Fertility Markers Research Articles

Lycopene is superior to moringa in improving fertility markers in diet-induced obesity male rats.

Obesity is a condition of chronic tissue inflammation and oxidative stress that poses as a risk factor for maleinfertility. Moringa oleifera oil extract is known to have cholesterol-loweringproperties and a potential to treat obesity, while lycopene is a potent antioxidant. We hypothesize that Moringa or lycopene may improve male fertility markers in an animal model of diet-induced obesity. Male Albino rats (n=60) were randomized to receive regular chow (RC) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12weeks (n=30 each). Animals in each arm were further randomized to receive gavage treatment with corn oil (vehicle), lycopene (10mg/kg), or Moringa (400mg/kg) for four weeks starting on week 9 (n=10 each). Animals were sacrificed at 12weeks, and blood was collected to assess lipid profile, serum testosterone, and gonadotropin levels. The testes and epididymides were removed for sperm analysis, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and histopathological assessment. In comparison to their RC littermates, animals on HFD showed an increase in body weights, serum lipids, testosterone and gonadotrophin levels, testicular oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, as well as sperm abnormalities and disrupted testicular histology. Moringa or lycopene reduced body weight, improved oxidative stress, and male fertility markers in HFD-fed animals with lycopene exhibiting better anti-antioxidant and anti-lipidemic effects. Lycopene is superior to Moringa in improving male fertility parameters, possibly by attenuating oxidative stress.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Surrogate Markers of Fertility in PCOS Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vitamin D (VD) might play an important role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and female fertility. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT) is sparse. We examined VD effects on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and other endocrine markers in PCOS and non-PCOS women. This is a post hoc analysis of a single-center, double-blind RCT conducted between December 2011 and October 2017 at the endocrine outpatient clinic at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. We included 180 PCOS women and 150 non-PCOS women with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations <75 nmol/L in the trial. We randomized subjects to receive 20,000 IU of VD3/week (119 PCOS, 99 non-PCOS women) or placebo (61 PCOS, 51 non-PCOS women) for 24 weeks. Outcome measures were AMH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and androstenedione. In PCOS women, we observed a significant treatment effect on FSH (mean treatment effect 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.087 to 1.799, p = 0.031) and LH/FSH ratio (mean treatment effect −0.335, 95% CI −0.621 to 0.050, p = 0.022), whereas no significant effect was observed in non-PCOS women. In PCOS women, VD treatment for 24 weeks had a significant effect on FSH and LH/FSH ratio but no effect on AMH levels.

119 Anti-Müllerian hormone as an endocrine marker of fertility in Bos taurus heifers

The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between the serum concentration of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and fertility indicators in Bos taurus heifers subjected to breeding. From a group of 40 Simmental heifers (15–18 months of age, body condition score of 5 to 7; weight 350–400kg) that received a single dose of 25mg of dinoprost, 23 females entered oestrus and were artificially inseminated 14–16h after onset of the oestrus. If the females returned into oestrus, they were inseminated until conception was confirmed by ultrasonography (30–33d after IA). On Day 4 of the oestrous cycle, a blood sample was collected from each animal, and serum AMH concentration was determined using an ELISA. The AMH levels were classified as normal (AMHn, &amp;lt;0.4ng mL−1) or high (AMHh, &amp;gt;0.4ng mL−1) and were correlated with the number of follicles (NF) and the sampling-to-conception interval (SCi). The number of follicles (antral follicles of 3 to 8mm) in each female was counted at the onset of the recruitment phase during the oestrous cycle. A linear model included AMH level as a fixed effect to analyse NF and SCi. The AMH level was correlated with NF (r=0.8; P&amp;lt;0.001) and SCi (r=−0.61; P&amp;lt;0.05). The AMHh category produced a higher NF (27±3.06 vs. 16±1.85 follicles; P&amp;lt;0.05) and fewer days of SCi (18.22±2.97 vs. 76.30±14.41 days; P=0.03). In conclusion, high AMH levels were related positively with the number of follicles and higher fertility in Bos taurus heifers.

