Identification of differentially expressed genes in human testis biopsies with defective spermatogenesis.

Purpose: Sperm morphology and motility are major contributors to male-factor infertility, with many genes predicted to be involved. This study aimed to elucidate differentially expressed transcripts in human testis tissues of normal and abnormal spermatogenesis that could reveal new genes that may regulate sperm morphology and function.

Methods: Human testis biopsies were collected from men with well-characterized phenotypes of normal spermatogenesis, spermatid arrest, and Sertoli cell-only phenotype, and transcriptional differences were quantified by RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq).

Iron regulatory protein 1 deficient mice exhibit hypospermatogenesis.

Imbalances in testicular iron levels are linked to compromised sperm production and male infertility. Iron regulatory proteins (IRP) 1 and 2 play crucial roles in cellular iron regulation. We investigated the role of IRP1 on spermatogenesis using Irp1-deficient mice (Irp1).

Impaired Semen Quality in Patients with Chronic Prostatitis.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome CP/CPPS is a rather common condition and in recent years many studies have shown contradictory results regarding its impact on semen quality. This prospective cohort study set out to investigate how CP/CPPS affected the parameters of semen in a prospective cohort of patients compared with the WHO 2021 reference group. From 2013 to 2022, a total of 1071 patients with suspicion of CP/CPPS received a comprehensive andrological examination.

Monocytes expressing activin A and CCR2 exacerbate chronic testicular inflammation by promoting immune cell infiltration.

Study Question: Does the chemokine/chemokine receptor axis, involved in immune cell trafficking, contribute to the pathology of testicular inflammation and how does activin A modulate this network?

Summary Answer: Testicular chemokines and their receptors (especially those essential for trafficking of monocytes) are elevated in orchitis, and activin A modulates the expression of the chemokine/chemokine receptor network to promote monocyte/macrophage and T cell infiltration into the testes, causing extensive tissue damage.

What Is Known Already: The levels of CC motif chemokine receptor (CCR)2 and its ligand CC motif chemokine ligand (CCL)2 are increased in experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) compared with healthy testes, and mice deficient in CCR2 are protected from EAO-induced tissue damage. Activin A induces CCR2 expression in macrophages, promoting their migration.

Proteomic biomarkers in seminal plasma as predictors of reproductive potential in azoospermic men.

Introduction: Azoospermia, characterized by an absence of sperm in the ejaculate, represents the most severe form of male infertility. While surgical sperm retrieval in obstructive azoospermia (OA) is successful in the majority of cases, patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) show retrieval rates of only about 50% and thus frequently have unnecessary surgery. Surgical intervention could be avoided if patients without preserved spermatogenesis are identified preoperatively.

T cells in testicular germ cell tumors: new evidence of fundamental contributions by rare subsets.

Background: Immune cell infiltration is heterogeneous but common in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and pre-invasive germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS). Tumor-infiltrating T cells including regulatory T (Treg) and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are found in other cancer entities, but their contributions to TGCT are unknown.

Methods: Human testis specimens from independent patient cohorts were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with special emphasis on delineating T cell subtypes.

[Testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTs) and adrenogenital syndrome (AGS) - Do not mix up with malignant testicular tumors!].

Testicular adrenal rest tumors and adrenogenital syndrome (AGS) - Do not mix up with malignant testicular tumors! Testicular adrenal residual tumors (TARTs) frequently occur in men with adrenogenital syndrome. Without knowledge of AGS, diagnosis is problematic due to difficult differentiation from other testicular tumors. However, early treatment is crucial for maintaining or regaining fertility, among other aspects.

Acute orchitis deciphered: Coxsackievirus B strains are the main etiology and their presence in semen is associated with acute inflammation and risk of persistent oligozoospermia.

Although various viruses are considered to be the clinical cause for acute orchitis, it is completely unclear to what extent and which viruses are etiologically involved in acute orchitis and what the clinic and course of these patients are like. Therefore, a prospective study was set up to decipher acute isolated orchitis. Between July 2007 and February 2023, a total of 26 patients with isolated orchitis were recruited and compared with 530 patients with acute epididymitis.

Comprehensive evaluation of hematospermia in patients with acute epididymitis compared to patients with isolated hematospermia.

Background: Among the most commonly known causes of hematospermia are infections in the genitourinary tract, but no study exists that has comprehensively investigated hematospermia in patients with acute epididymitis.

Objectives: To assess the impact of hematospermia in patients with acute epididymitis and its association with clinical, microbiological, and semen parameters.

Materials And Methods: Since May 2007, a total of 324 sexually active patients with acute epididymitis were recruited in a prospective cohort study.

Functional assessment of DMRT1 variants and their pathogenicity for isolated male infertility.

Objective: To study the impact of Doublesex and mab-3-related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) gene variants on the encoded protein's function and the variants' pathogenic relevance for isolated male infertility caused by azoospermia.

Design: This study established a novel luciferase assay for DMRT1 missense variants using 2 different target promotors and validated the assay by analyzing previously published variants associated with differences in sex development.

Setting: University genetics research institute and tertiary referral center for couples' infertility.

Activin A and CCR2 regulate macrophage function in testicular fibrosis caused by experimental autoimmune orchitis.

Experimental autoimmune-orchitis (EAO), a rodent model of chronic testicular inflammation and fibrosis, replicates pathogenic changes seen in some cases of human spermatogenic disturbances. During EAO, increased levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators such as TNF, CCL2, and activin A are accompanied by infiltration of leukocytes into the testicular parenchyma. Activin A levels correlate with EAO severity, while elevated CCL2 acting through its receptor CCR2 mediates leukocyte trafficking and recruits macrophages.

[Impact of lifestyle and environmental factors on male reproductive health].

The identification of potential environmental hazards is of clinical relevance for the diagnosis of male infertility. Knowledge about these factors will improve prevention of fertility disorders. Apart from drugs or factors related to lifestyle such as alcohol and tobacco smoke, various environmental and occupational agents, both chemical and physical, may impair male reproduction.

The changing landscape of immune cells in the fetal mouse testis.

Fetal testis growth involves cell influx and extensive remodeling. Immediately after sex determination in mouse, macrophages enable normal cord formation and removal of inappropriately positioned cells. This study provides new information about macrophages and other immune cells after cord formation in fetal testes, including their density, distribution, and close cellular contacts.

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Leads to Impaired Semen Parameters, Increased Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Unfavorable Changes of Sperm Protamine mRNA Ratio.

Background: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a frequent disease affecting men of every age and accounting for a great number of consultations at urology departments. Previous studies suggested a negative impact of CP/CPPS on fertility. As increasing attention has been attributed to additional aspects, such as sperm DNA integrity and sperm protein alterations, besides the WHO standard semen analysis when assessing male fertility, in this prospective study, we aimed to further characterize the fertility status in CP/CPPS patients with a focus on these parameters.

Sexual Health in HIV-Positive Men Under Stable Antiretroviral Therapy During a 12-Month Period.

Background: Sexual health is becoming increasingly important for many HIV-positive men undergoing highly effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) but remains frequently unaddressed in routine clinical consultation.

Aim: To comprehensively evaluate sexual health in male patients with HIV on stable ART over a 12-month period.

Methods: The prospectively registered cohort study comprising 87 HIV-positive men on stable ART (median age: 43 years) was conducted between 2011 and 2015 at a university hospital.