scholarly journals Association between GH receptor polymorphism (exon 3 deletion), serum IGF1, semen quality, and reproductive hormone levels in 838 healthy young men

2014 ◽  
Vol 170 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Andreassen ◽  
R B Jensen ◽  
N Jørgensen ◽  
A Juul

IntroductionGH activity may be involved in male reproductive function. A common genetic polymorphism in the gene encoding the GH receptor (GHR) results in deletion of the entire exon 3 sequence (GHRd3 isoform). The short GHRd3/d3 isoform seems more sensitive compared with full-length receptors (GHRfl/fl).AimTo investigate the associations between GH activity, evaluated by exon 3 GHR polymorphism, and serum IGF1 vs reproductive hormones, semen quality, and pre- and postnatal growth in healthy young males (n=838, mean age: 19.4 years).ResultsCompared with GHRfl/fl homozygous individuals (n=467) GHRd3/d3 homozygous individuals (n=69) tended to have larger semen volume (3.2 (2.4–4.3) vs 3.6 (2.6–4.7) ml, P=0.053) and higher serum inhibin-B levels (208 pg/ml (158–257) vs 227 pg/ml (185–264), P=0.050). Semen quality, levels of gonadotropins, testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, and IGF1 were not associated with GHRd3 genotype.A twofold increase in serum IGF1 was associated with a 13% (4–23) increase in calculated free testosterone (P=0.004). By contrast IGF1 was inversely associated with serum inhibin-B (P=0.027), but showed no associations to semen quality. GHR genotype and serum IGF1 were not associated with size at birth or final height.ConclusionsGHRd3 polymorphism seemed only to have a weak influence on male reproductive function of borderline significance. The sensitive GHRd3/d3 genotype may slightly increase testicular function, as evaluated by semen volume and levels of inhibin-B, but does not seem to influence Leydig cell steroidogenesis. GHR genotype did not influence pre- and postnatal growth.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tchoula Mamiafo Corinne ◽  
Pieme Constant Anatole ◽  
Ngogang Yonkeu Jeanne

Objective. Hormones play a vital role in initiating and maintaining male reproductive function. The present study explores the influence and predictive ability of two reproductive hormones on semen quality among men who were partners in an infertile couple. Design. During our cross sectional study, men were recruited from private and public hospital and laboratories for clinical evaluation of fertility status. Methods. Fresh semen samples were assessed for quality (concentration, motility and morphology) according to the 2010 World Health Organization manual and the serum levels of hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Inhibin B was measured (ELISA). Results. We found a significant difference in the two groups regarding sperm concentration (p<0.0001), total sperm count (p<0.0001), progressive motility (p<0.0001), vitality (p<0.0001) and the percentage of normal forms (p=0.043). We found a strong and negative correlation between FSH and Inhibin B in the overall population, the normozoospermic reference group and the case group. Our study confirmed that Inhibin B was significantly and positively correlated with sperm concentration and leucocytes, and that FSH was negatively correlated to sperm concentration and vitality. Conclusion. Consistent with other studies, our results show strong association between semen quality and FSH and Inhibin B.


2004 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 4397-4402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunilla Malm ◽  
Trine B. Haugen ◽  
Trine Henrichsen ◽  
Cathrine Bjørsvik ◽  
Tom Grotmol ◽  
...  

Seasonal, daylight-dependent variation in human spermatozoa counts, with lowest values during summer, has been suggested. To test this hypothesis, we performed a longitudinal study of semen quality and reproductive hormone levels in Norwegian men living north and south of the Arctic Circle. An ejaculate and a serum specimen were obtained both in summer and in winter from 92 volunteers in Tromsoe (69° north latitude) and 112 in Oslo (60° north latitude). Semen analyses were performed, and serum was assayed for FSH and inhibin B. The median spermatozoa concentration in Tromsoe after adjustment for abstinence period length was 49 × 106/ml in summer and 54 × 106/ml in winter. Corresponding values for Oslo were 59 × 106/ml and 54 × 106/ml. The seasonal differences in spermatozoa concentration were not statistically significant, nor were significant differences observed in median total spermatozoa count, semen volume, percentage progressive motile spermatozoa, or FSH. In Tromsoe, but not Oslo, inhibin B concentration was slightly, but significantly (P = 0.02) higher in winter than summer (229 ng/liter vs. 223 ng/liter). The length of the daylight period may have a slight impact on hormonal markers of spermatogenesis but does not cause substantial changes in spermatozoa numbers and motility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Motamedifar ◽  
Yalda Malekzadegan ◽  
Parisa Namdari ◽  
Behzad Dehghani ◽  
Bahia Namavar Jahromi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Infertility considered as a social and public health issue and estimated that most of these infertile couples are residents of developing countries. Infectious diseases including the history of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) may impact on male reproductive function. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contaminants of semen and probable association with sperm quality of infertile men in Iranian population. Methods: The study population consisted of 200 infertile men and 150 fertile men attending an infertility Center in southwestern Iran during the study period in 2015. The assessment of sperm parameters was according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The presumptive pathogens were identified using standard microbiology tests and confirmed by specific PCR primers. Results: The prevalence of bacteriospermia in the semen of the infertile group was significantly higher than that in the fertile group (48% vs. 26.7%, P <0.001). The microbiological analysis of samples showed that the most abundant species of bacteria in semen of infertile men were Chlamydia trachomatis (12.5%) followed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (11%). On the other hand, in the control group, Lactobacillus spp. (17.3%) was the most isolated pathogen. Results showed that the presence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Haemophilus, and Klebsiella was significantly associated with sperm abnormality. Conclusion: Based on our findings, it seems that bacteriospermia is associated with alterations in the properties of semen which may lead to a decrease in the fertilization potential of sperm. Therefore, immediate and appropriate treatment is necessary before investigating every other possible cause of infertility.


Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Thepot ◽  
J.B. Weitzman ◽  
J. Barra ◽  
D. Segretain ◽  
M.G. Stinnakre ◽  
...  

JunD is one of three mammalian Jun proteins that contribute to the AP-1 transcription factor complex. Distinct regulation and functions have been proposed for each Jun member, but less is known about the biological functions of each of these proteins in vivo. To investigate the role of JunD, we have inactivated the murine gene by replacement with a bacterial lacZ reporter gene. Embryonic JunD expression was initially detected in the developing heart and cardiovascular system. Subsequent broadening phases of JunD expression were observed during embryonic development and expression in the adult was widespread in many tissues and cell lineages. Mutant animals lack JunD mRNA and protein and showed no evidence of upregulation of c-Jun and JunB mRNA levels. In contrast to the other two Jun members, homozygous JunD−/− mutant animals were viable and appeared healthy. However, homozygous JunD−/− animals showed a reduced postnatal growth. Furthermore, JunD−/− males exhibited multiple age-dependent defects in reproduction, hormone imbalance and impaired spermatogenesis with abnormalities in head and flagellum sperm structures. No defects in fertility were observed in JunD−/− female animals. These results provide evidence for redundant functions for members of the Jun family during development and specific functions for JunD in male reproductive function.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faustin Pascal Tsagué Manfo ◽  
Cathérine Harthé ◽  
Edouard Akono Nantia ◽  
Henri Dechaud ◽  
Angèle Nkouatchoua Tchana ◽  
...  

The consequences of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on male reproductive function were studied in two populations from Cameroon, farmers using agro pesticides in Djutitsa (rural area) and townsmen in Yaoundé (urban area, Centre region). Urinary BPA concentration from all participants was measured, and the values were correlated with biochemical markers of male reproductive function. The data showed that BPA could be detected in 92.6% of urine participants, with an average concentration of 2.18 ± 1.97 µg/g creatinine but with no significant difference between the urinary BPA concentration from rural and urban populations. From BPA urinary concentration, the BPA average daily intake was estimated to be 0.06 ± 0.05 μg/kg/day (3.51 µg/day per individual) in the Cameroon population. Interestingly, free and bioavailable testosterone concentrations and estradiol/testosterone ratio correlated with BPA levels in the overall population. When data were analysed according to residence, BPA correlated with total testosterone levels ( r = −0.433) and estradiol/testosterone ratio ( r = 0.338) in the urban residents only, while the rural population exhibited significant increases in sex-hormone-binding globulin with increased BPA exposure. Our data showed that the male Cameroon population is exposed to BPA but that inconstant BPA association to endocrine reproductive markers suggests that other environmental factors in combination with BPA exposure might influence testicular function.


2006 ◽  
Vol 155 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S51-S57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina M Main ◽  
Jorma Toppari ◽  
Niels E Skakkebæk

Background: The intrauterine milieu plays a crucial role for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adulthood, but little is known about its impact on gonadal development and reproduction. Impaired testis development in fetal life can lead to cryptorchidism, hypospadias, impaired semen quality, and testicular cancer, disorders that may present symptoms of a testicular dysgenesis syndrome. The prevalence of these disorders appears to increase in many areas, probably due to environmental factors acting in utero. Denmark has a significantly higher incidence of testicular cancer and lower sperm quality than Finland. Methods: We conducted a population-based study of newborn boys from Denmark and Finland, in order to examine whether this geographic difference was reflected in the reproductive health of newborns. Results: Danish boys had a lower testis volume at birth, a smaller testis growth up to 18 months of age and lower serum inhibin B and FSH levels at 3 months than Finnish. Danish boys also had a higher prevalence of both cryptorchidism and hypospadias than Finnish boys. In boys with cryptorchidism and hypospadias subtle changes in hormonal levels occurred, towards increased gonadotropins and lower inhibin B in cryptorchidism. Both types of congenital malformations were more frequent in children born small for gestational age, indicative of a relationship between growth and reproductive development. Conclusions: These early postnatal findings suggest that the previously observed population differences in reproductive health between young Danish and Finnish men are of fetal origin. The differences may originate as a result of gene–environment interactions, where endocrine disrupters may also play a role.


