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Calogero AE, Crafa A, Cannarella R, Saleh R, Shah R, Agarwal A. Artificial intelligence in andrology - fact or fiction: essential takeaway for busy clinicians. Asian J Androl 2024:00129336-990000000-00203. [PMID: 38978280 DOI: 10.4103/aja202431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the current approach to medicine. AI uses machine learning algorithms to predict the success of therapeutic procedures or assist the clinician in the decision-making process. To date, machine learning studies in the andrological field have mainly focused on prostate cancer imaging and management. However, an increasing number of studies are documenting the use of AI to assist clinicians in decision-making and patient management in andrological diseases such as varicocele or sexual dysfunction. Additionally, machine learning applications are being employed to enhance success rates in assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). This article offers the clinicians as well as the researchers with a brief overview of the current use of AI in andrology, highlighting the current state-of-the-art scientific evidence, the direction in which the research is going, and the strengths and limitations of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH 44022, USA
| | - Andrea Crafa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH 44022, USA
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH 44022, USA
- Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH 44022, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag 82511, Egypt
| | - Rupin Shah
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH 44022, USA
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai 400050, India
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH 44022, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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Liu S, Alipour H, Zachar V, Kesmodel US, Dardmeh F. Effect of Postbiotics Derived from Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 (DSM 14870) on Sperm Quality: A Prospective In Vitro Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:1781. [PMID: 38892713 PMCID: PMC11174611 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111781] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaginally administered postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus were recently demonstrated to be effective in alleviating bacterial vaginosis and increasing pregnancy rates. However, their potential effect on sperm quality has not been well investigated. This controlled in vitro study aimed to assess the dose- and time-dependent effects of postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 (DSM 14870) on sperm quality parameters. The experiment was conducted in vitro to eliminate potential confounding factors from the female reproductive tract and vaginal microbiota. Sperm samples from 18 healthy donors were subjected to analysis using Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) in various concentrations of postbiotics and control mediums at baseline, 60 min, and 90 min of incubation. Results indicated that lower postbiotic concentration (PB5) did not adversely affect sperm motility, kinematic parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and normal morphology at any time. However, concentrations exceeding 15% demonstrated a reduction in progressively motile sperm and a negative correlation with non-progressively motile sperm at all time points. These findings underscore the importance of balancing postbiotic dosage to preserve sperm motility while realizing the postbiotics' vaginal health benefits. Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and refine practical applications in reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihan Liu
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
| | - Hiva Alipour
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
| | - Vladimir Zachar
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
| | - Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Fereshteh Dardmeh
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
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Canonico LF, De Clemente C, Fardilha M, Ferreira AF, Maremonti MI, Dannhauser D, Causa F, Netti PA. Exploring altered bovine sperm trajectories by sperm tracking in unconfined conditions. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1358440. [PMID: 38628946 PMCID: PMC11019440 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1358440] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm motility is getting more relevant due to rising infertility rates worldwide, generating the need to improve conventional analysis and diagnostic approaches. Nowadays, computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) technologies represent a popular alternative to manual examination which is generally performed by observing sperm motility in very confined geometries. However, under physiological conditions, sperm describe three-dimensional motility patterns which are not well reconstructed by the limited depth of standard acquisition chambers. Therefore, affordable and more versatile alternatives are needed. Here, a motility analysis in unconfined conditions is proposed. In details, the analysis is characterized by a significant longer duration -with respect to conventional systems- with the aim to observe eventually altered motility patterns. Brightfield acquisition in rectangular glass capillaries captured frozen-thawed bovine spermatozoa which were analyzed by means of a self-written tracking routine and classified in sub-populations, based on their curvilinear velocity. To test the versatility of our approach, cypermethrin -a commonly used pesticides- known to be responsible for changes in sperm