Guijiajiao (Colla Carapacis et Plastri, CCP) prevents male infertility via gut microbiota modulation / 中国天然药物

Male infertility is a significant cause of psychosocial and marital distress in approximately 50% of couples who are unable to conceive, with male factors being the underlying cause. Guijiajiao (Colla Carapacis et Plastri, CCP) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine commonly used to treat male infertility. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the preventive effects of CCP on male infertility. An infertile male rat model was established using cyclophosphamide (CTX), and CCP was administered for both treatment and prevention. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was also performed to explore the role of gut microbiota in the CCP-mediated prevention of male infertility in rats. Sperm motility and concentration were determined using a semi-automatic sperm classification analyzer. Subsequently, histopathological analysis using HE staining was performed to examine the changes in the small intestine and testis. Moreover, the serum levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and testosterone were measured by ELISA. In addition, immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect CD3 expression in the small intestine, while RT-qPCR was employed to assess the expressions of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL-10) in the small intestine and epididymis. Finally, gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. CCP improved sperm motility, number, and concentration in CTX-induced infertile male rats. CCP increased the serum testosterone level, inhibited the immune cell infiltration of the intestinal lamina propria, and promoted the aggregation of CD3+ T cells in CTX-induced male infertility rats. CCP also inhibited the expressions of MCP-1, CXCL-10, and IL-1β in the epididymis of male infertility rats. At the genus level, CTX led to a reduction in the abundance of Lactobacillus, Clostridia_UCG.014, and Romboutsia in the intestinal tract of rats. In contrast, CCP decreased the abundance of Ruminococcus and increased the abundance of Romboutsia in infertile male rats. Additionally, FMT experiments proved that the gut microbiota of CCP-treated rats facilitated testicular tissue recovery and spermatogenesis while also reducing the serum LPS level in infertile male rats. CCP improves the spermatogenic ability of infertile male rats by restoring gut microbiota diversity and inhibiting epididymal inflammation.

Effect of alcoholic beverages on progeny and reproduction of mice

ABSTRACT Alcohol is the most commonly consumed substance in the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of alcoholic beverages on male reproduction and possible alterations in their offspring. The mice were divided into 4 groups: beer, wine, cachaça (a type of sugarcane rum), with ethanol concentrations of 1.9 g/kg, and control group treated with PBS. The treatment period was 35 days. The animals which received cachaça, demonstrated significant weight loss in the testes and epididymis. The alcoholic beverages promoted significant testosterone level and fertilization index diminution, and morphological alterations in the spermatozoa. The beer group presented decreased implantation sites and a high frequency of dominant lethal. The number of reabsorptions in the wine group was increased. The fermented beverages presented higher potential to induce visceral malformations, while the cachaça caused fetal skeletal malformations. The cachaça treated group presented a negative impact on semen quality and fertilization potential. The treatment with different alcoholic beverages, during spermatogenesis, demonstrated contrasting degrees of induction of toxic effects, interfering in a general aspect in male reproductive performance, fetal viability during intrauterine life, and birth defects. From the data, it is possible to infer that the distillated beverage caused more harmful effects to reproduction in this study.

Momordica cochinchinensis (L. ) spreng: aril extract prevents adverse reproductive parameters of male rats Induced with valproic acid / El extracto del arilo Momordica cochinchinensis (L. ) Spreng previene los parámetros reproductivos adversos inducidos con ácido valproico en ratas macho

This study aimed to investigate protective effect of Momordica cochinchinensis (MC) aril extract on adverse reproductive parameters of male rat induced with valproic acid (VPA) commonly used in treatment for antiepileptic diseases. Male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (control, VPA, 200 mg/kg BW of PE only, and 50, 100, 200 mg/kg BW MC+VPA, respectively). Animals were pretreated with aqueous MC extract for 23 days before co-administered with VPA induction for 10 days. At the end of experiment, all male reproductive parameters and testicular histology were examined. The results showed all doses of PE significantly protect the decrease the weights of epididymis and seminal vesicle but not of body and testicular weights. MC extract also increased sperm concentration and seminiferous tubular diameters in MC+VPA co-administrative groups. Moreover, testicular histology of MC+VPA groups showed significant declining of testicular histopathologies as compared to VPA group. It was concluded that M. Cochinchinensis aril extract can prevent adverse male reproductive parameters and testicular damage induced with VPA.

