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Raeeszadeh M, Moradian M, Khademi N, Amiri AA. The Effectiveness of Time in Treatment with Vitamin C and Broccoli Extract on Cadmium Poisoning in Mice: Histological Changes of Testicular Tissue and Cell Apoptotic Index. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:3278-3292. [PMID: 37821783 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03898-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
The growth rate of reproductive system disorders caused by heavy metals is undeniable. The effect of time and interfering compounds are also of paramount importance. The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of broccoli extract and vitamin C in the context of cadmium poisoning on various reproductive parameters in mice, with a specific focus on the influence of time. A total of one hundred and forty-four male mice were randomly assigned to six groups. The control (C) group received only water and a standard diet without any interventions. The Cd group received a single intraperitoneal dose of cadmium chloride at 1.5 mg/kg. The cadmium intervention groups were administered broccoli extract at dosages of 100 mg/kg (Cd + B100), 200 mg/kg (Cd + B200), and 300 mg/kg (Cd + B300), respectively. Additionally, the Cd + VC group was treated with cadmium and vitamin C at 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally for a duration of 28 days. At the end of each week (four stages), five animals were randomly chosen from each group. Epididymal sperm were subjected to analysis for sperm parameters, while testicular tissue sections were examined for histological studies, apoptosis index, and markers of oxidative stress. The influence of time on body and testis weight gain was notably significant in the Cd + B300 and Cd + VC groups (p = 0.001). In all groups, except for Cd + B100, there were marked increases in spermatogenic cell lines and the Johnson coefficient compared to the Cd group (p = 0.001). These changes were particularly pronounced in the Cd + VC and Cd + B300 groups with respect to time (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a discernible positive impact of time on sperm count in the high-dose broccoli and vitamin C groups, although this effect did not reach significance in terms of sperm motility and vitality. Over time, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in the Cd + VC, Cd + B200, and Cd + B300 groups (p = 0.001). The apoptosis index in testicular tissue reached its highest level in the Cd group and its lowest level in the Cd + B300 and Cd + VC groups during the fourth week (p < 0.05). Linolenic acid, indole, and sulforaphane were identified as the most potent compounds in broccoli during this intervention. Consequently, vitamin C and broccoli extract at a dosage of 300 mg/kg demonstrated significant enhancements in reproductive performance in cases of cadmium poisoning. Overall, the influence of time significantly amplified the process of spermatogenesis and sperm production, with no observable changes in sperm viability and motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdieh Raeeszadeh
- Department of Basic Sciences, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Midia Moradian
- Graduate of Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Nadia Khademi
- Graduate of Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Amiri
- Department of Basic Sciences, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
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2
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Kumar R, Oke A, Rockmill B, de Cruz M, Verduzco R, Shodhan A, Woodruff-Madeira X, Abrahamsson DP, Varshavsky J, Lam J, Robinson JF, Allard P, Woodruff TJ, Fung JC. Rapid identification of reproductive toxicants among environmental chemicals using an in vivo evaluation of gametogenesis in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 128:108630. [PMID: 38906490 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Infertility affects ∼12 % of couples, with environmental chemical exposure as a potential contributor. Of the chemicals that are actively manufactured, very few are assessed for reproductive health effects. Rodents are commonly used to evaluate reproductive effects, which is both costly and time consuming. Thus, there is a pressing need for rapid methods to test a broader range of chemicals. Here, we developed a strategy to evaluate large numbers of chemicals for reproductive toxicity via a yeast, S. cerevisiae high-throughput assay to assess gametogenesis as a potential new approach method (NAM). By simultaneously assessing chemicals for growth effects, we can distinguish if a chemical affects gametogenesis only, proliferative growth only or both. We identified a well-known mammalian reproductive toxicant, bisphenol A (BPA) and ranked 19 BPA analogs for reproductive harm. By testing mixtures of BPA and its analogs, we found that BPE and 17 β-estradiol each together with BPA showed synergistic effects that worsened reproductive outcome. We examined an additional 179 environmental chemicals including phthalates, pesticides, quaternary ammonium compounds and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and found 57 with reproductive effects. Many of the chemicals were found to be strong reproductive toxicants that have yet to be tested in mammals. Chemicals having affect before meiosis I division vs. meiosis II division were identified for 16 gametogenesis-specific chemicals. Finally, we demonstrate that in general yeast reproductive toxicity correlates well with published reproductive toxicity in mammals illustrating the promise of this NAM to quickly assess chemicals to prioritize the evaluation for human reproductive harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ashwini Oke
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Beth Rockmill
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matthew de Cruz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rafael Verduzco
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anura Shodhan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xavier Woodruff-Madeira
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dimitri P Abrahamsson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia Varshavsky
- Department of Health Sciences and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juleen Lam
- Department of Public Health, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Joshua F Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Allard
- UCLA Institute for Society & Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Fung
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; Center of Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Feng R, Yang C, Zhang Y, Chen B. Decline in reproductive health and its transgenerational lag effect. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173994. [PMID: 38879036 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
In the last two decades, there has been a fast-growing prevalence of infertility reported in China. Moreover, Chinese reproductive health has shown a clear decline. Thus, it is imperative to determine the precipitating causes and the root causes of this decline. Environmental and climate risks (ECRs) may cause the decline in reproductive health. Experimental findings have shown that the impact of ECRs on reproductive health can be passed down from both males and females to their offspring, demonstrating an intergenerational and transgenerational lag effect. We perceive that the declined reproductive health may lead to negative demographic consequences in China; therefore, we suggest the following five regulations be implemented: (i) prevent Chinese of childbearing age from exposure to ECRs; (ii) further develop and promote assisted reproductive technology and set up sperm and ovum banks on a national scale; (iii) quantitatively establish the causality between fathers and mothers who suffer from ECRs and the impaired reproductive health in their progeny; (iv) teach ECRs-health knowledge in psychotherapeutic training and continuing education; and (v) propagate and further promote common prosperity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Feng
- School of engineering, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China; College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Cuiyu Yang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310020, China
| | - Yinli Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310020, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310020, China.
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Xiang T, Liu Y, Guo Y, Zhang J, Liu J, Yao L, Mao Y, Yang X, Liu J, Liu R, Jin X, Shi J, Qu G, Jiang G. Occurrence and Prioritization of Human Androgen Receptor Disruptors in Sewage Sludges Across China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10309-10321. [PMID: 38795035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
The global practice of reusing sewage sludge in agriculture and its landfill disposal reintroduces environmental contaminants, posing risks to human and ecological health. This study screened sewage sludge from 30 Chinese cities for androgen receptor (AR) disruptors, utilizing a disruptor list from the Toxicology in the 21st Century program (Tox21), and identified 25 agonists and 33 antagonists across diverse use categories. Predominantly, natural products 5α-dihydrotestosterone and thymidine emerged as agonists, whereas the industrial intermediate caprolactam was the principal antagonist. In-house bioassays for identified disruptors displayed good alignment with Tox21 potency data, validating employing Tox21 toxicity data for theoretical toxicity estimations. Potency calculations revealed 5α-dihydrotestosterone and two pharmaceuticals (17β-trenbolone and testosterone isocaproate) as the most potent AR agonists and three dyes (rhodamine 6G, Victoria blue BO, and gentian violet) as antagonists. Theoretical effect contribution evaluations prioritized 5α-dihydrotestosterone and testosterone isocaproate as high-risk AR agonists and caprolactam, rhodamine 6G, and 8-hydroxyquinoline (as a biocide and a preservative) as key antagonists. Notably, 16 agonists and 20 antagonists were newly reported in the sludge, many exhibiting significant detection frequencies, concentrations, and/or toxicities, demanding future scrutiny. Our study presents an efficient strategy for estimating environmental sample toxicity and identifying key toxicants, thereby supporting the development of appropriate sludge management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongtong Xiang
- College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang110004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
| | - Yanna Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
| | - Yunhe Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao266237, China
| | - Jifu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Linlin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
| | - Yuxiang Mao
- School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Xiaoxi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
| | - Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
| | - Runzeng Liu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Xiaoting Jin
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao266071, China
| | - Jianbo Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Guangbo Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang110004, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100085, China
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310000, China
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Almamoun R, Pierozan P, Karlsson O. Mechanistic screening of reproductive toxicity in a novel 3D testicular co-culture model shows significant impairments following exposure to low-dibutyl phthalate concentrations. Arch Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s00204-024-03767-6. [PMID: 38769170 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-024-03767-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
To improve the mechanistic screening of reproductive toxicants in chemical-risk assessment and drug development, we have developed a three-dimensional (3D) heterogenous testicular co-culture model from neonatal mice. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), an environmental contaminant that can affect reproductive health negatively, was used as a model compound to illustrate the utility of the in vitro model. The cells were treated with DBP (1 nM to 100 µM) for 7 days. Automated high-content imaging confirmed the presence of cell-specific markers of Leydig cells (CYP11A1 +), Sertoli cells (SOX9 +), and germ cells (DAZL +). Steroidogenic activity of Leydig cells was demonstrated by analyzing testosterone levels in the culture medium. DBP induced a concentration-dependent reduction in testosterone levels and decreased the number of Leydig cells compared to vehicle control. The levels of steroidogenic regulator StAR and the steroidogenic enzyme CYP11A1 were decreased already at the lowest DBP concentration (1 nM), demonstrating upstream effects in the testosterone biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, exposure to 10 nM DBP decreased the levels of the germ cell-specific RNA binding protein DAZL, central for the spermatogenesis. The 3D model also captured the development of the Sertoli cell junction proteins, N-cadherin and Zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO-1), critical for the blood-testis barrier. However, DBP exposure did not significantly alter the cadherin and ZO-1 levels. Altogether, this 3D in vitro system models testicular cellular signaling and function, making it a powerful tool for mechanistic screening of developmental testicular toxicity. This can open a new avenue for high throughput screening of chemically-induced reproductive toxicity during sensitive developmental phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radwa Almamoun
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paula Pierozan
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oskar Karlsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11418, Stockholm, Sweden.
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6
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Xiao L, Zuo Z, Zhao F. Microbiome in Female Reproductive Health: Implications for Fertility and Assisted Reproductive Technologies. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2024; 22:qzad005. [PMID: 38862423 PMCID: PMC11104452 DOI: 10.1093/gpbjnl/qzad005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The microbiome plays a critical role in the process of conception and the outcomes of pregnancy. Disruptions in microbiome homeostasis in women of reproductive age can lead to various pregnancy complications, which significantly impact maternal and fetal health. Recent studies have associated the microbiome in the female reproductive tract (FRT) with assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes, and restoring microbiome balance has been shown to improve fertility in infertile couples. This review provides an overview of the role of the microbiome in female reproductive health, including its implications for pregnancy outcomes and ARTs. Additionally, recent advances in the use of microbial biomarkers as indicators of pregnancy disorders are summarized. A comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of the microbiome before and during pregnancy and its impact on reproductive health will greatly promote maternal and fetal health. Such knowledge can also contribute to the development of ARTs and microbiome-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science/Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhenqiang Zuo
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science/Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fangqing Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science/Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Sfakianoudis K, Zikopoulos A, Grigoriadis S, Seretis N, Maziotis E, Anifandis G, Xystra P, Kostoulas C, Giougli U, Pantos K, Simopoulou M, Georgiou I. The Role of One-Carbon Metabolism and Methyl Donors in Medically Assisted Reproduction: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4977. [PMID: 38732193 PMCID: PMC11084717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
One-carbon (1-C) metabolic deficiency impairs homeostasis, driving disease development, including infertility. It is of importance to summarize the current evidence regarding the clinical utility of 1-C metabolism-related biomolecules and methyl donors, namely, folate, betaine, choline, vitamin B12, homocysteine (Hcy), and zinc, as potential biomarkers, dietary supplements, and culture media supplements in the context of medically assisted reproduction (MAR). A narrative review of the literature was conducted in the PubMed/Medline database. Diet, ageing, and the endocrine milieu of individuals affect both 1-C metabolism and fertility status. In vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques, and culture conditions in particular, have a direct impact on 1-C metabolic activity in gametes and embryos. Critical analysis indicated that zinc supplementation in cryopreservation media may be a promising approach to reducing oxidative damage, while female serum homocysteine levels may be employed as a possible biomarker for predicting IVF outcomes. Nonetheless, the level of evidence is low, and future studies are needed to verify these data. One-carbon metabolism-related processes, including redox defense and epigenetic regulation, may be compromised in IVF-derived embryos. The study of 1-C metabolism may lead the way towards improving MAR efficiency and safety and ensuring the lifelong health of MAR infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Sfakianoudis
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, 14-16, Papanikoli, 15232 Athens, Greece; (K.S.); (K.P.)
| | - Athanasios Zikopoulos
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro TR1 3LJ, UK
| | - Sokratis Grigoriadis
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - Nikolaos Seretis
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
| | - Evangelos Maziotis
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - George Anifandis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece;
| | - Paraskevi Xystra
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - Charilaos Kostoulas
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
| | - Urania Giougli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
| | - Konstantinos Pantos
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, 14-16, Papanikoli, 15232 Athens, Greece; (K.S.); (K.P.)
| | - Mara Simopoulou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.G.); (E.M.); (P.X.)
| | - Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (A.Z.); (N.S.); (C.K.); (U.G.); (I.G.)
