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Hasan H, Bhushan S, Fijak M, Meinhardt A. Mechanism of Inflammatory Associated Impairment of Sperm Function, Spermatogenesis and Steroidogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:897029. [PMID: 35574022 PMCID: PMC9096214 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.897029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection and inflammation are relevant entities of male reproductive disorders that can lead to sub-/infertility. Associated damage of the testis of affected men and in rodent models include leukocytic infiltration, edema formation, fibrosis, germ cell loss and reduced androgen levels. Negative effects on spermatogenesis are thought to be elicited by oxidative stress sustained mostly by increased levels of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Under normal conditions these cytokines have physiological functions. However, increased levels as seen in inflammation and infection, but also in obesity and cancer are harmful for germ cells and impair steroidogenesis. As a summary, there is mounting evidence that the activation of inflammatory pathways is a rather common feature in various forms of male testicular disorders that extends beyond established infectious/inflammatory cues. This mini review will focus on relevant entities and the mechanisms of how a dysbalance of local testicular factors contributes to disturbances of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Monika Fijak
- *Correspondence: Andreas Meinhardt, ; Monika Fijak,
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Bryan ER, McLachlan RI, Rombauts L, Katz DJ, Yazdani A, Bogoevski K, Chang C, Giles ML, Carey AJ, Armitage CW, Trim LK, McLaughlin EA, Beagley KW. Detection of chlamydia infection within human testicular biopsies. Hum Reprod 2020; 34:1891-1898. [PMID: 31586185 PMCID: PMC6810529 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dez169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can Chlamydia be found in the testes of infertile men? SUMMARY ANSWER Chlamydia can be found in 16.7% of fresh testicular biopsies and 45.3% of fixed testicular biopsies taken from a selection of infertile men. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Male chlamydial infection has been understudied despite male and female infections occurring at similar rates. This is particularly true of asymptomatic infections, which occur in 50% of cases. Chlamydial infection has also been associated with increased sperm DNA damage and reduced male fertility. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We collected diagnostic (fixed, n = 100) and therapeutic (fresh, n = 18) human testicular biopsies during sperm recovery procedures from moderately to severely infertile men in a cross-sectional approach to sampling. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The diagnostic and therapeutic biopsies were tested for Chlamydia-specific DNA and protein, using real-time PCR and immunohistochemical approaches, respectively. Serum samples matched to the fresh biopsies were also assayed for the presence of Chlamydia-specific antibodies using immunoblotting techniques. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Chlamydial major outer membrane protein was detected in fixed biopsies at a rate of 45.3%. This was confirmed by detection of chlamydial DNA and TC0500 protein (replication marker). C. trachomatis DNA was detected in fresh biopsies at a rate of 16.7%, and the sera from each of these three positive patients contained C. trachomatis-specific antibodies. Overall, C. trachomatis-specific antibodies were detected in 72.2% of the serum samples from the patients providing fresh biopsies, although none of the patients were symptomatic nor had they reported a previous sexually transmitted infection diagnosis including Chlamydia. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION No reproductively healthy male testicular biopsies were tested for the presence of Chlamydia DNA or proteins or Chlamydia-specific antibodies due to the unavailability of these samples. WIDER IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FINDINGS Application of Chlamydia-specific PCR and immunohistochemistry in this human male infertility context of testicular biopsies reveals evidence of a high prevalence of previously unrecognised infection, which may potentially have a pathogenic role in spermatogenic failure. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding for this project was provided by the Australian NHMRC under project grant number APP1062198. We also acknowledge assistance from the Monash IVF Group and Queensland Fertility Group in the collection of fresh biopsies, and the Monash Health and co-author McLachlan (declared equity interest) in retrieval and sectioning of fixed biopsies. E.M. declares an equity interest in the study due to financing of fixed biopsy sectioning. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Robert I McLachlan
- Monash IVF Group, 89 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.,Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Luk Rombauts
- Monash IVF Group, 89 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Darren J Katz
- Men's Health Melbourne, 233 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Western Health, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Anusch Yazdani
- Queensland Fertility Group, 55 Little Edward Street, Spring Hill, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Kristofor Bogoevski
- Histology Services, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Crystal Chang
- Histology Services, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Michelle L Giles
- Ritchie Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Alison J Carey
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Charles W Armitage
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Logan K Trim
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Eileen A McLaughlin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.,School of Science Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Kirinari Street, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
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