-
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020Several reports in humans as well as transgenic mouse models have shown that estrogens play an important role in male reproduction and fertility. Estrogen receptor alpha... (Review)
Review
Several reports in humans as well as transgenic mouse models have shown that estrogens play an important role in male reproduction and fertility. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) are expressed in different male tissues including the brain. The estradiol-binding protein GPER1 also mediates estrogen action in target tissues. In human testes a minimal ERα expression during prepuberty along with a marked pubertal up-regulation in germ cells has been reported. ERβ expression was detected mostly in spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and immature spermatids. In Sertoli cells ERβ expression increases with age. The aromatase enzyme (cP450arom), which converts androgens to estrogens, is widely expressed in human tissues (including gonads and hypothalamus), even during fetal life, suggesting that estrogens are also involved in human fetal physiology. Moreover, cP450arom is expressed in the early postnatal testicular Leydig cells and spermatogonia. Even though the aromatase complex is required for estrogen synthesis, its biological relevance is also related to the regulation of the balance between androgens and estrogens in different tissues. Knockout mouse models of aromatase (ArKO) and estrogen receptors (ERKOα, ERKOβ, and ERKOαβ) provide an important tool to study the effects of estrogens on the male reproductive physiology including the gonadal axis. High basal serum FSH levels were reported in adult aromatase-deficient men, suggesting that estrogens are involved in the negative regulatory gonadotropin feedback. However, normal serum gonadotropin levels were observed in an aromatase-deficient boy, suggesting a maturational pattern role of estrogen in the regulation of gonadotropin secretion. Nevertheless, the role of estrogens in primate testis development and function is controversial and poorly understood. This review addresses the role of estrogens in gonadotropin secretion and testicular physiology in male humans especially during childhood and puberty.
Topics: Animals; Estrogens; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Gonadotropins; Humans; Male; Puberty; Testis
PubMed: 32158430
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00072 -
PeerJ 2022Spermatogenesis is a complex process that includes mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During spermatogenesis, genetic factors play a vital role inthe formation of...
BACKGROUND
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that includes mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During spermatogenesis, genetic factors play a vital role inthe formation of properly functioning sperm. GTPase-activating protein (SH3 domain)-binding protein 2 (G3BP2) is known to take part in immune responses, mRNA transport, and stress-granule assembly. However, its role in male fertility is unclear. Here, we generated a conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model to explore the function of G3BP2 in male fertility.
METHODS
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting (WB) were used to confirm testis-specific knockout. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe testicular morphology and epididymal structure. Computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) to detect sperm concentration and motility. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect apoptotic cells.
RESULTS
We found that cKO male mice are fertile with the normal morphology of the testis and sperm. Additionally, CASA of the semen from cKO mice showed that they all had a similar sperm concentration and motility. In addition, sperm from these mice exhibited a similar morphology. But the tunnel assay revealed increased apoptosis in their testes relative to the level in the wild type (WT).
CONCLUSION
Together, our data demonstrate that G3BP2 is dispensable for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice albeit with the increased germ-cell apoptosis.
Topics: Animals; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Semen; Spermatogenesis; Stress Granules; Testis
PubMed: 35782098
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13532 -
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice May 2023In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between testicular elastography and hormonal parameters and sperm parameters.
BACKGROUND: ELASTOGRAPHY IS A NON-INVASIVE MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNIQUE THAT HELPS DETERMINE THE STIFFNESS OF ORGANS AND OTHER STRUCTURES IN OUR BODY. IN THIS STUDY, WE INVESTIGATED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ELASTOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF INFERTILITY. AIM
In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between testicular elastography and hormonal parameters and sperm parameters.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study included 136 patients, 272 testicles were examined, and the mean age of the study participants was 30.1 years. Testicular tissue stiffness was measured by scrotal ultrasonographic shear wave elastography. Gonadotropin and testosterone hormones were measured from blood samples. Spermiogram parameters were studied manually.
