AI predictive models and advancements in microdissection testicular sperm extraction for non-obstructive azoospermia: a systematic scoping review.

Study Question: How accurately can artificial intelligence (AI) models predict sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients undergoing micro-testicular sperm extraction (m-TESE) surgery?

Summary Answer: AI predictive models hold significant promise in predicting successful sperm retrieval in NOA patients undergoing m-TESE, although limitations regarding variability of study designs, small sample sizes, and a lack of validation studies restrict the overall generalizability of studies in this area.

What Is Known Already: Previous studies have explored various predictors of successful sperm retrieval in m-TESE, including clinical and hormonal factors. However, no consistent predictive model has yet been established.

New Insights beyond Established Norms: A Scoping Review of Genetic Testing for Infertile Men.

Purpose: From a diagnostic standpoint, certain approaches to genetic screening in clinical practice remain ambiguous in the era of assisted reproduction. Even the most current guidelines do not provide definite guidance on testing protocols, leaving clinicians to carefully determine which tests best serve patients struggling with infertility. The lack of uniformity in the current practice of male fertility evaluation can prove to be quite costly, thus necessitating healthcare practitioners to carefully appraise the necessity and weigh the advantages against potential economic and psychological detriments.

Microfluidics: The future of sperm selection in assisted reproduction.

Background: Obtaining functional sperm cells is the first step to treat infertility. With the ever-increasing trend in male infertility, clinicians require access to effective solutions that are able to single out the most viable spermatozoa, which would max out the chance for a successful pregnancy. The new generation techniques for sperm selection involve microfluidics, which offers laminar flow and low Reynolds number within the platforms can provide unprecedented opportunities for sperm selection.

Testicular piRNA Analysis Identified Dysregulated piRNAs in Non-obstructive Azoospermia.

Male infertility has remained idiopathic in a remarkable proportion of all cases. Gonadal expression of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) has been shown to be vital to normal spermatogenesis, as they are expressed in almost all types of testicular germ cells. These molecules and their related Piwi proteins strictly regulate transposable elements' activity and gene expression.

Evaluation of Predicting Factors Affecting Sperm Retrieval in Patients with Klinefelter Syndrome: A Prospective Study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the predicting factors affecting sperm retrieval. We prospectively assessed the relationship between sonographic and microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) findings in Klinefelter syndrome (KS).

Materials And Methods: In this prospective study, 44 azoospermic men with 47, XXY karyotypes participated in this study.

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction outcomes in azoospermic patients with bilateral orchidopexy.

Background: Cryptorchidism is considered to be one of the most common causes of non-obstructive azoospermia. There are several surgical techniques to retrieve sperm in these patients. Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (m-TESE) is a recent sperm retrieval technique which is considered to be a safe, non-blind, and feasible method.

Assessment of the Impact Induced by Different Incubation Time, Storage Time, Storage Medium and Thawing Methods on Sperm DNA Fragmentation Assay: A Before-After Study.

Background: The sperm DNA fragmentation has been considered an important index in the field of male infertility.

Aims: Our study aims to evaluate the impact of different factors, including incubation time, storage time, storage medium and method of thawing, on DNA fragmentation of semen samples.

Settings And Design: This study was designed as a before-after study in five experiments.

In vitro complete differentiation of human spermatogonial stem cells to morphologic spermatozoa using a hybrid hydrogel of agarose and laminin.

Spermatogenesis refers to the differentiation of the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) located in the base seminiferous tubules into haploid spermatozoa. Prerequisites for in vitro spermatogenesis include an extracellular matrix (ECM), paracrine factors, and testicular somatic cells which play a supporting role for SSCs. Thus, the present study evaluated the potential of co-culturing Sertoli cells and SSCs embedded in a hybrid hydrogel of agarose and laminin, the main components of the ECM.

Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Protein Levels in Sperm of Obese Men with and without Diabetes; Cellular Approach in Male Infertility.

Objective: Although the role of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) in male infertility is well established, little information about the underlying cellular mechanisms in infertility is available. In this sense, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) has been recognized as an important regulator in obesity and DM; However, its function in the pathogenesis of male infertility has never been studied in obese or men who suffer from diabetes. Therefore, the main goal of current research is assessing NF-kB existence and activity in ejaculated human spermatozoa considering the obesity and diabetics condition of males.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation for Male Partner of Couples with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Post hoc analysis in Clinical Trial.

