Liver X Receptors and Male (In)fertility

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors acting as ‘cholesterol sensors’ to regulate lipid homeostasis in cells. The two isoforms, LXRα (NR1H3) and LXRβ (NR1H2), are differentially expressed, with the former expressed predominantly in metabolically active tissues and the latter more ubiquitously. Both are activated by oxidised cholesterol metabolites, endogenously produced oxysterols. LXRs have important roles in lipid metabolism and inflammation, plus a number of newly emerging roles. They are implicated in regulating lipid balance in normal male reproductive function and may provide a link between male infertility and lipid disorders and/or obesity. Studies from Lxr knockout mouse models provide compelling evidence to support this. More recently published data suggest distinct and overlapping roles of the LXR isoforms in the testis and recent evidence of a role for LXRs in human male fertility. This review summarises the current literature and explores the likely link between LXR, lipid metabolism and male fertility as part of a special issue on Liver X receptors in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

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Sperm Lipid Markers of Male Fertility in Mammals

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22168767 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (16) ◽

pp. 8767

Author(s):

Shuwen Shan ◽

Fangzheng Xu ◽

Marc Hirschfeld ◽

Bertram Brenig

Keyword(s):

Plasma Membrane ◽

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Acrosome Reaction ◽

Membrane Lipids ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Cellular Processes ◽

Male Reproductive Function ◽

Sperm Plasma Membrane ◽

Mammalian Spermatozoa

Sperm plasma membrane lipids are essential for the function and integrity of mammalian spermatozoa. Various lipid types are involved in each key step within the fertilization process in their own yet coordinated way. The balance between lipid metabolism is tightly regulated to ensure physiological cellular processes, especially referring to crucial steps such as sperm motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction or fusion. At the same time, it has been shown that male reproductive function depends on the homeostasis of sperm lipids. Here, we review the effects of phospholipid, neutral lipid and glycolipid homeostasis on sperm fertilization function and male fertility in mammals.

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The mechanisms involved in obesity-induced male infertility

Current Diabetes Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573399816666200819114032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Author(s):

Hamed Heydari ◽

Rafighe Ghiasi ◽

Saber Ghaderpour ◽

Rana Keyhanmanesh

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Metabolic Disease ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Disease Development ◽

Significant Evidence ◽

Male Reproductive Function ◽

Negative Effect ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Introduction: Obesity resulted by imbalance between the intake of energy and energy consumption can lead to growth and metabolic disease development in people. Both in obese men and animal models, several studies indicate that obesity leads to male infertility. Objective: This review has discussed some mechanisms involved in obesity-induced male infertility. Method: Online documents were searched through Science Direct, Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar websites dating from 1959 to recognize studies on obesity, kisspeptin, leptin, and infertility. Results: Obesity induced elevated inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress can affect male reproductive functions including spermatogenesis disorders, reduced male fertility power and hormones involved in hypothalamus-pituitarygonadal axis. Conclusion: There is significant evidence that obesity resulted in male infertility. obesity has negative effect on male reproductive function via several mechanisms such as inflammation and oxidative stress.

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Role of Selenium and Selenoproteins in Male Reproductive Function: A Review of Past and Present Evidences

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox8080268 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (8) ◽

pp. 268 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Izhar Hyder Qazi ◽

Christiana Angel ◽

Haoxuan Yang ◽

Evangelos Zoidis ◽

Bo Pan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Fertility ◽

Defense Mechanisms ◽

Antioxidant Defense ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Vital Role ◽

