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Avidor-Reiss T. Renaissance in sperm cytoplasmic contribution to infertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:293-296. [PMID: 37955781 PMCID: PMC10894777 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02987-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA.
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43607, USA.
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2
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Marcu D, Egeberg DL, Richer G, Houston B, Delgouffe E, Saritas G, Ammar O, Wehrli L, Djari C, de la Iglesia A. Empowering tomorrow's leaders: the impact of the 15th Network of Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA) meeting on male reproductive health and interdisciplinary collaboration. Biol Open 2024; 13:bio060178. [PMID: 38180243 PMCID: PMC10810558 DOI: 10.1242/bio.060178] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The 15th Network of Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA) meeting, held at the Palace de Caux, Switzerland, served as a valuable platform to disseminate cutting-edge research and facilitate interactions among early-career researchers and trainees in andrology from around the world. Preceding the 22nd European Testis Workshop, the 2-day event brought together participants from a variety of countries to discuss a range of topics pertaining to men's reproductive health and biology. Specific focuses included piRNAs in mammalian reproduction, biomolecules enhancing sperm physiology, advances in in vitro spermatogenesis, reproductive strategies across species, and career development. A dedicated 'scientific speed-dating' social event also stood out, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaborations and strengthening ties within the scientific community. The high participation rate of the meeting highlighted its value in connecting the andrology community. Finally, the announcement of NYRA's merger with the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) marked a pivotal moment, enabling NYRA to support young researchers while collaborating with the EAA to advance andrology research. The 15th NYRA meeting played a crucial role in enhancing knowledge dissemination and andrology research, empowering young researchers, and addressing key challenges in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Marcu
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- School of Biological Science, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
| | - Dorte L. Egeberg
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- European Sperm Bank Struenseegade 9, 2, 2200Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guillaume Richer
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- Biology of the Testis lab, University Medical Campus, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090Brussels, Belgium
| | - Brendan Houston
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Emily Delgouffe
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- Biology of the Testis lab, University Medical Campus, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gülizar Saritas
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Section GR-5064, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Omar Ammar
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- Ar-Razzi Hospital, 8968+JF2 Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Lydia Wehrli
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
| | - Cyril Djari
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
| | - Alberto de la Iglesia
- Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021 Barcelona, Spain
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, F-75014 Paris, France
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3
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Golding MC. Teratogenesis and the epigenetic programming of congenital defects: Why paternal exposures matter. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:1825-1834. [PMID: 37424262 PMCID: PMC10774456 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Until recently, clinicians and researchers did not realize paternal exposures could impact child developmental outcomes. Indeed, although there is growing recognition that sperm carry a large amount of non-genomic information and that paternal stressors influence the health of the next generation, toxicologists are only now beginning to explore the role paternal exposures have in dysgenesis and the incidence of congenital malformations. In this commentary, I will briefly summarize the few studies describing congenital malformations resulting from preconception paternal stressors, argue for the theoretical expansion of teratogenic perspectives into the male preconception period, and discuss some of the challenges in this newly emerging branch of toxicology. I argue that we must consider gametes the same as any other malleable precursor cell type and recognize that environmentally-induced epigenetic changes acquired during the formation of the sperm and oocyte hold equal teratogenic potential as exposures during early development. Here, I propose the term epiteratogen to reference agents acting outside of pregnancy that, through epigenetic mechanisms, induce congenital malformations. Understanding the interactions between the environment, the essential epigenetic processes intrinsic to spermatogenesis, and their cumulative influences on embryo patterning is essential to addressing a significant blind spot in the field of developmental toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA, 77843
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4
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Romano M, Cirillo F, Spadaro D, Busnelli A, Castellano S, Albani E, Levi-Setti PE. High sperm DNA fragmentation: do we have robust evidence to support antioxidants and testicular sperm extraction to improve fertility outcomes? a narrative review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1150951. [PMID: 37867514 PMCID: PMC10585152 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1150951] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, infertility affects 10% to 15% of couples worldwide. A male factor is estimated to account for up to 50% of cases. Oral supplementation with antioxidants could be helpful to improve sperm quality by reducing oxidative damage. At the same time, there is a growing interest in the literature on the use of testicular sperm in patients with high DNA fragmentation index (DFI). This narrative review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation of oral antioxidants in infertile men with high DFI compared to testicular sperm retrieval. The current evidence is non-conclusive because of serious risk of bias due to small sample sizes and statistical methods. Further large well-designed randomised placebo-controlled trials are still required to clarify the exact role of these to different therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Romano
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Cirillo
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Daria Spadaro
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Busnelli
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Castellano
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Albani
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Emanuele Levi-Setti
- Department of Gynecology, Division of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Fertility Center, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
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5
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Cannarella R, Marino M, Condorelli RA, La Vignera S, Calogero AE. Is It Time for Andrology and Endocrinology Professionals in Assisted Reproduction Centers? World J Mens Health 2023; 41:796-808. [PMID: 37118957 PMCID: PMC10523123 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220253] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologists indicate that about half of the couple's infertility cases are due to a male factor. Despite this, the role of andrologists or endocrinologists in assisted reproductive technique (ART) centers is still underestimated. According to our literature review, this reduces the chance of a thorough clinical evaluation of the male partners, which, sometimes consists only in a mere semen analysis, usually performed by laboratory technicians. A more complete diagnostic process could lead to the identification of potentially treatable causes of infertility, the recognition of diseases that require immediate treatment, and to the discovery of genetic diseases and, therefore, transmissible to the offspring. It can also increase the success rate of ART resulting in less psychological and financial burden for both public health resources and infertile couples. The presence of medical personnel with andrological and endocrinological skills in the ART centers represents the first step in creating 'precision medicine'. We hope that the guidelines of the various scientific societies will clearly contemplate this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marta Marino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosita A Condorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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6
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Lazzari E, Tierney K. Parental sociodemographics of medically assisted reproduction births in the United States: a dyadic population-level study. F S Rep 2023; 4:292-299. [PMID: 37692190 PMCID: PMC7615071 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2023.05.008] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To study how men's and couples' sociodemographic characteristics predict the probability of having a birth conceived using medically assisted reproduction (MAR) in the United States. Design Population-based study. Setting Not applicable. Patients Men and women in the National Vital Statistics Birth certificate data from 2009 to 2019. Intervention None. Main Outcome Measures Proportion of MAR births out of total births by parental sociodemographic categories and probability of having a MAR birth. Results Between 2009 and 2019, the overall prevalence of MAR births among men was 1.81%. Fathers of children conceived using MAR tended to be older, higher educated, and white compared with fathers of naturally conceived children. During the period of 2009-2019, these sociodemographic profiles remained largely unchanged. Controlling for maternal age and birth order only partially reduced disparities by education and race. In 2019, highly educated fathers were 2.04 percentage points (95% confidence interval, 1.97-2.12) more likely to have a MAR-conceived birth than fathers with a low educational level, and black fathers were associated with a reduction in the probability of having an MAR-conceived child by - 1.07 percentage points (95% confidence interval, -1.11 to -1.04) compared with white fathers. The dyadic analysis using parents' education and race interactions revealed that partnering with someone of a higher educational level increases the likelihood of having a MAR birth, beyond what would be observed by considering only individual-level characteristics. Conclusions To comprehend the environment in which MAR-conceived children are born and raised, performing dyadic analyses that examine the characteristics of both partners is essential. The findings underscore the enduring presence of substantial social disparities in MAR use in the United States, with MAR-conceived children raised in environments of relative advantage, which may impact their future health and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ester Lazzari
- Department of Demography, University of Vienna (Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, OeAW, University of Vienna)), Vienna, Austria
| | - Katherine Tierney
- Department of Sociology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan
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7
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Gumerova E, De Jonge CJ, Barratt CLR. Research funding for male reproductive health and infertility in the UK and USA [2016 - 2019]. HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:439-449. [PMID: 35302424 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2022.2045521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is a paucity of data on research funding levels for male reproductive health (MRH). We investigated the research funding for MRH and infertility by examining publicly accessible web-databases from the UK and USA government funding agencies. Information on the funding was collected from the UKRI-GTR, the NIHR's Open Data Summary, and the USA's NIH RePORT web-databases. Funded projects between January 2016 and December 2019 were recorded and funding support was divided into three research categories: (i) male-based; (ii) female-based; and (iii) not-specified. Between January 2016 and December 2019, UK agencies awarded a total of £11,767,190 to 18 projects for male-based research and £29,850,945 to 40 projects for female-based research. There was no statistically significant difference in the median funding grant awarded within the male-based and female-based categories (p = 0.56, W = 392). The USA NIH funded 76 projects totalling $59,257,746 for male-based research and 99 projects totalling $83,272,898 for female-based research Again, there was no statistically significant difference in the median funding grant awarded between the two research categories (p = 0.83, W = 3834). This is the first study examining funding granted by main government research agencies from the UK and USA for MRH. This results should stimulate further discussion of the challenges of tackling male infertility and reproductive health disorders and formulating appropriate investment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Gumerova
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Christopher J De Jonge
- University of Minnesota Medical Center, Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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8
