-
Biology Oct 2022Male infertility is a complex disorder affecting many couples worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate important cellular processes; however, a comprehensive... (Review)
Review
Male infertility is a complex disorder affecting many couples worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate important cellular processes; however, a comprehensive understanding of their role in male infertility is limited. This systematic review investigates the differential expressions of lncRNAs in male infertility or variations in lncRNA regions associated with it. The PRISMA guidelines were used to search Pubmed and Web of Science (1 June 2022). Inclusion criteria were human participants, patients diagnosed with male infertility, and English language speakers. We also performed an in silico analysis investigating lncRNAs that are reported in many subtypes of male infertility. A total of 625 articles were found, and after the screening and eligibility stages, 20 studies were included in the final sample. Many lncRNAs are deregulated in male infertility, and interactions between lncRNAs and miRNAs play an important role. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the impact of variants found in lncRNA regions. Furthermore, eight lncRNAs were identified as differentially expressed in many subtypes of male infertility. After in silico analysis, gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analysis of the genes targeted by them revealed their association with bladder and prostate cancer. However, pathways involved in general in tumorigenesis and cancer development of all types, such as p53 pathways, apoptosis, and cell death, were also enriched, indicating a link between cancer and male infertility. This evidence, however, is preliminary. Future research is needed to explore the exact mechanism of action of the identified lncRNAs and investigate the association between male infertility and cancer.
PubMed: 36290414
DOI: 10.3390/biology11101510 -
JBRA Assisted Reproduction Jun 2024Infertility is a widespread global issue that affects approximately 15% of sexually active and active couples, which contributes to about 50% of cases. Currently, the... (Review)
Review
Infertility is a widespread global issue that affects approximately 15% of sexually active and active couples, which contributes to about 50% of cases. Currently, the condition remains prevalent and often inadequately treated. This systematic review aims to evaluate existing studies investigating the effects of probiotic supplementation in men. A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and Scielo, using relevant keywords such as 'probiotic' OR 'Lactobacillus' OR 'Bifidobacterium' AND 'Male infertility' OR 'male fertility' OR 'sperm quality' OR 'sperm motility' OR 'oligoasthenoteratozoospermia' and their Portuguese equivalents. Four randomized clinical studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on men diagnosed with idiopathic male infertility (oligozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and asthenozoospermia). The findings revealed that probiotic administration exhibited promising antioxidant properties by combating reactive oxygen species (ROS), consequently protecting sperm DNA from damage that correlates with declining sperm quality. Significant improvements were observed across all sperm parameters, with notable enhancement in motility. Consequently, probiotic supplementation emerges as a potential therapeutic alternative for men diagnosed with idiopathic infertility, demonstrating positive effects on sperm quality.
Topics: Humans; Male; Probiotics; Infertility, Male; Dietary Supplements; Sperm Motility
PubMed: 38530761
DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20240013 -
International Journal of Biological... Apr 2020Several complex rearrangements such as deletions in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been identified in sperm deficiencies. This study aimed to investigate the association... (Review)
Review
Several complex rearrangements such as deletions in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been identified in sperm deficiencies. This study aimed to investigate the association of common mtDNA deletions with male infertility using a meta-analysis approach. Standard databases were systematically searched to discover relevant studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to analyze the association of mtDNA deletions with male infertility. Our data revealed a significant association between a common 4977-bp deletion and an increased risk of male infertility. A similar association was observed in an Asian population. Stratified analysis by infertility phenotype showed significant associations between the 4977-bp deletion and increased risk of asthenozoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and asthenoteratozoospermia. In addition, significant associations were found in studies with sample sizes >100, age of participants <45 years, subject selection according to WHO criteria, and studies of moderate to high quality. Regarding the other common mtDNA deletions, significant associations were observed between 7436-bp, 7599-bp, and 4866-bp deletions and the risk of male infertility. Our findings suggest that the 4977-bp deletion might be a risk factor for male infertility, especially in an ethnic and infertility phenotype dependent manner.
PubMed: 32360203
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.04.216 -
Andrologia Dec 2022Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is commonly used in assisted reproductive technology to promote the development and maturation of follicles in female patients.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is commonly used in assisted reproductive technology to promote the development and maturation of follicles in female patients. However, there is no consensus on treating FSH in males with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT), especially in patients with normal serum FSH levels. To determine the role of FSH in improving semen quality in patients with iOAT, we conducted a detailed search in the commonly used database to find all studies on FSH in the treatment of iOAT. We compared the results, including semen volume, sperm count, sperm concentration, percentage of forward sperm motility, percentage of total sperm motility, percentage of normal forms and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) between the two groups treated with FSH or not. A total of 12 randomized controlled trials and one retrospective case-control study, including 924 people, were included in our meta-analysis. We found that sperm counts (MD 17.75; 95% CI 11.53-23.98 and p < 0.00001) were significantly increased in patients treated with FSH, along with improvements in sperm concentration (MD 4.52; 95% CI 1.46-7.58 and p = 0.004), percentage of normal forms (MD 2.87; 95% CI 0.19-5.56 and p = 0.04) and DFI (MD -12.62; 95% CI -19.27-5.97 and p = 0.002). However, we found no significant differences in the two groups' changes in other semen parameters. The use of FSH can improve some semen parameters in patients with iOAT, such as sperm count, percentage of normal forms, sperm concentration and DFI.
