Disorders of Puberty: Endocrinology of the Pre-Pubertal Testis

Male infertility is a widespread condition among western countries. Meta-regression data show that sperm concentration and total sperm count have halved in the last decades. The reasons of this decline are still unclear. The evaluation of testicular function in pre-pubertal children may be effective in the timely detection of Sertoli cell (SC) disfunction, which anticipates the diagnosis of male infertility. The aim of this Special Issue is to gather together in vitro evidence on SC physiology, causes of SC dysfunction, and to suggest a practical approach to be adopted in children.

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Varying dose–response characteristics of different immunoassays and an in-vitro bioassay for FSH are responsible for changing ratios of biologically active to immunologically active FSH

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1270523 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 127 (3) ◽

pp. 523-532 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

F. Jockenhövel ◽

S. A. Khan ◽

E. Nieschlag

Keyword(s):

Sertoli Cell ◽

Dose Response ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Testicular Function ◽

In Vitro Bioassay ◽

Great Caution ◽

Response Characteristics ◽

Infertile Men

ABSTRACT Serum FSH levels in fertile and infertile men were determined by applying the Sertoli cell in-vitro bioassay and six different immunoassays. Bioassay and immunoassay estimates were significantly correlated (r ranging from 0·78 to 0·86; P<0·01). On average, all immunoassays measured lower FSH concentrations in samples with low FSH levels and higher FSH concentrations in those with high FSH levels compared with the bioassay. Ratios of bioactivity to immunoreactivity (B/I) were highest in fertile men and lowest in men with severe disturbances of testicular function. Depending on which immunoassay was used these differences were either significant or only marginal. Dose–response characteristics for WHO FSH standard preparation 78/549, used in the bioassay as well as in the immunoassays, were different between immunoassays and the bioassay, suggesting that decreasing B/I ratios with increasing FSH serum levels were method-related and reflected different slopes of the dose–response characteristics of the assays, rather than being true changes in the molecular composition of FSH. The present investigation underlines the necessity of choosing the immunoassay used for comparison with the bioassay carefully and of validating the system in regard to parallelism between dose–response characteristics. B/I ratios must be interpreted with great caution and previous studies which report changing B/I ratios in various endocrine situations may have to be reevaluated. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 127, 523–532

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Testis-Specific SEPT12 Expression Affects SUN Protein Localization and is Involved in Mammalian Spermiogenesis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20051163 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 1163 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chung-Hsin Yeh ◽

Ya-Yun Wang ◽

Shi-Kae Wee ◽

Mei-Feng Chen ◽

Han-Sun Chiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Nuclear Membrane ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Protein Localization ◽

Cancer Cell Line ◽

Structural Defects ◽

Preimplantation Embryos ◽

Severe Oligozoospermia ◽

Vitro Fertilization

Male infertility is observed in approximately 50% of all couples with infertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a conventional artificial reproductive technique for treating male infertility, may fail because of a severe low sperm count, immotile sperm, immature sperm, and sperm with structural defects and DNA damage. Our previous studies have revealed that mutations in the septin (SEPT)-coding gene SEPT12 cause teratozoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. These spermatozoa exhibit morphological defects in the head and tail, premature chromosomal condensation, and nuclear damage. Sperm from Sept12 knockout mice also cause the developmental arrest of preimplantation embryos generated through in vitro fertilization and ICSI. Furthermore, we found that SEPT12 interacts with SPAG4, a spermatid nuclear membrane protein that is also named SUN4. Loss of the Spag4 allele in mice also disrupts the integration nuclear envelope and reveals sperm head defects. However, whether SEPT12 affects SPAG4 during mammalian spermiogenesis remains unclear. We thus conducted this study to explore this question. First, we found that SPAG4 and SEPT12 exhibited similar localizations in the postacrosomal region of elongating spermatids and at the neck of mature sperm through isolated murine male germ cells. Second, SEPT12 expression altered the nuclear membrane localization of SPAG4, as observed through confocal microscopy, in a human testicular cancer cell line. Third, SEPT12 expression also altered the localizations of nuclear membrane proteins: LAMINA/C in the cells. This effect was specifically due to the expression of SEPT12 and not that of SEPT1, SEPT6, SEPT7, or SEPT11. Based on these results, we suggest that SEPT12 is among the moderators of SPAG4/LAMIN complexes and is involved in the morphological formation of sperm during mammalian spermiogenesis.

