Moment of induction and duration of experimental varicocele in rats: effects on semen quality.

Purpose: Varicocele is a condition known to cause damage to seminal parameters and sperm function. Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that the varicocele effect on fertility is time-dependent; however, little is known about the consequences of its establishment time on reproductive organs and/or sperm function. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the duration of experimental varicocele on reproductive organs, sperm parameters, and sperm function.

miR-9-5p is Downregulated in Serum Extracellular Vesicles of Patients Treated with Biperiden After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent and debilitating condition, which often leads to the development of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), a condition that yet lacks preventive strategies. Biperiden, an anticholinergic drug, is a promising candidate that has shown efficacy in murine models of PTE. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small regulatory RNAs, can help in understanding the biological basis of PTE and act as TBI- and PTE-relevant biomarkers that can be detected peripherally, as they are present in extracellular vesicles (EVs) that cross the blood-brain barrier.

Associations between Sperm Epigenetic Age and Semen Parameters: An Evaluation of Clinical and Non-Clinical Cohorts.

The well-documented relationship between chronological age and the sperm methylome has allowed for the construction of epigenetic clocks that estimate the biological age of sperm based on DNA methylation, which we previously termed sperm epigenetic age (SEA). Our lab demonstrated that SEA is positively associated with the time taken to achieve pregnancy; however, its relationship with semen parameters is unknown. A total of 379 men from the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and Environment (LIFE) study, a non-clinical cohort, and 192 men seeking fertility treatment from the Sperm Environmental Epigenetics and Development Study (SEEDS) were included in the study.

Effects of diabetes-induced hyperglycemia on epigenetic modifications and DNA packaging and methylation during spermatogenesis; A narrative review.

The impact of diabetes on various organs failure including testis has been highlighted during the last decades. If on one hand diabetes-induced hyperglycemia has a key role in induced damages; on the other hand, glucose deprivation plays a key role in inducing male infertility. Indeed, glucose metabolism during spermatogenesis has been highlighted due to post-meiotic germ cells drastic dependence on glucose-derived metabolites, especially lactate.

Insight into inflammation involvement in varicocele: A narrative review.

Background: Varicocele is one of the main causes of male infertility. Although the pathophysiology mechanism of varicocele is very well described and understood, there are some unanswered questions that remains unknown. Some studies have previously described the state of testicular inflammation and sperm in animal models, especially the mouse model, and the seminal plasma of men with varicocele, with or without changes in semen parameters.

Mapping the human sperm proteome - novel insights into reproductive research.

Introduction: Spermatozoa are highly specialized cells with unique morphology. In addition, spermatozoa lose a considerable amount of cytoplasm during spermiogenesis, when they also compact their DNA, resulting in a transcriptionally quiescent cell. Throughout the male reproductive tract, sperm will acquire proteins that enable them to interact with the female reproductive tract.

Testicular torsion in vivo models: Mechanisms and treatments.

Background: Testicular torsion is a condition in which a testis rotates around its longitudinal axis and twists the spermatic cord. This in turn results in a significant decrease in blood flow and perfusion of testicular tissue. During Testicular torsion, the testicular tissue is affected by ischemia, heat stress, hypoxia, and oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Effect of chronic sleep deprivation on acrosomal integrity and functional parameters of murine sperm.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chronic sleep deprivation on sperm function quality in mice.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Not applicable.

The '-ics' of male reproduction: genomics, epigenetics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics.

Purpose Of Review: To review the most current findings, from the past 2 years, in various '-ics' fields in male infertility, with a specific focus on nonobstructive azoospermia, the most severe form, and varicocele, the most common correctable cause of male infertility.

Recent Findings: Recent studies confirm previously identified causes and identify previously unknown genetic mutations as causes for nonobstructive azoospermia and varicocele.

Summary: Infertility is a common problem for couples with approximately half of cases attributable to male factor infertility.

Influence of physical activity on male fertility.

Infertility is a worldwide issue impacting 15% of couples' population. Male-related infertility results in almost 50% of these cases. Considering lifestyle factors associated with infertility, here in this literature review article, we aimed to discuss training/sport effects on male-related infertility.

Outcome reporting across randomized controlled trials evaluating potential treatments for male infertility: a systematic review.

Study Question: What are the primary outcomes and outcome measures used in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating potential treatments for male infertility in the last 10 years?

Summary Answer: Outcome reporting across male infertility trials is heterogeneous with numerous definitions and measures used to define similar outcomes.

