Steroids in semen, their role in spermatogenesis, and the possible impact of endocrine disruptors

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Hampl ◽  
Jana Kubátová ◽  
Vladimír Sobotka ◽  
Jiří Heráček
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Steroid Hormone Receptors

AbstractThe data on hormonal steroids in the human seminal plasma and their role in spermatogenesis are summarized. The seminal steroid levels need not correlate with the blood plasma levels. The recent reports showed that androgen, especially dihydrotestosterone, and the estrogen levels in the seminal fluid may be used as the markers of spermatogenesis impairment. The estradiol concentration in the seminal plasma was higher than in the blood plasma, and its levels were significantly increased in men with impaired spermatogenesis. A good indicator for predicting the normal spermatogenesis, therefore, seems to be the testosterone/estradiol ratio. The seminal plasma also contains significant amounts of cortisol, which influences the androgen biosynthesis through its receptors in the Leydig cells. The local balance between cortisol and inactive cortisone is regulated by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, the activity of which may be affected by the environmental chemicals acting as the endocrine disruptors (EDCs). These compounds are believed to participate in worsening the semen quality – the sperm count, motility, and morphology, as witnessed in the recent last decades. As to the steroids’ role in the testis, the EDCs may act as antiandrogens by inhibiting the enzymes of testosterone biosynthesis, as the agonists or antagonists through their interaction with the steroid hormone receptors, or at the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Surprisingly, though the EDCs affect the steroid action in the testis, there is no report of a direct association between the concentrations of steroids and the EDCs in the seminal fluid. Therefore, measuring the steroids in the semen, along with the various EDCs, could help us better understand the role of the EDCs in the male reproduction.

Structure-Based Virtual Screening of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) as Endocrine Disruptors of Androgen Receptor Activity Using Molecular Docking and Machine Learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azhagiya Singam Ettayapuram Ramaprasad ◽  
Phum Tachachartvanich ◽  
Denis Fourches ◽  
Anatoly Soshilov ◽  
Jennifer C.Y. Hsieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Steroid Hormone Receptors ◽  
Machine Learning Techniques ◽  
Support Vector ◽  
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ◽  
Perfluoroalkyl And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) pose a substantial threat as endocrine disruptors, and thus early identification of those that may interact with steroid hormone receptors, such as the androgen receptor (AR), is critical. In this study we screened 5,206 PFASs from the CompTox database against the different binding sites on the AR using both molecular docking and machine learning techniques. We developed support vector machine models trained on Tox21 data to classify the active and inactive PFASs for AR using different chemical fingerprints as features. The maximum accuracy was 95.01% and Matthew’s correlation coefficient (MCC) was 0.76 respectively, based on MACCS fingerprints (MACCSFP). The combination of docking-based screening and machine learning models identified 29 PFASs that have strong potential for activity against the AR and should be considered priority chemicals for biological toxicity testing.

scholarly journals What Is the Impact of Excessive Iodine and Semen Quality in Fertile Men of China: An Association Study 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Wang ◽  
Fang Lv ◽  
Ge Yu ◽  
Cuige Shi ◽  
Shangming Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Urinary Iodine ◽  
Iodine Concentration ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Semen Parameters ◽  
Human Thyroid ◽  
Urinary Iodine Concentration ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Iodine is an essential element for hormones synthesized by the human thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone deficiency affects all body tissues, including multiple endocrine changes that alter growth hormones, corticotrophin, glucocorticoids, and gonadal function. In many countries, subfertility is an important problem affecting about 10–15% of all couples trying to conceive. Male subfertile factors have accounted for 25–30% of all cases in their studies. The aim of this study was to study the correlation between urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and semen quality of fertile male in China.Methods: semen and urine samples were collected from males who attended a survey for the reproductive physiological constants of male and female in China. All participants were fertile and they should be free from diseases of male reproductive system and thyroid related diseases. We studied the correlation between UIC and semen quality parameters in fertile males and the effect of iodine concentration on male reproduction. Participants were divided into six groups based on UIC. We measured semen parameters and UIC. Semen parameters or time-to-pregnancy (TTP) were analyzed by Spearman correlation, linear regression and multivariable logistic regression. Results: 1089 men were recruited in the study. The mean and median age of participants were 27.46±0.12 and 27±3.88 years, respectively. UIC of 274 (25.16%) men was lower than the UIC of WHO recommended. UIC of 405 men located in the region of WHO recommended. 62.35% of them were not located in the optimal region. Semen concentration and total sperm count were found to decrease when UIC increases when the UIC≥100 ug/L. Conclusions: A male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC has more risk of lower semen quality such as sperm concentration and total sperm count. In addition, if a male with deficient UIC or excessive UIC, his wife has longer TTP than the males who had normal UIC. Deficient UIC associated with lower semen quality and TTP than excessive UIC.

