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Tang SS, Lu JC, Ge YM, Xu YH, Zhao X, Liang YJ. Analysis of 12 kinds of cytokines in seminal plasma by flow cytometry and their correlations with routine semen parameters. Cytokine 2024; 182:156718. [PMID: 39084067 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the levels of 12 kinds of cytokines in seminal plasma and their correlations with routine semen parameters. METHODS The remaining seminal plasma samples of 134 patients undergoing routine semen examination were collected for detecting cytokines. The parameters for sperm concentration, percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR), and motility were analyzed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. According to the results of sperm concentration, PR and motility, 134 patients were divided into the normal routine semen parameters group, oligoasthenospermia group and azoospermia group. The levels of 12 kinds of cytokines in seminal plasma, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12P70, IL-17, interferin (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were detected by flow cytometry. Two seminal plasma samples were detected for 10 times, respectively, to calculate the coefficients of variation (CV) of each cytokine. The linear range of each cytokine was measured using the standard, and the correlation coefficient (r) was calculated. RESULTS The r2 of 12 kinds of cytokines detected by flow cytometry were all greater than 0.99. The reproducibility of 2 seminal plasma samples showed that the CVs of all cytokines were lower than 15 % except for TNF-α in sample 1 (15.15 %). Seminal plasma IL-6 levels were negatively correlated with semen volume (P < 0.01). Seminal plasma IL-5 levels were positively correlated with sperm concentration (P < 0.01). Seminal plasma IL-8 levels were negatively correlated with sperm motility (P < 0.01). Seminal plasma IL-8, IL-17 and IL-12P70 levels were negatively correlated with sperm PR (P < 0.05). In addition to the significant negative correlation between IL-5 and IL-17 (P < 0.05), there was a significant positive correlation between the majority of other cytokines. The levels of seminal plasma IL-17 and IL-12P70 in the oligoasthenospermia group and IL-1β and IL-12P70 in the azoospermia group were significantly higher than those in the normal routine semen parameters group (P ≤ 0.05), while the levels of IL-10 in the azoospermia group were significantly lower than that in the normal routine semen parameters group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION There are certain correlations between seminal plasma cytokines and routine semen parameters and strong correlations between different seminal plasma cytokines, suggesting that the imbalance between seminal plasma cytokines may affect sperm quality. However, it still needs to be further confirmed by large samples and multi-center clinical studies and related basic researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Tang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jin-Chun Lu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yan-Mei Ge
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuan-Hua Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yuan-Jiao Liang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210037, Jiangsu, China
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Beher A, Moreno-Alfonso JC, Garnier H, Darici D, Salö MJ, Aubert O. A Survey of Preoperative, Perioperative, and Postoperative Management Practices for Testicular Torsion in Pediatric Patients among European Surgeons. Eur J Pediatr Surg 2024. [PMID: 39251202 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1790244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Management of testicular torsion varies between specialties resulting in lack of standardization. The aim of this survey was to assess pre-, peri-, and postoperative differences. METHODS An online questionnaire was distributed in 2023 to general and pediatric surgeons, pediatric urologists, and urologists by the Trainees of European Pediatric Surgery. MAIN RESULTS Among 88 respondents (92% tertiary referral hospital), 38% always or usually perform sonography in case of suspected torsion respectively. In addition, 15% always attempt manual detorsion and 44% depending on the clinical presentation. Most surgeons (93%) favor a scrotal approach. Interestingly, pediatric surgeons choose a transscrotal while other specialties opt for a midline incision (p = 0.002). The majority (57%) employ a three-point fixation, while 42% opt for a two-point fixation. In case of necrotic testis, 61% puncture the testis with 52% opting for surgical removal, while 33% perform orchiectomy and 6% leave it in situ. Regarding necrotic or borderline-appearing testis, 54% take a biopsy. Furthermore, 82% perform prophylactic orchidopexy of the contralateral side during the same session. Postoperative antibiotics are always administered by 12%, while 52% do so sometimes. Most perform sonographic (58%) or clinical (57%) follow-up 3 months postoperatively. Notably, pediatric surgeons and urologists perform follow-up more frequently themselves, while general surgeons/urologists recommend follow-up by pediatricians (p = 0.002). In addition, 76% of responders affirm adhering to European Association of Urology guidelines. Unawareness of guidelines and institutional practices are reasons most commonly cited for nonadherence. CONCLUSION Our study reveals significant disparities in the pre-, peri-, and postoperative management of testicular torsion underscoring the need for establishing standardized practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Beher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Urology and Center for Severely Burned Children, Klinikum Kassel GmbH, Kassel, Hessen, Germany
| | | | - Hanna Garnier
- Department of Surgery and Urology for Children and Adolescents, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dogus Darici
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, Westfälische-Wilhelms-University, Muenster, Westfalen, Germany
| | - Martin Jonathan Salö
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Skåne, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ophelia Aubert
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Pavuluri H, Bakhtiary Z, Panner Selvam MK, Hellstrom WJG. Oxidative Stress-Associated Male Infertility: Current Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:1008. [PMID: 38929625 PMCID: PMC11205999 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60061008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Infertility is a prevalent global issue affecting approximately 17.5% of adults, with sole male factor contributing to 20-30% of cases. Oxidative stress (OS) is a critical factor in male infertility, disrupting the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. This imbalance detrimentally affects sperm function and viability, ultimately impairing fertility. OS also triggers molecular changes in sperm, including DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and alterations in protein expression, further compromising sperm functionality and potential fertilization. Diagnostic tools discussed in this review offer insights into OS markers, antioxidant levels, and intracellular ROS concentrations. By accurately assessing these parameters, clinicians can diagnose male infertility more effectively and thus tailor treatment plans to individual patients. Additionally, this review explores various treatment options for males with OS-associated infertility, such as empirical drugs, antioxidants, nanoantioxidants, and lifestyle modifications. By addressing the root causes of male infertility and implementing targeted interventions, clinicians can optimize treatment outcomes and enhance the chances of conception for couples struggling with infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Wayne J. G. Hellstrom
- Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (H.P.); (Z.B.); (M.K.P.S.)
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Islam R, Heyer J, Figura M, Wang X, Nie X, Nathaniel B, Indumathy S, Hartmann K, Pleuger C, Fijak M, Kliesch S, Dittmar F, Pilatz A, Wagenlehner F, Hedger M, Loveland B, Hotaling JH, Guo J, Loveland KL, Schuppe HC, Fietz D. T cells in testicular germ cell tumors: new evidence of fundamental contributions by rare subsets. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1893-1903. [PMID: 38649788 PMCID: PMC11183042 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02669-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune cell infiltration is heterogeneous but common in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and pre-invasive germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS). Tumor-infiltrating T cells including regulatory T (Treg) and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are found in other cancer entities, but their contributions to TGCT are unknown. METHODS Human testis specimens from independent patient cohorts were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with special emphasis on delineating T cell subtypes. RESULTS Profound changes in immune cell composition within TGCT, shifting from macrophages in normal testes to T cells plus B and dendritic cells in TGCT, were documented. In most samples (96%), the CD4+ T cell frequency exceeded that of CD8+ cells, with decreasing numbers from central to peripheral tumor areas, and to tumor-free, contralateral testes. T cells including Treg and Tfh were most abundant in seminoma compared to mixed tumors and embryonal carcinoma. CONCLUSION Despite considerable heterogeneity between patients, T cell subtypes form a key part of the TGCT microenvironment. The novel finding of rare Treg and Tfh cells in human testis suggests their involvement in TGCT pathobiology, with implications for understanding tumor progression, to assess patients' prognosis, and as putative targets for personalized immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashidul Islam
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jannis Heyer
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Miriam Figura
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xichen Nie
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Benedict Nathaniel
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sivanjah Indumathy
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Katja Hartmann
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Florian Dittmar
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Florian Wagenlehner
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - James H Hotaling
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jingtao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
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Zhang L, Li H, Wu Z, Han L, Zhang J. Associations between cytokines and the risk of female and male infertility: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104238. [PMID: 38479056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Observational studies have linked cytokines to the occurrence of female and male infertility. However, it is not clear how biomarkers of inflammation are causally related to infertility. To explore whether genetic variants in circulating cytokines are associated with the pathogenesis of infertility, we performed two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. METHODS A total of 31,112 individuals of European ancestry were included in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 47 circulating cytokines as instrumental variables (IVs). Outcome data were female infertility, including four different subtypes, and male infertility, from the FinnGen consortium. Five MR methods, including inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, simple mode, weighted median, and weighted mode were employed to examine the genetic association between cytokines and the risk of female infertility and male infertility. The false discovery rate (FDR) was controlled using the Benjamini-Hochberg method. RESULTS After FDR correction, cis-protein quantitative trait locus (cis-pQTL) instruments showed that the cytokines GROa and MCSF were positively associated with female infertility. In analyses of subtypes of female infertility, eotaxin and sICAM were inversely associated with ovulation-related infertility; MCP3 alone was positively associated with uterus-related infertility; GROa and MCSF were positively correlated with infertility of cervical, vaginal, and other or unspecified origin; and MIP1a was negatively correlated with tubal origin infertility. The cytokines HGF, IL-2ra, and RANTES were positively correlated with male infertility. Similar findings were obtained in sensitivity analyses. There was no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity in the results. CONCLUSION These findings contribute to current understanding of the role of cytokine biomarkers in the etiology of female and male infertility. Furthermore clinical experimental validation is required to evaluate the potential of these cytokines as biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Honglin Li
- The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Zhijuan Wu
- The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Letian Han
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China; Shandong Qidu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Neuroprotective Drugs, Zibo, China
| | - Jianwei Zhang
- The First Clinical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese medicine, Jinan, China; Reproductive and Genetic Center of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
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Daskalova E, Pencheva M, Denev P. Black Chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa) Juice Supplementation Improves Oxidative Stress and Aging Markers in Testis of Aged Rats. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:4452-4470. [PMID: 38785538 PMCID: PMC11119763 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050270] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a process that continues until the end of an individual's life, although with reduced activity with advancing age. Inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis are events considered as predictors of pathogenesis and the development of age-related diseases observed in aged testes. The use of natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has a beneficial effect on the inflammatory and oxidative status of the aged testis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplementation with antioxidant-rich black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) juice on several markers of oxidative stress and aging in rat testis. In total, 24 male Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups: young controls aged 2 months, old controls aged 27 months, and 27-month-old rats supplemented with black chokeberry juice at a dose of 10 mL/kg for 3 months. A. melanocarpa juice supplementation led to reduced oxidative stress, manifested by increased immunoexpression of nNOS, eNOS, and MAS1 in the seminiferous tubules and in the Leydig cells. The morphometrically determined tubule structure data showed no significant differences between the three groups. However, the intensity of the immunoreaction for TRK-C and NT3 in Leydig cells was demonstrably higher in the supplemented old animals compared with the old controls. There was a significantly higher number of blood vessels around the seminiferous tubules in the supplemented animals compared to the old controls. These data indicate that supplementation with A. melanocarpa juice slows down aging processes in the testis and preserves the functional activity of Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Daskalova
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Mina Pencheva
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Petko Denev
- Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 139 Ruski Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Kocyigit BF, Fedorchenko Y, Sultanbekov K, Ozturk GY, Yessirkepov M. Exploring complex links: inflammatory rheumatic diseases and men's health. Rheumatol Int 2024; 44:757-764. [PMID: 38488864 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-024-05549-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
This article examines the complex interactions between inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) and men's health. It delves into the effects of IRDs on reproductive health, erectile dysfunction, prostate involvement, male osteoporosis, body composition, physical activity, and coping mechanisms. The findings show that the prevalence of sexual dysfunction varies among different diseases, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive counseling. The link between IRDs and prostate health, with a substantial rise in benign prostatic hyperplasia among IRD patients, demonstrates the condition's importance. In contrast to popular belief, osteoporosis mostly affects women; the current study highlights the growing identification of male osteoporosis, particularly in the setting of IRDs. Male RA patients had a significant loss in bone mineral density, highlighting the importance of increasing awareness and tailored therapy to address osteoporosis in men. IRDs affect body composition, with male RA patients showing imbalances characterized by decreased lean body mass and increased fat mass. Given the dynamic nature of these conditions, coping with IRDs necessitates thorough and individualized diversified approaches. The complex link between IRDs and men's health demands continuing research, including longitudinal studies and tailored therapies. The essay promotes a patient-centered approach, recognizing the unique obstacles that males with IRDs confront.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burhan Fatih Kocyigit
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Research and Training Hospital, Adana, Turkey.