THE CONCENTRATION OF INTERLEUKIN-6 AND INTERLEUKIN-8 IN HUMAN SEMEN WITH HIGH VISCOSITY

Objective: to estimate the effect of ejaculate consistency on the levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in human seminal plasma. Material and methods. The concentration of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 was determined by ELISA using the kit manufactured by «Vector-Best» (Russia). The study included 64 men: the main group (n = 30) presents patients with high semen viscosity, the comparison group (n = 34) presents men with normal semen viscosity. Results. In average, interleukin-6 level in the semen was 13.45 pg/ml, the median was 13.79 pg/ml; the data ranged from 8.24 pg/ml to 19.34 pg/ml. In average, level of interleukin-8 was 28.9 pg/ml, the median – 13.96 pg/ml; there is a large range of values from 0.202 pg/ml to 174.5 pg/ml. There are no significant differences in the values of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 of the main group from the comparison group: for interleukin-6, U = 377.0 (p = 0.074655); for interleukin-8, U = 407.0 (p = 0.863852). The data obtained did not correlate neither between groups nor with the fertility markers of the human semen.&lt;br&gt;Conclusion. Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in the human seminal plasma do not depend on semen viscosity.

102 Age-related differences in seminal parameters and expression of fertility marker genes in Marwari stallion

The objective of the present study was to observe age-related differences in seminal parameters and expression of fertility marker genes in Marwari stallions. Semen was collected from 9 Marwari stallions (6 ejaculates per stallion) of 3 different age groups (2 to 4 years, GI; 4 to 6 years, GII; and &amp;gt;6 years, GIII) twice a week using an artificial vagina by allowing the stallions to mount a mare. The collected ejaculate was divided into 2 parts. Part A was used for evaluation of various seminal parameters (colour, consistency, total volume, gel volume, gel-free volume, pH, progressive sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm viability, total sperm morphological abnormalities, plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, and DNA integrity). Part B was centrifuged to obtain the sperm pellet for DNA extraction. Six fertility-related marker genes (SPATA1, SP17, PLCz, CRISP3, UBB, and PRM1) were examined in the spermatozoa DNA using PCR. Expression levels of these genes were also studied using quantitative real-time PCR. Data obtained were analysed statistically by one-way or two-way analysis of variance using the SPSS computer program (version 20.0; IBM Corp.). No significant difference was observed among the GI, GII, and GIII stallions for seminal parameters, except mean sperm concentration, which was lowest in 2- to 4-year-old stallions (146.06±11.50 million mL−1), intermediate in stallions &amp;gt;6 years old (182.03±8.51 million mL−1), and highest in stallions of 4 to 6 years (270.92±9.12 million mL−1; P&amp;lt;0.01). The study demonstrated that all six fertility-related genes showed differential expression in stallions from the GI, GII, and GIII groups. In addition, expression levels of the same genes varied across individuals. Expression of SPATA1, SP17, PLCz, CRISP3, UBB, and PRM1 genes was reduced in stallions below 4 years of age compared with older stallions. This result suggests that expression of these genes increases with age, although possibly only up to a certain age. We inferred that stallions around 4–6 years of age can be considered optimum to use for breeding purposes, provided seminal parameters are normal.

Long-term follow-up of boys who have undergone a testicular biopsy for fertility preservation.

Long-term follow-up of boys who have undergone a testicular biopsy for fertility preservation.

The anatomy, movement, and functions of human sperm tail: an evolving mystery.