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The Impact of Radiofrequency Waves on Male Infertility: A Systematic Review

Shiraz E-Medical Journal ◽

10.5812/semj.101741 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Author(s):

Leili Darvish ◽

Azadeh Amraee ◽

Marjan Akhavan Amjadi ◽

Zahra Atarodi Kashani ◽

Masoumeh Ghazanfarpour ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Membrane Integrity ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Negative Effects ◽

The Impact

Context: As the use of cellphones and other electronic devices increases, concerns about the possible effect of radiofrequency waves on health are growing. Long-term use of the cellphone may have negative effects on sperm quality. Objectives: The purpose of this research was to examine men's infertility due to the effect of radiofrequency waves. Methods: In this systematic review, language restrictions were not considered in searching the databases. Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest, CINAHL, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and Scopus were used to obtain the data from them. All data were scanned from the year 2000 until 2019. Papers selected for retrieval were evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa and CONSORT scales. Results: A total of 14 articles that met the inclusion criteria were ultimately assessed. Motile sperm, sperm vitality and membrane integrity, morphology, volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, and sperm fertility were found to be influenced by radiofrequency waves. Conclusions: The results showed that RF has detrimental effects on semen parameters and due to an increase in RF wave use currently and its role in male infertility, giving information to men about adverse complications of RF is necessary. Further studies are needed to design the less harmful devices.

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The Efficacy and Safety of Letrozole or Anastrozole in The Treatment of Specific Male Infertility Patients: Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1084887/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bin Guo ◽

Jiao-jiao Li ◽

Ya-ling Ma ◽

Yu-tao Zhao ◽

Jian-guo Liu

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Testosterone Undecanoate ◽

Testosterone Levels ◽

Infertility Patients

Abstract Background: Letrozole (LE) or anastrozole (AZ) is clinically beneficial in male infertility patients with a low testosterone-estradiol ratio (T/E2). Many scholars believe it has the potential to become one of the effective drugs to treat male infertility. But some relevant research results are different or even the opposite. Study Question: The purpose of this report is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of letrozole or anastrozole in the treatment of specific male infertility patients. Data Sources: We performed a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang Date through August 2021 for all studies.Study Design: We conducted a systematic review with meta- analysis of the all available literature reporting sperm conventional parameters, gonadotropin and testosterone levels, and/or the pregnancy rate. Results: The total of 10 studies involving 280 patients were included. LE or AZ administration increased significantly sperm concentration, total sperm count, and serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone levels and T / E2 compared with baseline values, but E2 levels were significantly reduced. In contrast, LE or AZ did not have any significant effect on sperm concentration and motility and pregnancy rate, but improved total sperm count, sperm morphology, compared to the control group, which included studies done with Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SEMR) or testosterone undecanoate (TU). Conclusion: LE or AZ may be effective in the treatment of low T / E2 male infertility, perhaps better than other anti-estrogen or exogenous testosterone supplementation. In addition, we should pay special attention to the changes of E2 during treatment.

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Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of testis pathology and Sertoli cell epimutations: generational origins of male infertility

Environmental Epigenetics ◽

10.1093/eep/dvz013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ingrid Sadler-Riggleman ◽

Rachel Klukovich ◽

Eric Nilsson ◽

Daniel Beck ◽

Yeming Xie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Sertoli Cell ◽

Sertoli Cells ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Cell Function ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Environmental Toxicants ◽