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Crafa A, Calogero AE, Cannarella R, Condorelli RA, Aversa A, La Vignera S. Productivity Index in Clinical Andrology: Research Directions on High-Impact Topics and in Particular on Male Infertility. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12093152. [PMID: 37176596 PMCID: PMC10179551 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12093152] [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: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Andrological diseases have an important social and economic impact as they cause a serious impairment of the quality of life of the affected patient. Epidemiologically, the impact of these disorders is progressively increasing, as demonstrated by the ever-growing prevalence of male infertility. This evidence justifies the rapid development of research in andrology that the scientific community has undertaken in recent decades. This study aims to evaluate the productivity index of the main andrological topics studied and reported in the literature. METHODS The total number of published articles was extracted from the Scopus database by entering the following keywords and mesh terms: "Male Infertility", "Erectile Dysfunction", "Premature Ejaculation", "Male Hypogonadism", "Testicular Tumors", "Prostate Cancer", "Prostatic hyperplasia", "Prostate hyperplasia", "Prostatitis", "Prostate inflammation", and "Male Accessory Gland Infections". Furthermore, a list of the top 50 researchers sorted by productivity was created for each topic. For male infertility, a further search was performed by combining the search term "male infertility" with the above-mentioned terms. Thus, a list of the top 30 authors in order of productivity was also extracted. The graphs were created using Excel. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS As could be expected, we observed that prostate cancer and male infertility were the two most investigated topics, followed by benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction, whose prevalence is set to increase given the progressive aging of the population. Less investigated is the inflammation of the accessory sexual glands. In conclusion, this study provides a ranking of the main andrological topics investigated in the literature, also presenting the top list of the most productive authors for each one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Crafa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Aldo Eugenio Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | | | - Antonio Aversa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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9
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Calogero AE, Cannarella R, Agarwal A, Hamoda TAAAM, Rambhatla A, Saleh R, Boitrelle F, Ziouziou I, Toprak T, Gul M, Avidor-Reiss T, Kavoussi P, Chung E, Birowo P, Ghayda RA, Ko E, Colpi G, Dimitriadis F, Russo GI, Martinez M, Calik G, Kandil H, Salvio G, Mostafa T, Lin H, Park HJ, Gherabi N, Phuoc NHV, Quang N, Adriansjah R, La Vignera S, Micic S, Durairajanayagam D, Serefoglu EC, Karthikeyan VS, Kothari P, Atmoko W, Shah R. The Renaissance of Male Infertility Management in the Golden Age of Andrology. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:237-254. [PMID: 36649928 PMCID: PMC10042649 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility affects nearly 186 million people worldwide and the male partner is the cause in about half of the cases. Meta-regression data indicate an unexplained decline in sperm concentration and total sperm count over the last four decades, with an increasing prevalence of male infertility. This suggests an urgent need to implement further basic and clinical research in Andrology. Andrology developed as a branch of urology, gynecology, endocrinology, and, dermatology. The first scientific journal devoted to andrological sciences was founded in 1969. Since then, despite great advancements, andrology has encountered several obstacles in its growth. In fact, for cultural reasons, the male partner has often been neglected in the diagnostic and therapeutic workup of the infertile couple. Furthermore, the development of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) has driven a strong impression that this biotechnology can overcome all forms of infertility, with a common belief that having a spermatozoon from a male partner (a sort of sperm donor) is all that is needed to achieve pregnancy. However, clinical practice has shown that the quality of the male gamete is important for a successful ART outcome. Furthermore, the safety of ART has been questioned because of the high prevalence of comorbidities in the offspring of ART conceptions compared to spontaneous conceptions. These issues have paved the way for more research and a greater understanding of the mechanisms of spermatogenesis and male infertility. Consequently, numerous discoveries have been made in the field of andrology, ranging from genetics to several "omics" technologies, oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation, the sixth edition of the WHO manual, artificial intelligence, management of azoospermia, fertility in cancers survivors, artificial testis, 3D printing, gene engineering, stem cells therapy for spermatogenesis, and reconstructive microsurgery and seminal microbiome. Nevertheless, as many cases of male infertility remain idiopathic, further studies are required to improve the clinical management of infertile males. A multidisciplinary strategy involving both clinicians and scientists in basic, translational, and clinical research is the core principle that will allow andrology to overcome its limits and reach further goals. This state-of-the-art article aims to present a historical review of andrology, and, particularly, male infertility, from its "Middle Ages" to its "Renaissance", a golden age of andrology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo E Calogero
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rossella Cannarella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- Global Andrology Forum, Moreland Hills, OH, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Taha Abo-Almagd Abdel-Meguid Hamoda
- Department of Urology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Amarnath Rambhatla
- Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ramadan Saleh
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
- Ajyal IVF Center, Ajyal Hospital, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Florence Boitrelle
- Reproductive Biology, Fertility Preservation, Andrology, CECOS, Poissy Hospital, Poissy, France
- Department of Biology, Reproduction, Epigenetics, Environment and Development, Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Imad Ziouziou
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Tuncay Toprak
- Department of Urology, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Murat Gul
- Department of Urology, Selcuk University School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Parviz Kavoussi
- Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine/Westlake IVF, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Eric Chung
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ponco Birowo
- Department of Urology, Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Ramy Abou Ghayda
- Urology Institute, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Edmund Ko
- Department of Urology, Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | | | - Fotios Dimitriadis
- Department of Urology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Marlon Martinez
- Section of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Manila, Philippines
| | - Gokhan Calik
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Gianmaria Salvio
- Department of Endocrinology, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Taymour Mostafa
- Department of Andrology, Sexology and STIs, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Haocheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hyun Jun Park
- Department of Urology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
- Medical Research Institute of Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea
| | - Nazim Gherabi
- Faculty of Medicine, Algiers University, Algiers, Algeria
| | | | - Nguyen Quang
- Center for Andrology and Sexual Medicine, Viet Duc University Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Department of Urology, Andrology and Sexual Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ricky Adriansjah
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Banding, Indonesia
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sava Micic
- Department of Andrology, Uromedica Polyclinic, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Damayanthi Durairajanayagam
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ege Can Serefoglu
- Department of Urology, Biruni University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Priyank Kothari
- Department of Urology, B.Y.L Nair Ch Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Widi Atmoko
- Department Department of Urology, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Rupin Shah
- Division of Andrology, Department of Urology, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, India
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10
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Roach AN, Zimmel KN, Thomas KN, Basel A, Bhadsavle SS, Golding MC. Preconception paternal alcohol exposure decreases IVF embryo survival and pregnancy success rates in a mouse model. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad002. [PMID: 36637195 PMCID: PMC9907225 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasingly, couples struggling with fertility turn to assisted reproductive techniques, including IVF, to have children. Despite the demonstrated influence of periconception male health and lifestyle choices on offspring development, studies examining IVF success rates and child health outcomes remain exclusively focused on maternal factors. Using a physiologically relevant mouse model, we tested the hypothesis that chronic paternal preconception alcohol intake adversely affects IVF success and negatively impacts IVF offspring fetoplacental growth. Using a voluntary, binge-like mouse model, we exposed sexually mature C57BL/6J males to three preconception treatments (0% (Control), 6% EtOH or 10% EtOH) for 6 weeks, isolated and cryopreserved caudal sperm from treated males, and then used these samples to fertilize oocytes before assessing IVF embryo developmental outcomes. We found that preconception paternal alcohol use reduced IVF embryo survival and pregnancy success rates in a dose-dependent manner, with the pregnancy success rate of the 10% EtOH treatment falling to half those of the Controls. Mechanistically, we found that preconception paternal alcohol exposure disrupts embryonic gene expression, including Fgf4 and Egfr, two critical regulators of trophectoderm stem cell growth and placental patterning, with lasting impacts on the histological organization of the late-term placenta. The changes in placental histoarchitecture were accompanied by altered regulation of pathways controlling mitochondrial function, oxidative phosphorylation and some imprinted genes. Our studies indicate that male alcohol use may significantly impede IVF success rates, increasing the couple's financial burden and emotional stress, and highlights the need to expand prepregnancy messaging to emphasize the reproductive dangers of alcohol use by both parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis N Roach
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Katherine N Zimmel
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Kara N Thomas
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Alison Basel
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Sanat S Bhadsavle
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Michael C Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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11
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Martínez MÁ, Marquès M, Salas-Huetos A, Babio N, Domingo JL, Salas-Salvadó J. Lack of association between endocrine disrupting chemicals and male fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114942. [PMID: 36436552 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of infertility currently affects about 15% of the world's population. Male factors are estimated to be responsible for up to 40-50% of these cases. While the cause of these reproductive disorders is still unclear, the exposure to a family of ubiquitous compounds in our daily life, named endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) could be involved. This paper was aimed at performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of population studies exploring whether human male exposure to EDCs affects male fertility. Clinical and observational studies assessing the exposure to EDCs along with sperm quality, the most common reproductive disorders, sperm DNA damage, sperm oxidative stress, fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and miscarriage rate were included. The quality assessment tool from the NHLBI-NIH was used to assure that studies met standardized quality criteria. Sensitivity analysis and heterogeneity among studies was assessed. Overall, the 32 selected articles, including 7825 individuals in the systematic review, explored 12 families of EDCs. The results revealed a high heterogeneity among studies in relation to the association between exposure to EDCs and the endpoints analyzed. Meta-analyses were performed with data from 7 articles including 479 individuals, 4 articles assessing the association between BPA in urine and sperm quality, and 3 articles evaluating PCB153 in serum and sperm quality. In the meta-analysis, we identified an unpredicted significant positive association between PCB153 exposure and sperm concentration. However, it would not be clinically relevant. No positive or inverse associations were found neither for BPA, nor for PCB153 and the rest of sperm parameters analyzed. The high disparity between studies made difficult to draw conclusions on the potential harmful effects of EDCs on male fertility. Consequently, to delineate the potential relationship that EDCs can have on male fertility, an important condition stressing the health system, further investigations are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Ángeles Martínez
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició, Reus, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y La Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Montse Marquès
