Asian journal of andrology最新文献

{"title":"The therapeutic effect and mechanism of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for erectile dysfunction.","authors":"Mei-Li-Yang Wu, Wen-Chao Xu, Tao Wang, Ji-Hong Liu, Hao Li","doi":"10.4103/aja2025110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja2025110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>As an emerging therapeutic option for erectile dysfunction (ED), low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has attracted increasing attention. The therapeutic effect of LIPUS is comparable to low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy. However, the underlying mechanism of LIPUS remains unclear. We summarized the current literature to assess the efficacy of LIPUS for ED and elucidate the biological effects caused by LIPUS in different ED models. Preliminary clinical studies demonstrate that LIPUS is beneficial for ED with varying degrees of severity, and its therapeutic effect can be enhanced when combined with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors. Basic researches have shown that LIPUS can treat ED resulting from type 1 diabetes mellitus, cavernous nerve injury, or cavernosa injury. The underlying mechanisms involve upregulating endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression, increasing smooth muscle and endothelium content, inhibiting cavernosal fibrosis mediated by the transforming growth factor-β1/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein/connective tissue growth factor (TGF-β1/Smad/CTGF) pathway, and ameliorating oxidative stress via microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)- and Parkin-dependent mitophagy in type 1 diabetic ED. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), activated by LIPUS, contribute to the recovery of neurogenic ED. Furthermore, the survival and secretion function of Schwann cells are improved by LIPUS through activating tropomyosin receptor kinase B/protein kinase B/cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein (TrkB/Akt/CREB) pathway, thereby accelerating cavernous nerve repair. LIPUS is a safe and effective treatment modality for ED, which can restore the pathological changes in corpus cavernosum via multiple pathways. The long-term efficacy of LIPUS needs further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147446306","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":"Outcomes following varicocele treatment: a comparative study of microsurgical and angioembolization approaches.","authors":"Ammar Al Homsi, Omar Almidani, Fadi Youness, Rashed Rowaiee, Ali Alabdullah, Omar Aljasmi, Ayman Moussa, Kashif Siddiqi, Alaeddin Barham, Omer Raheem","doi":"10.4103/aja202590","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202590","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of microsurgical varicocelectomy (MV) versus percutaneous angioembolization (AE) in men with varicoceles causing infertility or scrotal pain. Endpoints included postoperative changes in semen parameters, complication rates, pain relief, need for additional interventions, and the influence of body mass index (BMI). We retrospectively reviewed 264 male patients treated for varicocele from July 2015 to July 2024 (MV: 214 patients, and AE: 50 patients). Only patients older than 18 years were included. Indications were infertility or chronic varicocele-related scrotal pain. Pre- and post-treatment semen analyses were compared in infertile men, and pain outcomes were assessed in those treated for pain. Complications and secondary interventions were recorded, and outcomes were stratified by BMI. MV significantly improved sperm concentration, motility, and total motile count within 3-6 months, while AE showed no significant change. Complications occurred only in the MV group (8.9%), including hydrocele, hematoma, and surgical site infection, while no complications were reported in the AE group. Persistent pain was observed in one-third of patients in both groups, and AE was associated with a higher rate of secondary intervention (14.0%) compared to MV (6.6%). BMI was not linked to complications or operative time but was associated with poorer baseline semen quality. Within 3-6 months post-treatment, varicocelectomy yielded greater improvement in semen quality, while AE offered a favorable safety profile but less reproductive benefit and a higher retreatment rate. Both approaches were safe across BMI categories, though longer-term studies are needed to clarify patient selection and delayed outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147391909","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":"Commentary on \"Correlation between weight loss and testosterone restoration after sleeve gastrectomy in patients with biochemical male obesity-associated secondary hypogonadism\".","authors":"Michał Rabijewski, Jakub Wydra, Marcin Rabijewski","doi":"10.4103/aja2025118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja2025118","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147367702","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":"Human pyriform sperm heads in infertile men and assisted reproductive technology outcomes: a retrospective cohort study based on propensity score matching.","authors":"Ye-Lin Jia, Ting-Ting Yang, Qing-Yuan Cheng, Ying-Bi Wu, Yan Zheng, Lin Yu, Fu-Ping Li","doi":"10.4103/aja202595","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202595","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explores the effect of pyriform sperm heads on basic semen parameters, advanced sperm functions, and assisted reproductive technology outcomes. From 2300 patients with pyriform sperm heads in semen, a cohort of 59 couples from the Andrology Clinic of West China Second University Hospital (Sichuan University, Chengdu, China) between January 2022 and July 2024 undergoing assisted reproductive technology were studied. After 108 cycles with 81 embryos