Sperm retrieval, fertilization rates, and clinical outcomes of infertile men with Y chromosome microdeletion: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to explore whether a Y chromosome microdeletion (YCM) confers adverse effects on surgical sperm retrieval potential and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in men with azoospermia and severe oligospermia.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study, which included infertile men with azoospermia or severe oligospermia who were evaluated for karyotype analysis and YCM testing at a university-affiliated hospital between 2010 and 2022. Outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) for surgical sperm retrieval were compared between men diagnosed with YCM and the control group in which no YCM were found.

Intra-individual changes in sperm parameters and total motile count with time among infertile men.

Background: Paternal age association with sperm parameters has been previously studied, demonstrating a decrease in semen volume, sperm motility, and sperm morphology, but not in sperm concentration. However, scarce data exists on the individual intra-personal changes in semen parameters with time.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Uncovering the Association Between Complete AZFc Microduplications and Spermatogenic Ability: The First Reported Series.

Purpose This article aims to report the first series of men with complete microduplications and their clinical and reproductive characteristics. Methods We sampled 3000 men who presented for reproductive urology evaluation from 2012-2020, of which 104 men underwent high-resolution Y-chromosome microarray testing, and five men were identified to have complete  microduplications. Medical, surgical, and reproductive histories were obtained.

Temporal Trends in Semen Quality, Hormone Levels, and Substance Use Among Infertile Men in Pre- and Post-Cannabis Legalization Eras in Canada.

The Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) was enacted in 2018, to legalize and regulate the use, production, and sale of nonmedical cannabis in Canada. While public health and safety implications of cannabis legalization have yet to be elucidated, the wide availability of cannabis necessitates health care providers to be knowledgeable about therapeutic potential and side effects of use. This study aimed to examine the temporal trends over two decades and the impact of the Cannabis Act in Canada, implemented in October 2018, on substance use, semen parameters, and testosterone levels of infertile men.

Improved sperm DNA fragmentation levels in infertile men following very short abstinence of 3-4 hours.

Background: Limited data exists on possible approaches to improve sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) when no identifiable cause is found. The effect of short abstinence on sperm parameters has been extensively studied, but rarely reported on the effect on DFI in infertile men. In this study, we aimed to determine whether a second ejaculate provided after very short abstinence demonstrates lower DFI rates in infertile men.

Intra-individual changes in sperm DNA fragmentation levels over short and long time periods.

Purpose: We aimed to examine the longitudinal, intra-personal changes in DNA fragmentation index (DFI) over time.

Methods: Men who performed at least two DFI measurements (using sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) between 2003 and 2019 were included in this study and allocated to groups by time between DFI tests: < 1 year, 1-3 years, 3-5 years, and > 5 years. An analysis of DFI change over time according to age groups was additionally performed.

Artificial Intelligence Based Machine Learning Models Predict Sperm Parameter Upgrading after Varicocele Repair: A Multi-Institutional Analysis.

Purpose: Varicocele repair is recommended in the presence of a clinical varicocele together with at least one abnormal semen parameter, and male infertility. Unfortunately, up to 50% of men who meet criteria for repair will not see meaningful benefit in outcomes despite successful treatment. We developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model to predict which men with varicocele will benefit from treatment.

Semen and serum platinum levels in cisplatin-treated survivors of germ cell cancer.

Background: Testicular cancer survivors often have impaired gonadal function possibly related to chemotherapy. Platinum is a heavy metal that can be detected at low levels in serum many years after treatment, it is not known whether platinum also persists in semen and if platinum persistence in semen is associated with impaired fertility.

Methods: Adult cisplatin-treated testicular cancer survivors were enrolled.

Evaluation of patient compliance with the use of scrotal cooling devices.

Objective: To evaluate the compliance of infertile men with the use of scrotal cooling devices. As a secondary objective, sperm parameters, deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation, and hormone profiles were examined.

Design: This exploratory study on scrotal cooling provided scrotal cooling devices to men with primary infertility and abnormal semen parameters.

One size does not fit all: variations by ethnicity in demographic characteristics of men seeking fertility treatment across North America.

Objective: To compare racial differences in male fertility history and treatment.

Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Setting: North American reproductive urology centers.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial Shows that Onabotulinum Toxin A Nerve Blocks do Not Provide Improved Pain Control in Men with Chronic Scrotal Pain.

Purpose: The use of onabotulinum toxin A to chemically denervate the testis has been studied as a minimally invasive therapy to treat chronic scrotal pain. To our knowledge no randomized, controlled trials of onabotulinum toxin A for chronic scrotal pain management have been reported to date.

Materials And Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial men with chronic scrotal pain who achieved at least temporary pain relief following a cord block with local anesthesia were randomly assigned to a block using local anesthesia alone vs local anesthesia plus 200 IU onabotulinum toxin A.

Reproductive endocrinologists are the gatekeepers for male infertility care in North America: results of a North American survey on the referral patterns and characteristics of men presenting to male infertility specialists for infertility investigations.

Objective: To characterize the referral patterns and characteristics of men presenting for infertility evaluation using data obtained from the Andrology Research Consortium.

Design: Standardized male infertility questionnaire.

Setting: Male infertility centers.

The effect of ethnicity on semen analysis and hormones in the infertile patient.

Introduction: We aimed to study the association of ethnicity on semen parameters and hormones in patients presenting with infertility.

Methods: Data from men presenting for infertility assessment were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical history was self-reported.

Chronic scrotal pain may lead to reduced sexual function and interest, while sexual activity may worsen chronic scrotal pain: "double jeopardy".

Background: While it is recognized that chronic pain may adversely impact sexual function and activity in men and we also recognize that sexual activity may worsen the pain for men with chronic scrotal pain (CSP), the effect on sexual functioning and conversely the impact of sex on CSP has not previously been documented.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database.

Results: From Feb 2014 to Sep 2015, a total of 128 men presenting for assessment of CSP completed all or parts of a standardized questionnaire.

Frequency and severity of chronic scrotal pain in Canadian men presenting to urologists for infertility investigations.

Background: Chronic scrotal pain (CSP) may be debilitating in men presenting for treatment for CSP, but we have little information on the frequency and severity of CSP in the men who do not seek care for the CSP. Our objective was to identify the frequency and characteristics of CSP in a population of men presenting for reasons other than CSP to a urology clinic.

Methods: Men presenting to a urology clinic for investigation of male infertility (INF) completed a standardized CSP questionnaires if they self-reported having CSP.

Quality of life in men with chronic scrotal pain.

: Chronic scrotal pain (CSP) is a common and often debilitating condition found in up to 4.75% of men. There is little written on the impact of CSP on men's lives.

Characteristics and Etiologies of Chronic Scrotal Pain: A Common but Poorly Understood Condition.

Chronic scrotal pain (CSP) is a common and debilitating condition, but the underlying characteristics and etiology of CSP are poorly understood. The objective of this study is to identify the characteristic and etiologies of CSP. Men presenting for management of CSP completed a standardized questionnaire and underwent a complete physical examination.

Cocaine Use in the Infertile Male Population: A Marker for Conditions Resulting in Subfertility.

Introduction: We sought to evaluate the incidence and effect of cocaine use in the infertile male population.

Materials And Methods: Men presenting for fertility evaluation reporting cocaine usage were identified via prospectively collected database. Data were analyzed for usage patterns, reproductive history, associated drug use and medical conditions, hormonal and semen parameters.

OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) nerve blocks provide durable pain relief for men with chronic scrotal pain: a pilot open-label trial.

Introduction: Chronic scrotal pain (CSP) is a common, often debilitating, condition affecting approximately 4.75% of men. While nerve blocks using local anesthetics usually provide temporary pain relief, there are no publications on the use of longer acting nerve blocks to provide more durable pain relief for men with CSP.

Nomograms for predicting changes in semen parameters in infertile men after varicocele repair.

Objective: To formulate nomograms based on pre-repair characteristics to predict improvements in semen parameters after varicocele repair.

Design: Model using multivariable linear regression based on prospectively collected database, with performance was quantified by concordance correlation coefficient and Pearson correlation coefficient after internal validation with bootstrapping.

Setting: A male infertility specialty clinic.