Iwo Martynowicz

Background/Objectives: Male infertility is a significant global health issue, comprising approx. 50% of all infertility cases. Semen cryopreservation, a critical component of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), is a method commonly used in a wide range of situations, including gonadotoxic treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy, hazardous occupational exposures, and various medical conditions. Although historically viewed as potentially damaging to sperm, recent findings suggest that cryopreservation, when performed with appropriate techniques, may in fact enhance semen quality by improving the proportion of healthy spermatozoa, particularly in terms of their morphological parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cryopreservation on sperm morphology and viability, utilizing advanced morphological assessments pre- and post-freezing. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 97 patients undergoing infertility treatment at the KRIOBANK clinic (Białystok, Poland). The semen was liquefied and prepared in the form of slides. Sperm morphology was then assessed using an OLYMPUS BX40 microscope at 60× magnification. Results: The findings of the study revealed significant improvements in sperm morphology, with increased percentages of normal sperm and reductions in deformation indices post-thaw. Conclusions: The findings indicate that optimized cryopreservation protocols may support the selection of higher-quality sperm, offering valuable benefits for ART applications. These results challenge certain past assumptions regarding the impact of cryopreservation and underscore the need for refined freezing techniques to maintain and potentially enhance semen quality for reproductive use.

Male infertility is a significant global health issue, comprising approx. 50% of all infertility cases. Semen cryopreservation, a critical component of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), is a method commonly used in a wide range of situations, including gonadotoxic treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy, hazardous occupational exposures, or various medical conditions. Although historically viewed as potentially damaging to sperm, recent findings suggest that cryopreservation, when performed with appropriate techniques, may in fact enhance semen quality by improving the proportion of healthy spermatozoa, particularly in terms of their morphological parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of cryopreservation on sperm morphology and viability, utilizing advanced morphological assessments pre- and post-freezing. Semen samples from 97 patients were analyzed, revealing significant improvements in morphology, with increased percentages of normal sperm and reductions in deformation indices post-thaw. The findings indicate that optimized cryopreservation protocols may support the selection of higher-quality sperm, offering valuable benefits for ART applications. These results challenge certain past assumptions regarding the impact of cryopreservation and underscore the need for refined freezing techniques to maintain and potentially enhance semen quality for reproductive use.

Background: Male fertility is known to have been negatively influenced by the progress of civilization. Another condition whose incidence has been on the increase for the same reason is insulin resistance (IR). In addition, men increasingly often resign from the pursuit of active forms of leisure, preferring more sedentary ones. Considering these trends, this aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between lifestyle factors, insulin resistance, and male fertility in men with and without the condition. A further aim was to select those lifestyle factors that would make it possible to predict the level of male fertility, especially when IR is concerned. Methods: This study was performed in a group of 73 participants, divided into groups based on their insulin resistance status. Their physical activity, diet, perceived stress, sleep quality, libido level, and duration of sexual abstinence were assessed on the basis of a number of parameters, including indices proposed by the authors. In addition, relevant anthropometric measurements were taken and tests related to glucose metabolism and semen quality were carried out. On the basis of these data, statistical tests were performed to establish or disprove relationships between lifestyle choices and semen quality, as measured my sperm motility. Results: The results of this study highlighted the associations between a number of parameters, i.e., micronutrient and vitamin intake, diet quality, body composition, insulin resistance, and the duration of sexual abstinence, and semen quality, as measured by sperm motility. Significantly, the presence or absence of IR was linked to male fertility. A multivariate model was developed, incorporating parameters such as the Matsuda index, vitamin intake, and sexual abstinence duration, to predict motility scores. Conclusions: This study underscores the negative impact of modern civilization’s lifestyle choices on male fertility. Notably, vitamin and mineral consumption, especially from antioxidant-rich diets like the Mediterranean diet, emerged as key modifiable factors affecting fertility. Routine diagnostics for insulin resistance in fertility-related interventions is recommended. This study also highlights the importance of considering sexual abstinence duration during semen collection for accurate diagnostic results. Future research should focus on validating the proposed multivariate model and exploring the effects of lifestyle modifications, particularly vitamin supplementation, on fertility outcomes in men, especially in the context of IR.

This aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between lifestyle factors, insulin resistance, and male fertility in 73 men with and without insulin resistance. The participants were divided based on insulin resistance status. Their physical activity, diet, perceived stress, sleep quality, libido level, and the duration of sexual abstinence were assessed on the basis of a number of parameters, including indices proposed by the authors. The results highlighted associations between a number of parameters, i.e., micronutrient and vitamin intake, diet quality, body composition, insulin resistance, and the duration of sexual abstinence, and semen quality, as measured by sperm motility. Significantly, the presence or absence of insulin resistance was linked to male fertility. A multivariate model was developed, incorporating parameters such as the Matsuda index, vitamin intake, and sexual abstinence duration, to predict motility scores. The study underscores the negative impact of modern civilization’s lifestyle choices on male fertility. Notably, vitamin and mineral consumption, especially from antioxidant-rich diets like the Mediterranean diet, emerged as key modifiable factors affecting fertility. Routine diagnostics for insulin resistance in fertility-related interventions is recommended. The study also highlights the importance of considering sexual abstinence duration during semen collection for accurate diagnostic results. Future research should focus on validating the proposed multivariate model and exploring the effects of lifestyle modifications, particularly vitamin supplementation, on fertility outcomes in men, especially in the context of insulin resistance.