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Silva EL, Mínguez-Alarcón L, Coull B, Hart JE, James-Todd T, Calafat AM, Ford JB, Hauser R, Mahalingaiah S. Urinary benzophenone-3 concentrations and ovarian reserve in a cohort of subfertile women. Fertil Steril 2024:S0015-0282(24)00266-8. [PMID: 38697237 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between the urinary benzophenone-3 concentrations and measures of ovarian reserve (OR) among women in the Environment and Reproductive Health study seeking fertility treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, Massachusetts. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING MGH infertility clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. PATIENT(S) Women in the Environment and Reproductive Health cohort seeking fertility treatment. INTERVENTION(S) Women contributed spot urine samples prior to assessment of OR outcomes that were analyzed for benzophenone-3 concentrations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Antral follicle count (AFC) and day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were evaluated as part of standard infertility workups during unstimulated menstrual cycles. Quasi-Poisson and linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of the specific gravity-adjusted urinary benzophenone-3 concentrations with AFC and FSH, with adjustment for age and physical activity. In the secondary analyses, models were stratified by age. RESULT(S) This study included 142 women (mean age ± standard deviation, 36.1 ± 4.6 years; range, 22-45 years) enrolled between 2009 and 2017 with both urinary benzophenone-3 and AFC measurements and 57 women with benzophenone-3 and FSH measurements. Most women were White (78%) and highly educated (49% with a graduate degree). Women contributed a mean of 2.7 urine samples (range, 1-10), with 37% contributing ≥2 samples. Benzophenone-3 was detected in 98% of samples. The geometric mean specific gravity-corrected urinary benzophenone-3 concentration was 85.9 μg/L (geometric standard deviation, 6.2). There were no associations of benzophenone-3 with AFC and day 3 FSH in the full cohort. In stratified models, a 1-unit increase in the log geometric mean benzophenone-3 concentration was associated with a 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97) times lower AFC among women aged ≤35 years and an increase in the FSH concentration of 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.12-1.34) IU/L among women aged >35 years. CONCLUSION(S) In the main models, urinary benzophenone-3 was not associated with OR. However, younger patients may be vulnerable to the potential effects of benzophenone-3 on AFC. Further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Silva
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Lidia Mínguez-Alarcón
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Brent Coull
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tamarra James-Todd
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jennifer B Ford
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shruthi Mahalingaiah
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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9
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Aliasghari F, Effati-Daryani F, Mohammadi A, Mirghafourvand M. Relationship of domestic violence with pregnancy symptoms and pregnancy experience in Iranian pregnant women: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e082570. [PMID: 38670608 PMCID: PMC11057274 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Violence has had adverse effects on the physical and psychological dimensions of pregnant women. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship of domestic violence with pregnancy symptoms and pregnancy experience. DESIGN In this cross-sectional study, pregnant women were selected through two-stage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the domestic violence questionnaire of the WHO, pregnancy symptoms inventory (PSI) and pregnancy experience scale (PES). To determine the relationship between domestic violence with pregnancy symptoms and pregnancy experience, adjusted general linear model was used in multivariate analysis. SETTING Health centres in Urmia-Iran in 2022. PARTICIPANTS 415 pregnant women. RESULTS The frequency of emotional, physical and sexual violence was 86.0%, 67.7% and 79.5%, respectively. The mean (SD) of PSI was 49.45 (14.38) with attainable score of 0-123 and PES including happiness and worry was 14.32 (6.48) and 16.21 (2.51) with attainable score of 0-30, respectively. Based on the adjusted general linear model, the mean score of PSI in women who experienced physical violence (mild (p<0.001) and moderate (p<0.001)); sexual violence (mild (p<0.001), moderate (p<0.001) and severe (p<0.001)); and emotional violence (mild (p<0.001), moderate (p=0.002) and severe (p<0.001)) was significantly higher than women without experiencing violence. The mean score of happiness during pregnancy in women who experienced physical violence (moderate (p=0.011)) and emotional violence (mild (p<0.001), moderate (p=0.002) and severe (p<0.001)) was significantly lower than women without experience of violence. Also, the mean score of worry scores in women with experience of sexual violence (mild (p=0.001) and moderate (p=0.012)) and emotional violence (mild (p<0.001), moderate (p<0.001)) and severe (p<0.001)) was significantly higher than women without experiencing violence. CONCLUSION Considering the relationship between violence and pregnancy symptoms and pregnancy experiences, it is necessary to use appropriate strategies to prevent violence in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Aliasghari
- Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Effati-Daryani
- Midwifery Department, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Azam Mohammadi
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mojgan Mirghafourvand
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, The Islamic Republic of Iran
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10
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Wei X, Zhang Z, Gu Y, Zhang R, Huang J, Li F, He Y, Lu S, Wu Y, Zeng W, Liu X, Liu C, Liu J, Ao L, Shi F, Chen Q, Lin Y, Du J, Jin G, Xia Y, Ma H, Zheng Y, Huo R, Cao J, Shen H, Hu Z. Inter- and trans-generational impacts of real-world PM 2.5 exposure on male-specific primary hypogonadism. Cell Discov 2024; 10:44. [PMID: 38649348 PMCID: PMC11035589 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-024-00657-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to PM2.5, a harmful type of air pollution, has been associated with compromised male reproductive health; however, it remains unclear whether such exposure can elicit transgenerational effects on male fertility. Here, we aim to examine the effect of paternal exposure to real-world PM2.5 on the reproductive health of male offspring. We have observed that paternal exposure to real-world PM2.5 can lead to transgenerational primary hypogonadism in a sex-selective manner, and we have also confirmed this phenotype by using an external model. Mechanically, we have identified small RNAs (sRNAs) that play a critical role in mediating these transgenerational effects. Specifically, miR6240 and piR016061, which are present in F0 PM sperm, regulate intergenerational transmission by targeting Lhcgr and Nsd1, respectively. We have also uncovered that piR033435 and piR006695 indirectly regulate F1 PM sperm methylation by binding to the 3'-untranslated region of Tet1 mRNA. The reduced expression of Tet1 resulted in hypermethylation of several testosterone synthesis genes, including Lhcgr and Gnas, impaired Leydig cell function and ultimately led to transgenerational primary hypogonadism. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the transgenerational effects of paternal PM2.5 exposure on reproductive health, highlighting the crucial role played by sRNAs in mediating these effects. The findings underscore the significance of paternal pre-conception interventions in alleviating the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhonghao Zhang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yayun Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanlin He
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuai Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wentao Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaorui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenzi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinyi Liu
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Ao
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Fuquan Shi
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiangbo Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guangfu Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxia Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ran Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Jia Cao
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China.
| | - Hongbing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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11
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Cutas D, Smajdor A. Keeping it in the family: reproduction beyond genetic parenthood. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2024:jme-2023-109814. [PMID: 38429088 DOI: 10.1136/jme-2023-109814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Recent decades have seen the facilitation of unconventional or even extraordinary reproductive endeavours. Sperm has been harvested from dying or deceased men at the request of their wives; reproductive tissue has been surgically removed from children at the request of their parents; deceased adults' frozen embryos have been claimed by their parents, in order to create grandchildren; wombs have been transplanted from mothers to their daughters. What is needed for requests to be honoured by healthcare staff is that they align with widely shared expectations about what people's reproductive potential ought to be, what marital relationships ought to result in, and which kinds of ties are desirable between parents and children. Costly and invasive technologies are not considered excessive when they are used to support the building of appropriate families. However, deviations from dominant reproductive norms, even if technologically simple and convenient to the participants, are unlikely to receive support. In this paper, we offer examples of such deviations and explore their implications. If reproduction is important as a way of creating genetic relationships, should reproductive material in storage be offered to genetic relatives other than the people from whom it originated? And if parents are allowed to have reproductive material collected from their offspring, or even to use it to create babies, should offspring likewise be allowed to use their parents' reproductive material? We tackle these questions and suggest ways in which interests in genetic ties could be operationalised in a more coherent and less-invasive manner than they currently are.
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12
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Warp ML, Grindstad T, Magnus MC, Page CM, Håberg SE, Morken NH, Romundstad LB, Hanevik HI. Early or late menarche is associated with reduced fecundability in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:812-821. [PMID: 38323524 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is age at menarche associated with fecundability? SUMMARY ANSWER Both early (<11 years) and late (>15 years) menarche is associated with decreased fecundability. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous studies on age at menarche and fecundability have been inconclusive. Women with early or late menarche are at increased risks of gynaecological and autoimmune diseases that may affect their ability to conceive. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 67 613 pregnant women, participating in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study between 1999 and 2008, with self-reported information on age at menarche and time to pregnancy. We included planned pregnancies that were conceived either naturally or with the help of assisted reproductive technologies. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We calculated fecundability ratios (FRs) with 95% CIs representing the cycle-specific probability of conception by categories of age at menarche. FRs were adjusted for participants' pre-pregnancy body mass index, highest completed or ongoing education level, and age at initiation of trying to conceive. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We observed a 7% lower probability of conceiving during any given menstrual cycle up to 12 cycles in women with early or late menarche. Among women with menarche >15 years, the adjusted FR was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.90-0.97), and among women with menarche <11 years, the adjusted FR was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89-0.99), when compared to women with menarche between 12 and 14 years. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The study-population consisted of women pregnant in their second trimester, excluding those with persistent infertility. Recall of age at menarche and time to pregnancy may be inaccurate. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Both early (<11 years) and late (>15 years) menarche was associated with decreased fecundability. Women experiencing early menarche or late menarche may be counselled accordingly. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway, and by Telemark Hospital Trust, Porsgrunn, Norway and was partly supported by the Research Council of Norway through its centres of excellence funding scheme (project number 262700) and the Research Council of Norway (project no. 320656). The project was co-funded by the European Union (ERC, BIOSFER, 101071773). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. M.C.M. has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement no. 947684). The authors report no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Warp
- Telemark Hospital Trust, Fertility Department Soer, Porsgrunn, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - T Grindstad
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - M C Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - C M Page
- Department of Physical Health and Ageing, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - S E Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - N-H Morken
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - L B Romundstad
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Spiren Fertility Clinic, Trondheim, Norway
| | - H I Hanevik
- Telemark Hospital Trust, Fertility Department Soer, Porsgrunn, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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13
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Schmeis Arroyo V, Iosa M, Antonucci G, De Bartolo D. Predicting Male Infertility Using Artificial Neural Networks: A Review of the Literature. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:781. [PMID: 38610202 PMCID: PMC11011284 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12070781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a relevant public health problem, but there is no systematic review of the different machine learning (ML) models and their accuracy so far. The present review aims to comprehensively investigate the use of ML algorithms in predicting male infertility, thus reporting the accuracy of the used models in the prediction of male infertility as a primary outcome. Particular attention will be paid to the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct between 15 July and 23 October 2023, conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We performed a quality assessment of the included studies using the recommended tools suggested for the type of study design adopted. We also made a screening of the Risk of Bias (RoB) associated with the included studies. Thus, 43 relevant publications were included in this review, for a total of 40 different ML models detected. The studies included reported a good quality, even if RoB was not always good for all the types of studies. The included studies reported a median accuracy of 88% in predicting male infertility using ML models. We found only seven studies using ANN models for male infertility prediction, reporting a median accuracy of 84%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian Schmeis Arroyo
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (M.I.); (G.A.)
| | - Marco Iosa
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (M.I.); (G.A.)
- Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS), 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Antonucci
- Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy (M.I.); (G.A.)
- Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS), 00179 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela De Bartolo
- Santa Lucia Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Health Care (IRCCS), 00179 Rome, Italy
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14
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Ashley-Martin J, Hammond J, Velez MP. Assessing preconception exposure to environmental chemicals and fecundity: Strategies, challenges, and research priorities. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 125:108578. [PMID: 38522558 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
In 2022, approximately one out of six people globally experienced infertility at some point in their life. Environmental chemicals, particularly those with endocrine disrupting activity, may contribute to impaired fecundity and infertility. We review existing prospective cohort studies of environmental chemicals and fecundity, identify methodological challenges and biases, and outline future research priorities. Studies of preconception environmental chemical exposures and fecundity have occurred in US, Singapore, China and Denmark with recruitment as early as 1982-1986, as recent as 2015-2017 and sample sizes ranging from 99 to 936. Higher exposure to certain chemicals (e.g. heavy metals, perfluoroalkyl substances) was associated with longer time to pregnancy; yet the literature is scarce or nonexistent for many chemicals. Furthermore, prospective studies face challenges and potential biases related to recruiting participants prior to conception, measuring environmental chemicals during critical windows of exposure, and ascertaining when pregnancy occurred. Research priorities include expanding the scope of biomonitoring data collected during the preconception period, continuing to develop and validate analytic methods for self-sampled biospecimens in traditional and novel matrices, collecting data in male partners and investigating etiologic associations according to indicators of marginalization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob Hammond
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Maria P Velez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queens University, Canada
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15
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vom Saal FS, Antoniou M, Belcher SM, Bergman A, Bhandari RK, Birnbaum LS, Cohen A, Collins TJ, Demeneix B, Fine AM, Flaws JA, Gayrard V, Goodson WH, Gore AC, Heindel JJ, Hunt PA, Iguchi T, Kassotis CD, Kortenkamp A, Mesnage R, Muncke J, Myers JP, Nadal A, Newbold RR, Padmanabhan V, Palanza P, Palma Z, Parmigiani S, Patrick L, Prins GS, Rosenfeld CS, Skakkebaek NE, Sonnenschein C, Soto AM, Swan SH, Taylor JA, Toutain PL, von Hippel FA, Welshons WV, Zalko D, Zoeller RT. The Conflict between Regulatory Agencies over the 20,000-Fold Lowering of the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for Bisphenol A (BPA) by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:45001. [PMID: 38592230 PMCID: PMC11003459 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommended lowering their estimated tolerable daily intake (TDI) for bisphenol A (BPA) 20,000-fold to 0.2 ng / kg body weight ( BW ) / day . BPA is an extensively studied high production volume endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) associated with a vast array of diseases. Prior risk assessments of BPA by EFSA as well as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have relied on industry-funded studies conducted under good laboratory practice protocols (GLP) requiring guideline end points and detailed record keeping, while also claiming to examine (but rejecting) thousands of published findings by academic scientists. Guideline protocols initially formalized in the mid-twentieth century are still used by many regulatory agencies. EFSA used a 21st century approach in its reassessment of BPA and conducted a transparent, but time-limited, systematic review that included both guideline and academic research. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) opposed EFSA's revision of the TDI for BPA. OBJECTIVES We identify the flaws in the assumptions that the German BfR, as well as the FDA, have used to justify maintaining the TDI for BPA at levels above what a vast amount of academic research shows to cause harm. We argue that regulatory agencies need to incorporate 21st century science into chemical hazard identifications using the CLARITY-BPA (Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity) nonguideline academic studies in a collaborative government-academic program model. DISCUSSION We strongly endorse EFSA's revised TDI for BPA and support the European Commission's (EC) apparent acceptance of this updated BPA risk assessment. We discuss challenges to current chemical risk assessment assumptions about EDCs that need to be addressed by regulatory agencies to, in our opinion, become truly protective of public health. Addressing these challenges will hopefully result in BPA, and eventually other structurally similar bisphenols (called regrettable substitutions) for which there are known adverse effects, being eliminated from all food-related and many other uses in the EU and elsewhere. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13812.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick S. vom Saal
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael Antoniou
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Scott M. Belcher
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ake Bergman
- Department of Environmental Science (ACES), Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ramji K. Bhandari
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Linda S. Birnbaum
- Scientist Emeritus and Former Director, National Toxicology Program (NTP), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Scholar in Residence, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aly Cohen
- Integrative Rheumatology Associates, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Terrence J. Collins
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Barbara Demeneix
- Comparative Physiology Laboratory, Natural History Museum, Paris, France
| | - Anne Marie Fine
- Environmental Medicine Education International, Mancos, Colorado, USA
| | - Jodi A. Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana—Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Veronique Gayrard
- ToxAlim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - William H. Goodson
- California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Andrea C. Gore
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Jerrold J. Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Patricia A. Hunt
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Taisen Iguchi
- Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Christopher D. Kassotis
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Robin Mesnage
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King’s College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Angel Nadal
- Instituto de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación en Biotecnología Sanitaria de Elche (IDiBE) and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Retha R. Newbold
- Scientist Emeritus, NTP, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Paola Palanza
- Unit of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Parmigiani
- Unit of Evolutionary and Functional Biology, Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Lyn Patrick
- Environmental Medicine Education International, Mancos, Colorado, USA
| | - Gail S. Prins
- Department of Urology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- MU Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Niels E. Skakkebaek
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlos Sonnenschein
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ana M. Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shanna H. Swan
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Julia A. Taylor
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Pierre-Louis Toutain
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK
- NTHERES, INRAE, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Frank A. von Hippel
- Department of Community, Environment & Policy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Wade V. Welshons
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri—Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel Zalko
- ToxAlim (Research Centre in Food Toxicology), University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - R. Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Peng L, Luo X, Cao B, Wang X. Unraveling the link: environmental tobacco smoke exposure and its impact on infertility among American women (18-50 years). Front Public Health 2024; 12:1358290. [PMID: 38525328 PMCID: PMC10957781 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1358290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The detrimental effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on women's reproductive health have been widely recognized. However, the detailed association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and the incidence of infertility remains under-explored. This investigation focuses on exploring this potential connection. Methods For this analysis, we extracted data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, covering the years 2013 to 2018, focusing on individuals with recorded serum cotinine levels and infertility information. ETS exposure and fertility status were analyzed as independent and dependent variables, respectively. We applied weighted multivariate logistic regression method to evaluate the impact of ETS on infertility, including subgroup analyses for more detailed insights. Results The study encompassed 3,343 participants. Logistic regression analysis revealed a notable positive correlation between ETS exposure and infertility, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.64 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.14-2.36). We observed a non-linear relationship between ETS exposure and infertility risk. Notably, infertility risk increased by 64% in serum cotinine levels above 0.136 compared to that in serum cotinine levels below 0.011. Further, subgroup analysis and interaction tests showed consistent results across different segments, underscoring the robustness of the ETS-infertility link. Conclusion Our findings suggest that environmental tobacco smoke exposure may be a contributing factor to infertility. These results reinforce the recommendation for women in their reproductive years to avoid ETS exposure, especially when planning for pregnancy.
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Suresh T, LaPointe S, Lee JC, Nagy ZP, Shapiro DB, Kramer MR, Hipp HS, Gaskins AJ. Neighborhood deprivation in relation to ovarian reserve and outcomes of ovarian stimulation among oocyte donors. Fertil Steril 2024:S0015-0282(24)00172-9. [PMID: 38461907 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) and markers of ovarian reserve and outcomes of controlled ovarian stimulation among young, healthy oocyte donors. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS A total of 547 oocyte donors who underwent 905 oocyte retrieval cycles (2008-2020) at a private fertility center in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States. INTERVENTIONS Neighborhood deprivation index was calculated using principal component analysis applied to census-level measures of poverty, employment, household composition, and public assistance, which was then standardized and linked to donor information on the basis of donor residence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Markers of ovarian reserve, including antral follicle count (AFC) and antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and outcomes of controlled ovarian stimulation including number of total and mature oocytes retrieved and ovarian sensitivity index (OSI) (defined as the number of oocytes retrieved/total gonadotropin dose × 1,000). Multivariable generalized estimating equations with Poisson and normal distribution were used to model the relationship between NDI and outcome measures adjusting for age, body mass index, and year of retrieval. RESULTS The mean (SD) age of donors was 25.0 (2.8) years and 29% of the donors were racial or ethnic minorities. There were no associations between donor NDI and ovarian reserve markers. For every interquartile range increase in NDI, there was a reduction of -1.5% (95% confidence interval: -5.3% to 2.4%) in total oocytes retrieved although the effect estimate was imprecise. Associations of NDI with a number of mature oocytes retrieved and OSI were in a similar direction. We observed evidence for effect modification of the NDI and OSI association by donor race. There was a suggestive positive association between NDI and OSI in Black donors but no association in White donors. CONCLUSION In this cohort of young, healthy, racially diverse oocyte donors, we found little evidence of associations between NDI and markers of ovarian reserve or outcomes of ovarian stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvi Suresh
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Heath, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sarah LaPointe
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Heath, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jaqueline C Lee
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Zsolt P Nagy
- Reproductive Biology Associates, Sandy Springs, Georgia
| | | | - Michael R Kramer
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Heath, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Heather S Hipp
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Audrey J Gaskins
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Heath, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Jaylet T, Coustillet T, Smith NM, Viviani B, Lindeman B, Vergauwen L, Myhre O, Yarar N, Gostner JM, Monfort-Lanzas P, Jornod F, Holbech H, Coumoul X, Sarigiannis DA, Antczak P, Bal-Price A, Fritsche E, Kuchovska E, Stratidakis AK, Barouki R, Kim MJ, Taboureau O, Wojewodzic MW, Knapen D, Audouze K. Comprehensive mapping of the AOP-Wiki database: identifying biological and disease gaps. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1285768. [PMID: 38523647 PMCID: PMC10958381 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1285768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) concept facilitates rapid hazard assessment for human health risks. AOPs are constantly evolving, their number is growing, and they are referenced in the AOP-Wiki database, which is supported by the OECD. Here, we present a study that aims at identifying well-defined biological areas, as well as gaps within the AOP-Wiki for future research needs. It does not intend to provide a systematic and comprehensive summary of the available literature on AOPs but summarizes and maps biological knowledge and diseases represented by the already developed AOPs (with OECD endorsed status or under validation). Methods: Knowledge from the AOP-Wiki database were extracted and prepared for analysis using a multi-step procedure. An automatic mapping of the existing information on AOPs (i.e., genes/proteins and diseases) was performed using bioinformatics tools (i.e., overrepresentation analysis using Gene Ontology and DisGeNET), allowing both the classification of AOPs and the development of AOP networks (AOPN). Results: AOPs related to diseases of the genitourinary system, neoplasms and developmental anomalies are the most frequently investigated on the AOP-Wiki. An evaluation of the three priority cases (i.e., immunotoxicity and non-genotoxic carcinogenesis, endocrine and metabolic disruption, and developmental and adult neurotoxicity) of the EU-funded PARC project (Partnership for the Risk Assessment of Chemicals) are presented. These were used to highlight under- and over-represented adverse outcomes and to identify and prioritize gaps for further research. Discussion: These results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the adverse effects associated with the molecular events in AOPs, and aid in refining risk assessment for stressors and mitigation strategies. Moreover, the FAIRness (i.e., data which meets principles of findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIR)) of the AOPs appears to be an important consideration for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Jaylet
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1124 T3S, Paris, France
| | | | - Nicola M. Smith
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Climate and Environment, Oslo, Norway
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Birgitte Lindeman
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Climate and Environment, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lucia Vergauwen
- Zebrafishlab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Oddvar Myhre
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Climate and Environment, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nurettin Yarar
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Climate and Environment, Oslo, Norway
| | - Johanna M. Gostner
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Pablo Monfort-Lanzas
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Henrik Holbech
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1124 T3S, Paris, France
| | - Dimosthenis A. Sarigiannis
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens, Greece
- Science, Technology and Society Department, Environmental Health Engineering, University School for Advanced Studies (IUSS), Pavia, Italy
| | - Philipp Antczak
- Department II of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Anna Bal-Price
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
- Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, Basel, Switzerland
- DNTOX GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eliska Kuchovska
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Antonios K. Stratidakis
- Science, Technology and Society Department, Environmental Health Engineering, University School for Advanced Studies (IUSS), Pavia, Italy
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1124 T3S, Paris, France
| | - Min Ji Kim
- Inserm UMR-S 1124, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Taboureau
- Université Paris Cité, BFA, Team CMPLI, Inserm U1133, CNRS UMR 8251, Paris, France
| | - Marcin W. Wojewodzic
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Climate and Environment, Oslo, Norway
- Cancer Registry of Norway, NIPH, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dries Knapen
- Zebrafishlab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1124 T3S, Paris, France