Sperms have attracted attention of many researchers since it was discovered by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1677. Though a small cell, its every part has complex structure and different function to play in carrying life. Sperm tail is most complicated structure with more than 1000 proteins involved in its functioning. With the advent of three-dimensional microscopes, many studies are undergoing to understand exact mechanism of sperm tail movement. Most recent studies have shown that sperms move by spinning rather than swimming. Each subunit of tail, including axonemal, peri-axonemal structures, plays essential roles in sperm motility, capacitation, hyperactivation, fertilization. Furthermore, over 2300 genes are involved in spermatogenesis. A number of genetic mutations have been linked with abnormal sperm flagellar development leading to motility defects and male infertility. It was found that 6% of male infertility cases are related to genetic causes, and 4% of couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection for male subfertility have chromosomal abnormalities. Hence, an understanding of sperm tail development and genes associated with its normal functioning can help in better diagnosis of male infertility and its management. There is still a lot that needs to be discovered about genes, proteins contributing to normal human sperm tail development, movement, and role in male fertility. Sperm tail has complex anatomy, with surrounding axoneme having 9 + 2 microtubules arrangement along its entire length and peri-axonemal structures that contribute in sperm motility and fertilization. In future sperm tail-associated genes, proteins and subunits can be used as markers of male fertility.

Impact of Breast Cancer Systemic Therapies on Fertility

Many young women diagnosed with breast cancer will be confronted with premature ovarian insufficiency and infertility as a consequence of systemic therapies used to treat their cancer. This is a concern for nearly half of young women diagnosed with breast cancer. We will review the impact of breast cancer chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and immunotherapy on fertility and surrogate markers of fertility. Modern breast cancer treatments continue to have an impact on a woman’s fertility potential. This risk is reduced as more patients are able to safely eliminate chemotherapy as part of their treatment plan without compromising cancer-related outcomes. Research is being done to assess whether patient outcomes are affected from pausing endocrine therapy to allow for pregnancy. With varying extent, most breast cancer treatments have some impact on fertility although more data is necessary. Individualized fertility counseling is an important aspect of comprehensive cancer care. This review highlights the special population of premenopausal breast cancer patients and the challenge in their care should they desire children.

Seminal Plasma Osteopontin: A Marker for Potential Fertility in Dogs

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular matrix protein with multifunctions and has been identified in the reproductive tract of both males and females. OPN from the seminal plasma (SP) has been closely associated with male fertility in several domestic animals. Different isoforms of OPN has been identified in the SP and sperm membrane in dogs but with unknown functions. The current study investigated the comparison of key canine sperm microscopic parameters and SP markers between dogs exhibiting different fertility potential.Methods: In this investigation during 2018-2019, 21 dogs coming for breeding soundness examination were selected and divided into fertile (Group I) and hypofertile (Group II). Evaluation included assessment of sperm microscopic characteristics and estimation of OPN, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration in the SP.Result: The OPN level showed positive correlation with all the sperm evaluated characteristics (p less than 0.01). Linear regression analysis depicted a significant (p less than 0.001) influence of OPN on the evaluated sperm characteristics. These findings suggest that OPN in the SP along with the microscopic characteristics of the spermatozoa can be used as a potential fertility marker in discriminating fertile from the hypofertile ones.

Preconception telomere length and pregnancy outcomes: a new marker of reproductive aging?

Background: Telomere length is influenced by a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors, including environmental chemicals, inflammation, and oxidative stress, and is therefore considered a marker of cumulative cellular aging or biologic age. Longer telomere length has been associated with higher levels of circulating reproductive hormones, greater parity, and reduced risk of polycystic ovary syndrome, suggesting a role of telomere length in human reproduction. However, the relationship between telomere length, as a marker of biologic age, and fecundability and fertility is unknown. Methods: We evaluated associations of preconception leukocyte telomere length with fecundability, live birth, and pregnancy loss among 1,228 participants of the EAGeR trial, which included women aged 18-40 years who were attempting to conceive. Preconception leukocyte telomere length was measured at baseline using polymerase chain reaction and reported as a ratio (T/S) in relation to population-specific standard reference DNA. The T/S ratio for each participant was then converted to base-pairs using the following formula: Base-pairs = 3274 + 2413(T/S ratio). We estimated associations of telomere length with fecundability, live birth, and pregnancy loss using Cox proportional hazards models and log-binomial models adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, and other factors. Results: In both unadjusted and adjusted models, preconception telomere length was not associated with fecundability (adjusted fecundability odds ratio (FOR) per 1,000 base-pairs = 1.03; 95% CI = 0.85, 1.26), live birth (adjusted relative risk (RR) per 1,000 base-pairs = 1.13; 95% CI = 0.80, 1.60), or pregnancy loss (adjusted RR per 1,000 base-pairs = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.81, 1.60). Conclusions: These findings suggest that leukocyte telomere length, as a marker of biologic age, is not importantly related to fecundability or fertility among healthy reproductive-age women.