Topics: Humans; Male; Asthenozoospermia; Case-Control Studies; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Infertility, Male; Oligospermia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Semen; Semen Analysis; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 36104938
DOI: 10.1111/and.14596 -
Andrology Nov 2022The dynein-related genes may have a role in the etiology of male infertility, particularly in cases of impaired sperm motility. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The dynein-related genes may have a role in the etiology of male infertility, particularly in cases of impaired sperm motility.
OBJECTIVES
The goal of this review is to compile a list of the most important dynein-related candidate genes that may contribute to male factor infertility.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Databases were searched using the keywords "dynein," "male," "infertility," and by applying strict inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was also performed by using the eligible case-control studies. The odd ratios (ORs), the Z-test score, and the level of significance were determined using a fixed model with a p value of 0.05. Funnel plots were used to check for publication bias.
RESULTS
There were 35 studies that met the inclusion criteria. There were a total of 15 genes responsible for the production of dynein structural proteins, the production of dynein assembling factors, and potentially associated with male infertility. A total of five case-control studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Variants in the dynein-related genes were linked to an increased the risk of male infertility (OR = 21.52, 95% confidence interval 8.34-55.50, Z test = 6.35, p < 0.05). The percentage of heterogeneity, I , was 47.00%. The lack of variants in the dynein genes was an advantage, and this was statistically significant.
DISCUSSION
The results from the present review illustrate that pathogenic variants in genes both for dynein synthesis and for dynein assembly factors could be associated with isolated cases of male infertility without any other symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
The genes addressed in this study, which are involved in both the production and assembly of dynein, could be used as molecular targets for future research into the etiology of sperm motility problems.
Topics: Dyneins; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Mutation; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 36057791
DOI: 10.1111/andr.13287 -
The World Journal of Men's Health Jan 2024The advent of proteomics provides new opportunities to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility. The selection of relevant targets based on a...
PURPOSE
The advent of proteomics provides new opportunities to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility. The selection of relevant targets based on a single analysis is not always feasible, due to the growing number of proteomic studies with conflicting results. Thus, this study aimed to systematically review investigations comparing the sperm proteome of normozoospermic and infertile men to define a panel of proteins with the potential to be used to evaluate sperm quality.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases following the PRISMA guidelines. To identify proteins systematically reported, first the studies were divided by condition into four groups (asthenozoospermia, low motility, unexplained infertility, and infertility related to risk factors) and then, all studies were analysed simultaneously (poor sperm quality). To gain molecular insights regarding identified proteins, additional searches were performed within the Human Protein Atlas, Mouse Genome Informatics, UniProt, and PubMed databases.
RESULTS
Thirty-two studies were included and divided into 4 sub-analysis groups. A total of 2752 proteins were collected, of which 38, 1, 3 and 2 were indicated as potential markers for asthenozoospermia, low motility, unexplained infertility and infertility related to risk factors, respectively, and 58 for poor sperm quality. Among the identified proteins, ACR, ACRBP, ACRV1, ACTL9, AKAP4, ATG3, CCT2, CFAP276, CFAP52, FAM209A, GGH, HPRT1, LYZL4, PRDX6, PRSS37, REEP6, ROPN1B, SPACA3, SOD1, SPEM1, SPESP1, SPINK2, TEKT5, and ZPBP were highlighted due to their roles in male reproductive tissues, association with infertility phenotypes or participation in specific biological functions in spermatozoa.
CONCLUSIONS
Sperm proteomics allows the identification of protein markers with the potential to overcome limitations in male infertility diagnosis and to understand changes in sperm function at the molecular level. This study provides a reliable list of systematically reported proteins that could be potential targets for further basic and clinical studies.
PubMed: 37118964
DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220262 -
Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia: A systematic review.Andrologia Feb 2020Oligoasthenozoospermia is a common factor leading to male infertility. Acupuncture has been applied for treating male infertility for several thousand years in China,...
Oligoasthenozoospermia is a common factor leading to male infertility. Acupuncture has been applied for treating male infertility for several thousand years in China, but clinical evidence of its efficacy and safety in treating oligoasthenozoospermia is yet to be established. This review aimed to systematically assess the evidence on the effect of acupuncture in males with oligoasthenozoospermia. Databases (PubMed, EMBASE, SINOMED, CNKI, Wanfang database and Cochrane Library) were searched to identify related studies published before 30th June 2019. The Cochrane risk of bias tool and Jadad score was adopted to assess the methodological quality of included studies. Twelve randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with 1,088 participants were included in this review. The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis, but it was not possible due to considerable clinical heterogeneity among the included studies. According to the narrative analysis, acupuncture or acupuncture combined with another intervention was effective in improving the semen quality based on the included studies. However, this result should be interpreted with caution due to high risk. The methodological quality of most included studies was low. The current evidence on acupuncture for oligoasthenozoospermia is inadequate to draw a solid conclusion due to the poor methodological quality. Rigorous full-scale RCTs are needed to validate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating oligoasthenozoospermia.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Asthenozoospermia; Humans; Male; Oligospermia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Semen Analysis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31670423
DOI: 10.1111/and.13415