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Hu Y, Shen M, Wang C, Huang Q, Li R, Dorj G, Gombojav E, Du J, Ren L. A meta-analysis-based adverse outcome pathway for the male reproductive toxicity induced by microplastics and nanoplastics in mammals. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133375. [PMID: 38160553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The male reproductive toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) has attracted great attention, but the latent mechanisms remain fragmented. This review performed the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) analysis and meta-analysis in 39 relevant studies, with the AOP analysis to reveal the cause-and-effect relationships of MPs/NPs-induced male reproductive toxicity and the meta-analysis to quantify the toxic effects. In the AOP framework, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the molecular initiating event (MIE), which triggered several key events (KEs) at different levels. At the cellular level, the KEs included oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, sperm DNA damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis and autophagy of testicular cells, repressed expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, and gut microbiota alteration. These KEs further induced the reduction of testosterone, impaired blood-testis barrier (BTB), testicular inflammation, and impaired spermatogenesis at tissue/organ levels. Ultimately, decreased sperm quality or quantity was noted and proved by meta-analysis, which demonstrated that MPs/NPs led to a decrease of 5.99 million/mL in sperm concentration, 14.62% in sperm motility, and 23.56% in sperm viability, while causing an increase of 10.65% in sperm abnormality rate. Overall, this is the first AOP for MPs/NPs-mediated male reproductive toxicity in mammals. The innovative integration of meta-analysis into the AOP analysis increases the rigorism of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinchu Hu
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Meidi Shen
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chongkun Wang
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qifang Huang
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ruiqiong Li
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Gantuya Dorj
- School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Enkhjargal Gombojav
- School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Jiwei Du
- Nursing Department, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518040, China
| | - Lihua Ren
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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Liu J, Zhao M, Dong X, Zhang Y, Xue J, Duan J, Sun Z, Zhou X. Melatonin ameliorates PM2.5-induced spermatogenesis disorder by preserving H3K9 methylation and SIRT3. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:1471-1480. [PMID: 37994397 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
There was a link between exposure to PM2.5 and male infertility. Melatonin has beneficial effects on the male reproductive processes. How PM2.5 caused spermatogenesis disturbance and whether melatonin could prevent PM2.5-induced reproductive toxicity have remained unclear. The results showed that PM2.5 could inhibit the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant pathway and distinctly increase the cell apoptosis in testes. Moreover, PM2.5 also perturbed the process of meiosis by modulating meiosis-associated proteins such as γ-H2AX and Stra8. Mechanistically, PM2.5 inhibited G9a-dependent H3K9 methylation and SIRT3-mediated p53 deacetylation, which consistent with decreased sperm count and motility rate in ApoE-/- mice. Further investigation revealed melatonin effectively alleviated PM2.5-induced meiosis inhibition by preserving H3K9 methylation. Melatonin also alleviated PM2.5-induced apoptosis by regulating SIRT3-mediated p53 deacetylation. Overall, our study revealed PM2.5 resulted in spermatogenesis disorder by perturbing meiosis via G9a-dependent H3K9 di-methylation and causing cell apoptosis via SIRT3/p53 deacetylation pathway and provided promising insights into the protective role of melatonin in air pollution associated with male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Liu
- Department of Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Moxuan Zhao
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Dong
- Experimental Center for Basic Medical Teaching, Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglong Xue
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Junchao Duan
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwei Sun
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xianqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Fauser BCJM, Adamson GD, Boivin J, Chambers GM, de Geyter C, Dyer S, Inhorn MC, Schmidt L, Serour GI, Tarlatzis B, Zegers-Hochschild F. Declining global fertility rates and the implications for family planning and family building: an IFFS consensus document based on a narrative review of the literature. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:153-173. [PMID: 38197291 PMCID: PMC10905510 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family-planning policies have focused on contraceptive approaches to avoid unintended pregnancies, postpone, or terminate pregnancies and mitigate population growth. These policies have contributed to significantly slowing world population growth. Presently, half the countries worldwide exhibit a fertility rate below replacement level. Not including the effects of migration, many countries are predicted to have a population decline of >50% from 2017 to 2100, causing demographic changes with profound societal implications. Policies that optimize chances to have a child when desired increase fertility rates and are gaining interest as a family-building method. Increasingly, countries have implemented child-friendly policies (mainly financial incentives in addition to public funding of fertility treatment in a limited number of countries) to mitigate decreasing national populations. However, the extent of public spending on child benefits varies greatly from country to country. To our knowledge, this International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) consensus document represents the first attempt to describe major disparities in access to fertility care in the context of the global trend of decreasing growth in the world population, based on a narrative review of the existing literature. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The concept of family building, the process by which individuals or couples create or expand their families, has been largely ignored in family-planning paradigms. Family building encompasses various methods and options for individuals or couples who wish to have children. It can involve biological means, such as natural conception, as well as ART, surrogacy, adoption, and foster care. Family-building acknowledges the diverse ways in which individuals or couples can create their desired family and reflects the understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a family. Developing education programs for young adults to increase family-building awareness and prevent infertility is urgently needed. Recommendations are provided and important knowledge gaps identified to provide professionals, the public, and policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of the role of child-friendly policies. SEARCH METHODS A narrative review of the existing literature was performed by invited global leaders who themselves significantly contributed to this research field. Each section of the review was prepared by two to three experts, each of whom searched the published literature (PubMed) for peer reviewed full papers and reviews. Sections were discussed monthly by all authors and quarterly by the review board. The final document was prepared following discussions among all team members during a hybrid invitational meeting where full consensus was reached. OUTCOMES Major advances in fertility care have dramatically improved family-building opportunities since the 1990s. Although up to 10% of all children are born as a result of fertility care in some wealthy countries, there is great variation in access to care. The high cost to patients of infertility treatment renders it unaffordable for most. Preliminary studies point to the increasing contribution of fertility care to the global population and the associated economic benefits for society. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Fertility care has rarely been discussed in the context of a rapid decrease in world population growth. Soon, most countries will have an average number of children per woman far below the replacement level. While this may have a beneficial impact on the environment, underpopulation is of great concern in many countries. Although governments have implemented child-friendly policies, distinct discrepancies in access to fertility care remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart C J M Fauser
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Silke Dyer
- Groot Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Yue D, Wang F, Han Y, Xiong C, Yang R. Exosomes derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate male infertility caused by busulfan in vivo and in vitro. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 272:116063. [PMID: 38306818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Environmental pollution has emerged as a global concern due to its detrimental effects on human health. One of the critical aspects of this concern is the impact of environmental pollution on sperm quality in males. Male factor infertility accounts for approximately 40%- 50% of all infertility cases. Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe type of male infertility. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) exosomes enhance proliferation and migration, playing crucial roles in tissue and organ injury repair. However, whether hUCMSC exosomes impacting on NOA caused by chemotherapeutic agents remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the functional restoration and mechanism of hUCMSC exosomes on busulfan-induced injury in GC-1 spg cells and ICR mouse testes. Our results revealed that hUCMSC exosomes effectively promoted the proliferation and migration of busulfan-treated GC-1 spg cells. Additionally, oxidative stress and apoptosis were significantly reduced when hUCMSC exosomes were treated. Furthermore, the injection of hUCMSC exosomes into the testes of ICR mice treated with busulfan upregulated the expression of mouse germ cell-specific genes, such as vasa, miwi, Stra8 and Dazl. Moreover, the expression of cellular junction- and cytoskeleton-related genes, including connexin 43, ICAM-1, β-catenin and androgen receptor (AR), was increased in the testicular tissues treated with exosomes. Western blot analysis demonstrated significant downregulation of apoptosis-associated proteins, such as bax and caspase-3, and upregulation of bcl-2 in the mouse testicular tissues injected with hUCMSC exosomes. Further, the spermatogenesis in the experimental group of mice injected with exosomes showed partial restoration of spermatogenesis compared to the busulfan-treated group. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for the potential clinical applications of hUCMSC exosomes in cell repair and open up new avenues for the clinical treatment of NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhi Yue
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Ying Han
- Laboratory Animal Center, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China
| | - Chengliang Xiong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Ruifeng Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China.
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Lindahl-Jacobsen R, Tavlo Petersson M, Priskorn L, Skakkebæk NE, Juul A, Kristensen DM, Eisenberg ML, Jensen TK. Time to pregnancy and life expectancy: a cohort study of 18 796 pregnant couples. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:595-603. [PMID: 38115232 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is fecundity, measured as time to pregnancy (TTP), associated with mortality in parents? SUMMARY ANSWER Prolonged TTP is associated with increased mortality in both mothers and fathers in a dose-response manner. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Several studies have linked both male and female fecundity to mortality. In women, infertility has been linked to several diseases, but studies suggest that the underlying conditions, rather than infertility, increase mortality. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A prospective cohort study was carried out on 18 796 pregnant couples, in which the pregnant women attended prophylactic antenatal care between 1973 and 1987 at a primary and tertiary care unit. The couples were followed in Danish mortality registers from their child's birth date until death or until 2018. The follow-up period was up to 47 years, and there was complete follow-up until death, emigration or end of study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS At the first antenatal visit, the pregnant women were asked to report the time to the current pregnancy. Inclusion was restricted to the first pregnancy, and TTP was categorised into <12 months, ≥12 months, not planned, and not available. In sub-analyses, TTP ≥12 was further categorized into 12-35, 36-60, and >60 months. Information for parents was linked to several Danish nationwide health registries. Survival analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) with a 95% CI for survival and adjusted for age at the first attempt to become pregnant, year of birth, socioeconomic status, mother's smoking during pregnancy, and mother's BMI. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Mothers and fathers with TTP >60 months survived, respectively, 3.5 (95% CI: 2.6-4.3) and 2.7 (95% CI: 1.8-3.7) years shorter than parents with a TTP <12 months. The mortality was higher for fathers (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09-1.34) and mothers (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.12-1.49) with TTP ≥12 months compared to parents with TTP <12 months. The risk of all-cause mortality during the study period increased in a dose-response manner with the highest adjusted HR of 1.98 (95% CI: 1.62-2.41) for fathers and 2.03 (95% CI: 1.56-2.63) for mothers with TTP >60 months. Prolonged TTP was associated with several different causes of death in both fathers and mothers, indicating that the underlying causes of the relation between fecundity and survival may be multi-factorial. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A limitation is that fecundity is measured using a pregnancy-based approach. Thus, the cohort is conditioned on fertility success and excludes sterile couples, unsuccessful attempts and spontaneous abortions. The question used to measure TTP when the pregnant woman was interviewed at her first attended prophylactic antenatal care: 'From the time you wanted a pregnancy until it occurred, how much time passed?' could potentially have led to serious misclassification if the woman did not answer on time starting unprotected intercourse but on the start of wishing to have a child. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS We found that TTP is a strong marker of survival, contributing to the still-emerging evidence that fecundity in men and women reflects their health and survival potential. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The authors acknowledge an unrestricted grant from Ferring. The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article, or the decision to submit it for publication. M.L.E. is an advisor to Ro, VSeat, Doveras, and Next. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lindahl-Jacobsen
- Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Biodemography, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Center on Population Dynamics (CPop), University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - M Tavlo Petersson
- Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Biodemography, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
- Interdisciplinary Center on Population Dynamics (CPop), University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - L Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N E Skakkebæk
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - D M Kristensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale), Irset-Inserm UMR 1085, Rennes, France
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - M L Eisenberg
- Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery, Departments of Urology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - T K Jensen
- Department of Public Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
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Miller WB, Baluška F, Reber AS, Slijepčević P. Why death and aging ? All memories are imperfect. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 187:21-35. [PMID: 38316274 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Recent papers have emphasized the primary role of cellular information management in biological and evolutionary development. In this framework, intelligent cells collectively measure environmental cues to improve informational validity to support natural cellular engineering as collaborative decision-making and problem-solving in confrontation with environmental stresses. These collective actions are crucially dependent on cell-based memories as acquired patterns of response to environmental stressors. Notably, in a cellular self-referential framework, all biological information is ambiguous. This conditional requirement imposes a previously unexplored derivative. All cellular memories are imperfect. From this atypical background, a novel theory of aging and death is proposed. Since cellular decision-making is memory-dependent and biology is a continuous natural learning system, the accumulation of previously acquired imperfect memories eventually overwhelms the flexibility cells require to react adroitly to contemporaneous stresses to support continued cellular homeorhetic balance. The result is a gradual breakdown of the critical ability to efficiently measure environmental information and effect cell-cell communication. This age-dependent accretion governs senescence, ultimately ending in death as an organism-wide failure of cellular networking. This approach to aging and death is compatible with all prior theories. Each earlier approach illuminates different pertinent cellular signatures of this ongoing, obliged, living process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - František Baluška
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Botany, University of Bonn, Germany.
| | - Arthur S Reber
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Predrag Slijepčević
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Brunel, UK.
