Chaymae Rochdi

Background: Infertility is a global public health problem among males, with asthenozoospermia representing the most common cause. Since flagellar activity is vital for proper fertilization, identification of the mechanisms controlling this process is crucial. Microtubules are necessary for sperm functionality; however, their regulatory proteins in humans require further research. DCDC2C belongs to the doublecortin domain-containing family and has a role in microtubule stabilization; therefore, DCDC2C could affect the sperm flagellar structure. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to examine the presence and possible relationship between DCDC2C expression and sperm motility in asthenozoospermia. Materials and Methods: This study involved sixty men from December 2024 to December 2025. The sperm samples were processed according to the WHO criteria (6th ed.). Conventional sperm characteristics, biochemical indicators of seminal plasma, DNA fragmentation, and chromatin condensation were evaluated. Immunofluorescence staining for DCDC2C was performed, especially with respect to flagellar localization. Results: DCDC2C-positive spermatozoa were significantly more common in the normozoospermic group (78.93 ± 1.67%) than in the asthenozoospermic group (17.27 ± 2.23%; p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found for seminal biochemical markers, sperm DNA fragmentation, or chromatin condensation. Discussion: Reduced detectable distal flagellar DCDC2C immunoreactivity was associated with asthenozoospermia. Conclusions: DCDC2C protein expression is highly correlated with sperm movement, indicating that DCDC2C is a potential molecular marker for the diagnosis of asthenozoospermia.

Objective: This study emphasizes the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of male infertility—including varicocele—and supports the utility of antioxidant supplementation. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of multiantioxidant therapy in improving semen quality, reducing the DNA fragmentation index, and increasing pregnancy rates in oligoasthenozoospermic (OA) patients with different grades of varicocele.Methods: We conducted a prospective study of infertile men with OA and varying grades of varicocele. Serum and semen samples were collected at baseline and after 6 months of treatment from subjects with varicocele grades 0, 1, 2, and 3. Sperm DNA damage, reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates were evaluated.Results: Significant differences in mean sperm count, total sperm count, sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology were observed among groups G1, G2, G3, and G4 (p<0.0001). Sperm DNA integrity improved significantly in patients with varicocele after oral antioxidant therapy. Pregnancy achieved by intrauterine insemination was observed in 11%, 9%, 1%, and 0.7% of couples in groups G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively. Additionally, spontaneous pregnancy occurred in 6% and 3% of couples with varicocele grade 0 and grade 1, respectively, after multiantioxidant supplementation. No significant pregnancy rate was observed in groups G3 and G4.Conclusion: Multiantioxidant therapy produced marked therapeutic benefits in patients with grade 0 and grade 1 varicocele and served as a useful adjuvant in managing varicocele-related infertility.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of two doses of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on semen parameters, sperm DNA damage, and the partner pregnancy rate in men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia. Methods: 250 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia were examined. The first group (n=125) received 100 mg/day of CoQ10 and the second group (n=125) received 200 mg/day of CoQ10 orally for 6 months. Semen parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and the partner pregnancy rate were analyzed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Results: Comparing with baseline data, treatment with CoQ10 (100 mg/day or 200 mg/day) resulted in a significant increase in sperm concentration (both PP=0.05, P=0.001, respectively). The mean DFT was significantly improved after treatment with CoQ10 at 100 mg/day and at 200 mg/day, after 6 months of treatment (PP<0.001). Conclusions: CoQ10 is effective in improving semen parameters, DFI and on the partner pregnancy rate after 6 months with CoQ10 at two doses, with a greater improvement shown in men who took 200 mg/day than in those who took 100 mg/day.

ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to characterize the sperm parameters of men consulting for infertility in our fertility center.MethodsThe study included 3,025 patients investigated from September 2021 to July 2023. Demographic data, infertility risk factors, and the primary or secondary nature of infertility were recorded for each patient. The sperm parameters were analyzed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (2021).ResultsThe average age of the patients was 40 years. The average duration of infertility was 5.5 years. Primary infertility was noted in 2,736 patients (88.97%). The most common risk factors for infertility were occupational exposure, followed by varicocele. Lifestyle factors associated with male infertility included smoking (24.29%), alcohol consumption (12.49%), and high temperature exposure (30.08%). Spermogram abnormalities were observed in 78.71% of cases. Spermocytogram abnormalities were found in 63.1% of cases. Sperm count, morphology, total motility, and vitality below WHO (2021) reference values were found in 25.60%, 34.13%, 32.29%, and 62.46% of the analyzed samples, respectively. Seminal fluid analysis revealed oligozoospermia in 29.07% of cases, asthenozoospermia in 24.68%, and azoospermia in 17.56%. Oligo-astheno-necrospermia was the most frequently observed combined abnormality (10.0%).ConclusionThis study showed a high rate of abnormal semen quality in male partners of infertile couples. Male infertility is often multifactorial and results in quantitative and/or qualitative sperm abnormalities.

