Male reproductive functions, which include testicular steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and sexual/erectile functions are key in male fertility, but may be adversely altered by several factors, including hypoxia. This review demonstrates the impact of hypoxia on male reproductive functions. Acute exposure to hypoxia promotes testosterone production via stimulation of autophagy and upregulation of steroidogenic enzymes and voltage-gated L-type calcium channel, nonetheless, chronic exposure to hypoxia impairs steroidogenesis via suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Also, hypoxia distorts spermatogenesis and reduces sperm count, motility, and normal forms via upregulation of VEGF and oxidative stress-sensitive signaling. Furthermore, hypoxia induces sexual and erectile dysfunction via a testosterone-dependent downregulation of NO/cGMP signaling and upregulation of PGE1/TGFβ1-driven penile endothelial dysfunction. Notably, hypoxia programs male sexual function and spermatogenesis/sperm quality via feminization and demasculinization of males and oxidative stress-mediated alteration in sperm DNA methylation. Since oxidative stress plays a central role in hypoxia-induced male reproductive dysfunction, studies exploring the effects of antioxidants and upregulation of transcription of antioxidants on hypoxia-induced male reproductive dysfunction are recommended.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11010-022-04559-1 | DOI Listing |
Reprod Biol Endocrinol
January 2025
Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhuhai Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, 543 Ningxi Road, Zhuhai, 519000, China.
Purpose: Prior sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) thresholds for diagnosing male infertility and predicting assisted reproduction technology (ART) outcomes fluctuated between 15 and 30%, with no agreed standard. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the sperm DFI on early embryonic development during ART treatments and establish appropriate DFI cut-off values.
Methods: Retrospectively analyzed 913 couple's ART cycles from 2021 to 2022, encompassing 1,476 IVF and 295 ICSI cycles, following strict criteria.
Biol Res
January 2025
Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Fluoride (F), as a natural element found in a wide range of sources such as water and certain foods, has been proven to be beneficial in preventing dental caries, but concerns have been raised regarding its potential deleterious effects on overall health. Sodium fluoride (NaF), another form of F, has the ability to accumulate in reproductive organs and interfere with hormonal regulation and oxidative stress pathways, contributing to reproductive toxicity. While the exact mechanisms of F-induced reproductive toxicity are not fully understood, this review aims to elucidate the mechanisms involved in testicular and ovarian injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiol Sex Differ
January 2025
Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's NL, Canada.
As the earliest measure of social communication in rodents, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in response to maternal separation are critical in preclinical research on neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). While sex differences in both USV production and behavioral outcomes are reported, many studies overlook sex as a biological variable in preclinical NDD models. We aimed to evaluate sex differences in USV call parameters and determine if USVs are differently impacted based on sex in the preclinical maternal immune activation (MIA) model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Med Genomics
January 2025
Department of Surgery, Faculty of General of Medicine, Koya University, Koya, Kurdistan Region - F.R., KOY45, Iraq.
Background: During mammalian spermatogenesis, the cytoskeleton system plays a significant role in morphological changes. Male infertility such as non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) might be explained by studies of the cytoskeletal system during spermatogenesis.
Methods: The cytoskeleton, scaffold, and actin-binding genes were analyzed by microarray and bioinformatics (771 spermatogenic cellsgenes and 774 Sertoli cell genes).
Metabolomics
January 2025
Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is a common vascular pregnancy disorder affecting maternal and fetal metabolism with severe immediate and long-term consequences in mothers and infants. During pregnancy, metabolites in the maternal circulation pass through the placenta to the fetus. Meconium, a first stool of the neonate, offers a view to maternal and fetoplacental unit metabolism and could add to knowledge on the effects of PE on the fetus and newborn.
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