Nursing Exposure to Bisphenols as a Cause of Male Idiopathic Infertility

A Grounded Theory Approach to Understanding Men Confronting Infertility

Purpose: This study aims to delve into the process of men confronting infertility. Design: This research employed the Straussian grounded theory approach. Methods: The study encompassed interviews with 16 participants from a private fertility center in Isfahan, Iran, between March 2023 and March 2024. The interviews were semistructured. Data analysis was carried out concurrently using constant comparative methods and standard grounded theory techniques. the participants' main concerns were identified, culminating in developing a substantive theory centered around a core category. Findings: The primary category for men struggling with infertility was "forced concealment." This was exhibited through the suppression of emotions, maintaining secrecy about infertility, hiding treatment, and attributing infertility to their wives to counteract threats to their masculinity. Factors such as partners, family, societal surroundings, care providers, and beliefs influenced the adopting of the "forced concealment" strategy. Conclusions: The "forced concealment" theory offers insights into the experiences of men struggling with infertility. The study highlights the necessity of formulating culturally sensitive strategies that enable healthcare providers, nurses, and health system managers to effectively fulfill their roles and address the challenges and needs of couples confronting male infertility. This can be realized through a comprehensive approach that integrates nursing skills and competencies.

Adverse effects of bisphenol A and its analogues on male fertility: An epigenetic perspective

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the adverse effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on male fertility. Epigenetic modification is critical for male germline development, and has been suggested as a potential mechanism for impaired fertility induced by EDCs. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been recognized as a typical EDC. BPA and its analogues, which are still widely used in various consumer products, have garnered increasing attention due to their reproductive toxicity and the potential to induce epigenetic alteration. This literature review provides an overview of studies investigating the adverse effects of bisphenol exposures on epigenetic modifications and male fertility. Existing studies provide evidence that exposure to bisphenols can lead to adverse effects on male fertility, including declined semen quality, altered reproductive hormone levels, and adverse reproductive outcomes. Epigenetic patterns, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA expression, can be altered by bisphenol exposures. Transgenerational effects, which influence the fertility and epigenetic patterns of unexposed generations, have also been identified. However, the magnitude and direction of certain outcomes varied across different studies. Investigations into the dynamics of histopathological and epigenetic alterations associated with bisphenol exposures during developmental stages can enhance the understanding of the epigenetic effects of bisphenols, the implication of epigenetic alteration on male fertility, and the health of successive generation.

CHK1-CDC25A-CDK1 regulate cell cycle progression and protect genome integrity in early mouse embryos

After fertilization, remodeling of the oocyte and sperm genomes is essential to convert these highly differentiated and transcriptionally quiescent cells into early cleavage-stage blastomeres that are transcriptionally active and totipotent. This developmental transition is accompanied by cell cycle adaptation, such as lengthening or shortening of the gap phases G1 and G2. However, regulation of these cell cycle changes is poorly understood, especially in mammals. Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) is a protein kinase that regulates cell cycle progression in somatic cells. Here, we show that CHK1 regulates cell cycle progression in early mouse embryos by restraining CDK1 kinase activity due to CDC25A phosphatase degradation. CHK1 kinase also ensures the long G2 phase needed for genome activation and reprogramming gene expression in two-cell stage mouse embryos. Finally, Chk1 depletion leads to DNA damage and chromosome segregation errors that result in aneuploidy and infertility.

Effect of Bisphenol S on testicular tissue after low-dose lactation exposure

Exposure to endocrine disruptors such as bisphenols, can lead to and be the explanation for idiopathic infertility. In our study, we assessed the effect of exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) via breast milk on the testicular tissue health of adult male mice. Lactating dams were exposed to BPS through drinking water (0.216 ng g bw/day and 21.6 ng g bw/day) from post-natal day 0-15. Although there was no significant difference in testicular histopathology between the control and experimental groups, we observed an increase in the number of tight and gap junctions in the blood-testis barrier (BTB) of adult mice after lactation BPS exposure. Moreover, there was an increase in oxidative stress markers in adult testicular tissue of mice exposed via breast milk. Our lactation model indicates that breast milk is a route of exposure to an endocrine disruptor that can be responsible for idiopathic male infertility through the damage of the BTB and weakening of oxidative stress resistance in adulthood.