Background: The dilation and torsion of testicular veins in the plexus pampiniformis causes Varicocele, which is a surgically repairable cause of male infertility. This study assessed the impact of varicocelectomy on semen characteristics, total motile sperm count (TMSC) and sperm DNA integrity in patients with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, semen samples of 360 men with severe OAT who underwent varicocelectomy according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria 2021 were studied (pre-operatively and at 6, 12, and 18 months post-operatively). Results: The average age of our patients was 38.5 years. The mean spermatozoa concentration was found to be 1.60 +/- 0.83 million/ml pre-operatively, while the mean post-operative concentration was 5.17 +/- 1.23 million/ml at 6 months, 8.32 +/- 0.98 million/ml at 12 months, and 13.51 +/- 1.48 million/ml at 18 months (P<0.0001). The mean percentage of A+B motile spermatozoa was 2.92 +/- 1.17% pre-operatively, 6.10 +/- 1.51% at six months, 9.58 +/- 1.49% at 12 months and 13.92 +/- 1.88% at 18 months postoperatively (P<0.0001). The mean Modified David's morphology score was 3.80 +/- 1.43% pre-operatively, 5.95 +/- 1.23% at 6 months, 7.94 +/- 1.18% at 12 months, and 10.82 +/- 1.91% at 18 months post-operatively (P<0.0001). The mean of total motile sperm count (TMSC) was statistically improved after varicocelectomy (P<0.001). The mean of DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of the spermatozoa was 31.40 +/- 0.52% pre-operatively, and post-operatively at 28.20 +/- 0.32% at 6 months, 25.90 +/- 0.31% at 12 months and 20.50 +/- 0.40% at 18 months (P<0.001). Conclusion: Varicocelectomy was associated with significant improvement of sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation resulting in significant improvement of spermatogenesis quality. We believe that universalization in the routinely used sperm dispersion chromatin (SDC) test could be beneficial in the treatment of infertility.

Objective: Recently, oral antioxidants in combined forms have been used to treat men with idiopathic infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment with vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, arginine, L-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10 on sperm quality parameters, DNA integrity, reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT).Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 420 men with infertility and idiopathic OAT who took an oral supplement of antioxidant SP-Power tablets twice daily for 6 months. Semen quality, reproductive hormones, and the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after supplementation, using the World Health Organization 2021 guidelines. Results: No significant difference was observed in volume or the percentage of typical morphology during treatment. A significant improvement in sperm concentration was observed after supplementation (8.67±1.41, 12.17±1.91, and 19.01±0.86 at baseline, 3, and 6 months respectively, p<0.01). The total motility, progressive motility, and total motile sperm count also increased significantly (p<0.01), whereas the DFI decreased after 6 months. There was an increase in normal FSH levels and testosterone levels after 6 months of supplementation of antioxidant SP-Power but these differences were not statistically significant (p=not significant and p=0.06, respectively).Conclusion: Supplementation with SP-Power tablets improved sperm quality parameters, sperm DFI, some reproductive hormones, and pregnancy rates in men with infertility and idiopathic OAT, which could be attributed to the supplement’s synergistic antioxidant action. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of supplementation on oxidative stress markers.

Background: DNA fragmentation index (DFI) enhances routine semen analysis by providing valuable insights into male reproductive potential. Utilizing Halosperm test, a sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) assay based on induced condensation. The purpose of this study was to assess sperm DNA damage both before and after freezing. By following the specified kit instructions, an attempt was made to validate the SCD test protocol, with a particular emphasis on the implications of sperm freezing on its DNA integrity. Methods: In total, 380 fresh human semen samples from normozoospermic patients were frozen at -20°C for 10 days, using SCD cryopreservation reagent. Routine semen analysis and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were determined for each sample before freezing and after thawing. Semen morphology and sperm DFI were compared before and after freezing/thawing process. Results: There was a significant decrease in sperm normal morphology after thawing (9.31±2.42% vs. 7.1±1.53%, p<0.05, respectively). The sperm head, midpiece, and tail defect rate increased after freezing at -20°C. Moreover, DFI was significantly higher after thawing compared to before freezing (20.71±1.61% before freezing vs. 29.1±0.21% after thawing with p<0.001). Conclusion: Cryoconservation of semen samples at -20°C for 10 days using SCD cryopreservation reagent seems to damage sperm morphology, resulting in a reduction in sperm DNA integrity. The measurement of DFI on a fresh sample remains the most reliable technique for obtaining accurate results.

INTRODUCTION: Azoospermia affects more than 10% - 15% of infertile male subjects attending the infertility center. In Morocco, there have been no studies on male infertility with azoospermia. Thereby, our objective was to evaluate the clinical, hormonal, and genetic characteristics of infertile men with azoospermia in Morocco. METHODS: we conducted a retrospective descriptive study performed with a convenience sample of 80 infertile men from 2021 to 2022, in the Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Oujda-Morocco. All patients with azoospermia were subjected to a quantitative hormone assay to evaluate the functionality of the sertolic and leydigial compartments. Human karyotyping and AZF microdeletion analysis are routinely performed in azoospermic patients. RESULTS: the results show that the mean age of patients in the study was 45.7 ± 3.5 years. Primary infertility accounts for the majority, with a rate of 96% (n=77). There were 12 cases of azoospermia of secretory origin, 22 cases of excretory origin, and 3 of undetermined origin. Azoospermia was associated with hydrocel in 29% (n=27) of cases. The average levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and inhibin B were 15.54 ± 5.5 mIU/mL, 7.71 ± 2.7 mIU/mL, 405.09 ± 6.13 ng/dl and 38.44 ± 5.13 pg/ml, respectively. The prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was 30.7%. Of these, the sex chromosome aneuploidy with 47, XXY karyotype (Klinefelter syndrome) accounted for 11% (n=9). The incidence of microdeletions of azoospermia factors (AZF) was 9%, and AZFc deletion was the most common at the rate of 3%. CONCLUSION: our research shows that hydrocele, varicocele, and chromosomal abnormalities are the leading causes of azoospermia. In the Moroccan population, azoospermia is essentially of excretory origin.