Transgenerational Inheritance ◽

Disease Etiology ◽

General Decline

Abstract Male reproductive health has been in decline for decades with dropping sperm counts and increasing infertility, which has created a significant societal and economic burden. Between the 1970s and now, a general decline of over 50% in sperm concentration has been observed in the population. Environmental toxicant-induced epigenetic transgenerational inheritance has been shown to affect testis pathology and sperm count. Sertoli cells have an essential role in spermatogenesis by providing physical and nutritional support for developing germ cells. The current study was designed to further investigate the transgenerational epigenetic changes in the rat Sertoli cell epigenome and transcriptome that are associated with the onset of testis disease. Gestating female F0 generation rats were transiently exposed during the period of fetal gonadal sex determination to the environmental toxicants, such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) or vinclozolin. The F1 generation offspring were bred (i.e. intercross within the lineage) to produce the F2 generation grand-offspring that were then bred to produce the transgenerational F3 generation (i.e. great-grand-offspring) with no sibling or cousin breeding used. The focus of the current study was to investigate the transgenerational testis disease etiology, so F3 generation rats were utilized. The DNA and RNA were obtained from purified Sertoli cells isolated from postnatal 20-day-old male testis of F3 generation rats. Transgenerational alterations in DNA methylation, noncoding RNA, and gene expression were observed in the Sertoli cells from vinclozolin and DDT lineages when compared to the control (vehicle exposed) lineage. Genes associated with abnormal Sertoli cell function and testis pathology were identified, and the transgenerational impacts of vinclozolin and DDT were determined. Alterations in critical gene pathways, such as the pyruvate metabolism pathway, were identified. Observations suggest that ancestral exposures to environmental toxicants promote the epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of Sertoli cell epigenetic and transcriptome alterations that associate with testis abnormalities. These epigenetic alterations appear to be critical factors in the developmental and generational origins of testis pathologies and male infertility.

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Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Sperm Parameters of Infertile Men in Center of Algiers (Capital of Algeria)

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics ◽

10.22270/jddt.v10i4-s.4331 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4-s) ◽

pp. 193-196

Author(s):

Amina Itatahine ◽

Abbassia Demmouche ◽

H Maï ◽

Z.C. Khalloua ◽

D. Ferrag ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Pass Through ◽

And Function

Background : Cigarette smoking has negative effects on male fertility. Toxins from tobacco smoking can potentially affect sperm development and function, with a negative effect on semen parameters. In fact, the components of cigarette smoke pass through the blood-testis barrier and thus induce an alteration of sperm parameters and nucleus quality of the spermatozoa. The aim is to determine a diffence between tobbaco and no tobbaco patient and semen parameters. This article aimed to assess the relationship between smoking and male infertility. Subject and Methods : this is retrospective study focused on the effects of smoking on semen analyses. 377 men (165 non-smokers, 212 smokers) with infertility for at least 1 year were evaluated between Mars and November 2018, in center of algiers (capital of Algeria). Sperm characteristics (concentration, motility, morphology, and volume) were detemined. Results: Sperm concentration, percentage motility and morphology were significantly lower in an infertile Smokers group than the infertile Nonsmokers group. We also observed that the infertility duration were significantly increased (p<0.05) in accordance with the age in an infertile Smokers group. Our study shows that cigarette smoking is associated with reduced sperm count and motility. Conclusions: Our results suggest that cigarette smoking has an overall negative effect on semen parameters. Our study suggests that men should be advised to abstain from smoking in order to improve reproductive outcomes. Keywords: smoking, semen, male infertility, sperm, humans

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The role of obesity in male fertility

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20183749 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 3435 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Meltem Mermer ◽

Yasemin Akdevelioğlu

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Sperm Morphology ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

High Body Mass Index ◽

Serum Testosterone ◽

Serum Testosterone Level ◽

Testosterone Levels

Obesity causes many health problems as well as having negative effects on fertility. There is a multifaceted relationship between obesity and male infertility. Male fertility is associated with sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Testosterone (total and free) and gonadotropin levels were low and estrogen levels were found to be high in obese men. The decrease in androgen levels varies based on the degree of obesity. High body mass index is inversely related to total sperm count, sperm concentration, sperm morphology and number of motile sperm. Leptin and ghrelin are hormones that influence body weight regulation and eating behaviors. Serum leptin level, which is high in obese infertile men, showed a significant positive correlation with abnormal sperm morphology, serum FSH, LH, prolactin level and showed a significant negative correlation with sperm concentration, sperm motility and serum testosterone level. Further research is needed on the effects of ghrelin levels on male infertility. The relationship between obesity and erectile dysfunction can be explained by decreased testosterone levels and elevation of some proinflammatory cytokine levels. Decreased physical activity due to obesity, long-term sitting increases testicular temperature and affects sperm production negatively. There is a multifaceted relationship between obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes and serum testosterone and SHBG. Diet and exercise showed improvement in testosterone levels and sperm concentration due to decreased body weight. However, studies on this subject are extremely limited. The possible effects of weight loss on successful infertility treatment of obese men should not be ignored.