Background: Increased sperm DNA damage is known as one of the causes of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) which can be due to increased levels of oxidative stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sperm parameters and sperm functions in couples with a history of RPL.

Materials And Methods: In this post hoc analysis in clinical trial study, a total of 37 couples with RPL (n=12 and n=25 for placebo and ALA groups, respectively) were considered.

Bridging the Gap between AZF Microdeletions and Karyotype: Twelve Years' Experience of an Infertility Center.

Purpose: Despite all past efforts, the current guidelines are not explicit enough regarding the indications for performing azoospermia factor (AZF) screening and karyotype, burdening clinicians with the decision to assess whether such tests are meaningful for the infertile male patient. These assessments can be costly and it is up to the healthcare practitioner to decide which are necessary and to weigh the benefits against economic/psychological harm. The aim of this study is to address such gaps and provide update on current management options for this group of patients.

Sperm Retrieval in Non-azoospermic Patients with Persistent Ejaculation Dysfunction.

Infertility is a common disease that affects 15 to 20% of couples at some point in their lives. Among infertile couples, male factor accounts for 50% of infertile cases. Assisted reproductive techniques are the gold standard approach in case of failure in medical or surgical treatments.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Ameliorates Sperm DNA Damage and Chromatin Integrity in Men with High DNA Damage: A Triple Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Evidence suggests the contributory role of oxidative stress (OS) to sperm DNA damage and eventually, male infertility. Antioxidant supplementation has exhibited favorable results regarding seminal OS, sperm DNA damage, and chromatin integrity. We aimed to evaluate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on semen analysis, sperm DNA damage, chromatin integrity, and seminal/intracellular OS in infertile men with high sperm DNA damage.

Evaluation of Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway in the Presence of Pentoxifylline as a Cryoprotectant in Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells.

The process of spermatogonial stem cell cryopreservation (SSCs) in young male cancer survivors is associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation, apoptosis, decreased cell activity, and finally reduced fertility of SSCs. Therefore, it is necessary to add cryoprotectants to the freezing medium to minimize the injuries associated with cryopreservation. In addition, the Nrf2/ARE pathway is a main cellular pathway that regulates the antioxidant defense system.

Evaluation of PGK2 and ACR proteins in seminal plasma: suggestion of potential new biomarkers for prediction of sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia patients.

This study aimed to assess the role of testis-specific proteins, PGK2 and ACR, in the prediction of sperm retrieval results by microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). This was a case-control study including 48 semen samples of NOA patients undergoing the micro-TESE procedure, 15 semen samples from normozoospermic men as the positive control, and 12 semen samples from obstructive azoospermia/post-vasectomy (OA/PV) as negative controls. We investigated the levels of PGK2 and ACR proteins by ELISA tests in seminal plasma samples.

Assessment of semen quality of taxi drivers exposed to whole body vibration.

Whole body vibration (WBV) is a recognized occupational hazard for many workers such as drivers and operators of heavy and light machinery and exposure to it is accompanied by physical and mental repercussions. Only the limited studies have been done on the effects of vibration exposure on reproductive indices, however vibration exposure has been indicated as being a hazardous agents with the potential of being able to directly affect the reproductive system. Considering the importance of infertility, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating semen quality among taxi drivers in Tehran and determine the effect of exposure to WBV on sperm parameters.

Consensus and Diversity in the Management of Varicocele for Male Infertility: Results of a Global Practice Survey and Comparison with Guidelines and Recommendations.

Purpose: Varicocele is a common problem among infertile men. Varicocele repair (VR) is frequently performed to improve semen parameters and the chances of pregnancy. However, there is a lack of consensus about the diagnosis, indications for VR and its outcomes.

Protective roles of seminal plasma exosomes and microvesicles during human sperm cryopreservation.

Research Question: Do seminal plasma microvesicles and exosomes, as two subtypes of extracellular vesicles, exert cryoprotective properties in sperm cryopreservation?

Design: Microvesicles and exosomes isolated from normozoospermic semen samples (n = 10) by serial ultracentrifugation were determined using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and western blot analysis. The interactions between extracellular vesicles and spermatozoa were detected using Dil labelling. Purified spermatozoa from different normozoospermic samples (n = 25) were then treated individually with exosomes or microvesicles for 1 h and subsequently cryopreserved.