Infertile Men Research Articles

Prevalence of Infertility and its Associated Factors among the Eligible Couples of Central Kerala

Introduction: Infertility is a personal tragedy for millions of couples world-wide and has very definite physical, psychological and social implications. Objectives: To find the prevalence of infertility and to explore the association between selected clinical and sociodemographic factors with infertility in Arpookara Panchayat, Kottayam, Kerala. Method: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 860 eligible couples selected using simple random sampling technique, from all the 4 subcentre areas. Sociodemographic and medical/surgical details of both male and female partner were collected by semi-structured interview schedule. The couples were said to have infertility when they had either primary or secondary infertility. Pearson Chi-square test / Fisher’s Exact test was used to find the association of various factors with infertility. Results: The prevalence of infertility was 10.3%, with 5.6% primary infertility and 4.7% secondary infertility. Factors that were found significantly associated with infertility were couples belonging to lower socioeconomic status, joint family, women marry at age >35 years, diabetes mellitus in women, pelvic inflammatory diseases, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovarian syndrome, abdominal pelvic surgeries in women, varicocele, mumps in men, oligospermia, men with education level less than high school, smoking, alcohol and family history of infertility in men. Conclusion: One tenth of the population included in the study had infertility. The predictors for infertility were lower socio-economic class, number of years after marriage (5-9 years), smoking in men, oligospermia, varicocoele, mumps in men, age at marriage (≥35 years) in women, polycystic ovary syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease and diabetes mellitus in women.

TRUTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE PLANTS USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Plants has an important place in people's lives since the existence of the world. Plants have always been in our lives, sometimes as food, and sometimes to find healing. Plants have been one of the biggest reasons why people settled down. While people obtained great healing from plants, they also used it for different purposes. For example, the accidentally discovered taxane plant was once used to poison people. In addition, the taxane plant is one of the most used plants in breast cancer today. While morphine was used as a great pain reliever in the past, it is also used as a recreational drug today. A substance that is a great source of healing also causes serious damage to the human body, even death. At the same time, even if the plants are not used for wrong purposes, their misuse also has negative consequences for humans. For example, while the chasteberry is a miraculous plant for women, it is a plant that men should stay away from. Since it increases the estrogen level, it gives good results in women and causes infertility in men. Examples like this would not end by counting. With this article, while explaining what kind of healing the plants contain and their harms; In addition, there is information about how people should use it according to age, gender and disease status.

Seminal plasma untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic profiling for the identification of a novel panel of biomarkers and therapeutic targets related to male infertility.

Male infertility occurs approximately in about 50% of all infertility cases and represents a serious concern worldwide. Traditional semen analysis alone is insufficient to diagnose male infertility. Over the past two decades, advances in omics technologies have led to the widespread application of metabolomics profiling as a valuable diagnostic tool for various diseases and disorders. Seminal plasma represents a rich and easily accessible source of metabolites surrounding spermatozoa, a milieu that provides several indispensable nutrients to sustain sperm motility and fertilization. Changes of metabolic profiles in seminal plasma reflect male reproductive tract disorders. Here, we performed seminal plasma metabolomics and lipidomics profiling to identify a new pattern of biomarkers of male infertility. Seminal plasma samples from unfertile subjects (n = 31) and fertile controls (n = 19) were analyzed using an untargeted metabolomics/lipidomics integrated approach, based on Ultra-High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry. Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis showed a distinct separation between healthy fertile men and infertile subjects. Among the 15 selected candidate biomarkers based on Variable Importance in Projection scores, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (18:1; 18:1) resulted with the highest score. In total, 40 molecular species showed statistically significant variations between fertile and infertile men. Heat-map and volcano plot analysis indicated that acylcarnitines, phosphatidylserine (PS) (40:2) and lactate were decreased, while PE (18:1; 18:1), Phosphatidic acid (PA) (O-19:2; 18:1), Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) (O-16:1) and Phosphatidylcholine (PC) (O-16:2; 18:1)-CH3 were increased in the infertile group. The present study is the first one to analyze the metabolomics/lipidomics dysregulation in seminal plasma between fertile and infertile individuals regardless of sub-infertility condition. Association of several metabolites/lipids dysregulation with male infertility reinforced data of previous studies performed with different approaches. In particular, we confirmed significantly decreased levels of PS and carnitines in infertile patients as well as the positive correlation with sperm motility and morphology. If validated on a larger prospective cohort, the metabolite biomarkers of infertility in seminal plasma we identified in the present study might inform novel strategies for diagnosis and interventions to overcome male infertility.

