New Study Finds Sperm Quality Decreases as Males Age

Colorado Researchers Confirm Men, like Women, have a Ticking Biological Clock that Impacts Fertility



DENVER, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A new study conducted by the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM) in conjunction with the National Foundation for Fertility Research (NFFR) concludes that sperm from middle-aged and older male mice is less likely to lead to a successful pregnancy. The study, the first-of-its-kind, found that sperm quality began to decrease in males at mid-life, 12 months and older (equivalent to forty and older for human males).



"This is not a study observing male factor infertility. Rather, this is a study about once fertile males becoming infertile because of age," said Mandy Katz-Jaffe, PhD, Scientific Director of NFFR. "We were able to document when sperm from older males begins to suffer quality problems, and to understand the impact of older sperm on reproductive outcome."



This is the first longitudinal study following males over a lifetime to directly correlate sperm aging with reproductive success. Ten young male mice with proven fertility were mated every month during their lifetimes as they naturally aged with fertile young females. "This study is unique because we were able to remove infertility related to the female aging from the equation and focus solely on the male," said Katz-Jaffe. "This is something that is impossible to accomplish with human studies."



This study found that when proven fertile male mice reached mid-life (12 months = forties):



Eggs were less likely to be fertilized by aged sperm.



Embryos were less likely to develop in vitro.



Embryos were less likely to implant in the uterus.



Natural conceptions were far fewer. Only 50 percent achieved pregnancy naturally at 12 months (forties) and 10 percent naturally at 15 months (fifties).



Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) improved the chance of clinical pregnancy.



The few successful natural conceptions with aged sperm resulted in significantly smaller fetuses and placental weight.



"There is much focus in society on the 'maternal biological clock.' This study shows us that we also need to be concerned about the 'paternal clock,'" said William Schoolcraft, M.D., Founder and Medical Director of CCRM. "Men in their thirties should consider freezing sperm if they plan to wait to have children. Men in their forties and fifties should consult a reproductive endocrinologist if their partner is unable to conceive after six months of active trying."



About the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine



Founded in 1987 by Dr. William Schoolcraft, the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine is one of the nation's leading infertility treatment centers, providing a wide spectrum of infertility treatments ranging from basic infertility care to advanced in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology. Today, joined by Drs. Eric Surrey, Debra Minjarez and Robert Gustofson, Dr. Schoolcraft and his staff achieve some of the highest pregnancy rates in the country. CCRM has been ranked "The #1 Fertility Center in the U.S., with the Greatest Chance of Success" by Child.com. For more information, visit www.ColoCRM.com .



About the National Foundation for Fertility Research



The National Foundation for Fertility Research is 501 (c) (3) non-profit collaborative of internationally known researchers dedicated to advancing the field of reproductive medicine. The mission of NFFR is to ensure that all who seek fertility treatment have that joyous moment when they hold their baby for the very first time. Under the direction of Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe and her team of senior scientists and embryologists, NFFR research studies will continue to bring hope and new opportunities to couples seeking fertility treatment. For more information, visit www.fertilityresearch.org .



SOURCE Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM)



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Study Shows Acupuncture Treatment May Help Male Infertility Problems

Acupuncture may help some men overcome infertility problems by improving the quality of their sperm, according to a new study.

Researchers found that acupuncture treatment reduced the number of structural abnormalities in sperm and increased the overall number of normal sperm in a group of men with infertility problems.

They say the results suggest that acupuncture may complement traditional infertility treatments and help men reach their full reproductive potential.

Acupuncture May Ease Male Infertility

The male partner is a factor in up to 50% of infertile couples, write the researchers. In many cases, the cause of male infertility is unknown.

Previous studies of acupuncture and male infertility have suggested that acupuncture can improve sperm production and motility and count.

In this study, researchers looked at the effects of acupuncture on the structural health of sperm in men with infertility of unknown cause. The findings appear in the July issue of Fertility and Sterility.

Twenty-eight infertile men received acupuncture treatments twice a week for five weeks, and 12 received no treatment and served as a comparison group.

Researchers analyzed sperm samples at the beginning and end of the study and found significant improvements in sperm quality in the acupuncture group compared with the other group.

Acupuncture treatment was associated with fewer structural defects in the sperm and an increase in the number of normal sperm in ejaculate.

But other sperm abnormalities, such as immature sperm or sperm death, were unaffected by acupuncture.

The researchers write that acupuncture treatment is a simple, noninvasive method that can improve sperm quality.

SOURCE: Pei, J. Fertility and Sterility, July 2005; vol 84: pp 141-147.

Corroboration of my previous post on male contribution to viable embryo

We evaluated cytogenetic results occurring with first trimester pregnancy loss, and assessed the type and frequency of chromosomal abnormalities after assisted reproductive treatment (ART) and compared them with a control group. We also compared the rate of chromosomal abnormalities according to infertility causes in ICSI group.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was made of all patients who were referred to the Genetics Laboratory of Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center from 2005 to 2009 because of clinical abortion with a subsequent dilation and evacuation (D&E) performed, and patients were grouped by type of conception as follows: conventional IVF (in vitro fertilization) (n=114), ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) (n=140), and control (natural conception or intrauterine insemination [IUI]) (n=128).