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Albert Salas-Huetos
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y La Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and 4 Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003, Girona, Spain; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, US-02115, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Nancy Babio
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició, Reus, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y La Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - José L Domingo
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Salas-Salvadó
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia, Unitat de Nutrició, Reus, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de La Obesidad y La Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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12
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Nixon B, Schjenken JE, Burke ND, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Hart HM, De Iuliis GN, Martin JH, Lord T, Bromfield EG. New horizons in human sperm selection for assisted reproduction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1145533. [PMID: 36909306 PMCID: PMC9992892 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1145533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a commonly encountered pathology that is estimated to be a contributory factor in approximately 50% of couples seeking recourse to assisted reproductive technologies. Upon clinical presentation, such males are commonly subjected to conventional diagnostic andrological practices that rely on descriptive criteria to define their fertility based on the number of morphologically normal, motile spermatozoa encountered within their ejaculate. Despite the virtual ubiquitous adoption of such diagnostic practices, they are not without their limitations and accordingly, there is now increasing awareness of the importance of assessing sperm quality in order to more accurately predict a male's fertility status. This realization raises the important question of which characteristics signify a high-quality, fertilization competent sperm cell. In this review, we reflect on recent advances in our mechanistic understanding of sperm biology and function, which are contributing to a growing armory of innovative approaches to diagnose and treat male infertility. In particular we review progress toward the implementation of precision medicine; the robust clinical adoption of which in the setting of fertility, currently lags well behind that of other fields of medicine. Despite this, research shows that the application of advanced technology platforms such as whole exome sequencing and proteomic analyses hold considerable promise in optimizing outcomes for the management of male infertility by uncovering and expanding our inventory of candidate infertility biomarkers, as well as those associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Similarly, the development of advanced imaging technologies in tandem with machine learning artificial intelligence are poised to disrupt the fertility care paradigm by advancing our understanding of the molecular and biological causes of infertility to provide novel avenues for future diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Brett Nixon,
| | - John E. Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan D. Burke
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David A. Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Hanah M. Hart
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Geoffry N. De Iuliis
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Jacinta H. Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G. Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
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13
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Irigoyen P, Pintos-Polasky P, Rosa-Villagran L, Skowronek MF, Cassina A, Sapiro R. Mitochondrial metabolism determines the functional status of human sperm and correlates with semen parameters. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:926684. [PMID: 36111336 PMCID: PMC9468643 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.926684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of male infertility is based essentially on the patient’s medical history and a standard semen analysis. However, the latter rarely provides information on the causes of a possible infertility, emphasizing the need to extend the analysis of the sperm function. Mitochondrial function has been associated with sperm function and dysfunction, the latter primarily through the production of excessive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We hypothesized that analysis of sperm mitochondrial metabolism together with sperm ROS production could be an additional tool to improve routine semen analysis, after appropriate validations. To test our hypothesis, we performed several experiments using a non-routine method (high-resolution respirometry, HRR) to access mitochondrial function. First, we investigated whether mitochondrial function is related to human sperm motility and morphology. When mitochondrial metabolism was challenged, sperm motility decreased significantly. Additionally, morphological abnormalities in the sperm mid-piece and mitochondria were associated with global sperm defects evaluated by routine methods. Subsequently, sperm mitochondrial function was assessed by HRR. Respiratory control ratio (RCR) was determined and evaluated in the context of classical sperm analysis. In parallel, sperm hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production and seminal plasma (SP) antioxidant capacity were measured. The percentage of sperm with progressive motility correlated positively with RCR, SP antioxidant capacity, and negatively with the concentration of extracellular H2O2 production ([H2O2]). The percentage of normal sperm morphology correlated positively with RCR and negatively with [H2O2]. Sperm morphology did not correlate with seminal plasma antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were used for the first time to test the diagnostic ability of RCR, [H2O2], and SP antioxidant capacity as binary classifiers. An RCR cut off value of 3.2 was established with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 61%, using reference values considered normal or abnormal in routine semen analysis. The cut off value for [H2O2] was 0.2 μM/106 sperm (sensitivity = 65%, specificity = 60%). There were no reference values for SP antioxidant capacity that distinguished between abnormal and normal sperm samples. We conclude that sperm mitochondrial function indices in combination with [H2O2] may be useful tools to complement the routine semen analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Irigoyen
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Pintos-Polasky
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucia Rosa-Villagran
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Maria Fernanda Skowronek
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Cassina
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossana Sapiro
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- *Correspondence: Rossana Sapiro,
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14
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Sperm centriole assessment identifies male factor infertility in couples with unexplained infertility – a pilot study. Eur J Cell Biol 2022; 101:151243. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2022.151243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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15
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Lotfi R, Azin SA, Hatefnia E, Amiri M, Simbar M, Ramezani Tehrani F. How Do Iranian Men Perceive Their Sexual and Reproductive Health Situation? A Qualitative Content Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY BASED NURSING AND MIDWIFERY 2022; 10:197-209. [PMID: 35855387 PMCID: PMC9287571 DOI: 10.30476/ijcbnm.2022.92155.1831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Males' viewpoint about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and their situation are essential components of men's and women's health in the community. Men have been overlooked in reproduction health, especially with reproductive issues such as contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), infertility, and sexual function. This study aimed to investigate the males' perceptions of their SRH situation in Iran. Methods A qualitative study was conducted from May 2016 to April 2017 on data retrieved through semi-structured interviews with 19 adult males aged 18 to 59 years. The participants were purposefully recruited from among populations of health centers in Alborz province, Iran. Conventional content analysis in OneNote software version 2016 was used for data analysis. Results Three main themes and nine categories emerged including 1) Perceived SRH needs, including "need to increase men's awareness about SRH", "need to have an accessibility to SRH services", and "need to have a high-quality sexual relationship"; 2) perceived SRH responsibilities, including "health-seeking behaviors", "sexual skills", "childbearing responsibilities", and "ethical commitment", and 3) Men' perception of trends of social and cultural norms, including "changing SRH priorities" and "changing marital prototype". Conclusion In this study, men perceived SRH as an important issue due to the changes in social and cultural trends, and many of their SRH needs have not yet been addressed. Hence, along with socio-economic changes, the policymakers of the health system should develop strategies and interventions to meet these needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Lotfi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Azin
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Effat Hatefnia
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mina Amiri
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Simbar
- Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Hofmann MC, Giwercman A. Andrology and humanities. Andrology 2022; 10:823-824. [PMID: 35763405 PMCID: PMC10756492 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Claude Hofmann
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia & Hormonal Disorders, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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17
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Vasconcelos A, Henedi Z, Barratt CLR. WHO 2021 and 2030 reference values for semen assessment: three challenges for andrology in the journey ahead. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:187-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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18
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Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increased incidence in several of the most common reproductive disorders, including hypospadias and cryptorchidism in newborns, and testicular cancer and lower sperm quality in young adult males. In addition, the timing of puberty has also changed over time. Although the cause of these reproductive effects is a matter of intense debate, a link with the presence of ubiquitous compounds in the environment, or the exposure to specific groups of medications during foetal life, has been suggested. Results from epidemiological and experimental studies, as well as clinical observations in humans indicate that endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be associated with those disorders. In this review, we will summarize the results of epidemiological studies and experimental studies utilising human testicular cells or tissue. Due to increasing public interest and the recently published data, the main focus will be on the effects of prenatal exposure to mild analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Olle Söder
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden.
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19
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Schlezinger JJ, Heiger-Bernays W, Webster TF. Predicting the Activation of the Androgen Receptor by Mixtures of Ligands Using Generalized Concentration Addition. Toxicol Sci 2021; 177:466-475. [PMID: 32726424 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentration/dose addition is widely used for compounds that act by similar mechanisms. But it cannot make predictions for mixtures of full and partial agonists for effect levels above that of the least efficacious component. As partial agonists are common, we developed generalized concentration addition, which has been successfully applied to systems in which ligands compete for a single binding site. Here, we applied a pharmacodynamic model for a homodimer receptor system with 2 binding sites, the androgen receptor, that acts according to the classic homodimer activation model: Each cytoplasmic monomer protein binds ligand, undergoes a conformational change that relieves inhibition of dimerization, and binds to DNA response elements as a dimer. We generated individual dose-response data for full (dihydroxytestosterone, BMS564929) and partial (TFM-4AS-1) agonists and a competitive antagonist (MDV3100) using reporter data generated in the MDA-kb2 cell line. We used the Schild method to estimate the binding affinity of MDV3100. Data for individual compounds fit the homodimer pharmacodynamic model well. In the presence of a full agonist, the partial agonist had agonistic effects at low effect levels and antagonistic effects at high levels, as predicted by pharmacological theory. The generalized concentration addition model fits the empirical mixtures data-full/full agonist, full/partial agonist, and full agonist/antagonist-as well or better than relative potency factors or effect summation. The ability of generalized concentration addition to predict the activity of mixtures of different types of androgen receptor ligands is important as a number of environmental compounds act as partial androgen receptor agonists or antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Schlezinger
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Wendy Heiger-Bernays
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Thomas F Webster
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