Evaluation of Human Papillomavirus in the Semen of Infertile Men and Its Relationship with Semen Quality

Background: The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in infertile men is significantly higher than that in the general population. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether the presence of HPV in semen samples is related to reduced semen quality. Objectives: The present article aims to elucidate the possible association between HPV infection and semen parameters in Iranian infertile men. Methods: This cross-sectional study included semen samples from 140 infertile Iranian male partners of couples seeking fertility assessment. Standard semen analysis was performed. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), sperm chromatin maturation, anti-sperm antibodies, leukocyte count, fructose concentration, and zinc concentration were also assessed. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and INNO-LiPA were used to identify HPV DNA sequences in semen samples and to determine HPV genotype, respectively. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare sperm parameters between HPV-positive and HPV-negative groups. Results: Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 18 (12.85%) out of 140 semen samples (10% high-risk genotypes, 2.14% low-risk genotypes, and one sample was excluded). Our findings revealed that HPV18 was the most prevalent type (8.57%). According to our results, the presence of HPV DNA in semen samples was associated with higher semen anti-sperm antibodies (P = 0.001), higher white blood cell (WBC) counts (P = 0.02), and increased DFI values (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Human papillomavirus -positive patients had higher semen anti-sperm antibodies, semen WBC counts, and sperm DFI values. These results highlight the importance of careful screening for the presence of HPV in semen samples from infertile men. It should also be noted that more studies are required.

Тестикулярный микробиом у инфертильных мужчин.

Introduction. The concept of microbiome is a collective term for many microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and viruses, inhabiting various anatomical areas of the human body. The relevance of studying their quantitative and qualitative relationships is associated with the size of microbial populations, as well as the lack of awareness of the modern scientific community about the true role of most of them, including the connection between the microbiome diversity of male testicles and sperm with the presence of azoospermia and the development of idiopathic variants of infertility. The purpose: identification of the composition of the microbiome of testicular tissue in infertile men and determination of its clinical significance. Studying the influence of microbial populations of the urogenital tract of men on the development and course of diseases associated with infertility, such as azoospermia. Materials and methods. A literature review was performed based on data published in the PubMed (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/) and Scientific Electronic Library eLibrary.ru (https://elibrary.ru/) databases. The search was carried out using the following keywords: microbiome; microbiota; testicular tissue; azoospermia; sequencing; genome; male infertility. A total of 167 sources were analyzed. For this publication, 48 publications were selected. Results. Lactobacillus iners, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherichia faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are associated with the development of non-obstructive azoospermia. In men with different forms of azoospermia, a greater number of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla were observed, while Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were significantly less common compared to healthy controls. Also, the microbial diversity between obstructive azoospermia (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) had a higher degree of similarity than the control group. Interestingly, the microbiome modifications found in men with NOA are similar to those previously identified in the gut of older adults, which can be considered as further evidence of microbiologically early aging of NOA men at the testicular level. Conclusions. Microbiome analysis demonstrated for the first time that human testicular tissue is not a microbiologically sterile environment, and also provided new data on the bacteriological composition of the male urogenital tract and allowed us to consider excluding any potential contribution of microbial communities present in neighboring anatomical regions. Therefore, larger studies are needed to confirm our preliminary findings that the testes of azoospermic men contain a more dysbiotic bacterial community.