| | - Yuliya Fedorchenko
- Department of Pathophysiology, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivs'k, Ukraine
| | - Kassymkhan Sultanbekov
- Department Social Health Insurance and Public Health, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
| | - Gulsah Yasa Ozturk
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences, Adana City Research and Training Hospital, Adana, Turkey
| | - Marlen Yessirkepov
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
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Hokmabadi A, Ranjbar E, Alipour F, Ebrahimzadeh-Bideskan A, Afshari JT, Rezaei MM, Shafieian R. Protective effect of dental pulp stem cells' conditioned medium against cisplatin-induced testicular damage in rats. Toxicology 2024; 504:153788. [PMID: 38527609 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapy drug used to treat most solid tumors. However, one of its side effects is testicular toxicity, which can lead to fertility abnormalities. This study investigated the effectiveness of dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium (DPSC-CM) on cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity. In this study, 36 eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups equally (n = 12). Group 1 control "CTR", which received normal saline (0.5 ml) intraperitoneally (i.p), group 2 "Cis" which received an intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (7 mg/kg), and group 3 "Cis+CM" which received an i.p injection of DPSC-CM (0.5 mg/kg) after cisplatin injection. Biochemical, histomorphometric, and histopathological studies were performed on the testis. Our results exhibited that cis administration led to a decline in total body weight, testis weight, diameter, and volume. A decrease in testosterone and IL-6 serum levels, as well as a decrease in IL-6 and TNFα levels, the activity of catalase and SOD enzymes, and an increase in MDA in testicular tissue were detected. Testicular tissue damage was associated with a significant decrease in tube diameter, germinal epithelium height, number of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, along with a noticeable increase in basement membrane thickness, and perivascular fibrosis. DMSC-CM improved all the mentioned parameters. Taken together, our results demonstrated that DMSC-CM due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could be effective in reversing cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Hokmabadi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Ranjbar
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Alipour
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Alireza Ebrahimzadeh-Bideskan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jalil Tavakol Afshari
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Morteza Rezaei
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reyhaneh Shafieian
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Uddandrao VVS, Brahma Naidu P, Chandrasekaran P, Saravanan G. Pathophysiology of obesity-related infertility and its prevention and treatment by potential phytotherapeutics. Int J Obes (Lond) 2024; 48:147-165. [PMID: 37963998 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-023-01411-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease in which the accumulation of excess body fat has adverse health effects, as it can increase the risk of several problems, including infertility, in both men and women. Obesity and infertility have risen together in recent years. Against this background, the present review aims to highlight the impact of obesity on infertility and the underlying pathophysiology of obesity-related infertility (ORI) in men and women, and to provide readers with knowledge of current trends in the effective development of phytotherapeutics for its treatment. METHODS We thoroughly searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to find all relevant papers on ORI and the therapeutic effects of phytotherapeutics on ORI in men and women. RESULTS The extensive search of the available literature revealed that obesity affects reproductive function through several complex mechanisms such as hyperlipidaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperandrogenism, increased body mass index, disruption of the hormonal milieu, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, alterations in epigenetics and dysbiosis. On the other hand, several studies reported that phytotherapeutics has a broad therapeutic spectrum of action by improving sex hormone homeostasis, ovarian dysfunction, menstrual cycle and inhibiting ovarian hyperplasia, as well as down-regulating ovarian apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, and controlling metabolic dysfunction in obese women. Male infertility is also addressed by phytotherapeutics by suppressing lipogenesis, increasing testosterone, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD levels, improving sperm parameters and attenuating testicular dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and germ cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS In the present review, we discussed the effects of obesity on reproductive dysfunction in men and women and the underlying pathophysiology of ORI. In addition, the therapeutic effect of phytotherapeutics against ORI was highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Sathibabu Uddandrao
- Centre for Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, 637215, Tamilnadu, India.
| | - Parim Brahma Naidu
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (ICMR-NARFBR), Hyderabad, Telangana, 500078, India
| | - P Chandrasekaran
- Centre for Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, 637215, Tamilnadu, India
| | - G Saravanan
- Centre for Biological Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, K.S. Rangasamy College of Arts and Science (Autonomous), Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, 637215, Tamilnadu, India
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10
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Piechka A, Sparanese S, Witherspoon L, Hach F, Flannigan R. Molecular mechanisms of cellular dysfunction in testes from men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:67-90. [PMID: 38110528 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00837-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Male factor infertility affects 50% of infertile couples worldwide; the most severe form, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), affects 10-15% of infertile males. Treatment for individuals with NOA is limited to microsurgical sperm extraction paired with in vitro fertilization intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Unfortunately, spermatozoa are only retrieved in ~50% of patients, resulting in live birth rates of 21-46%. Regenerative therapies could provide a solution; however, understanding the cell-type-specific mechanisms of cellular dysfunction is a fundamental necessity to develop precision medicine strategies that could overcome these abnormalities and promote regeneration of spermatogenesis. A number of mechanisms of cellular dysfunction have been elucidated in NOA testicular cells. These mechanisms include abnormalities in both somatic cells and germ cells in NOA testes, such as somatic cell immaturity, aberrant growth factor signalling, increased inflammation, increased apoptosis and abnormal extracellular matrix regulation. Future cell-type-specific investigations in identifying modulators of cellular transcription and translation will be key to understanding upstream dysregulation, and these studies will require development of in vitro models to functionally interrogate spermatogenic niche dysfunction in both somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Piechka
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sydney Sparanese
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Witherspoon
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faraz Hach
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Essawy A, Matar S, Mohamed N, Abdel-Wahab W, Abdou H. Ginkgo biloba extract protects against tartrazine-induced testicular toxicity in rats: involvement of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:15065-15077. [PMID: 38286926 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32047-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The use of additives, especially colorants, in food and pharmaceutical industry is increasing dramatically. Currently, additives are classified as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Concerns have been raised about the potential hazards of food additives to reproductive organs and fertility. The present study investigates the reproductive toxicity of tartrazine (TRZ), a synthetic colorant, in male rats and aims to explore the curative effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) against TRZ-induced testicular toxicity. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: the control (0.5 ml distilled water), the EGb group (100 mg/kg EGb alone), the TRZ group (7.5 mg/kg TRZ alone), and the TRZ-EGb group (7.5 mg/kg TRZ plus 100 mg/kg EGb). The doses were administered orally in distilled water once daily for 28 days. Toxicity studies of TRZ investigated testicular redox state, serum gonadotropins, and testosterone levels, testicular 17 ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, sperm count and quality, levels of inflammatory cytokines, and caspase-3 expression as an apoptotic marker. Also, histopathological alterations of the testes were examined. TRZ significantly affected the testicular redox status as indicated by the increase in malondialdehyde and the decrease in reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. It also disrupted serum gonadotropins (follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) and testosterone levels and the activity of testicular 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Additionally, TRZ adversely affected sperm count, motility, viability, and abnormality. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and expression of caspase-3 were increased in the testes. Histopathological examination of the testes supported the alterations mentioned above. Administration of EGb significantly ameliorated TRZ-induced testicular toxicity in rats. In conclusion, EGb protected against TRZ-induced testicular toxicity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Essawy
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shreen Matar
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Nema Mohamed
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Wessam Abdel-Wahab
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Heba Abdou
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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12
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Hoffmann K, Gopal M. Paediatric acute epididymo-orchitis temporally related to SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case series and review of the literature. J Pediatr Urol 2024; 20:91-94. [PMID: 37806834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2023.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute epididymo-orchitis (AEO) is becoming an increasingly common differential diagnosis in children with acute scrotal pain. It has been noted in adult men that SARS-CoV-2 has a propensity for involving the testis and epididymis, affecting sperm and testosterone production. Our literature search revealed only one case report of COVID-19 presenting with epididymo-orchitis in a child. We present three more children who presented with AEO, all recovering from PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. This article reviews the post-inflammatory aetiology of paediatric epididymo-orchitis, and the propensity SARS-CoV-2 has for the testis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two pre-pubertal ten-year-old patients presented to the emergency department with a 48-h history of gradual onset unilateral scrotal pain and increasing erythema of the ipsilateral scrotal skin. One fifteen-year-old boy was referred for ongoing symptoms four days following a diagnosis of AEO made by his General Practitioner. On further questioning, all three had PCR-confirmed COVID infection two weeks prior to the onset of their scrotal symptoms and had just ended their isolation period. A literature search was then performed using the keywords SARS-CoV-2, testes and paediatric acute epididymo-orchitis. DISCUSSION The SARS-Cov-2 virus has a propensity for affecting the testis and epididymis. This puts patients at increased risk of acute epididymo-orchitis during COVID infections. The inflammation induced by the virus appears to affect the cells responsible for testosterone production and sperm quality. However, there is no evidence that viral transmission can happen via semen. CONCLUSION SARS-Cov-2 infection can lead to acute epididymo-orchitis. Knowledge of this is clinically significant, firstly to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention due to a mistaken diagnosis of testicular torsion and secondly, due to the potential of the virus to affect sperm quality and testosterone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Hoffmann
- Great North Children's Hospital, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, United Kingdom.
| | - Milan Gopal
- Great North Children's Hospital, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, United Kingdom
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13
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Khan A, Kango N, Srivastava R. Impact of Dietary Probiotics on the Immune and Reproductive Physiology of Pubertal Male Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Administered at the Onset of Pre-Puberty. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2024:10.1007/s12602-023-10209-9. [PMID: 38170389 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10209-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Fertility in males is dependent on the proper production of sperms involving the synchronization of numerous factors like oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, and hormonal regulation. Inflammation associated with oxidative stress is also known to impair sperm function. Nutritional factors like probiotics and prebiotics have the potential benefits to modulate these factors which may enhance male fertility. In the present study, immature male Japanese quail at the beginning of 3rd week were administered with Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L), Bifidobacterium longum (B), and mannan-oligosaccharides (M) through dietary supplementation in individual groups as well as in combinations like LB and MLB. Markers of oxidative stress including SOD and catalase were examined by native PAGE; inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-10, and NFκB), apoptotic markers (caspase 3 and caspase 7), steroidal hormones, and their receptors estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) were assessed in testis. The study reveals that dietary supplementation of 1% L, B, and M in combination significantly and positively increases the overall growth of immature male quail specifically testicular weight and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Furthermore, significant improvement in testicular cell size; increased steroidal hormones like testosterone, FSH, and LH levels; increase in SOD, catalase enzymes; decrease in apoptotic factors Caspase 3, Caspase 7 and immune system strength observed indicated by a decrease in expression of IL-1β, NFκB; and increase of IL-10 in testis when LBM was used in combination. These variations are attributed to the increase in testicular estrogen receptors alpha and beta, facilitated by the neuroendocrine gonadal axis, ultimately leading to improved male fertility. It can be concluded that the dietary supplementation in combination with L, B, and M enhances male fertility in immature quail by increased expression of estrogen receptors via gut microbiota modulation. It also sheds light on the potential use of these nutritional factors in avian species as therapeutic interventions to overcome low fertility problems in quail thereby benefitting the poultry industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamir Khan
- Avian Reproductive Physiology & Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, 470003, India
| | - Naveen Kango
- Department of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, 470003, India
| | - Rashmi Srivastava
- Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, U.P., 211002, India.
