Morphological and Immunohistochemical Changes in Progressive Postmortem Autolysis of the Murine Brain.

In this time series study, the temporal sequences of postmortem changes in brains kept at different temperatures were investigated in different areas of mouse brains. Fixation of tissues kept at different storage temperatures (4 °C, 22 °C, 37 °C) was delayed for four time points (24, 120, 168, 336 h). Histological and immunohistochemical investigations were carried out to determine how postmortem autolysis may affect the cellular morphology and the expression of neural cell epitopes.

Sperm Chromatin Dispersion Test Detects Sperm DNA Fragmentation Mainly Associated with Unviable Spermatozoa and Underestimates the Values with Respect to TUNEL Assay.

Several clinical laboratories assess sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) in addition to semen analysis in male infertility diagnosis. Among tests evaluating sDF, TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) and SCD (Sperm Chromatin Dispersion) are widely used. Our lab developed a modified version of TUNEL (TUNEL/PI) able to distinguish two sperm populations (PI Brighter and PI Dimmer) differently associated with sperm viability and reproductive outcomes.

Severe sperm DNA fragmentation may persist for up to 3 years after cytotoxic therapy in patients affected by Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Study Question: Does sperm DNA recover from damage in all men after 2 years from the end of cytotoxic treatments?

Summary Answer: The current indication of 2 years waiting time for seeking natural pregnancy after cytotoxic treatment may not be adequate for all men, since severe sperm DNA damage is present in a proportion of subjects even after this timeframe.

What Is Known Already: Data in the literature on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in lymphoma patients after cytotoxic treatments are scarce. The largest longitudinal study evaluated paired pre- and post-therapy (up to 24 months) semen samples from 34 patients while one study performed a longer follow-up (36 months) in 10 patients.

Tip-microVapour Fast Freezing: A novel easy method for cryopreserving severe oligozoospermic samples.

Background: Sperm cryopreservation is an important procedure for oligozoospermic subjects at risk of azoospermia and after surgical recovery of spermatozoa in non-obstructive azoospermic men. Conventional procedures for sperm cryopreservation might be, however, not suitable for samples with a very low sperm number.

Objectives: In this pilot study, we investigated the recoveries of sperm motility and viability in severe oligozoospermic subjects (n = 39) after cryopreservation with a tip-microVapour Fast Freezing, a procedure previously developed by our group for men with good semen quality.

Semen Cryopreservation for Men Banking for Oligozoospermia, Cancers, and Other Conditions: 24 Years' Experience of an Italian Bank.

Background: Sperm cryopreservation is recommended to preserve male fertility for cancer patients or other medical conditions at risk of sperm decline. Whether motility and viability recovery rates vary depending on the medical conditions requiring cryopreservation is poorly known. We report here on the 24-year experience of our semen bank.

Long-term effect of cytotoxic treatments on sperm DNA fragmentation in patients affected by testicular germ cell tumor.

Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumor is the most frequent neoplasia in men of reproductive age, with a 5-year survival rate of 95%. Antineoplastic treatments induce sperm DNA fragmentation, especially within the first year post-therapy. Data in the literature are heterogeneous concerning longer follow-up periods, and the large majority is limited to 2 years.

Neuropathology of Central and Peripheral Nervous System Lymphoma in Dogs and Cats: A Study of 92 Cases and Review of the Literature.

The literature about nervous system lymphoma (NSL) in dogs and cats is fragmentary, based on a few case series and case reports with heterogeneous results. The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze 45 cases of canine and 47 cases of feline NSL and compare our results with previously reported data, also providing an extensive literature review. Breed, age, gender, clinical signs, type, and neurolocalization were recorded for each case.

Decrease of air pollution during lockdown in Tuscany (Italy): An effect on sperm DNA fragmentation?

In March 2020, the Italian government imposed a national lockdown which was almost completely removed in June 2020. Due to the abrupt stop of human activities, emissions of air pollutants decreased. Air pollution is an environmental risk factor for noncommunicable disease and mortality.

The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) ultrasound study on healthy, fertile men: An overview on male genital tract ultrasound reference ranges.

Background: So far, male genital tract color-Doppler ultrasound (MGT-CDUS) was not standardized. Recently, the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) published the results of a multicenter study assessing the CDUS characteristics of healthy-fertile men (HFM) to obtain normative parameters.

Objectives: To report the EAA US study (i) standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assessing MGT-CDUS, (ii) main MGT-CDUS normative parameters, and (iii) compare the EAA and previously published "normal" CDUS values.

Safety issues in semen banks during the COVID-19 pandemic: data from a European survey.

Purpose: We performed a survey among European semen banks enquiring safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. We report the experience from a center searching SARS-CoV-2 mRNA in semen of patients undergoing cryopreservation from May 2020 to January 2021.

Methods: A questionnaire was submitted to accredited semen banks of the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) and the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS).

Semen impairment and occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in semen after recovery from COVID-19.

Study Question: How is the semen quality of sexually active men following recovery from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection?

Summary Answer: Twenty-five percent of the men with recent SARS-Cov-2 infections and proven healing were oligo-crypto-azoospermic, despite the absence of virus RNA in semen.