Association of Extracelluar Matrix Protien 1 with Semen Parameters and Testosterone Concentration in Male Infertility

Background: Extracellular matrix protein 1 (ECM1) is a glycoprotein that interacts with extracellular proteins into semen predominantly by epididymis, supports considering the role of the epididymis in sperm maturation. Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group is primarily secreted in the testes. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the concentration of ECM1 and serum by (ELISA) kit with semen parameters in fertile and infertile men in Najaf City, Iraq. Material and Methods: A total of 90 participants (45 infertile and 45 fertile men) were mean age (40.02) control fertility male, while the mean age as infertile (40.22) years included in the current study. The patients were sub-grouped into: 45 infertile with semen abnormal oligozoospermia, azoospermia, asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia patients, it used for measuring the concentration and parameters ECM1and serum testosterone by Elisa kit. Results: Statistical analysis showed highly significant differences between the two groups show (p < 0.05). The level of ECM in the infertile group was lower in concentration than the control group with statistically significant differences (p < 0.0001*). The difference between the totals was highly significant by a criterion (p < 0.0001*) 45 in all group that studied a positive person correlation highly significant between serum testosterone (IU/mL) and seminal ECM1, (pg/mL) in all age groups of 45 male infertility at a (p < 0.001*). Conclusion: The decrease in serum testosterone levels with the decrease in the level of seminal plasma ECM1 in infertile men provide evidence that levels can be used as reliable markers in the diagnostic criteria of male infertility. This study’s results suggest that concentration ECM1.

Seminal TEX101 May Predict Seminal Sperm Recovery after Varicocelectomy in Nonobstructive Azoospermic Patients with Varicocele

Background. Infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) associated with varicocele may benefit from varicocele repair with recovered sperms in semen. Currently, there is no clinically applied method to predict the success of seminal sperm recovery in this subset of azoospermic men. Objective. We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of the seminal testis expressed protein (TEX101) in sperm recovery in the semen of NOA men with palpable bilateral varicocele after microsurgical varicocelectomy. Patients and Methods. This prospective cross-sectional cohort study included 40 patients with NOA and bilateral varicocele. Seminal TEX101 levels were measured followed by subinguinal microsurgical varicocele repair. Two seminal analyses were carried out at 3- and 6-month follow-up periods to evaluate seminal sperm recovery. Results. After varicocele repair, sperms were recovered in the semen of 10/40 patients (25%) along the follow-up periods (seven patients after 3 months and additional three patients after 6 months). The preoperative median seminal TEX101 level was significantly higher in NOA men with seminal sperm recovery compared with NOA patients without seminal sperm recovery (13.5 vs. 9.8 ng/ml, p = 0.014 ). Besides, the serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) median levels were significantly higher in NOA men without seminal sperm recovery compared with NOA men with seminal sperm recovery ( p = 0.001 , p = 0.01 ). There were nonsignificant differences comparing the preoperative testicular volume or serum testosterone levels between the two investigated groups ( p = 0.072 , p = 0.272 ). A cutoff value of 9.9 ng/ml was demonstrated to have preoperative TEX101 prediction of seminal sperm recovery (sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 57%). Conclusion. Preoperative seminal TEX101 could be considered as a biomarker for sperm recovery for seminal sperm recovery in NOA cases associated with varicocele after its surgical repair. Further work at this point with larger number of cases should be carried out to verify its potential importance.

Health Literacy, General Health, and Lifestyle among Infertile Men and Women in the Southeastern Iran.

Infertility is a growing social problem, and health literacy is one of the factors that affects infertility, thereby affecting life quality. On the other hand, lifestyle factors exert a considerable impact on reproductive capacity and general health. Against this backdrop, this study aims to determine health literacy, general health, and lifestyle in infertile people in Zahedan, Iran. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 86 male and 181 female participants who referred to Molod Infertility center (AliIbnAbiTalib Hospital) in Zahedan were randomly selected. Health Literacy Standard Questionnaires (HELIA), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and the Miller-Smith Lifestyle Assessment Inventory (LSI) were used to collect data. In addition, data were analyzed by SPSS V.22. The participants' mean age was 30.87±7.5. Besides, 39% and 70% of the participations did not have enough health literacy and had a moderate lifestyle, respectively. In addition, the general health of 68.9% was exposed to damage. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the three aforementioned factors, with the participants of higher levels of health literacy having had higher levels of general health and lifestyle. According to the findings of this study, the infertile people's health literacy was not enough, and most of them had a moderate lifestyle. In addition, their general health was exposed to damage in most cases. Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to providing proper education and health services to infertile men and women to improve their level of health literacy and healthy fertility in order to support childbearing in the society.