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25
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Kiwitt-Cárdenas J, Arense-Gonzalo JJ, Adoamnei E, Sarabia-Cos L, Vela-Soria F, Fernández MF, Gosálvez J, Mendiola J, Torres-Cantero AM. Urinary concentrations of bisphenol A, parabens and benzophenone-type ultra violet light filters in relation to sperm DNA fragmentation in young men: A chemical mixtures approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169314. [PMID: 38103620 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
People are daily exposed to multiple endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs) that may interfere with different molecular and cellular processes, promoting a potential estrogenic, androgenic, or anti-androgenic state. However, most epidemiological studies attempting to establish relationships between EDCs exposure and health effects are still considering individual compounds. A few studies have shown associations between exposure to individual non-persistent EDCs and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in different male populations. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate associations between combined exposure to non-persistent EDCs and SDF index in young men. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 158 healthy university students from Southeaster Spain. The participants provided spot urine and semen samples on the same day. The concentrations of urinary bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenones [2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1); 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (BP-2), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3), 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-8), 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4OHBP)], and parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben) were measured by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. SDF was analysed using a Sperm Chromatin Dispersion test. Statistical analyses were carried out using Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression models to evaluate associations between combined exposure to these compounds and SDF index while adjusting by relevant covariates. The increase in urinary concentration of 4OHBP was found to be the most important contributor to the negative association between urinary EDCs concentrations and SDF index, being of -5.5 % [95 % CI: -10.7, -0.3] for those in percentile 50, and - 5.4 % [95 % CI: -10.8, -0.1] for those in percentile 75. No significant associations were observed between other EDCs and SDF index. Our findings show that urinary 4OHBP levels may be associated with a decrease in the SDF index. Nonetheless, the effects we observed were likely to be small and of uncertain clinical significance. Further research is needed to replicate our findings in other male populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Kiwitt-Cárdenas
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine, "Virgen de la Arrixaca" University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Julián J Arense-Gonzalo
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Health Research Methodology Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Evdochia Adoamnei
- Health Research Methodology Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Department of Nursing, University of Murcia School of Nursing, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Laura Sarabia-Cos
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Instituto de Reproducción Asistida Quirónsalud Dexeus Murcia, Grupo Quirónsalud, 30008 Murcia, Spain.
| | - Fernando Vela-Soria
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, 18010 Granada, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain.
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, 18010 Granada, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Genetic Unit, Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jaime Mendiola
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Health Research Methodology Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Alberto M Torres-Cantero
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Department of Preventive Medicine, "Virgen de la Arrixaca" University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Health Research Methodology Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Murcia, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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26
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Kimmins S, Anderson RA, Barratt CLR, Behre HM, Catford SR, De Jonge CJ, Delbes G, Eisenberg ML, Garrido N, Houston BJ, Jørgensen N, Krausz C, Lismer A, McLachlan RI, Minhas S, Moss T, Pacey A, Priskorn L, Schlatt S, Trasler J, Trasande L, Tüttelmann F, Vazquez-Levin MH, Veltman JA, Zhang F, O'Bryan MK. Frequency, morbidity and equity - the case for increased research on male fertility. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:102-124. [PMID: 37828407 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00820-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Currently, most men with infertility cannot be given an aetiology, which reflects a lack of knowledge around gamete production and how it is affected by genetics and the environment. A failure to recognize the burden of male infertility and its potential as a biomarker for systemic illness exists. The absence of such knowledge results in patients generally being treated as a uniform group, for whom the strategy is to bypass the causality using medically assisted reproduction (MAR) techniques. In doing so, opportunities to prevent co-morbidity are missed and the burden of MAR is shifted to the woman. To advance understanding of men's reproductive health, longitudinal and multi-national centres for data and sample collection are essential. Such programmes must enable an integrated view of the consequences of genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors on fertility and offspring health. Definition and possible amelioration of the consequences of MAR for conceived children are needed. Inherent in this statement is the necessity to promote fertility restoration and/or use the least invasive MAR strategy available. To achieve this aim, protocols must be rigorously tested and the move towards personalized medicine encouraged. Equally, education of the public, governments and clinicians on the frequency and consequences of infertility is needed. Health options, including male contraceptives, must be expanded, and the opportunities encompassed in such investment understood. The pressing questions related to male reproductive health, spanning the spectrum of andrology are identified in the Expert Recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- The Département de Pathologie et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Sarah R Catford
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Geraldine Delbes
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicolas Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Brendan J Houston
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, University Hospital of Careggi Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ariane Lismer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash IVF Group, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Imperial, London, UK
| | - Tim Moss
- Healthy Male and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Allan Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Departments of Paediatrics, Human Genetics and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards, Department of Paediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mónica Hebe Vazquez-Levin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, Fundación IBYME, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Feng Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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Lan Y, Gao X, Xu H, Li M. 20 years of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on toxicity assessments. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:121007. [PMID: 38096726 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.121007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) serve as brominated flame retardants which continue to receive considerable attention because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. Although PBDEs have been restricted and phased out, large amounts of commercial products containing PBDEs are still in use and discarded annually. Consequently, PBDEs added to products can be released into our surrounding environments, particularly in aquatic systems, thus posing great risks to human health. Many studies and reviews have described the possible toxic effects of PBDEs, while few studies have comprehensively summarized and analyzed the global trends of their toxicity assessment. Therefore, this study utilizes bibliometrics to evaluate the worldwide scientific output of PBDE toxicity and analyze the hotspots and future trends of this field. Firstly, the basic information including the most contributing countries/institutions, journals, co-citations, influential authors, and keywords involved in PBDE toxicity assessment will be visualized. Subsequently, the potential toxicity of PBDE exposure to diverse systems, such as endocrine, reproductive, neural, and gastrointestinal tract systems, and related toxic mechanisms will be discussed. Finally, we conclude this review by outlining the current challenges and future perspectives in environmentally relevant PBDE exposure, potential carriers for PBDE transport, the fate of PBDEs in the environment and human bodies, advanced stem cell-derived organoid models for toxicity assessment, and promising omics technologies for obtaining toxic mechanisms. This review is expected to offer systematical insights into PBDE toxicity assessments and facilitate the development of PBDE-based research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Lan
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Institute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xue Gao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Haiwei Xu
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China.
| | - Minghui Li
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China; Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
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28
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Kaombe TM. A bivariate Poisson regression to analyse impact of outlier women on correlation between female schooling and fertility in Malawi. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:55. [PMID: 38245736 PMCID: PMC10799448 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-02891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women's levels of education and fertility are commonly associated. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the pace of decreasing fertility rates varies greatly, and this is linked to women's levels of education. However, this association may be influenced by unusual females who have uncommon measurements on both variables. Despite this, most studies that researched this association have only analysed the data descriptively, without taking into account the effect of potential outliers. This study aimed to examine the presence and impact of outlier women on the relationship between female education and fertility in Malawi, using regression methods. METHODS To analyse the correlation between women's schooling and fertility and evaluate the effect of outliers on this relationship, a bivariate Poisson model was applied to three recent demographic and health surveys in Malawi. The R software version 4.3.0 was used for model fitting, outlier computations, and correlation analysis. The STATA version 12.0 was used for data cleaning. RESULTS The findings revealed a correlation of -0.68 to -0.61 between schooling and fertility over 15 years in Malawi. A few outlier women were identified, most of whom had either attended 0 or at least 9 years of schooling and had born either 0 or at least 5 children. The majority of the outliers were non-users of modern contraceptive methods and worked as domestic workers or were unemployed. Removing the outliers from the analysis led to marked changes in the fixed effects sizes and slight shifts in correlation, but not in the direction and significance of the estimates. The woman's marital status, occupation, household wealth, age at first sex, and usage of modern contraceptives exhibited significant effects on education and fertility outcomes. CONCLUSION There is a high negative correlation between female schooling and fertility in Malawi. Some outlier women were identified, they had either attended zero or at least nine years of schooling and had either born zero or at least five children. Most of them were non-users of modern contraceptives and domestic workers. Their impact on regression estimates was substantial, but minimal on correlation. Their identification highlights the need for policymakers to reconsider implementation strategies for modern contraceptive methods to make them more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsirizani Mwalimu Kaombe
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Malawi, Zomba, Malawi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Feng
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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30
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Gaml-Sørensen A, Thomsen AH, Tøttenborg SS, Brix N, Hougaard KS, Toft G, Håberg SE, Myrskylä M, Bonde JP, Ramlau-Hansen CH. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and reproductive health in adult sons: a study in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:219-231. [PMID: 37935951 PMCID: PMC10767916 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is maternal pre-pregnancy BMI associated with semen quality, testes volume, and reproductive hormone levels in sons? SUMMARY ANSWER Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with an altered reproductive hormone profile in young adult sons, characterized by higher levels of oestradiol, LH, and free androgen index (FAI) and lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in sons born of mothers with pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Evidence suggests that maternal pre-pregnancy BMI may influence reproductive health later in life. Only one pilot study has investigated the association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and reproductive health outcomes in sons, suggesting that a high BMI was associated with impaired reproductive function in the adult sons. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A population-based follow-up study of 1058 young men from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort nested within the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC), 1998-2019, was carried out. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In total, 1058 adult sons (median age 19 years, 2 months), born 1998-2000 by mothers included in the DNBC, participated in FEPOS. At a clinical examination, they provided a semen and blood sample, measured their testes volume, and had height and weight measured. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was obtained by self-report in early pregnancy. Semen characteristics, testes volume, and reproductive hormone levels were analysed according to maternal pre-pregnancy BMI categories and as restricted cubic splines using negative binomial and ordinary least square regression models. Mediation analyses examined potential mediation by the sons' birthweight, pubertal timing, fat mass, and BMI. Additional analyses investigated the role of paternal BMI in the potential associations between maternal BMI and reproductive health outcomes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We found no consistent associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and semen characteristics or testes volume. Sons of mothers with higher pre-pregnancy BMI had higher oestradiol and lower SHBG levels, both in a dose-dependent manner. Sons of mothers with pre-pregnancy obesity (≥30 kg/m2) had higher LH levels and a higher FAI than sons born by mothers with normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2). The mediation analyses suggested that the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI on higher levels of oestrogen, LH, and FAI was partly mediated by the sons' birthweight, in addition to adult fat mass and BMI measured at the clinical examination, whereas most of the effect on lower levels of SHBG was primarily mediated by the sons' own fat mass and BMI. Paternal BMI was not a strong confounder of the associations in this study. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This study was based in a population-based cohort with a low prevalence of overweight and obesity in both mothers and adult sons. Some men (10%) had blood for reproductive hormone assessment drawn in the evening. While several potential confounding factors were accounted for, this study's inherent risk of residual and unmeasured confounding precludes provision of causal estimates. Therefore, caution should be given when interpreting the causal effect of maternal BMI on sons' reproductive health. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Given the widespread occurrence of overweight and obesity among pregnant women, it is imperative to thoroughly examine the potential consequences for reproductive hormone levels in adult sons. The potential effects of maternal pre-pregnancy obesity on sons' reproductive hormone profile may potentially be partly avoided by the prevention of overweight and obesity in the sons. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The project was funded by the Lundbeck Foundation (R170-2014-855), the Capital Region of Denmark, Medical doctor Sofus Carl Emil Friis and spouse Olga Doris Friis's Grant, Axel Muusfeldt's Foundation (2016-491), AP Møller Foundation (16-37), the Health Foundation, Dagmar Marshall's Fond, Aarhus University, Independent Research Fund Denmark (9039-00128B), and the European Union (ERC, BIOSFER, 101071773). Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gaml-Sørensen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Hjorth Thomsen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sandra Søgaard Tøttenborg