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Results: A total 406 specimens were referred to laboratory, ten abortuses were excluded, and in 14 cases, we did not get any spontaneous metaphase, chromosomal constitutions of 382 specimens were successfully obtained with conventional cytogenetic methods. Overall, 52.62% of the miscarriages were found to be cytogenetically abnormal among all patients, the frequency was 48.4% in the control group, 54.3% of miscarriages after ICSI and 55.3% after conventional IVF (p=0.503).

The most prevalent abnormalities were autosomal trisomy, however, nine (11.69%) sex chromosome aneuploidy were noted in the ICSI group vs. four (6.45%) and two (3.23%) cases in the conventional IVF group and control group.

We compared chromosomal abnormalities of miscarriages after ICSI according to infertility factor. 55.71% underwent ICSI due to male factors, 44.29% due to non-male factors.

ICSI group having male factors showed significantly higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities than ICSI group having non-male factors (65.8% vs. 34.2%, p=0.009, odds ratio=1.529, 95% CI=1.092-2.141).

Conclusions: No increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities due to ART was found with the exception of a greater number of sex chromosomal abnormalities in the ICSI group with male factor infertility.

Therefore, these alterations could be correlated with the underlying parental risk of abnormalities and not with the ICSI procedure itself.

Author: Ji won KimWoo Sik LeeTae Ki YoonHyun Ha SeokJung Hyun ChoYou Shin KimSang Woo LyuSung Han Shim

Credits/Source: BMC Medical Genetics 2010, 11:153

Rising infertility in men linked to pollution

Published in: Legalbrief Environmental
Date: Tue 22 June 2010
Category: General
Issue No: 0168


The Cape Argus notes that there is growing concern that environmental pollution may be behind increasing male infertility.

The Southern African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy is compiling data from all the fertility clinics throughout the country. Dr Klaus Wiswedel, of the Cape Fertility Clinic, said they were seeing 1 200 to 1 500 male patients a year. A list of harmful pollutants that carried a risk for sperm production included an increase of lead and toxic fumes in the atmosphere, xeno-oestrogens (female hormones of plant origin) in factory-produced meats and chicken, plus an increase in the use of pesticides such as organophosphates (most of which are outlawed globally but still used here) and use of plastic wrappings. Puberty was another time when males were vulnerable to these environmental factors, the report quotes Wisdewel as saying.

Daily sex helps to reduce sperm DNA damage and improve fertility

Published: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 08:38 in Health & Medicine

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Daily sex (or ejaculating daily) for seven days improves men's sperm quality by reducing the amount of DNA damage, according to an Australian study presented today (Tuesday) to the 25th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Amsterdam.

Until now there has been no evidence-based consensus amongst fertility specialists as to whether or not men should refrain from sex for a few days before attempting to conceive with their partner, either spontaneously or via assisted reproduction.

Dr David Greening, an obstetrician and gynaecologist with sub specialist training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Sydney IVF, Wollongong, Australia, said: "All that we knew was that intercourse on the day of ovulation offered the highest chance of pregnancy, but we did not know what was the best advice for the period leading up to ovulation or egg retrieval for IVF.

"I thought that frequent ejaculation might be a physiological mechanism to improve sperm DNA damage, while maintaining semen levels within the normal, fertile range."

To investigate this hypothesis, Dr Greening studied 118 men who had higher than normal sperm DNA damage as indicated by a DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI). Men who had a more than 15% of their sperm (DFI >15%) damaged were eligible for the trial. At Sydney IVF, sperm DNA damage is defined as less than 15% DFI for excellent quality sperm, 15-24% DFI for good, 25-29% DFI for fair and more than 29% DFI for poor quality; but other laboratories can have slightly different ranges.

The men were instructed to ejaculate daily for seven days, and no other treatment or lifestyle changes were suggested. Before they started, levels of DNA damage ranged between 15% and 98% DFI, with an average 34% DFI when measured after three days' abstinence. When the men's sperm was re-assessed on the seventh day, Dr Greening found that 96 men (81%) had an average 12% decrease in their sperm DNA damage, while 22 men (19%) and an average increase in damage of nearly 10%. The average for the whole group dropped to 26% DFI.

Dr Greening said: "Although the mean average was 26% which is in the 'fair' range for sperm quality, this included 18% of men whose sperm DNA damage increased as well as those whose DNA damage decreased. Amongst the men whose damage decreased, their average dropped by 12% to just under 23% DFI, which puts them in the 'good' range. Also, more men moved into the 'good' range and out of the 'poor' or 'fair' range. These changes were substantial and statistically highly significant.

"In addition, we found that although frequent ejaculation decreased semen volume and sperm concentrations, it did not compromise sperm motility and, in fact, this rose slightly but significantly.

"Further research is required to see whether the improvement in these men's sperm quality translates into better pregnancy rates, but other, previous studies have shown the relationship between sperm DNA damage and pregnancy rates.