What Is Known Already: The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in human semen and its role in virus contagion and semen quality after recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still unclear. So far, studies evaluating semen quality and the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen of infected or proven recovered men are scarce and included a limited number of participants.

The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) ultrasound study on healthy, fertile men: Scrotal ultrasound reference ranges and associations with clinical, seminal, and biochemical characteristics.

Background: Scrotal color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) still suffers from lack of standardization. Hence, the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) has promoted a multicenter study to assess the CDUS characteristics of healthy fertile men (HFM) to obtain normative parameters.

Objectives: To report and discuss the scrotal organs CDUS reference ranges and characteristics in HFM and their associations with clinical, seminal, and biochemical parameters.

The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) ultrasound study on healthy, fertile men: clinical, seminal and biochemical characteristics.

Background: Infertility affects 7%-12% of men, and its etiology is unknown in half of cases. To fill this gap, use of the male genital tract color-Doppler ultrasound (MGT-CDUS) has progressively expanded. However, MGT-CDUS still suffers from lack of standardization.

Adverse effects of in vitro manipulation of spermatozoa.

Development of in vitro reproduction techniques has not only offered some infertile couples the possibility to have a child, it also revolutionized animal reproduction. Although in vitro reproduction techniques for humans or domestic and non-domestic animals have been designed to mimic in vivo conditions, modifications due to environmental effects or in vitro manipulation of gametes and embryos are unavoidable. For male gametes, in vitro manipulations include techniques to select spermatozoa, cryopreservation and other incubation procedures, during which spermatozoa may be exposed to oxidative stress and other insults that may damage their functions and DNA.

Seminal but not Serum Levels of Holotranscobalamin are Altered in Morbid Obesity and Correlate with Semen Quality: A Pilot Single Centre Study.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential cofactor in the one-carbon metabolism. One-carbon metabolism is a set of complex biochemical reactions, through which methyl groups are utilised or generated, and thus plays a vital role to many cellular functions in humans. Low levels of cobalamin have been associated to metabolic/reproductive pathologies.

Canine Cerebral Intravascular Lymphoma: Neuropathological and Immunohistochemical Findings.

Intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is a rare angiotropic large-cell lymphoma in which neoplastic lymphocytes proliferate within the lumina of small blood vessels in the absence of a primary extravascular mass or leukemia. This study included 10 cases of canine IVL restricted to the CNS. Dogs had an average age of 8 years and neurological signs mainly referred to brain involvement such as depression, seizures, and ambulatory deficits.

The prevalence of midline prostatic cysts and the relationship between cyst size and semen parameters among infertile and fertile men.

Study Question: When is the investigation and treatment of midline prostatic cysts (MPC) of clinical value in the work-up of males of infertile couples?

Summary Answer: With a prevalence of 10.2% in infertile men, MPC should be investigated according to a seminal algorithm detecting a MPC volume >0.117 ml, which may impair semen parameters, and could be treated to improve sperm count and achieve natural pregnancy.

Epididymal more than testicular abnormalities are associated with the occurrence of antisperm antibodies as evaluated by the MAR test.

Study Question: Is there any association between mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test positivity and clinical features or genital tract ultrasound (US) parameter values in males of infertile and fertile couples?

Study Answer: In males of infertile and fertile couples MAR test positivity was associated with clinical and US features suggestive of chronic epididymal inflammation.

What Is Known Already: MAR test positivity has been more often reported in males of infertile couples than in fertile men. A positive MAR test has been detected in men with a history of testicular or post-testicular damage.

Breast cancer: effectiveness of a one-year unsupervised exercise program.

Background: Improvements in prevention and therapeutic strategies over the years have considerably increased the number of breast cancer survivors. Sedentary behavior is now acknowledged to be a risk factor for cancer and cancer relapse. Currently, there are different approaches to increasing the effectiveness of long-term physical activity in these patients.

Massive Weight Loss Obtained by Bariatric Surgery Affects Semen Quality in Morbid Male Obesity: a Preliminary Prospective Double-Armed Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of massive weight loss on the seminal parameters at 6 months from bariatric surgery.

Design: Two-armed prospective study performed in 31 morbidly obese men, undergoing laparoscopic roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (n = 23) or non-operated (n = 8), assessing sex hormones, conventional (sperm motility, morphology, number, semen volume), and non-conventional (DNA fragmentation and seminal interleukin-8), semen parameters, at baseline and after 6 months from surgery or patients' recruitment.

Results: In operated patients only, a statistically significant improvement in the sex hormones was confirmed.

Neuroaxonal Dystrophy and Cavitating Leukoencephalopathy of Chihuahua Dogs.

A novel form of neuroaxonal dystrophy is described in 3 Chihuahua pups, 2 of which were from the same litter. It was characterized not only by accumulation of numerous and widely distributed axonal swellings (spheroids) but also by a severe cavitating leukoencephalopathy. The dogs presented with progressive neurological signs, including gait abnormalities and postural reaction deficits.

Identification of candidate genes for paratuberculosis resistance in the native Italian Garfagnina goat breed.

Paratuberculosis disease is a chronic bacterial disease infection of ruminants of global relevance, caused by MAP (Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis). The present study was conducted on the Garfagnina goat breed that is an Italian native goat population registered on the Tuscan regional repertory of genetic resources at risk of extinction.