[New phreatic and stygobitic hydrobiids from the Northern Apennines in Piedmont, Liguria and Emilia-Romagna (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae)]

Five new species of phreatic and stygobitic hydrobiids are here described for the Ligurian- Piedmontese and Emilian Apennines. Two species belong to the genus Alzoniella: Alzoniella borberensis n. sp., endemic to the sub-basin of the Borbera and Spinti streams, and to the lower stretch of the Scrivia stream, in the province of Alessandria, and Alzoniella isoensis n. sp., limited to the middle course of the Scrivia stream and to the basin of the Polcevera stream, on the Tyrrhenian sector of the Genoa province. Three species belong to the genus Fissuria: Fissuria globosa n. sp., widespread throughout the sub-basin of the Scrivia stream (Genoa and Alessandria provinces), as well as in other Apennine watercourses of the provinces of Alessandria, Piacenza, Parma and Reggio Emilia; Fissuria varicosa n. sp., present in the same area of Alzoniella borberensis n. sp., but also found in the Nure and Arda streams (Piacenza province) and in the Stirone stream (Parma province), and Fissuria sossoi n. sp., limited to the sub-basin of the Stura di Ovada streams (Genoa province). The first species, assigned to the genus Alzoniella Giusti & Bodon 1984 based on its anatomical characters, has a shell with peristome detached from the last whorl, such as that of other phreatic species already known for eastern Liguria and central Italy, but differs from these in the shorter shell. The shape of the shell of A. borberensis n. sp. resembles that of other crenal or stygobitic species, widespread in northern Italy. A. isoensis n. sp., is very similar to A. borberensis, although the peristome is not sinuous superiorly on the outer edge of the shell, but differs sharply in the anatomical characters. The other taxa with valvatoid shells here described, can be ascribed to the genus Fissuria Boeters 1981 based on their anatomical characters, and show some peculiarities of the male genital tract that distinguish them from the other congeneric species so far known for southern Europe. The three new species of Fissuria differ mainly in the characters of the shell, more or less globose in F. globosa n. sp., more conical in F. sossoi n. sp. and more flattened in F. varicosa n. sp.; the latter is also characterized by the presence of a marked varix behind the peristome. Altogether, these new species can be defined as phreatic, as they colonize groundwater near watercourses; only A. isoensis n. sp. has a wider ecology, as it also lives in karst groundwater and groundwater in rocks permeable by fracking. [Article in Italian]

Extra-cellular vesicles of the male genital tract: new actors in male fertility?

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are membrane-limited particles containing proteins, lipids, metabolites and nucleic acids that are secreted by healthy and cancerous cells. These vesicles are very heterogeneous in size and content and mediate a variety of biological functions. Three subtypes of EV have been described in the male genital tract: microvesicles, myelinosomes and exosomes. Each type of EVs depends on the location of secretion such as the testis, prostate or epididymis. It has been shown that EVs can fuse together and deliver information to recipient cells, for example spermatozoa in the male genital tract. Cryo-electron microscopy remains the reference technique for determining EV morphology, but quantifying the absolute concentration of these EVs in biological fluids remains a challenge from a clinical point of view. The field of bio detection has considerably increased with the introduction of nanomaterials in biosensors and will provide a better understanding of the impact of these EVs. However, functional modifications of male gametes result from interactions with the components of the intraluminal fluid all along the genital tract and depend on the secretion and absorption of proteins and lipids from the local microenvironment. We cannot therefore exclude the possibility of epigenetic modulation of the information that will be transmitted to the embryo and therefore to the next generation via EVs.

MOUNTING EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF A HYPOTHESIS

Aim: A study analysis supporting reports on a hypothesis. Background: The function of epididymis is considered as responsible for making a meaningful motionless state for spermatozoa assuring sperms do not escape from male genital tract by its motility. A hypothesis stated repeated ejaculation shall lead to increase sperm count and motility. Review results: Studies showed frequent ejaculations done by men and similar studies conducted in animals support this hypothesis. Conclusion: This method should be benecial to at least patients whose sperm count and motility is less. Clinical signicance: when hypothesis is proved, clinician may advice this patients with oligozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia to follow repeated ejaculation instead of storing semen for several days as advised currently

