Male Fertility Research Articles

Unlocking the therapeutic potential and personalized therapy of testosterone: a comprehensive review.

Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, orchestrates various physiological processes including sex differentiation, development of male characteristics, sperm production, and fertility. Its synthesis primarily occurs in Leydig cells within the testes, with smaller contributions from the ovaries and adrenal glands, all derived from cholesterol. Current therapeutic use of testosterone is mainly confined totreating hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, with limited off-label usage for augmenting muscle growth. This review delves into numerous studies investigating testosterone's therapeutic potential across various medical conditions as depicted in the figure given below. Of all the studies in this review, which show a positive therapeutic result by using testosterone, the most promising areas of potential usage of testosterone are anxiety and diabetes mellitus, followed by obesity and depression. By the medium if this study, we want to not only enlist the various potential therapeutic uses of testosterone, butalso promote a optimal hormonal balance, which can lead toprevention and/or better treatment outcomes for the mentioned diseases.

Thyroid hormones in female and male reproduction with special reference to dogs and cats

Thyroid hormones have an important function in numerous physiological processes in humans and animals, including the regulation of metabolism, growth and development of individual and reproductive function. The thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), have a direct effect on the reproductive organs and an indirect effect in interaction with other hormones. Thyroid hormones influence the reproductive system by regulating metabolism and tissue development of the ovaries, uterus and placenta. Changes in the serum concentrations of T3 and T4 lead to disturbances in overall body function. Thyroid dysfunction, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can lead to significant reproductive problems. The aim of this review was to describe the functions of thyroid hormones and the effects of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on the animal reproductive system. Hypothyroidism is often caused by autoimmune diseases such as lymphocytic thyroiditis, and is associated with later puberty, reduced fertility and abnormalities in reproductive organ development. Hypothyroidism can lead to a prolonged interval, absent cycles, silent oestrus cycles, prolonged oestrus bleeding, and a lack of libido, with the occurrence of infertility, miscarriages, stillbirths and mummified foetuses. In males, hypothyroidism leads to a decrease in libido, semen quality, ejaculate volume, testicular atrophy, hypospermia and azoospermia. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is usually the result of thyroid cancer, which produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. Increased concentrations of thyroid hormones lead to disturbances in the physiological balance of reproductive hormones, irregular oestrus cycles, anovulation and reduced fertility, as well as a decrease in the weight of the ovaries and the number of healthy follicles, with a simultaneous increase in the number of atretting follicles. The effects of hyperthyroidism on male fertility include disorders of spermatogenesis, changes in sex hormone levels and changes in sperm quality, such as hypospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia. It is important to diagnose and treat thyroid disorders in time in order to prevent negative effects on fertility and reproduction in animals.

Male fertility is preserved following ixekizumab treatment-a real life pilot study.

Preserving fertility is crucial when managing male patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and/or psoriasis (PsO), especially in young men. Chronic inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and immunosuppressive therapies can negatively impact male fertility. Over the past decades, positive data have emerged regarding the reproductive safety of various therapies in men. Ixekizumab (IXE), a high-affinity monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17A, has shown a safe profile for male fertility in small studies. This pilot study assesses the impact of IXE treatment on sperm parameters in SpA and/or PsO patients in a real-world setting. Consecutive adult male SpA and/or PsO patients eligible for or undergoing IXE treatment were prospectively enrolled. Demographic data, disease characteristics, laboratory assessments, comorbidities, and previous treatments were recorded. Sperm analysis was conducted after a minimum of 6 months of IXE treatment, and also before treatment inititation in a subgroup of patients. Parallel sperm evaluations were performed in a control group of healthy donors. Ten patients were enrolled: 8 with SpA and 2 with PsO. After 6 months of IXE treatment, all patients had normal sperm parameters. One SpA and PsO patient with baseline oligozoospermia showed normal parameters at follow-up and achieved a successful pregnancy post-treatment. Compared with controls, IXE-treated patients had lower sperm concentrations but higher vitality. In our limited size pilot study on SpA and PsO patients, Ixekizumab exposure did not impair male fertility. Sperm parameters remained within normal ranges after a minimum of 6 months of treatment. Early Ixekizumab treatment may preserve or potentially reverse fertility impairment.

