Background During mammalian spermatogenesis unique and dynamic epigenetic events occur leading to chromatin condensation. Through these events, histone demethylases such as JMJD1A play important roles in compaction of sperm chromatin, due to regulation of histone methylation dynamics and alteration of chromatin structure. As �histone methylation� is one of the best-characterized modifications i...

The mammalian spermatozoon has a unique chromatin structure where the majority of DNA is packaged by protamines, while a small fraction (∼8%) remains associated with nucleosomes. However, the chromatin affinity and repertoire of the additional proteins constituting the different sperm chromatin fractions have not yet been explored. To address this we have carried out a genomic and proteomic cha...

Infertility affects 15% of all couples. Although male infertility factors with reduced semen quality are contributing to about half of all involuntary childlessness, the value of standard semen parameters in prediction of fertility in vivo and choice of proper method for assisted reproduction is limited. In the search for better markers of male fertility, during the last 10 years, assessment of...

Background: Cytoplasm and mitochondria are considered as the major origins of sperm ROS production. Sperm is prone to DNA damage by exposure to ROS or due impaired chromatin remodeling or low DNA protamination. Therefore, the aim of this study was to see if there is any association between impaired chromatin packaging and origin of ROS production. Materials and Methods: Cytosolic ROS, mitochond...

BACKGROUND Variability among stallions in terms of semen cryopreservation quality renders it difficult to arrive at a standardized cryopreservation method. Different extenders and processing techniques (such us colloidal centrifugation) are used in order to optimize post-thaw sperm quality. Sperm chromatin integrity analysis is an effective tool for assessing such quality. The aim of the presen...

Semen analysis (SA) is the cornerstone for male infertility evaluation. Variations in sperm quantity and quality may make SA an unreliable decision-making tool in providing an insight of infertility (1). Consequently, efforts have been made to upgrade techniques of male fertility analysis. In recent times, primary investigative techniques have centered around assessing sperm capacity, sperm fun...

BACKGROUND Methamphetamine (MA) was shown to have harmful effects on male reproductive system. OBJECTIVE To investigate probable effects of daily administration of MA on sperm parameters and chromatin/DNA integrity in mouse. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-five NMRI male mice were divided into five groups including low, medium, and high dosage groups which were injected intraperitoneally with 4...

BACKGROUND The influence of ejaculatory abstinence (EA) on semen parameters and subsequent reproductive outcome is still debatable; hence understanding the impact of EA on sperm structural and functional integrity may provide a valuable information on predicting successful clinical outcome. OBJECTIVE To understand the influence of EA on sperm chromatin maturity, integrity, longevity and globa...

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an essential role in male infertility aetiology by affecting sperm quality, function, and also the integrity of sperm DNA. The assessment of oxidative stress in semen may be an important tool to improve the evaluation of sperm reproductive capacity. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of any possible relation between the unbalance of oxidative stress caused ...