Systematic Review on Infertility in Men Due to Sperm DNA Damage: Causes Investigations, & Management

The prevalence of sperm DNA damage is common in infertile men, caused by several factors. This systematic review aims to conclude causative agents, advanced and effective diagnostic aids, and treatment plans. After a critical review of 1123 articles and research papers collected from Google Scholar, Pub-Med, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Embase, PsycINFO, Ovid Medline, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, 14 reviews have been included in this systemic review according to PRISMA guidelines. Included studies describe sufficiently regarding cause, investigations and management of infertility in men caused by sperm DNA damage. According to the results, 14 reviews have been eligible for this systemic review. The subject of these reviews is associated with sperm DNA damage in men, causing infertility. These reviews summarised Oxidative stress as one of the major causative factors. Different diagnostic tools have advantages, making them suitable for the scenario. It summarises that the factors affecting male infertility are general worldwide. This review could provide fundamental strategic plans dealing with specific risk factors and managing accordingly.

First report of frequencies of Y chromosome microdeletions at a reproductive medicine center in Peru

ObjectiveY chromosome Microdeletions are the second genetic cause of infertility in men. Despite its importance for infertility treatment, there is no previous research in Peru. The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies and characteristics of Y chromosome microdeletions in a group of men who sought infertility consultation at a specialized reproductive medicine center in Peru. MethodsIn this study, 201 semen samples were analyzed. The samples were obtained from Niu Vida's fertility program. Each seminal sample was analyzed according to the recommendations of the Laboratory Manual of the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010. A buccal swab and a 500 μL aliquot of seminal sample were used for the molecular study of Y chromosome microdeletions in each patient. The frequencies and the type of Y chromosome microdeletion in the AZFa, AZFb and AZFc regions were evaluated. ResultsThe prevalence of Y chromosome microdeletions in the AZF region was 6.45% in oligozoospermic and azoospermic patients, and a prevalence of 20% was observed specifically in azoospermic patients. No microdeletions of AZFb type were detected. A partial region microdeletion of AZFa was detected in a teratozoospermic patient with a normal sperm count. ConclusionsThe study represents the first report on the incidence of Y chromosome microdeletions in Peru. Our results indicate a high prevalence of microdeletions in azoospermic patients compared to similar studies. It is suggested to assess the presence of AZFa microdeletions and to evaluate additional genetic markers in this region to identify specific mutations that may cause impaired sperm production and male infertility in the Peruvian male population.

Improved phenotypic classification of male infertility to promote discovery of genetic causes.

An increasing number of genes are being described in the context of non-syndromic male infertility. Linking the underlying genetic causes of non-syndromic male infertility with clinical data from patients is important to establish new genotype-phenotype correlations. This process can be facilitated by using universal nomenclature, but no standardized vocabulary is available in the field of non-syndromic male infertility. The International Male Infertility Genomics Consortium aimed at filling this gap, providing a standardized vocabulary containing nomenclature based on the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO). The "HPO tree" was substantially revised compared with the previous version and is based on the clinical work-up of infertile men, including physical examination and hormonal assessment. Some causes of male infertility can already be suspected based on the patient's clinical history, whereas in other instances, a testicular biopsy is needed for diagnosis. We assembled 49 HPO terms that are linked in a logical hierarchy and showed examples of morphological features of spermatozoa and testicular histology of infertile men with identified genetic diagnoses to describe the phenotypes. This work will help to record patients' phenotypes systematically and facilitate communication between geneticists and andrologists. Collaboration across institutions will improve the identification of patients with the same phenotypes, which will promote the discovery of novel genetic causes for non-syndromic male infertility.