CCDC28A deficiency causes head-tail coupling defects and immotility in murine spermatozoa

Male infertility presents a substantial challenge in reproductive medicine, often attributed to impaired sperm motility. The present study investigates the role of CCDC28A, a protein expressed specifically in male germ cells, whose paralog CCDC28B has been implicated in ciliogenesis. We identify unique expression patterns for CCDC28A and CCDC28B within the mouse testes, where CCDC28A is expressed in germ cells, whereas CCDC28B is expressed in supporting somatic cells. Through knockout mouse models and histological analyses, we reveal that CCDC28A deficiency results in diminished sperm motility and structural aberrations in sperm tails, notably affecting the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA), thereby causing male infertility. Fine structural analyses by transmission electron microscopy reveal disruptions at the capitulum-basal plate junction of the HTCA in the CCDC28A mutants. This results in the bending of the head within the neck region, often accompanied by thickening of the tail midpiece. Our discovery demonstrates that CCDC28A plays an essential role in male fertility and sperm tail morphogenesis through the formation of HTCA.

The power of 810 nm near-infrared photobiomodulation therapy for human asthenozoospermia

Sperm motility is a crucial factor in male fertility. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been reported to increase sperm motility, but a consistent approach suitable for identifying standardizable protocols is lacking. We collected asthenozoospermic (n = 70) and normozoospermic (n = 20) semen. The asthenozoospermic samples were irradiated with an 810 nm diode laser, in continuous wave mode, at 0.25 W, 0.5 W, 1 W and 2 W for 60 s on a circular area of 1 cm2 through a novel handpiece with an innovative flat-top profile. Sperm motility was assessed immediately, after 30 and 60 min. A sample size calculator, unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used for statistics. One and 2 W were the most effective outputs in increasing progressive motility compared to control (p < 0.001). The maximum effect was immediately after 1 W-PBM (p < 0.001) and decreased after 60 min (p < 0.001). Time physiologically decreased vitality (p < 0.001), but less in the 1 W-PBM samples (p < 0.05). 1 W-PBM did not affect chromatin condensation. Asthenozoospermic samples displayed an impairment of 80% in oxygen consumption and ATP production and a slight inefficiency of oxidative phosphorylation compared to normozoospermic samples (p < 0.001). 1 W-PBM partially restored the functionality of aerobic metabolism (p < 0.001) by recovery of oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. PBM did not affect lactate dehydrogenase (glycolysis pathway). No irradiated samples increased accumulated malondialdehyde, a marker of lipidic peroxidation. In conclusion, PBM improves progressive motility in asthenozoospermia through increased mitochondrial energetic metabolism without harmful oxidative stress.

Kidney disease and reproductive health.

Understanding the relationship between reproductive health and kidney function is important to provide holistic care for people living with kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has negative impacts on both male and female fertility owing to factors including inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, reduced ovarian reserve, reduced sperm quality and sexual dysfunction. However, pregnancy is achievable for most cisgender women with kidney disease, including kidney transplant recipients and patients on dialysis. CKD in pregnancy is associated with health risks to the mother and child, including increased risk of progression of kidney disease, hypertensive complications of pregnancy, and neonatal complications including fetal growth restriction, preterm birth and stillbirth. However, with appropriate pre-pregnancy counselling, fertility assessment and support, health optimization, and evidence-based antenatal care, the majority of patients will achieve a good outcome. Medication safety should be reviewed before and during pregnancy and lactation, weighing the risk of disease flare against potential adverse effects on the offspring. Important areas for further research include the optimal timing of delivery and the short- and long-term cardiovascular and renal impacts of pregnancy in patients with CKD, as well as long-term kidney and cardiovascular outcomes in their offspring.

Evaluation of seminal plasma levels of vaspin and visfatin in infertile males with elevated sperm DNA fragmentation index: a comparative study

BackgroundSperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) can significantly impact male fertility, especially in cases where there is a substantial level of DNA damage. We aimed in the current study to assess seminal plasma (SP) levels of vaspin and visfatin in infertile men with an elevated SDF index (SDFI ≥ 30%) compared to infertile males with a normal SDFI (SDFI < 30%).ResultsGroups with good and medium DNA integrity exhibited significantly higher total motile sperm count and sperm motility in comparison to the group with poor DNA integrity. Significant negative correlations were noticed between SDF index (SDFI) and numerous semen parameters. Similarly, a significant negative correlation was observed between SDFI and SP vaspin. On the other hand, a significant positive correlation was found between SDFI and abnormal forms percentage. A statistically significant negative correlation was identified SP vaspin with age (r = -0.305, P = 0.006) and infertility duration (r = -0.263, P = 0.019). Statistically significant negative correlation was also identified between SP visfatin and abnormal forms percentage (r = -0.239, P = 0.034). The receiver operating characterisitic curve for predicting poor DNA integrity (SDFI ≥ 30%) revealed fair discriminative power for SP vaspin, with a cutoff value of < 0.55 ng/ml. It demonstrated a sensitivity of 58.8% and a specificity of 64.5% (area under the cureve (AUC) 0.685, p = 0.008). Meanwhile, SP visfatin had little discriminative power (AUC 0.562, p = 0.408). Finally, the results of a linear regression analysis indicated that sperm motility and SP vaspin were significant independent predictors of poor DNA integrity (SDFI ≥ 30%). The analysis was done with a 95% confidence interval and showed upper and lower bounds of -0.302 and -0.623, and -1.362 and -16.101, p < 0.001, p = 0.021, respectively.ConclusionSP Level of vaspin had shown promise as potential biomarkers for sperm DNA integrity. However, vaspin appeared to have greater specificity than visfatin in this point. Future studies are required to validate these findings, evaluate the role of SP vaspin in maintaining sperm DNA integrity, and investigate the potential relationship between SP adipocytokines and other clinical-demographic variables.

Adaptive Significance of Long Mating With Repeated Intromissions in Zygogramma bicolorata

ABSTRACTLong matings are abundant in insects despite the range of the costs involved. The causes and consequences of the evolution of long mating remain an interesting problem for behavioural ecologists. We studied extraordinarily long mating that involves repeated intromissions interspersed with latent periods in the Parthenium beetle (Zygogramma bicolorata). We conducted a series of interrupted mating assays to examine the fitness consequences of different components of this curious mating behaviour. We tested multiple adaptive hypotheses concerning male fertility and competitive ability. We found that sperm transfer and fertility did not exhibit a linear increase with the number of intromissions. There was also no evidence of nutrient transfer by the males. Interestingly, our results showed that both sexes suffered a significant cost of long mating. Further, female remating behaviour was found to be modulated by the length of the previous mating. Additionally, males were observed performing a curious leg rubbing behaviour during the inter‐intromission latent period, putatively serving as a copulatory courtship function that reduced female resistance to the continuance of mating. Therefore, we show that while the long mating may still serve a mate‐guarding role, there are additional fitness effects of such behaviour that need careful consideration. Our study provides insights into the adaptive significance of long mating and its fitness consequences.

Impact of Reductive Stress on Human Infertility: Underlying Mechanisms and Perspectives

Antioxidants have a well-established effect on general health and are essential in preventing oxidative damage to cells by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are thought to be neutralized by these substances, which include polyphenols, β-carotene, and vitamins C and E, reducing cellular damage. On the other hand, recent data indicates that consuming excessive amounts of antioxidants may have side effects. Apoptosis and cell signaling are two beneficial physiological processes that are affected by excessive supplementation. Other negative effects include paradoxical enhancement of oxidative stress and unbalanced cellular redox potential. Overdosing on particular antioxidants has been associated with increased medication interactions, cancer progression, and fatality risks. Additionally, the complex impacts they may have on fertility might be both useful and adverse, depending on the quantity and duration of usage. This review delves into the dual role of antioxidants and emphasizes the importance of employing antioxidants in moderation. Antioxidant overconsumption may disrupt the oxidative balance necessary for normal sperm and oocyte function, which is one of the potential negative effects of antioxidants on fertility in both males and females that are also investigated. Although modest usage of antioxidants is generally safe and useful, high levels of antioxidants can upset hormonal balance, impair sperm motility, and negatively impact the outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The findings emphasize the need to use antioxidant supplements in a balanced way, the importance of further research to optimize their use in fertility treatments, and the importance of supporting reproductive health to avoid adverse effects.

Analysis of stallion spermatozoa metabolism using Agilent Seahorse XFp Technology

Sperm metabolism consists of a sophisticated network of biochemical reactions and varies between species, resulting in different metabolic strategies for ATP production to maintain sperm functionality. ATP can be produced through glycolysis or in the mitochondria by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Since OXPHOS is the predominant metabolic pathway in horses spermatozoa, various assessments of mitochondrial activity are used to evaluate fertility, utilizing techniques such as fluorescent probes analysed via microscopy or flow cytometry, and polarographic electrode assays to measure current flow in response to an applied voltage. Though, these methods are limited by low throughput, as they assess mitochondrial activity at a single time point under a specific treatment condition. This study explores, for the first time, the application of the Agilent Seahorse XFp Technology to evaluate metabolism in stallion spermatozoa. This method enables real-time measurement of cellular metabolism across multiple samples or experimental conditions simultaneously. Ejaculates from eight different stallions were collected, and pools were prepared from three of them. Sperm viability and mitochondrial activity were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy, sperm motility by a computer-assisted sperm analysis system, and sperm metabolism was analysed via the Seahorse XFp analyser. Results confirmed a preference for OXPHOS over glycolysis in ATP production in stallion sperm, with mitochondria contributing significantly to total ATP generation. The Seahorse XFp Technology proved effective in evaluating equine sperm bioenergetics, offering insights into metabolic pathways critical for sperm function. In conclusion, this technology grants a new method for high-throughput analysis of sperm metabolism and quality, which could be applied to future reproductive studies in male equine fertility.

