{"title":"Upregulated HAVCR2: A Prognostic and Immune-Related Marker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors","authors":"Lei Xue, Xueheng Zhao, Hanbo Jia, Yu Xie, Yuheng Wen, Yu Liang, Zhizhong Liu, Jian Cao, Hao Bo, Lvjun Liu, Jie Guo","doi":"10.1155/2023/5524200","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/5524200","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common solid malignant tumor in young men aged 20–34 years. Currently, the diagnosis and differentiation of TGCTs depend on immunohistochemical analysis, and the treatment methods are mainly surgery and chemoradiotherapy. Although immunotherapy has been applied in clinic, the response rate is not high, and also there is a lack of effective biomarkers. In this study, through high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and public data mining, the expression of hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (HAVCR2) was found to be significantly upregulated in TGCT tissue and correlated with poor prognosis. Additionally, the expression level of HAVCR2 was negatively correlated with its DNA methylation but positively correlated with its copy number level. The HAVCR2 expression level was significantly positively correlated with the infiltration of six types of immune cells, including B cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells. Also, the higher its expression level, the higher the immune cell abundance. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scoring analysis showed that HAVCR2 was related to the responsiveness to TGCT immunotherapy. Drug sensitivity analysis revealed that HAVCR2 was related to the sensitivity of multiple antitumor drugs. This study demonstrated that HAVCR2 has high potential as a biomarker for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of TGCTs.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/5524200","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136130421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AndrologiaPub Date : 2023-09-20DOI: 10.1155/2023/7812600
Mohamed Mohamed Soliman, Samy M. Sayed, Gehan Basiony Ahmed Youssef, Saed Athobaiti, Ahmed M. El-Shehawi
{"title":"Taify Pomegranate Juice Extract Abrogates Testicular Dysfunction Induced by Acrylamide: Role of Inflammatory, Antioxidants, and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers","authors":"Mohamed Mohamed Soliman, Samy M. Sayed, Gehan Basiony Ahmed Youssef, Saed Athobaiti, Ahmed M. El-Shehawi","doi":"10.1155/2023/7812600","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/7812600","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>High altitude (HA) poses various dangers to living organisms, the most serious of which are oxidative stress and its accompanying metabolic problems, as well as hypoxia and its associated metabolic abnormalities. Acrylamide is a poisonous chemical produced under the oxidative stress as a result of intracellular reactive oxygen species formation and toxicity. Heating carbohydrates-rich meals give acrylamide that is widely used in the industry. The precise mechanism of acrylamide toxicity is unknown. The current study aimed to examine the impacts of Taify pomegranate juice (TPJ) from Taif area (<i>Punica granatum L</i>.) on acrylamide-induced testicular stress and dysfunction. Twenty four male of adult Wistar rats, were divided into four groups: Group 1 was a negative-control received only saline; Group 2 was a positive-control that received orally acrylamide (20 mg/kg/bw) for consecutive 4 weeks; and Group 3 received TPJ; 2 mL/kg/bw, orally for 4 weeks. Rats in Group 4 received pomegranate juice and acrylamide as described in Groups 2 and 3, with the TPJ delivered 1 week before the acrylamide. Acrylamide elevated serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-<i>α</i>)). Moreover, acrylamide decreased concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone and altered semen characteristics (decreased sperm viability and concentration, and increased sperm abnormalities). Acrylamide increased malondialdehyde levels (MDA), while it decreased antioxidant activities (superoxide dismutase; SOD and reduced glutathione; GSH). The inflammation associated cytokines were restored by TPJ administration to acrylamide rats. GSH and SOD were significantly recovered to near control levels in TPJ plus acrylamide group compared to acrylamide-administered rats. TPJ preadministration to rats restored semen profiles, alteration in testis pathology, and normalized the changes on the male reproductive hormones affected by acrylamide. Furthermore, the TPJ reversed the upregulation in caspases-3 and the decrease in B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) gene expressions affected by acrylamide, with significant upregulation of hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid-2 (Nrf2) mRNA expression. These findings collectively revealed that TPJ possesses anti-inflammatory, potent antioxidant, and antiapoptotic effect against acrylamide-induced testicular damage.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/7812600","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136306463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AndrologiaPub Date : 2023-08-17DOI: 10.1155/2023/3107568
Baiba Alkšere, Agrita Puzuka, Marija Lazovska, Ninel Miriam Vainselbaum, Jānis Kristaps Vasiļonoks, Elvita Penka, Violeta Fodina, Juris Ērenpreiss
{"title":"Exploring the Potential of Exome Sequencing in Idiopathic Azoospermia: A Genetic Burden and Network Analysis Study","authors":"Baiba Alkšere, Agrita Puzuka, Marija Lazovska, Ninel Miriam Vainselbaum, Jānis Kristaps Vasiļonoks, Elvita Penka, Violeta Fodina, Juris Ērenpreiss","doi":"10.1155/2023/3107568","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/3107568","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the linkage of the association of azoospermia phenotype with genetic alterations, involved in genome instability. Male infertility is a multifactorial pathology, and genetic alterations might be the underlying factors in majority of cases of severe male infertility. The recent emergence of next-generation sequencing offers an opportunity to analyze many genes and their interactions at once, and whole-exome sequencing (WES) together with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was recently suggested for implementation of diagnosis workup in severe infertility cases. However, the reports on WES in conjunction with burden tests and gene network analysis are scarce or lacking in cases of severe male infertility. WES was performed on 21 nonobstructive azoospermia patients. DNA samples were sequenced using the Twist Comprehensive Exome Panel. Genetic burden test was performed with Testing Rare vAriants using Public Data. Protein interactions were investigated with ConsensusPathDB and Cytoscape. For single nucleotide variants and copy number variations (CNV) analysis, samples were analyzed with the Illumina’s BaseSpace Variant Interpreter. Genetic variant burden was found elevated in 1,473 genes out of 30,000 known testis expressed genes. Three hundred and two genes with increased loss-of-function (LoF) variant set were present in more than one sample. Overrepresentation analysis with pathway-based set of genes with high variant burden demonstrated 26 pathways. Overrepresentation analysis with protein complex-based gene sets obtained 14 sets, showing the involvement in cell proliferation and DNA repair. Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) network analysis with Cytoscape identified two clusters: (1) genes, involved in DNA binding/condensation and repair processes and (2) genes with the role in ribosome biosynthesis and gene expression processes. Increased loss of function germline variant burden and sumoylation may have critical significance in spermatogenesis. These parameters may be used for focused diagnosis in nonobstructive azoospermia patients. This may have both general significance for the decreased organism functionality but in particular is critical in spermatogenesis.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/3107568","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49542827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AndrologiaPub Date : 2023-08-12DOI: 10.1155/2023/9002938
Teng-Fei Yan, Ju-Ju Qi, Li-Xin Li, Feng Li
{"title":"The Association between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Male Fertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","authors":"Teng-Fei Yan, Ju-Ju Qi, Li-Xin Li, Feng Li","doi":"10.1155/2023/9002938","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/9002938","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Objective</i>. The probable relationship between serum vitamin D levels and male fertility is being increasingly investigated; however, the findings have been controversial. This review dealt with assessing the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and male fertility and sperm quality by executing systematic review and meta-analysis of the published data. <i>Methods</i>. The meta-analysis was executed as per the PRISMA 2020 statement. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022327583). Relevant literature was retrieved by searching online databases, including Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, up to December 1st, 2022. Additionally, Google Scholar was searched to assess relevant articles. To ensure a more comprehensive review, unpublished articles, gray literature, and references of suitable articles were also assessed to find additional eligible publications. The articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria were evaluated for their quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. Meta-analysis was conducted through STATA 12. <i>Results</i>. Twenty-four articles, comprising 7,345 participants in total, were chosen for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The resulting data indicated that serum vitamin D levels infertile males were remarkably elevated compared with that in infertile males (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 7.06, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 2.51–11.62, <i>P</i> = 0.002), and its deficiency (<20 ng/mL or 50 nmol/L) significantly reduced sperm concentration (WMD = 8.54, 95% CI = 4.01–13.06, <i>P</i> < 0.001), total sperm count (WMD = 14.43, 95% CI = 1.30–27.55, <i>P</i> = 0.031), sperm motility (WMD = 6.40, 95% CI = 3.15–9.64, <i>P</i> < 0.001), sperm progressive motility (WMD = 5.00, 95% CI 1.09–8.92, <i>P</i> = 0.012), and altered sperm morphology (WMD = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.20–1.27, <i>P</i> = 0.007). The data analysis determined that vitamin D did not remarkably influence sperm volume (WMD = 0.17; 95% CI = −0.00–0.34; <i>P</i> = 0.050). <i>Conclusion</i>. The acquired data implied that serum vitamin D is significantly associated with male fertility and sperm quality. This finding holds crucial implications for patients suffering from male infertility.