This aim of this study is to determine the impact of lifestyle on telomere length and telomerase enzyme activity on sperm cells of men undergoing IVF treatments.
Following approval of the study by the Hospital Ethical Committee (Helsinki), semen samples and blood will be collected from infertile individuals referred to our IVF unit at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. Informed written consent will be obtained from each participant. Standard semen analysis will be carried out according to World Health Organization protocol. An aliquot of semen sample will be used for assessment of sperm motility, concentration, and morphology by using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and the remaining sample will be used for assessment of sperm telomere lengths and telomerase activity. Genomic DNA will be extracted from the remaining washed sperm and peripheral blood. Sperm telomere length will be determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and telomerase activity will be determined by TRAP assay (Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
DNA will be extracted from sperm using the DNeasy Tissue Kit and Telomerase activity in samples will be measured using a PCR- based assay.
Hille Yaffe Medical Center
Hadera, Israel
RECRUITINGTelomere length
After laboratory determination of telomere length, results will be compared to lifestyle of subject to see whether smoking or other lifestyle behaviors have an effect
Time frame: Two years
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