The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length and reproductive function of infertile male patients

Assessing body composition through anthropometry: Implications for diagnosing and managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder with profound implications for the reproductive and metabolic health of women. The utilization of anthropometric measures in the diagnosis and management of PCOS has gained increasing attention due to their practicality and predictive capacity for associated conditions such as obesity and insulin resistance. This review rigorously explores the application of various anthropometric indices, including body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and advanced metrics such as the body shape index and body roundness index, wrist circumference, neck circumference. These indices offer critical insights into body fat distribution and its association with the metabolic and hormonal perturbations characteristic of PCOS. The review underscores the necessity of addressing obesity, a prevalent comorbidity in PCOS, through lifestyle modifications and personalized therapeutic approaches. By incorporating anthropometric evaluations into routine clinical practice, healthcare professionals can enhance diagnostic precision, optimize treatment strategies, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. This integrative approach not only facilitates the management of the metabolic challenges inherent in PCOS but also contributes to the development of more individualized therapeutic interventions, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for women affected by PCOS.

Association of 2D:4D finger length ratio of People Working in different professions with personality traits

Background

The ratio of the index finger (2nd finger) to the ring finger (4th finger) (2D:4D) can give information about harmony between personality and career of individuals. The developing technology makes it difficult to choose a profession.

Aim

This study aims to contribute to the career choice of individuals by analyzing the relationship between the 2D:4D finger digit ratio and personality traits of individuals working in different professions (Educator, Worker, Housewife, Civil servant, Healthcare professional/EWHCH).

Method

The participants were three hundred twenty-five individuals living in the province of Malatya. The SPSS 26.0 software was utilized in the data analysis. The p value of 0.05 was accepted as significance level in comparison tests.

Results

A statistically significant difference was determined between the participants, who had the 2D shorter than the 4D in right hand, in terms of professional groups (p < 0.05). In healthcare workers, a low level (r = 0.305) positive correlation was found between right hand 2D4D and both control (r = 0.264) and curiosity and left hand 2D:4D, and a low level (r = 0.255) negative correlation was found between Conscientiousness and right hand 2D:4D in housewives. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (educator, worker, housewife, civil servant, healthcare professional) in terms of total score of the Five-Factor Personality Inventory (FFPI) and scores of extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience subscales (p < 0.05). A weak positive statistically significant correlation was detected between the healthcare professionals' score of Career Adapt-abilities Scale (CAAS) control subscale and the right-hand 2D:4D ratio. Conclusions: It is suggested to investigate the 2D:4D ratio over different professional groups. The present study is important since it gives information about personality and associates such information with the 2D:4D ratio.

Association between Sperm Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Concentrations of Urinary Cadmium and Selenium

Elevated sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is associated with damage to sperm and poorer measures of semen quality. Exposure to cadmium (Cd) can increase oxidative stress and damage sperm mitochondria. The adverse effects of Cd can potentially be reduced by sufficient selenium (Se). The objective of this study was to examine the associations between sperm mtDNAcn and urinary concentrations of Cd and Se, as well as the Cd/Se molar ratio. Participants were recruited from patients who sought infertility treatment at two hospitals in Japan. Urine and semen specimens and self-administered questionnaires were collected on the day of recruitment. Sperm mtDNAcn was measured in extracted sperm DNA by multiplex real-time qPCR. Urinary Cd and Se concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and their molar weights were calculated to obtain the Cd/Se molar ratio. Linear regression was used to estimate associations after adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, drinking, exercise, varicocele, and hospital of recruitment. Sperm mtDNAcn showed statistically insignificant associations with creatinine-adjusted concentrations of urinary Cd (β = 0.13, 95% CI -0.18, 0.44) and Se (β = -0.09, 95% CI -0.54, 0.35), and Cd/Se molar ratio (β = 0.12, 95% CI -0.13, 0.37). The current study found no evidence of an association between mtDNAcn and urinary concentrations of Cd or Se, or the Cd/Se molar ratio.

Associations of prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fetal sex hormones in the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort Study: Greater effect of long-chain PFAS

Fetal sex hormone homeostasis disruption could lead to reproductive and developmental abnormalities. However, previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association of maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure with fetal sex hormone levels. A total of 277 mother-infant pairs from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort Study between 2015 and 2019 were selected. We quantified nine PFAS in maternal serum in early pregnancy, and detected three sex hormones, namely, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (TT), in cord blood. The generalized linear model (GLM) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were used for single- and multiple-exposure analyses, respectively. In the GLM, there was no significant association between an individual PFAS and any hormone level or the E2/TT ratio, but a negative association between perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) exposure and P4 levels in female infants was observed after stratification by sex. In the BKMR, a mixture of nine PFAS was positively associated with E2 levels and the E2/TT ratio, with the same main contributors, i.e., perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA). And PFAS mixtures were not associated with P4 or TT levels. After stratification by infant sex, positive associations of PFAS mixtures with E2 levels and the E2/TT ratio were observed only in male infants, with the same main contributors, i.e., PFUnA. There was a positive association between PFAS mixtures and P4 levels in male infants, in which PFUnA was the main contributor; but a reverse association between PFAS mixtures and P4 levels in female infants, in which PFDoA was the main contributor. This study suggested that prenatal exposure to PFAS mixtures is associated with fetal sex hormones, and long-chain PFAS may play an important role in this association. Furthermore, sex differences in the association of maternal PFAS exposure with E2 and P4 levels need additional attention.

CD9 protects the sperm from cytotoxic factors in the epididymis as extracellular components

The mechanism by which seemingly normal sperm cause infertility is still under debate. Although CD9 is expressed in male reproductive tissues, its role in male fertility remains unclear. To address this, we investigated the role of CD9 in analyzing Cd9 -deficient ( Cd9 -KO) male mice. The litter size of Cd9 -KO males was comparable, regardless of mating experience. When Cd9 -KO males experienced their first mating chance, a considerable number of neonates died 48 hours after birth. Electron microscopy reveals the presence of CD9 in the epididymal space. Our results suggest that CD9 contributes to male fertility as an extracellular component.