Swetasmita Mishra

Mild oxidative stress is beneficial for sperm telomere length maintenance.

AIM To evaluate telomere length in sperm DNA and its correlation with oxidative stress (normal, mild, severe). METHODS The study included infertile men (n = 112) and age matched fertile controls (n = 102). The average telomere length from the sperm DNA was measured using a quantitative real time PCR based assay. Seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 8-Isoprostane (8-IP) levels were measured by chemiluminescence assay and ELISA respectively. RESULTS Average sperm telomere length in infertile men and controls was 0.609 ± 0.15 and 0.789 ± 0.060, respectively (P < 0.0001). Seminal ROS levels in infertile was higher [66.61 ± 28.32 relative light units (RLU)/s/million sperm] than in controls (14.04 ± 10.67 RLU/s/million sperm) (P < 0.0001). The 8-IP level in infertile men was significantly higher (421.55 ± 131.29 pg/mL) than in controls (275.94 ± 48.13 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). When correlated to oxidative stress, in normal range of oxidative stress (ROS, 0-21.3 RLU/s/million sperm) the average telomere length in cases was 0.663 ± 0.14, in mild oxidative stress (ROS, 21.3-35 RLU/s/million sperm) it was elevated (0.684 ± 0.12) and in severe oxidative stress (ROS > 35 RLU/s/million sperm) average telomere length was decreased to 0.595 ± 0.15. CONCLUSION Mild oxidative stress results in lengthening of telomere length, but severe oxidative stress results in shorter telomeres. Although telomere maintenance is a complex trait, the study shows that mild oxidative stress is beneficial in telomere length maintenance and thus a delicate balance needs to be established to maximize the beneficial effects of free radicals and prevent harmful effects of supra physiological levels. Detailed molecular evaluation of telomere structure, its correlation with oxidative stress would aid in elucidating the cause of accelerated telomere length attrition.

Yoga and Meditation as a Therapeutic Intervention in Oxidative Stress and Oxidative DNA Damage to Paternal Genome

Yoga and meditation (encompassing physical postures, breathing practices, relaxation techniques and meditation) is known to modulate neural, endocrine and immune functions at the cellular level through influencing cell cycle control, aging, oxidative stress (OS), apoptosis and several pathways of stress signalling. Individuals with high level of oxidative stress are in great need of safe, inexpensive, non-pharmacologic, accessible, and effective adjunctive therapies to enhance well-being, reduce the burden of such stress and prevent its chronic sequelae. OS is the aetiology in several complex lifestyle diseases (coronary artery disease, hypertension, primary open angle glaucoma, idiopathic male infertility) and autoimmune disorders. Seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage may be the common underlying cause for infertility, recurrent spontaneous abortions, congenital malformations and complex neuropsychiatric disorders in children and in certain childhood cancers. Thus management by antioxidants and simple life style modifications and interventions like meditation and yoga are highly efficacious in management of oxidative stress and its sequelae.

Oxidative Damage to Sperm DNA: Clinical Implications

Background: Sperm DNA is susceptible to oxidative damage due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors which cause oxidative stress and due to limited DNA damage detection and repair mechanism. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the chief cause of sperm DNA damage. So, this study was planned to assess oxidative stress levels and correlate with sperm DNA damage. Material and Method: The study included 35 men who had fathered a child in the last one year and 54 male partners of couple experiencing primary infertility. Semen analysis was done according to World Health Organization (1999) criteria. ROS measurement was done by direct chemiluminescence method using luminol as a probe. DNA damage was assessed by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and expressed as percentage DFI. 8- Hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) estimation was carried out by competitive ELISA. Results: The seminal ROS level (RLU/sec/million sperm) was significantly higher (40.52 ± 18.32) in infertile men as compared to fertile controls (14.04 ± 6.67) (p<0.0001). The mean values of 8-OHdG levels (pg/ml) were also significantly higher in patients (30.92 ± 3.27) as compared to fertile controls (14.29 ± 2.24) (p<0.0001) and mean DFI (%) of infertile men was found to be 35.48 ± 12.95, which was higher as compared to controls (24.18 ± 8.76). There was a strong positive correlation between these parameters. Conclusion: Majority of the sperm DNA damage in infertile men is caused by oxidative damage to the genomic DNA. In presence of limited DNA damage detection and repair mechanism in sperm, prevention of oxidative stress by simple lifestyle interventions may actually be therapeutic.

Yq MICRODELETIONS IN IDIOPATHIC MALE INFERTILITY

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Dinesh Kumar. V, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India. E-Mail: dinesh.88560@gmail.com Introduction: Male infertility contributes to nearly 30% of the total infertile population worldwide. Genetic factors contribute to about 15% of the causes of male infertility. Systematically elucidating the underlying genetic causes (chromosomal and Yq microdeletion) may help to reduce the number of men with idiopathic infertility and provide them with the most suitable therapeutics and counseling. Materials and methods: In this study, we performed PCR based screening for AZF microdeletions in 40 men with idiopathic infertility and 40 age-matched fertile men who served as controls. Results and discussion: Three out of 40 (7.5%) infertile men harboured AZF microdeletions. One patient had AZF b and two patients had AZF c microdeletions. Conclusion: This genetic evaluation, apart from helping us to decide the treatment option, would also reduce the trauma of repeated ART failure, pregnancy loss, or the stigma of a bearing a physically, mentally, or reproductively challenged offspring.