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Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...

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Flow Cytometric Analysis of Biomarkers for Detecting Human Sperm Functional Defects

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Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany (Italy): An effect on sperm DNA fragmentation?

Costanza Calamai¹, Oumaima Ammar¹, Sara Marchiani¹

¹Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

|January 31, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The Italian COVID-19 lockdown reduced air pollution, leading to improved sperm quality and reduced sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) in men. This suggests air pollution negatively impacts male fertility.

Keywords:

TUNEL/PI assay air pollution conventional semen parameters lockdown male infertility sperm DNA fragmentation

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Area of Science:

Environmental Health
Reproductive Medicine
Toxicology

Background:

Air pollution is a known risk factor for noncommunicable diseases and mortality.
Emerging evidence suggests a potential role of air pollution in male infertility.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted lockdowns, significantly reducing human activities and air pollutant emissions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of the national lockdown-induced decrease in air pollution on male reproductive parameters.
To compare sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) and semen quality before and after the lockdown period in Italy.

Main Methods:

A comparative study analyzed semen parameters and sDF levels from 119 men before lockdown and 105 men after lockdown.
Semen analysis included sperm progressive motility, sDF assessment (total, brighter, dimmer), and leukocyte concentration.
Statistical analysis adjusted for confounding factors affecting sperm quality.

Main Results:

Following the lockdown, significant improvements were observed in sperm progressive motility and sDF levels.
A decrease in leukocyte semen concentration was also noted post-lockdown.
These improvements in sperm motility and DNA integrity persisted after adjusting for leukocytes and other potential confounders.

Conclusions:

The reduction in air pollution during the Italian lockdown correlated with enhanced sperm quality.
Findings suggest that air pollution may play a significant role in male infertility.
Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms linking air pollutants to male reproductive health.