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nis Brix
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karin Sørig Hougaard
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- National Research Centre for Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Toft
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Siri Eldevik Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mikko Myrskylä
- Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany
- Center for Social Data Science and Population Research Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Max Planck—University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jens Peter Bonde
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital—Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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31
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Tohyama C, Honda Y. Challenges in health risk assessment of multiple chemical exposures in epidemiological studies. Environ Health Prev Med 2024; 29:6. [PMID: 38325855 PMCID: PMC10898861 DOI: 10.1265/ehpm.23-00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chiharu Tohyama
- The University of Tokyo
- Health, Environment, Science, and Technology International Consulting
| | - Yasushi Honda
- The National Institute for Environmental Studies
- Univeristy of Tsukuba
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32
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Miller D, Weber A, Loloi J, Reddy R, Ramasamy R. Temporal Trends of Semen Quality and Fertility Rates Over the Course of a Decade: Data From King County, Washington. Urology 2024; 183:93-99. [PMID: 37716452 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.07.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There has been a widely reported decline in both semen quality and fertility rate, however to date these studies have not looked at a decline of both in the same time period within the same geographical area. The objective of this study was to determine if there existed a temporal trend in both semen parameters and fertility rates for the same geographic area (King County, WA) over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semen parameters from sperm donors at Seattle sperm bank were obtained from 2008 to 2021. Sperm donations occurred in King County, WA. Donors were from within 50 miles of the donation site. Fertility rates were calculated for King County, WA using census data from SEER to find number of women aged 15-49 and the number of births were found using CDC Wonder data from 2006 to 2017. RESULTS There were a total of 76,622 sperm donor semen analyses from King County, WA included in our study from 2008 to 2021. The fertility rate for King County, WA was calculated from 2006 to 2017. From 2008 to 2021, there was a statistically significant decline in semen quality over time for both sperm count (P < .01), total motile sperm count (P < .01), sperm concentration (P < .01), and progressive motility (P < .01). Additionally, from 2006 to 2017 there was a statistically significant decline in fertility rate (P < .01). CONCLUSION We report a statistically significant decline in sperm parameters among donors and a corresponding decline in fertility rates from the same geographic area that warrants further investigation given the serious societal and economic impacts a shrinking population presents. While certainly not the sole contributing factor, declining sperm parameters likely need to be accounted for when accounting for declining fertility rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Weber
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Justin Loloi
- Department of Urology, Montefiore Health System, New York City, NY
| | - Rohit Reddy
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL
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Singh P, Metkari SM, Tripathi A, Bhartiya D. Reversing Uteropathies Including Cancer-Like Changes in Mice by Transplanting Mesenchymal Stromal Cells or XAR Treatment. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:258-282. [PMID: 37779174 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10632-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Pluripotent, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and tissue-committed 'progenitors' termed endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) are reported in mouse uterus. They express gonadal and gonadotropin hormone receptors and thus are vulnerable to early-life endocrine insults. Neonatal exposure of mouse pups to endocrine disruption cause stem/progenitor cells to undergo epigenetic changes, excessive self-renewal, and blocked differentiation that results in various uteropathies including non-receptive endometrium, hyperplasia, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and cancer-like changes in adult life. Present study investigated reversal of these uteropathies, by normalizing functions of VSELs and EnSCs. Two strategies were evaluated including (i) transplanting mesenchymal stromal cells (provide paracrine support) on D60 or (ii) oral administration of XAR (epigenetic regulator) daily from days 60-100 and effects were studied later in 100 days old mice. Results show normalization of stem/progenitor cells (Oct-4, Oct-4A, Sox-2, Nanog) and Wnt signalling (Wnt-4, β-catenin, Axin-2) specific transcripts. Flow cytometry results showed reduced numbers of 2-6 µm, LIN-CD45-SCA-1 + VSELs. Hyperplasia (Ki67) of epithelial (Pax-8, Foxa-2) and myometrial (α-Sma, Tgf-β) cells was reduced, adenogenesis (differentiation of glands) was restored, endometrial receptivity and differentiation (LIF, c-KIT, SOX-9, NUMB) and stromal cells niche (CD90, VIMENTIN, Pdgfra, Vimentin) were improved, cancer stem cells markers (OCT-4, CD166) were reduced while tumor suppressor genes (PTEN, P53) and epigenetic regulators (Ezh-2, Sirt-1) were increased. To conclude, normalizing VSELs/EnSCs to manage uteropathies provides a novel basis for initiating clinical studies. The study falls under the umbrella of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 to ensure healthy lives and well-being for all of all ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpa Singh
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive & Child Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - S M Metkari
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive & Child Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
| | - Anish Tripathi
- Epigeneres Biotech Pvt Ltd, Lower Parel, Mumbai, 400 013, India
| | - Deepa Bhartiya
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive & Child Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India.
- Epigeneres Biotech Pvt Ltd, Lower Parel, Mumbai, 400 013, India.
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He Y, Yin R. The reproductive and transgenerational toxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics: A threat to mammalian fertility in both sexes. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:66-85. [PMID: 37382358 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are extensively distributed in the environment. However, a comprehensive review and in-depth discussion on the effects of MPs and NPs to reproductive capacity and transgenerational toxicity on mammals, especially on humans, is lacked. It is suggested that microplastics and nanoplastics could accumulate in mammalian reproductive organs and exert toxic effects on the reproductive system for both sexes. For males, the damage of microplastics consists of abnormal testicular and sperm structure, decreased sperm vitality, and endocrine disruption, which were caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis of testicular cells, autophagy, abnormal cytoskeleton, and abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. For females, the damage of microplastics includes abnormal ovary and uterus structure and endocrine disruption, which were caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, granulosa cell apoptosis, hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis abnormalities, and tissue fibrosis. For transgenerational toxicity, premature mortality existed in the rodent offspring after maternal exposure to microplastics. Among the surviving offspring, metabolic disorders, reproductive dysfunction, immune, neurodevelopmental, and cognitive disorders were detected, and these events directly correlated with transgenerational translocation of MPs and NPs. Studies on human-derived cells or organoids demonstrated that transgenerational toxicity studies for both sexes are yet in the phase of exploring suitable experimental models, and more detailed research on the threat of MPs and NPs to human fertility is still urgently needed. Further studies will help assess the MPs and NPs threat to public fertility and reproductive health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchong He
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
- The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Provincial, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Ruocheng Yin
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
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Beck AL, Rehfeld A, Mortensen LJ, Lorenzen M, Andersson AM, Juul A, Bentin-Ley U, Krog H, Frederiksen H, Petersen JH, Holmboe SA, Jensen MB. Ovarian follicular fluid levels of phthalates and benzophenones in relation to fertility outcomes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108383. [PMID: 38109833 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), for instance phthalates and benzophenones, are associated with adverse fertility outcomes and semen quality parameters. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if concentrations of selected phthalate metabolites and benzophenones measured in follicular fluid are associated with fertility outcomes (i.e., reproductive hormones, antral follicle count, detected heartbeat at gestational week 7, and live birth) and, in a supplementary study, if measured concentrations of chemicals in follicular fluid can exert biological effects on human spermatozoa. METHODS Overall, 111 couples from a fertility clinic in Denmark contributed with 155 follicular fluid samples. Concentrations of 43 metabolites from 19 phthalates and phthalate substitutes and six benzophenones were measured in follicular fluid using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Multiple linear and logistic regression with an applied generalized estimating equation model allowing more than one measurement per woman assessed the association between follicular EDC levels and fertility outcomes. The assessment of biological effects of individual and mixtures of EDCs on human spermatozoa was conducted through a human sperm cell based Ca2+-fluorimetric assay. RESULTS Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and seven metabolites of five phthalates were detectable in follicular fluid. Women with metabolites of dibutyl phthalate isomers in the highest tertiles had lower antral follicle count (MiBP: β = -5.35 [95 % CI: -9.06; -2.00], MnBP: β = -5.25 [95 % CI: -9.00; -2.00]) and lower odds for detecting a heartbeat at gestational week 7 (MiBP: OR = 0.35 [95 % CI: 0.14; 0.91], MnBP: OR = 0.39 [95 % CI: 0.13; 1.15]). Mixtures of the measured concentrations of BP-3 and the seven phthalate metabolites induced a small significant increase in the intracellular calcium ion concentration in human spermatozoa from healthy donors (n = 3). DISCUSSION Phthalate metabolites and BP-3 were detectable in follicular fluid and high concentrations of some phthalate metabolites were linked with lower chance of successful fertility treatment outcomes. Chemical mixture concentrations in follicular fluid induced a calcium response in human spermatozoa highlighting possible biological effects at physiologically relevant concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid L Beck
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anders Rehfeld
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Li J Mortensen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Mette Lorenzen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ursula Bentin-Ley
- Dansk Fertilitetsklinik, Seedorffs Vaenge 2, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hans Krog
- Dansk Fertilitetsklinik, Seedorffs Vaenge 2, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørgen H Petersen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Section of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine A Holmboe
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Blomberg Jensen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Herlev-Gentofte, Denmark
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LaPointe S, Lee JC, Nagy ZP, Shapiro DB, Chang HH, Wang Y, Russell AG, Hipp HS, Gaskins AJ. Ambient traffic related air pollution in relation to ovarian reserve and oocyte quality in young, healthy oocyte donors. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108382. [PMID: 38103346 PMCID: PMC10871039 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Studies in mice and older, subfertile women have found that air pollution exposure may compromise female reproduction. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of air pollution on ovarian reserve and outcomes of ovarian stimulation among young, healthy females. We included 472 oocyte donors who underwent 781 ovarian stimulation cycles at a fertility clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, USA (2008-2019). Antral follicle count (AFC) was assessed with transvaginal ultrasonography and total and mature oocyte count was assessed following oocyte retrieval. Ovarian sensitivity index (OSI) was calculated as the total number of oocytes divided by total gonadotrophin dose × 1000. Daily ambient exposure to nitric oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter ≤ 2.5 (PM2.5) was estimated using a fused regional + line-source model for near-surface releases at a 250 m resolution based on residential address. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the associations of an interquartile range (IQR) increase in pollutant exposure with outcomes adjusted for donor characteristics, census-level poverty, and meteorological factors. The median (IQR) age among oocyte donors was 25.0 (5.0) years, and 31% of the donors were racial/ethnic minorities. The median (IQR) exposure to NOx, CO, and PM2.5 in the 3 months prior to stimulation was 37.7 (32.0) ppb, 612 (317) ppb, and 9.8 (2.9) µg/m3, respectively. Ambient air pollution exposure in the 3 months before AFC was not associated with AFC. An IQR increase in PM2.5 in the 3 months before AFC and during stimulation was associated with -7.5% (95% CI -14.1, -0.4) and -6.4% (95% CI -11.0, -1.6) fewer mature oocytes, and a -1.9 (95% CI -3.2, -0.5) and -1.0 (95% CI -1.8, -0.2) lower OSI, respectively. Our results suggest that lowering the current 24-h PM2.5 standard in the US to 25 µg/m3 may still not adequately protect against the reprotoxic effects of short-term PM2.5 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah LaPointe
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Heath, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jaqueline C Lee
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zsolt P Nagy
- Reproductive Biology Associates, Sandy Springs, GA, United States
| | - Daniel B Shapiro
- Reproductive Biology Associates, Sandy Springs, GA, United States
| | - Howard H Chang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yifeng Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Armistead G Russell
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Heather S Hipp
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Audrey J Gaskins