Total Motile Sperm Count in Adolescent Boys with Varicocele is Associated with Hormone Levels and Total Testicular Volume.

The risk factors for future infertility in adolescents with varicocele are controversial, and little is known about the association between hormone levels and semen parameters. Semen analysis is likely the closest marker of fertility but may be difficult to obtain in some boys secondary to personal, familial or religious reasons. Identifying other clinical surrogates for abnormal semen parameters may offer an alternative for assessing varicocele severity in these boys. We hypothesized that hormone levels and total testicular volume are predictive of abnormal total motile sperm count. We retrospectively reviewed Tanner 5 boys with palpable left varicoceles who underwent a semen analysis and had serum hormone levels tested (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin B, anti-müllerian hormone and/or total testosterone) within a 6-month period. Total testicular volume was also calculated. Abnormal total motile sperm count was defined as <9 million sperm per ejaculate. A total of 78 boys (median age 17.2 years, IQR 16.5-18.0) were included. Luteinizing hormone, anti-müllerian hormone and total testosterone were not correlated with any semen analysis parameter. There was a negative correlation between follicle-stimulating hormone and total motile sperm count (ρ -0.35, p=0.004) and positive correlation between inhibin B and total motile sperm count (ρ 0.50, p <0.001). Total testicular volume was significantly positively correlated with total motile sperm count (ρ 0.35, p=0.01). ROC analyses revealed an optimal follicle-stimulating hormone cutoff of 2.9, an optimal inhibin B cutoff of 204 and an optimal total testicular volume cutoff of 34.4 cc to predict abnormal total motile sperm count. Total motile sperm count is inversely associated with follicle-stimulating hormone levels, and directly associated with inhibin B levels and total testicular volume. Optimized cutoffs for serum follicle-stimulating hormone, inhibin B and total testicular volume may prove to be reasonable surrogates for total motile sperm count in boys who defer semen analysis for personal or religious/cultural reasons.

Multisite Effectiveness Study of the Marquette Method of Natural Family Planning Program.

This study involved determining whether healthcare professionals at ten sites across the United States and Canada trained to provide the Marquette Method NFP services can replicate the effectiveness demonstrated in previous studies of the method. We found a high level of effectiveness (i.e., very low pregnancy rates) in using the Marquette Method among women from various regions across North America with diverse reproductive backgrounds and in particular when using hormonal fertility marker. Healthcare providers who have been trained to teach NFP can successfully incorporate NFP services in their practice and assist their clients in choosing appropriate family planning methods.

The LH/FSH ratio is not a sex-dimorphic marker after infancy: data from 6417 healthy individuals and 125 patients with Differences of Sex Development.