Analyzing and Examining Smoking Effects and Oxidative Stress Markers in Seminal Plasma in Iraqi Infertility Men

The oxidative stress (OS) and sperm DNA fragmentation have been associated with sub-infertility in males and infertility due to a lack of means of protection and defense (antioxidants) for spermatozoa and an increase in reactive oxygen spices (ROS) related to wrong lifestyle (cigarettes and hookah) or what also known as Shisha. The study included (90) men between the ages of (23-40) years, (60), infertile men who smoked cigarettes and hookahs. They were divided into two groups, the first oligozoospermia and the second asthenozoospermia, according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization for seminal fluid analysis (SFA), 5 th edition, WHO(2010). Each group included (30) smoking infertile males, with a control group included (30) non-smoking fertile males. The study aimed to estimate the concentration level of Ascorbic Acid (AA) in the seminal plasma of two groups of infertile men smoking cigarettes and hookahs using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, with calculating the concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as estimating the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) using sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD), Halo view. Compared with healthy fertile men of non-smokers of cigarettes and hookahs as one of the biomarkers of oxidative stress in infertile men in Nineveh Governorate-Iraq. The results indicated that there were significant differences at the probability level (p<0.01) for the studied parameters (AA, MDA, SDF) compared to the control group (fertile men). The results showed an increase in the percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation with increasing the concentration of MDA in seminal plasma and decreasing the concentration of AA. Cigarette and hookah smoking increased the generation of ROS with a decrease in the water-soluble non-enzymatic antioxidant Ascorbic acid (AA) and thus increased the oxidative processes of the plasma membranes of spermatozoa and the occurrence of oxidative stress and impaired fertility and caused infertility. Keywords: male infertility, oxidative stress, sperm DNA fragmentation, Ascorbic acid, MDA. Bionatura http://dx.doi.org/10.21931/RB/CSS/2023

Micronutrient supplements as antioxidants in improving sperm quality and reducing DNA fragmentation

BackgroundSpermatogenesis and sperm quality may be negatively impacted by an increase in reactive oxygen species. This study investigates the efficacy of combined antioxidant therapy for treating male infertility, as measured by semen analyses and the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Infertile men with a high sperm DNA fragmentation index were instructed to take two oral micronutrient capsules daily for three months. Each antioxidant formulation contained 60 mg vitamin E, 400 µg folic acid, 30 mg selenium, 125 mg L-arginine, 220 mg L-carnitine, 7.5 mg coenzyme Q10, 40 mg L-glutathione, and 20 mg zinc citrate. At entry and post-treatment, the general characteristics, semen analysis, and sperm chromatin dispersion assays were recorded and compared.ResultsAfter three months of treatment with antioxidant compounds, the quality of spermatozoa improved significantly, as indicated by a decrease in the mean DNA fragmentation index from 45.6 ± 17.2% to 34.8 ± 20.3%; an increase in sperm concentration from 29.7 × 106/mL to 35.7 × 106/mL (p < 0.001), an increase in a total number of spermatozoa from 72.1 × 106 to 95.5 × 106 (p = 0.012), and an increase in the vitality from 75.5 ± 17.1 to 81.1 ± 14.4% viable forms (p < 0.001).ConclusionsMicronutrient supplementation can improve sperm quality and DNA integrity in infertile men. Men with infertility and significant sperm DNA fragmentation who take antioxidants for three months experience a reduction in DNA fragmentation index and an increase in sperm quality as measured by the semen analysis.Trial registrationNCT04509583. Registered 12 August 2020, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Ethics Committee—Retrospectively registered.

Nickel-induced oxidative stress causes cell death in testicles: implications for male infertility.

Aligarh region is well known for its lock industry. This lock industry utilises nickel for electroplating. There have been informal reports of infertility in men and women living near the lock industry. We analysed field water samples to investigate this link, and the results showed considerable nickel contamination. To further validate our results, we exposed male rats to relevant nickel levels in drinking water. This experimental exposure resulted in abnormal sperm morphology, decline in sperm count, significant change in activities of antioxidant enzymes, pronounced oxidative stress in the rat spermatocytes and decrease in serum testosterone level, as well as damage in the hypothalamus and pituitary (in all cases, the changes were most significant at the highest concentration used i.e 2.5 mg/l). The breeding experiments showed decline in live birth rate, while pups did not survive post birth in cages where males were given 2 and 2.5 mg/l concentrations of nickel in drinking water prior to mating. Our data strongly indicate a link between industrial nickel exposure and male infertility.