Relationship between semen quality and seminal plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerols and proteins in the domestic cat

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 882-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
María F García ◽  
Romina Nuñez Favre ◽  
María C Stornelli ◽  
Ramiro Rearte ◽  
María C García Mitacek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between specific seminal plasma components – cholesterol (CHOL), triacylglycerols (TAG) and total protein (PROT) concentrations – and semen quality in cats. A further aim was to determine the relationship between specific seminal protein bands and semen quality. Methods Thirteen toms, 2–5 years of age, were included. Semen collection was performed by electroejaculation every 4 weeks. Fifty-eight ejaculates were assessed for motility, velocity, volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology. Samples were divided into two groups: good semen quality (GSQ) and poor semen quality (PSQ). After evaluation, seminal plasma was separated from the sperm by centrifugation and stored at −20°C. CHOL, TAG and PROT concentrations were then assessed and seminal plasma protein profile was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results Seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations, motility, velocity, sperm concentration, total sperm count and sperm morphology were significantly higher in GSQ cats compared with PSQ cats ( P <0.01). Moreover, seminal plasma SDS-PAGE analysis showed an identifiable extra band exclusively in the GSQ group. Conclusions and relevance Data obtained in this study showed that seminal plasma CHOL and TAG concentrations and specific protein bands could be used to improve semen evaluation in toms. In this sense, the 14 kDa protein band could be a valuable marker for semen quality in the cat and should be further investigated. However, more studies are necessary to determine its relationship with fertility.

Effect of Dietary Copper and Zinc Supplementation on Semen Quality of Murrah Bulls

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhradip Majumder ◽  
Manjula Thakur ◽  
Mukesh Bhakat ◽  
Manorama Saha ◽  
Tushar Kumar Mohanty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Sod Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
T1 And T2 ◽  
Cu And Zn ◽  
In Blood Plasma

The effect of dietary supplementation of Cu and Zn on semen quality parameters and certain bio-chemicals parameters were evaluated in Murrah bulls. Twelve mature Murrah bulls (4-6 years of age) were divided into three groups (n=4) T1, T2, and T3 based on semen volume and concentration and were fed as per ICAR standard (2013). However, the animals were supplemented with 0%, 25%, and 50% Cu and Zn above the basal diet in T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively for 180 days. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of semen, blood and seminal plasma antioxidant status, blood and semen minerals (Cu, Zn, Ca and Mn) were determined in experimental Murrah bulls. Semen ejaculate volume (mL) increased in T2 and T3 while sperm concentration (million/mL), intact acrosome (%), HOST reacted spermatozoa (%) increased in T3 group compared to T1 and T2 groups. No difference was observed in mass motility, pH, live spermatozoa (%) in semen sexual behaviour except dismounting time which was decreased in T3 than T1 and T2 (plessthan0.05). SOD activity in blood plasma and LPO activity decreased in seminal plasma in both T2 and T3 groups than T1, whereas catalase activity did not show any significant difference. Cu and Zn supplementation in T2 group improved plessthan0.05) Zn level in blood and seminal plasma and Cu level in blood plasma only, but not in seminal plasma. Therefore, it can be concluded that supplementation of Zn and Cu at 50% above the recommended levels of ICAR (2013) improved the qualitative and quantitative attributes of semen in Murrah bulls.

scholarly journals MiR-125b-2 Knockout in Testis Are Associated with Targeting to PAP Gene, Mitochondrial Copy Number and Impaired Sperm Quality

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Longlong Li ◽  
Yanling Zhu ◽  
Jiajie Sun ◽  
Ting Chen ◽  
Junyi Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Infertility ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Male Reproduction ◽  
Luciferase Assay ◽  
Cell Secretion ◽  
Mtdna Copy Number