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20
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Sharpe RM. Location, location, location-where you are born may determine your reproductive (and more general) health. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1171-1174. [PMID: 33728440 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard M Sharpe
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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21
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Barratt CLR, De Jonge CJ, Anderson RA, Eisenberg ML, Garrido N, Rautakallio Hokkanen S, Krausz C, Kimmins S, O’Bryan MK, Pacey AA, Tüttelmann F, Veltman JA. A global approach to addressing the policy, research and social challenges of male reproductive health. Hum Reprod Open 2021; 2021:hoab009. [PMID: 33768166 PMCID: PMC7982782 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoab009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a global health issue; yet to a large extent, our knowledge of its causes, impact and consequence is largely unknown. Recent data indicate that infertile men have an increased risk of somatic disorders such as cancer and die younger compared to fertile men. Moreover, several studies point to a significant adverse effect on the health of the offspring. From the startling lack of progress in male contraception combined with the paucity of improvements in the diagnosis of male infertility, we conclude there is a crisis in male reproductive health. The Male Reproductive Health Initiative has been organized to directly address these issues (www.eshre.eu/Specialty-groups/Special-Interest-Groups/Andrology/MRHI). The Working Group will formulate an evidence-based strategic road map outlining the ways forward. This is an open consortium desiring to engage with all stakeholders and governments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L R Barratt
- Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK,Correspondence address. Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK; E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0062-9979; Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA; E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4083-5833
| | - Christopher J De Jonge
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Correspondence address. Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK; E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0062-9979; Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA; E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4083-5833
| | - Richard A Anderson
- Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael L Eisenberg
- Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, and Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Moira K O’Bryan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Allan A Pacey
- Department of Oncology & Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Joris A Veltman
- Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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22
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Wang Y, Chen Q, Liu K, Wang X, Yang H, Zhou N, Ao L, Liu J, Cao J. Sleep behavior is associated with over two-fold decrease of sperm count in a chronotype-specific pattern: path analysis of 667 young men in the MARHCS study. Chronobiol Int 2021; 38:871-882. [PMID: 33715553 DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2021.1896534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the reduction of sperm count is associated with sleep behaviors, including restricted/excessive sleep duration, late sleep time midpoint, and shift of sleep midpoint time (social jetlag). Chronotype is suggested to regulate sleep behaviors; however, the relationship between chronotype and human sperm count is unknown. The relationship between sleep behaviors and human sperm count, when sleep behaviors as well as chronotype are controlled is also unclear. We performed a path analysis of the data obtained from 667 Chinese men recruited into the MARHCS (Male Reproductive Health in Chongqing College Students) study. Chronotype, sleep duration, sleep time midpoint, and social jetlag were estimated by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Sperm count was measured by computer-aided sperm analysis. The comprehensive relationship between chronotype, all sleep behaviors, and sperm count was tested by path analysis, in which the standardized residual of sperm count was used for adjustment of age, abstinence period, body mass index, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and intake of tea, cola, and coffee. Our major findings are: (1) Chronotype negatively correlated with sleep duration (correlation coefficient (R) = -0.32, P < .001) and positively correlated with sleep midpoint (R = 0.65, P < .001) and social jetlag (R = 0.37, P < .001). (2) Sleep duration (U-shape transformed; R = -0.11, P = .005), sleep midpoint (R = -0.09, P = .021), and social jetlag (R = -0.12, P = .001), respectively, correlated with sperm count in univariate analysis. The relationship between sleep midpoint and sperm count disappeared when social jetlag was controlled. (3) Path analysis showed that chronotype is connected with sperm count through two pathways: via sleep duration (standardized path coefficient = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.17 to -0.01, P = .030) and via social jetlag (standardized path coefficient = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.17 to -0.01, P = .031). For men of earlier, intermediate, and later tertile of chronotype, the sleep-duration-related decrease of sperm count was separately estimated to be 16.3%, 12.8%, and 11.6%, while the social-jetlag-related decrease of sperm count was estimated to be 9.3%, 12.8%, and 19.2%. The total effect of sleep behaviors on sperm count was estimated to be 25.7%, 25.6%, and 30.7%, with an average of 27.4% for men of different chronotypes. The present study showed that men of earlier chronotype were prone to restricted/excessive sleep duration, while men of later chronotype were prone to social jetlag, both of which correlated with reduced sperm count, suggesting that chronotype may modulate the sleep behaviors and exert dual effects on sperm count via different sleep behaviors, leading to a ubiquitous sperm decline. Men of different chronotypes should take care to avoid different types of improper sleep behaviors, so as to prevent such deleterious effect on sperm count.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Wang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army 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, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaogang Wang
- Frontier Defence Medical Service Training Group, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Xinjiang, China
| | - Huan Yang
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Niya Zhou
- Key Lab of Medical Protection for Electromagnetic Radiation, Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University (Army 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, Third Military Medical University (Army 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, Third Military Medical University (Army 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, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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23
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Narasimhan M, Logie CH, Moody K, Hopkins J, Montoya O, Hardon A. The role of self-care interventions on men's health-seeking behaviours to advance their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Health Res Policy Syst 2021; 19:23. [PMID: 33596921 PMCID: PMC7888093 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-020-00655-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-care interventions are influencing people's access to, expectation and understanding of healthcare beyond formal health delivery systems. In doing so, self-care interventions could potentially improve health-seeking behaviours. While many men proactively engage in maintaining and promoting their health, the focus on men's health comes from the recognition, at least partially, that male socialization and social norms can induce men and boys to have a lower engagement in institutionalized public health entities and systems around their sexual and reproductive health and rights, that could impact negatively on themselves, their partners and children. MAIN TEXT A research agenda could consider the ways that public health messaging and information on self care practices for sexual and reproductive health and rights could be tailored to reflect men's lived realities and experiences. Three examples of evidence-based self-care interventions related to sexual and reproductive health and rights that men can, and many do, engage in are briefly discussed: condom use, HIV self-testing and use of telemedicine and digital platforms for sexual health. We apply four core elements that contribute to health, including men's health (people-centred approaches, quality health systems, a safe and supportive enabling environment, and behaviour-change communication) to each intervention where further research can inform normative guidance. CONCLUSION Engaging men and boys and facilitating their participation in self care can be an important policy intervention to advance global sexual and reproductive health and rights goals. The longstanding model of men neglecting or even sabotaging their wellbeing needs to be replaced by healthier lifestyles, which requires understanding how factors related to social support, social norms, power, academic performance or employability conditions, among others, influence men's engagement with health services and with their own self care practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjulaa Narasimhan
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland.
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor Street W, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada
| | | | | | - Oswaldo Montoya
- MenEngage Alliance Global Secretariat, 1875 Connecticut Avenue. Floor 10, Washington, D.C., 20009, United States of America
| | - Anita Hardon
- Institute for Advanced Studies and Anthropology Department, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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24
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Njoku RCC, Abarikwu SO. Antifertility and profertility effects of the leaves and seeds of fluted pumpkin: Sperm quality, hormonal effects and histomorphological changes in the testes of experimental animal models. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM 2021; 19:104-110. [PMID: 33518482 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fluted pumpkin (FP; Telfairia occidentalis) is an edible vegetable, grown in West Africa, that is used in traditional medicine for its regulatory effects on the male gonads. Scientific articles concerning the effects of FP were identified by searching PubMed, PubChem, Scopus, Springer, ResearchGate, Google Scholar and Web of Science; this literature was to better understand the effects of FP seed (FPS) and leaf (FPL) extracts on the testes. Data showed that in experimental animals extracts of FPL and FPS at 1/100 of the lethal dose promoted testis regeneration and improved testosterone concentration and sperm quality, while at higher doses they had antifertility effects. Several extracts of FPS and FPL, including ethanol, aqueous, methanol and hydroethanolic, had protective effects on the testes of study animals at lower doses (≥ 50 mg/kg body weight), but at higher doses (≥ 200 mg/kg body weight) they inhibited hormone synthesis, sperm quality and histomorphological structure, under both normal and disease conditions. The posttreatment effects of FPS on the gonads were reversible in young mature rats and FPS had slight systemic toxic effects. Although, there are inconsistencies in some of the published results, the current evidence suggests that FPS and FPL have both profertility and reversible antifertility effects in experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rex-Clovis C Njoku
- Department of Chemistry & Molecular Biology, Alex Ekwueme-Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010, Abakaliki, Nigeria
| | - Sunny O Abarikwu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
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25
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Bhartiya D, Kaushik A. Testicular Stem Cell Dysfunction Due to Environmental Insults Could Be Responsible for Deteriorating Reproductive Health of Men. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:649-658. [PMID: 33409879 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00411-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive health of men has declined over time including reduced semen quality specifically sperm count, increased incidence of infertility, and testicular cancers. Our recent findings suggest that these disease states possibly arise as a result of disruption of testicular stem cells biology by perinatal insults including exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Testicular stem cells include relatively quiescent, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), and actively dividing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Both VSELs and SSCs express estrogen receptors and are directly vulnerable to endocrine disruption. Exposing mice pups to estradiol (20 μg/pup/day on days 5-7) or diethylstilbestrol (2 μg/pup/day on days 1-5) affected spermatogenesis during adult life with reduced numbers of tubules in stage VIII, tetraploid cells and sperm. These mice were infertile and majority of diethylstilbestrol treated mice revealed testicular cancer-like changes. An increase in VSEL numbers, observed by both flow cytometry and qRT-PCR, was associated with marked reduction of c-KIT positive spermatogonial cells. VSELs undergo epigenetic changes due to endocrine disruption that results in blocked differentiation (impaired spermatogenesis) leading to reduced sperm count and infertility, and their excessive self-renewal initiates cancer-like changes in adult life. Thus, testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) has a stem cell rather than a genetic basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Bhartiya
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India.