2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 1827-1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandini Shankara-Narayana ◽  
Christopher Yu ◽  
Sasha Savkovic ◽  
Reena Desai ◽  
Carolyn Fennell ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Androgen abuse impairs male reproductive and cardiac function, but the rate, extent, and determinants of recovery are not understood. Objective To investigate recovery of male reproductive and cardiac function after ceasing androgen intake in current and past androgen abusers compared with healthy non-users. Methods Cross-sectional, observational study recruited via social media 41 current and 31 past users (≥3 months since last use, median 300 days since last use) with 21 healthy, eugonadal non-users. Each provided a history, examination, and serum and semen sample and underwent testicular ultrasound, body composition analysis, and cardiac function evaluation. Results Current abusers had suppressed reproductive function and impaired cardiac systolic function and lipoprotein parameters compared with non- or past users. Past users did not differ from non-users, suggesting full recovery of suppressed reproductive and cardiac functions after ceasing androgen abuse, other than residual reduced testicular volume. Mean time to recovery was faster for reproductive hormones (anti-Mullerian hormone [AMH], 7.3 months; luteinizing hormone [LH], 10.7 months) than for sperm variables (output, 14.1 months) whereas spermatogenesis (serum follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], inhibin B, inhibin) took longer. The duration of androgen abuse was the only other variable associated with slower recovery of sperm output (but not hormones). Conclusion Suppressed testicular and cardiac function due to androgen abuse is effectively fully reversible (apart from testis volume and serum sex hormone binding globulin) with recovery taking between 6 to 18 months after ceasing androgen intake with possible cumulative effects on spermatogenesis. Suppressed serum AMH, LH, and FSH represent convenient, useful, and underutilized markers of recovery from androgen abuse.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julieta B Grosso ◽  
Luciana Zoff ◽  
Karina L Calvo ◽  
María Belén Maraval ◽  
Mariana Perez ◽  
...  

Abstract Decreased fertility is becoming an important social and medical problem and the male factor is involved in at least half of infertility cases. Since conventional semen analysis provides limited prediction of male fertility; in this work, we evaluated the potential use of seminal small RNAs (sRNA) as markers of semen quality in ART. Our bioinformatic analyses of available sRNA-seq databases showed that the most abundant sRNA species in seminal plasma of normozoospermic men are tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), a novel class of regulatory sRNAs. These molecules not only exert their function within cells but also are released into the extracellular environment where they could carry out signaling functions. To evaluate whether the assessment of seminal tRFs in normozoospermic men has a predictive value for the clinical outcome in ART, we performed a prospective study with couples who underwent ICSI cycles with donated oocytes. The results obtained demonstrated that levels of 5’tRF-Glu-CTC, 5’tRF-Lys-CTT, and 5’tRF-Gly-GCC are significantly elevated in seminal samples from cases with repeated failed ICSI cycles, suggesting a potential association between increased seminal tRFs and unexplained male infertility. Interestingly, these tRFs showed a negative association with seminal testosterone, highlighting their involvement in male endocrinology. Our findings also suggest that tRFs could play a role in modulating male reproductive function in response to physiological stress since they showed significant associations with the levels of sperm DNA fragmentation in couples that achieved pregnancy but not in cases with failed ICSI cycles where seminal cortisol levels correlate with sperm quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Blomberg Jensen ◽  
Christine Hjorth Andreassen ◽  
Anne Jørgensen ◽  
John Erik Nielsen ◽  
Li Juel Mortensen ◽  
...  

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. e11-e24
Author(s):  
Józków Paweł ◽  
Medras Marek ◽  
Szmigiero Leszek ◽  
Słowinska-Lisowska Małgorzata ◽  
Lwow Felicja

Background and ObjectiveHormonal measurements play an important role in the evaluation of male fertility potential. In men without hypogonadism, the impact of androgen status on semen is rarely analyzed.Material and MethodsWe evaluated associations between parameters of the pituitary-gonadal axis: luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), calculated testosterone (TC), bioavailable testosterone (TB), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, and semen quality parameters in healthy young men.ResultsIn our study group, sperm concentration and sperm count were associated with FSH and FT. The percentage of immotile sperm was associated with LH and T. The percentage of vital sperm was negatively related to LH. We identified negative, independent associations between T and semen volume (p<0.026) and TC and semen volume (p<0.025). We observed negative, independent association between FSH, FT, and total sperm count (both P<0.002) and between FT and the percentage of normal forms (P<0.012). There were positive associations between LH and T and the percentage of immotile sperm (P<0.007 and P<0.034, respectively). There were no relationships between sperm morphology parameters and the parameters of the pituitary-gonadal axis.ConclusionIn healthy eugonadal men, variations in FSH, LH, T, and FT (within normal limits) are reflected in semen characteristics but not in sperm morphology features.


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