microRNAs can cause male infertility by impacting sperm quality and impaired spermatogenesis. Since the miR-125 family plays an important role in regulating embryo development, but the function of miR-125b-2 in male reproduction remains unknown. In this study, we prepared a model of miR-125b knockout (KO) mice. Among the KO mice, the progeny test showed that litter sizes decreased significantly and the rate of non-parous females increased significantly (p&lt;0.05). At the same time, the testosterone concentration increased significantly (p&lt;0.01), with the remarkable decrease for estradiol (p&lt;0.05). Moreover, sperm count decreased obviously (p&lt;0.05) and the percentage of abnormal sperms increased significantly (p&lt;0.01). Testicular transcriptome sequencing demonstrated that there were 173 up-regulated genes, including Papolb (PAP), and 151 down-regulated genes in KO mice compared with wild type (WT). KEGG and GO analysis showed many of these genes were involved in sperm mitochondrial metabolism and other cellular biological processes. Meanwhile, the sperm mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) copy number was increased significantly (p&lt;0.01) in KO mice, but the integrity of mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) had no change. In the top 10 up-regulated genes, as a testis specific expressing gene, PAP can affect the process of spermatogenesis. Western blotting and Luciferase Assay validated that PAP was the target of miR-125b-5p. Intriguingly, we also found that both miR-125b and PAP were only highly expressed in germ cells (GC) instead of Leydig cells (LC) and Sertoli cells (SC), and miR-125b-5p could target PAP to regulate TM3 cell secretion of testosterone (p&lt;0.05). Our study firstly demonstrated that miR-125b-2 could regulate testosterone secretion by directly targeting PAP and increase sperm mtDNA copy number to affect semen quality. The study indicated that miR-125b-2 had a positive influence on the reproductive performance of animal and could be a potential therapeutic target for male infertility.

P–053 Concentration of bisphenol S in human seminal plasma negatively correlates with decreasing sperm concentration in ejaculate

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Franzová ◽  
M Ješeta ◽  
J Navrátilová ◽  
S Fialková ◽  
J Kalina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Statistical Evaluation ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Bisphenol S ◽  
Progressive Motility ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Study question Is there a relationship between concentration of bisphenol S in seminal fluid and spermiogram parameters? Summary answer Bisphenol S was detected in 81% of seminal plasma samples. Negative correlation was found between BPS concentration and total sperm count in normozoospermic men. What is known already Human spermatogenesis can be influenced by a range of chemicals present in our environment. Bisphenol S (BPS) is a very frequent compound commonly used as a softener in production of plastics, where it has replaced bisphenol A. It is an endocrine disruptor frequently associated with negative effects on reproduction. It has been observed that BPS can affect testicular development in rodent males. In addition, it has cytotoxic, reprotoxic and neurotoxic effects and induces the oxidative stress bringing negative effects on spermatogenesis. BPS has been detected in food, drinks or cosmetics. Its direct effect on spermatozoa or spermatogenesis is still unclear. Study design, size, duration A total of 38 patients (25 normozoospermic) aged 24 to 42 years, non-smokers, with BMI between 19,9–32,9 were included in this prospective study from 2018 to 2020. None of them had varicocele, urogenital infections or other urological problems. Their seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation. BPS was extracted using solvent extraction followed by preconcentration step. The samples were analysed on Agilent 6495 Triple Quadrupole. Two MS/MS transitions were used for quantitative LC-MS/MS analyses. Participants/materials, setting, methods All the men included in this study signed an informed consent and agreed with analyses of their samples. These analyses were approved by Ethical committee of University Hospital Brno. We evaluated the relationship between concentration of BPS in seminal plasma, sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility, morphology and fragmentation of DNA in spermatozoa. Statistical evaluation was performed by one individual one-dimensional regression model (p-value lower than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant). Main results and the role of chance The examination revealed the presence of BPS in 31 samples of seminal plasma (81% of all the samples). In 6 samples, the concentration was under level of detection and in one sample under level of quantification. In 7 samples, a very high concentration was detected (&gt;0.1 ng/ml). These values were then compared to spermiogram parameters and sperm DNA integrity. There were no significant differences between the concentration of BPS and morphology of spermatozoa, progressive motility and total motility. In case of the DNA integrity, the opposite trend was observed, lower proportions of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA were found in samples with higher concentrations of BPS. Evaluation of sperm concentration and BPS concentration showed relationship of increasing BPS concentration with significantly lower sperm concentration, the differences were most obvious when only the normozoospermic men were compared. Evaluation of BPS concentration and total sperm count revealed the same trend with statistically significant difference in the category of normozoospermic men. Due to the small number of samples, a negative effect of extreme values on the statistical evaluation cannot be excluded. Currently, more analyses focused on detection of BPS in seminal plasma are carried out in order to obtain sufficiently larger data set. Limitations, reasons for caution A limitation is the number of samples included and analysed in this study, which slightly reduced the power of statistical analysis. Wider implications of the findings: These results document that BPS was present in 81% of analysed samples. Knowing the concentration of BPS in seminal fluid is important for understandig of impact of BPS on male fertility. Our future work will be focused on detection of other bisphenols in seminal plasma. Trial registration number MH CZ – DRO (FNBr, 65269705), AZV NV18–01–00544, Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_074/0012727)

