: Dietary fiber rich fenugreek () seeds have exhibited cardioprotective, hypolipidemic and other health benefits. Furosap (FS), an innovative, patented, 20% protodioscin-enriched extract was developed in our laboratory from fenugreek seeds. This study examined the free and total testosterone levels, sperm profile and morphology, sexual health, mood and mental alertness, and broad spectrum safety parameters of FS in 50 male volunteers following supplementation over a period of 12 weeks. Institutional Review Board (IRB) and other regulatory approvals were obtained for our study. This one-arm, open-labelled, multi-center study was conducted in 50 male volunteers (age: 35 to 65 years) over a period of 12 weeks to determine the efficacy of FS (500 mg/day/subject) on free and total testosterone levels, sperm profile, sperm morphology, libido and sexual health, mood and mental alertness, and broad spectrum safety parameters. Free testosterone levels were improved up to 46% in 90% of the study population. 85.4% of the study population showed improvements in sperm counts. Sperm morphology improved in 14.6% of volunteers. Majority of the subjects enrolled in the study demonstrated improvements in mental alertness and mood. Furthermore, cardiovascular health and libido were significantly improved. Extensive safety parameters were evaluated which included blood chemistry data. No significant changes were observed in serum lipid function, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL levels, hemogram (CBC), hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Overall, the results demonstrate that FS, enriched in 20% protodioscin, is safe and effective in attenuating testosterone levels, healthy sperm profile, mental alertness, cardiovascular health and overall performance in human subjects.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.7150/ijms.17256 | DOI Listing |
Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi
January 2025
Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.
Epigenetics is the link between the genome and environment, which can respond to physiological (such as age) or environmental factors (such as diet, stress, and pollution) and induce changes in epigenetic modifications (such as DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, and histone modifications). It can also serve as cellular memory transmitted from generation to generation. Sperm is highly responsive to such environmental changes and has unique epigenetic profiles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArab J Urol
September 2024
Department of Urology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of age on semen and hormonal parameters following microsurgical varicocelectomy among patients with grade 3 varicocele, and to compare fertility outcomes between younger (<40 years) and older (≥40 years) men.
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of infertile patients with clinical left grade 3 varicocele who underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MV). Patients meeting the inclusion criteria ( = 550) were divided into two groups based on their age at the time of MV: <40 ( = 441) and ≥40 years ( = 109).
Elife
January 2025
Biology of the Testis (BITE) Laboratory, Genetics, Reproduction and Development (GRAD) Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Although the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on spermatogenesis in trans women has already been studied, data on its precise effects on the testicular environment is poor. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize, through histological and transcriptomic analysis, the spermatogonial stem cell niche of 106 trans women who underwent standardized GAHT, comprising estrogens and cyproterone acetate. A partial dedifferentiation of Sertoli cells was observed, marked by the co-expression of androgen receptor and anti-Müllerian hormone which mirrors the situation in peripubertal boys.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomedicines
December 2024
Medical Genomics Research Department, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA), Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.
Mammalian fertilization is a complex and highly regulated process that has garnered significant attention, particularly with advancements in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). The fusion of egg and sperm involves a sequence of molecular and cellular events, including capacitation, the acrosome reaction, adhesion, and membrane fusion. Critical genetic factors, such as IZUMO1, JUNO (also known as FOLR4), CD9, and several others, have been identified as essential mediators in sperm-egg recognition and membrane fusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
December 2024
College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Sex-controlled sperm combined with artificial insemination allows animals to reproduce offspring according to the desired sex, accelerates the process of animal genetics and breeding and promotes the development of animal husbandry. However, the molecular markers for sexual sperm sorting are unusual. To identify the molecular markers of boar sperm sorting, proteomics and metabolomics techniques were applied to analyze the differences in proteins and metabolism between X and Y sperm.
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