AGHAZARIAN Artin

Artin Aghazarian had his doctoral viva and succesfully

graduated in summer term 2016.

CONGRATULATIONS! 

The Effect of Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8 and Leukocytes on DNA Fragmentation Index and the Association of This Index with Sperm Parameters

The DNA fragmentation index (DFI) as a measure to determine the ratio of the DNA breaks insperm cells has been introduced as a new diagnostic tool for the prediction of male infertility. Since the DFI was increased in the semen samples of infertile men as compared to fertile ones and since this index was inversely associated with the major outcomes of assisted reproduction, including fertilization, blastocyst, pregnancy and live-birth rates, the DFI is recognised as a potential fertility predictor compared to routine semen analysis. As a result, the factors influencing the DFI have been investigated in recent years. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered as one of the main factors which decrease the integrity of the DNA in sperm cells. As the activated leukocytes in seminal inflammation are contributing substantially to the production of ROS and proinflammatory cytokines, primarily interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, the association of leukocytes, IL-6 and IL-8 with the DFI is in the focus of this study. To assess the influence of testicular function on DNA integrity, the connection of routine sperm parameters, including concentration, motility, morphology and vitality, with the DFI will also be evaluated.

Methods and Skills:

DNA fragmentation index; sperm number, motility & morphology; solid-phase, two-site sequential chemiluninescence immunometric assay