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14
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Owembabazi E, Nkomozepi P, Mbajiorgu EF. Potential role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in testicular dysfunction following co-administration of alcohol and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in diabetic rats: an immunohistochemistry study. Toxicol Res 2024; 40:31-43. [PMID: 38223677 PMCID: PMC10787109 DOI: 10.1007/s43188-023-00200-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes, alcohol abuse, and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) use have been reported to cause multi-organ complications via induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. Moreover, these are the most common factors implicated in male reproductive dysfunctions. This study evaluated testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and germ cell proliferation in diabetic rats receiving alcohol or cART and their combination. Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups, each consisting of six rats; control, diabetic only (DM), diabetic treated with alcohol (DM + A), diabetic treated with cART (DM + cART), and diabetic treated with both alcohol and cART (DM + A + cART). After 90 days of treatment, the rats were terminated, and the testes were extracted and processed for immunohistochemistry analysis for oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and cell proliferation marker. In comparison to the control, oxidative stress markers, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) increased significantly in all treated groups. Expression of testicular proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α was upregulated in all treated groups, but interleukin-6 was upregulated in DM, DM + cART, and DM + A + cART treated groups and was downregulated in the DM + A treated group. All treated animal groups showed an upregulation of apoptotic marker (caspase 3) and a downregulation of proliferation marker (Ki-67). However, Ki-67 staining intensity significantly increased in treated animals compared to the control. These findings suggest that diabetes, alcohol abuse, cART use, and their combination via iNOS activity upregulation can induce inflammation and oxidative stress in testicular tissue, stimulating germ cell apoptosis and proliferation inhibition leading to failure of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elna Owembabazi
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
- Department of Human Anatomy, Kampala International University, Western Campus, P.O. Box 71, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Pilani Nkomozepi
- Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2028 South Africa
| | - Ejikeme F. Mbajiorgu
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
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15
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Yang Y, Huang XX, Huo RX, Lin JY. Sexual health in women with Sjogren's syndrome: A review. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023; 291:1-9. [PMID: 37801781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic diseases, mainly affecting women, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc., are chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disorders that may involve multiple organs or systems and are closely related to sexual health, which is an important aspect of human physical and mental health. Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is the second most common rheumatic illnesses after rheumatoid arthritis with a female predominance. At present, the research on sexual health of female SS patients is still scarce and difficult to summarize. OBJECTIVES The objective of our study was to systematically review the literature for the influence of maternal SS on sexual health, such as sexual function, sex hormones, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature search based on PubMed and Web of science databases from inception to 1 November 2022. Outcomes were divided into 4 categories: sex hormones, sexual function, fertility, and pregnancy and offspring outcomes. RESULTS A total of 756 potentially eligible papers were retrieved. After eliminating duplicate articles and reviewing the titles and abstracts to exclude records, we read the remaining 92 articles in full for further evaluation, and selected 42 studies. Results on sex hormones, sexual function, fertility and pregnancy and offspring outcomes were reported in 13, 12, 3 and 14 SS-related articles, respectively. The levels of some sex hormones in SS patients may have undergone changes. Female patients with SS have a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction compared with controls. Most studies suggested SS had an adverse impact on maternal and fetal outcomes following pregnancy. However, there is insufficient evidence that directly indicating the fertility of SS women is diminished. CONCLUSIONS In summary, certain aspects of sexual health (sexual function, sex hormones and pregnancy outcomes) are impaired in SS women. Screening for sexual health problems in SS female should become an integral part of medical clinical practice. Rheumatologists should be aware of this association and collaborate with gynecologists, obstetricians, psychologists, and other experts on this issue to determine appropriate therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Xin-Xiang Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Rong-Xiu Huo
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jin-Ying Lin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China.
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16
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Sinha MK, Kumaresan A, Rao Talluri T, Ebenezer Samuel King JP, Prakash MA, Nag P, Paul N, Raval K, Kamaraj E, V A. Single nucleotide polymorphisms cumulating to genetic variation for fertility in crossbred ( Bos taurus × Bos indicus) bull spermatozoa. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:2875-2886. [PMID: 36137067 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2124166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa from high-fertile (HF) and low-fertile (LF) breeding bulls were subjected to high-throughput next-generation sequencing to identify important Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and novel variants associated with fertility. A total of 77,038 genome-wide SNPs were identified, among which, 10,788 were novel variants. A total of 42,290 and 34,748 variants were recorded with 6115 and 4673 novel variants in in HF and LF bulls, respectively. Higher number of SNPs were identified in HF compared to LF bulls. GO analysis of filtered genes with significant variations in HF bulls indicated their involvement in oxidative phosphorylation and metabolic pathways. GO analysis of filtered genes with significant variation in LF bulls revealed their involvement in Ca2++ ion binding, structural constituent of ribosome, and biological processes like translation and ribosomal small subunit assembly. The study identified SNPs in candidate genes including TPT1, BOLA-DRA, CD74, RPS17, RPS28, RPS29, RPL14, RPL13, and RPS27A, which are linked to sperm functionality, survival, oxidative stress, and bull fertility. The identified SNPs could be used in selection of bulls for high fertility and the variation in these genes could be established as an explanation for the fertility differences in bulls upon validation in large number of bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Thirumala Rao Talluri
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Mani Arul Prakash
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pradeep Nag
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Nilendu Paul
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Kathan Raval
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Elango Kamaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, Theriogenology Laboratory, Southern Regional Station of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Aranganathan V
- Jain University (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, India
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17
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Yang D, Zhang M, Chen W, Lu Q, Wan S, Du X, Li Y, Li B, Wu W, Wang C, Li N, Peng S, Tang H, Hua J. UCHL1 maintains microenvironmental homeostasis in goat germline stem cells. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23306. [PMID: 37934018 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301674rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) play a crucial role in mammalian spermatogenesis and maintain the stable inheritance of the germline in livestock. However, stress and bacterial or viral infections can disrupt immune homeostasis of the testes, thereby leading to spermatogenesis destruction and infertility, which severely affects the health and productivity of mammals. This study aimed to explore the effect of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) knockdown (KD) in goat SSCs and mouse testes and investigate the potential anti-inflammatory function of UCHL1 in a poly(I:C)-induced inflammation model to maintain microenvironmental homeostasis. In vitro, the downregulation of UCHL1 (UCHL1 KD) in goat SSCs increased the expression levels of apoptosis and inflammatory factors and inhibited the self-renewal and proliferation of SSCs. In vivo, the structure of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic cells was disrupted after UCHL1 KD, and the expression levels of apoptosis- and inflammation-related proteins were significantly upregulated. Furthermore, UCHL1 inhibited the TLR3/TBK1/IRF3 pathway to resist poly(I:C)-induced inflammation in SSCs by antagonizing HSPA8 and thus maintaining SSC autoimmune homeostasis. Most importantly, the results of this study showed that UCHL1 maintained immune homeostasis of SSCs and spermatogenesis. UCHL1 KD not only inhibited the self-renewal and proliferation of goat SSCs and spermatogenesis but was also involved in the inflammatory response of goat SSCs. Additionally, UCHL1 has an antiviral function in SSCs by antagonizing HSPA8, which provides an important basis for exploring the specific mechanisms of UCHL1 in goat spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Mengfei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Wenbo Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shicheng Wan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Xiaomin Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, College of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin, China
| | - Yunxiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Balun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Wenping Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Congliang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Sha Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Haiyang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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18
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Wang H, Tian Y, Fu Y, Ma S, Xu X, Wang W, Lu F, Li X, Feng P, Han S, Chen H, Hou H, Hu Q, Liu C. Testicular tissue response following a 90-day subchronic exposure to HTP aerosols and cigarette smoke in rats. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2023; 12:902-912. [PMID: 37915495 PMCID: PMC10615803 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Researches have shown that chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke (CS) disrupts male reproductive system, but it is unclear about the mechanisms behind reproductive damages by tobacco toxicants in male rats. This study was designed to explore the effects of heated tobacco products (HTP) aerosols and CS exposure on the testicular health of rats. Materials and Methods Experiments were performed on male SD rats exposed to filtered air, HTP aerosols at 10 μg/L, 23 μg/L, and 50 μg/L nicotine-equivalent contents, and also CS at 23 μg/L nicotine-equivalent content for 90 days in five exposure groups (coded as sham, HTP_10, HTP_23, HTP_50 and Cig_23). The expression of serum testosterone, testicular tissue inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), NLRP3 inflammasome-related mRNAs and proteins (NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1), the degree of pyroptosis and histopathology were investigated. Results The results demonstrated that HTP_50 and Cig_23 caused varying degrees of oxidative damage to rat testis, resulting in a decrease of sperm quantity and serum testosterone contents, an increase in the deformity rate, expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and NLRP3 inflammasome-related mRNA, and an increase in the NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1-immunopositive cells, pyroptosis cell indices, and histopathological damage in the testes of rats. Responses from the HTP_10 and HTP_23 groups were less than those found in the above two exposure groups. Conclusion These findings indicate that HTP_50 and Cig_23 induced oxidative stress in rat testes, induced inflammation and pyroptosis through the ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway, and destroyed the integrity of thetesticular tissue structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Yushan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Yaning Fu
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Shuhao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Xiaoxiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Wenming Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Fengjun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Xianmei Li
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Pengxia Feng
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Shulei Han
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Huan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Hongwei Hou
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Qingyuan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Chuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects and Biosynthesis, Beijing Life Science Academy, Yingcai South 1st Street, Beijing 102209, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Tobacco Biological Effects, China National Tobacco Quality Supervision and Test Center, No. 2 Fengyang Street, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
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19
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Rastogi S, Haldar C. Seasonal plasticity in immunocompetent cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α), myeloid progenitor cell (CFU-GM) proliferation, and LPS-induced oxido-inflammatory aberrations in a tropical rodent Funambulus pennanti: role of melatonin. Cell Stress Chaperones 2023; 28:567-582. [PMID: 36542205 PMCID: PMC10469145 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-022-01313-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In seasonal breeders, photoperiods regulate the levels of circulatory melatonin, a well-known immunomodulator and an antioxidant. Melatonin is known to play a complex physiological role in maintaining the immune homeostasis by affecting cytokine production in immunocompetent cells. In this study, we have quantified seasonal and temporal variations in immunocompetent cytokines-IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α-and circulatory corticosterone along with in- vitro proliferation of bone marrow-derived granulocyte macrophage-colony forming unit (CFU-GM) progenitor cells of a tropical seasonal breeder Funambulus pennanti (northern palm squirrel). Transient variations in antioxidant status of seasonal breeders might be due to the fluctuations associated with immunity and inflammation. Further, to establish a direct immunomodulatory effect of photoperiod, we recorded the LPS-induced oxidative and inflammatory responses of squirrels by housing them in artificial photoperiodic chambers mimicking summer and winter seasons respectively. We observed a marked variation in cytokines level, melatonin, and corticosterone , and CFU-GM cell proliferation during summer and winter seasons. High Peripheral melatonin levels directly correlated with cytokine IL-2 levels, and inversely correlated with TNF-α, and circulatory corticosterone level. LPS-challenged squirrels housed in short photoperiod (10L:14D; equivalent to winter days) showed a marked reduction in the components of the inflammatory cascade, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, NOx, NF-κB, Cox-2, and PGES, with an overall improvement in antioxidant status when compared to squirrels maintained under a long photoperiod (16L:8D; equivalent to summer days). Our results underline the impact of seasonality, photoperiod, and melatonin in maintaining an intrinsic redox-immune homeostasis which helps the animal to withstand environmental stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shraddha Rastogi