transferred, 37 couples achieved clinical pregnancy. Sperm concentration, percentage vitality, total motility, normal morphology, nuclear maturity, acrosomal integrity, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly lower in the pyriform sperm head group than those in the control group by propensity score matching (all P < 0.05). Non-progressive motility, immotile spermatozoa, the teratozoospermia, sperm deformity, DNA fragmentation index, and DNA stainability were higher in the pyriform sperm head group than those in the control group after propensity score matching (all P < 0.05). Nine morphometric parameters from 2805 typical pyriform sperm heads were evaluated. Cut-off values for predictive diagnostic use of 24.0%, 31.6%, 29.8%, 16.1%, 17.3%, 22.1%, and 9.2% were proposed for the proportion of pyriform sperm heads in seminal samples with abnormal DNA fragmentation index, high DNA stainability, sperm nuclear maturity, sperm acrosome integrity, acrosome reaction, acrosin activity, and mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. High-quality embryos (35.2% vs 16.8%), clinical pregnancy (46.2% vs 43.8%), and live birth rates (21.5% vs 18.8%) were higher of spermatozoa from samples with a low proportion of pyriform sperm heads (≤38.5%) than with a high proportion of pyriform spermatozoa (>38.5%). The percentage of pyriform sperm heads could be introduced as a diagnostic evaluation parameter before treatment of sperm function and assisted reproductive technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147346056","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":"Real-world effectiveness and safety of radium-223 therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases.","authors":"Hong-Kai Wang, Zhen Hang, Chang Liu, Bo Dai, Yao Zhu, Xiao-Jian Qin, Guo-Wen Lin, Yan-Bo Deng, He-Xun Jiang, Ya Wang, Shao-Li Song, Ding-Wei Ye","doi":"10.4103/aja202598","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202598","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effectiveness and safety of radium-223 (Ra-223) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and bone metastasis in real-world clinical practice in China remain to be fully examined. This single-center, retrospective, real-world study included Chinese patients with mCRPC treated with Ra-223 between January 2021 and August 2023 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China). This study examined the patient characteristics, overall survival (OS), 5-point Visual Analog Scale for pain and safety, as well as factors potentially influencing treatment effectiveness. Ninety-three patients were included. Among them, 25 (26.9%) patients were administered all six injections of Ra-223, and 41 (44.1%) patients received more than 3 injections. After a median follow-up of 19.8 months, median OS was 14.1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.0-16.2) months. Multivariable analysis showed a total number of Ra-223 injections >3 was an independent protective factor of OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.234-0.837; P = 0.012) after adjusting for age, combination therapy, and previous chemotherapy. For those administered all six injections of Ra-223, no patients had a pain score of 4 and only 4.2% of patients showed a pain score of 3. In total, 62.5% of patients had almost no pain (0 point). Median alkaline phosphatase showed a downward trend during the six-injection treatment period. The most common adverse event was anemia (30.1%), followed by thrombocytopenia (15.1%), nausea (9.7%), weakness (8.6%), and decreased white blood cells (7.5%). This real-world study strongly suggests that Ra-223 has good effectiveness and tolerability in Chinese patients with mCRPC and bone metastases.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147346075","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":"Evaluation of technicians' ability to accurately identify sperm morphology through EQA programs in China: a 5-year nationwide study (2019-2024).","authors":"Yan Zheng, Ying-Bi Wu, Lin Yu, Yuan Liu, Jin-Tao Yuan, Cheng-Cheng Diao, Yi Ma, Ye-Lin Jia, Fu-Ping Li","doi":"10.4103/aja202582","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202582","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated technicians' ability to identify sperm morphology via external quality assessment (EQA) and identified challenging defect types causing significant interparticipant discrepancies. A longitudinal study was conducted from 2019 to 2024 to assess the ability of technicians at various laboratories to identify sperm morphology using standardized EQA protocols and distributed sperm images. Morphological classification was performed using the criteria of the World Health Organization, 6th edition. Correct identification rates, participant pass rates, and defect-specific accuracy rates were statistically analyzed. The overall correct identification rate (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) was 81.3% ± 27.0%, while the correct identification rate of normal sperm morphology (mean ± s.d.) was only 51.1% ± 25.5%. Although the overall correct identification rate of abnormal sperm morphology (mean ± s.d.) was as high as 96.1% ± 8.9%, the overall correct identification rate across all defect categories (mean ± s.d.) was only 60.2% ± 21.7%. The identification of sperm head defects was the most challenging, with a correct identification rate (mean ± s.d.) of only 57.0% ± 20.7%, while the correct identification rate of sperm tail defects (mean ± s.d.) was the highest at 70.5% ± 23.5%. Among sperm head defects, the correct identification rate of head size defects (mean ± s.d.) was the lowest at 53.4% ± 22.0%. Laboratories that participated for 5 consecutive years showed significant improvements in total and normal morphology scores. Image-based EQA effectively assesses the technicians' competency and serves as an educational tool. Normal sperm morphology evaluation should avoid overly strict criteria, while abnormal sperm morphology assessment requires enhanced focus on specific defect types.