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Heath, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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Fallesen P. The association between type of conception through medically assisted reproduction and childhood cognition: a Danish population-wide cohort study. Eur J Public Health 2023; 33:1020-1026. [PMID: 37480261 PMCID: PMC10710341 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has indicated that children conceived through medically assisted reproduction (MAR) generally have cognitive outcomes comparable to or better than naturally conceived children. However, previous studies have been limited in their ability to examine this relationship at a population level and consider variations across different types of MAR. METHODS This study utilizes data from all live births in Denmark between 2006 and 2009 (n = 259 608), including a subset of births resulting from MAR conceptions (n = 13 566). The dependent variable is the standardized test scores obtained in the second and third grades of primary schools. A comparison is made between the test scores of children spontaneously conceived (SC) and those conceived through intrauterine insemination (IUI) and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Ordinary least squares regressions are employed, with a baseline model adjusted only for birth year, as well as models that additionally account for conception-related confounders and sociodemographic family characteristics. RESULTS In the baseline analysis, ART- and IUI-conceived children displayed better test scores compared with their SC peers. However, after adjusting for relevant factors, ART-conceived children performed worse than SC peers, while IUI-conceived children performed equally well as SC peers and better than ART-conceived children. CONCLUSIONS These results likely reflect differences in the selection process of potential parents into the type of MAR, as well as the consequences of variations in fecundability. Nevertheless, the differences observed across conception types were overshadowed by test score disparities in socioeconomic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fallesen
- Swedish Institute of Social Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- ROCKWOOL Foundation, København K, Denmark
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38
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Long E, Zhang J. Evidence for the role of selection for reproductively advantageous alleles in human aging. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh4990. [PMID: 38064565 PMCID: PMC10708185 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh4990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis posits that natural selection for pleiotropic mutations that confer earlier or more reproduction but impair the post-reproductive life causes aging. This hypothesis of the evolutionary origin of aging is supported by case studies but lacks unambiguous genomic evidence. Here, we genomically test this hypothesis using the genotypes, reproductive phenotypes, and death registry of 276,406 U.K. Biobank participants. We observe a strong, negative genetic correlation between reproductive traits and life span. Individuals with higher polygenetic scores for reproduction (PGSR) have lower survivorships to age 76 (SV76), and PGSR increased over birth cohorts from 1940 to 1969. Similar trends are seen from individual genetic variants examined. The antagonistically pleiotropic variants are often associated with cis-regulatory effects across multiple tissues or on multiple target genes. These and other findings support the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis of aging in humans and point to potential molecular mechanisms of the reproduction-life-span antagonistic pleiotropy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erping Long
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jianzhi Zhang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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39
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Sánchez-Resino E, Marquès M, Gutiérrez-Martín D, Restrepo-Montes E, Martínez MÁ, Salas-Huetos A, Babio N, Salas-Salvadó J, Gil-Solsona R, Gago-Ferrero P. Exploring the Occurrence of Organic Contaminants in Human Semen through an Innovative LC-HRMS-Based Methodology Suitable for Target and Nontarget Analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:19236-19252. [PMID: 37934628 PMCID: PMC10722465 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the potential impact of organic contaminants on male fertility is crucial, yet limited studies have examined these chemicals in semen, with most focusing on urine and blood. To address this gap, we developed and validated a robust LC-HRMS methodology for semen analysis, with a focus on polar and semipolar chemicals. Our methodology enables the quantitative (or semiquantitative) analysis of >2000 chemicals being compatible with suspect and nontarget strategies and providing unprecedented insights into the occurrence and potential bioaccumulation of diverse contaminants in this matrix. We comprehensively analyzed exogenous organic chemicals and associated metabolites in ten semen samples from Spanish participants collected in an area with a large presence of the chemical industry included in the LED-FERTYL Spanish study cohort. This investigation revealed the presence of various contaminants in semen, including plastic additives, PFAS, flame retardants, surfactants, and insecticides. Notably, prevalent plastic additives such as phthalic acid esters and bisphenols were identified, indicating potential health risks. Additionally, we uncovered previously understudied chemicals like the tire additive 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and specific organophosphate flame retardants. This study showcases the potential of our methodology as a valuable tool for large-scale cohort studies, providing insights into the association between contaminant exposure and the risk of male fertility impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sánchez-Resino
- Laboratory
of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, IISPV, Sant LLorenç 21, Reus, Catalonia 43201, Spain
- Center
of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus 43201, Spain
| | - Montse Marquès
- Laboratory
of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, IISPV, Sant LLorenç 21, Reus, Catalonia 43201, Spain
- Center
of Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology - TecnATox, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus 43201, Spain
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Martín
- Department
of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment
and Water Research − Severo Ochoa Excellence Center (IDAEA), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
- Institute
of Sustainable Processes (ISP) and Department of Analytical Chemistry,
Faculty of Sciences, University of Valladolid
(UVa), Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Esteban Restrepo-Montes
- Department
of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment
and Water Research − Severo Ochoa Excellence Center (IDAEA), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Martínez
- Departament
de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Grup ANut-DSM, Institut d’Investigació
Sanitària Pere Virgili, CIBEROBN, Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad
y Nutrición (ISCIII), Universitat
Rovira i Virgili, Reus 43201, Spain
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Departament
de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Unitat de Medicina
Preventiva, Grup ANut-DSM, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària
Pere Virgili, CIBEROBN, Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutrición
(ISCIII), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus 43201, Spain
- Department
of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nancy Babio
- Departament
de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Grup ANut-DSM, Institut d’Investigació
Sanitària Pere Virgili, CIBEROBN, Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad
y Nutrición (ISCIII), Universitat
Rovira i Virgili, Reus 43201, Spain
| | - Jordi Salas-Salvadó
- Departament
de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Grup ANut-DSM, Institut d’Investigació
Sanitària Pere Virgili, CIBEROBN, Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad
y Nutrición (ISCIII), Universitat
Rovira i Virgili, Reus 43201, Spain
| | - Rubén Gil-Solsona
- Department
of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment
and Water Research − Severo Ochoa Excellence Center (IDAEA), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Pablo Gago-Ferrero
- Department
of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment
and Water Research − Severo Ochoa Excellence Center (IDAEA), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona 08034, Spain
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LaPointe S, Mehta A, Gaskins AJ. Diet and recreational drug use in relation to male reproductive health. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:1089-1097. [PMID: 37838140 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Diet and lifestyle interventions present promising avenues for the improvement of male fertility. Our objective was to review and synthesize the existing observational and experimental studies among humans on the associations of diet and recreational drug use with semen quality and fertility outcomes. The available data on this topic are limited and, at times, conflicting. Nevertheless, on the basis of this review, dietary patterns that are composed of higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low-fat dairy, and seafood, as well as lower intakes of red and processed meats, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages were identified as having the strongest evidence for associations with better sperm quality. However, whether these dietary patterns translate into positive associations with clinical fertility endpoints such as assisted reproductive technology success rates or time-to-pregnancy among couples trying to conceive without medical assistance remains unclear. Male caffeine and alcohol intake, within low-to-moderate ranges of intake, do not appear to be detrimental to semen quality. Yet high-quality research on this topic, focused on clinical fertility endpoints, should continue given the conflicting evidence, particularly in populations undergoing infertility treatment with assisted reproductive technology. Recreational drug use, including marijuana, electronic cigarettes, and other illicit drugs, does not appear to be beneficial for male reproductive health and should be avoided or ceased. In conclusion, men should be encouraged to consume a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low-fat dairy, and seafood, as well as lacking in red and processed meats, sweets, and sugar-sweetened beverages, and to avoid recreational drug use for improved male reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah LaPointe
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Akanksha Mehta
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Audrey J Gaskins
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Vinnars MT, Bixo M, Damdimopoulou P. Pregnancy-related maternal physiological adaptations and fetal chemical exposure. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 578:112064. [PMID: 37683908 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal life represents a susceptible window of development during which chemical exposures can permanently alter fetal development, leading to an increased likelihood of disease later in life. Therefore, it is essential to assess exposure in the fetus. However, direct assessment in human fetuses is challenging, so most research measures maternal exposure. Pregnancy induces a range of significant physiological changes in women that may affect chemical metabolism and responses. Moreover, placental function, fetal sex, and pregnancy complications may further modify these exposures. The purpose of this narrative review is to give an overview of major pregnancy-related physiological changes, including placental function and impacts of pregnancy complications, to summarize existing studies assessing chemical exposure in human fetal organs, and to discuss possible interactions between physiological changes and exposures. Our review reveals major knowledge gaps in factors affecting fetal chemical exposure, highlighting the need to develop more sophisticated tools for chemical health risk assessment in fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Therese Vinnars
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Marie Bixo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Li Y, Zhang Z, Wang J, Liu C, Liu Y, Jiang X, Chen Q, Ao L, Cao J, Sun L, Han F, Liu J. Effects and possible mechanisms of combined exposure to noise and carbon monoxide on male reproductive system in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:2926-2938. [PMID: 37565766 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental hazards are an increasing concern due to the rapid pace of industrialization. Among these hazards, noise and carbon monoxide (CO) are common risk factors and have been shown to cause serious health problems. However, existing studies focused on the individual effects of noise and CO exposure and the combined effects of these two factors remain poorly understood. Our study aimed to examine the combined effects of noise and CO exposure on testicular function by constructing individual and combined exposure models. Our findings indicated that combined exposure to noise and CO was associated with a higher risk of testicular damage and male reproductive damage when compared to exposure alone. This was evidenced by poorer semen quality and more severe pathological damage to the testis. This combined exposure led to higher levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the testes, with bioinformatics analyses suggesting the signaling pathways involved in these responses. Specifically, activation of the P53 signaling pathway was found to contribute to the testicular damage caused by the combined exposure. Encouragingly, pterostilbene (PTE), a novel phytochemical, alleviated combined exposure-induced testicular damage by reducing oxidative stress and germ cell apoptosis. Overall, we identified joint reproductive toxicity resulting from the exposure to noise and CO, and found that PTE is a promising potential treatment for injuries caused by these factors. The cover image is based on the Research Article Effects and possible mechanisms of combined exposure to noise and carbon monoxide on male reproductive system in rats by Yingqing Li et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.23927.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqing Li
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhonghao Zhang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jiankang Wang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurology, PLA 948 Hospital, Wusu, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiao Jiang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Ao
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jia Cao
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Sun
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Han
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jinyi Liu
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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Cai P, Wang Y, Feng N, Zou H, Gu J, Yuan Y, Liu X, Liu Z, Bian J. Polystyrene nanoplastics aggravate reproductive system damage in obese male mice by perturbation of the testis redox homeostasis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:2881-2893. [PMID: 37555767 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The potential impact of the combination of a high-fat diet (HFD) and polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on fertility cannot be ignored, especially when the fertility rate is declining. However, it has not attracted considerable attention. In this study, an obese mouse model was established using an HFD, and the reproductive function of male mice was evaluated after intragastric administration of 100 μL of a 10 mg/mL PS-NP suspension for 4 weeks. By determining the morphology and vitality of sperm and related indicators of testosterone production, it was found that PS-NPs aggravated the destruction of sperm mitochondrial structure, decrease sperm activity, and testosterone production in HFD-fed mice. To comprehensively analyze the injury mechanism, the integrity of the blood testicular barrier (BTB) and the function of Leydig and Sertoli cells were further analyzed. It was found that PS-NPs could destroy BTB, promote the degeneration of Leydig cells, reduce the number of Sertoli cells, and decrease lactate secretion in HFD-fed mice. PS-NPs further interfered with redox homeostasis in the testicular tissues of HFD-fed mice. This study found that PS-NPs could aggravate the damage to the reproductive system of obese male mice by further perturbing its redox homeostasis and revealed the potential health risk of PS-NPs exposure under an HFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peirong Cai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaling Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Nannan Feng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianhong Gu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuezhong Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianchun Bian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Golo MA, Han D, Ibrar M, Haroon MA. The influence of environment and Earnings on Prolonged existence and human fertility: A Deeper Dive into Asia's environmentally vulnerable nations. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22637. [PMID: 38107279 PMCID: PMC10724672 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This study inspects the impact of environmental deterioration and income on longevity and fertility in Asian countries, specifically the nations that are highly vulnerable to extreme weather. The study examines the data, covering two decades from 2000 to 2019. The empirical conclusions of the panel ARDL-PMG and the CS-ARDL econometric models indicate that environmental degradation leads to a decline in birth rate and life expectancy, while a rising income has a significant influence over longevity. However, increasing per capita income alone cannot solve the problem of population crisis in climatically susceptible countries. Therefore, the sample countries must prioritize climate action and formulate climate-resilient policies to add more years to the lives of their citizens. Similarly, for increasing childbirth the sample nations need to make peace with nature. The outcomes of this study are strong enough, as both the models support each other's findings, producing similar significant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dongping Han
