scholarly journals Endocrine Disruption of Androgenic Activity by Perfluoroalkyl Substances: Clinical and Experimental Evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 1259-1271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Di Nisio ◽  
Iva Sabovic ◽  
Umberto Valente ◽  
Simone Tescari ◽  
Maria Santa Rocca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Gene Reporter Assay ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Abstract Background Considerable attention has been paid to perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) because of their worldwide presence in humans, wildlife, and environment. A wide variety of toxicological effects is well supported in animals, including testicular toxicity and male infertility. For these reasons, the understanding of epidemiological associations and of the molecular mechanisms involved in the endocrine-disrupting properties of PFCs on human reproductive health is a major concern. Objective To investigate the relationship between PFC exposure and male reproductive health. Design This study was performed within a screening protocol to evaluate male reproductive health in high schools. Patients This is a cross-sectional study on 212 exposed males from the Veneto region, one of the four areas worldwide heavily polluted with PFCs, and 171 nonexposed controls. Main Outcome Measures Anthropometrics, seminal parameters, and sex hormones were measured in young males from exposed areas compared with age-matched controls. We also performed biochemical studies in established experimental models. Results We found that increased levels of PFCs in plasma and seminal fluid positively correlate with circulating testosterone (T) and with a reduction of semen quality, testicular volume, penile length, and anogenital distance. Experimental evidence points toward an antagonistic action of perfluorooctanoic acid on the binding of T to androgen receptor (AR) in a gene reporter assay, a competition assay on an AR-coated surface plasmon resonance chip, and an AR nuclear translocation assay. Discussion This study documents that PFCs have a substantial impact on human health as they interfere with hormonal pathways, potentially leading to male infertility.

scholarly journals Environmental Exposure to Endocrine Disruptor of Bisphenol A and Semen Quality of Men

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-343
Author(s):  
Stanislav V. Chigrinets ◽  
Gennady V. Brukhin
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Concentration Level ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Idiopathic Male Infertility

Background: The reproductive health disorders in men are one of the urgent problems of international medicine. The prevalence of idiopathic male infertility has the highest rate. Oxidative stress, genetic factor, and endocrine disruptors are considered to be the most probable causes for the idiopathic male infertility. In this regard, studying the effect of endocrine disruptors, in particular bisphenol A on male reproductive health, becomes actual and relevant. Aims: The aim of the study was to reveal the relationship between the concentration level of bisphenol A (BPA) in seminal fluid and semen quality in men with normo- or pathozoospermia, as well as between the concentration level of bisphenol A and the level of total testosterone and estradiol in plasma. Materials and methods: 53 samples of seminal fluid of men with normo- or pathoospermia were studied. In seminal fluid the concentration of bisphenol A was determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The spermiological analysis was performed according to the WHO recommendations (2010) including the evaluation of sperm count/concentration, motility and morphology, and DNA fragmentation index. In addition, the concentration of total testosterone and estradiol in plasma was determined. The results were statistically processed using the Mann–Whitney U test, the correlation analysis, the paired regression method, and the ROC curves to determine the cut-off point for BPA in the seminal fluid. The results were considered statistically significant at p0.05. Results: In 100% of the ejaculate samples BPA with a median concentration of 0.15 (0.06–0.31) ng/ml was detected. Using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, statistically significant correlations between the concentration of BPA and the total count (r=-0.330, p=0.016), concentration (r=-0.309; p=0.024), the proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa (r=-0.575; p=0.001), the proportion of spermatozoa with normal morphology (r=-0.397, p=0.003), the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation (r=0.349, p=0.025), and the concentration of total testosterone (r =-0.616; p0.001) were registered. A statistically significant inverse linear relationship (r=-0.406, p=0.003) and (r =-0.364, p=0.048) was determined by a paired linear regression between the BPA concentration in the seminal fluid and the proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa, and the total testosterone level respectively. To assess the risk of pathozoospermia, the threshold value of seminal BPA concentration was determined using the analysis of ROC-curves; the cut-off point was 0.1025 ng/ml. Conclusions: BPA in the seminal fluid influences negatively on the quality of the sperm and suppress the level of total testosterone in plasma.

scholarly journals Seminal Plasma Proteomic Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 9113
Author(s):  
Rossella Cannarella ◽  
Andrea Crafa ◽  
Federica Barbagallo ◽  
Laura M. Mongioì ◽  
Rosita A. Condorelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Male Accessory Gland ◽  
Abnormal Sperm ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Biomarkers Of Oxidative Stress

