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Pathophysiology : the Official Journal... Oct 2021According to global data, there is a male reproductive potential decrease. Pathogenesis of male infertility is often associated with autoimmunity towards sperm antigens... (Review)
Review
According to global data, there is a male reproductive potential decrease. Pathogenesis of male infertility is often associated with autoimmunity towards sperm antigens essential for fertilization. Antisperm autoantibodies (ASAs) have immobilizing and cytotoxic properties, impairing spermatogenesis, causing sperm agglutination, altering spermatozoa motility and acrosomal reaction, and thus preventing ovum fertilization. Infertility diagnosis requires a mandatory check for the ASAs. The concept of the blood-testis barrier is currently re-formulated, with an emphasis on informational paracrine and juxtacrine effects, rather than simple anatomical separation. The etiology of male infertility includes both autoimmune and non-autoimmune diseases but equally develops through autoimmune links of pathogenesis. Varicocele commonly leads to infertility due to testicular ischemic damage, venous stasis, local hyperthermia, and hypoandrogenism. However, varicocelectomy can alter the blood-testis barrier, facilitating ASAs production as well. There are contradictory data on the role of ASAs in the pathogenesis of varicocele-related infertility. Infection and inflammation both promote ASAs production due to "danger concept" mechanisms and because of antigen mimicry. Systemic pro-autoimmune influences like hyperprolactinemia, hypoandrogenism, and hypothyroidism also facilitate ASAs production. The diagnostic value of various ASAs has not yet been clearly attributed, and their cut-levels have not been determined in sera nor in ejaculate. The assessment of the autoimmunity role in the pathogenesis of male infertility is ambiguous, so the purpose of this review is to show the effects of ASAs on the pathogenesis of male infertility.
PubMed: 35366245
DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology28040030 -
Medicine Oct 2022The incidence of male infertility is increasing in recent years, and the semen routine examination of some patients is normal, but the semen pathological examination...
BACKGROUND
The incidence of male infertility is increasing in recent years, and the semen routine examination of some patients is normal, but the semen pathological examination shows that the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is high, and the patients' clinical manifestations are infertility or recurrent abortion of their spouses. At present, there is no special treatment for male infertility caused by high DFI, and traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription shows potential value in the treatment of male infertility. Wuwei Fuzheng Yijing formula (WFY) is an effective prescription for the treatment of sperm DNA damage in male infertility, but there is no strict clinical trial to support its application. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of WFY in patients with sperm DNA damage in male infertility.
METHODS
In this randomized controlled study, 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into WFY group and levocarnitine oral solution group. The treatment period was 12 weeks. The main observation index was sperm DFI, and the secondary observation index was sperm concentration, motility, survival rate, and TCM syndrome score. Safety observation indicators will include electrocardiogram, blood tests (including blood routine tests, liver and renal function), routine urine tests, and routine stool tests. All results were evaluated at the 4th and 8th week of the baseline, and the end of treatment.
DISCUSSION
This study will provide a basis for the efficacy and safety of WFY in the treatment of sperm DNA damage in male infertility with spleen and kidney qi deficiency and blood stasis.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Male; Humans; Semen; DNA Fragmentation; Infertility, Male; Spermatozoa; DNA Damage; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36316921
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000031226 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences Sep 2020The bivalved crustacean ostracods have the richest fossil record of any arthropod group and display complex reproductive strategies contributing to their evolutionary...