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147346073","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":"Novel mutations in FSIP2 cause male infertility through multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella.","authors":"Mujahid Hussain, Abu Mansoor, Huan Zhang, Meftah Uddin, Ghulam Mustafa, Musavir Abbas, Umair Shafiq, Muhammad Shoaib, Fazal Rahim, Nisar Ahmed, Aurang Zeb, Tanveer Abbas, Wasim Shah, Qing-Hua Shi","doi":"10.4103/aja202542","DOIUrl":"10.4103/aja202542","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infertility is a global concern, and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is the most severe form of male infertility, characterized by reduced sperm count, decreased motility, and increased abnormal morphology. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) characterize the most severe type of OAT and are usually caused by loss-of-function mutations in the genes essential for vital aspects of sperm biology, including concentration, motility, and morphology. The fibrous sheath interacting protein 2 (FSIP2) plays an essential role in sperm flagellar structure and function by regulating such processes as intraflagellar transport and acrosome formation. The present study, employing whole-exome sequencing (WES), identified two FSIP2 mutations in one patient (patient 1), a homozygous missense (c.262C>A, p.P88T) and a homozygous frameshift mutation (c.10948_10951del, p.N3653Nfs*22), as well as a homozygous FSIP2 frameshift mutation (c.15982_15982del, p.I5328Lfs*33) in another patient (patient 2). The results of bioinformatics analysis indicate that the identified missense mutation (c.262C>A) is rare and predicted to have a deleterious effect on FSIP2. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of sperm revealed several abnormalities, including a disorganized mitochondrial sheath, absence of the central pair and some doublets of microtubules, and significant dysplasia of the fibrous sheath. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicated significantly reduced FSIP2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in sperm lysate of the affected individuals. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a complete absence of FSIP2, A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4), sperm-associated antigen 6 (SPAG6), intraflagellar transport 20 (IFT20) and actin-like 7A (ACTL7A) proteins in the spermatozoa of patients. Thus, the novel FSIP2 variants identified in patient 1 and patient 2 are recognized as pathogenic mutations responsible for MMAF, providing valuable insights for genetic counseling and reproductive decision-making in affected males.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":"205-212"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13065324/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145088225","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":"Cryptorchidism and infertility: what do we know so far?","authors":"Yu-Xin Liu, Hai-Yang Zhang","doi":"10.4103/aja202548","DOIUrl":"10.4103/aja202548","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cryptorchidism is recognized as a significant risk factor for male germ cell tumors and infertility, with a complex and multifaceted mechanism contributing to male infertility. When the testes fail to descend into the scrotum, increased local temperature and pressure lead to increased apoptosis of spermatogenic and Sertoli cells. Additionally, disruptions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis result in decreased testosterone levels within the testes, and abnormal secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, negatively impacting spermatogenesis. Cryptorchidism also induces increased oxidative stress within the testes, leading to sperm DNA damage and impairment of the sperm plasma membrane, hindering sperm-oocyte fusion. Unilateral cryptorchidism may cause injury to the ipsilateral genitofemoral nerve, further affecting the contralateral testis by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Moreover, the production of antisperm antibodies can trigger autoimmune responses, potentially damaging germ cells and contributing to infertility. Damage to type A dark spermatogonia (type Ad spermatogonia) is also considered a high-risk factor for male infertility. Understanding the mechanisms by which cryptorchidism leads to male infertility may provide new avenues for enhancing fertility in affected patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":"128-135"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13065325/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145936686","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":"Corrigendum to \"Novel bi-allelic variants in DNAH10 lead to multiple morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella and male infertility\".","authors":"Muhammad Shoaib, Muhammad Zubair, Wasim Shah, Meftah Uddin, Ansar Hussain, Ghulam Mustafa, Fazal Rahim, Huan Zhang, Imtiaz Ali, Tanveer Abbas, Yousaf Raza, Sui-Xing Fan, Qing-Hua Shi","doi":"10.4103/aja202531","DOIUrl":"10.4103/aja202531","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":"222"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13065315/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144823406","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":"Commentary on \"Human papillomavirus carriage in the semen of men consulting for infertility: prevalence and correlations with sperm characteristics\".","authors":"Xiao-Bo Chen, Ruo-Hui Huang","doi":"10.4103/aja202576","DOIUrl":"10.4103/aja202576","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":"221"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13065320/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000112","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}