The evolutionarily conserved PhLP3 is essential for sperm development in Drosophila melanogaster.

Phosducin-like proteins (PhLP) are thioredoxin domain-containing proteins that are highly conserved across unicellular and multicellular organisms. PhLP family proteins are hypothesized to function as co-chaperones in the folding of cytoskeletal proteins. Here, we present the initial molecular, biochemical, and functional characterization of CG4511 as Drosophila melanogaster PhLP3. We cloned the gene into a bacterial expression vector and produced enzymatically active recombinant PhLP3, which showed similar kinetics to previously characterized orthologues. A fly strain homozygous for a P-element insertion in the 5' UTR of the PhLP3 gene exhibited significant downregulation of PhLP3 expression. We found these male flies to be sterile. Microscopic analysis revealed altered testes morphology and impairment of spermiogenesis, leading to a lack of mature sperm. Among the most significant observations was the lack of actin cones during sperm maturation. Excision of the P-element insertion in PhLP3 restored male fertility, spermiogenesis, and seminal vesicle size. Given the high level of conservation of PhLP3, our data suggests PhLP3 may be an important regulator of sperm development across species.

Mutation of the K+ transporter SlHAK5 of tomato alters pistil morphology, ionome, metabolome and transcriptome in flowers.

K+ accumulation in plant tissues is a crucial factor for plant growth and development. The tomato high-affinity K+ transporter SlHAK5 is essential for root K+ acquisition from low external concentrations. It is also involved in K+ accumulation in pollen and plant fertility as slhak5 KO plants show a low rate of pollen germination, impaired pollen tube growth and parthenocarpic fruits. Here, we present a thorough analysis of slhak5 flowers, which showed relevant defects at the anatomic, ionomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic levels. First, slhak5 flowers exhibited shorter styles and enlarged ovaries that, together with a low number of seeds in fruits from slhak5 X WT crosses, indicated an effect of the slhak5 mutation on female fertility. Second, a lower accumulation of Ca2+, as well as of several metabolites such as amino acids, citric acid and sugars, was observed in mutant flowers, whereas indole-3-acetic acid content was increased when compared to the wild-type. Third, RNAseq conducted on pistils and stamens of wild-type and slhak5 plants revealed that transport and signalling pathways are significantly enriched in the gene expression analyses of stamens. Thus, it can be concluded that a functional SlHAK5 transporter is required to maintain appropriate Ca2+, metabolite and gene expression levels in flowers, and its absence leads to important reductions in both male and female fertility.

Associations of periconception dietary glycemic index and load with fertility in women and men: a study among couples in the general population

BackgroundThe dietary glycemic index (GI) and load (GL) reflect carbohydrate quality and quantity, potentially impacting fertility through modulation of insulin sensitivity and generation of oxidative stress. While fertility is influenced by both women and men, reproductive research often emphasizes maternal factors. We first examined periconception dietary intake in both women and male partners, and subsequent associations of dietary GI and GL with fecundability and subfertility.MethodsAmong 830 women and 651 male partners, participating in a population-based prospective cohort study from preconception onwards, we assessed periconception dietary intake and calculated GI and GL, using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at median 12.4 weeks gestation (95% range 10.9, 18.4). Information on time to pregnancy was obtained through questionnaires, with subfertility defined as a time to pregnancy ≥ 12 months or use of assisted reproductive technology.ResultsIn the periconception period, mean energy intake in women was 1870 kcal (SD: 500; 46% carbohydrates, 16% protein, 33% fat; dietary GI 56.2 (SD: 3.5) and GL 141.4 (SD: 67.4)). Mean energy intake in men was 2350 kcal (SD: 591; 43% carbohydrates, 16% protein, 33% fat; dietary GI 56.8 (SD: 3.2) and GL 156.7 (SD: 75.4)). Median time to pregnancy was 4.8 months (IQR: 1.2, 16.4), with 30.6% of 830 women experiencing subfertility. Dietary GI and GL were not associated with fertility outcomes in women. In men, higher dietary GI and GL across the full range were associated with decreased fecundability, after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, as well as dietary GI or GL of female partners [FR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.83, 0.99; FR: 0.90, 95% CI 0.81, 0.99, per SDS increase in dietary GI and GL, respectively]. When assessing the combined influence of dietary GI clinical categories in women and men, both partners adhering to a low GI diet tended to be associated with increased fecundability, but not with subfertility risk.ConclusionsSuboptimal periconception carbohydrate intake may be negatively associated with male fertility, but not with fertility outcomes in women. Further studies are needed to assess whether a lower GI and GL diet is a feasible lifestyle intervention to improve couples fertility.

