor infertility has improved drastically. Considered one of the most perplexing disorders in the reproductive field, male factor infertility is prevalent and may be on the rise. Unfortunately, its aetiology remains elusive. One of the main reasons lies in the complex machinery and structure of the hydrodynamic sperm cell. Its polyunsaturated fatty acid cell membrane, the protamines in its genetic material and the absence of antioxidants in its cytoplasm ensure that the spermatozoon is highly susceptible to environmental effects. The spermatozoons genesis, storage, and transport through the male reproductive tract are also susceptible, genetically and pathologically, to environmental effects. This review aims to include all the possible causes of disruption to this unique cell and their probable solutions, in the hope of clearing up the ambiguity that surrounds male factor infertility.

The in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on human sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the in vitro effect of benzo[a]pyrene on sperm hyperactivation and acrosome status in normozoospermic semen samples of nonsmokers analyzed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). DESIGN Experimental in vitro study. SETTING Andrology laboratory. PATIENT(S) Thirteen proven fertile, normozoospermic, and nonsmoking men. INTERVENTION(S) Spermatozoa were washed free of seminal plasma and were treated with different concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and compared with controls treated with medium alone. The benzo[a]pyrene concentrations were: 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 microg/mL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Effect of varying concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene on sperm hyperactivation and acrosomal reaction. RESULT(S) A statistically significant increase in sperm hyperactivation was observed in presence of benzo[a]pyrene at concentrations of >or=50 microg/mL. The result of the acrosome halo test showed that concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene >or=25 microg/mL statistically significantly decreased the percentage of halo formation, indicating an inappropriate (false) acrosome reaction. CONCLUSION(S) Benzo[a]pyrene statistically significantly affected sperm functional competence as evidenced by increased hyperactivation as well as premature acrosomal reaction.

Practical manual of in vitro fertilization

Practical manual of in vitro fertilization : , Practical manual of in vitro fertilization : , کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز

Oocyte developmental competence and embryo development: impact of lifestyle and environmental risk factors.

Oocyte development is the end result of a sophisticated biological process that is hormonally regulated and produced by highly specialized cellular lines that differentiate in early embryo/fetal development. Embryo development is initially regulated by maternal transcripts until replaced by embryonic genomic expression. Then, an assortment of hormones and local environmental factors in various concentrations along the reproductive tract (e.g. fallopian tube, endometrial lining) provide the protection, nutrients and means of communication for the embryo to implant and develop. Both oocytes and embryos are susceptible to environmental, occupational and lifestyle exposures that can exert direct toxic effects and disrupt hormones. While some exposures may produce reversible changes, others, especially those damaging germinal cells in utero or during prepuberty, may result in permanent sequelae that continue in future generations. This article reviews the main factors that affect female fertility and their possible influence on human reproduction. Some lifestyles, xeno-oestrogens and heavy metals are already known to compromise female reproductive function. Nonetheless, many questions remain and little is known about the effect of many other factors on female fertility.