Synbiotic (FamiLact) administration in idiopathic male infertility enhances sperm quality, DNA integrity, and chromatin status: A triple-bli

Synbiotic (FamiLact) administration in idiopathic male infertility enhances sperm quality, DNA integrity, and chromatin status: A triple-blinded randomized clinical trial

Behzad Abbasi | Homayoun Abbasi | Hassan Niroumand https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v19i3.8571

Presentazione a cura di MIRON Maria Luana a.a. 2024-2025

Idiopathic male infertility (IMI)

Key Facts

Couple’s infertility is a rising issue worldwide affecting approximately 15% of couples.

IMI 30%

Male factor infertility 50%

In 50% of the infertile couples, a male factor infertility can be identified.

Infertile couples 15%

30% of the infertile men exhibit reduced sperm quality without any identifiable reason

Fertile couples 85%

causes

Idiopathic male infertility (IMI):

1. Genetic factors

2. Epigenetic alterations

3.Hormonal Dysfunctions

• Alterations in testosterone, FSH, LH, or prolactin levels.

• Mutations in genes related to spermatogenesis. • Genetic polymorphisms.

• DNA methylation modifications..

• Exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and toxic substances. • Consumption of alcohol, smoking, and drug use. • Sedentary lifestyle.

• Of essential vitamins and minerals (zinc, selenium, vitamin D).

• Increased ROS and/or reduced antioxidant levels.

• Concerning the prostate or genital tract.

6. Diet and Nutritional Deficiencies

7. Environment and Lifestyle

5. Inflammation and Infections

4. Oxidative Stress

diagnosis & treatments

Idiopathic male infertility (IMI) :

diagnosis

Detailed medical/sexual history Meticulous physical examination At least two consecutive semen analyses Advanced examinations (SDF, ROS measurements)

• Lifestyle
• Comorbidities
• Testicular trauma
• Testicular malformations
• Genital infections

• Probiotic supplementation
• Antioxidant treatment (ROS)
• Gonadotropins (SDF, sperm quality)
• Diet & physical activity

treatments

& GUT MICROBIOTA

Idiopathic male infertility (IMI)

extensive endocrine organ located in the gastrointestinal tract

• synthesis of sex hormone-related enzymes • enterohepatic circulation of sex hormones • hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis

gut microbiota & metabolites

SPERM QUALITY

• Membrane stability • Motility • Oxidative stress

Sex hormones

5-HT PUFAs

Intestinal barrier permeability changes: LPS can reach the testicles and cause inflammation

sexual behaviour

activate areas of the brain that control sexual arousal and behavior

Testicular structure

Synbiotic (FamiLact) administration

Idiopathic male infertility (IMI):

Background

Materials and Methods

pro ± prebiotics administration may improve semen parameters

56 men with IMI, randomly divided in 2 groups:

empirical treatments

1) case received 500 mg of FamiLact for 80 days 2) control received a placebo for 80 days

objective

Assess the effect of FamiLact (probiotic + prebiotic) administration on subjects with IMI.

A semen sample was analysed before and after the treatment course.

Patients selection

Synbiotic (FamiLact) trial:

patients selected from infertile couples

infertility = failure to establish a clinical pregnancy following 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse

Write a great subtitle here to provide context

cryptorchidism; varicocele; chromosome abnormalities; leukocytospermia; epididymal-orchitis; genito-urinary traumas; prostatitis; testicular torsion; history of inguinal/genital surgery; history of hormone therapy; endocrinopathies; history or ongoing use of cytotoxic drugs as well as immunosuppressants, anticonvulsants, androgens; recent history of sexually transmitted infections

• sperm concentration < 15 (106/mL)• normal morphology < 4 (%) • total motility < 40 (%)

triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Sample collection & semen analysis

Synbiotic (FamiLact) trial:

3.Samples were left to liquefy in the ambient temperature

2.provided by masturbation following two-seven days of sexual abstinence.

1. Two semen samples from each subject before and 80 days after the onset of medication

lipid peroxidation status

Sperm concentration

morphological alterations

Sperm Counting Chamber

BODIPY staining

Sperm motility

Diff-Quik

DNA fragmentation

level of protamination

Computer-assisted sperm analysis system (Video Test)

sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA)

CAM3

results

Synbiotic (FamiLact) trial:

• FamiLact significantly improved sperm concentration and motility compared to placebo • Abnormal morphology significantly decreased in the FamiLact group • No significant effect on semen volume • The results suggest a possible beneficial effect of FamiLact on sperm quality

results

Synbiotic (FamiLact) trial:

• Positive effect on lipid peroxidation and sperm DNA fragmentation, with statistically significant results • Sperm chromatin also improves, but the difference is not significant compared to the placebo • Beneficial effect on sperm quality, particularly in protecting against oxidative stress and improving DNA stability

conclusions

Synbiotic (FamiLact) trial:

To date, studies addressing the association between probiotic administration and sperm quality consist of few animal models and two exclusive studies recruiting humans: these works share results in favor of probiotic supplementation regarding the enhancement in conventional semen parameters.

Synbiotic products could be a safe and affordable treatment for idiopathic male infertility. However, further investigation on pregnancy outcomes of synbiotic-treated patients may shed light on the fertility-related practical capabilities of such products.

Grazie per l'attenzione!