The prevalence of idiopathic male infertility is high, up to 75% of patients with abnormal sperm parameters. Hence, the research of its causes is mandatory. Oxidative stress (OS) can be responsible for male infertility in 30–80% of cases. In recent years, seminal plasma (SP) proteomics has developed as a useful tool to provide biomarkers of specific diseases. This systematic review aims to collect the available evidence on the changes of SP proteome in patients exposed to OS to provide possible SP biomarkers of sperm OS. To accomplish this, the following keyterms “seminal fluid proteome”, “seminal plasma proteome”, “oxidative stress”, and “sperm oxidative stress” were used and 137 records were found. Among these, 17 were finally included. Nine proteins involved with OS were found overexpressed in patients with OS. Twenty-three proteins were found differentially expressed in patients with clinical conditions associated with OS, such as varicocele, male accessory gland infection/inflammation, cigarette smoke, and obesity. These proteins do not seem to overlap among the clinical conditions taken into account. We speculate that specific SP proteins may mediate OS in different clinical conditions. Altogether, these results suggest that proteomics could help to better understand some of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of infertility. However, further studies are needed to identify potential biomarkers of male infertility with valuable clinical significance.

Semen quality and male reproductive health: the controversy about human sperm concentration decline

Apmis ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 109 (S103) ◽  
pp. S48-S61 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIERRE JOUANNET ◽  
CHRISTINA WANG ◽  
FLORENCE EUSTACHE ◽  
TINA KOLD-JENSEN ◽  
JACQUES AUGER
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

scholarly journals Kisspeptin Protein in Seminal Plasma Is Positively Associated with Semen Quality: Results from the MARHCS Study in Chongqing, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zou ◽  
Xiaogang Wang ◽  
Qing Chen ◽  
Huan Yang ◽  
Niya Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
World Health ◽  
Reference Level ◽  
Sperm Number ◽  
Potential Marker ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

Objectives. To study the associations between kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma and blood plasma and semen quality. Materials and Methods. We conducted a male reproductive health survey in June 2014. A total of 666 volunteers were recruited from colleges in Chongqing, China. All volunteers completed a questionnaire including information on domestic characteristics and some potential confounders. We tested the kisspeptin levels in both blood and seminal plasma. Total seminal kisspeptin was calculated as the concentration of kisspeptin in seminal plasma multiplied by semen volume. Semen samples were tested according to the 2010 World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines. Spearman correlation and multivariate linear regression were used to explore the association between kisspeptin concentrations in seminal plasma and blood plasma and semen quality. Potential confounders that were adjusted for included age, abstinence time, body mass index (BMI), grade, and smoking. Results. The median of kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma was 60,000 times higher than kisspeptin in blood plasma (28.0 × 106 pg/ml versus 448.9 pg/ml). Each interquartile range (IQR) of kisspeptin in seminal plasma was associated with a 4.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6%–7.6%) increase in sperm concentration. Each IQR of total kisspeptin was associated with a 7.7% (95% CI: 4.4%–11.0%) increase in total sperm number and a 7.8% (95% CI: 4.0%–11.7%) increase in total motile sperm count. Kisspeptin levels were further classified into quartiles and Q1 was set as the reference level. Subjects in the high total kisspeptin group had 57.5% (95% CI: 33.2%–86.2%) higher total sperm number than the reference group. Conclusion. The positive association between kisspeptin levels in seminal plasma and semen quality supported an important role for the KISS1/GPR54 system in male reproductive health. Kisspeptin may be a potential marker of male reproductive health and an alternative strategy for treating infertility.

scholarly journals Varicocele as one of the causes of the decreased male infertility

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
T. M. Sorokina ◽  
M. V. Andreeva ◽  
V. B. Chernykh ◽  
L. F. Kurilo
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Male Reproductive Health ◽  
Methods Of Treatment

Varicocele is one of the most common diseases of the male reproductive system. Despite the high prevalence of this pathology, the effect of varicocele on male fertility is still a controversial issue. Opinions of experts about the possible effects of varicocele on the male reproductive health, the causes and methods of treatment are contradictory, and the experimental data obtained often show directly opposed results. This article presents a review of the literature on the effects of varicocele on the male reproductive system and fertility.