motility was employed, assessing its effect at three different time-steps. Experimental results showed that such drug induces an increase in sperm velocity and progressiveness as well as circular pattern formation, likely independent of wall interactions. Moreover, this resulted in a redistribution of sperm with the rapid class declining in number with time, but still showing an overall velocity increase. The flexibility of the approach permits parameter modifications with the experimental needs, allowing us to conduct a comprehensive examination of sperm motility. This adaptability facilitated data acquisition which can be computed at different frame rates, extended time periods, and within deeper observation chambers. The suggested approach for sperm analysis exhibits potential as a valuable augmentation to current diagnostic instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Fausto Canonico
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia De Clemente
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Ferreira
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute for Biomedicine-iBiMED, Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria Isabella Maremonti
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - David Dannhauser
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Causa
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Antonio Netti
- Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Biomaterials (CRIB) and Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Guo Z, Zhang Y, Huang A, Ni Q, Zeng C. Phenylbutyrate and Dichloroacetate Enhance the Liquid-Stored Boar Sperm Quality via PDK1 and PDK3. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17091. [PMID: 38069413 PMCID: PMC10707026 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) with liquid-stored semen is the most prevalent and efficient assisted reproduction technique in the modern pork industry. Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex component X (PDHX) was demonstrated to be associated with sperm metabolism and affected the boar sperm viability, motility, and fertility. Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinases (PDKs) are the key metabolic enzymes that regulate pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC) activity and also the conversion from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. In the present study, two PDK inhibitors, Dichloroacetate (DCA) and Phenylbutyrate (4-PBA), were added to an extender and investigated to determine their regulatory roles in liquid-stored boar sperm at 17 °C. The results indicated that PDK1 and PDK3 were predominantly located at the head and flagella of the boar sperm. The addition of 2 mM DCA and 0.5 mM 4-PBA significantly enhanced the sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP content. In addition, DCA and 4-PBA exerted their effects by inhibiting PDK1 and PDK3, respectively. In conclusion, DCA and 4-PBA were found to regulate the boar sperm metabolic activities via PDK1 and PDK3. These both can improve the quality parameters of liquid-stored boar sperm, which will help to improve and optimize liquid-stored boar semen after their addition in the extender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China; (Z.G.); (Y.Z.); (Q.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China; (Z.G.); (Y.Z.); (Q.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
| | - Anqi Huang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014, China;
| | - Qingyong Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China; (Z.G.); (Y.Z.); (Q.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
| | - Changjun Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China; (Z.G.); (Y.Z.); (Q.N.)
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611134, China
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Akal E. Evaluation of sperm counting accuracy on computer-assisted sperm analysis with GoldCyto® slides and glass slides. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1283128. [PMID: 37876632 PMCID: PMC10591095 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1283128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, various counting chambers and computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) devices are in use. The semen's concentration can vary depending on the depth of the counting chamber and how it is loaded. The study's objectives were to analyze the effects of various counting chambers on semen concentration results using a GoldCyto® slide and a glass slide in the CASA system and to ascertain the precision of concentration measurements made using glass slides on CASA. The study's control group was composed of samples with known concentrations (72-80 million sperm/mL) as determined by a spectrophotometer. A total of 21 frozen straws from the same bull of the same date were thawed at 37°C for 30 s and loaded into two different sperm-counting chambers (GoldCyto® slide and glass slide). The sample semen placed in the sperm counting chambers was 5 μL and the same value was entered in the CASA software as 5 μL. Measurements were done and evaluated in 5 different areas. According to the data we obtained, using the glass slide were statistically lower than the spectrophotometer (p < 0.001). GoldCyto® slide results were consistent with spectrophotometer results. Consequently, measurements with GoldCyto® slides in the CASA had consistent results, while measurements with glass slides were inconsistent. It was concluded that GoldCyto® slides are more suitable than glass slides in the concentration examinations of semen. Therefore, more study is needed to optimize the use of glass slides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eser Akal
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Türkiye
