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Human Reproduction Update Sep 2016Spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability and forward motility properties during epididymal transit. Our knowledge of gamete physiology is based on studies conducted... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability and forward motility properties during epididymal transit. Our knowledge of gamete physiology is based on studies conducted in laboratory and domestic species; our knowledge of these processes in humans is limited. Medical indications for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have progressed to include male infertility. Surgical procedures allow collection of spermatozoa from all along the human excurrent ducts, and the former have been used with some success in reproductive medicine. This has raised questions over the role of the epididymis in human sperm physiology.
OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE
To reanalyze what we now know about epididymal physiology in humans and to assess the relevance of laboratory animal models for understanding human physiology and the pathophysiology of the epididymis.
SEARCH METHODS
A systematic bibliographic search of PubMed for articles published in English before May 2015 was carried out using the search terms 'epididymis' and 'sperm maturation'. Literature on the consequences of vasectomy on the epididymis was also searched.
OUTCOMES
Whereas the proximal epididymis is almost exclusively occupied by efferent ducts, the sperm reservoir capacity is poorly developed in humans. At the molecular level, the human transcriptome and proteome show some segment specificity; conflicting results persist with regard to secretome variation along the tubule. The number of genes regulated along the excurrent ducts in men is lower when compared to rodent species, but remains significant. It is challenging to reconcile biochemical and physiological studies with clinical data obtained from men undergoing reanastomosis of the vas deferens at different points along the excurrent duct. We propose that vasectomy/vasovasostomy is a model to understand the consequences of obstruction on epididymis function in humans.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS
Despite the scarcity of biological material available, the interspecies variability of the male reproductive tract urges us to use modern molecular and cellular biology tools to better understand human epididymis physiology in order to apply ART in a more responsible manner.
Topics: Animals; Epididymis; Humans; Male; Sperm Maturation; Spermatozoa; Vas Deferens; Vasectomy; Vasovasostomy
PubMed: 27307387
DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw015 -
Cureus Dec 2023Inflammation of the vas deferens, or vasitis, is a rarely reported condition that can manifest as either acutely painful infectious vasitis or predominantly asymptomatic...
Inflammation of the vas deferens, or vasitis, is a rarely reported condition that can manifest as either acutely painful infectious vasitis or predominantly asymptomatic vasitis nodosa. Acute vasitis is usually presented with ambiguous clinical findings, and a scan is required for a definitive diagnosis. Retrograde urinary pathogens are typically the cause, and it is treatable conservatively. We present a male in his 40s with a one-day history of right groin pain and a history of right indirect inguinal hernia. On examination, there was an impression of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. A CT scan revealed thickening and inflammatory changes associated with the inguinal canal and a picture of the rare inflammatory condition, acute vasitis. This case report illustrates the significance of understanding the wide range of possible diagnoses associated with acute groin pain and swelling and the importance of imaging in the diagnosis, which might help avoid needless operation.
PubMed: 38288181
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51337 -
Qatar Medical Journal 2020Duplication of vas deferens is an anomaly that is generally encountered during inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, radical prostatectomy, varicocelectomy, and vasectomy....
Duplication of vas deferens is an anomaly that is generally encountered during inguinal hernia repair, orchiopexy, radical prostatectomy, varicocelectomy, and vasectomy. The estimated rate of this anomaly in the United States is 0.01%. This anomaly may predispose to iatrogenic vas deferens injury during inguinal hernia repair. Embryological point of view suggests that the duplication of the mesonephric duct system could result in duplicated vas deferens. Failure to recognize this anomaly may lead to injury, obstruction, or spermatic granuloma. Furthermore, it is important to identify duplicated vas deferens during vasectomy to avoid failure of the procedure. Identification of duplicated vas deferens is important during inguinal hernia surgery, vasectomy, and varicocelectomy. Herein, we report a case of duplicated vas deferens during open indirect inguinal hernia repair.