El objetivo fue investigar el efecto protector del extracto de arilo de Momordica cochinchinensis (MC) sobre los parámetros reproductivos adversos de la rata macho inducida con ácido valproico (AV) que se utiliza comúnmente en el tratamiento de enfermedades epilépticas. Las ratas se dividieron en 6 grupos (control, AV, 200 mg/kg por peso corporal de PE solamente, y 50, 100, 200 mg/kg por peso corporal MC+AV, respectivamente). Los animales fueron tratados previamente con extracto acuoso MC durante 23 días, antes de la administración de AV durante 10 días. Al término del experimento, se examinaron todos los parámetros reproductivos masculinos y la histología testicular. Los resultados indicaron que todas las dosis de PE protegen de manera significativa la disminución de los pesos de epidídimo y vesículas seminales, pero no de peso corporal y testicular. El extracto de MC también aumentó la concentración de espermatozoides y los diámetros de los túbulos seminíferos en los grupos de administración con MC+AV. Por otra parte, la histología testicular de los grupos MC+AV mostró una disminución significativa de histopatologías testiculares en comparación con el grupo AV. En conclusión, el extracto de arilo M. cochinchinensis puede prevenir la aparición de parámetros reproductivos masculinos negativos y los daños testiculares inducidos con AV.

Protective role of melatonin in mouse spermatogenesis induced by sodium arsenite / Rol protector de la melatonina en el daño de la espermatogénesis en ratón producido por arsenito de sodio

Arsenic is a testicular environmental toxic. Melatonin (Me), being a potent antioxidant, may reduce the damage caused by arsenic in male fertility. The effects of daily oral exposure of Sodium Arsenite (As; 7.0 mg/kg/bw); Melatonin (Me, 10.0 mg/kg/bw); Me (10.0 mg/kg/bw) plus As (7.0 mg/kg/bw), and Negative Control (NaCl 0.9 percent) in male CF-1 adult mice were assessed in acute (8.3 days), chronic (33.2 days) and recovery (66,4 days) of testicular damage. We evaluated changes in testicular weight and histopathological, morphometric measurements, expression of COX-2 and Androgen Receptor (AR) antigens and lipid peroxidation levels. Treatment resulted in decreased tubular diameter and AR expression, and increased: interstitial area, luminal diameter, COX-2 expression levels and of lipid peroxidation. Co-administration of As and Me partially decreased germ cell degeneration and AR expression levels, improving testicular histopathological parameters. These results indicate that As causes toxicity and testicular germ cell degeneration by induction of oxidative stress. Me partially protects from this damage in mouse testis, acting as scavenger of oxygen radical species.

El arsénico es un tóxico testicular ambiental. La melatonina (Me), que es un potente antioxidante, puede reducir el daño causado por el arsénico en la fertilidad masculina. Se evaluaron los efectos de la exposición oral diaria de arsenito de sodio (As; 7,0 mg/kg/peso corporal), melatonina (Me, 10,0 mg/kg/p.c.); Me (10,0 mg/kg/p.c.) más As (7,0 mg/kg/pc) y el Control Negativo (NaCl 0,9 por ciento) en ratones adultos CF-1 machos, a los 8,3 días (exposición aguda), 33,2 días (crónica) y 66,4 días (recuperación) del daño testicular. Se evaluaron los cambios en el peso testicular y mediciones morfométricas, histopatológicas, expresión de COX-2, del receptor de andrógeno (AR) y los niveles de peroxidación de lípidos. El tratamiento con As resultó en disminución del diámetro tubular y la expresión de AR, y el aumento de: área intersticial, diámetro luminal, los niveles de expresión de COX-2 y peroxidación lipídica. La co-administración de As y Me disminuyó parcialmente la degeneración de células germinales, el aumento de los niveles de expresión de AR y hubo mejoría de los parámetros histopatológicos testiculares. Estos resultados indican que As es tóxico y causa degeneración de células germinales por inducción de estrés oxidativo. Me protege parcialmente este daño en los testículos de ratones, actuando como eliminador de especies radicalarias del oxígeno.

