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Effect of leukocytospermia and processing by discontinuous density gradient on sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial activity

  • ANDROLOGY
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Abstract

Purpose

To assess the effect of leukocytospermia and semen processing on sperm DNA and mitochondria.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with and 41 without leukocytospermia were included. Sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed by the Comet assay, and mitochondrial activity by a colorimetric method for active mitochondria. Semen was processed using Percoll, and motility, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial activity were analyzed pre- and post-processing.

Results

No differences were observed in age, abstinence, volume, sperm morphology, progressive motility, concentration, and vitality (p > 0.10). Variables were grouped according to time (pre- vs post-processing) and group (leukocytospermia vs non-leukocytospermia) because no interactions could be observed. Leukocytospermia was associated to increased DNA fragmentation, while semen processing led to a decrease in DNA fragmentation and to increased mitochondrial activity.

Conclusion

While semen processing selects sperm with higher rates of DNA integrity independent of the presence or absence of leukocytes in semen, samples without leukocytospermia present more sperm without DNA fragmentation. Semen processing also selects sperm with higher mitochondrial activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Sao Paulo Federal University, R Cotoxó 424 ap 13, 05021-000, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Roberta Maria Fariello, Paula Toni Del Giudice, Deborah Montagnini Spaine, Renato Fraietta, Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla & Agnaldo Pereira Cedenho

Authors
  1. Roberta Maria Fariello
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  2. Paula Toni Del Giudice
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  3. Deborah Montagnini Spaine
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  4. Renato Fraietta
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  5. Ricardo Pimenta Bertolla
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  6. Agnaldo Pereira Cedenho
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Correspondence to Roberta Maria Fariello.

Additional information

Capsule Leukocytospermia leads to an increase in DNA fragmentation, while semen processing leads to a decrease in DNA fragmentation and to an increase in mitochondrial activity.

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Fariello, R.M., Del Giudice, P.T., Spaine, D.M. et al. Effect of leukocytospermia and processing by discontinuous density gradient on sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial activity. J Assist Reprod Genet 26, 151–157 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9288-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9288-0

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