Lack of Association between Genetic Polymorphisms in Enzymes Associated with Folate Metabolism and Unexplained Reduced Sperm Counts

BACKGROUND: The metabolic pathway of folate is thought to influence DNA stability either by inducing single/double stranded breaks or by producing low levels of S-adenosyl-methionine leading to abnormal gene expression and chromosome segregation. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding enzymes in the folate metabolism pathway show distinct geographic and/or ethnic variations and in some cases have been linked to disease. Notably, the gene Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in which the homozygous (TT) state of the polymorphism c.665C>T (p.A222V) is associated with reduced specific activity and increased thermolability of the enzyme causing mild hyperhomocysteinemia. Recently several studies have suggested that men carrying this polymorphism may be at increased risk to develop infertility. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have tested this hypothesis in a case/control study of ethnic French individuals. We examined the incidence of polymorphisms in the genes MTHFR (R68Q, A222V and E429A), Methionine synthase reductase MTRR; (I22M and S175L) and Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS; G307S). The case population consisted of DNA samples from men with unexplained azoospermia (n = 70) or oligozoospermia (n = 182) and the control population consisted of normospermic and fertile men (n = 114). We found no evidence of an association between the incidence of any of these variants and reduced sperm counts. In addition haplotype analysis did not reveal differences between the case and control populations. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We could find no evidence for an association between reduced sperm counts and polymorphisms in enzymes involved in folate metabolism in the French population

Quel rôle pour l'équipe officinale dans l'amélioration de la couverture vaccinale des adolescents et des adultes ?

L une des missions de l équipe officinale est d améliorer la couverture vaccinale de ses patients. Dans le contexte actuel, la crédibilité et l étique de l industrie pharmaceutique sont parfois remises en cause, le développement des médicaments génériques induits la méfiance des patients vis-à-vis des produits qui leur sont délivrés et l on assiste à une augmentation de la demande pour des médecines dites douces ou des produits bio . Cette mission implique donc de développer une nouvelle argumentation et de nouveaux outils pour aider l équipe officinale à répondre aux attentes de ses patients. Après une présentation des problématiques liées à la vaccination des adolescents et des adultes, sont exposés les résultats d études qualitatives et quantitatives répertoriant la majorité des freins et des motivations des patients face à la vaccination à l échelle d une officine. Les résultats obtenus permettent de définir une typologie des patients face à la vaccination ainsi que de développer l argumentation et les services répondant le mieux à leurs attentes. L utilisation de ce nouvel argumentaire et des nouveaux services autour de la vaccination a pour but d augmenter la couverture vaccinale des patients de l officine.CHATENAY M.-PARIS 11-BU Pharma. (920192101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) outcomes in the context of malignant disease: a systematic review

International audienceAdvances in the oncology field have led to improved survival rates. Consequently, quality of life after remission is anticipated, which includes the possibility to conceive children. Since cancer treatments are potentially gonadotoxic, fertility preservation must be proposed. Male fertility preservation is mainly based on ejaculated sperm cryopreservation. When this is not possible, testicular sperm extraction (TESE) may be planned. To identify situations in which TESE has been beneficial, a systematic review was conducted. The search was carried out on the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CISMeF databases from 1 January 2000 to 19 March 2020. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were followed in selecting items of interest. Thirty-four articles were included in the systematic review, including 15 articles on oncological testicular sperm extraction (oncoTESE), 18 articles on postgonadotoxic treatment TESE and 1 article on both oncoTESE and postgonadotoxic treatment TESE. Testicular sperm freezing was possible for 42.9% to 57.7% of patients before gonadotoxic treatment and for 32.4% to 75.5% of patients after gonadotoxic treatment, depending on the type of malignant disease. Although no formal conclusion could be drawn about the chances to obtain sperm in specific situations, our results suggest that TESE can be proposed before and after gonadotoxic treatment. Before treatment, TESE is more often proposed for men with testicular cancer presenting with azoospermia since TESE can be performed simultaneously with tumor removal or orchiectomy. After chemotherapy, TESE may be planned if the patient presents with persistent azoospermia