What is the course of the LH/FSH ratio from infancy into adulthood in healthy individuals and in patients with Differences of Sex Development (DSD)? The LH/FSH ratio had a marked overlap between the sexes after infancy and onwards throughout adulthood in healthy individuals and it was not a marker of hypogonadism in DSD patients. The LH/FSH ratio is a distinct marker of sex during minipuberty. No study has evaluated the LH/FSH ratio from infancy into adulthood. This was a combined study of prospective longitudinal and cross-sectional cohorts of healthy individuals totaling 6417 males and females aged 0-80 years. Retrospective data from a single, tertiary center on 125 patients with DSD was also included. Based on the healthy males (n = 3144) and females (n = 3273) aged 0-80 years, reference ranges for LH, FSH and the LH/FSH ratio were established from infancy (after minipuberty) and onwards. LH, FSH, and the LH/FSH ratio in 125 patients with DSD not undergoing treatment were compared to the reference ranges. Included DSD diagnoses were: Klinefelter syndrome including mosaic variants (males: n = 14), Turner syndrome including mosaic variants without Y-chromosome material (females: n = 48), 45,X/46,XY mosaicism (males: n = 24 and females: n = 6), partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (males: n = 11), complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (females: n = 13) and anorchia (males: n = 9). An overlap was observed in the LH/FSH ratio reference curves between males and females. However, when comparing the sexes at specific time points, the LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in healthy males during childhood and adulthood and significantly higher in healthy females during puberty. When compared with healthy participants, male patients with anorchia and 45,X/46,XY mosaicism had significantly lower ratios, while patients with androgen insensitivity, regardless of sex, had significantly higher ratios. The limitations of this study include that; (i) all healthy individuals were Caucasian, so conclusions may not apply to non-Caucasians; (ii) the calculated LH/FSH ratios were restricted to the specific analytical method used and may not be applicable to other laboratories; (iii) the samples from healthy individuals were stored for varying amounts of time up to 20 years which may affect the durability; and (iv) DSD diagnoses are heterogeneous thus making sturdy conclusions across diagnoses impossible. In this study of combined cohorts of healthy participants, the largest normative ranges of LH, FSH, and the LH/FSH ratio to date were created. These reference ranges provide the opportunity for clinical as well as research use for all three markers. However, the previously rather undescribed LH/FSH ratio was not a distinct marker of sex after infancy nor a new marker of hypogonadism. Although there were significant differences between subgroups of DSD patients compared to healthy controls, the clinical significance of the LH/FSH ratio after infancy lacked. However, it can be speculated whether there are other areas of clinical application not investigated in this article, for example as a marker of fertility in select patient groups. As gonadotropin assays are readily available and gonadotropin measurements are part of regular workups, the LH/FSH ratio can easily be explored in further research without additional costs. M.L.L. was funded by the Absalon Foundation. Cohort 1 was funded by the European Commission, through the Biomed 2 Program (BMH4-CT96-0314), Environmental Reproductive Health (QLK4-CT1999-01422) and EXPORED (QLK4-2001-00269), by the Danish Council for Independent Research (9700833 and 9700909), and by the Svend Andersens Foundation. Cohort 2 was funded by the Danish Environmental Research Program (96.01.015.16.05). Cohort 3 was funded by Kirsten and Freddy Johansens Foundation. NA. June 1990 (the launch of the department from which this project stems).

Determination of the Upper Reference Limit of Human Epididymis Secretory Protein 4 (HE4) in Healthy Male Individuals and Correlation with Renal and Fertility Markers

Elevated human epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4) serum levels have been widely investigated in patients with ovarian cancer. However, high levels of HE4 can be also found in other tumors and in renal fibrosis. To date, the HE4 assay manufacturer features the reference value only for the female pre- and post-menopausal population. The aim of this study was to determine the upper reference limit (URL) of HE4 in a well-defined and large cohort of healthy male individuals and investigate potential factors influencing HE4 levels in healthy subjects. The study included 307 Italian healthy male individuals. HE4 was measured using a chemiluminescent assay (Abbott Laboratories, Wiesbaden, Germany). The URL was calculated using the non-parametric percentile method. Differences in HE4 concentrations according to age, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), free and bioavailable testosterone were also evaluated. The 97.5th percentile URL of serum HE4 in our study population was 57 pmol/L (90% CI). After stratifying subjects according to age, we found that the URL of HE4 was higher in older (&gt; 50 years) than in younger subjects (18-30 years old), and overlapping with the URL in males from 31 to 50 years old (P=4.769e-16, r=0.44). A strong negative correlation between HE4 and eGFR was observed (P=8.412e-12, r=-0.38). Moreover, a statistically significant negative correlation was also found between HE4 and free and bioavailable testosterone. This study determined the URL of HE4 in a large cohort of healthy male subjects. Our findings indicate that the HE4 age-dependent differences in males need to be taken into account. The definition of the HE4 URL in males and the correlation observed with eGFR and testosterone should foster the clinical use of HE4 beyond gynecologic cancer.

