An interventional study of Obtaining one or semen samples in Male Infertility and Epigenetic Disorder, sponsored by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. Completed at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to male participants aged 28 Years to 39 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-04-08.
Sponsored by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · Not applicable, Interventional, and Diagnostic
A total of 60 men (40 with a history of infertility and treatment with assisted reproduction and 20 infertile controls achieving conception naturally) will be asked to provide at least one semen sample each for conventional semen analysis including measurement of DNA-fragmentation and semen preparation with swim-up. The prepared semen sample will then analyzed by comprehensive microscopy analyses aiming at identifying distinct subpopulations of spermatozoa based on chromatin density and composition, mitochondrial and acrosome function and epigenetic markers. In addition, spermatozoa samples of selected individuals will be subjected to comprehensive analyses of the chromatin and RNA expression status using epigenomic approaches.
Hitherto male infertility has been defined by conventional semen analysis only, which mainly consists of determining concentration, progressive mobility and morphology of spermatozoa. However, the diagnostic accuracy of conventional semen analysis is poor and has very limited relationship with the outcome of assisted reproductive medicine. Preliminary data suggest that differences in chromatin density and epigenetic status of sperm may be more relevant, in particular with respect to the growth and differentiation of early embryos.
Chromatin density, morphology, mitochondrial status and epigenetic state in sperm of infertile men with disturbances of early embryo development in vitro will be compared with those of infertile men with normal embryo development and with fertile controls.
Primary outcome:
Features of chromatin density will be determined through staining of large numbers of spermatozoa. Differences in the staining results will be compared with known fertility outcome.
Secondary outcome:
Development of significant staining parameters towards the selection against sperm with reduced embryonic competence and/or in favor of sperm supporting embryonic development after assisted reproduction, thereby using flow cytometry and sorting (FACS) .
2,506 studies on the registry are indexed under Infertility; 407 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 60 is below the median of 120 across 1,698 interventional studies indexed under Infertility.
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Exclusion Criteria:
20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with normal embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal fertilization rate \>50% and normal blastocyst development rate \>50%).
Diagnostic Test: Obtaining one or semen samples
20 infertile men treated with assisted reproduction with poor embryo development in vitro, as demonstrated in a previous treatment with assisted reproductive technology (defined by normal or slightly reduced fertilization rate \<50% and low or absent blastocyst development (0 or only 1 blastocyst).
Diagnostic Test: Obtaining one or semen samples
20 previously infertile men, normal history, normal genital status, normal sperm count, DNA fragmentation rate \<20% (as given by TUNEL) and achieving pregnancy naturally (without medical intervention).
Diagnostic Test: Obtaining one or semen samples
Through staining of semen samples with sets of dyes to measure features of chromatin density, nuclear morphology and mitochondrial status in large numbers of single spermatozoa and to compare differences in the staining results with known fertility outcome. Through comprehensive comparative epigenetic studies we anticipate to explain different efficiencies of sperm from men with seemingly normal semen quality in driving embryonic development.
Also known as: Semen analysis
Differences in chromatin density.
Staining of the nucleus of spermatozoa with the fluorescent dye chromomycin
Time frame: 12 months
Normal and abnormal embryo development after assisted reproduction.
Differences in distribution of epigenetic markers.
Time frame: 24 months
Plan to share: No
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This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland