F&S science最新文献

{"title":"Forkhead box protein O1 and progesterone receptor expression in endometrial epithelial cells at embryo transfer time: case-control and mechanistic study","authors":"Wilder Alberto Palomino M.D.,&nbsp;Felipe Argandoña B.Sc.,&nbsp;Maria Paz Rivas B.Sc.,&nbsp;Steven L. Young M.D., Ph.D.,&nbsp;Maria Cecilia Johnson Ph.D.,&nbsp;Ricardo Francalacci Savaris M.D., Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.04.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To study the nuclear expression of transcription factor forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and progesterone receptor (PGR) loss in the endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) at embryo transfer time, in assisted reproductive technologies cycles (ART) and to study the effect of elevated estradiol concentration on serum and glucocorticoid/kinase-1 (SGK1) cytoplasmic increase and FOXO1 nuclear reduction using primary EEC (p-EEC).</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Case control observational study and mechanistic study by in vitro assay using cell culture of p-EEC. The protein expression of FOXO1 and PGR was determined by immunohistochemistry and quantified by digital score. Progesterone receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were measured in laser capture microdissected (LCM) EECs, using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. Primary EEC were incubated with varying estradiol (E2) concentrations to assess SGK1 and FOXO1 nuclear expression. The FOXO1 expression was analyzed using multiple linear regression with E2, progesterone (P), and PGR as independent variables.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>(Cases): Infertile women subjected to in vitro fertilization (IVF) or expecting frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). (Controls): Fertile women during the midluteal phase of natural cycles.</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>Controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF or hormonal replacement therapy for FET (HRT-FET). Cell culture of p-EEC with different E2 concentrations.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measure</h3><div>FOXO1 and PGR protein expression and PGR mRNA levels.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No statistically significant differences were observed among the groups with respect to age, body mass index, or endometrial thickness. FOXO1 expression was significantly higher in controls compared with IVF and HRT groups. The PGR expression was lower in controls compared with IVF and HRT cases. The PGR mRNA levels from LCM-EEC were lower in controls vs. IVF and HRT. Multiple linear regression showed that higher E2 levels were strongly associated with lower FOXO1 levels. In vitro, elevated E2 increased cytoplasmic SGK1 and concomitantly decreased nuclear FOXO1.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The fertile implantation window is characterized by nuclear FOXO1 expression and PGR loss in EECs. In ART cycles, supraphysiological E2 levels appear to disrupt this profile, likely via SGK1 upregulation, resulting in retained PGR and reduced nuclear FOXO1, potentially compromising receptivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 306-316"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147790830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Silymarin mitigates chemotherapy-induced testicular injury by enhancing antioxidant defense and preserving reproductive function in male mice","authors":"Dhafer Jawad Ph.D.,&nbsp;Abdulrhman Khalifa Ph.D.,&nbsp;Sally Hussein Ph.D.,&nbsp;Hayder Abed Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To study the ameliorative effects of silymarin on hormonal balance, oxidative stress markers, sperm quality, and testicular histopathology in male mice exposed to cyclophosphamide (CP).</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>This is a controlled experimental animal study.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>Eighty adult male mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups (<em>N</em> = 16 for each group) as untreated control, CP only, silymarin (100 mg/kg) + CP, silymarin (200 mg/kg) + CP, and silymarin only.</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>Silymarin was given orally for 28 consecutive days, while a single intraperitoneal dose of CP (200 mg/kg) was administered on day 22 to induce testicular injury.</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>Body and testicular weights were recorded at sacrifice, and serum concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were quantified. Testicular tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress parameters (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione), sperm characteristics including count, motility, morphology, and histopathological changes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Cyclophosphamide showed significantly decreased body and testicular weights, reduced testosterone levels, and impaired sperm parameters, accompanied by a rise in malondialdehyde and depletion of antioxidant enzymes along with severe histopathological changes. Co-administration of silymarin mitigated these adverse effects in a dose-dependent manner. High-dose silymarin markedly restored hormonal levels, sperm quality, antioxidant balance, and normal testicular architecture to near-control levels. Silymarin alone produced no detrimental effects.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These results indicate that silymarin mitigates CP-induced testicular toxicity by enhancing antioxidant defenses, stabilizing hormonal function, and preserving spermatogenesis in male mice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 298-305"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147679071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “P2X4 receptor mediates macrophage infiltration leading to endometriotic cyst epithelium proliferation and hyperalgesia in mouse model” [F S Sci 2025;6:73–84]","authors":"Hiroki Nagata M.D.,&nbsp;Takeshi Y. Hiyama Ph.D.,&nbsp;Misaki Inoue B.Sc.,&nbsp;Shanshan Xu M.Sc.,&nbsp;Ikumi Wada M.D.,&nbsp;Yuki Yoshimura Ph.D.,&nbsp;Kazuomi Nakamura Ph.D.,&nbsp;Yukihiro Azuma M.D. Ph.D.,&nbsp;Tasuku Harada M.D., Ph.D.,&nbsp;Fuminori Taniguchi M.D., Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 357-359"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148213593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic potential of goat whey protein hydrolysate and vitamin-D3 in combating D-galactose-induced sperm senescence in male mice","authors":"Satish Kumar Ph.D.,&nbsp;Ramandeep Kaur M.Sc.,&nbsp;Vishvas Gohil M.VSc.,&nbsp;Fathima Jasmin A.T. M.Sc.,&nbsp;Ashutosh Ph.D.,&nbsp;Sunita Meena Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the therapeutic synergistic effect of goat whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) and vitamin-D₃ (Vit-D₃) in mitigating the adverse effects of D-galactose-induced sperm senescence in male mice (effects on sperm quality and reproductive health of male mice).</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Controlled experiment animal study conducted on male Swiss albino mice to assess the synergistic effects of WPH and Vit-D₃ against D-galactose-induced sperm senescence.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>The present in vivo study was designed to evaluate the synergistic effect of WP, WPH, and Vit-D₃ on sperm function and motility in male mice. In this study, 48 male Swiss albino mice were randomly assigned to eight groups.</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>To induce aging in mice, a solution of 0.9% saline containing D-galactose (150 mg/kg body weight) was injected intraperitoneally for 8 weeks. In this experiment, 48 male Swiss albino mice were randomly categorized into eight groups (I: control; II: D-Galactose (150 mg/kg body weight), Group III: Vit-C (300 mg/kg body weight), Group IV: WP (800 mg/kg body weight), Group V: WPH (800 mg/kg body weight), Group VI; Vit-D₃ (2 ng/<em>μ</em>L oral), Group VII; WP+ Vit-D₃, and Group VIII; WPH+Vit-D_3.</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>Evaluation of sperm quality parameters: sperm survival, sperm progressive motility, hypo-osmotic swelling test analysis, and testosterone level.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Results indicate a significant increase in the ratio of sperm survival, sperm progressive motility, and testosterone level by supplementation of WP, WPH, and Vit-D₃. These exposures, including dietary supplementation, have demonstrated promising results in mitigating the effects of aging on the reproductive health of mice.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study contributes to enhanced male reproductive health by diminishing the impact of senescence-induced male infertility and could be considered a potential therapeutic approach for healthy male reproduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 276-286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147464361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of MED-12 mutations in uterine leiomyomas of Nigerian women","authors":"Oluwakemi A. Rotimi Ph.D.,&nbsp;Joy O. Chionuma M.B.B.S.,&nbsp;Oluwatosin D. Koyejo M.Sc.,&nbsp;Esther A. Salami M.Sc.,&nbsp;Adebusola Shakunle Ph.D.,&nbsp;Victor Okebalama M.B.B.S.,&nbsp;Oladimeji Makinde M.B.B.S.,&nbsp;Solomon O. Rotimi Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.04.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To identify, characterize, and determine the frequency of <em>MED-12</em> exon 2 mutations in the uterine leiomyomas (ULs) of Nigerian women. The <em>MED-12</em> mutations are the most common molecular subtype of ULs and have been linked with ULs in Western populations. The frequency of <em>MED-12</em> mutations among Nigerian women has not been established.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>Nigerian women with ULs undergoing myomectomy.</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>Fibroid weight and other characteristics such as age, weight, body mass index, parity, and age at menarche. Identification and frequency of <em>MED-12</em> mutations. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from the fibroid and adjacent myometrial tissues, and the <em>MED-12</em> gene (exon 2) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, followed by Sanger sequencing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The sequencing data showed that 54.9% (56/102) of the fibroid tissues had <em>MED-12</em> mutations compared with the adjacent myometrium. Of this percentage, 49.01% was found in codon 44, and c.131 G&gt;A was the most frequent (24.51%), followed by c.130 G&gt;C (5.88%). Other mutations were found in codons 43 (c.128 A&gt;C) and 36 (c.107 T&gt;G). Three samples had a mutation at intron 1 (c.100-8T&gt;A). In summary, we identified 11 variants at four positions. Further computational prediction analysis showed that of the 11 variants, only 27.3% were tolerated, and all variants were either disease-causing, passenger mutations or probably damaging. However, there was no significant difference between the characteristics of the women whose ULs were <em>MED-12</em> positive and negative.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>To our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive analysis of <em>MED-12</em> mutations in ULs of Nigerian women. This study indicates that analyzing <em>MED-12</em> mutations in ULs of Nigerian women is essential for clinical practice and informing precision medicine for Nigerian women with ULs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 4","pages":"Pages 317-326"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147824320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The metabolic landscape of the maternal-fetal interface in missed miscarriage: a cross-sectional pilot multiomics study","authors":"Haoyue Hu Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Qiqi Liu Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Yingyu Liu Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Jiao Cheng Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Shuwei Zheng Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Jing Ruan B.Sc. ,&nbsp;Simin Liu Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Yanfang Wang M.S. ,&nbsp;Yuanfang Zhu Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Chen Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the metabolic alterations at the maternal-fetal interface in missed miscarriage (MM) using untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic profiling of paired villous and decidual tissues.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Observational study utilizing multiomics integration to analyze metabolic and lipidomic profiles.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>A total of 10 women were recruited in this study, including 5 women with MM and 5 healthy controls. All cases included in the MM group were euploid, excluding chromosomal abnormalities.</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>The exposure in this study was the condition of MM, with tissue samples collected from both villous and decidual tissues.</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>Differentially abundant metabolites and lipids between MM and control groups, focusing on metabolic pathways related to glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid signaling, and amino acid metabolism.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We identified significant metabolic alterations in both villous and decidual tissues from MM pregnancies compared with healthy controls. Key findings included the downregulation of amino acids and organic acids, such as lactic acid, suggesting impaired energy metabolism. Lipidomic analysis revealed alterations in glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids, indicating disrupted cell signaling and inflammatory pathways in MM.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This multiomics study highlights specific metabolic and lipidomic disruptions in MM, suggesting early metabolic disturbances at the maternal-fetal interface correlate with miscarriage. These findings may guide future therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic pathways to improve pregnancy outcomes in MM.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 3","pages":"Pages 246-259"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146041959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of hysterosalpingo-foam sonography vs. hysterosalpingography: a prospective observational study","authors":"Pablo Luque González M.D. ,&nbsp;Ángela Morales Bueno M.D. ,&nbsp;Inmaculada Del Río Romero M.D. ,&nbsp;José Luis Dueñas Díez M.D., Ph.D. ,&nbsp;María del Pilar Guadix Martín M.D., Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To study the diagnostic concordance and tolerability of hysterosalpingo-foam sonography (HyFoSy) compared with hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the evaluation of tubal patency.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Prospective observational study conducted between 2023 and 2024 in a Spanish hospital, using a within-subject comparative design.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>A total of 117 women undergoing fertility evaluation.</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>All participants underwent both HyFoSy and HSG for assessment of tubal patency.</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>Diagnostic concordance between HyFoSy and HSG (Cohen’s kappa coefficient), pain assessment using the visual analogue scale (VAS), and procedure-related complications.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Complete concordance between HyFoSy and hysterosalpingography was obtained in 100 patients (85.4%), of whom 85 had normal patency, and 15 had some patency defect (moderate agreement with a kappa coefficient of 0.575). In 12 patients (10.2%), there were discordant diagnoses, and in five patients (4.3%), concordance could not be assessed. Hysterosalpingo-foam sonography was better tolerated in terms of reported pain, while HSG had a significantly higher median pain score. Only minor complications were recorded during the performance of both techniques, mainly slight vaginal bleeding and vasovagal discomfort.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our study shows HyFoSy is an effective, safe and better-tolerated technique than HSG, with a similar diagnostic rate for the study of tubal patency defects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 3","pages":"Pages 228-234"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147370825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Artificial intelligence unlocks oocyte competence: MAGENTA outperforms clinical predictors and boosts euploidy modeling","authors":"Amanda Setti M.Sc. ,&nbsp;Daniela Braga Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Maite del Collado Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Jullin Fjeldstad M.Sc. ,&nbsp;Assumpto Iaconelli Jr. M.D. ,&nbsp;Edson Borges Jr. Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2026.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To study whether an artificial intelligence (AI)-derived oocyte morphology score (MAGENTA) predicts fertilization, embryo development, and euploidy, and whether integrating MAGENTA with clinical and embryological variables improves the performance of euploidy prediction models.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Retrospective cohort study.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>A total of 2,196 patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) between January 2020 and May 2024, with 13,370 oocytes analyzed, in a single university-affiliated IVF center. Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) was performed on 3,514 embryos from 1,147 cycles.</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>All oocytes underwent standardized imaging and MAGENTA scoring before ICSI. Outcomes included fertilization, blastulation, top-quality blastocyst formation, and euploidy after PGT-A. Multivariable models assessed determinants of MAGENTA. Three predictive frameworks, MAGENTA-only, robust (MAGENTA + blastocyst quality), and full (MAGENTA + embryo morphology + 9 clinical variables), were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis, calibration, Brier scores, permutation importance, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values.</div></div><div><h3>Main outcome measures</h3><div>Association of MAGENTA scores with fertilization, blastulation, blastocyst quality, embryo euploidy, and clinical pregnancy. Performance of XGBoost machine learning for euploidy prediction and multivariate modeling of factors influencing MAGENTA scores.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The MAGENTA scores increased progressively across embryological milestones. Female age was the strongest negative determinant of MAGENTA (B = −0.063/y). The MAGENTA-only model predicted euploidy with modest discrimination (area under the curve [AUC] 0.542; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.505–0.579). Incorporating blastocyst morphology improved the AUC to 0.607 (95% CI 0.573–0.641). The full model achieved the highest performance (AUC 0.666; 95% CI 0.632–0.700), with significantly better discrimination than the MAGENTA-only and robust models. Calibration metrics improved in parallel, with Brier scores decreasing from 0.237 to 0.227 and calibration slopes increasing from 0.259 to 0.645. Feature importance and SHAP analyses confirmed MAGENTA as a major contributor to predictive performance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The MAGENTA was independently associated with fertilization, blastulation, blastocyst quality, and euploidy. Integrating MAGENTA with embryo morphology and pre-ICSI clinical variables significantly improved discrimination and calibration of euploidy prediction compared with MAGENTA or embryo morphology alone.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 3","pages":"Pages 196-208"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147460956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nano-elemental imaging reveals zinc and calcium redistribution in human sperm during capacitation and hyperactivation","authors":"Cristina Tufoni M.Sc. ,&nbsp;Alessandra Gianoncelli Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Simone Sala Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Luisa Zupin Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Maik Kahnt Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Stefania Luppi Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Elena Giolo Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Giuseppe Ricci M.D., Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Lorella Pascolo Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2025.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2025.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To characterize the redistribution patterns of zinc and calcium ions during human sperm capacitation and to investigate their roles in sperm maturation and fertilization.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>In vitro experimental study using synchrotron-based x-ray fluorescence microscopy and complementary immunohistochemistry to assess elemental changes during different capacitation stages at nanometric spatial resolution.</div></div><div><h3>Subjects</h3><div>Semen samples collected from healthy donors, evaluated according to World Health Organization guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>None.</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>Nanometric distribution and quantification of zinc and calcium in different sperm region (head, midpiece, tail, and centriole) during different stages of capacitation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The x-ray fluorescence mapping allowed to evaluate the nanometric redistribution of zinc and calcium in human sperm during capacitation. Distinct \"zinc signatures\" were observed during different capacitation stages, with zinc initially abundant throughout the cell, later concentrating in the midpiece after capacitation, and further decreasing during acrosomal exocytosis. A persistent presence of zinc-rich areas at the centriole was also observed, which likely helps maintain the integrity of the head and midpiece. Concurrently, increased calcium levels in the flagellum during capacitation suggest potentially linked dynamics between zinc efflux and calcium influx. These findings provide new insight into elemental dynamics underlying sperm maturation and fertilization potential.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>A deeper understanding of male fertility may be achieved by elucidating the multifaceted role of zinc in sperm function, particularly its interaction with calcium signaling pathways. By considering both the biochemical and ionic mechanisms alongside the physical aspects of sperm activity, a more precise assessment of sperm functionality becomes possible.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 3","pages":"Pages 185-195"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shrimp peptides mitigate fatty liver-linked testicular dysfunction in rats via oxidative stress, autophagy, and energy pathways","authors":"Arvin Pirayesh M.Sc. ,&nbsp;Ebrahim Najdegerami Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Mazdak Razi Ph.D. ,&nbsp;Mehdi Nikoo Ph.D.","doi":"10.1016/j.xfss.2025.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.xfss.2025.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To study the protective effects of bioactive peptides derived from whiteleg shrimp (<em>Litopenaeus vannamei</em>) by-products on testicular function in a rat model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>Experimental study.</div></div><div><h3>Animals</h3><div>Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats (8 weeks old, average weight 230.2 ± 23 g).</div></div><div><h3>Exposure</h3><div>Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): control (standard chow), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + 20 mg peptide/kg body weight (BW), and HFD + 300 mg peptide/kg BW. Peptides were enzymatically hydrolyzed at 40 °C–60 °C, yielding 60%–70% low-molecular-weight peptides (&lt;500 Da), and administered via oral gavage for 10 weeks.</div></div><div><h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3><div>Spermatogenic indices (tubule diameter, Sertoli/Leydig cell counts, tubular differentiation index, and spermiogenesis index), oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione [GSH], oxidized glutathione [GSSG], total antioxidant capacity), autophagy-related gene expression (Beclin-1, Atg7, LC3-I, and p62), and glucose/lactate transporter expression (GLUT1/3, MCT1/4) assessed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>High-fat diet significantly reduced tubule diameter, Sertoli/Leydig cell numbers, tubular differentiation index, and spermiogenesis index while increasing MDA (11.7 ± 2.9 vs. 8.3 ± 1.0 nmol/mL) and disrupting GSH/GSSG ratio (78.6 ± 8.7 vs. 48.2 ± 9.3). Autophagy genes were upregulated, and GLUT/MCT expression decreased at messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels. Peptide supplementation, particularly at 300 mg/kg BW, dose-dependently reversed these effects by preserving tubular structure, normalizing oxidative markers (MDA: 8.8 ± 0.55 nmol/mL; GSH/GSSG: 51.5 ± 3.0), reducing autophagy gene expression, and enhancing GLUT/MCT expression in germ and Sertoli cells, with superior efficacy at the higher dose.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Shrimp-derived bioactive peptides mitigate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease–induced testicular dysfunction by modulating oxidative stress, autophagy pathways, and energy metabolism. They are promising natural therapeutics for preserving male fertility under metabolic stress and warrant clinical investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73012,"journal":{"name":"F&S science","volume":"7 3","pages":"Pages 209-221"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}