| | - Ankita Kaushik
- Stem Cell Biology Department, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Jehangir Merwanji Street, Parel, Mumbai, 400 012, India
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26
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Esteves SC, Zini A, Coward RM, Evenson DP, Gosálvez J, Lewis SEM, Sharma R, Humaidan P. Sperm DNA fragmentation testing: Summary evidence and clinical practice recommendations. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13874. [PMID: 33108829 PMCID: PMC7988559 DOI: 10.1111/and.13874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We herein summarise the evidence concerning the impact of sperm DNA fragmentation in various clinical infertility scenarios and the advances on sperm DNA fragmentation tests. The collected evidence was used to formulate 41 recommendations. Of these, 13 recommendations concern technical aspects of sperm DNA fragmentation testing, including pre‐analytical information, clinical thresholds and interpretation of results. The remaining 28 recommendations relate to indications for sperm DNA fragmentation testing and clinical management. Clinical scenarios like varicocele, unexplained infertility, idiopathic infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection, fertility counselling for men with infertility risk factors and sperm cryopreservation have been contemplated. The bulk evidence supporting the recommendations has increased in recent years, but it is still of moderate to low quality. This guideline provides clinicians with advice on best practices in sperm DNA fragmentation testing. Also, recommendations are provided on possible management strategies to overcome infertility related to sperm DNA fragmentation, based on the best available evidence. Lastly, we identified gaps in knowledge and opportunities for research and elaborated a list of recommendations to stimulate further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Referral Center for Male Reproduction, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Armand Zini
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert Matthew Coward
- Department of Urology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,UNC Fertility, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Donald P Evenson
- SCSA Diagnostics, Brookings, SD, USA.,Sanford Medical School, University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
| | - Jaime Gosálvez
- Unit of Genetics, Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheena E M Lewis
- Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK.,Examenlab Ltd., Belfast, UK
| | - Rakesh Sharma
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Peter Humaidan
- Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Fertility Clinic Skive, Skive Regional Hospital, Skive, Denmark
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27
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Ravitsky V, Kimmins S. The forgotten men: rising rates of male infertility urgently require new approaches for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:872-874. [PMID: 31553040 PMCID: PMC6877781 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vardit Ravitsky
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sarah Kimmins
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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28
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Sommer GJ, Wang TR, Epperson JG, Hatch EE, Wesselink AK, Rothman KJ, Fredriksen LL, Schaff UY, Behr B, Eisenberg ML, Wise LA. At-home sperm testing for epidemiologic studies: Evaluation of the Trak male fertility testing system in an internet-based preconception cohort. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2020; 34:504-512. [PMID: 31838751 PMCID: PMC8052852 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Semen quality assessment in population-based epidemiologic studies presents logistical and financial challenges due to reliance on centralised laboratory semen analysis. The Trak Male Fertility Testing System is an FDA-cleared and validated at-home test for sperm concentration and semen volume, with a research use only sperm motility test. Here we evaluate the Trak System's overall utility among men participating in Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), a web-based study of North American couples planning pregnancy. METHODS US male participants aged ≥21 years with ≤6 months of pregnancy attempt time at study enrolment were invited to participate in the semen testing substudy after completing their baseline questionnaire. Consenting participants received a Trak Engine (battery-powered centrifuge) and two test kits. Participants shared their test results via smartphone images uploaded to online questionnaires. Data were then linked with covariate data from the baseline questionnaire. RESULTS Of the 688 men invited to participate, 373 (54%) provided consent and 271 (73%) completed at least one semen test result. The distributions of semen volume, sperm concentration, motile sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm count were similar to 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) semen parameter data of men in the general population. The overall usability score for the Trak System was 1.4 on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Very Easy, 5 = Difficult), and 92% of participants believed they performed the test correctly and received an accurate result. Lastly, men with higher motile sperm count were more likely to report feeling "at ease" or "excited" following testing, while men with low motile sperm count were more likely to report feeling "concerned" or "frustrated." Overall, 91% of men reported they would like to test again. CONCLUSIONS The Trak System provides a simple and potentially cost-effective means of measuring important semen parameters and may be useful in population-based epidemiologic fertility studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanran R. Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth E. Hatch
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amelia K. Wesselink
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth J. Rothman
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Barry Behr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael L. Eisenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA,Department of Urology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lauren A. Wise
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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29
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Brown SG, Publicover SJ, Barratt CLR, Martins da Silva SJ. Human sperm ion channel (dys)function: implications for fertilization. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 25:758-776. [PMID: 31665287 PMCID: PMC6847974 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive research on sperm ion channels has identified members of several ion channel families in both mouse and human sperm. Gene knock-out studies have unequivocally demonstrated the importance of the calcium and potassium conductances in sperm for fertility. In both species, the calcium current is carried by the highly complex cation channel of sperm (CatSper). In mouse sperm, the potassium current has been conclusively shown to be carried by a channel consisting of the pore forming subunit SLO3 and auxiliary subunit leucine-rich repeat-containing 52 (LRRC52). However, in human sperm it is controversial whether the pore forming subunit of the channel is composed of SLO3 and/or SLO1. Deciphering the role of the proton-specific Hv1 channel is more challenging as it is only expressed in human sperm. However, definitive evidence for a role in, and importance for, human fertility can only be determined through studies using clinical samples. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to provide insight into the role of sperm ion channels in human fertilization as evidenced from recent studies of sperm from infertile men. We also summarize the key discoveries from mouse ion channel knock-out models and contrast the properties of mouse and human CatSper and potassium currents. We detail the evidence for, and consequences of, defective ion channels in human sperm and discuss hypotheses to explain how defects arise and why affected sperm have impaired fertilization potential. SEARCH METHODS Relevant studies were identified using PubMed and were limited to ion channels that have been characterized in mouse and human sperm. Additional notable examples from other species are included as appropriate. OUTCOMES There are now well-documented fundamental differences between the properties of CatSper and potassium channel currents in mouse and human sperm. However, in both species, sperm lacking either channel cannot fertilize in vivo and CatSper-null sperm also fail to fertilize at IVF. Sperm-lacking potassium currents are capable of fertilizing at IVF, albeit at a much lower rate. However, additional complex and heterogeneous ion channel dysfunction has been reported in sperm from infertile men, the causes of which are unknown. Similarly, the nature of the functional impairment of affected patient sperm remains elusive. There are no reports of studies of Hv1 in human sperm from infertile men. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Recent studies using sperm from infertile men have given new insight and critical evidence supporting the supposition that calcium and potassium conductances are essential for human fertility. However, it should be highlighted that many fundamental questions remain regarding the nature of molecular and functional defects in sperm with dysfunctional ion channels. The development and application of advanced technologies remains a necessity to progress basic and clinical research in this area, with the aim of providing effective screening methodologies to identify and develop treatments for affected men in order to help prevent failed ART cycles. Conversely, development of drugs that block calcium and/or potassium conductances in sperm is a plausible strategy for producing sperm-specific contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean G Brown
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD11HG, UK
| | | | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Systems Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK
| | - Sarah J Martins da Silva
- Systems Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK
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30
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Calvert SJ, Reynolds S, Paley MN, Walters SJ, Pacey AA. Probing human sperm metabolism using 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:30-41. [PMID: 30395244 PMCID: PMC6314230 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gay046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can 13C-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) of selected metabolites provide useful information about human sperm metabolism and how glycolysis or oxidative phosphorylation are used by different sperm populations? SUMMARY ANSWER Sperm populations, prepared by density gradient centrifugation (DGC) and incubated with either 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate, showed consistent evidence of metabolism generating principally lactate and more intermittently bicarbonate, and significantly more lactate was produced from 13Cu-glucose by vital or motile sperm recovered from the 40/80% interface compared to those from the pellet, which could not be accounted for by differences in the non-sperm cells present. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Previous studies have focused on CO2 or other specific metabolite production by human sperm and there remains considerable debate about whether glycolysis and/or oxidative phosphorylation is the more important pathway for ATP production in sperm. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Sperm populations were prepared by DGC and subjected to 13C-MRS to answer the following questions. (i) Is it possible to detect human sperm metabolism of 13C substrates implicated in energy generation? (ii) What are the kinetics of such reactions? (iii) Do different sperm populations (e.g. '80%' pellet sperm and '40%' interface sperm) utilise substrates in the same way? Semen samples from 97 men were used in these experiments; 52 were used in parallel for aims (i) and (ii) and 45 were used for aim (iii). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Sperm populations were prepared from ejaculates of healthy men using a Percoll/Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) DGC and then incubated with a range of 13C-labelled substrates (13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose, 13C1-pyruvate, 13C1-butyrate, 13C3-lactate, 13C2,4-D-3-hydroxybutyrate, 13C5-l-glutamate, 13C1,2-glycine or 13Cu-galactose) along with penicillin/streptomycin antibiotic at 37°C for 4 h, 24 h or over 48 h for an estimated rate constant. Sperm concentration, vitality and motility were measured and, for a subset of experiments, non-sperm cell concentration was determined. A 9.4 T magnetic resonance spectrometer was used to acquire 1D 13C, inverse gated 1H decoupled, MRS spectra. Spectrum processing was carried out using spectrometer software and Matlab scripts to determine peak integrals for each spectrum. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose and 13C1-pyruvate were consistently converted into lactate and, to a lesser extent, bicarbonate. There was a significant correlation between sperm concentration and lactate peak size for 13Cu-glucose and 13Cu-fructose, which was not observed for 13C1-pyruvate. The lactate peak did not correlate with the non-sperm cell concentration up to 6.9 × 106/ml. The concentration of 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate (1.8, 3.6, 7.2 or 14.4 mM) had no influence on the size of the observed lactate peak over a 4 h incubation. The rate of conversion of 13C1-pyruvate to lactate was approximately three times faster than for 13Cu-glucose or 13Cu-fructose which were not significantly different from each other. After incubating for 4 h, the utilisation of 13Cu-glucose, 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate by sperm from the '40%' interface of the DGC was no different from those from the pellet when normalised to total sperm concentration. However, after normalising by either the vital or motile sperm concentration, there was a significant increase in conversion of 13Cu-glucose to lactate by '40%' interface sperm compared to pellet sperm (Vital = 3.3 ± 0.30 × 106 vs 2.0 ± 0.21 × 106; P = 0.0049; Motile = 7.0 ± 0.75 × 106 vs 4.8 ± 0.13 × 106; P = 0.0032. Mann-Whitney test P < 0.0055 taken as statistically significant). No significant differences were observed for 13Cu-fructose or 13C1-pyruvate. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Only 13C labelled metabolites that accumulate to a sufficiently high concentration can be observed by 13C MRS. For this reason, intermediary molecules in the metabolic chain are difficult to observe without trapping the molecule at a particular step using inhibitors. Non-sperm cell concentration was typical of the general population and no link was found between these cells and the magnitude of the 13C-lactate peak. However, it is possible that higher concentrations than the maximum observed (6.9 × 106/ml) may contribute to exogenous substrate metabolism in other experiments. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS 13C-MRS can provide information on the underlying metabolism of multiple pathways in live sperm. Dysfunction in sperm metabolism, as a result of either impaired enzymes of lack of metabolisable substrate, could be detected in sperm by a non-destructive assay, potentially offering new treatment options to improve overall sperm quality and outcomes for reproduction. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by the Medical Research Council Grant MR/M010473/1. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Calvert
- Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, UK
| | - S Reynolds
- Academic Unit of Radiology, Department of Immunity, Infection and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - M N Paley
- Academic Unit of Radiology, Department of Immunity, Infection and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - S J Walters
- School of Health Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, UK
| | - A A Pacey