- Pineal Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
- Present address: NCI-NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chandana Haldar
- Pineal Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
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20
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Monageng E, Offor U, Takalani NB, Mohlala K, Opuwari CS. A Review on the Impact of Oxidative Stress and Medicinal Plants on Leydig Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1559. [PMID: 37627554 PMCID: PMC10451682 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Leydig cells are essential for steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. An imbalance in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cellular antioxidant level brings about oxidative stress. Oxidative stress (OS) results in the dysfunction of Leydig cells, thereby impairing steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and ultimately, male infertility. To prevent Leydig cells from oxidative insults, there needs to be a balance between the ROS production and the cellular protective capacity of antioxidants. Evidence indicates that medicinal plants could improve Leydig cell function at specific concentrations under basal or OS conditions. The increased usage of medicinal plants has been considered a possible alternative treatment for male infertility. This review aims to provide an overview of the impact of oxidative stress on Leydig cells as well as the effects of various medicinal plant extracts on TM3 Leydig cells. The medicinal plants of interest include Aspalathus linearis, Camellia sinensis, Moringa oleifera, Morinda officinale, Taraxacum officinale, Trichilia emetica, Terminalia sambesiaca, Peltophorum africanum, Ximenia caffra, Serenoa repens, Zingiber officinale, Eugenia jambolana, and a combination of dandelion and fermented rooibos (CRS-10). According to the findings obtained from studies conducted on the evaluated medicinal plants, it can, therefore, be concluded that the medicinal plants maintain the antioxidant profile of Leydig cells under basal conditions and have protective or restorative effects following exposure to oxidative stress. The available data suggest that the protective role exhibited by the evaluated plants may be attributed to their antioxidant content. Additionally, the use of the optimal dosage or concentration of the extracts in the management of oxidative stress is of the utmost importance, and the measurement of their oxidation reduction potential is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Monageng
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Ugochukwu Offor
- School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| | - Ndivhuho Beauty Takalani
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Kutullo Mohlala
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
| | - Chinyerum Sylvia Opuwari
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
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21
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Wanjari UR, Gopalakrishnan AV. A review on immunological aspects in male reproduction: An immune cells and cytokines. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 158:103984. [PMID: 37390629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The male reproductive system, particularly the male gamete, offers a unique barrier to the immune system. The growing germ cells in the testis need to be shielded from autoimmune damage. Hence the testis has to establish and sustain an immune-privileged milieu. Sertoli cells create this safe space, protected by the blood-testis barrier. Cytokines are a type of immune reaction that can positively and negatively affect male reproductive health. Inflammation, disease, and obesity are just a few physiological conditions for which cytokines mediate signals. They interact with steroidogenesis, shaping the adrenals and testes to produce the hormones needed for survival. In particular pathological condition, including autoimmune disorders, contains high levels of the same cytokines in semen that play an essential role in the immunomodulation of the male gonad. This review focuses on understanding the immunological role of cytokines in the control and development of male reproduction. Also, in maintaining male reproductive health and diseases linked with their aberrant function in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India.
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22
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Owumi SE, Umez AO, Arunsi U, Irozuru CE. Dietary aflatoxin B1 and antimalarial-a lumefantrine/artesunate-therapy perturbs male rat reproductive function via pro-inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12172. [PMID: 37500724 PMCID: PMC10374580 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39455-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the impact of Coartem™ (COA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on rats' hypothalamus, epididymis, and testis. Male rats were randomly grouped (n = 5 rats) and treated: control group (corn oil), AFB1 (70 µg/kg), COA (5 mg/kg), COA + AFB1 (5 + 0.035 mg/kg) and COA + AFB1 (5 + 0.07 mg/kg) for 28 days. Blood samples were collected for serum prolactin, testosterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones (FSH and LH) assay upon sacrifice. The semen, hypothalamus, epididymis, and testes were harvested for morphological, biochemical, and histopathology determination of oxidative, inflammation stress, genomic integrity, and pathological alterations. Exposure to the COA and AFB1 caused the cauda epididymal spermatozoa to display low motility, viability, and volume, with increased abnormalities. Hormonal disruption ensued in animals exposed to COA and AFB1 alone or together, exemplified by increased prolactin, and decreased testosterone, FSH and LH levels. Treatment-related reduction in biomarkers of testicular metabolism-acid and alkaline phosphatases, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase-were observed. Also, COA and AFB1 treatment caused reductions in antioxidant (Glutathione and total thiols) levels and antioxidant enzyme (Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase) activities in the examined organs. At the same time, treatment-related increases in DNA damage (p53), oxidative stress (xanthine oxidase, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and lipid peroxidation), inflammation (nitric oxide and tumour necrosis factor-alpha), and apoptosis (caspase-9, and -3) were observed. Chronic exposure to COA and AFB1 led to oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage in male rats' hypothalamic-reproductive axis, which might potentiate infertility if not contained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon E Owumi
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200004, Nigeria.
- ChangeLab-changing Lives, Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Rm NB 302, Ibadan, 200005, Oyo State, Nigeria.
| | - Angel O Umez
- Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 200004, Nigeria
| | - Uche Arunsi
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0400, USA
| | - Chioma E Irozuru
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
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23
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Al-Rubaye DS, Mohammed Hamza H, Ahmed Al-Khafaji Q. Interleukin 17 and Growth Differentiation Factor 9 Influence in a Sample of Iraqi Infertile Males. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2023; 78:1147-1151. [PMID: 38028840 PMCID: PMC10657952 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2022.359893.2503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Infertility is defined as the inability of couples to conceive after 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse, which affects 10-15% of couples. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) on three groups of infertile males, including control, azoospermia, and oligozoospermia. In total, this study was performed on 93 participants, consisting of 18, 65, and 10 subjects in the Azoospermia, oligozoospermia, and control groups, respectively. The mean plasma levels of IL-17 in the azoospermia and oligozoospermia groups were 21.317±3.605 and 15.101±2.416 ng/l, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in the control group (5.392±1.731 ng/l). Furthermore, the mean plasma levels of GDF9 in the azoospermia and oligozoospermia groups were 3.299±1.051 and 6.2603±2.621 ng/l, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (12.807±2.170 ng/l). One-way analysis of variance and least significant difference post-hoc test were performed to assess significant differences among means. R-squared measures how well the linear regression model fits the data. It can be interpreted as the proportion of variance of the outcome Y explained by the linear regression model. R-squared is a number between 0 and 1. In non-obstructive forms of severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia, like the case in the current study, intracytoplasmic sperm injection is suggested by using testicular biopsy for spermatozoa extraction, if viable spermatozoa are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Al-Rubaye
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - H Mohammed Hamza
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq
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24
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Calamai C, Ammar O, Rosta V, Farnetani G, Zimmitti S, Giovannelli L, Vignozzi L, Krausz C, Muratori M. Testicular and Haematological Cancer Induce Very High Levels of Sperm Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1145. [PMID: 37371875 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12061145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer impairs spermatogenesis, whereas results on sperm DNA integrity are controversial and no data are available about sperm oxidative stress. In cancer patients, we detected sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) and both viable (ROS production in viable sperm fraction/viable spermatozoa) and total (ROS production in viable sperm fraction/total spermatozoa) oxidative stress. We found that cancer (22.50 (17.00-26.75)%, n = 85) increased sDF with respect to the control groups in both normozoospermic subfertile patients (NSP) (12.75 (8.63-14.88)%, n = 52, p < 0.001) and in healthy donors (HD) (8.50 (7.00-14.00)%, n = 19, p < 0.001). The induction of viable oxidative stress (n = 96) with cancer was even higher: 36.60 (24.05-58.65)% versus 11.10 (8.63-14.90)% in NSP (p < 0.001) and 9.60 (8.00-14.03)% in HD (p < 0.001). Similar, albeit lower, differences were found for total oxidative stress. SDF sharply correlated to viable oxidative stress when we considered all subjects (cancer patients and controls) (r = 0.591, p < 0.001, n = 134), but no correlation was found when only cancer patients were studied (r = 0.200; p > 0.05, n = 63). In conclusion, cancer significantly increases sDF and sperm oxidative stress levels. Additional mechanisms to oxidative attack might be responsible for increased sDF in cancer patients. Because sperm oxidative stress might affect the outcomes of sperm cryopreservation, of cancer treatments and of sperm epigenoma, the detection of oxidative stress could be of help in managing the reproductive issues of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Calamai
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Oumaima Ammar
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Viktoria Rosta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Ginevra Farnetani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Salvatore Zimmitti
- Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Lisa Giovannelli
- Department NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, AOU Careggi, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Csilla Krausz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, AOU Careggi, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Muratori
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
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25
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Salerno G, Borro M, Visco V, Olana S, Gargano F, Raffa S, Zamponi V, Mancini C, Faggiano A, Simmaco M, Mazzilli R. The Impact of Non-Andrological Medications on Semen Characteristics, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Parameters. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050903. [PMID: 37241135 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of medications on oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers and semen characteristics in males with idiopathic infertility. Materials and Methods: In this observational case-control clinical study, 50 men with idiopathic infertility were enrolled, of whom 38 (the study group) were on pharmacological treatment and 12 made up the control group. The study group was clustered according to the medications (Group A: anti-hypertensive, n = 10; Group B: thyroxine, n = 6; Group C: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, n = 13; Group D: miscellaneous, n = 6; Group E: lipid-lowering drugs, n = 4). Semen analyses were performed according to WHO 2010 guidelines. Interleukins (IL)-10, IL-1 beta, IL-4, IL-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor- alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-1 alpha were determined using a solid-phase sandwich immunoassay. The diacron reactive oxygen metabolites, d-ROMs test, was performed by means of a colorimetric determination of reactive oxygen metabolites and measured with a spectrophotometer. Beta-2-microglobulin and cystatin-C were measured with an immunoturbidimetric analyzer. Results: No differences between the study and control groups for age and macroscopic and microscopic semen characteristics were found, nor were any differences found after clustering according to the drug categories. IL-1 alpha and IL-10 were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group; IL-10 was significantly lower in groups A, B, C and D compared with the control group. Furthermore, a direct correlation between IL-1 alpha, IL-10 and TNF-alpha and leukocytes was found. Conclusions: Despite the sample size limitations, the data suggest a correlation between drug use and activation of the inflammatory response. This could clarify the pathogenic mechanism of action for several pharmacological classes on male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Salerno
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Borro
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Visco
- Medical Genetics and Advanced Cellular Diagnostics Unit, Sant'Andrea University Hospital & Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Soraya Olana
- Unit of Andrology and Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gargano