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/9002938","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48036503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microsurgical Varicocelectomy: Experience of Our Sub-Subinguinal Approach and Review of the Literature","authors":"Hanchao Liu, Rui Chen, Xiaolong Wu, Mingxiao Zhang, Zhengzheng Li, Lin Hua, Junfeng Zhan, Biao Dong, Zhenqing Wang, Zhuolun Sun, Xiaotao Li, Jiaqin Liu, Xiaodong Wang, Ming Shen, Chong Xie, Zhuanxin Jiang","doi":"10.1155/2023/9937114","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/9937114","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Objective</i>. To discuss the experience with a novel surgical approach in the treatment of varicocele for fertility or pain in 772 patients. <i>Methods</i>. Retrospective analysis of 772 patients undergoing microsurgical sub-subinguinal (SSI) varicocelectomy in our hospital and the discussion of historical surgical approaches. <i>Results</i>. A total of 690 patients with left varicocele underwent surgical treatment for infertility (<i>n</i> = 519) and pain (<i>n</i> = 171). The sperm concentrations (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) of 519 patients measured preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively were 19.24 ± 3.69 (10<sup>6</sup>/ml), 27.42 ± 10.32 (10<sup>6</sup>/ml), and 34.20 ± 16.29 (10<sup>6</sup>/ml) (<i> </i><sup>∗∗</sup><i>P</i> < 0.01), respectively. The sperm motilities (mean ± SD) of 519 patients measured preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively were 13.78 ± 3.25, 20.98 ± 8.21, and 27.59 ± 13.71 (grade (a + b) %) (<i> </i><sup>∗∗</sup><i>P</i> < 0.01), respectively. Pain was released surgically in 131 (76.6%) of the 171 patients. A total of 82 patients with bilateral varicocele underwent surgical treatment for infertility (<i>n</i> = 58) and pain (<i>n</i> = 24). The sperm concentrations (mean ± SD) of 58 patients measured preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively were 19.21 ± 3.24 (10<sup>6</sup>/ml), 27.36 ± 10.26 (10<sup>6</sup>/ml), and 33.87 ± 15.20 (10<sup>6</sup>/ml) (<i> </i><sup>∗∗</sup><i>P</i> < 0.01), respectively. The sperm motilities (mean ± SD) of 58 patients measured preoperatively, 6 months postoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively were 13.54 ± 2.75, 20.75 ± 8.21, and 28.53 ± 14.83 (grade (a + b) %) (<i> </i><sup>∗∗</sup><i>P</i> < 0.01), respectively. Pain was released surgically in 19 (79.2%) of the 24 patients. The probability of occurrence in one artery, two arteries, three arteries, and more than three arteries was 29.5%, 28.8%, 19.9%, and 1.9%, respectively. <i>Conclusion</i>. This surgical approach achieves a small and esthetic skin wound with fewer complications. The SSI approach is a safe and widely adopted surgical approach option for the treatment of varicocele.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/9937114","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46675107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Protective Effects of Trametes Versicolor on Arsenic-Induced Male Reproductive Toxicity through Regulation of Oxidative Stress: A Biochemical and Histopathological Survey","authors":"Fatemeh Solaimani, Emran Habibi, Maryam Ghasemi, Saba Mahboubi, Ehsan Zamani, Fatemeh Shaki","doi":"10.1155/2023/7579366","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/7579366","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>Exposure to arsenic is linked to a wide range of diseases, in particular male reproductive toxicities. <i>Trametes versicolor</i> is a traditional medicinal fungus with a remarkable potential for antioxidant activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the ameliorating effects of water and methanol extracts of <i>T. versicolor</i> on arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicities via the abrogation of oxidative stress. The mice were divided as follows: control: normal saline, As: arsenic (15 mg/kg), WE: water extract (400 mg/kg), ME: methanol extract (400 mg/kg), As + WE: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + water extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg), As + ME: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + methanol extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg), and positive control: arsenic (15 mg/kg) + vitamin C (500 mg/kg). Animals were treated via the intraperitoneal route. About 24 hr later, the mice were euthanized, and oxidative stress parameters (reactive oxygen species [ROS], lipid peroxidation, glutathione concentration, protein carbonylation, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity), histopathological changes and sperm parameters (count, motility, and morphology) were examined in the testicular tissue. Arsenic caused significant pathological changes in the testicular tissue and sperm morphology and significantly reduced sperm count and motility. Moreover, arsenic mediated oxidative stress via significant increases in ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl content, as well as significant depletion in glutathione concentration and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Although, coadministration of water and methanol extracts of <i>T. versicolor</i> at 200 and 400 mg/kg counteracted arsenic-induced oxidative and histopathological damages and improved sperm parameters. Our study indicated that <i>T. versicolor</i> ameliorated arsenic-induced testis toxicity and sperm dysfunction via attenuation of oxidative damage.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/7579366","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"64799090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
