Unit:
Faculty of MedicineLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Author:
Makarounis Konstantinos
Dissertation committee:
Διονύσιος Βενιεράτος, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Πρωτογέρου Βασίλειος Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Βασιλική Γεννηματά Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Τρουπής Θεόδωρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Χρυσοφός Μιχαήλ Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Λάζαρης Ανδρέας Του Χρηστ. Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Πιάγκου Μαρία Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Ανοσοφαινοτυπική μελέτη των Χλαμυδίων trachomatis στο σπέρμα με τη χρήση κυτταρομετρίας ροής και συσχέτιση με μορφολογικές και λειτουργικές παραμέτρους
Translated title:
Immunophenotypic study of Chlamydia trachomatis in sperm using flow cytometry and correlation with morphological and functional parameters
Summary:
There is increasing evidence that Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection can directly affect male fertility. However, only few have investigated the effects of CT on semen parameters, and mostly with inconclusive results. The main aims of this study were to identify CT inside spermatozoa, and the possible pre and post antibiotic treatment effects on the overall semen parameters. A flow cytometric method was used for the detection of CT inside spermatozoa (SPI™). Briefly, sperm cells were fixed, membrane permeabilized and DNA was loosened using DNAse I. Sperm cells were incubated with a primary monoclonal antibody against CT and with a secondary fluorescent antibody (vs primary), and analysed using a flow cytometer. Of 2,415 infertile individuals, 48.61% were found positive for CT. 170 CT+ samples were included in the CT antibiotic treatment study. 78.82% (134/170) of the CT+ showed a significant reduction in the percentage of the iCT infected spermatozoa after the antibiotic treatment; 59.70% (80/134) decreased to non–detectable levels. Spermcount data were also recorded. Spermatozoa morphology (normal and teratozoospermia index, TZI) and motility (fast progressive and non–progressive spermatozoa) were statistically significant altered in CT+ pre–treatment vs control group. CT antibiotic treatment showed statistically significant effects on normal spermatozoa morphology, mid–piece and tail defects, and TZI. The study demonstrated that semen flow cytometric analysis of semen could be a valuable tool for faster and accurate identification of individuals with asymptomatic CT infection. It also identified a positive effect of antibiotic therapy on semen parameters that could help males with infertility.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Chlamydia Trachomatis, Flow cytometry, Antibiotics, Infertility, Sperm, Semen Analysis, SPI, TZI