- Academic Unit of Reproductive & Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Level 4, The Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk, Sheffield, UK
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Sharara F, Seaman E, Morris R, Schinfeld J, Nichols J, Sobel M, Lee A, Somkuti S, Hirshberg S, Budinetz T, Barmat L, Palermo G, Rosenwaks Z, Bar-Chama N, Bodie J, Nichols J, Payne J, McCoy T, Tarnawa E, Whitman-Elia G, Weissmann L, Doukakis M, Hurwitz J, Leondires M, Murdock C, Ressler I, Richlin S, Williams S, Wosnitzer M, Butcher M, Kashanian J, Ahlering P, Aubuchon M, Ostermeier GC, Travis AJ. Multicentric, prospective observational data show sperm capacitation predicts male fertility, and cohort comparison reveals a high prevalence of impaired capacitation in men questioning their fertility. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:69-79. [PMID: 32505543 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTIONS Can a previously defined relationship between sperm capacitation and the probability of a man generating pregnancy within three cycles, prospectively predict male fertility in diverse clinical settings? A second study asked, what is the prevalence of impaired sperm fertilizing ability in men questioning their fertility (MQF), and does this relate to traditional semen analysis metrics? DESIGN In the multicentric, prospective observational study, data (n = 128; six clinics) were analysed to test a published relationship between the percentage of fertilization-competent, capacitated spermatozoa (Cap-Score) and probability of generating pregnancy (PGP) within three cycles of intrauterine insemination. Logistic regression of total pregnancy outcomes (n = 252) assessed fit. In the cohort comparison, Cap-Scores of MQF (n = 2155; 22 clinics) were compared with those of 76 fertile men. RESULTS New outcomes (n = 128) were rank-ordered by Cap-Score and divided into quintiles (25-26 per group); chi-squared testing revealed no difference between predicted and observed pregnancies (P = 0.809). Total outcomes (n = 252; 128 new + 124 previous) were pooled and the model recalculated, yielding an improved fit (P < 0.001). Applying the Akaike information criterion found that the optimal model used Cap-Score alone. Cap-Scores were performed on 2155 men (with semen analysis data available for 1948). To compare fertilizing ability, men were binned by PGP (≤19%, 20-29%, 30-39%, 40-49%, 50-59%, ≥60%). Distributions of PGP and the corresponding Cap-Scores were significantly lower in MQF versus fertile men (P < 0.001). Notably, 64% of MQF with normal volume, concentration and motility (757/1183) had PGP of 39% or less (Cap-Scores ≤31), versus 25% of fertile men. CONCLUSIONS Sperm capacitation prospectively predicted male fertility. Impaired capacitation affects many MQF with normal semen analysis results, informing diagnosis versus idiopathic infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fady Sharara
- Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reston VA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annette Lee
- Abington Reproductive Medicine, Abington PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Larry Barmat
- Abington Reproductive Medicine, Abington PA, USA
| | - Gianpiero Palermo
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, New York NY, USA
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine, New York NY, USA
| | | | - Joshua Bodie
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, USA
| | - John Nichols
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | - John Payne
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | - Travis McCoy
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | - Edward Tarnawa
- Piedmont Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Greenville SC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael Butcher
- Park Nicollet Sexual Medicine & Male Infertility Clinic, St Louis Park MN, USA
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32
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Turner KA, Rambhatla A, Schon S, Agarwal A, Krawetz SA, Dupree JM, Avidor-Reiss T. Male Infertility is a Women's Health Issue-Research and Clinical Evaluation of Male Infertility Is Needed. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040990. [PMID: 32316195 PMCID: PMC7226946 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is a devastating experience for both partners as they try to conceive. Historically, when a couple could not conceive, the woman has carried the stigma of infertility; however, men and women are just as likely to contribute to the couple’s infertility. With the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the treatment burden for male and unexplained infertility has fallen mainly on women. Equalizing this burden requires reviving research on male infertility to both improve treatment options and enable natural conception. Despite many scientific efforts, infertility in men due to sperm dysfunction is mainly diagnosed by a semen analysis. The semen analysis is limited as it only examines general sperm properties such as concentration, motility, and morphology. A diagnosis of male infertility rarely includes an assessment of internal sperm components such as DNA, which is well documented to have an impact on infertility, or other components such as RNA and centrioles, which are beginning to be adopted. Assessment of these components is not typically included in current diagnostic testing because available treatments are limited. Recent research has expanded our understanding of sperm biology and suggests that these components may also contribute to the failure to achieve pregnancy. Understanding the sperm’s internal components, and how they contribute to male infertility, would provide avenues for new therapies that are based on treating men directly for male infertility, which may enable less invasive treatments and even natural conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina A. Turner
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA;
| | - Amarnath Rambhatla
- Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Samantha Schon
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, L4000 UH-South, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Ashok Agarwal
- American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA;
| | - Stephen A. Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - James M. Dupree
- Department of Urology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA;
| | - Tomer Avidor-Reiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA;
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
- Correspondence:
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Baro Graf C, Ritagliati C, Torres-Monserrat V, Stival C, Carizza C, Buffone MG, Krapf D. Membrane Potential Assessment by Fluorimetry as a Predictor Tool of Human Sperm Fertilizing Capacity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 7:383. [PMID: 32010695 PMCID: PMC6979052 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian sperm acquire the ability to fertilize eggs by undergoing a process known as capacitation. Capacitation is triggered as the sperm travels through the female reproductive tract. This process involves specific physiological changes such as rearrangement of the cell plasma membrane, post-translational modifications of certain proteins, and changes in the cellular permeability to ions - with the subsequent impact on the plasma membrane potential (Em). Capacitation-associated Em hyperpolarization has been well studied in mouse sperm, and shown to be both necessary and sufficient to promote the acrosome reaction (AR) and fertilize the egg. However, the relevance of the sperm Em upon capacitation on human fertility has not been thoroughly characterized. Here, we performed an extensive study of the Em change during capacitation in human sperm samples using a potentiometric dye in a fluorimetric assay. Normospermic donors showed significant Em hyperpolarization after capacitation. Em values from capacitated samples correlated significantly with the sperm ability to undergo induced AR, highlighting the role of hyperpolarization in acrosomal responsiveness, and with successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates. These results show that Em hyperpolarization could be an indicator of human sperm fertilizing capacity, setting the basis for the use of Em values as a robust predictor of the success rate of IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Baro Graf
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Medicina Reproductiva, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Carla Ritagliati
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - Cintia Stival
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
| | | | - Mariano G. Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dario Krapf
- Laboratory of Cell Signal Transduction Networks, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), CONICET-UNR, Rosario, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Medicina Reproductiva, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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Richer G, Baert Y, Goossens E. In-vitro spermatogenesis through testis modelling: Toward the generation of testicular organoids. Andrology 2020; 8:879-891. [PMID: 31823507 PMCID: PMC7496450 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background The testicular organoid concept has recently been introduced in tissue engineering to refer to testicular cell organizations modeling testicular architecture and function. The testicular organoid approach gives control over which and how cells reaggregate, which is not possible in organotypic cultures, thereby extending the applicability of in‐vitro spermatogenesis (IVS) systems. However, it remains unclear which culture method and medium allow reassociation of testicular cells into a functional testicular surrogate in‐vitro. Objective The aim of this paper is to review the different strategies that have been used in an attempt to create testicular organoids and generate spermatozoa. We want to provide an up‐to‐date list on culture methodologies and media compositions that have been used and determine their role in regulating tubulogenesis and differentiation of testicular cells. Search method A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to select studies reporting the reorganization of testicular cell suspensions in‐vitro, using the keywords: three‐dimensional culture, in‐vitro spermatogenesis, testicular organoid, testicular scaffold, and tubulogenesis. Papers published before the August 1, 2019, were selected. Outcome Only a limited number of studies have concentrated on recreating the testicular architecture in‐vitro. While some advances have been made in the testicular organoid research in terms of cellular reorganization, none of the described culture systems is adequate for the reproduction of both the testicular architecture and IVS. Conclusion Further improvements in culture methodology and medium composition have to be made before being able to provide both testicular tubulogenesis and spermatogenesis in‐vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Richer
- Biology of the Testis research Lab, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yoni Baert
- Biology of the Testis research Lab, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis research Lab, Department of Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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McBrinn RC, Fraser J, Hope AG, Gray DW, Barratt CLR, Martins da Silva SJ, Brown SG. Novel pharmacological actions of trequinsin hydrochloride improve human sperm cell motility and function. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:4521-4536. [PMID: 31368510 PMCID: PMC6932944 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Asthenozoospermia is a leading cause of male infertility, but development of pharmacological agents to improve sperm motility is hindered by the lack of effective screening platforms and knowledge of suitable molecular targets. We have demonstrated that a high-throughput screening (HTS) strategy and established in vitro tests can identify and characterise compounds that improve sperm motility. Here, we applied HTS to identify new compounds from a novel small molecule library that increase intracellular calcium ([Ca2+ ]i ), promote human sperm cell motility, and systematically determine the mechanism of action. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH A validated HTS fluorometric [Ca2+ ]i assay was used to screen an in-house library of compounds. Trequinsin hydrochloride (a PDE3 inhibitor) was selected for detailed molecular (plate reader assays, electrophysiology, and cyclic nucleotide measurement) and functional (motility and acrosome reaction) testing in sperm from healthy volunteer donors and, where possible, patients. KEY RESULTS Fluorometric assays identified trequinsin as an efficacious agonist of [Ca2+ ]i , although less potent than progesterone. Functionally, trequinsin significantly increased cell hyperactivation and penetration into viscous medium in all donor sperm samples and cell hyperactivation in 22/25 (88%) patient sperm samples. Trequinsin-induced [Ca2+ ]i responses were cross-desensitised consistently by PGE1 but not progesterone. Whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology confirmed that trequinsin activated CatSper and partly inhibited potassium channel activity. Trequinsin also increased intracellular cGMP. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Trequinsin exhibits a novel pharmacological profile in human sperm and may be a suitable lead compound for the development of new agents to improve patient sperm function and fertilisation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C McBrinn
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK
| | - Joanna Fraser
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK
| | - Anthony G Hope
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - David W Gray
- Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Sarah J Martins da Silva
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Sean G Brown
- School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK
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36
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The current status and future of andrology: A consensus report from the Cairo workshop group. Andrology 2019; 8:27-52. [PMID: 31692249 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In attempting to formulate potential WHO guidelines for the diagnosis of male infertility, the Evidence Synthesis Group noted a paucity of high-quality data on which to base key recommendations. As a result, a number of authors suggested that key areas of research/evidence gaps should be identified, so that appropriate funding and policy actions could be undertaken to help address key questions. OBJECTIVES The overall objective of this Consensus workshop was to clarify current knowledge and deficits in clinical laboratory andrology, so that clear paths for future development could be navigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following a detailed literature review, each author, prior to the face-to-face meeting, prepared a summary of their topic and submitted a PowerPoint presentation. The topics covered were (a) Diagnostic testing in male fertility and infertility, (b) Male fertility/infertility in the modern world, (c) Clinical management of male infertility, and (d) The overuse of ICSI. At the meeting in Cairo on February 18, 2019, the evidence was presented and discussed and a series of consensus points agreed. RESULTS The paper presents a background and summary of the evidence relating to these four topics and addresses key points of significance. Following discussion of the evidence, a total of 36 consensus points were agreed. DISCUSSION The Discussion section presents areas where there was further debate and key areas that were highlighted during the day. CONCLUSION The consensus points provide clear statements of evidence gaps and/or potential future research areas/topics. Appropriate funding streams addressing these can be prioritized and consequently, in the short and medium term, answers provided. By using this strategic approach, andrology can make the rapid progress necessary to address key scientific, clinical, and societal challenges that face our discipline now and in the near future.