AndrologiaPub Date : 2023-06-30DOI: 10.1155/2023/5209480
Ogechukwu O. Ezim, Sunny O. Abarikwu
{"title":"Exogenous Ascorbate Administration Elevates Testicular Oxidative Damage and Histological Injuries in Rats after Busulfan Treatment","authors":"Ogechukwu O. Ezim, Sunny O. Abarikwu","doi":"10.1155/2023/5209480","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/5209480","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>Several anticancer drugs are coadministered with ascorbate (ASCB) to complement their cytotoxic effects. However, it is not known if the treatment regimen prevents collateral oxidative damage to non-target sites. The current study evaluated the effect of ASCB cotreatment on the testes of young adult rats treated with an anticancer drug, busulfan (BUS). About 40 Wistar rats were arbitrarily assigned into four groups (<i>N</i> = 10), namely, control (<0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide vehicle), BUS (4 mg/kg b.w.; intraperitoneally for 4 days), BUS + ASCB (4 mg BUS/kg b.w. for 4 days + 100 mg ASCB/kg b.w.; intraperitoneally for 14 days and 7 days prior to start of BUS injection), and ASCB (100 mg/kg b.w.; intraperitoneally for 21 days). At the end of study, ASCB + BUS cotreatment reduced spermatogenesis score index, superoxide dismutase activity, total ASCB and decreased hydrogen peroxide level, and elevated catalase activity and nitrite concentration much more than treatment with BUS alone (<i>P</i> < 0.05). Other observations included elevated malondialdehyde level, DNA damage, and diminished glutathione concentration in the testes of BUS + ASCB animals. Interestingly, ASCB administration raised testicular ASCB concentration beyond the control values (<i>P</i> < 0.05) and the antioxidant status of the testes. Histological aberrations included many single layers of germ cells, shrinked tubules, and vacuolated structures in the epithelium of BUS + ASCB, similar to those of BUS-treated animals. In conclusion, BUS treatment deregulated the redox status of the testes and caused a dramatic consumption of ASCB which were enhanced by exogenous ASCB resulting to testicular damage.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/5209480","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47130952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of CatSper Stimulation and Inhibition by Progesterone and NNC on Human Sperm","authors":"Setareh Maleki, Sara Keshtgar, Bahareh Ebrahimi, Hedie Matavos-Aramyan, Narges Karbalaei, Fatemeh Masjedi","doi":"10.1155/2023/7826956","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/7826956","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>Calcium ion enters the sperm through a specific calcium channel, CatSper. This voltage-sensitive channel is stimulated by intracellular alkalization and progesterone. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of CatSper inhibition or stimulation on sperm motility, viability, and sperm function regulators such as mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This study was performed on 30 semen samples of fertile volunteers, referred to Shiraz Fertility Center. The semen samples were diluted to 20 × 10<sup>6</sup> sperm/mL. The samples were divided randomly into control, solvent, progesterone (10 <i>μ</i>M), NNC (2 <i>μ</i>M), and NNC+progesterone groups. Sperm kinematics, viability, MMP, ATP content, and the amount of ROS production were assessed using VT-SPERM3.1, eosin staining, JC1 flow cytometry, bioluminescence, and chemiluminescence methods, respectively. Sperm viability and total and progressive motility were significantly decreased in the NNC and NNC+progesterone groups. The amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) was reduced in the NNC-containing groups. These parameters did not change in the progesterone group. ROS production by viable spermatozoa in the NNC and NNC+progesterone groups was significantly higher than the controls. MMP and ATP content did not show any significant difference with controls in none of the experimental groups. NNC inhibits the CatSper and reduces human sperm motility and viability. These harmful NNC effects were not due to their impact on MMP or ATP production but are likely because of intracellular calcium reduction and higher ROS production. Progesterone at 10 <i>μ</i>M concentration had no significant effect and may not be a considerable stimulator for CatSper.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/7826956","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44664696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dimethyl Fumarate Protects Rats against Testicular Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury","authors":"Atsushi Onishi, Koji Chiba, Shun Kawamura, Katsuya Sato, Yasuhiro Kaku, Keisuke Okada, Masato Fujisawa","doi":"10.1155/2023/7086044","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/7086044","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) after testicular torsion is linked to significant damage in testicular tissue. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) activates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, thereby inducing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We analyzed the usefulness of DMF in preventing IRI following testicular torsion/detorsion in Sprague-Dawley rats (<i>n</i> = 32). The animals were classified into control (sham), DMF (200 mg/kg/day), IRI, and IRI+DMF (IRI with 200 mg/kg/day DMF) groups. Testicular IRI was induced by detorsion after 1.5 h of torsion. DMF was administered via oral gavage daily from 1 h before testicular detorsion until day 7, when orchiectomy was performed. The testis-to-body weight ratio was calculated. Histopathological evaluation was performed using the Johnsen and Cosentino scores for seminiferous tubules. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and total glutathione levels were determined in testicular tissues. Moreover, Nrf2, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-<i>κ</i>B), and inflammatory cytokine (interleukin 1b (IL1b), IL6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-<i>α</i>)) levels were determined through quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Nuclear Nrf2 and cytoplasmic HO-1 and NQO1 protein levels were also evaluated. DMF significantly improved the testis-to-body weight ratio and reduced histopathological damage in the testes. Moreover, it significantly improved the concentration of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and total glutathione. Furthermore, it inhibited NF-<i>κ</i>B and inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression compared with the findings obtained in untreated rats with IRI (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 expressions (mRNA and protein) were markedly elevated following DMF treatment in rats with IRI (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). DMF administration activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and induced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thereby improving IRI-induced testicular damage. Thus, DMF may prevent IRI following testicular torsion.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/7086044","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42792938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Predicting Micro-TESE among Heterogeneous Nonobstructive Azoospermic Patients: The Impact on Surgical Decision and ICSI","authors":"Ruhui Tian, Jing Zhang, Yuan Xu, Shiwei Liu, Cunzhong Deng, Huixing Chen, Peng Li, Yuhua Huang, Erlei Zhi, Guihua Liu, Guihua Sun, Xiaoyan Liang, Fujun Zhao, Yu Wu, Chencheng Yao, Weituo Zhang, Zheng Li","doi":"10.1155/2023/4825062","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2023/4825062","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Background</i>. Previously published predictive models for microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) were generally assumed patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) a homogenous population, i.e., the laboratory predictors were associated with sperm retrieval rate (SRR) in a similar way among different subpopulations. In addition, previous studies primarily regarded the success of sperm retrieval as the sole endpoint, although live birth is the ultimate goal for the couples. <i>Objectives</i>. The main objective is to develop and evaluate the clinical benefit of a model predicting the clinical outcome of micro-TESE in heterogeneous population with NOA. The outcome of pregnancy was taken into account via assessing the association between the predicted outcome of micro-TESE and pregnancy. <i>Materials and Methods</i>. A development cohort of 1,292 patients with NOA and an external validation cohort of 530 patients were included. Sperm retrieval was performed using micro-TESE. Clinical outcomes, including sperm retrieval, clinical pregnancy, and live birth, were collected. We developed a model using the machine learning method random forest and provided a web-based calculator. <i>Results</i>. The SRR was 38.1% (492/1,292) in the development cohort and 48.5% (257/530) in the validation cohort. The final model includes etiology, AMH, sperm retrieval surgical history, testicular volume, FSH, LH, and age as predictors (ordered by variable importance). The area under the curve of our model was 0.76 (0.74–0.79) in the development cohort and 0.75 (0.71–0.79) in the external validation cohort. The decision curve analysis showed that personalized model-based surgical decision provides additional clinical benefit. The clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) were 45.3% (405/895) and 57.6% (338/587), respectively, in the overall population. For patients of different SRR, the CPR and CLBR of whom had successful sperm retrieval were similar. <i>Discussion and Conclusion</i>. Our model predicting the SRR of micro-TESE was generalizable and easy to use. Predicted pregnancy outcomes like CPR and CLBR could also be derived from predicted SRR. A model-based surgical decision after personalized consultation would be beneficial to patients with NOA.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7817,"journal":{"name":"Andrologia","volume":"2023 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2023/4825062","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47741196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}