B. Ribeiro, P. G. Pinho, P. Andrade, Carla M Oliveira, A. Ferreira, P. Baptista, P. Valentão
{"title":"Do Bioactive Carotenoids Contribute to the Color of Edible Mushrooms","authors":"B. Ribeiro, P. G. Pinho, P. Andrade, Carla M Oliveira, A. Ferreira, P. Baptista, P. Valentão","doi":"10.2174/1875038901104010014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1875038901104010014","url":null,"abstract":"Carotenoids are biologically active phytochemicals present as micro-components in fruits and vegetables, being responsible for their yellow, orange and red colors. The chromatographic behavior and the UV absorption spectrum provided by HPLC-DAD analysis constitute the clues for their identification. Mushrooms are of increasing importance in modern nutrition and medicine, due to the presence of metabolites with pharmacological potential. In this work, samples of wild and commercial mushroom species (Agaricus bisporus, Amanita caesarea, Amanita rubescens, Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, Fistulina hepatica, Hydnum rufescens, Hygrophorus agathosmus, Pholiota nameko, Pleurotus ostreatus, Russula cyanoxantha, Suillus bellini, Suillus bovinus, Suillus granulatus, Suillus luteus, Tricholoma equestre and Tricholoma portentosum) were screened by HPLC-DAD for the presence of carotenoids. By applying this methodology to 22 samples, comprising either lyophilized or fresh materials, only � -carotene was found and just in C. cibarius species. The occurrence of this pigment in other three of the analyzed species previously described raises some questions about the methodology used.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"2007 1","pages":"14-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82494952","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}
P. Mathur, Mary Francispillai, S. Vaithinathan, A. Agarwal
{"title":"NF-κB in Male Reproduction: A Boon or a Bane?","authors":"P. Mathur, Mary Francispillai, S. Vaithinathan, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010085","url":null,"abstract":"The apoptotic process involved in the male reproductive system regulates the ability of the male to fertilize and pass on his genes through the process of spermatogenesis. Numerous factors are involved in mediating this essential and intricate process. It is known that without programmed cell death there would be an overwhelming amount of chaos within the seminiferous tubules of the testis, which would lead to dysfunctional spermatogenesis, and problems within the male reproductive system. Of the factors effecting testicular apoptosis, we are interested in studying the effects of Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) as well as select cytokines as they appear to have a significant role in germ cell death. Other mediators will also be briefly discussed in this paper.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"16 1","pages":"85-91"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73143576","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":"Is There a Link between Exercise and Male Factor Infertility","authors":"S. Plessis, A. Kashou, D. Vaamonde, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010105","url":null,"abstract":"The beneficial effects of physical exercise on general health are well known; however, as exercise imposes great physical stress that challenges homeostasis, it can be detrimental to certain organs/systems of the body when it is exhaustively performed. Decreased seminal parameters and sex hormone levels have been reported in male athletes and, therefore, a possible impairment of male fertility has been linked to exercise in a volume, intensity, and modality dependent-manner. Also, inherent characteristics of sportsmen (e.g. training level, adaptive capacity) may modify the response. This article aims to review the relevant literature regarding exercise and male factor infertility, while at the same time explores the possible underlying mechanisms that might be involved in this observable fact.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"15 1","pages":"105-113"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85292518","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":"Relationship of in Vitro Acrosome Reaction to Sperm Function: An Update","authors":"S. Esteves, S. Verza","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010072","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding the mechanisms by which the acrosome reaction is regulated is central to models of fertilization. This article reviews the relationship of the acrosome reaction detected in vitro to sperm function. Proteolytic enzymes in the acrosome digest through the zona pellucida allowing for sperm-oolemma fusion. When this process is impaired, either by lack of an acrosome or acrosomal dysfunction, fertility can be compromised. Optical microscopy and staining with different fluorescent lectins that bind to acrosomal membranes is the method of choice for acrosomal evaluation. Because acrosomal loss can be a result of sperm death, this test should be used in in conjunction with an assay to monitor sperm viability. Different stimulants, such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors, drugs and toxins have been investigated in their ability to affect the sperm ability to undergo in vitro acrosome reaction. Sperm acrosomes are also sensitive to the freezing-thawing process and strategies have been described to minimize cryodamage. The assessment of the acrosome has been shown to be a stable parameter of sperm function and a valid tool to predict the fertilizing potential of human spermatozoa. The acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge (ARIC) is an in vitro assay with good predictability of the sperm's fertilizing potential for assisted conception techniques including intrauterine insemination and conventional in vitro fertilization. The AR determination has been also used as an important biomarker in studies involving drugs and toxins. Recently, novel aspects of sperm-oocyte fusion have been depicted in humans involving glycoproteins present in the zona pellucida and the female reproductive tract.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"72-84"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76482141","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 Role of Contemporary Andrology in Unraveling the Mystery of Unexplained Male Infertility","authors":"A. Hamada, S. Esteves, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010027","url":null,"abstract":"Unexplained male infertility is a condition in which infertile men have normal semen analyses on multiple occasions with no obvious physical or endocrine abnormality when female partner infertility has been ruled out. In addition to erectile problems and coital factors, immune causes and dysfunctional sperm may contribute to such condition. Contemporary andrology may help analyze the unexplained male fertility problem on the basis of cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms and select the proper management. This review highlights the concept of unexplained male infertility and discusses the potential causes and its proper management in the era of modern andrology and assisted reproductive techniques.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"11 1","pages":"27-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83298818","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":"Aberrant Epigenetic Modifications in Male Infertility","authors":"S. Rajender, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010057","url":null,"abstract":"Epigenetic modifications change gene expression in such a way that gene action is affected without change in DNA sequence. Several genes playing crucial roles in spermatogenesis are known to be epigenetically regulated. Epigenetic modifications affect spermatogenesis, and aberrant epigenetic modifications at certain loci are linked to male infertility. Epigenetic modifications could be the mechanism by which several environmental hazards such as exposure to endocrine disruptors affect spermatogenesis. Imprinting as an effect of changes in the epigenome has the potential to change gene expression up to several generations leading to inheritance of the modified phenotype. In the present review, we have gathered evidence that epigenetic modifications affect spermatogenesis and contribute to male infertility.