The bivalved crustacean ostracods have the richest fossil record of any arthropod group and display complex reproductive strategies contributing to their evolutionary success. Sexual reproduction involving giant sperm, shared by three superfamilies of living ostracod crustaceans, is among the most fascinating behaviours. However, the origin and evolution of this reproductive mechanism has remained largely unexplored because fossil preservation of such features is extremely rare. Here, we report exceptionally preserved ostracods with soft parts (appendages and reproductive organs) in a single piece of mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber (approximately 100 Myr old). The ostracod assemblage is composed of 39 individuals. Thirty-one individuals belong to a new species and genus, gen. et sp. nov., exhibiting an ontogenetic sequence from juveniles to adults (male and female). Seven individuals are assigned to sp. (Cypridoidea, Candonidae, Paracypridinae) and one to sp. (Cytheroidea, Loxoconchidae). Our micro-CT reconstruction provides direct evidence of the male clasper, sperm pumps (Zenker organs), hemipenes, eggs and female seminal receptacles with giant sperm. Our results reveal that the reproduction behavioural repertoire, which is associated with considerable morphological adaptations, has remained unchanged over at least 100 million years-a paramount example of evolutionary stasis. These results also double the age of the oldest unequivocal fossil animal sperm. This discovery highlights the capacity of amber to document invertebrate soft parts that are rarely recorded by other depositional environments.
Topics: Amber; Animals; Arthropods; Crustacea; Female; Fossils; Genitalia; Genitalia, Male; Male; Reproduction; Spermatozoa; X-Ray Microtomography
PubMed: 32933445
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.1661 -
Medicine Oct 2020The reproductive dilemma faced by men has always been the focus of the whole society. Idiopathic asthenozoospermia (AZS), as one of the common causes of male...
BACKGROUND
The reproductive dilemma faced by men has always been the focus of the whole society. Idiopathic asthenozoospermia (AZS), as one of the common causes of male infertility, lack of specific treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine has shown potential benefits in the management of male infertility. Yishentongluo decoction (YSTL) is a representative Chinese herbal formula; however, there is still no rigorous clinical trial supporting its application. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of YSTL for patients with idiopathic AZS and explain the possible action mechanisms of YSTL in improving sperm motility.
METHODS
In this randomized controlled study, a total of 160 eligible patients will be assigned to YSTL group or the Levocarnitine oral solution group in a 1:1 ratio. The treatment period will be 12 weeks and the follow-up period will last 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be the the progressive (motility), sperm rate (%). Secondary outcomes will include the progressive (motility) + non-progressive (motility) sperm rate(%), total effective sperm count, inner mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in spermatozoa, and spouse pregnancy rate (%). Safety outcomes will cover electrocardiogram , blood tests (including blood routine test, hepatic function, and renal function), urine routine test, and stool routine test. The semen parameters, sperm MMP test, and all the safety outcomes will be performed at the baseline, 4th, 8th and 12th week. The pregnancy outcome will be evaluated at 4 weeks after treatment.
DISCUSSION
This study will provide initial evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of YSTL in the treatment of idiopathic AZS with kidney deficiency and blood stasis pattern. In addition, potential mechanisms of YSTL in improving sperm motility will be explored based on sperm MMP test.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trials Register identifier, ChiCTR2000033290, registered on 26 May 2020.
Topics: Asthenozoospermia; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Male; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33120757
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000022662 -
Medicine Mar 2021Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) may hinder embryonic development and growth, increasing the risk of spontaneous miscarriage, and is considered an important factor...
The effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of male infertility associated with sperm DNA fragmentation: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) may hinder embryonic development and growth, increasing the risk of spontaneous miscarriage, and is considered an important factor affecting male infertility (MI). Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is considered effective in the treatment of MI due to SDF by nourishing kidney essence or promoting blood circulation for removing blood stasis. The objective of this systematic review protocol is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine on the treatment of MI associated with SDF.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP Chinese Science, Technology Journal Database, and Wanfang Database until the end of 2020 for English and Chinese published literature. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of MI associated with SDF will be included. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by 2 reviewers, and the quality evaluation and risk assessment were assessed by the Cochrane collaboration's tool, and use the RevMan 5.3 software for meta-analysis.
CONCLUSION
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of MI due to SDF, which may provide some help for the clinician's decision.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020221053.
Topics: DNA Fragmentation; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Spermatozoa; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Systematic Review as Topic
PubMed: 33655953
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024918