JAK inhibitors: an evidence-based choice of the most appropriate molecule

Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) represent a fundamental therapeutic tool for the treatment of patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Although JAKis are often considered a homogeneous class of drugs whose members are thought to be largely interchangeable, there are significant differences in their efficacy and safety profiles. This narrative review analyzes the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences among JAKIs, highlighting their clinical relevance based on the most recent available evidence. The article aims to provide rheumatologists, gastroenterologists and dermatologists with practical guidance for choosing the most appropriate JAKi for each patient, given the lack of evidence-based recommendations on this topic, to improve clinical outcomes. Due to its preferential action on JAK1, intestinal metabolization and proven absence of impact on male fertility, filgotinib may be characterized by an improved benefit/risk ratio compared with other less selective JAKis.

Correlation of IGF2 levels with sperm quality, inflammation, and DNA damage in infertile patients.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a critical endocrine mediator implicated in male reproductive physiology. To investigate the correlation between IGF2 protein levels and various aspects of male infertility, specifically focusing on sperm quality, inflammation, and DNA damage, a cohort of 320 male participants was recruited from the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China) between 1st January 2024 and 1st March 2024. The relationship between IGF2 protein concentrations and sperm parameters was assessed, and Spearman correlation and linear regression analysis were employed to evaluate the independent associations between IGF2 protein levels and risk factors for infertility. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure IGF2 protein levels in seminal plasma, alongside markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-1β [IL-1β]). The relationship between seminal plasma IGF2 protein levels and DNA damage marker phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) was also explored. Our findings reveal that IGF2 protein expression decreased notably in patients with asthenospermia and teratospermia. Correlation analysis revealed nuanced associations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, and low IGF2 protein concentrations correlated with increased inflammation and DNA damage in sperm. The observed correlations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, along with its connection to inflammation and DNA damage, underscore the importance of IGF2 in the broader context of male reproductive health. These findings lay the groundwork for future research and potential therapeutic interventions targeting IGF2-related pathways to enhance male fertility.

Inguinal hernia: a view from the 21st century (a review)

The proposed review is a look at the pathogenesis of inguinal hernia from the standpoint of molecular biology, as well as an attempt to understand the problems that are a consequence of explantation: issues of male fertility, chronic inflammation, carcinogenesis. It is proven that the pathogenesis of inguinal hernia is not reduced to a defect of the anterior abdominal wall. Moreover, the formation of this defect is preceded by a complex of modification of connective tissue components, which is based on the separation of the processes of extracellular matrix synthesis and matrix degradation with the predominance of the latter that disrupts the rotation of structures responsible for mechanical strength and elasticity. From this point of view, inguinal hernia is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease.

Safety concerns of paternal drug exposure on fertility, pregnancy and offspring: An analysis based on the FDA adverse event reporting system.

Growing evidence indicates that paternal condition significantly influences pregnancy outcomes and offspring health. However, assessing the safety of paternal drug exposure via randomized controlled trials poses ethical challenges, and relevant clinical studies consume a lot of resources to evaluate only a few drugs. Currently, safety data on paternal drug exposure are scarce. To investigate the impact of paternal drug exposure on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and offspring health. Data from the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) were analyzed (2010-2022). Disproportionality analyses were used to identify signals of each drug-adverse event pair associated with paternal drug exposure in a different hierarchical manner. Out of the 16,180,533 reports, 3210 were related to paternal exposure, encompassing 7808 concomitant adverse events. Drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and infections were primary sources of paternal exposure. Analysis identified 115 signals concerning reproductive health. Notably, the signals of diazepam-small for dates baby and finasteride-cryptorchidism were particularly significant (reporting odds ratio, ROR>800, N>10). Moreover, spontaneous abortion signals occur frequently in biologics for the treatment of immune inflammation; the use of immunosuppressive drugs was associated with the highest number of congenital anomalies, with the strongest signals for belatacept-skeletal dysplasia, and tacrolimus-talipes. Only mycophenolic acid, estrogen and imatinib have signals on male fertility. Anti-tumor agents had high numbers of each reproductive toxicity, with the highest values of trisomy 13 signals associated with etoposide and cisplatin. This is the first research to fully assess the safety of paternal exposure to the majority of medications in terms of reproduction. Clinical and scientific researchers should pay close attention to the list of risk medications included in this study, particularly the following association combinations: biologics used to treat inflammatory diseases-abortion, diazepam-small for date baby, finasteride-cryptorchidism, etoposide and cisplatin-13 trisomy.