A low protein maternal diet during gestation has negative effects on male fertility markers in rats - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Research indicates that some adult diseases including reproductive pathologies are programmed in utero during foetal development. In particular, maternal low dietary protein, during the most critical developmental periods of male foetal development, may have a detrimental impact on male fertility through direct and epigenetic mechanisms. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of a gestational low protein diet on fertility markers in male offspring in rats through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search using PubMed, and EMBASE databases was performed and two investigators independently screened the 1,703 prospective articles. Eleven articles met the eligibility criteria. Outcome measures were pooled using random-effects models and expressed as mean differences (MDs) at 95% CIs for each study. The results reveal significant reduction in testis weight (MD (mean difference) -0.08g; -0.12, -0.42; p=.0001), epididymal sperm count (MD -35.34×106 cells; -52.15, -18.53; p=.0001), number of Sertoli cells (MD -7.27×106 (-13.92, -0.62; p=.03), testosterone (T) concentration (MD -0.29ng/ml; -0.48, -0.09; p=.004) and luteinising hormone (LH) concentration (MD of -0.24ng/ml; -0.45, 0.04; p=.02) in comparison with controls. In contrast, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration (MD of 0.07ng/ml; -0.16, 0.29; p=.56) was not significantly different from controls. We conclude that low gestational dietary protein maternal intake potentially negatively impacts fertility in male progeny later in life. The mechanisms of action responsible for these phenomena remain unclear.

The Impact of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Female Fertility

Nowadays, infertility is a prevalent problem among couples. Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may influence the female reproductive outcomes through multiple mechanisms, being one of the important causes of infertility. These compounds may interfere with some fertility and fecundity markers, leading to increased time to pregnancy, increased risk of spontaneous abortion, shorter menstrual cycles, early age at menopause, anovulation or delayed ovulation, smaller preovulatory follicles, increased serum FSH, decreased synthesis of estradiol and progesterone, low plasma levels of anti-Mullerian hormone and decreased antral follicle count. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals may also impair in vitro fertilization outcomes, being responsible for: a lower probability of implantation, reduced fertilization rates, diminished probability of clinical pregnancy, and near term pregnancies after in vitro fertilization. Another mechanism of altering the female reproductive function is through the disorders induced by EDCs, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Those conditions may finally lead to infertility.

Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) Cohort - A DNBC Male-Offspring Cohort.

BackgroundPrenatal exposures may contribute to male infertility in adult life, but large-scale epidemiological evidence is still lacking. The Fetal Programming of Semen quality (FEPOS) cohort was founded to provide means to examine if fetal exposures can interfere with fetal reproductive development and ultimately lead to reduced semen quality and reproductive hormone imbalances in young adult men.MethodsYoung adult men at least 18 years and 9 months of age born to women in the Danish National Birth Cohort living in relative proximity to Copenhagen or Aarhus and for whom a maternal blood sample and two maternal interviews during pregnancy were available were invited to FEPOS. Recruitment began in March 2017 and ended in December 2019. The participants answered a comprehensive questionnaire and underwent a physical examination where they delivered a semen, urine, and hair sample, measured their own testicular volume, and had blood drawn.ResultsIn total 21,623 sons fulfilled eligibility criteria of whom 5697 were invited and 1058 participated making the response rate 19%. Semen characteristics did not differ between sons from the Copenhagen and Aarhus clinics. When comparing the FEPOS semen parameters to similar cohorts, the median across all semen characteristics was slightly lower for FEPOS participants, although with smaller variation.ConclusionWith its 1058 young adult men, the FEPOS cohort is the largest population-based male-offspring cohort worldwide specifically designed to investigate prenatal determinants of semen quality. Wide-ranging information on maternal health, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, occupation, and serum concentrations of potential reproductive toxicants during pregnancy combined with biological markers of fertility in their sons collected after puberty allow for in-depth investigations of the ‘fetal origins of adult disease hypothesis’.