PubMed: 32231992
DOI: 10.5339/qmj.2020.12 -
Human Genetics Jan 2021Congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) may have various clinical presentations depending on whether it is bilateral (CBAVD) or unilateral (CUAVD), complete or... (Review)
Review
Congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) may have various clinical presentations depending on whether it is bilateral (CBAVD) or unilateral (CUAVD), complete or partial, and associated or not with other abnormalities of the male urogenital tract. CBAVD is usually discovered in adult men either during the systematic assessment of cystic fibrosis or other CFTR-related conditions, or during the exploration of isolated infertility with obstructive azoospermia. The prevalence of CAVDs in men is reported to be approximately 0.1%. However, this figure is probably underestimated, because unilateral forms of CAVD in asymptomatic fertile men are not usually diagnosed. The diagnosis of CAVDs is based on clinical, ultrasound, and sperm examinations. The majority of subjects with CAVD carry at least one cystic fibrosis-causing mutation that warrants CFTR testing and in case of a positive result, genetic counseling prior to conception. Approximately 2% of the cases of CAVD are hemizygous for a loss-of-function mutation in the ADGRG2 gene that may cause a familial form of X-linked infertility. However, despite this recent finding, 10-20% of CBAVDs and 60-70% of CUAVDs remain without a genetic diagnosis. An important proportion of these unexplained CAVDs coexist with a solitary kidney suggesting an early organogenesis disorder (Wolffian duct), unlike CAVDs related to CFTR or ADGRG2 mutations, which might be the result of progressive degeneration that begins later in fetal life and probably continues after birth. How the dysfunction of CFTR, ADGRG2, or other genes such as SLC29A3 leads to this involution is the subject of various pathophysiological hypotheses that are discussed in this review.
Topics: Animals; Azoospermia; Cystic Fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Humans; Male; Male Urogenital Diseases; Mutation; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 32025909
DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02122-w -
Problemy Endokrinologii Mar 2021The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene encodes the synthesis of a protein of the same name, which functions as a direct activator of anionic transport.... (Review)
Review
The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene encodes the synthesis of a protein of the same name, which functions as a direct activator of anionic transport. Chloride is the most abundant anion; as an antagonist of Na+ and K+, it provides electroneutrality of cell membranes at rest; together with cations, it serves as an important osmolyte and forms water flow across cell membranes for transepithelial secretion.Glandular cells in CF trap Cl- and Na+, and the prodused secretion is excessively viscous. Subnormal CFTR activity leads to stagnation of mucociliary clearance, inhibition of intestinal transport.In addition to exocrine disorders, CFTR mutations are associated with a decrease in volume, mass, increased apoptosis of β-cells of the pancreas, a significant suppression of insulin exocytosis in response to stimulation with glucose and glucagon-like peptide-1, hyperglucagonemia against the background of a defect in the suppression of α-cell function by insulin, but a decrease in maximum capacity α-cells.Deficiency and progressive decline in bone mineral density is an expected secondary manifestation of CF due to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency with malabsorption of nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins. However, in patients with the F508del mutation, a significant decrease in the synthesis of OPG, COX-2, PGE2 in the osteoblastic formation, and an increase in the activity of the antianabolic NF-kB were found. We are talking about a defect in the canonical signaling pathway (Wnt/β-catenin), which regulates the expression of genes-activators of osteoblastogenesis, dissociation of the stages of physiological bone remodeling.In addition to congenital bilateral or unilateral aplasia of the vas deferens, an increase in the frequency of CFTR mutations is also found in non-obstructive azoospermia, oligo-, astheno- and teratospermia. CFTR is involved in the entry of HCO3- into Sertoli cells to trigger cAMP-dependent transcription and its defects lead to suppression of FSH-dependent gene expression of spermatogenesis, loss of sequence in the Wnt cascade, destruction of the PGE2-dependent transepithelial interaction and, as a consequence, the blood-testicular barrier.CF is characterized, along with classical signs, by endocrine dysfunction of the pancreas, osteoporosis with suppression of osteoblastogenesis, and a defect in spermatogenesis.
Topics: Cystic Fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency; Humans; Male; Mucociliary Clearance; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 34004101
DOI: 10.14341/probl12694 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Nov 2014Over the last two decades RISUG has been drawing attention in the field of male contraception. It promises to sterile men for a period of up to 10-15 years. According to... (Review)
Review
Over the last two decades RISUG has been drawing attention in the field of male contraception. It promises to sterile men for a period of up to 10-15 years. According to recent studies in animal models, it proves to be completely reversible. Practically, there are no better options available that can assure complete sterility and precise reversibility. Regardless of so much of information available, RISUG is still holding up for many reasons, firstly, the available information engender bewilderment such as what is this copolymer, how does it work and is reversal really possible? Secondly, advancement of this outstanding invention is drastically slow and thirdly, effects of long-term contraception with RISUG and reports on evaluation of anomalies (if any) in F 1 , F 2 progenies, are lacking. In this review the lacunae as well as advances in the development of RISUG in the light of published work and available resources are pointed out. Formulation of the RISUG, its mode of action and clinical trials have been addressed with particular emphasis.
Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Contraception; Contraceptive Agents, Male; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Humans; Injections; Male; Maleic Anhydrides; Styrene; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 25673546
DOI: No ID Found -
BioMed Research International 2019The pathophysiology of Taiwanese congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is different from that in Caucasians. In particular, major cystic fibrosis...