Ethnopharmacological insights: hyperoside from Marsdenia latifolia (Benth.) K.Schum. Mitigates reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats induced by manganese exposure

This study provides novel findings on the ameliorative effect of hyperoside isolated from Marsdenia latifolia leaves (HIGLL) in reproductive health challenged by manganese toxicity. The study investigated the efficacy of HIGLL on male fertility in rats exposed to manganese chloride (MnCl2). The rats received either MnCl2 (30 mg/L) or in combination with HIGLL (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg). MnCl2 reduced fluid intake, organ-body weight, body weight; sperm count, sperm viability, sperm density, sperm motility, semen viscosity, daily sperm production, testicular sperm number; testosterone, follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones, oestradiol, testosterone/oestradiol ratio; G6PDH, ALP, glucose, NO, acid phosphatase, sialic acid, 17-β-HSD, superoxide dismutase, CAT, GST, GSH, and T-SH without modifying the semen pH and volume, while it correspondingly raised the abnormalities associated with morphology of sperm cells in head, neck, and tail; H2O2 and lipid peroxidation levels. HIGLL abrogated the damaged histoarchitecture of the testes and epididymis caused by MnCl2. HIGLL can serve as a therapeutic agent in the management of male reproductive disorders related to oxidative stress and endocrine disruption.

Ccdc152 is not necessary for male fertility, but contributes to maintaining sperm morphology.

Selenoprotein P (SeP) is synthesized in the liver and plays a vital role in maintaining selenium homeostasis via transport throughout the body. Previous studies have shown that SeP-deficient mice have severely reduced expression of selenoproteins essential for testicular function, leading to male infertility. We previously reported that the high expression of Ccdc152 in hepatocytes acts as a lncRNA, suppressing SeP expression in the liver. Ccdc152 reduces SeP translation by binding to SeP mRNA and decreasing its interaction with SECIS-binding protein 2. Although Ccdc152 is highly expressed in testes, its function remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the role of Ccdc152 in the testes. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we generated mice lacking all exons of Ccdc152 and found that SeP expression levels in the liver and plasma, as well as overall selenium homeostasis, remained unchanged. No significant differences were observed in the expression of glutathione peroxidase 1/4 or level of selenium in the testes. Subsequent investigation of the impact on male reproductive function revealed no abnormalities in sperm motility or Mendelian ratios of the offspring. However, a slight decrease in testicular weight and an increased rate of sperm malformations in the epididymis were observed. RNA-seq and pathway analyses identified the reduced expression of multiple genes related to kinesin and reproductive pathways. Based on these findings, Ccdc152 may not be essential for male reproductive function, but it may enhance reproductive capabilities by maintaining the expression of genes necessary for reproduction.

Impact of Antiphospholipid Syndrome on Reproductive Outcomes: Current Insights and Management Approaches.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a disease characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies, thrombosis, and obstetric complications. While patients with APS can have successful pregnancies, many important considerations exist. APS can also cooccur with other systemic autoimmune diseases which can affect pregnancy, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus. This article reviews specific considerations for pregnancy and reproductive health in patients with APS. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, stable or quiescent disease and planning with a rheumatologist and obstetrician prior to conception are vital components of a successful pregnancy. Pregnancy management for patients with aPL antibodies or diagnosis of APS with aspirin and/or anticoagulation depending on disease profile is discussed, as well as the effects of physiologic changes during pregnancy in maternal and fetal outcomes for this population. Given the reproductive span lasts beyond conception through delivery, we include discussions on safe contraception options, the use of assistive reproductive technology, pregnancy termination, menopause, and male fertility. While APS is a relatively rare condition, the effects this disease can have on maternal and fetal outcomes even with available therapies demonstrates the need for more high-quality, evidence-based research.