Circumcision as an Intervening Strategy against HIV Acquisition in the Male Genital Tract

Unsafe sex with HIV-infected individuals remains a major route for HIV transmission, and protective strategies, such as the distribution of free condoms and pre-or post-prophylaxis medication, have failed to control the spread of HIV, particularly in resource-limited settings and high HIV prevalence areas. An additional key strategy for HIV prevention is voluntary male circumcision (MC). International health organizations (e.g., the World Health Organization, UNAIDS) have recommended this strategy on a larger scale, however, there is a general lack of public understanding about how MC effectively protects against HIV infection. This review aims to discuss the acquisition of HIV through the male genital tract and explain how and why circumcised men are more protected from HIV infection during sexual activity than uncircumcised men who are at higher risk of HIV acquisition.

Epizootic reptilian ferlavirus infection in individual and multiple snake colonies with additional evidence of the virus in the male genital tract

Reptilian ferlavirus, a pathogen of serious concern in snakes, has been reported in Western countries, but little is known about its prevalence in Thailand, where many snake breeding farms are located. In this study, we investigated the reptilian ferlavirus via swab samples derived from 49 diseased snakes and 77 healthy snakes as well as tissue samples taken from nine dead snakes from five independent snake farms. Using molecular detection, we found the ferlavirus in 8.16% of diseased snakes, but not in healthy snakes. Out of nine farmed snakes, eight snakes derived from four farms were found to be positive. Four complete genome sequences of the ferlavirus were successfully obtained and phylogenetically clustered to the highly pathogenic ferlavirus. Tissue tropism of the ferlavirus was identified in various epithelial cell types using the in situ hybridization technique. Interestingly, the hybridization signals were strongly labeled in the male genital tract. Transmission electron microscopy was used to support the ferlaviral localization in the male genital tract. This study provides the first evidence of ferlavirus localization in the male genital tract and contributes to the knowledge about ferlavirus epidemiology, indicating that there needs to be further awareness and elucidation regarding vertical transmission of reptilian ferlavirus.

Interrogating the bovine reproductive tract metagenomes using culture-independent approaches: a systematic review

Undesirable microbial infiltration into the female bovine reproductive tracts, for example during calving or mating, is likely to disturb the commensal microflora. Persistent establishment and overgrowth of certain pathogens induce reproductive diseases, render the female bovine reproductive tract unfavourable for pregnancy or can result in transmission to the foetus, leading to death and abortion or birth abnormalities. This review of culture-independent metagenomics studies revealed that normal microflora in the female bovine reproductive tract is reasonably consistently dominated by bacteria from the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, following by Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria and Tenericutes. Reproductive disease development in the female bovine reproductive tract was demonstrated across multiple studies to be associated with high relative abundances of bacteria from the phyla Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria. Reduced bacterial diversity in the reproductive tract microbiome in some studies of cows diagnosed with reproductive diseases also indicated an association between dysbiosis and bovine reproductive health. Nonetheless, the bovine genital tract microbiome remains underexplored, and this is especially true for the male genital tract. Future research should focus on the functional aspects of the bovine reproductive tract microbiomes, for example their contributions to cattle fertility and susceptibility towards reproductive diseases.

Aquaporins Are Differentially Regulated in Canine Cryptorchid Efferent Ductules and Epididymis

The efferent ductules and the epididymis are parts of the male reproductive system where spermatozoa mature. Specialized epithelial cells in these ducts contribute to the transport of fluids produced by spermatozoa’s metabolic activity. Aquaporins (AQPs) have been demonstrated to be expressed in the spermatozoan membrane and testis epithelial cells, where they contribute to regulating spermatozoan volume and transit through environments of differing osmolality. Due to the lack of detailed literature regarding AQP expression in the canine male genital tract, the aim of this study was to investigate both the distribution and expression of AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 in the efferent ductules and epididymal regions (caput, corpus, and cauda) from normal and cryptorchid dogs by using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results show different patterns for the distribution and expression of the examined AQPs, with particular evidence of their upregulation in the caput and downregulation in the cauda region of the canine cryptorchid epididymis. These findings are associated with a modulation of Hsp70 and caspase-3 expression, suggesting the participation of AQPs in the luminal microenvironment modifications that are peculiar characteristics of this pathophysiological condition.