scholarly journals Efeito da atividade física sobre a qualidade seminal

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47
Author(s):  
Leonardo Monteiro Nesello ◽  
Fábio Pasqualotto
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Physical Activity Intensity ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Male Reproductive Health ◽  
Intense Physical Activity

INTRODUÇÃO: A saúde reprodutora masculina pode ser influenciada devida à prática de atividade física, e com isso tem-se aumentado o número de estudos que analisam o efeito da atividade física na qualidade seminal. Descobertas apontam que mudanças significativas na qualidade do sêmen podem ocorrer com a prática de atividade física, que pode alterar sua qualidade de acordo com o tipo de atividade física, a intensidade e a duração. OBJETIVO: Neste contexto, o presente estudo realizou uma análise detalhada da literatura atual com o objetivo de verificar o efeito de diferentes atividades físicas sobre a saúde reprodutora masculina. MÉTODO: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática feita nas bases de dados do PubMed. Utilizou-se os itens propostos pelo PRISMA para a busca, seleção e extração de dados. De acordo com o fluxograma proposto, 244 artigos foram identificados e, destes, 12 foram selecionados. RESULTADOS: Apoiada por fortes evidências clínicas, esta revisão sugere que a atividade física intensa pode provocar fortes alterações hormonais e prejudicar a qualidade seminal. Já a atividade física moderada parece ter um efeito neutro ou benéfico para a qualidade do sêmen. Além disso, o efeito da atividade física na qualidade do sêmen pode ser diferente de acordo com o tipo de atividade física. CONCLUSÃO: Frente às evidências, ainda existe falta de conclusões sólidas sobre esse assunto, devido ao fato de existir muita contradição entre os estudos existentes e da atividade física não ser facilmente quantificada. ABSTRACT. Effect of physical activity on seminal quality, BACKGROUND: Male reproductive health may be influenced by physical activity, and this has increased the number of studies that analyze the effect of physical activity on seminal quality. Findings indicate that significant changes in semen quality can occur due to the practice of physical activity, which can alter its quality according to the type of physical activity, intensity and duration. OBJECTIVE: In this context, the present study performed a detailed analysis of the current literature with the objective of verifying the effect of different physical activity on male reproductive health. METHODS: A systematic review performed on the PubMed databases. The items proposed by PRISMA were used for searching, selecting and extracting data. According to the proposed flowchart, 244 articles were indentified and, of these, 12 were selected. RESULTS: Supported by strong clinical evidence, this review shows that intense physical activity can cause strong hormonal changes and impair seminal quality. On the other hand, moderate physical activity seems to have a neutral or beneficial effect on semen quality. In addition, the effect of physical activity on semen quality may differ according to the type of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Faced with the evidence, there is still a lack of solid conclusions on this subject, due to the fact that there is a lot of contradiction between the existing studies and that physical activity can not be easily quantified.

scholarly journals Environmental anti-androgens and male reproductive health: focus on phthalates and testicular dysgenesis syndrome

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane S Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Phthalate Esters ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome ◽  
Geographical Variations ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Testicular Dysgenesis ◽  
Male Reproductive Health

The amount of research into endocrine disruption has exploded over the past decade and a re-evaluation of the state of research in this area is timely. There are debates about whether human male reproductive health is really declining and whether endocrine disrupting chemicals play any role in the perceived decline. Most data currently conclude that there are wide geographical variations in semen quality and in the incidence of testicular cancer, cryptorchidism and hypospadias. This review aims to give a brief overview of the issues surrounding the perceived decline in human male reproductive health and the importance of the hormonal environment for the development of the testis and reproductive tract. The consequences for the male reproductive tract of abnormal androgen levels or action are discussed with reference to environmental anti-androgenic compounds. The in vivo data on several anti-androgenic compounds that have been administered to pregnant rodents during the period of male reproductive tract development are assessed with attention to the effects on the male offspring. Finally, the data on in utero phthalate administration are discussed in detail to illustrate the similarities between the effects of some phthalate esters and the human male reproductive tract disorders which comprise testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS).

Semen quality and male reproductive health: the controversy about human sperm concentration declineNote

Apmis ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 109 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Jouannet ◽  
Christina Wang ◽  
Florence Eustache ◽  
Tina Kold-Jensen ◽  
Jacques Auger
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Male Reproductive Health
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document