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Yaghoobi M, Azizi M, Mokhtare A, Javi F, Abbaspourrad A. Rheotaxis quality index: a new parameter that reveals male mammalian in vivo fertility and low sperm DNA fragmentation. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:1486-1497. [PMID: 35319557 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00150k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The female reproductive tract simultaneously guides and selects high-quality sperm using rheotaxis in mammalian species. Sperm quality, however, is traditionally evaluated only by their movement velocities and concentration using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), which ignores sperm rheotaxis. Here, by mimicking the female reproductive tracts' dimensions and hydrodynamic features, a new method is introduced to quantify sperm rheotaxis ability for evaluating semen quality. The combination of our RHEOtaxis quaLity indEX (RHEOLEX) and motile sperm concentration is able to predict sperm fertility levels in artificial insemination at various shear rates within 5 minutes. This means that RHEOLEX could be a biomarker for determining male in vivo fertility, unlike conventional semen quality parameters which fail to provide statistically significant predictions. In addition, a high RHEOLEX is associated with a low DNA fragmentation index (DFI), showing that this new parameter is able to identify low-DFI samples. Not only does this work highlight the importance of rheotaxis in determining male in vivo fertility, but it also provides a solid benchmark for developing fast microfluidic devices for male fertility prediction as well as DFI. Last, the data imply that the female reproductive tract might use rheotaxis to keep sperm with fragmented DNA from reaching the fertilization site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Yaghoobi
- Food Science Department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Morteza Azizi
- Food Science Department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Amir Mokhtare
- Food Science Department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Farhad Javi
- Food Science Department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Alireza Abbaspourrad
- Food Science Department, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Wang Y, Yuan X, Ali MA, Qin Z, Zhang Y, Zeng C. piR-121380 Is Involved in Cryo-Capacitation and Regulates Post-Thawed Boar Sperm Quality Through Phosphorylation of ERK2 via Targeting PTPN7. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:792994. [PMID: 35155446 PMCID: PMC8826432 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.792994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation induces capacitation-like (cryo-capacitation) changes, similar to natural capacitation, and affects the fertility potential of post-thawed sperm. The molecular mechanism of sperm cryo-capacitation during cryopreservation remains unknown. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have been reported to be involved in cryo-capacitation of post-thawed sperm and regulation of sperm motility, capacitation, and chemotaxis. In this study, protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 7 (PTPN7) was positively targeted by piR-121380 after a dual luciferase assay. The mRNA expression of PTPN7 and piR-121380 was significantly decreased (p < 0.01); however, PTPN7 protein was significantly increased (p < 0.01) in post-thawed boar sperm. Furthermore, E1RK1/2 phosphorylation was reduced during cryopreservation. Six hours after transfection with piR-121380 mimic and inhibitor, the phosphorylation of ERK2 was significantly increased and decreased (p < 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, the highest and lowest total sperm motility, forward motility, and capacitation rate were observed after piR-121380 mimic and inhibitor treatments, respectively. The concentration of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) showed no significant difference after transfection with either piR-121380 mimic or inhibitor at 1, 3, and 6 h. In conclusion, we demonstrated that piR-121380 modulates ERK2 phosphorylation by targeting PTPN7, which induces sperm cryo-capacitation, and eventually affects the motility and fertility potential of post-thawed sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Wang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiang Yuan
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Malik Ahsan Ali
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Theriogenology, Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ziyue Qin
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Changjun Zeng
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Changjun Zeng,
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Jørgensen N, Lamb DJ, Levine H, Pastuszak AW, Sigalos JT, Swan SH, Eisenberg ML. Are worldwide sperm counts declining? Fertil Steril 2021; 116:1457-1463. [PMID: 34836581 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Niels Jørgensen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dolores J Lamb
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York; Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York; Center for Reproductive Genomics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Hagai Levine
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hadassah-Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander W Pastuszak
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Science Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - John T Sigalos
- Department of Urology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shanna H Swan
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California; Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.
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