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Raffa
- Medical Genetics and Advanced Cellular Diagnostics Unit, Sant'Andrea University Hospital & Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Virginia Zamponi
- Unit of Andrology and Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Mancini
- Unit of Andrology and Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Unit of Andrology and Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Simmaco
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry, Sant'Andrea University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Mazzilli
- Unit of Andrology and Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
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26
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Tvrdá E, Ďuračka M, Benko F, Kováčik A, Lovíšek D, Gálová E, Žiarovská J, Schwarzová M, Kačániová M. Ejaculatory Abstinence Affects the Sperm Quality in Normozoospermic Men-How Does the Seminal Bacteriome Respond? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043503. [PMID: 36834909 PMCID: PMC9963725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to describe bacterial profiles of ejaculates collected following a long and short ejaculatory abstinence set in the context of changes in the conventional, oxidative, and immunological characteristics of semen. Two specimens were collected in succession from normozoospermic men (n = 51) following 2 days and 2 h, respectively. Semen samples were processed and analyzed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 guidelines. Afterwards, sperm DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial function, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage to sperm lipids and proteins were evaluated in each specimen. Selected cytokine levels were quantified using the ELISA method. Bacterial identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry revealed that samples collected following two days of abstinence presented with a higher bacterial load and diversity, and a greater prevalence of potentially uropathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Only staphylococci and Escherichia coli remained present in specimens obtained after 2 h of abstinence. Whilst all samples accomplished the criteria set by WHO, a significantly higher motility (p < 0.05), membrane integrity (p < 0.05), mitochondrial membrane potential (p < 0.05), and DNA integrity (p < 0.0001) were detected following 2 h of ejaculatory abstinence. On the other hand, significantly higher ROS levels (p < 0.001), protein oxidation (p < 0.001), and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.01) accompanied by significantly higher concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (p < 0.05), interleukin-6 (p < 0.01), and interferon gamma (p < 0.05) were observed in specimens collected after two days of abstinence. It may be summarized that shorter ejaculatory abstinence does not compromise sperm quality in normozoospermic men, while it contributes to a decreased occurrence of bacteria in semen which is accompanied by a lower probability of damage to spermatozoa by ROS or pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tvrdá
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-37-641-4918
| | - Michal Ďuračka
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Filip Benko
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Anton Kováčik
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Daniel Lovíšek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská Dolina, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eliška Gálová
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská Dolina, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Žiarovská
- Institute of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Marianna Schwarzová
- Department of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Miroslava Kačániová
- Department of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
- Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
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27
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Subedi R, Rokade S, Surve S, Patil A, Kulkarni V, Gajbhiye RK, Madan T. Dysregulated serum and seminal plasma levels of surfactant protein D and MCP-1 in men with genital tract infection/inflammation. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13588. [PMID: 35771685 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Surfactant protein D (SP-D), a multimeric collectin expressed by testicular mucosal epithelia and is positively regulated by testosterone. It exerts antimicrobial effects, modulates inflammation and rescued spermatogenesis in a murine model. Various cytokines and chemokines, including MCP-1, play a key role in regulating the inflammation in rat and human testis. The study aimed to investigate the role of SP-D and involvement of chemokines and cytokines in the male infertility associated with urogenital infections or inflammation. METHOD OF STUDY The cross-sectional study evaluated levels of SP-D, testosterone, estradiol and the cytokines/chemokines including MCP-1 in the serum and semen samples of fertile and infertile Indian men with and without urogenital infections/inflammation (n = 76). RESULTS Both fertile and infertile males with urogenital infection/inflammation had significantly lower levels of SP-D and higher levels of the chemokine, Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in the serum and seminal plasma. Seminal plasma of these males exhibited significantly higher proportion of proteolytically degraded forms of SP-D. The serum SP-D levels positively correlated with testosterone/estradiol (TE) ratio. There was no significant correlation between the SP-D levels in seminal plasma and sperm count/motility. With a significant area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curves, the serum and seminal plasma SP-D levels exhibited significant potential to predict infertility with high sensitivity and specificity in men with genital infections/inflammation. CONCLUSIONS The circulating and seminal plasma SP-D levels were decreased in men with urogenital infection and inflammation. This could be due to their engagement at the site of infection, dysregulated expression owing to the altered hormonal profile and increased proteolytic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rambhadur Subedi
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Sushama Rokade
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Suchitra Surve
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Anushree Patil
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Vijay Kulkarni
- Andrology Clinic, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Rahul K Gajbhiye
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India.,Andrology Clinic, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
| | - Taruna Madan
- Department of Innate Immunity, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Mumbai, India
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28
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The Role of Mononuclear Phagocytes in the Testes and Epididymis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010053. [PMID: 36613494 PMCID: PMC9820352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) is the primary innate immune cell group in male reproductive tissues, maintaining the balance of pro-inflammatory and immune tolerance. This article aims to outline the role of mononuclear macrophages in the immune balance of the testes and epididymis, and to understand the inner immune regulation mechanism. A review of pertinent publications was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases on all articles published prior to January 2021. Search terms were based on the following keywords: 'MPS', 'mononuclear phagocytes', 'testes', 'epididymis', 'macrophage', 'Mφ', 'dendritic cell', 'DC', 'TLR', 'immune', 'inflammation', and 'polarization'. Additionally, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for other publications of relevance. This review concluded that MPS exhibits a precise balance in the male reproductive system. In the testes, MPS cells are mainly suppressed subtypes (M2 and cDC2) under physiological conditions, which maintain the local immune tolerance. Under pathological conditions, MPS cells will transform into M1 and cDC1, producing various cytokines, and will activate T cell specific immunity as defense to foreign pathogens or self-antigens. In the epididymis, MPS cells vary in the different segments, which express immune tolerance in the caput and pro-inflammatory condition in the cauda. Collectively, MPS is the control point for maintaining the immune tolerance of the testes and epididymis as well as for eliminating pathogens.
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Impact of chitosan administration on titanium dioxide nanoparticles induced testicular dysfunction. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19667. [PMID: 36385626 PMCID: PMC9669025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22044-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential reproductive toxic effects of oral TiO2 NPs in adult male rats as well as the possible alleviation of chitosan administration was investigated. Animals were allocated to four groups; the first group received deionized water and was assigned as a control group. In the second group, rats received chitosan at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW/day. The third group was designed for administration of TiO2 NPs at a dose of 150 mg/kg BW/day (1/80 LD50). Rats in the fourth group received both TiO2 NPs and chitosan. After 14 days, TiO2 NPs induced testicular lipid peroxidation as well as oxidative stress. Nano-titanium significantly upregulated genes that encode apoptosis and inflammation in testicular tissue. Moreover, it induced histological alteration in the testicular structure with impairment in spermatogenesis via reduction of PCNA immune-staining. Chitosan administration significantly improved the activities of testicular GPx, SOD, and CAT enzymes. In addition, it significantly down-regulated the relative expressions of pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory testicular genes. Chitosan was able to improve the testicular architecture as well as spermatogenesis. The current study revealed the capability of chitosan to ameliorate nano-titanium induced testicular toxicity. Thus, attention should be given to the extensive consumption of nano-titanium particles.
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Santacroce L, Imbimbo C, Ballini A, Crocetto F, Scacco S, Cantore S, Di Zazzo E, Colella M, Jirillo E. Testicular Immunity and Its Connection with the Microbiota. Physiological and Clinical Implications in the Light of Personalized Medicine. J Pers Med 2022; 12:1335. [PMID: 36013286 PMCID: PMC9409709 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is a complex process, which is based on the cooperation between the endocrine-immune system and the microbiota. Testicular immunity is characterized by the so-called immune privilege, a mechanism that avoids autoimmune attacks against proteins expressed by spermatozoa. Testicular microbiota is connected with the gut microbiota, the most prevalent site of commensals inthe body. Both microbiotas take part inthe development of the immune system and protection againstpathogen invasion. Dysbiosis is caused by concurrent pathologies, such as obesity, diabetes, infections and trauma. The substitution of beneficial bacteria with pathogens may lead to destruction of spermatozoa directly or indirectly and, ultimately, to male infertility. Novel therapeutic interventions, i.e., nutritional interventions and supplementation of natural products, such as, probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants and polyphenols, may lead to the restoration of the otherwise-impaired male reproductive potential, even if experimental and clinical results are not always concordant. In this review, the structure and immune function of the testis will be described with special reference to the blood-testisbarrier. The regulatory role of both the gut and testicular microbiota will be illustrated in health and disease, also emphasizing therapeutic attempts with natural products for the correction of male infertility, in the era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Santacroce
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ciro Imbimbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Crocetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Scacco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Cantore
- Independent Researcher, Sorriso & Benessere—Ricerca e Clinica, 70129 Bari, Italy
| | - Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Marica Colella
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Emilio Jirillo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Joshi M, Andrabi SW, Yadav RK, Sankhwar SN, Gupta G, Rajender S. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of sperm miRNAs identifies hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-30b-5p and hsa-miR-122-5p as potential biomarkers of male infertility and sperm quality. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:122. [PMID: 35971175 PMCID: PMC9377062 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00990-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In contrast with the preceding stages of the germ cells, spermatozoa are unusually rich in small non-coding RNAs in comparison to the coding RNAs. These small RNAs may have had an essential role in the process of spermatogenesis or may have critical roles in the post-fertilization development. Sporadic efforts have identified a few differentially expressed miRNAs in infertile individuals, which do not replicate in other studies. METHODS In order to identify miRNAs signatures of infertility or poor sperm quality, we compared miRNA differential expression data across nine datasets, followed by their analysis by real-time PCR in a case-control study. This was followed by the validation of potential biomarkers in yet another set of cases and controls. For this, total RNA was isolated from 161 sperm samples. miRNA expression levels in infertile cases and fertile controls were measured using TaqMan real-time PCR. Meta-analyses of two miRNAs (hsa-miR-9-3p and hsa-miR-122-5p) were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (version 2). All statistical analyses were performed with the help of GraphPad Prism Software (version 8). RESULTS Literature search identified seven miRNAs (hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-22-5p, has-miR-30b-5p, hsa-miR-103-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p and hsa-miR-335-5p) showing consistent dysregulation in infertility across a minimum of four studies. In the discovery phase, six miRNAs showed strong association with infertility with four (hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-30b-5p, hsa-miR-103-3p and hsa-miR-122-5p) showing consistent differential regulation across all sub-groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under curve of > 0.75 was achieved by three (hsa-mir-9-3p, hsa-miR-30b-5p and hsa-miR-122-5p) miRNAs. In the validation phase, these three miRNAs showed consistent association with infertility (hsa-mir-9-3p, hsa-miR-30b-5p, and hsa-miR-122-5p). Meta-analysis on hsa-miR-122-5p showed its significant quantitative association with infertility [Hedge's g = -2.428, p = 0.001 (Random effects)]. CONCLUSIONS Three miRNAs (hsa-miR-9-3p, hsa-miR-30b-5p and hsa-miR-122-5p) have strong linkage with infertility and a high potential as sperm quality biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghali Joshi
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | | | | | | | - Gopal Gupta
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Singh Rajender
- Division of Endocrinology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India.