What Is Known Already: No core outcome set for male infertility trials has been developed. Male infertility trials are unique in that they have potentially three participants, a man, a female partner and their offspring and this will likely lead to significant variation in outcome reporting in randomized trials.

Apoptotic balance during testicular detorsion after one hour induced torsion in rats.

Testicular torsion (TT) is an emergency complication that leads to oxidative stress and adversely affects spermatogenesis. Although immediate treatment consists of testicular detorsion (TD) to reverse TT-induced ischemia, mechanisms underlying recovery have yet to be fully understood. The current study aimed to investigate TD effects after a one-hour experimental TT by evaluating testicular antioxidant status and apoptosis-related proteins.

Protein markers of spermatogenesis and their potential use in the management of azoospermia.

Introduction: Azoospermia, absence of sperm in the ejaculate is classified as obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). In OA, sperm are produced, but due to physical obstruction in the male reproductive tract, they are not released in the ejaculate. NOA, on the other hand, is defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to testicular dysfunction.

Seminal inflammasome activity in the adult varicocele.

Varicocele has been hypothesized to lead to seminal inflammation, which in turn interferes with sperm function. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of decreased semen quality observed in adult men with varicocele, and to determine if varicocelectomy corrects these potential alterations. A prospective study was carried out including fifteen control men without varicocele and with normal semen quality and 15 men with varicocele with surgical indication.

Sperm biology and male reproductive health.

Sperm are unique cells, produced through the complex and precisely orchestrated process of spermatogenesis, in which there are a number of checkpoints in place to guarantee delivery of a high-quality and high-fidelity DNA product. On the other hand, reproductive pressure in males means that to produce more is, in very general terms, to perform better. Balancing quantity and quality in sperm production is thus a delicate process, subject to specific cellular and molecular control mechanisms, and sensitive to environmental conditions, that can impact fertility and offspring health.

Sperm chromatin structure assay versus sperm chromatin dispersion kits: Technical repeatability and choice of assisted reproductive technology procedure.

Objective: The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) guides the clinician's choice of an appropriate assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure. The DFI can be determined using commercially available methodologies, including sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) kits and sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Currently, when DFI is evaluated using SCD kits, the result is analyzed in reference to the SCSA-derived threshold for the choice of an ART procedure.

Oxidative origin of sperm DNA fragmentation in the adult varicocele.

Purpose: Sperm DNA fragmentation is a major cellular mechanism underlying varicocele-related male infertility. However, the type of DNA fragmentation - whether oxidative or of another nature - remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate single- and double-stranded sperm DNA fragmentation, and oxidative-induced sperm DNA damage in men with varicocele.

Restoration of the apoptosis pathways' proteins levels after orchiectomy in testicular tumour patients.

Seminal plasma proteins already demonstrated to reflect the testicular environment function and important regulatory mechanisms. However, it is crucial to understand which of these proteins participate in probable altered pathways in testicular germ cell tumours and after unilateral orchiectomy. In this study, we proposed to verify, by a multiplex approach, the levels of DNA damage and apoptosis pathways' proteins, in seminal plasma of men before and after unilateral orchiectomy, and also in control men.

Willingness of Infertile Couples to Pay for In Vitro Fertilization Treatment in the Integrated Human Reproduction Section of the Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo Federal University.

Objective: To describe the willingness to pay (WTP) of infertile couples for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Method: This was a prospective study with an anonymous questionnaire for infertile couples in an academic setting. Clinical characteristics were analyzed by a Student's t test or Mann-Whitney test, categorical variables were compared by a chi-square or Fisher exact test, and correlations were assessed using a Spearman's test.

Current scenario of endourological treatment of kidney stones in brazil: results of a national survey.

Objective: To elucidate the current scenario of endourology in Brazil for the treatment of urinary lithiasis, with an emphasis on regional differences and the reasons why certain techniques are still underutilized.

Materials And Methods: An electronic questionnaire was sent by email to the 4,745 members of the Brazilian Urological Society (BSU) in 2016 to collect information on the 3 main endourological procedures used in the treatment of nephrolithiasis: Semi-rigid ureteroscopy (URS), Flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL).

Results: A total of 1,267 urologists answered the questionnaire.

Seminal plasma protein networks and enriched functions in varicocele: Effect of smoking.

To verify a possible synergistic effect of smoking and varicocele on the seminal plasma proteome and biological functions, a cross-sectional study was performed in 25 smokers and 24 nonsmokers. Samples were used for conventional semen analysis, functional analysis (DNA fragmentation, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity) and proteomics by a shotgun approach. Functional enrichment of biological pathways was performed in differentially expressed proteins.