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37
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Galotto C, Cambiasso MY, Julianelli VL, Valzacchi GJR, Rolando RN, Rodriguez ML, Calvo L, Calvo JC, Romanato M. Human sperm decondensation in vitro is related to cleavage rate and embryo quality in IVF. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 36:2345-2355. [PMID: 31696385 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01590-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether the ability of human spermatozoa to decondense in vitro in the presence of heparin (Hep) and glutathione (GSH) is related to assisted reproduction (ART) success. METHODS Cross-sectional pilot study involving male partners of 129 infertile couples undergoing ICSI with (45) or without (84) donor oocytes at two infertility clinics in CABA, Argentina, between October 2012 and December 2013. In vitro decondensation kinetics with Hep and GSH and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL) were determined on the same sample used for ICSI. The possible relationship of decondensation parameters (maximum decondensation and decondensation velocity) and TUNEL values with ART success was evaluated. RESULTS Embryo quality correlated positively with decondensation velocity (D60/D30) (Spearman's correlation, p < 0.05). According to D60/D30 values, patients were classified as slow decondensers (SlowD) (n = 68) or fast decondensers (FastD) (n = 61). Embryo quality was better in FastD (unpaired t test, p < 0.05). FastD and SlowD were subdivided according to use of donor oocytes. Among SlowD, biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates per transfer were significantly higher in donor (n = 19) vs. in non-donor (n = 31) cycles (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.05). TUNEL values were not related to embryo quality, but no clinical pregnancies or live births were achieved in TUNEL+ SlowD (n = 7). CONCLUSION Decondensation kinetics of human spermatozoa in vitro with Hep and GSH could be related to embryo quality and ART success.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Galotto
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Y Cambiasso
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - V L Julianelli
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Procrearte, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G J Rey Valzacchi
- Procrearte, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Servicio de Urología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - R N Rolando
- Laboratorio de Andrología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M L Rodriguez
- Servicio de Urología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - L Calvo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J C Calvo
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UBA, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Romanato
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Barratt CL, Anderson RA, De Jonge C. Male fertility: a window on the health of this generation and the next. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 39:721-723. [PMID: 31585843 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard A Anderson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
| | - Chris De Jonge
- University of Minnesota Medical Centre, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
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39
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De Jonge C, Barratt CLR. The present crisis in male reproductive health: an urgent need for a political, social, and research roadmap. Andrology 2019; 7:762-768. [PMID: 31241256 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a global crisis in male reproductive health. Evidence comes from globally declining sperm counts and increasing male reproductive system abnormalities, such as cryptorchidism, germ cell tumors, and onset of puberty. Male factor infertility occurs in ~40% of couples experiencing infertility. Data demonstrate an association between male infertility and overall health. Associated significant health conditions include diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Adding to the complexity is that men typically do not seek health care unless there is acute medical need or, as in the case of the infertile couple, the male goes for a reproductive examination and semen analysis. However, 25% of the time a reproductive health examination does not occur. Couples are increasingly utilizing IVF at more advanced ages, and advanced paternal age is associated with increased risk for (i) adverse perinatal outcomes for both offspring and mother; (ii) early child mortality, cancer, and mental health issues. In addition to age, paternal lifestyle factors, such as obesity and smoking, impact not only the male fertility but also the offspring wellness. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this paper was (i) to spotlight emerging and concerning data on male reproductive health, the relationship(s) between male reproductive and somatic health, and the heritable conditions father can pass to offspring, and (ii) to present a strategic roadmap with the goals of increasing (a) the awareness of men and society on the aforementioned, (b) the participation of men in healthcare seeking, and (c) advocacy to invigorate policy and funding agencies to support increased research into male reproductive biology. CONCLUSIONS The Male Reproductive Health Initiative (MRHI) is a newly established and rapidly growing global consortium of key opinion leaders in research, medicine, funding and policy agencies, and patient support groups that are moving forward the significant task of accomplishing the goals of the strategic roadmap.
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Affiliation(s)
- C De Jonge
- Andrology Program, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - C L R Barratt
- Division Systems Medicine, Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
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40
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Grace B, Shawe J, Johnson S, Stephenson J. You did not turn up… I did not realise I was invited…: understanding male attitudes towards engagement in fertility and reproductive health discussions. Hum Reprod Open 2019; 2019:hoz014. [PMID: 31218265 PMCID: PMC6573469 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoz014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the underlying reasons for low male engagement in fertility and reproductive health discussions and decision-making? SUMMARY ANSWER The perception of women's primacy in fertility and reproductive health limits the extent to which men believe their engagement is important. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Active participation of men in the process of informed decision-making regarding childbearing is beneficial for mother, father, and child. However, in research studies in these areas, little attention has been given to men. Additionally, there is poor engagement by men, as well as a dearth of information from, and on, the male perspective. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION In total, 35 semi-structured telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted in an office setting with three groups: 13 lay women, 13 lay men, and 9 (2 male and 7 female) healthcare professionals. Interviews took place between October 2016 and February 2017. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS Participants were men and women of reproductive age from the general population and healthcare professionals who had completed an online fertility awareness survey and agreed to follow-up interviews. Interviews were audio recorded and lasted ~1 hour, during which participants were asked to provide their views on childbearing decision-making, and male and female representation in fertility and reproductive health. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively via framework analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Both men and women saw fertility as a woman's issue, but from different viewpoints. Women saw it from the perspective of societal stereotypes regarding male and female roles, whereas men tended to defer to the woman's primacy in reproductive decisions. Men generally wanted to be involved in childbearing discussions and improve their fertility knowledge. However, they felt they did not have a voice on the topic because discussions have traditionally focused on women. The notion that men are not expected to be interested and engaged thus becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Healthcare professionals agreed that fertility was perceived as the woman's domain, but also highlighted that poor male involvement is typically observed across healthcare needs and is not necessarily unique to fertility and reproductive health. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Due to the online recruitment method, there is a potential bias towards respondents of higher, rather than lower, socioeconomic status within the general population. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Fertility tends to be seen as a private topic. Additional concerted effort by reproductive health researchers, charity organisations, educators, healthcare service providers, and policy makers is needed to proactively encourage male involvement in reproductive decision-making. This can be achieved through normalising and breaking taboos around the topic, male-friendly research study design approaches, male-inclusive reproductive healthcare services, implementation of health policies that recognise the needs of men, encouraging male research staff representation, and age-appropriate educational programmes on sexual and reproductive health, which include boys and adolescents from a young age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS Research funding was received from SPD Development Co. Ltd. B.G. and S.J. are employed by SPD Development Co. Ltd. None of the other authors have any conflict of interest related to the discussed topic. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Grace
- Research Department of Reproductive Health, UCL Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK.,SPD Development Company Limited, Bedford, UK
| | - J Shawe
- The Institute of Health and Community, Faculty of Health & Human Sciences, the University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - S Johnson
- SPD Development Company Limited, Bedford, UK
| | - J Stephenson
- Research Department of Reproductive Health, UCL Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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Avellar MCW, Ribeiro CM, Dias-da-Silva MR, Silva EJR. In search of new paradigms for epididymal health and disease: innate immunity, inflammatory mediators, and steroid hormones. Andrology 2019; 7:690-702. [PMID: 31207127 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The primary job of the epididymis is to mature and protect the luminally transiting spermatozoa. Mounting evidence is showing that innate immune components [including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and antimicrobial proteins, among which are β-defensins] and inflammatory mediators, under the primary influence of androgens, participate in the cellular and molecular processes that define this tissue. Here, we present an overview of the contributions of these signaling pathway components during epididymal homeostasis and discuss the hypotheses as to their involvement in epididymitis, the most common urological inflammatory condition in men, frequently impairing their fertility. Drawing primarily from rodent models, we also focus on how the distribution and functional expression of innate immune components are differentially regulated in the prenatal developing epididymis, providing new insights into the disruption of these signaling pathways throughout the lifespan. Male infertility is caused by a variety of conditions, such as congenital malformations, genetic and endocrine disorders, exposure to environmental toxicants, and inflammatory/infectious conditions. More than one-third of infertile men with an idiopathic condition cannot currently be adequately diagnosed. Thinking about the innate immunity and inflammation context of the epididymis may provide new insights and directions as to how these systems contribute to male fertility, as well as also uncover urological and andrological outcomes that may aid clinicians in diagnosing and preventing epididymal pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - C M Ribeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M R Dias-da-Silva