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Vogt MB, McDonald EM, Delorey M, Mead PS, Hook SA, Hinckley AF, Werre SR, Brault AC, Duggal NK. Prolonged shedding of Zika virus in human semen is associated with male reproductive tract inflammation. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:1140-1150. [PMID: 35924442 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes congenital defects. Sexual transmission of ZIKV was confirmed in a recent epidemic; however, mechanisms behind ZIKV infection and persistence in the male reproductive tract are unknown. Previously, we found that ∼33% of men with symptomatic ZIKV infections shed ZIKV RNA in semen, and some men shed ZIKV RNA for >3 months. Here, we evaluated the semen of 49 ZIKV-infected men to identify immune factors correlating with long-term ZIKV shedding in semen and ZIKV-infected cell types in semen. We found prolonged ZIKV RNA shedding in semen was associated with male reproductive tract inflammation, indicated by higher leukocyte counts and inflammatory cytokine concentrations in semen of long-term versus short-term shedders. Additionally, we found ZIKV RNA in seminal leukocytes and epithelial cells. This study of human semen from ZIKV-infected men provides critical insights into impacts of ZIKV on male reproductive tract health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan B Vogt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Virginia 24061 United States of America
| | - Erin M McDonald
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States of America
| | - Mark Delorey
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States of America
| | - Paul S Mead
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States of America
| | - Sarah A Hook
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States of America
| | - Alison F Hinckley
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States of America
| | - Stephen R Werre
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States of America
| | - Aaron C Brault
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521, United States of America
| | - Nisha K Duggal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Virginia 24061 United States of America
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Washburn RL, Hibler T, Kaur G, Dufour JM. Sertoli Cell Immune Regulation: A Double-Edged Sword. Front Immunol 2022; 13:913502. [PMID: 35757731 PMCID: PMC9218077 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.913502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The testis must create and maintain an immune privileged environment to protect maturing germ cells from autoimmune destruction. The establishment of this protective environment is due, at least in part, to Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells line the seminiferous tubules and form the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a barrier between advanced germ cells and the immune system. The BTB compartmentalizes the germ cells and facilitates the appropriate microenvironment necessary for spermatogenesis. Further, Sertoli cells modulate innate and adaptive immune processes through production of immunoregulatory compounds. Sertoli cells, when transplanted ectopically (outside the testis), can also protect transplanted tissue from the recipient’s immune system and reduce immune complications in autoimmune diseases primarily by immune regulation. These properties make Sertoli cells an attractive candidate for inflammatory disease treatments and cell-based therapies. Conversely, the same properties that protect the germ cells also allow the testis to act as a reservoir site for infections. Interestingly, Sertoli cells also have the ability to mount an antimicrobial response, if necessary, as in the case of infections. This review aims to explore how Sertoli cells act as a double-edged sword to both protect germ cells from an autoimmune response and activate innate and adaptive immune responses to fight off infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Washburn
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Taylor Hibler
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Gurvinder Kaur
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Jannette M Dufour
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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Zhu X, Niu Z, Fan W, Cheng M, Chen Q, Zhang A. Alternative polarization of resident macrophages improves hyperglycemia-associated male infertility. iScience 2022; 25:104430. [PMID: 35669521 PMCID: PMC9162941 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that hyperglycemia induces inflammation in male reproductive system to cause sperm damages and infertility, which may be associated with re-polarization of tissue macrophages from an anti-inflammation M2-like subtype to a pro-inflammation M1-like subtype. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully determined and a practical approach to interfere with the progression of infertility is lacking. Here, we transduced the testicular macrophages back to the M2-like phenotype with adeno-associated viruses carrying an M2-trigger, Jumonji domain-containing protein D3 (JMJD3), under a macrophage-specific CD68 promoter (CD68p-JMJD3), in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. We found that JMJD3-induced M2-polarization of testicular macrophages significantly improved the mating capability of diabetic male mice. The diabetes-induced impairment of the motility of spermatozoa and the decreases in the serum and testicular testosterone levels were both significantly alleviated in CD68p-JMJD3-treated diabetic mice. Thus, our study proposes a practical strategy to treat hyperglycemia-associated infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Reproductive Medical Center, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zhihong Niu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Reproductive Medical Center, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Weimin Fan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Reproductive Medical Center, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Meiyu Cheng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Reproductive Medical Center, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Reproductive Medical Center, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Reproductive Medical Center, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai 200025, China
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Barrachina F, de la Iglesia A, Jodar M, Soler-Ventura A, Mallofré C, Rodriguez-Carunchio L, Goudarzi A, Corral JM, Ballescà JL, Castillo J, Oliva R. Histone H4 acetylation is dysregulated in active seminiferous tubules adjacent to testicular tumours. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1712-1726. [PMID: 35678707 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is histone H4 acetylation (H4ac) altered in the seminiferous tubules of patients affected by testicular tumours? SUMMARY ANSWER A considerable dysregulation of H4ac was detected in the cells of the seminiferous tubules adjacent to testicular tumours of different aetiology and prior to any treatment, while no comparable alterations were observed in patients with disrupted spermatogenesis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Altered H4ac levels have been associated with a variety of testicular pathological conditions. However, no information has been available regarding potential alterations in the spermatogenic cells adjacent to the neoplasia in testicular tumour patients. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A retrospective analysis using testicular sections from 33 men aged between 21 and 74 years old was performed. Three study groups were defined and subjected to double-blind evaluation: a control group with normal spermatogenesis (n = 6), patients with testicular tumours (n = 18) and patients with spermatogenic impairments (n = 8). One additional sample with normal spermatogenesis was used as a technical internal control in all evaluations. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Immunohistochemistry against H4ac and, when needed, Placental-like alkaline phosphatase and CD117, was performed on testicular sections. The H4ac H-score, based on the percentage of detection and signal intensity, was used as the scoring method for statistical analyses. Protein expression data from the Human Protein Atlas were used to compare the expression levels of predicted secreted proteins from testicular tumours with those present in the normal tissue. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE We revealed, for the first time, a dramatic disruption of the spermatogenic H4ac pattern in unaffected seminiferous tubule cells from different testicular tumour patients prior to any antineoplastic treatment, as compared to controls (P < 0.05). Since no similar alterations were associated with spermatogenic impairments and the in silico analysis revealed proteins potentially secreted by the tumour to the testicular stroma, we propose a potential paracrine effect of the neoplasia as a mechanistic hypothesis for this dysregulation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Statistical analyses were not performed on the hypospermatogenesis and Leydig cell tumour groups due to limited availability of samples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing an epigenetic alteration in cells from active seminiferous tubules adjacent to tumour cells in testicular tumour patients. Our results suggest that, despite presenting spermatogenic activity, the global epigenetic dysregulation found in the testicular tumour patients could lead to molecular alterations of the male germ cells. Since testicular tumours are normally diagnosed in men at reproductive age, H4ac alterations might have an impact when these testicular tumour patients express a desire for fatherhood. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the European Union Marie Curie European Training Network actions and by grants to R.O. from the 'Ministerio de Economía y Competividad (Spain)' (fondos FEDER 'una manera de hacer Europa', PI13/00699, PI16/00346 and PI20/00936) and from EU-FP7-PEOPLE-2011-ITN289880. J.C. was supported by the Sara Borrell Postdoctoral Fellowship, Acción Estratégica en Salud, CD17/00109. J.C. is a Serra Húnter fellow (Universitat de Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya). F.B. has received grants from the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte para la Formación de Profesorado Universitario (Spain) (FPU15/02306). A.d.l.I. is supported by a fellowship of the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain) (PFIS, FI17/00224). M.J. is supported by the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya, pla estratègic de recerca i innovació en salut, PERIS 2016-2020, SLT002/16/00337). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Barrachina
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto de la Iglesia
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ada Soler-Ventura
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Mallofré
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Rodriguez-Carunchio
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Afsaneh Goudarzi
- CNRS UMR 5309, INSERM U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Juan Manuel Corral
- Department of Urology, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Lluís Ballescà
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judit Castillo
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
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Ajisebiola BS, Adeniji OB, James AS, Ajayi BO, Adeyi AO. Naja nigricollis venom altered reproductive and neurological functions via modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage in male rats. Metabol Open 2022; 14:100188. [PMID: 35633732 PMCID: PMC9130106 DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2022.100188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive and neurological anomalies are often characterized by malfunctioning of reproductive and nervous organs sometimes attributed to systemic toxins. However, limited information is available on the impact of snake venom toxins on male reproductive and nervous system. This study investigated the toxicological effects of Naja nigricollis venom on male reproductive and neural functions in rat model. Twenty male Wistar rats weighing between 195 and 230 g were divided randomly into two groups of ten rats each. Group 1 served as normal control while rats in group 2 were envenomed with a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mg/kg-1 (LD12.5) of N. nigricollis venom on first and twenty fifth day within the period of fifty days experiment. The venom significantly decreased sperm counts, motile cells and volume combined with increased sperm abnormalities. The venom induced hormonal imbalances in the envenomed group as levels of testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones depreciated compared to the control. Oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde significantly increased parallels with depletion of glutathione level and catalase activities in testis, epididymis and brain of envenomed rats. Furthermore, N. nigricollis venom up-regulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin1-beta (IL-1β) production in testis, epididymis and brain of envenomed rats compared to the control. Also, various histological alterations were noticed in tissues of testis, epididymis and brain of envenomed rats. Findings indicated that N. nigricollis venom is capable of inducing reproductive and neurological dysfunction in envenomed victims.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Adewale Segun James
- Department of Chemical Sciences (Biochemistry Program), Augustine University, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Babajide O. Ajayi
- Onco-preventives and Systems Oncology Research Laboratory, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Nigeria
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Echis ocellatus Venom-Induced Reproductive Pathologies in Rat Model; Roles of Oxidative Stress and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14060378. [PMID: 35737039 PMCID: PMC9227802 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14060378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reported reproductive pathologies associated with Echis ocellatus venom in animal model. Twenty male Wistar rats with body weight between 180 and 220 g were selected randomly into two groups (n = 10). Rats in group 1 served as the control while rats in group 2 were envenomed with a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.055 mg/kg−1 (LD6.25) of E. ocellatus venom on the first day and a repeated dose on the twenty fifth day. Both control and envenomed rats were monitored for fifty consecutive days. The venom caused a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in sperm motility, count, and volume, with increased sperm anomalies in envenomed rats compared to the control. Likewise, serum concentrations of male reproductive hormones were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in envenomed rats. Increased levels of malondialdehyde were accompanied by a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in reduced glutathione and catalase activity in the epididymis and testis tissues of envenomed rats. The venom enhanced the release of epididymal and testicular tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin1-beta compared to the control. Furthermore, severe pathological defects were noticed in tissues of the testis and epididymis of envenomed rats. This study demonstrated that E. ocellatus venom toxins can induce reproductive dysfunction in male victims of snake envenoming.