Rat testicular impairment induced by electromagnetic radiation from a conventional cellular telephone and the protective effects of the antioxidants vitamins C and E

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of electromagnetic radiation from conventional cellular phone use on the oxidant and antioxidant status in rat blood and testicular tissue and determine the possible protective role of vitamins C and E in preventing the detrimental effects of electromagnetic radiation on the testes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatment groups were exposed to an electromagnetic field, electromagnetic field plus vitamin C (40 mg/kg/day) or electromagnetic field plus vitamin E (2.7 mg/kg/day). All groups were exposed to the same electromagnetic frequency for 15, 30, and 60 min daily for two weeks. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules with a disorganized seminiferous tubule sperm cycle interruption in the electromagnetism-exposed group. The serum and testicular tissue conjugated diene, lipid hydroperoxide, and catalase activities increased 3-fold, whereas the total serum and testicular tissue glutathione and glutathione peroxidase levels decreased 3-5 fold in the electromagnetism-exposed animals. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the adverse effect of the generated electromagnetic frequency had a negative impact on testicular architecture and enzymatic activity. This finding also indicated the possible role of vitamins C and E in mitigating the oxidative stress imposed on the testes and restoring normality to the testes.

[Effects of vitamin E and ginseng extract on fertility changes induced by cyclophosphamide in rats]

Cyclophosphamide [CP] is a mustard alkylating agent used in the treatment of some neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, breast and pulmonary cancers. CP administration induces oxidative stress and has cytotoxic effects on normal cells, especially in the reproductive organs. A major side-effect of CP is the alteration of male reproductive function which may result in oligospermia or azoospermia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E and ginseng extract on the reproductive system of male rats during cyclophosphamide administration. Fifty-six adult male Wistar rats [220 +/- 30 g] were randomly divided into seven groups of eight. To eliminate the stress induced by gavage, the animals in the first group were considered as the control group and only received water and food. The second group received the placebo for CP via gavage. The third group received CP, 6.1 mg/kg/day, through intraperitoneal administration. The fourth and fifth groups, respectively, received Ginseng, 500 mg/kg/day, and vitamin E 100 mg/kg/day via gavage. The eighth group received both antioxidants by intubation 1 h prior to CP administration for 50 days. The animals were sacrificed one day after the last injection. The testes, body weight, sperm parameters and fertility status of animals were evaluated at the end of the experiments. For the evaluation of fertility index, the male rats were mated with untreated female rats on the 40[th] day of the treatment period. Cyclophosphamide decreased sperm count, lowered fertility rate and decreased testis weight while it increased the number of dead and abnormal sperms [p < 0.01]. In addition, the number of pregnant animals and viable offspring were reduced too; while antioxidant use diminished the adverse effects of CP. The results of the study showed that antioxidative agents vitamin E and Ginseng could diminish the adverse effects of cyclophosphamide in the reproductive system of male rats during cyclophosphamide administration

