Basic and Clinical Andrology最新文献

{"title":"A new approach for hemodynamics of varicoceles: blood flow patterns based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound.","authors":"Penglin Zou, Gaoxiang Fan, Zheng Li, Yuchen Tao, Chao Jia, Hongmei Liang, Ruhui Tian, Qiusheng Shi, Jianlin Hu, Rong Wu","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00249-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00249-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hemodynamic alterations in the spermatic vein are implicated in infertility among patients with varicocele (VC). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), a powerful tool for hemodynamic analysis, remains unexplored for VC. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of using CEUS to evaluate spermatic vein hemodynamics in patients with VC and establish a clear correlation between specific hemodynamic patterns and impaired semen parameters. This study included 165 patients with left-sided VC and 50 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent CEUS of the spermatic veins, along with maximum venous diameter and testicular volume measurements and serum sex hormone levels and routine semen analyses. The sperm DNA fragmentation index was measured in 146 patients with VC and 37 healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analyses revealed four distinct blood flow patterns of the spermatic vein: steady flow, intermittent stasis, intermittent reflux, and filling defect. In healthy spermatic veins, the predominant blood flow patterns included steady flow and intermittent stasis. Spermatic veins with VC exhibited a significant increase in the intermittent reflux and filling defect patterns, with the proportion rising as the clinical grade increased. The four patterns were further grouped into the \"steady flow & intermittent stasis\" and \"intermittent reflux & filling defect\" patterns for logistic regression analyses; the intermittent reflux & filling defect pattern was revealed as an independent risk factor for impaired sperm concentration, total sperm counts, progressive motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation index.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study validated the feasibility of CEUS for assessing the hemodynamics of the spermatic vein and established the intermittent reflux & filling defect pattern as an independent predictor of impaired semen parameters.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"35 1","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11756121/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143021950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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 active ingredients from acrorus tatarinowii on sperm and their molecular mechanisms.","authors":"Zonglin Lu, Haiyang Zhao, Hui Wang, Xin Wang, Zixue Sun","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00247-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00247-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To investigate the therapeutic potential of Acrorus tatarinowii in oligoasthenozoospermia and its related mechanism through modulation of the BCL2/Bax/Caspase3 signaling pathway.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Initially, using the TCMSP and Disgenet databases, active ingredients of Acrorus tatarinowii were identified and their target genes associated with sperm-related diseases were elucidated.Subsequently, an oligoasthenozoospermia mouse model was induced and treated with Acrorus tatarinowii. Serum hormone levels were assessed by ELISA, testicular histopathology by HE staining, and target gene expression by qPCR and Western blotting.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Acrorus tatarinowii treatment significantly upregulated BCL2 expression in the testes of oligoasthenozoospermic rat. This was accompanied by improved histopathological features in testicular tissues, reduced LH and FSH levels in serum.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Acrorus tatarinowii exerts therapeutic effects in oligoasthenozoospermia by regulating the BCL2/Bax/Caspase3 pathway, maybe by inhibiting apoptosis, and promoting germ cell proliferation. These findings highlight its potential as a natural remedy for male infertility associated with sperm function disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"35 1","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11744876/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142999272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of precision of a paperless electronic input method versus the conventional paper form in an andrology laboratory: a prospective study.","authors":"Kevin K W Lam, Percy C K Tsang, Connie C Y Chan, Evans P K Ng, Tak-Ming Cheung, Raymond H W Li, Ernest H Y Ng, William S B Yeung","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00248-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00248-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Manual counting for semen analysis is recommended by the World Health Organization. Technicians performing this usually record their results on a paper worksheet and then enter the data into an electronic laboratory information system. One disadvantage of this approach is the chance of post-analytical transcription errors, which can be reduced by checking the computer entries before reporting by another technician. Such practice inevitably increases the running cost and delays the reporting time. The present study was to establish a paperless electronic data entry system for semen analysis and compare its precision with the conventional paper method. During semen analysis, readings on the cell counter were video recorded. The precision of the paper record entries was determined by comparing them with the corresponding video records. Patient characteristics and semen analysis results were input directly into an in-house developed data entry system via a tablet computer immediately after analysis. The same set of data was also handwritten on a paper form and was subsequently input into a standard computerized database according to routine practice. The agreement of the data entries between the two systems was then compared.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 787 semen analyses were included in the study, involving 201 samples in Phase I and 586 samples in Phase II of the study. Phase I was the initial learning period. The overall rate of transcription error of the paper form was 0.07%, whereas that of the paperless system was 0.17%. In phase II, the paperless system was modified according to users' comments. The transcription error rate of the paper form was 0.05%, while that of the paperless system was substantially reduced to 0.01% (p = 0.008).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The paperless system is a reliable tool for recording data from semen analysis compared with the conventional paper form. However, training is needed to reduce the error rate of the paperless system.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"35 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11727433/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142969529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vascular hemodynamic effects of penile revascularization surgery and the role of resistive index in follow-up.","authors":"Fatih Akdemir, Önder Kayigil","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00243-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00243-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To evaluate the effects of penile revascularization surgery on penile vascular hemodynamics and to assess the utility of the resistive index (RI) as an objective parameter for postoperative patient follow-up.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study included a total of 35 patients who underwent penile revascularization. Penile color Doppler ultrasonography was performed preoperatively and at the third postoperative month to evaluate cavernosal arteries, dorsal arteries, deep dorsal vein, and inferior epigastric artery. During these evaluations, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and resistive index were measured. The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire was administered before surgery and at the third postoperative month. In addition, corpus cavernosum electromyography and cavernosometry tests were performed in all cases preoperatively. Anastomotic patency was assessed using computed tomography angiography at the end of the follow-up period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean preoperative resistive index values were determined to be 0.74 ± 0.07 and 0.73 ± 0.09 cm/s for the right and left cavernosal arteries, respectively, and these values increased to 0.95 ± 0.09 and 0.96 ± 0.06 cm/s, respectively, at the last postoperative control. The mean International Index of Erectile Function-5, 15 scores for the right and left cavernosal arteries were 8.52 ± 4.83 and 19.4 ± 8.54, respectively, preoperatively, and these scores improved to 15.26 ± 4.50 and 35.76 ± 13.65, respectively, at the last postoperative follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study suggest that the resistive index can be used as an objective parameter in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction of vascular origin and in the follow-up and management of the disease following penile revascularization.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>NCT06350019/04/03/2024 (retrospectively registered).</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"34 1","pages":"28"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11660643/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Primary ciliary dyskinesia as a rare cause of male infertility: case report and literature overview.","authors":"Jan Novák, Lenka Horáková, Alena Puchmajerová, Viktor Vik, Zuzana Krátká, Vojtěch Thon","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00244-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00244-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a heterogenous disease caused by mutations of miscellaneous genes which physiologically play an important role in proper structure and/or function of various cellular cilia including sperm flagella. Besides male infertility, the typical phenotypes, based on decreased mucociliary clearance, are lifelong respiratory issues, i.e., chronic bronchitis leading to bronchiectasis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and chronic otitis media. Moreover, since motile cilia are important during embryological development in the sense of direction of gut rotation, 50% of affected individuals develop situs inversus - so-called Kartagener's syndrome.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We present two cases of PCD as a rare cause of male infertility.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Primary ciliary dyskinesia should be suspected in infertile males having (sub)normal sperm concentration values with persistent zero motility together with patient's and/or family history of respiratory symptoms like bronchiectasis, chronic cough, rhinitis, recurrent sinusitis, and otitis media. Due to more than 50 identified mutations until now, the causal mechanism of male infertility is miscellaneous and not in all cases known in detail. Besides impaired sperm motility, other mechanisms significantly decreasing efficacy of assisted reproduction techniques play a pivotal role. Thus, proper diagnostic work-up including, among others, sperm DNA fragmentation, is mandatory to avoid ineffective treatment burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"34 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11653897/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142852130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The annulus: composition, role and importance in sperm flagellum biogenesis and male fertility.","authors":"Marjorie Whitfield","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00241-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00241-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The annulus is an electron-dense ring structure that surrounds the axoneme and compartmentalizes the sperm flagellum into two parts: the midpiece and the principal piece. The function of the annulus as a diffusion barrier in the mature spermatozoon is now well described but its function during spermiogenesis remains unclear. The intriguing spatio-temporal dynamics of the annulus during spermiogenesis and its position at the interface of the two main flagellar compartments have been highlighted for more than 50 years, and suggest a major role in this process. During the last decade, numerous studies contributed in establishing a repertoire of proteins known to be located at the annulus. Mutant mouse models of invalidation of these proteins have provided essential information and clues for novel hypotheses regarding the functions and regulation of this structure. Importantly, the recent identification in humans of homozygous mutations of genes coding for annulus proteins and leading to sterility have reinforced the importance of this ring structure for sperm physiology and male fertility. This review provides a comprehensive description of all the knowledge obtained in the last several years regarding the annulus composition and functions, both in mice and in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"34 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11648301/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pathogenesis of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome caused by PMFBP1 mutation.","authors":"Huaqiang Xia, Juan Zhang, Wuyuan Mao, Kangle Yi, Teng Wang, Lingyan Liao","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00240-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00240-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acephalic spermatozoa syndrome is a rare but severe type of teratozoospermia. The familial trait of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome suggests that genetic factors play an important role. However, known mutations account for only some acephalic spermatozoa syndrome patients, and more studies are needed to elucidate its pathogenesis. The current study aimed to elucidate the pathogenesis of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome caused by PMFBP1 mutation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified a homozygous splice site mutation (NM_031293.2, c.2089-1G > T) in PMFBP1 through Sanger sequencing. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that this splice site mutation resulted in the absence of PMFBP1 protein expression in the patient's sperm cells. We generated an in vitro model carrying the splice site mutation in PMFBP1 and confirmed, through RT‒PCR and Sanger sequencing, that it led to a deletion of 4 base pairs from exon 15.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A homozygous splice site mutation results in a deletion of 4 bp from exon 15 of PMFBP1, thereby affecting the expression of the PMFBP1 protein. The absence of PMFBP1 protein expression can lead to acephalic spermatozoa syndrome. This finding elucidates the underlying cause of acephalic spermatozoa syndrome associated with this specific mutation (NM_031293.2, c.2089-1G > T) in PMFBP1.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"34 1","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11639112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142816900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of acupuncture in treating premature ejaculation and its probable neurobiological mechanism.","authors":"Anmin Wang, Hao Wang, Dongyue Ma, Hongyuan Chang, Ziwei Zhao, Dicheng Luo, Fu Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00239-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00239-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common diseases in andrology and leads to serious male sexual dysfunction. Although several targeted oral drug therapies are used to treat PE, they often face challenges related to imprecise targeting and adverse effects. Acupuncture has shown potential in prolonging ejaculation time and improving couples' sexual quality of life. This review aims to summarize the benefits of acupuncture in treating PE and explore its probable neurobiological mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review included eight clinical trials involving 679 patients, of which 294 were treated with acupuncture. Furthermore, this review analyzed acupuncture points, needle retention time, treatment duration, and their probable neurobiological mechanisms. The proposed mechanisms include stimulating the frontal functional lobe, inhibiting spinal cord neural pathways, regulating serotonin levels, enhancing 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor IB excitability, reducing penile sensitivity, and modulating hormone levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Acupuncture is a viable alternative or complementary therapy for PE, and neurobiological mechanisms appear to play a key role, but further experimental validation is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"34 1","pages":"20"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11636054/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142812110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Stigma and its associations with self-confidence and sexual relations in 4 types of premature ejaculation.","authors":"Jishuang Liu, Tong Bao, Qunfeng Wang, Hui Jiang, Xiansheng Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00246-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00246-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"34 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11629503/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142799373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is testicular microlithiasis associated with decreased semen parameters? a systematic review.","authors":"Hannah G Wilson, Brian R Birch, Rowland W Rees","doi":"10.1186/s12610-024-00238-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12610-024-00238-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is characterised by microcalcifications in the testes and has been associated with infertility. This has led to studies of semen analysis in men with the condition. This systematic review aimed to compare semen parameters in men with TM and those without. Men with classic TM (≥ 5 microcalcifications per sonographic image) were also compared to those with limited TM (< 5 microcalcifications per sonographic image). Additionally, testicular volume and hormone levels were analysed as secondary outcomes. This review was carried out according to PRISMA guidelines and registered on PROSPERO. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Embase, MEDLINE, World of Science and Scopus were searched. Abstracts were screened against inclusion/exclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. Eligible studies included data on semen parameters in men with TM where semen analysis was done according to World Health Organisation recommendations. Studies with populations consisting of men with testicular cancer were excluded. After searching the databases, 137 papers were found and 10 studies involving 611 men with TM were included in the analysis. In the studies that compared sperm concentration in men with TM to controls, six (100%) found lower sperm concentration in the TM group. Six studies compared sperm motility, of which 4 (66.7%) showed lower motility in the TM group compared to controls. Five studies compared sperm morphology, with three (60%) finding a lower percentage of normal morphology in the TM group compared to controls. Six studies compared classic TM with limited TM. All six (100%) found a lower sperm concentration in the classic TM group compared to the limited TM group. Results also suggested that more extensive disease is associated with poorer sperm concentration.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This review suggests that TM is associated with decreased semen parameters, particularly sperm concentration. However, clinical outcomes should be investigated by studying pregnancy rates in males with TM. Future research that controls for confounding variables, involves larger sample sizes, and utilises advanced sperm function tests is also advised. Further research is important for establishing clinical guidance and suggestions for fertility follow-up in men with TM.</p>","PeriodicalId":8730,"journal":{"name":"Basic and Clinical Andrology","volume":"34 1","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11619182/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142779302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}