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - E J R Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho', Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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Brown SG, Miller MR, Lishko PV, Lester DH, Publicover SJ, Barratt CLR, Martins Da Silva S. Homozygous in-frame deletion in CATSPERE in a man producing spermatozoa with loss of CatSper function and compromised fertilizing capacity. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:1812-1816. [PMID: 30239785 PMCID: PMC6295793 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does a man (patient 1) with a previously described deficiency in principle cation channel of sperm (CatSper) function have a mutation in the CatSper-epsilon (CATSPERE) and/or CatSper-zeta (CATSPERZ) gene? SUMMARY ANSWER Patient 1 has a homozygous in-frame 6-bp deletion in exon 18 (c.2393_2398delCTATGG, rs761237686) of CATSPERE. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY CatSper is the principal calcium channel of mammalian spermatozoa. Spermatozoa from patient 1 had a specific loss of CatSper function and were unable to fertilize at IVF. Loss of CatSper function could not be attributed to genetic abnormalities in coding regions of seven CatSper subunits. Two additional subunits (CatSper-epsilon (CATPSERE) and CatSper-zeta (CATSPERZ)) were recently identified, and are now proposed to contribute to the formation of the mature channel complex. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was a basic medical research study analysing genomic data from a single patient (patient 1) for defects in CATSPERE and CATSPERZ. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The original exome sequencing data for patient 1 were analysed for mutations in CATSPERE and CATSPERZ. Sanger sequencing was conducted to confirm the presence of a rare variant. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Patient 1 is homozygous for an in-frame 6-bp deletion in exon 18 (c.2393_2398delCTATGG, rs761237686) of CATSPERE that is predicted to be highly deleterious. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The nature of the molecular deficit caused by the rs761237686 variant and whether it is exclusively responsible for the loss of CatSper function remain to be elucidated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Population genetics are available for a significant number of predicted deleterious variants of CatSper subunits. The consequence of homozygous and compound heterozygous forms on sperm fertilization potential could be significant. Selective targeting of CatSper subunit expression maybe a feasible strategy for the development of novel contraceptives. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by project grants from the MRC (MR/K013343/1 and MR/012492/1), Chief Scientist Office/NHS research Scotland. This work was also supported by NIH R01GM111802, Pew Biomedical Scholars Award 00028642 and Packer Wentz Endowment Will to P.V.L. C.L.R.B is the editor-in-chief of Molecular Human Reproduction, has received lecturing fees from Merck and Ferring, and is on the Scientific Advisory Panel for Ohana BioSciences. C.L.R.B was chair of the World Health Organization Expert Synthesis Group on Diagnosis of Male infertility (2012–2016).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean G Brown
- School of Science, Engineering & Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK
| | - Melissa R Miller
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Polina V Lishko
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Douglas H Lester
- School of Science, Engineering & Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.,Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
| | - Sarah Martins Da Silva
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.,Assisted Conception Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
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Knockout of MCT1 results in total absence of spermatozoa, sex hormones dysregulation, and morphological alterations in the testicular tissue. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 378:333-339. [PMID: 31073907 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03028-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Lactate is a key metabolite for the normal occurrence of spermatogenesis. In the testis, lactate is produced by the Sertoli cells and transported to germline cells. Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) are key players in that process. Among the family of MCTs, MCT1 is at least partly responsible for lactate uptake by the germ cells. We aimed to perform a first assessment of the role of MCT1 in male reproductive potential. Mct1 conditional knockout (cKO) mice were used for morphometric evaluation, testicular morphology, and sperm parameter assessment. Serum steroid hormones levels were also measured. cKO animals showed a decrease in gonadosomatic index, testis weight, and seminiferous tubular diameters. Deletion of MCT1 also causes morphological changes in the organization of the seminiferous tubules and on Sertoli cell morphology. These changes resulted in failure of spermatogenesis with depletion of germ cells and total absence of spermatozoa. MCT1 cKO animals presented also hormonal dysregulation, with a decrease in serum 17β-estradiol levels. In conclusion, MCT1 is pivotal for male reproductive potential. Absence of MCT1 results in maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia pool and compromised sperm production.
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44
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Pacey A. Male fertility and the need for more research. HUM FERTIL 2019; 22:77. [PMID: 31060456 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2019.1611281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Allan Pacey
- a Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism , School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Sheffield, The Jessop Wing , Sheffield S10 2SF , UK
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45
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Skakkebaek NE, Jørgensen N, Andersson AM, Juul A, Main KM, Jensen TK, Toppari J. Populations, decreasing fertility, and reproductive health. Lancet 2019; 393:1500-1501. [PMID: 30983583 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)30690-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Niels E Skakkebaek
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark.
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Katharina M Main
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Tina Kold Jensen
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku and Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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46
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Agarwal A, Esteves SC, Humaidan P, Roque M. Male infertility and assisted reproductive technology. Panminerva Med 2019; 61:101-103. [DOI: 10.23736/s0031-0808.18.03586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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47
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Miner SA, Daumler D, Chan P, Gupta A, Lo K, Zelkowitz P. Masculinity, Mental Health, and Desire for Social Support Among Male Cancer and Infertility Patients. Am J Mens Health 2018; 13:1557988318820396. [PMID: 30585112 PMCID: PMC6775564 DOI: 10.1177/1557988318820396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
By surveying men who are currently infertile ( N = 251) and men who are potentially infertile (i.e., men with cancer; N = 195), the mental health consequences of reproductive masculinity, or the cultural assumption that men are virile and should be fathers, were investigated. There was no difference in depression levels between these two groups when controlling for demographic variables, suggesting that both groups of men have similar mental health needs. Since gendered notions of masculinity also suggest that men do not want to discuss their fertility health, their desire for online fertility-related social support was assessed. These findings suggest that most men do want to talk to others about fertility, which indicates that there is a need for more fertility-related social support. This research challenges some conceptions regarding masculinity, as men revealed an interest in accessing online social support related to fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skye A Miner
- 1 Department of Sociology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,2 Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Davis Daumler
- 2 Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,3 Department of Sociology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peter Chan
- 4 McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Abha Gupta
- 5 Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kirk Lo
- 6 Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Phyllis Zelkowitz
- 2 Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,7 Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,8 Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
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48
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49
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Schinfeld J, Sharara F, Morris R, Palermo GD, Rosenwaks Z, Seaman E, Hirshberg S, Cook J, Cardona C, Ostermeier GC, Travis AJ. Cap-Score™ prospectively predicts probability of pregnancy. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:654-664. [PMID: 30187594 PMCID: PMC6221170 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Semen analysis (SA) poorly predicts male fertility, because it does not assess sperm fertilizing ability. The percentage of capacitated sperm determined by GM1 localization (“Cap‐Score™”), differs between cohorts of fertile and potentially infertile men, and retrospectively, between men conceiving or failing to conceive by intrauterine insemination (IUI). Here, we prospectively tested whether Cap‐Score can predict male fertility with the outcome being clinical pregnancy within ≤3 IUI cycles. Cap‐Score and SA were performed (n = 208) with outcomes initially available for 91 men. Men were predicted to have either low (n = 47) or high (n = 44) chance of generating pregnancy using previously‐defined Cap‐Score reference ranges. Absolute and cumulative pregnancy rates were reduced in men predicted to have low pregnancy rates versus high ([absolute: 10.6% vs. 29.5%; p = 0.04]; [cumulative: 4.3% vs. 18.2%, 9.9% vs. 29.1%, and 14.0% vs. 32.8% for cycles 1–3; n = 91, 64, and 41; p = 0.02]). Only Cap‐Score, not male/female age or SA results, differed significantly between outcome groups. Logistic regression evaluated Cap‐Score and SA results relative to the probability of generating pregnancy (PGP) for men who were successful in, or completed, three IUI cycles (n = 57). Cap‐Score was significantly related to PGP (p = 0.01). The model fit was then tested with 67 additional patients (n = 124; five clinics); the equation changed minimally, but fit improved (p < 0.001; margin of error: 4%). The Akaike Information Criterion found the best model used Cap‐Score as the only predictor. These data show that Cap‐Score provides a practical, predictive assessment of male fertility, with applications in assisted reproduction and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Schinfeld
- Abington Reproductive Medicine, Abington, Pennsylvania
| | - Fady Sharara
- Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine, Reston, Virginia
| | | | - Gianpiero D Palermo
- The Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- The Ronald O. Perelman & Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
| | | | | | - John Cook
- Singular Value Consulting, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Alexander J Travis
- Androvia LifeSciences, Mountainside, New Jersey.,Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
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50
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Rodprasert W, Virtanen HE, Sadov S, Perheentupa A, Skakkebaek NE, Jørgensen N, Toppari J. An update on semen quality among young Finnish men and comparison with Danish data. Andrology 2018; 7:15-23. [PMID: 30251363 PMCID: PMC6519379 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Finnish men used to have higher semen quality than Danish men. However, recent studies showed that semen quality in Finland has declined, but it has been relatively stable in Denmark. Objective This study aimed to compare new data on semen quality of the young Finnish men to that of Danish men. Materials and methods In this cross‐sectional study, 18‐ to 19‐year‐old men residing in Turku, Finland and Copenhagen, Denmark, were invited to participate in 2008–2011. Each man filled in a questionnaire, provided one semen sample and underwent andrological examination. Semen samples were analyzed according to WHO. Multiway ANOVA was used to adjust semen variables for duration of sexual abstinence and age (and time from ejaculation to the start of semen analysis for sperm motility). Results Altogether 287 Finnish men and 873 Danish men participated in the study. The adjusted median sperm concentrations were 49 and 47 million/mL for Finnish and Danish men, respectively (p = 0.48). The adjusted median total sperm counts were 148 million in Finland and 146 million in Denmark (p = 0.87). The adjusted median percentages of morphologically normal spermatozoa were 6.9% in Finland and 6.5% in Denmark, p = 0.27. Finnish men had higher adjusted median percentages of motile spermatozoa (A+B+C) than Danish men (80% vs. 69%, p < 0.001). The proportion of men who had low semen quality (sperm concentration, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa or percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa below WHO reference limits) was lower in Finland (25.4%) than in Denmark (34.6%), p = 0.004. Discussion Considerable percentage of men in both countries had low semen quality. The deteriorating semen quality in Finland may result in decreasing fecundity, which is a cause of concern. Conclusion The formerly high semen quality in Finland has converged to the lower Danish levels. Our findings demonstrate the importance of continuing surveillance of semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rodprasert
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - H E Virtanen
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - S Sadov
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - A Perheentupa
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - N E Skakkebaek
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N Jørgensen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J Toppari
- Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,University Department of Growth and Reproduction and EDMaRC, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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