Effects of adverse semen parameters on total oxidation status and DNA/chromatin integrity

BackgroundInfertility is a major health problem that affects 7% of the men’s population. Oxidative stress (OS) plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of male infertility. The purpose of this study comparatively evaluated the total anti-oxidation status and DNA/chromatin integrity in semen samples among different infertile men’s groups compared with the normozoospermic men.MethodsThis cross-sectional study contains four experimental groups, including teratozoospermia (Exp I), asthenoteratozoospermia (Exp II), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (Exp III), and azoospermia (Exp IV), as well as the control group of normozoospermic men. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were assessed by applying the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The chromatin/DNA damage was assessed in semen samples of all study groups by applying chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and toluidine blue (TB) staining methods.ResultsThe results showed significantly higher proportions of TB+ and CMA3 positive sperm in all experimental groups compared to controls (P < 0.001). TAC, TOS, and the ratio of TAC to TOS were significantly different in all experimental groups compared to the normozoospermic men (P < 0.001).ConclusionOur study demonstrated that at least one sperm parameter abnormality, such as teratozoospermia could cause serious defects at the levels of DNA/chromatin as well as the antioxidants to oxidant balance of human spermatozoa in subfertile men with abnormal spermogram. Infertile men with sperm morphological abnormalities may benefit from simultaneous assessment of sperm DNA defects and OS.

Infertility-related stress and its relationship with emotional divorce among Iranian infertile people

BackgroundInfertility affects different aspects of couples’ lives, so it may cause problems in couples’ emotional relationships by increasing marital conflicts. This study aimed to determine Infertility-related stress and its relationship with emotional divorce among Iranian infertile people.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional observational study on 200 infertile people. The research environment was one of the well-equipped infertility centers in Tehran, Iran. Continuous sampling was employed. The data collection tools included a general information form, the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), and the Emotional Divorce Scale (EDS).ResultsThe findings revealed a significant direct relationship between infertility-related stress and all its subscales with emotional divorce in both infertile women and men. In infertile women, the most concern was the need for parenthood, while the lowest concerns were the relationship and sexual concerns. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that social and relationship concerns predicted 44% of emotional divorce, with social concern being the more influential factor. In infertile men, the need for parenthood was the most significant concern, while relationship and social concerns were less prominent. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that relationship concern predicted 50% of emotional divorce in infertile men. In both infertile men and women, social and relationship concerns explained 45% of the variance in emotional divorce. Among these two variables, relationship concern had a more impact in predicting emotional divorce. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between women and men regarding infertility-related stress and its subscales, except for sexual concern.ConclusionThe study highlights the importance of the need for parenthood as a main concern among infertile individuals. Increased infertility-related stress and its subscales contribute to higher levels of emotional divorce among this population. Additionally, relationship concern was the lowest concern in infertile people. But it significantly predicts emotional divorce among infertile individuals.

Bilaterality of varicocele: The overlooked culprit in male infertility. Case series study.

Varicocele is the most common correctable cause of male infertility that always has been a debatable subject as regards how it affects fertility and the best way to treat it. Proper assessment of the disease bilaterality is crucial not to miss one side and not to jeopardize treatment outcome. This study aimed to objectively assess varicocele bilaterality in infertile men aiming to improve treatment outcome in this cohort of patients. This prospective study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2022 including infertile males with varicoceles. Assessment of missed concomitant contralateral varicocele done pre-operatively by Color Doppler Ultrasound and intraoperatively by intraoperative Doppler device and measurement of maximal vein diameter of contralateral side. A total of 329 cases completed the study. A hundred cases (30.4%) were initially referred as unilateral varicoceles and 229 (69.6%) as bilateral varicoceles. After reassessment of the study population, bilaterality of varicocele was found to be as high as 98.5% (324/329). Repeat CDUS strongly correlated with the intraoperative measured varicocele diameter (r = 0.9, p < 0.001). Moreover, sperm parameters showed significant improvement 3 and 6 months post varicocelectomy. Normal pregnancy after 1 year of surgery occurred in 118 cases (35.9%). Varicocele bilaterality in infertile men is underreported. Thorough assessment by expert radiologists and andrologists is of paramount importance not to miss significant pathology or hazard treatment outcome.

