Marziyeh Tavalaee , Nasim Eskandari, Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (4-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Globozoospermia is a severe sperm morphological abnormality in men that characterized by round-headed spermatozoa with low or absence acrosome structure in their sperm samples. In these men, high level of DNA damage and abnormal chromatin packaging also were reported. These deficiencies can consider as the main etiologies of infertility in these infertile men. The aim of this article is to study the sperm chromatin structure in infertile men with globozoospermia.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review article, 77 articles related to protamine deficiency, DNA damage, aneuploidy in globozoospermic men were collected via data bases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus since 1971-2017.
Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics code IR.ACECR.ROYAN.REC.1396.204 have been approved at research ethics committee of Royan Institute.
Findings: Mean percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were significantly higher in infertile men with globozoospermia compared to fertile men. While, the results of chromosome aneuploidy were controversial in infertile men with globozoospermia within studies.
Conclusion: In addition to abnormal acrosome formation, as main etiology of failed fertilization, in infertile men with globozoospermia, high level of sperm abnormal chromatin packaging and DNA damage can be also involved in this phenomenon. Therefore, antioxidant therapy before intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection technique were suggested for these individuals to minimize sperm chromatin damage.
Niloofar Sadeghi, Zahra Ghorban, Marziyeh Tavalaee, Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (3-2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Despite the conclusion of the coronavirus pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 continues to contribute to inflammatory and infectious diseases. This study, conducted in the third year of the pandemic, aims to investigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive health, specifically sperm parameters. We compare sperm characteristics and chromatin status in a case of COVID-19 infection at three time points: before infection and one and five months after recovery.
Methods: We studied a 32-year-old male with primary infertility and grade one varicocele. Semen analyses were performed according to WHO guidelines after the patient tested positive for COVID-19 via RT-PCR. Samples were collected before exposure to COVID-19 and at one and five months post-recovery. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), while DNA fragmentation was evaluated using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA). Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained.
Results: Pre-COVID-19: Sperm concentration: 56 × 10⁶/ml. One-month post-COVID-19: Sperm concentration: 6.4 × 10⁶/ml (moderate oligozoospermia). Five months post-COVID-19: Sperm concentration: 58 × 10⁶/ml. No significant changes in motility or morphology were observed, and DNA fragmentation remained stable.
Conclusions: This case report indicates that COVID-19 temporarily reduces sperm concentration, with levels returning to normal within five months. While SARS-CoV-2 can impact male reproductive health, these effects appear to be non-permanent. Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to fully understand the implications of COVID-19 on male fertility.