"The optimal number of days of ejaculation might be more or less than seven days, but a week appears manageable and favourable. It seems safe to conclude that couples with relatively normal semen parameters should have sex daily for up to a week before the ovulation date. In the context of assisted reproduction, this simple treatment may assist in improving sperm quality and ultimately achieving a pregnancy. In addition, these results may mean that men play a greater role in infertility than previously suspected, and that ejaculatory frequency is important for improving sperm quality, especially as men age and during assisted reproduction cycles."

Dr Greening said he thought the reason why sperm quality improved with frequent ejaculation was because the sperm had a shorter exposure in the testicular ducts and epididymis to reactive oxygen species – very small molecules, high levels of which can damage cells. "The remainder of the men who had an increase in DFI might have a different explanation for their sperm DNA damage," he concluded.

Source: European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology

Cigarette Smoking Contributes to Infertility and Miscarriage

Cigarette Smoking linked to Infertility and Miscarriage

Reproductive cells are vulnerable to genetic damage from smoking, but can be repaired.

In ejaculated spermatozoa, repair capacity declines drastically. This means that that repair is necessary at the time sperm is growing and developing in the testicles.

Smoking leads to chromosome errors which affect reproductive outcomes.
Smoking is associated with reduced numbers of eggs leading to early menopause.

Smoking inhibits embryo fragmentation; inhibition may confer survival advantage to embryos genetically altered. This can lead to pregnancy with impending miscarriage, or children born with cancer or born with genetic defects.

Smoking is associated with low sperm quality. Cadmium (a heavy metal), nicotine (a toxic alkaloid), and its metabolite cotinine, are detectable in testicular and ovarian tissue tissues and fluids in association with smoking. Cotinine incorporates into ovarian granulosa–lutein cells, compromising the developmental potential of follicles. Benzo[a]pyrene is a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon resulting from cigarette combustion.

Smoking-related cellular products were detectable in ovarian granulosa–lutein cells, eggs, sperm and embryos. Transmission of altered DNA from smoking by sperm was demonstrated in embryos and in association with increased risk of childhood cancer.

We know that cigarette smoking stems in part from anxiety. The satisfaction derived from cigarette smoking is complicated and manifold but nonetheless stems from the need to reduce anxiety.

In 1999, clinical researchers reported that inserting acupuncture needles into specific body points triggers the production of endorphins. In another study, higher levels of endorphins were found in cerebrospinal fluid after patients underwent acupuncture. Endorphins have been shown to reduce anxiety.

Based upon my clinical experience, acupuncture can aid in the cessation of cigarette smoking and thereby serve two purposes: 1) improve the health of the individual and, 2) improve the quality of egg and/or sperm and increase pregnancy outcomes and reduce miscarriage rates as well as aid in the health of the newborn.

If you and your partner are trying to conceive, the cessation of cigarette smoking is of the utmost importance.

At the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness, a leading fertility center in New York City, we have devised a protocol which confers an approximate 50% cure to cigarette smoking without drugs, nicotine, or other chemicals.

Poor Sperm Quality Equals Poor Embryo Quality

At the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness we have been treating male factor infertility for many years based on the knowledge of 3000 years of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture and herbal medicine in conjunction with certain vitamins and amino acids promote significant change in pathologic sperm. We have had excellent results in improving sperm count, improving morphology and motility as well as reducing sperm DNA fragmentation percentages.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. In the typical IVF Center, doctors will note that sperm quality is important in that in its pathological state in may not be able to penetrate the egg and facilitate fertilization. This can be overcome with intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI. While fertilization with ICSI is possible and often occurs, a good embryo quite often is not produced and pregnancy does not ensue.

A ‘good’ embryo is created by combining a ‘good’ egg and a ‘good’ sperm. Embryos created with poor quality sperm are, in my opinion, based on thirteen years of clinical experience, one of the main reasons for failed IVF cycles including those undergoing donor egg transfers even though fertilization with ICSI is facilitated.
Frequently the doctor will report that the embryo is “beautiful”, yet the cycle fails. You can no more judge the quality of an embryo by visualization than one can judge the health of a person by visualization. For example, the healthiest looking man can be HIV positive. Or, the healthiest looking woman can have breast cancer. One cannot judge a book by its cover.

The best and most reliable means of improving fertility outcomes either as a result of intercourse, IUI or IVF is to first improve the quality of the components that are responsible for the creation of the embryo; sperm and egg.

The Berkley Method - Acupuncture

The Berkley Method of Reproductive Wellness(TM) merges Western and complementary medical data enabling the creation of a complete and well rounded treatment protocol. All Berkley Method Certified Practitioners engage in on-going specialized training in Western reproductive science and complementary medicine for the treatment of those faced with fertility challenges.

The Berkley Method, in addition to its philosophy, includes a clinical aspect too. For example, I have started to compile specific acupuncture point protocols for specific pathologies. These point-prescriptions are effective. I have used them to achieve pregnancies for many years.

So far, I have written down my protocols for high fsh, vericoceles, low sperm count, pcos and endometriosis. More will follow.

These acupuncture point combinations must be used as guidelines, changed when necessary to fit the needs of the specific patient in treatment.

Thanks for reading!

Dr. Mike Berkley
mikeberkley@berkleycenter.com