BACKGROUND
The pathophysiology of Taiwanese congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) is different from that in Caucasians. In particular, major cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations and cystic fibrosis are absent in the former. Instead, deficiency in solute carrier family 9 sodium/hydrogen exchanger isoform 3 (SLC9A3) may play a role by generating obstructive azoospermia and degraded epithelial structure in the reproductive tract.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study was to test whether SLC9A3 variants cause Taiwanese CBAVD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Six-month-old male mice were used to evaluate the effect of long-term SLC9A3 loss on the reproductive system. A case-control cohort of 29 men with CBAVD and 32 fertile men were genotyped for SLC9A3 variants.
RESULTS
SLC9A3 was expressed and localized in the apical border of the epithelium of human vas deferens and glandular epithelium of the seminal vesicle. SLC9A3 deficiency specifically induces atrophy of vas deferens and unfolding of seminal vesicle mucosa in mice. Loss of SLC9A3 increased the incidence of CBAVD in humans from 3.1% to 37.9% (p < 0.001). Up to 75.9% of CBAVD patients carry at least one variant in either SLC9A3 or CFTR.
DISCUSSION
Our findings build upon previous data associated with CBAVD pathogenesis. Here, we now report for the first time an association between CBAVD and loss of and propose that specific defects in the reproductive duct due to variants drive CBAVD development.
CONCLUSION
The data implicate loss of SLC9A3 as a basis of Taiwanese CBAVD and highlight SLC9A3 function in reproduction.
Topics: Animals; Asian People; Gene Deletion; Humans; Male; Male Urogenital Diseases; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 3; Taiwan; Vas Deferens
PubMed: 30956978
DOI: 10.1155/2019/3562719 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Oct 20236-Nitrodopamine (6-ND) is a novel endogenous catecholamine that is released from the rat isolated vas deferens, and has been characterized as a major modulator of the...
6-Nitrodopamine (6-ND) is a novel endogenous catecholamine that is released from the rat isolated vas deferens, and has been characterized as a major modulator of the contractility of rat isolated epididymal vas deferens (RIEVD). Drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants, α and ββ adrenoceptor blockers, act as selective antagonists of the 6-ND receptor in the RIEVD. In the rat isolated atria, 6-ND has a potent positive chronotropic action and causes remarkable potentiation of the positive chronotropic effects induced by dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Here, whether 6-ND interacts with the classical catecholamines in the rat isolated vas deferens was investigated. Incubation with 6-ND (0.1 and 1 nM; 30min) caused no contractions in the RIEVD but provoked significant leftward shifts in the concentration-response curves to noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine. Pre-incubation of the RIEVD with 6-ND (1 nM), potentiated the contractions induced by electric-field stimulation (EFS), whereas pre-incubation with 1 nM of dopamine, noradrenaline or adrenaline, did not affect EFS-induced contractions. In tetrodotoxin (1 μM) pre-treated (30 min) RIEVD, pre-incubation with 6-ND (0.1 nM) did not cause leftward shifts in the concentration-dependent contractions induced by noradrenaline, adrenaline, or dopamine. Pre-incubation of the RIEVD with the α-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan (30 min, 10 nM) did not affect dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and EFS-induced contractions. However, when idazoxan (10 nM) and 6-ND (0.1 nM) were simultaneously pre-incubated (30 min), a significant potentiation of the EFS-induced contractions of the RIEVD was observed. 6-nitrodopamine causes remarkable potentiation of dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline contractions on the RIEVD, due to activation of adrenergic terminals, possibly via pre-synaptic adrenoceptors.
Topics: Male; Rats; Animals; Norepinephrine; Vas Deferens; Epinephrine; Dopamine; Idazoxan; Catecholamines; Receptors, Adrenergic; Electric Stimulation; Muscle Contraction
PubMed: 37014401
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02478-6 -
Cold Spring Harbor Protocols Sep 2018Artificial insemination is used to impregnate female mice using a solution containing motile sperm. For nonsurgical artificial insemination, a blunt needle is inserted...
Artificial insemination is used to impregnate female mice using a solution containing motile sperm. For nonsurgical artificial insemination, a blunt needle is inserted through the vaginal canal of naturally ovulating females that are in the proestrus/estrous phase. This method requires practice but can be mastered, although initially it may be easier to have two people perform the procedure. Naturally ovulating or superovulated females are used in the absence of natural mating. Artificial insemination is achieved by isolating sperm from the cauda epididymis and vas deferens into a milk solution and introducing it into the reproductive tract of ovulating females. Only females that are known to be in estrus are used.
Topics: Animals; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Mice
PubMed: 30181220
DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot094532