Sperm banking for male cancer patients: social and semen profiles

PURPOSE: Report the characteristics of cryopreserved semen from a cohort of male cancer patients, attitudes towards cryopreservation and outcomes of semen samples based on a 12-year cryopreservation program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 98 male cancer patients whose sperm samples were banked were evaluated. Demographic parameters, semen characteristics, destination of sperm banked samples and questionnaires answered by the patients regarding cryopreservation time were evaluated. RESULTS: The cancer diagnoses were testicle (56.1 percent), prostate (15.3 percent), Hodgkin’s lymphomas (9.2 percent), non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (7.1 percent), leukemia (3.1 percent) and other malignancies (9.2 percent). The patients with testicular cancer presented lower sperm concentration (p < 0.001); however, there were no differences with the percentage of normozoospermic patients among cancer type groups (p = 0.185). A shorter time between cancer diagnosis and sperm banking was observed for testicular and prostate cancer patients (p < 0.001). Most of the patients (89.5 percent) favored sperm banking as a fertility preservation method. CONCLUSIONS: Although less than 20 percent of banked sperm samples were disposed of, the majority of patients related sperm banking with safe for fertility preservation. Our results show that all male cancer patients of reproductive age facing cancer treatment could be offered sperm banking.

Successful treatment of unilateral cryptorchid boys risking infertility with LH-RH analogue

INTRODUCTION: Infertility is the primary concern for boys with uni- or bilateral undescended testes. An early and seemingly successful orchiopexy does not improve fertility in a substantial number of cryptorchid males. We confirmed that LH-RH analogue (LH-RHa) treatment induces an increase in and maturation of the germ cells; however, it was uncertain if treatment would improve the chance of fertility later in life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty unilateral cryptorchid boys, with an average age of 3 years at the time of surgery, were included in the study. Testicular biopsy showed that they had impaired testicular maturation and were therefore at high risk for infertility. Fifteen of the 30 unilateral cryptorchid boys were treated with 10 µg LH-RHa (Buserelin) nasal spray, administered on alternate days for a period of 6 months, following orchiopexy. The control group consisted of 15 cryptorchid boys who had been treated by Schoemakers type of orchiopexy, alone. After puberty, the ejaculates of both groups were analyzed. RESULTS: All males in the untreated group were severely oligospermic, with 20 percent being azoospermic. In contrast, 86 percent of the treated ex-cryptorchid males had a sperm concentration within the normal range; this was significantly different from the sperm concentration found in the untreated group (p = 0.000008). CONCLUSION: For the first time, we demonstrate that infertility in cryptorchidism can be successfully corrected when suitably treated with a LH-RHa. Sperm parameters normalized following therapy in the majority of cryptorchid males who, untreated, would have remained infertile. This innovative hormonal treatment will have a profound effect on the current recommended surgical treatment of boys with undescended testes.

Varicocele en adolescentes: revisión bibliográfica / Adolescent varicocele: bibliographic review

La dilatación de las venas del plexo pampiniforme es un problema médico que ya fue identificado hacia fines del siglo XIX. A pesar de esto, sus consecuencias en el tamaño testicular, parámetros seminales y el impacto en la fertilidad siguen siendo temas debatidos en forma activa en la literatura actual, apoyado principalmente en el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas de laboratorio, exámenes diagnósticos y procedimientos quirúrgicos mínimamente invasivos. Como resultado de esto, hay una serie de interrogantes acerca del varicocele adolescente que no han sido respondidas, principalmente en lo que respecta a la utilidad de realizar una corrección quirúrgica precoz para prevenir una eventual infertilidad futura.

Determinación de deleciones en el cromosoma Y en hombres infértiles candidatos a técnicas de reproducción asistida / Determination of microdeletion in chromosome Y in infertile men, candidates to assisted

El compromiso espermático severo en el hombre infértil, puede ser el resultado de la presencia de deleciones en el cromosoma Y en la región AZFc (Factor de azoospermia región c). En este estudio se caracterizaron 97 hombres con infertilidad con una frecuencia del 6 porciento para la presencia de deleciones en la población estudiada. De estos hombres positivos para deleción en la región Yq (AZFc), nacieron tres niños mediante el uso de inyección intracitoplasmática (ICSI) que heredaron la mutación en el cromosoma Y, fundamentando la importancia de crear un programa de tamizaje para detectar la presencia de deleción en este cromosoma en la población de hombres infértiles candidatos para técnica de fertilización asistida (ART) mediante ICSI