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Pérez-Soto E, Medel-Flores MO, Fernández-Martínez E, Oros-Pantoja R, Miranda-Covarrubias JC, Sánchez-Monroy V. High-Risk HPV with Multiple Infections Promotes CYP2E1, Lipoperoxidation and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Semen of Asymptomatic Infertile Men. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11061051. [PMID: 35739948 PMCID: PMC9219901 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11061051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection, followed by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, is a major risk factor of male infertility. In this study, we explored the potential impact of high-risk (HR) HPV genotypes in single infection (SI) and multiple infections (MI) that promote CYP2E1 expression, oxidative damage and pro-inflammatory cytokines, possibly contributing to sperm damage and male infertility. Semen samples from 101 infertile military men were studied. We analyzed seminal parameters, namely, HPV genotyping, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), oxidative stress biomarkers (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)), lipid peroxidation (LPO), 8-hydroxiguanosine (8-OHdG) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8). Eighty-one men (80.2%, 81/101) were positive for HPV infection, and MI-HR-HPV was higher than SI-HR-HPV (63% vs. 37%). HPV-52 was the most frequently detected type (18.5%), followed by HPV-33 (11.1%), and the most frequent combination of genotypes detected was HPV-33,52 (11.1%), followed by HPV-18,31 (6.2%). The group with infected samples presented lower normal morphology and antioxidant levels compared to non-infected samples. In concordance, the infected group showed high levels of LPO, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-6 and downregulation of CAT and SOD enzymes. Interestingly, changes in motility B, low levels of TAC, overexpression of CYP2E1, LPO and IL-8 levels were higher in MI-HR-HPV than SI-HR-HPV, suggesting that HPV infection promotes a chronic inflammatory process and a toxic and oxidative microenvironment, which increases with MI-HPV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvia Pérez-Soto
- Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07320, Mexico; (E.P.-S.); (M.O.M.-F.)
| | - María Olivia Medel-Flores
- Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07320, Mexico; (E.P.-S.); (M.O.M.-F.)
| | - Eduardo Fernández-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación en Biología de la Reproducción, Área Académica de Medicina del Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca 42090, Mexico;
| | - Rigoberto Oros-Pantoja
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca de Lerdo 50180, Mexico;
| | - José Cruz Miranda-Covarrubias
- Hospital Militar de Especialidades de la Mujer y Neonatología de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional, Mexico City 11200, Mexico;
| | - Virginia Sánchez-Monroy
- Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Salvador Díaz Mirón esq. Plan de San Luis S/N, Miguel Hidalgo, Casco de Santo Tomas, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +52-57296000
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Országhová Z, Kalavska K, Mego M, Chovanec M. Overcoming Chemotherapy Resistance in Germ Cell Tumors. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050972. [PMID: 35625709 PMCID: PMC9139090 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) are highly curable malignancies. Excellent survival rates in patients with metastatic disease can be attributed to the exceptional sensitivity of GCTs to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. This hypersensitivity is probably related to alterations in the DNA repair of cisplatin-induced DNA damage, and an excessive apoptotic response. However, chemotherapy fails due to the development of cisplatin resistance in a proportion of patients. The molecular basis of this resistance appears to be multifactorial. Tracking the mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in GCTs, multiple molecules have been identified as potential therapeutic targets. A variety of therapeutic agents have been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. These include different chemotherapeutics, targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, CDK inhibitors, and anti-CD30 therapy, as well as immune-checkpoint inhibitors, epigenetic therapy, and others. These therapeutics have been used as single agents or in combination with cisplatin. Some of them have shown promising in vitro activity in overcoming cisplatin resistance, but have not been effective in clinical trials in refractory GCT patients. This review provides a summary of current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of cisplatin sensitivity and resistance in GCTs and outlines possible therapeutic approaches that seek to overcome this chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Országhová
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (Z.O.); (M.M.)
| | - Katarina Kalavska
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy Sciences, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (Z.O.); (M.M.)
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Michal Chovanec
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, 833 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (Z.O.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Adamczewska D, Słowikowska-Hilczer J, Walczak-Jędrzejowska R. The Fate of Leydig Cells in Men with Spermatogenic Failure. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:570. [PMID: 35455061 PMCID: PMC9028943 DOI: 10.3390/life12040570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The steroidogenic cells in the testicle, Leydig cells, located in the interstitial compartment, play a vital role in male reproductive tract development, maintenance of proper spermatogenesis, and overall male reproductive function. Therefore, their dysfunction can lead to all sorts of testicular pathologies. Spermatogenesis failure, manifested as azoospermia, is often associated with defective Leydig cell activity. Spermatogenic failure is the most severe form of male infertility, caused by disorders of the testicular parenchyma or testicular hormone imbalance. This review covers current progress in knowledge on Leydig cells origin, structure, and function, and focuses on recent advances in understanding how Leydig cells contribute to the impairment of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Renata Walczak-Jędrzejowska
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland; (D.A.); (J.S.-H.)
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Effect of Chemotherapy Cytarabine and Acute Myeloid Leukemia on the Development of Spermatogenesis at the Adult Age of Immature Treated Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23074013. [PMID: 35409373 PMCID: PMC8999636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23074013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) accounts for around 20% of diagnosed childhood leukemia. Cytarabine (CYT) is involved in the AML treatment regimen. AML and CYT showed impairment in spermatogenesis in human and rodents in adulthood. We successfully developed an AML disease model in sexually immature mice. Monocytes and granulocytes were examined in all groups: untreated control, AML alone, CYT alone and AML+CYT (in combination). There was a significant increase in the counts of monocytes and granulocytes in the AML-treated immature mice (AML) compared to the control, and AML cells were demonstrated in the blood vessels of the testes. AML alone and CYT alone impaired the development of spermatogenesis at the adult age of the AML-treated immature mice. The damage was clear in the structure/histology of their seminiferous tubules, and an increase in the apoptotic cells of the seminiferous tubules was demonstrated. Our results demonstrated a significant decrease in the meiotic/post-meiotic cells compared to the control. However, CYT alone (but not AML) significantly increased the count of spermatogonial cells (premeiotic cells) that positively stained with SALL4 and PLZF per tubule compared to the control. Furthermore, AML significantly increased the count of proliferating spermatogonial cells that positively stained with PCNA in the seminiferous tubules compared to the control, whereas CYT significantly decreased the count compared to the control. Our result showed that AML and CYT affected the microenvironment/niche of the germ cells. AML significantly decreased the levels growth factors, such as SCF, GDNF and MCSF) compared to control, whereas CYT significantly increased the levels of MCSF and GDNF compared to control. In addition, AML significantly increased the RNA expression levels of testicular IL-6 (a proinflammatory cytokine), whereas CYT significantly decreased testicular IL-6 levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, AML alone and CYT alone significantly decreased RNA expression levels of testicular IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) compared to the control group. Our results demonstrate that pediatric AML disease with or without CYT treatment impairs spermatogenesis at adult age (the impairment was more pronounced in AML+CYT) compared to control. Thus, we suggest that special care should be considered for children with AML who are treated with a CYT regimen regarding their future fertility at adult age.
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Transgenerational epigenetic impacts of parental infection on offspring health and disease susceptibility. Trends Genet 2022; 38:662-675. [PMID: 35410793 PMCID: PMC8992946 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) and infection during pregnancy are known to reprogramme offspring phenotypes. However, the epigenetic effects of preconceptual paternal infection and paternal immune activation (PIA) are not currently well understood. Recent reports show that paternal infection and immune activation can affect offspring phenotypes, particularly brain function, behaviour, and immune system functioning, across multiple generations without re-exposure to infection. Evidence from other environmental exposures indicates that epigenetic inheritance also occurs in humans. Given the growing impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is imperative that we investigate all of the potential epigenetic mechanisms and multigenerational phenotypes that may arise from both maternal and paternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, as well as associated MIA, PIA, and inflammation. This will allow us to understand and, if necessary, mitigate any potential changes in disease susceptibility in the children, and grandchildren, of affected parents.
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Bukharin OV, Kuzmin MD, Perunova NB, Nikiforov IA, Chainikova IN, Ivanova EV. Diagnostic cytokine marker of male infertility - interleukin 4. Klin Lab Diagn 2022; 67:151-157. [PMID: 35320630 DOI: 10.51620/0869-2084-2022-67-3-151-157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Analysis of the study is to assess the diagnostic significance of cytokines in the sperm plasma of men of reproductive age (20 - 45 years) of two groups: of patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis, not complicated by infertility and with loss of fertility. The study of sperm plasma - the WHO standard. Determination of the level of cytokines in seminal plasma - by enzyme immunoassay («Cytokine», Russia). Two methods of mathematical statistics were used: discriminant analysis and classification trees (decision trees).The similarity of interpretations of discriminant analysis and decision tree was noted, where the main role in both cases belongs to the cytokine IL-4. The level of sperm IL-4 in combination with therapeutic monitoring can be used for the medical management of patients with chronic prostatitis in order to prevent the development of infertility and to develop methods for screening diagnostics of fertility disorders in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- O V Bukharin
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, separate subdivision OFRC, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - M D Kuzmin
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, separate subdivision OFRC, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - N B Perunova
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, separate subdivision OFRC, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - I A Nikiforov
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, separate subdivision OFRC, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - I N Chainikova
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, separate subdivision OFRC, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
| | - E V Ivanova
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, separate subdivision OFRC, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
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Impact of Vitamin C on Gene Expression Profile of Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Male Partners of Couples with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Int J Inflam 2022; 2022:1222533. [PMID: 35360193 PMCID: PMC8964205 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1222533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune system disorders and increased inflammation in the male reproductive system can lead to fetal risk in the early stages of development and implantation. Antioxidants such as vitamin C can play a protective role against sperm inflammatory reactions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin C on the expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes in the male partners of couples with recurrent pregnancy loss. In this randomized clinical trial, twenty male partners of couples with RPL were examined for sperm parameters and expression profile of some inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes before and after treatment with vitamin C. There was a statistically significant higher rate of normal morphology and sperm concentration in each patient before and after treatment with vitamin C (p ≤ 0.05). The mRNA levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly decreased in the sperm of patients after treatment with vitamin C compared to before treatment. In contrast, the gene expression levels of interleukin 4 and transforming growth factor-beta showed a significant increase in the sperm of patients after treatment with vitamin C. Oral daily administration of vitamin C may be effective in the fertility potential of male partners of couples with RPL not only through the improvement of the sperm parameters but also by modulating the expression profile of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes. Further studies on protein levels are needed to clarify the role of TNF-⍺ and IFN-γ as a prognostic value in evaluating the recurrent abortion risk in infertile male partners. This trial is registered with IRCT20180312039059N1.
