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Esteves SC, Humaidan P, Ubaldi FM, Alviggi C, Antonio L, Barratt CLR, Behre HM, Jørgensen N, Pacey AA, Simoni M, Santi D. APHRODITE criteria: addressing male patients with hypogonadism and/or infertility owing to altered idiopathic testicular function. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 48:103647. [PMID: 38367592 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Can a novel classification system of the infertile male - 'APHRODITE' (Addressing male Patients with Hypogonadism and/or infeRtility Owing to altereD, Idiopathic TEsticular function) - stratify different subgroups of male infertility to help scientists to design clinical trials on the hormonal treatment of male infertility, and clinicians to counsel and treat the endocrinological imbalances in men and, ultimately, increase the chances of natural and assisted conception? DESIGN A collaboration between andrologists, reproductive urologists and gynaecologists, with specialization in reproductive medicine and expertise in male infertility, led to the development of the APHRODITE criteria through an iterative consensus process based on clinical patient descriptions and the results of routine laboratory tests, including semen analysis and hormonal testing. RESULTS Five patient groups were delineated according to the APHRODITE criteria; (1) Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (acquired and congenital); (2) Idiopathic male infertility with lowered semen analysis parameters, normal serum FSH and normal serum total testosterone concentrations; (3) A hypogonadal state with lowered semen analysis parameters, normal FSH and reduced total testosterone concentrations; (4) Lowered semen analysis parameters, elevated FSH concentrations and reduced or normal total testosterone concentrations; and (5) Unexplained male infertility in the context of unexplained couple infertility. CONCLUSION The APHRODITE criteria offer a novel and standardized patient stratification system for male infertility independent of aetiology and/or altered spermatogenesis, facilitating communication among clinicians, researchers and patients to improve reproductive outcomes following hormonal therapy. APHRODITE is proposed as a basis for future trials of the hormonal treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Andrology and Human Reproduction Clinic, Campinas, Brazil.; Department of Surgery (Division of Urology), University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil.; Faculty of Health, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark..
| | - Peter Humaidan
- Fertility Clinic at Skive Regional Hospital, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Filippo M Ubaldi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, GENERA, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Leen Antonio
- Department of Endocrinology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Hermann M Behre
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Medicine Halle, Halle, Germany
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Allan A Pacey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Core Technology Facility, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.; Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
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Jabbar Kadhim N, Dastmalchi N, Banamolaei P, Safaralizadeh R. Gene Polymorphism, Microdeletion, and Gene Expression of PRM1, PRM2, AZFc in Infertile Males. Rep Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 12:173-184. [PMID: 37724144 PMCID: PMC10505457 DOI: 10.52547/rbmb.12.1.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Background: Male infertility contributes to roughly 15% of all infertility cases in couples. The most common cause of male infertility is azoospermia, which is caused by genetic mutations. The connection between various single nucleotide polymorphisms in the PRM genes and AZF region microdeletions with male infertility has not been reported. Methods In this case-control study, 100 infertile males (33 with azoospermia, 48 with oligozoospermia, and 19 with severe oligozoospermia) were chosen as the study subjects, and 100 fertile males were selected. Total DNA from peripheral blood was used to amplify two sequence-tagged site markers through multiplex PCR to detect AZFc partial deletions, and SNPs in PRM1 and PRM2 were determined through PCR-RFLP. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR was conducted to evaluate PRM1, PRM2, and DAZ1 (found in the AZFc region) expression levels in testis tissue. Results The frequency of the rs779337774 SNP in the PRM2 gene in the study population had no significant differences. However, a significant association was observed between the rs737008CA genotype (P= 0.013) and the C allele (P= 0.025) as a risk factor for male infant mortality. The deletion of sY254 and sY255 was discovered in azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia patients. Furthermore, all of these genes showed considerably low expression levels. However, only DAZ1 was identified with diagnostic biomarker potential (AUC=0.742). Conclusion When these genes expression levels are reduced, the likelihood of spermatozoa retrieval in azoospermic individuals is elevated. Furthermore, no significant association was observed between PRM2 polymorphism and azoospermia; however, the CA genotype of PRM1 polymorphism is significantly associated with azoospermia incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nashwah Jabbar Kadhim
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Narges Dastmalchi
- Department of Biology, University College of Nabi Akram, Tabriz Iran.
| | - Parisa Banamolaei
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Reza Safaralizadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
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Foran D, Chen R, Jayasena CN, Minhas S, Tharakan T. The use of hormone stimulation in male infertility. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 68:102333. [PMID: 36580771 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Infertility affects 15% of couples worldwide and in approximately 50% of cases the cause is secondary to an abnormality of the sperm. However, treatment options for male infertility are limited and empirical use of hormone stimulation has been utilised. We review the contemporary data regarding the application of hormone stimulation to treat male infertility. There is strong evidence supporting the use of hormone stimulation in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism but there is inadequate evidence for all other indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Foran
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Runzhi Chen
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Channa N Jayasena
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suks Minhas
- Department of Urology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tharu Tharakan
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Urology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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Male infertility and gonadotropin treatment: What can we learn from real-world data? Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 86:102310. [PMID: 36682942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.102310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin therapy to treat specific male infertility disorders associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is evidence-based and effective in restoring spermatogenesis and fertility. In contrast, its use to improve fertility in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia remains controversial, despite being widely practiced. The existence of two major inter-related pathways for spermatogenesis, including FSH and intratesticular testosterone, provides a rationale for empiric hormone stimulation therapy in both eugonadal and hypogonadal males with idiopathic oligozoospermia or nonobstructive azoospermia. Real-world data (RWD) on gonadotropin stimulating for these patient subsets, mainly using human chorionic gonadotropin and follicle-stimulating hormone, accumulated gradually, showing a positive therapeutic effect in some patients, translated by increased sperm production, sperm quality, and sperm retrieval rates. Although more evidence is needed, current insights from RWD research indicate that selected male infertility patients might be managed more effectively using gonadotropin therapy, with potential gains for all parties involved.
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Favorito LA. Upper tract urothelial carcinoma and bladder cancer in review in this number of International Brazilian Journal of Urology. Int Braz J Urol 2022; 48:386-388. [PMID: 35373944 PMCID: PMC9060179 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2022.03.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luciano A Favorito
- Unidade de Pesquisa Urogenital - Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro - Uerj, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.,Serviço de Urologia, Hospital Federal da Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
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Esteves SC. Microdissection TESE versus conventional TESE for men with nonobstructive azoospermia undergoing sperm retrieval. Int Braz J Urol 2022; 48:569-578. [PMID: 35333489 PMCID: PMC9060172 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2022.99.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sandro C Esteves
- ANDROFERT, Clínica de Andrologia e Reprodução Humana, Campinas, SP, Brasil.,Departamento de Cirurgia (Disciplina de Urologia), Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brasil.,3 Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Lira FNT. Hormonal treatment for men with Non-obstructive Azoospermia: too many rationales, too little data. Int Braz J Urol 2022; 48:482-484. [PMID: 35373946 PMCID: PMC9060158 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2022.99.13.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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