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"9 1","pages":"57-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82415733","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 Role of Sperm Chromatin Integrity and DNA Damage on Male Infertility","authors":"Aspinder Singh, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010065","url":null,"abstract":"Infertility affects approximately a quarter of all couples. Of these cases, roughly half are due to male factors. However, more than 50% of the causes of male factor infertility are still obscure. Contemporary Andrology includes a thorough analysis of the sperm looking at the cellular and subcellular imperfections which may have an adverse effect on fertility. Defects in DNA and chromatin structure are examples of such analysis. The structure of spermatozoa DNA is very unique, highly specialized in order to control time-appropriate maturation of the zygote. Damage to sperm DNA may occur as a result of intrinsic factors such as limited defenses against oxidative stress, ageing and varicocele, or as a result of extrinsic determinants such as medications and environmental factors. This damage thereby may have negative effects on ART procedures, and could lead to failure of fertilization. Sperm DNA damage significantly contributes to the growing number of infertility cases, and should be a part of a modern andrology lab.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"17 1","pages":"65-71"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89639399","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":"Thyroid Hormones in Male Reproduction and Fertility","authors":"Rajender Singh, A. Hamada, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010098","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010098","url":null,"abstract":"Thyroid hormones, previously thought not to affect spermatogenesis and male fertility, are now being recognized as having important role in spermatogenesis. The identification of thyroid hormone receptors on Sertoli cells, the nurturing cells for sperm in the testis, has embarked further research to investigate the role of thyroid hormones in male reproduction. Since spermatogenesis occurs in close contact with the Sertoli cells, the thyroid hormones must exert significant regulatory role in sperm production. Therefore, disturbances in the thyroid function could affect spermatogenesis and male fertility. Studies on human subjects and animals models are now revealing further insights into the effect of thyroid hormones on male fertility and infertility. The present review provides an update on the role of thyroid hormones in spermatogenesis and male fertility.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"15 1","pages":"98-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80850213","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":"What is New in the Clinical Assessment and Treatment of the InfertileMale","authors":"S. Esteves, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010016","url":null,"abstract":"Male infertility is a fast-evolving area. Recently published evidence has challenged several established concepts and added to the knowledge in the field. Traditionally, the clinical assessment of the subfertile male includes a history and physical examination, hormonal evaluation and semen analyses. Regarding the latter, the World Health Organization has established new reference values that in general include lower limits than those of previous editions. Specialized sperm function assays, such as sperm DNA integrity and measurements of oxidative stress, are now clinically available and may be integrated to the conventional semen analysis to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of a man’s fertility status. Also, molecular biology genetic testing involving the Y-chromosome can correctly identify oligozoospermic and azoospermic men misdiagnosed as having idiopathic infertility and be of prognostic value for sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia. In the field of treatment, emerging evidence suggests that antioxidant therapy along with life-style modifications improve the male reproductive health. Microsurgery has increased the success rates for both varicocele treatment and sperm retrieval for assisted conception. Microsurgical treatment of clinical varicoceles may optimize reproductive outcome of couples undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection or microsurgical testicular sperm extraction. Men with non-obstructive azoospermia, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels and small testes may no longer be considered sterile. Modern retrieval techniques are used to collect testicular sperm that can be used to produce a healthy biological offspring via assisted conception. This article reviews what is new in the clinical assessment and treatment of the infertile male, including the implications of this increased knowledge in the management of the infertile couple and assisted reproduction technology outcomes.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"95 1","pages":"16-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90541767","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":"Oxidants and Antioxidants in the Pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS","authors":"A. Kashou, A. Agarwal","doi":"10.2174/1874255601103010154","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1874255601103010154","url":null,"abstract":"Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has predominantly been considered the main cause in the progression of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, many researchers believe that there are co-factors involved along the way that may play a critical role in its development. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been established to be present at the onset of infection. Additionally, the delayed response by the immune system upon infection may be due to an initial depletion of antioxidants, which play a critical role in scavenging excess ROS to maintain normal physiological conditions. This pro-oxidant/antioxidant imbalance results in a condition known as oxidative stress (OS). OS has been reported to be an integral element in the progression of many diseases, including AIDS. Therefore, it is presumed that antioxidant treatment may provide a promising and cost-effective therapeutic approach in treating HIV-infected individuals on a global scale. Although HIV infection presents one of the most arduous complications to humans worldwide, awareness of its origin, adverse effects, and potential treatment remain confined to a limited population. The aim of this article is to inform the reader of how AIDS developed into a global epidemic so rapidly, while emphasizing the relationship between oxidants and antioxidants in the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS. A basic review of reduction/oxidation (redox) reactions is provided to understand how such simple introductory concepts can have such profound effects on the body. This serves as an essential building block to the topics that follow: ROS, antioxidants, and OS in HIV disease. Moreover, it allows for us to better define and elucidate OS as an often-overlooked link between HIV-infection and the progression of AIDS, as well as potential antioxidant treatment.","PeriodicalId":88757,"journal":{"name":"The open reproductive science journal","volume":"111 1","pages":"154-161"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83556600","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}
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