Biologically Relevant ◽

Male Reproductive Function ◽

The Subject

Selenium (Se) is an important trace mineral having many essential roles at the cellular and organismal levels in animal and human health. The biological effects of Se are mainly carried out by selenoproteins (encoded by 25 genes in humans and 24 in mice). As an essential component of selenoproteins, Se performs structural and enzymic roles; in the latter context it is well known for its catalytic and antioxidative functions. Studies involving different animal models have added great value to our understanding regarding the potential implications of Se and selenoproteins in mammalian fertility and reproduction. In this review, we highlight the implications of selenoproteins in male fertility and reproduction followed by the characteristic biological functions of Se and selenoproteins associated with overall male reproductive function. It is evident from observations of past studies (both animal and human) that Se is essentially required for spermatogenesis and male fertility, presumably because of its vital role in modulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms and other essential biological pathways and redox sensitive transcription factors. However, bearing in mind the evidences from mainstream literature, it is also advisable to perform more studies focusing on the elucidation of additional roles played by the peculiar and canonical selenoproteins i.e., glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and selenoprotein P (SELENOP) in the male reproductive functions. Nevertheless, search for the elucidation of additional putative mechanisms potentially modulated by other biologically relevant selenoproteins should also be included in the scope of future studies. However, as for the implication of Se in fertility and reproduction in men, though a few clinical trials explore the effects of Se supplementation on male fertility, due to inconsistencies in the recruitment of subjects and heterogeneity of designs, the comparison of such studies is still complicated and less clear. Therefore, further research focused on the roles of Se and selenoproteins is awaited for validating the evidences at hand and outlining any therapeutic schemes intended for improving male fertility. As such, new dimensions could be added to the subject of male fertility and Se supplementation.

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Liver X receptors at the intersection of lipid metabolism and atherogenesis

Atherosclerosis ◽

10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.06.042 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 242 (1) ◽

pp. 29-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Stephen D. Lee ◽

Peter Tontonoz

Keyword(s):

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Liver X Receptors ◽

X Receptors

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ROLE OF GUT MICROBIOTA IN LIPID METABOLISM

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i4.23953 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 4 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Khrystyna Kvit ◽

Viacheslav Kharchenko

Keyword(s):

Lipid Metabolism ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Blood Lipids ◽

Published Data ◽

Long Time ◽

Lipid Balance ◽

The Relationship

Researchers have studied the connection between cholesterol and microbiota for a long time. The results of widely published data demonstrate that the relationship between the lipid balance of the blood and the composition of the intestinal microbiota is apparent. The oblective of this study was, we tried to find the path through which this connection is carried out. Furthermore, the aim was to analyze the studies, which demonstrate the decrease of blood lipids as the result of different prebiotics and probiotics prescribtion. Also, the screening of different data from previous years was done for comparing the changes in the pathogenesis.

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Chlamydial Infection and Its Role in Male Infertility

Advances in Andrology ◽

10.1155/2014/307950 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mary K. Samplaski ◽

Trustin Domes ◽

Keith A. Jarvi

Keyword(s):

Male Fertility ◽

Reproductive Potential ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Chlamydia Infection ◽

Sperm Dna Fragmentation ◽

Infertile Male ◽

Male Population ◽

Male Reproductive Function ◽

Infertile Men ◽

The Impact

Introduction. Chlamydia trachomatis is an established cause of tubal factor infertility; however its role in male fertility is not as clear. We sought to determine the prevalence of Chlamydia in infertile men and evaluate its impact on male reproductive potential. Materials and Methods. We compared the incidence of Chlamydia in our infertile male population with that reported in the literature. We then reviewed the impact of Chlamydia infection on male fertility. Results. The incidence of Chlamydia infection in our population of infertile men was 0.3%. There is considerable variability in the reported incidence, likely due to variation in the population studied, and detection technique. The optimal testing method and sample are presently unclear. The effect of Chlamydia on male reproductive function is also variable in the literature, but appears to be relatively minimal and may be related primarily to sperm DNA fragmentation or female partner transmission. Conclusions. The prevalence of Chlamydia in the infertile male population is low and routine testing is not supported by the literature. For high-risk infertile men, nucleic acid testing of urine +/− semen is the most sensitive method to detect Chlamydia. A validated testing system for semen needs to be developed, so that a standardized methodology can be recommended. In this way the full implications of Chlamydia on male fertility can be elucidated.

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