The potential therapeutic effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and inulin on serum and testicular reproductive markers in diabetic male rats

BackgroundIt is well established that diminished reproductive health is one of the notable long-term outcomes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially among males. Due to the global increasing rate of T2DM and infertility, we aimed to investigate the impact of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), inulin, and their combinatory supplementation on fertility markers as well as testicular kisspeptin and androgen receptor (AR)’s expression in diabetic male rats.MethodsThirty-five Male Wistar rats with Streptozotocin-induced T2DM were supplemented with L. plantarum, inulin, or their combination for 8 weeks. At the end-point, the animals were sacrificed and serum, testicular, and seminal parameters were studied.ResultsAdministration of L. plantarum and inulin in diabetic male rats improved sperm motility and viability (P < 0.001, both) as well as testicular tissue development via increasing leydig cell number, testicular spermatid count, and diameter of seminiferous tubules (P < 0.001, all). Testicular expression of Kisspeptin was elevated by inulin supplementation (P = 0.01). L. plantarum administration increased testicular AR expression (P = 0.01). The expression of Kisspeptin showed a remarkable correlation with fertility markers (P < 0.001).ConclusionSupplementation with either L. plantarum, inulin, or their combination can prevent infertility caused by T2DM in male rats via improving testicular kisspeptin and AR expression, leydig cell count, and effectively increasing epididymal sperm motility and viability.

The 1999 and 2010 WHO reference values for human semen analysis to predict sperm DNA damage: A comparative study

Standard semen parameters are often used to predict male fertility, but whether the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO 2010) thresholds are better predictors than the 1999 thresholds has not been investigated. In this study, we addressed this issue using sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) as a marker of male fertility in 134 subfertile male individuals. To compare the predictive value of the 1999 thresholds with the 2010 cutoffs, the Youden indices (YIs) of all possible thresholds were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and compared to each other and to the respective YIs of optimal thresholds. We found that the area under the ROC curves of progressive motility and vitality was the highest among standard semen parameters, and that the YI of both parameters from the 2010 manual was comparable to the respective optimal YIs. In contrast, the threshold of sperm concentration and total sperm number from both WHO recommendations demonstrated low YIs, with substantial differences to the respective optimal YIs. The YIs of normal morphology cutoffs from both WHO manuals were slightly different from each other and from the respective optimal YIs. In conclusion, the 2010 thresholds for progressive motility and vitality are superior to the 1999 thresholds in predicting SDF, whereas the cutoff value of sperm concentration, total sperm number and normal morphology may need further revisions to increase their accuracy.

Impact of Short-Term Isoflavone Intervention in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Patients on Microbiota Composition and Metagenomics.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5–20% of women of reproductive age worldwide and is associated with disorders of glucose metabolism. Hormone and metabolic signaling may be influenced by phytoestrogens, such as isoflavones. Their endocrine effects may modify symptom penetrance in PCOS. Equol is one of the most active isoflavone metabolites, produced by intestinal bacteria, and acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Method: In this interventional study of clinical and biochemical characterization, urine isoflavone levels were measured in PCOS and control women before and three days after a defined isoflavone intervention via soy milk. In this interventional study, bacterial equol production was evaluated using the log(equol: daidzein ratio) and microbiome, metabolic, and predicted metagenome analyses were performed. Results: After isoflavone intervention, predicted stool metagenomic pathways, microbial alpha diversity, and glucose homeostasis in PCOS improved resembling the profile of the control group at baseline. In the whole cohort, larger equol production was associated with lower androgen as well as fertility markers. Conclusion: The dynamics in our metabolic, microbiome, and predicted metagenomic profiles underline the importance of external phytohormones on PCOS characteristics and a potential therapeutic approach or prebiotic in the future.