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Jiang Q, Linn T, Drlica K, Shi L. Diabetes as a potential compounding factor in COVID-19-mediated male subfertility. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:35. [PMID: 35307018 PMCID: PMC8934536 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00766-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent work indicates that male fertility is compromised by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Direct effects derive from the presence of viral entry receptors (ACE2 and/or CD147) on the surface of testicular cells, such as spermatocytes, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells. Indirect effects on testis and concentrations of male reproductive hormones derive from (1) virus-stimulated inflammation; (2) viral-induced diabetes, and (3) an interaction between diabetes and inflammation that exacerbates the deleterious effect of each perturbation. Reproductive hormones affected include testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. Reduction of male fertility is also observed with other viral infections, but the global pandemic of COVID-19 makes demographic and public health implications of reduced male fertility of major concern, especially if it occurs in the absence of serious symptoms that would otherwise encourage vaccination. Clinical documentation of COVID-19-associated male subfertility is now warranted to obtain quantitative relationships between infection severity and subfertility; mechanistic studies using animal models may reveal ways to mitigate the problem. In the meantime, the possibility of subfertility due to COVID-19 should enter considerations of vaccine hesitancy by reproductive-age males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingkui Jiang
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Thomas Linn
- grid.8664.c0000 0001 2165 8627Clinical Research Unit, Centre of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University (JLU), Giessen, Germany
| | - Karl Drlica
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Public Health Research Institute and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Lanbo Shi
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ USA
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Proteomic Analysis of Intracellular and Membrane-Associated Fractions of Canine (Canis lupus familiaris) Epididymal Spermatozoa and Sperm Structure Separation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060772. [PMID: 35327169 PMCID: PMC8944539 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Epididymal spermatozoa have great potential in current dog reproductive technologies. In the case of azoospermia or when the male dies, the recovery of epididymal spermatozoa opens new possibilities for reproduction. It is of great importance to analyze the quality of the sperm in such cases. Proteomic studies contribute to explaining the role of proteins at various stages of epididymal sperm maturation and offer potential opportunities to use them as markers of sperm quality. The present study showed, for the first time, mass spectrometry and bioinformatic analysis of intracellular and membrane-associated proteins of canine epididymal spermatozoa. Additionally, sonication was used for the separation of dog epididymal sperm morphological elements (heads, tails and acrosomes). The results revealed the presence of differentially abundant proteins in both sperm protein fractions significant for sperm function and fertilizing ability. It was also shown that these proteins participate in important sperm metabolic pathways, which may suggest their potential as sperm quality biomarkers. Abstract This study was provided for proteomic analysis of intracellular and membrane-associated fractions of canine (Canis lupus familiaris) epididymal spermatozoa and additionally to find optimal sonication parameters for the epididymal sperm morphological structure separation and sperm protein isolation. Sperm samples were collected from 15 dogs. Sperm protein fractions: intracellular (SIPs) and membrane-associated (SMAPs) were isolated. After sonication, sperm morphology was evaluated using Spermac Stain™. The sperm protein fractions were analyzed using gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and nanoliquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (NanoLC-Q-TOF/MS). UniProt database-supported identification resulted in 42 proteins identified in the SIPs and 153 proteins in the SMAPs. Differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were found in SIPs and SMAPs. Based on a gene ontology analysis, the dominant molecular functions of SIPs were catalytic activity (50%) and binding (28%). Hydrolase activity (33%) and transferase activity (21%) functions were dominant for SMAPs. Bioinformatic analysis of SIPs and SMAPs showed their participation in important metabolic pathways in epididymal sperm, which may suggest their potential as sperm quality biomarkers. The use of sonication 150 W, 10 min, may be recommended for the separation of dog epididymal sperm heads, tails, acrosomes and the protein isolation.
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Could Lower Testosterone in Older Men Explain Higher COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortalities? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020935. [PMID: 35055119 PMCID: PMC8781054 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The health scourge imposed on humanity by the COVID-19 pandemic seems not to recede. This fact warrants refined and novel ideas analyzing different aspects of the illness. One such aspect is related to the observation that most COVID-19 casualties were older males, a tendency also noticed in the epidemics of SARS-CoV in 2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome in 2012. This gender-related difference in the COVID-19 death toll might be directly involved with testosterone (TEST) and its plasmatic concentration in men. TEST has been demonstrated to provide men with anti-inflammatory and immunological advantages. As the plasmatic concentration of this androgen decreases with age, the health benefit it confers also diminishes. Low plasmatic levels of TEST can be determinant in the infection’s outcome and might be related to a dysfunctional cell Ca2+ homeostasis. Not only does TEST modulate the activity of diverse proteins that regulate cellular calcium concentrations, but these proteins have also been proven to be necessary for the replication of many viruses. Therefore, we discuss herein how TEST regulates different Ca2+-handling proteins in healthy tissues and propose how low TEST concentrations might facilitate the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the lack of modulation of the mechanisms that regulate intracellular Ca2+ concentrations.
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Sarkar D, Dutta S, Roychoudhury S, Poduval P, Jha NK, Dhal PK, Roychoudhury S, Kesari KK. Pathogenesis of Viral Infections and Male Reproductive Health: An Evidence-Based Study. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1358:325-343. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-89340-8_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Hajizadeh Maleki B, Tartibian B, Chehrazi M. Effectiveness of Exercise Training on Male Factor Infertility: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Sports Health 2021; 14:508-517. [PMID: 34806474 PMCID: PMC9214906 DOI: 10.1177/19417381211055399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Mounting evidence from the literature suggests that different types of training interventions can be successful at improving several aspects of male reproductive function in both fertile and infertile populations. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise training on male factor infertility and seminal markers of inflammation. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed, CISCOM, Springer, Elsevier Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, PEDro, Ovid (Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO), Sport Discus, Orbis, CINAHL, Web of Science, ProQuest, and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that analyzed the impacts of selected types of exercise interventions on markers of male reproductive function and reproductive performance. STUDY SELECTION A total of 336 records were identified, of which we included 7 trials reporting on 2641 fertile and infertile men in the systematic review and network meta-analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 1 (because this is a systematic review of RCTs). DATA EXTRACTION The data included the study design, participant characteristics, inclusion and exclusion, intervention characteristics, outcome measures, and the main results of the study. RESULTS The results of network meta-analysis showed that, compared with a nonintervention control group, the top-ranking interventions for pregnancy rate were for combined aerobic and resistance training (CET) (relative risk [RR] = 27.81), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) (RR = 26.67), resistance training (RT) (RR = 12.54), high-intensity continuous training (HICT) (RR = 5.55), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (RR = 4.63). While the top-ranking interventions for live birth rate were for MICT (RR = 10.05), RT (RR = 4.92), HIIT (RR = 4.38), CET (RR = 2.20), and HICT (RR = 1.55). Also, with the following order of effectiveness, 5 training strategies were significantly better at improving semen quality parameters (CET > MICT > HICT > RT > HIIT), seminal markers of oxidative stress (CET > MICT > HIIT > HICT > RT), seminal markers of inflammation (CET > MICT > HIIT > RT > HICT), as well as measures of body composition and VO2max (CET > HICT > MICT > HIIT > RT). CONCLUSION The review recommends that the intervention with the highest probability of being the best approach out of all available options for improving the male factor infertility was for CET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany,Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki, MSc, Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Justus Liebig University, Kugelberg 62, 35394 Giessen, Germany (), and Mohammad Chehrazi, PhD, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Ganjafrouz Street, No 47176-47745, Babol, Iran ()
| | - Bakhtyar Tartibian
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Chehrazi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,Behzad Hajizadeh Maleki, MSc, Department of Exercise Physiology and Sports Therapy, Justus Liebig University, Kugelberg 62, 35394 Giessen, Germany (), and Mohammad Chehrazi, PhD, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Ganjafrouz Street, No 47176-47745, Babol, Iran ()
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Bukharin OV, Perunova NB, Ivanova EV, Chaynikova IN, Bekpergenova AV, Bondarenko TA, Kuzmin MD. Semen microbiota and cytokines of healthy and infertile men. Asian J Androl 2021; 24:353-358. [PMID: 34806653 PMCID: PMC9295472 DOI: 10.4103/aja202169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we determined the levels of cytokine secretory inhibitors and the microbiota biofilms of semen from healthy and infertile subjects. A total of 118 clinical bacterial isolates were isolated and tested. Cytokine secretory inhibitors were determined based on the difference in cytokine content between the control and experimental samples of cell-free supernatants of isolated microorganisms. Biofilm formation was studied by determining the adhesion of microorganisms to the surface of a 96-well sterile plate and expressed as the optical density at 630 nm (OD630). Cell-free supernatants of Staphylococcus contained higher levels of secretory inhibitor of cytokines in conditionally healthy than in infertile patients. In contrast, in infertile men, the ability to reduce cytokine levels was more characteristic of Enterococcus and Corynebacterium. Seminal Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Enterococcus isolated from infertile subjects showed a greater ability to form biofilms than the same bacteria isolated from healthy men. Further research is needed on this topic, since it is necessary to determine the relationships between decreased secretory inhibitors of cytokines, production of biofilms by bacteria in semen, and infertility. It is likely that the ability of microorganisms to change the concentration of cytokines and increase the level of biofilm formation in semen may be associated with minimal impairments of fertilizing ability, which are not detected using other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg V Bukharin
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg Federal Research Center UD of RAS, Orenburg 460014, Russia
| | - Natalya B Perunova
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg Federal Research Center UD of RAS, Orenburg 460014, Russia
| | - Elena V Ivanova
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg Federal Research Center UD of RAS, Orenburg 460014, Russia
| | - Irina N Chaynikova
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg Federal Research Center UD of RAS, Orenburg 460014, Russia
| | - Anastasia V Bekpergenova
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg Federal Research Center UD of RAS, Orenburg 460014, Russia
| | - Taisiya A Bondarenko
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg Federal Research Center UD of RAS, Orenburg 460014, Russia
| | - Michael D Kuzmin
- Institute of Cellular and Intracellular Symbiosis, Ural Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg Federal Research Center UD of RAS, Orenburg 460014, Russia
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