Signaling Roleplay between Ion Channels during Mammalian Sperm Capacitation.

In order to accomplish their primary goal, mammalian spermatozoa must undergo a series of physiological, biochemical, and functional changes crucial for the acquisition of fertilization ability. Spermatozoa are highly polarized cells, which must swiftly respond to ionic changes on their passage through the female reproductive tract, and which are necessary for male gametes to acquire their functional competence. This review summarizes the current knowledge about specific ion channels and transporters located in the mammalian sperm plasma membrane, which are intricately involved in the initiation of changes within the ionic milieu of the sperm cell, leading to variations in the sperm membrane potential, membrane depolarization and hyperpolarization, changes in sperm motility and capacitation to further lead to the acrosome reaction and sperm-egg fusion. We also discuss the functionality of selected ion channels in male reproductive health and/or disease since these may become promising targets for clinical management of infertility in the future.

Obesity is associated with quality of sperm parameters in men with infertility: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrevious studies examined the effects of obesity on sperm parameters and reported inconsistent results. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and the quality of sperm parameters in infertile men.Material and methodsThe present cross-sectional study evaluated 218 infertile men aged 20–50. To this end, the 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was utilized to evaluate dietary intake. The anthropometric and biochemical variables were examined using standard methods. Further, the association between obesity and the quality of sperm parameters was evaluated using the controlled linear regression for potential confounders.ResultsThe normal sperm morphology had a significant inverse association with BMI [adjusted β − 0.074, CI (− 0.141 to − 0.008), P = 0.029] and WC [adjusted β − 0.026, CI (− 0.051 to − 0.001), P = 0.038]. Additionally, visceral fat had a marginal inverse association with normal sperm morphology [adjusted β − 0.065, CI (− 0.138 to 0.008), P = 0.079] and non-progressive sperm motility [adjusted β − 0.241, CI (− 0.495 to 0.014), P = 0.063].ConclusionEven though the present results indicated that obesity, abdominal obesity, and visceral fat had inverse associations with normal sperm morphology, more mechanism-based studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.

Understanding the Male Perspective: Evaluating Quality of Life and Psychological Distress in Serbian Men Undergoing Infertility Treatment.

The experience of an infertility diagnosis and treatment imposes a profound burden on affected individuals, encompassing not only physical and medical aspects but also a plethora of psychological, social, and emotional factors. By employing a multimodal assessment featuring validated self-report questionnaires, physical measurements, and clinical records, the present study aimed to explore the quality of life and psycho-emotional distress of men undergoing infertility treatment in Serbia, thereby addressing the dearth of research on the underrepresented male perspective in this domain. Findings revealed diverse semen abnormalities among participants (n = 96, average age 37.69 ± 5.72), with significant associations between longer treatment durations and reduced sperm motility. The observed rates of men surpassing predetermined DASS-42 questionnaire thresholds for depression, anxiety, and stress in the analyzed cohort were 13.54%, 11.46%, and 22.92%, respectively. Summary scores in conceptual areas comprised in the SF-36 questionnaire ranged from 49.00 ± 6.25 for the mental health dimension to 90.16 ± 17.75 obtained in the physical functioning subscale. Patients with a longer treatment duration demonstrated lower scores in the role emotional domain, indicative of a less favorable emotional state. Expectedly, inverse correlations were found between the SF-36 mental health score and DASS-42 subscales. By addressing the existing knowledge gap and highlighting the unique needs of infertile men, the finding of this study may contribute to a more inclusive and holistic approach to infertility research and management.