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Ureaplasma Urealyticum as a Possible Hidden Cause of Couple Infertility

10.33169/uro.uoaoj-i-106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol I (2) ◽

pp. 23-24

Author(s):

Andrea Fabiani

Keyword(s):

In Vitro Fertilization ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Sexually Transmitted Disease ◽

Ureaplasma Urealyticum ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Transmitted Disease ◽

Vitro Fertilization ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Sperm Mobility

Currently an high percentage of Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is deemed to be responsible for over 50% of cases of infertility in couples. A large percentage of sexually transmitted disease caused by intracellular germs seems to have a significant influence on couple fertility and in the outcome of In Vitro Fertilization Treatment (IVF). In particular, we considered the Ureaplasma Urealyticum (UU) infections. Less clear is their influence on male infertility alone. Several studies reported that UU is present in an high percentage of fertile men, despite being sometimes the likely cause of significant reductions in sperm count number, sperm mobility and morphology

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Clomiphene for Male Infertility

Journal of Pharmacy Technology ◽

10.1177/875512259601200308 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 102-104

Author(s):

Sona I Elanjian

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

World Health ◽

Medline Search ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Health Organization ◽

In Pregnancy

Objective: To review the use of clomiphene for the treatment of male infertility. Data Sources: A MEDLINE search covering the years 1966 through 1994 was used to identify pertinent literature. Study Selection: Only placebo-controlled studies using dosages of clomiphene 25–50 mg/d for at least 3 months were reviewed. Data Extraction: Because there are numerous uncontrolled reports claiming success with clomiphene for the treatment of male infertility, only controlled studies with clomiphene 25–50 mg/d are discussed. This dosage range was selected because higher dosages of clomiphene may suppress spermatogenesis. Data Synthesis: Although the study conducted by the World Health Organization demonstrated an increase in both sperm count and motility after clomiphene treatment, no difference in pregnancy rates between the clomiphene-treated and placebo groups was observed. No significant difference in pregnancy rates was seen in a randomized trial comparing clomiphene with vitamin C. Of the four studies discussed, only one concluded that clomiphene was effective in increasing sperm concentration and pregnancy rates. However, the results do not establish a causal role for clomiphene. Conclusions: To assess the efficacy of clomiphene for the treatment of male infertility, better-designed studies need to be done. Information regarding comparability of female cohorts should be included, and results should be stratified according to the severity of oligospermia.

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Relation between BMI and Semen parameters in male infertility patients in west of Algeria

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics ◽

10.22270/jddt.v10i2-s.4021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2-s) ◽

pp. 64-67

Author(s):

Dalila Ferrag ◽

Abbassia Demmouche ◽

Charaf Khalloua Zine

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Body Mass ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Sperm Concentration ◽

Semen Parameters ◽

Infertile Men ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Body mass index BMI is a risk factor that influences semen quality and reduces male fertility. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of body mass index (BMI) on semen parameters in infertile men. Subject and method: A total of 446 infertile men, the study population was divided into four groups depending on their BMI , underweight (<18.5 kg/), normal weight (18.5-24.99 kg/m2 ), overweight 25-29.99 kg/m2), and obese >30.0 kg/.semen parameters (PH, volume, concentration ,total semen count ,vitality, morphology and motility ) were compared across the four BMI groups. Results: The mean of age was 41.91±6.39, the mean infertility duration was 4.92±3.28, 351(78.7٪) had primary infertility and 95(21.3٪) had secondary infertility. The mean BMI was 29.38± 4.85 and the most of patients 45.2٪ were obese. Conclusion: This study has found evidence of an association between BMI and semen parameters (Sperm concentration, Total sperm count, motility, and vitality) and no correlation between Semen volume, morphology and BMI. Keywords: Body mass index, male infertility, semen quality, west of Algeria

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