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Muhammad Ibrar
- Software College, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, China
| | - Muhammad Arshad Haroon
- Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, Hyderabad-Campus Sindh Pakistan
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Rahban R, Senn A, Nef S, Rӧӧsli M. Association between self-reported mobile phone use and the semen quality of young men. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:1181-1192. [PMID: 37921737 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between mobile phone exposure and semen parameters. DESIGN A nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING Andrology laboratories in close proximity to 6 army recruitment centers. PATIENTS In total, 2886 men from the general Swiss population, 18-22 years old, were recruited between 2005 and 2018 during military conscription. INTERVENTION Participants delivered a semen sample and completed a questionnaire on health and lifestyle, including the number of hours they spent using their mobile phones and where they placed them when not in use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Using logistic and multiple linear regression models, adjusted odds ratios and β coefficients were determined, respectively. The association between mobile phone exposure and semen parameters such as volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), motility, and morphology was then evaluated. RESULTS A total of 2759 men answered the question concerning their mobile phone use, and 2764 gave details on the position of their mobile phone when not in use. In the adjusted linear model, a higher frequency of mobile phone use (>20 times per day) was associated with a lower sperm concentration (adjusted β: -0.152; 95% confidence interval: -0.316; 0.011) and a lower TSC (adjusted β: -0.271; 95% confidence interval: -0.515; -0.027). In the adjusted logistic regression model, this translates to a 30% and 21% increased risk for sperm concentration and TSC to be below the World Health Organization reference values for fertile men, respectively. This inverse association was found to be more pronounced in the first study period (2005-2007) and gradually decreased with time (2008-2011 and 2012-2018). No consistent associations were observed between mobile phone use and sperm motility or sperm morphology. Keeping a mobile phone in the pants pocket was not found to be associated with lower semen parameters. CONCLUSION This large population-based study suggests that higher mobile phone use is associated with lower sperm concentration and TSC. The observed time trend of decreasing association is in line with the transition to new technologies and the corresponding decrease in mobile phone output power. Prospective studies with improved exposure assessment are needed to confirm whether the observed associations are causal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Rahban
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Alfred Senn
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Martin Rӧӧsli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwill, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Virtanen HE, Rodprasert W, Toppari J. Deteriorating Semen Quality: The Role of the Environment. Semin Reprod Med 2023; 41:226-240. [PMID: 38499038 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Since the end of the last century, several reports have suggested that semen quality is declining, especially in Western countries. Furthermore, cross-sectional studies using similar protocols have suggested regional differences in semen quality of young and fertile men. Reasons for these regional differences and local adverse trends in semen quality are unknown, but environmental factors are suspected to have a role. Besides adulthood environmental exposures, those occurring during testicular development may also affect semen quality. Longitudinal follow-up studies and mixture risk analyses are needed to study the effect of fetal, childhood, and adult life environment on semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena E Virtanen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Wiwat Rodprasert
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology and Centre for Population Health Research, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Santiago J, Silva JV, Santos MAS, Fardilha M. Age-Dependent Alterations in Semen Parameters and Human Sperm MicroRNA Profile. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2923. [PMID: 38001924 PMCID: PMC10669352 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The trend to delay parenthood is increasing, impacting fertility and reproductive outcomes. Advanced paternal age (APA), defined as men's age above 40 years at conception, has been linked with testicular impairment, abnormal semen parameters, and poor reproductive and birth outcomes. Recently, the significance of sperm microRNA for fertilization and embryonic development has emerged. This work aimed to investigate the effects of men's age on semen parameters and sperm microRNA profiles. The ejaculates of 333 Portuguese men were collected between 2018 and 2022, analyzed according to WHO guidelines, and a density gradient sperm selection was performed. For microRNA expression analysis, 16 normozoospermic human sperm samples were selected and divided into four age groups: ≤30, 31-35, 36-40, and >40 years. microRNA target genes were retrieved from the miRDB and TargetScan databases and Gene Ontology analysis was performed using the DAVID tool. No significant correlation was found between male age and conventional semen parameters, except for volume. Fifteen differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) between groups were identified. Enrichment analysis suggested the involvement of DEMs in the sperm of men with advanced age in critical biological processes like embryonic development, morphogenesis, and male gonad development. Targets of DEMs were involved in signaling pathways previously associated with the ageing process, including cellular senescence, autophagy, insulin, and mTOR pathways. These results suggest that although conventional semen parameters were not affected by men's age, alterations in microRNA regulation may occur and be responsible for poor fertility and reproductive outcomes associated with APA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Santiago
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (J.V.S.); (M.A.S.S.)
| | - Joana V. Silva
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (J.V.S.); (M.A.S.S.)
| | - Manuel A. S. Santos
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (J.V.S.); (M.A.S.S.)
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing, MIA-Portugal, University of Coimbra, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (J.V.S.); (M.A.S.S.)
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Lu ZH, Sun B, Wang YX, Wu YR, Chen YJ, Sun SZ, Liang SJ, Xu S, Chang H, Chen HG, Zhang J. Ozone exposure associates with sperm quality indicators: Sperm telomere length as a potential mediating factor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132292. [PMID: 37591176 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Evidence linking O3 exposure and human semen quality is limited and conflicting and the mechanism underlying the association remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the associations between ambient O3 exposure and sperm quality parameters and explored the mediating role of sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and sperm telomere length (STL) among 1068 potential sperm donors who provided 5002 repeated semen samples over approximately 90 days. We found that every 10 μg/m3 increase in O3 exposure was associated with a decrease in STL, sperm concentration, total count, total motile sperm number, and semen volume. However, O3 exposure was associated with increased total motility and progressive motility. The association for sperm quality parameters was stronger when exposure was measured at spermatogenesis stages I and II. For STL, the strongest association was observed when exposure was measured at spermatogenesis stage II. Additionally, we found that approximately 9% and 8% of the association between O3 exposure and sperm concentration and count was mediated by STL, respectively. In summary, our findings suggest that O3 pollution may affect sperm telomere length, eventually leading to reduced semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Hua Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Bin Sun
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Division of Birth Cohort Study, Fujian Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yi-Xin Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Departments of Nutrition and Environmental Health, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ya-Ru Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yu-Jie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Sheng-Zhi Sun
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Jia Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Song Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hao Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Heng-Gui Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China; Clinical Research and Translation Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases,Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics,National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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Muncke J, Andersson AM, Backhaus T, Belcher SM, Boucher JM, Carney Almroth B, Collins TJ, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Heindel JJ, von Hippel FA, Legler J, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Peterson Myers J, Nadal A, Nerin C, Soto AM, Trasande L, Vandenberg LN, Wagner M, Zimmermann L, Thomas Zoeller R, Scheringer M. A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 180:108161. [PMID: 37758599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Food contact materials (FCMs) and food contact articles are ubiquitous in today's globalized food system. Chemicals migrate from FCMs into foodstuffs, so called food contact chemicals (FCCs), but current regulatory requirements do not sufficiently protect public health from hazardous FCCs because only individual substances used to make FCMs are tested and mostly only for genotoxicity while endocrine disruption and other hazard properties are disregarded. Indeed, FCMs are a known source of a wide range of hazardous chemicals, and they likely contribute to highly prevalent non-communicable diseases. FCMs can also include non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), which often are unknown and therefore not subject to risk assessment. To address these important shortcomings, we outline how the safety of FCMs may be improved by (1) testing the overall migrate, including (unknown) NIAS, of finished food contact articles, and (2) expanding toxicological testing beyond genotoxicity to multiple endpoints associated with non-communicable diseases relevant to human health. To identify mechanistic endpoints for testing, we group chronic health outcomes associated with chemical exposure into Six Clusters of Disease (SCOD) and we propose that finished food contact articles should be tested for their impacts on these SCOD. Research should focus on developing robust, relevant, and sensitive in-vitro assays based on mechanistic information linked to the SCOD, e.g., through Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) or Key Characteristics of Toxicants. Implementing this vision will improve prevention of chronic diseases that are associated with hazardous chemical exposures, including from FCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Muncke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet and Centre for Research and Research Training in Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Backhaus
- Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Scott M Belcher
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Geueke
- Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia J Groh
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Jerrold J Heindel
- Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Frank A von Hippel
- Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Dept. of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Olwenn V Martin
- Plastic Waste Innovation Hub, Department of Arts and Science, University College London, UK
| | - John Peterson Myers
- Dept. of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Environmental Health Sciences, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Angel Nadal
- IDiBE and CIBERDEM, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Cristina Nerin
- Dept. of Analytical Chemistry, I3A, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ana M Soto
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Centre Cavaillès, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- College of Global Public Health and Grossman School of Medicine and Wagner School of Public Service, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura N Vandenberg
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Wagner
- Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - R Thomas Zoeller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Martin Scheringer
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
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50
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Andrade G, Iori I, Hsieh MK, Milani G, Zandoná PCE, Teixeira TA, Drevet JR, Costa EM, Hallak J. Serum lipid profile levels and semen quality: new insights and clinical perspectives for male infertility and men's health. Int Urol Nephrol 2023; 55:2397-2404. [PMID: 37442905 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-023-03688-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several clinical scenarios regulate the final ejaculated semen, which is pivotal to reproductive success. Sperm motility and plasma membrane fusogenic activity primarily rely on the peculiar sperm lipid composition, influenced by the patient's metabolism, genetics, nutritional, environmental status, and concomitant clinical entities such as varicocele. This study aimed to determine the relationship between serum lipid profile and testicular function (semen quality and testosterone levels). METHODS This retrospective study uses medical charts of 278 infertile men who attended andrological care between 2000 and 2019. Seminal analysis data, lipid profile, and total serum testosterone were collected. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of the lipid parameters on the seminal variables. Statistical analyses were carried out with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS Seminal creatine kinase activity (p = 0.024) is negatively related to HDL (p = 0.032) and triglycerides (p = 0.037), while total testosterone (p < 0.0001) and seminal volume (p = 0.046) appeared both to be negatively related to triglycerides (p = 0.030 and p = 0.033, respectively). CONCLUSION Medical advice commonly advocated to prevent endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease and improve HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in dyslipidemic patients should also be given to infertile men. Physicians should give patients a thorough assessment, including the blood lipid profile, hormonal status, and routine seminal examinations. We propose a more comprehensive men´s health check-up for the infertile male population, not limited to a simple evaluation of basic sperm parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Andrade
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ivan Iori
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana K Hsieh
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Milani
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro C E Zandoná
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago A Teixeira
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Division of Urology, Federal University of Amapa, University Hospital, Macapa, Brazil
| | - Joël R Drevet
- Faculty of Medicine, GReD Institute, CNRS-INSERM-Université Clermont Auvergne, CRBC Building, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Elaine Maria Costa
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge Hallak
- Androscience-Science and Innovation Center and High Complexity Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Reproductive Toxicology Unit, Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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