RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the correlation between ambient particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentration and sperm quality among northern Thai men exposed to the seasonal air pollution from the agricultural burning process. METHODS: The demographic data and semen analysis of Thai men living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, who visited the infertile clinic were collected. The correlation test between the monthly amount of PM2.5 and sperm quality was carried out. RESULTS: From 2017 to 2021, 1,109 Thai men visited the Infertile Clinic. The correlation test between PM2.5 and sperm quality in years with a better climate revealed a weak positive correlation between the mean PM2.5 and percentage of progressive motile sperm and normal morphology (r=0.08, p=0.05 and r=0.1, p=0.02). However, there was a negative correlation between the mean PM2.5 and sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal sperm morphology during the years with a higher amount of ambient PM2.5, and especially PM2.5 exposure 3 months before semen collection (r=-0.12, p=0.01, r=-0.11, p=0.003, r=-0.15, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to a high amount of PM2.5 air pollution negatively affects sperm quality.
RESUMEN
Hb H disease is the most severe form of α-thalassemia compatible with post-natal life. Compound heterozygous α0-thalassemia- SEA deletion/α+-thalassemia- 3.7kb deletion is the commonest cause of Hb H disease in Thailand. Preimplantation genetics testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) is an alternative for couples at risk of the disorder to begin a pregnancy with a healthy baby. This study aims to develop a novel PCR protocol for PGT-M of Hb H disease- SEA/-3.7kb using multiplex fluorescent PCR. A novel set of primers for α+-thalassemia- 3.7kb deletion was developed and tested. The PCR protocol for α0-thalassemia- SEA deletion was combined for Hb H disease- SEA/-3.7kb genotyping. The PCR protocols were applied to genomic DNA extracted from subjects with different thalassemia genotypes and on whole genome amplification (WGA) products from clinical PGT-M cycles of the families at risk of Hb Bart's. The results were compared and discussed. The results showed three PCR products from α+-thalassemia- 3.7kb primer set, and three from α0thalassemiaSEA primer set. The results were consistent with the known thalassemia genotypes. The novel -α3.7 primers protocol was also tested on 37 WGA products from clinical PGT-M cycles giving accurate genotyping results and a satisfying amplification efficiency with the ADO rates of 2.7%, 0%, and 0% for HBA2, HBA1, and internal control fragments, respectively. This novel PCR protocol can precisely distinguish Hb H disease- SEA/-3.7kb from other genotypes. Additionally, this is the first PCR protocol for Hb H disease- SEA/-3.7kb which is optimal for PGT-M.