Somatic-Immune Cells Crosstalk In-The-Making of Testicular Immune Privilege

Atopic Dermatitis: Fertility, Pregnancy, and Treatment Perspectives

Hormonal and immunologic changes during pregnancy can contribute to the development of different dermatoses, the most common of which is atopic eruption of pregnancy (AEP). Of atopic dermatitis (AD) cases during pregnancy, 80% are new-onset presentations, while 20% represent recurrences or exacerbations of preexisting disease. Evidence on the effects of previous AD on fertility is limited. Different factors influence women's desire to conceive in this setting, and it has been hypothesized that barrier defects and systemic inflammation could contribute to biologic infertility, although more data are needed. Clinical practice suggests a tendency toward undertreatment in pregnant woman due to concerns about potential effects on obstetric and fetal outcomes. However, pregnant women should be offered adequate and safe treatments, preferably on an individual basis. The aim of this review was to summarize the evidence on disease course in pregnant women with AD and the challenges associated with its diagnosis and management. We also review the current evidence on the use of conventional and novel systemic therapies for AD in this population.

SARS-CoV-2 and male infertility: from short- to long-term impacts

PURPOSE

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-caused by a new type of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-has posed severe impacts on public health worldwide and has resulted in a total of > 6 million deaths. Notably, male patients developed more complications and had mortality rates ~ 77% higher than those of female patients. The extensive expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and related proteins in the male reproductive tract and the association of serum testosterone levels with viral entry and infection have brought attention to COVID-19's effects on male fertility.

METHODS

The peer-reviewed articles and reviews were obtained by searching for the keywords SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, endocrine, spermatogenesis, epididymis, prostate, and vaccine in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar from 2020-2022.

RESULTS

This review summarizes the effects of COVID-19 on the male reproductive system and investigates the impact of various types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on male reproductive health. We also present the underlying mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects male reproduction and discuss the potentially harmful effects of asymptomatic infections, as well as the long-term impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive health.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 disrupted the HPG axis, which had negative impacts on spermatogenesis and the epididymis, albeit further investigations need to be performed. The development of vaccines against various SARS-CoV-2 variations is important to lower infection rates and long-term COVID risks.

Prolactin and spermatogenesis: new lights on the interplay between prolactin and sperm parameters

PURPOSE

To clarify the relationship between one the most gender-specific hormone, i.e. prolactin (PRL), and semen parameters in men.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational, cohort, real-world study was carried out, enrolling all men performing a semen analysis and PRL examination from 2010 to 2022. For each patient, the first semen analys was extracted, associated to PRL, total testosterone (TT), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Hyperprolactinaemia (>35 ng/mL) was excluded.

RESULTS

1211 subjects were included. PRL serum levels were lower in normozoospermia compared to azoospermia (p = 0.002) and altered semen parameters (p = 0.048) groups. TT serum levels were not different among groups (p = 0.122). Excluding azoospermic men, PRL serum levels were lower in normozoospermic patients, when compared to other groups of semen alterations. An inverse correlation was detected between PRL and sperm concentration. Considering normozospermic subjects, PRL was directly related to both non-progressive sperm motility (p = 0.014) and normal sperm morphology (p = 0.040). Subdiving the cohort in quartiles according to PRL distribution, the highest motilities were observed in the second PRL quartile (8.30-11.10 ng/mL) and asthenozoospermia was significantly predicted by FSH (p < 0.001) and second PRL quartile (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

The PRL-spermatogenesis connection seems to be mild, although low-normal PRL levels are associated with the best spermatogenetic profile. PRL serum levels could mirror the immunoregulatory status within the testis, suggesting that there is a sort of 'PRL optimal window' reflecting an efficent spermatogenesis. Alternatively, men with good semen parameters might have a higher central dopaminergic tone resulting in low PRL levels.

Hadh deficiency induced oligoasthenoteratozoospermia through the TNF-α/Bcl-2 pathway in male mice

The process of spermatogenesis is a complex and delicate process that is still not fully understood. In this study, we examined the role of fatty acid oxidase 3-hydroxy acyl CoA dehydrogenase (HADH) in maintaining normal spermatogenesis in mice. In male mice, ablation of the Hadh gene using CRISPR/Cas9 technology arrested spermatocyte meiosis, increased multinucleated giant germ cells and vacuoles in seminiferous tubules, and accompanied with acrosomal dysplasia. Hadh^-/- male mice showed the typical features of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), including decreased sperm concentration and motility and increased sperm abnormalities. Next, we explored the molecular events in the testes of the mutant mice. We found fatty acids accumulated in the testis of Hadh^-/- mice. And also, inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly increased, apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 was decreased, and Bax and cleaved-Caspase3 were increased in Hadh^-/- male mice testis. After using etanercept, a specific inhibitor of TNF-α, testis injury caused by Hadh knockout was significantly alleviated, the sperm quality and motility were improved, and germ cell apoptosis was reduced. So our study demonstrated that Hadh deletion caused an increase in fatty acids. The accumulated fatty acids further induced testicular inflammation and germ cell apoptosis through the TNF-α/Bcl-2 signaling pathway, finally resulting in OAT in the Hadh^-/- mice. Inhibiting TNF-α may be used as a new treatment approach for testicular inflammation and OAT.