Hydroxy-selenomethionine as an organic source of selenium in the diet improves boar reproductive performance in artificial insemination programs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula P Pavaneli ◽  
Cristian H G Martinez ◽  
Denis H Nakasone ◽  
Ana Carolina Pedrosa ◽  
Maitê V Mendonça ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Gpx Activity ◽  
Organic Source

Abstract This study aimed to compare different selenium (Se) sources in the diet on boar's semen quality and fertility. For this, 28 boars aged 8 to 28 months were fed with the following dietary treatments for 95 days: 0.3 mg Se/kg as sodium selenite (SS, n = 14) and 0.3 mg Se/kg as hydroxy-selenomethionine (OH-SeMet, n = 14). During this period, two experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, the semen of all boars was evaluated every 2 weeks. Raw semen was initially evaluated for the processing of seminal doses, which were stored at 17 °C for 72 h, followed by sperm quality assessments. Furthermore, Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured in the seminal plasma. In experiment 2, 728 females were inseminated weekly with seminal doses from boars of the different experimental groups to further assess in vivo fertility and litter characteristics. Results demonstrated that boars fed OH-SeMet had more Se in their seminal plasma (p &lt; 0.05), showing the greater bioavailability of the organic source in the male reproductive system. Moreover, boars fed OH-SeMet tended (p &lt; 0.10) towards a higher total sperm count in the ejaculate (66.60 vs. 56.57 × 10 9 sperm), and the number of seminal doses (22.11 vs. 18.86; 3 × 10 9 sperm/dose) when compared to those fed SS. No effect of the dietary treatments was observed on GPx activity in seminal plasma (p &gt; 0.05), as well as on raw and stored semen quality (p &gt; 0.05). Under in vivo conditions, seminal doses from boars fed OH-SeMet tended (p &lt; 0.10) towards a higher pregnancy rate at weeks 3, 5, and 8, and also resulted in a higher (p &lt; 0.05) percentage of pregnant females in the overall period (99.30 vs. 97.00). In conclusion, the replacement of SS with OH-SeMet in boars' diet can improve sperm production and results in better reproductive performance for them, bringing greater productivity and profitability to artificial insemination centers and commercial pig farms.

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 RANKL regulates male reproductive function

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Blomberg Jensen ◽  
Christine Hjorth Andreassen ◽  
Anne Jørgensen ◽  
John Erik Nielsen ◽  
Li Juel Mortensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Wild Type Mouse ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Male Reproductive Function ◽  
Infertile Men ◽  
Sperm Counts

AbstractInfertile men have few treatment options. Here, we demonstrate that the transmembrane receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) signaling system is active in mouse and human testis. RANKL is highly expressed in Sertoli cells and signals through RANK, expressed in most germ cells, whereas the RANKL-inhibitor osteoprotegerin (OPG) is expressed in germ and peritubular cells. OPG treatment increases wild-type mouse sperm counts, and mice with global or Sertoli-specific genetic suppression of Rankl have increased male fertility and sperm counts. Moreover, RANKL levels in seminal fluid are high and distinguishes normal from infertile men with higher specificity than total sperm count. In infertile men, one dose of Denosumab decreases RANKL seminal fluid concentration and increases serum Inhibin-B and anti-Müllerian-hormone levels, but semen quality only in a subgroup. This translational study suggests that RANKL is a regulator of male reproductive function, however, predictive biomarkers for treatment-outcome requires further investigation in placebo-controlled studies.

Antiandrogens as environmental endocrine disruptors¤

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Kelce ◽  
L. E. Gray ◽  
E. M. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Environmental Chemicals ◽  
Steroid Hormone Receptors ◽  
Environmental Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
And Function

Steroid hormone receptors control fundamental events in embryonic development and sex differentiation through their function as ligand-inducible transcription factors. The consequences of disrupting these processes can be especially profound during development due to the crucial role hormones play in controlling transient and irreversible developmental processes. Several environmental chemicals, including metabolites of the fungicide vinclozolin and the pesticide DDT, disrupt male reproductive development and function by inhibiting androgen receptor mediated events. A variety of in vitro and in vivo approaches have been used to determine the molecular basis of environmental antiandrogen toxicity. These chemicals commonly bind androgen receptor with moderate affinity and act as antagonists by inhibiting transcription of androgen dependent genes.

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