RESULTS
The control group included 66 patients, and the varicocele group consisted of 70 patients. Testicular stiffness degrees of the control group were measured as 4.29 kPa for the right testis and 4.23 kPa for the left testis. The varicocele group was divided into grades 1, 2, and 3 according to physical examination. In group 1 (grade 1), the right testis was 4.07 ± 1.24 kPa and the left testis was 3.77 ± 0.98 kPa. In group 2 (grade 2), the right testis was 4.31 ± 1.40 kPa and the left testis was 3.98 ± 0.93 kPa. In group 3 (grade 3), the right testis was 4.73 ± 1.50 kPa and the left testis was 3.99 ± 1.68 kPa. Hormone and sperm parameters were not statistically significant when comparing the control and varicocele groups. There was no statistical significance between the testicular tissue stiffness degrees of the control and varicocele groups. Hormone and spermiogram findings were also similar in groups.
CONCLUSION
It is known that varicocele leads to histological tissue changes in the testes. These changes result in tissue softness and loss while affecting sperm parameters and testosterone levels in a negative way. Before varicocele surgery, there is a need for new imaging methods with more sensitivity that can detect tissue changes in the testes.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Testis; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Varicocele; Semen; Spermatozoa; Testosterone; Gonadotropins
PubMed: 37357474
DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_390_22 -
Genes Feb 2023Obesity is a metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental and heritable causes, and can have a negative impact on male reproduction. There have been few...
Obesity is a metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental and heritable causes, and can have a negative impact on male reproduction. There have been few experiments in mice, rats, and rabbits on the effects of obesity on reproduction, which has inhibited the development of better treatments for male subfertility caused by obesity. Nonhuman primates are most similar to human beings in anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and biochemistry and are appropriate subjects for obesity studies. In this investigation, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of the testes of cynomolgus monkeys on high-fat, high-fructose, and cholesterol-rich diets to determine the effect of obesity on gene expression in testes. The results showed that the testes of obese monkeys had abnormal morphology, and their testes transcriptome was significantly different from that of non-obese animals. We identified 507 differentially abundant genes (adjusted value < 0.01, log2 [FC] > 2) including 163 up-regulated and 344 down-regulated genes. Among the differentially abundant genes were ten regulatory genes, including , , , , , , , , , and . Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis was conducted, and we found that processes and pathways associated with the blood testes barrier (BTB), immunity, inflammation, and DNA methylation in gametes were preferentially enriched. We also found abnormal expression of genes related to infertility (, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and ) and down-regulation of testosterone in monkeys with dietetic obesity. This work not only provides an important reference for research and treatment on male infertility caused by obesity, but also valuable insights into the effects of diet on gene expression in testes.
Topics: Macaca fascicularis; Transcriptome; Obesity; Animal Feed; Testis; Animals; Gene Expression Regulation; Testosterone
PubMed: 36980830
DOI: 10.3390/genes14030557 -
International Braz J Urol : Official... 2023To analyze the histology and distribution of abdominal testicular vessels in human fetuses Patients and Methods: We studied 19 fetuses (34 testes) ranging in age from 12...
PURPOSE
To analyze the histology and distribution of abdominal testicular vessels in human fetuses Patients and Methods: We studied 19 fetuses (34 testes) ranging in age from 12 to 19 weeks post-conception. The fetuses were evaluated regarding crown-rump length (CRL), total length (TL) and body weight immediately before dissection. Each testis was dissected and embedded in paraffin, from which 5 μm thick sections were obtained and stained with Masson's trichrome and Anti-CD31 antibody to quantify the vessels. The stereological analysis was carried out with the Image Pro and Image J programs, using a grid to determine volumetric densities (Vv). Means were statistically compared using the unpaired T-test (p<0.05).
RESULTS
The fetuses presented mean weight of 222.5g, mean CRL of 15.3 cm and mean TL of 23.2 cm. All testes were in the abdominal position. The mean percentage of vessels (Vv) in the upper portion of the testis was 7.6% (4.6 to 15%) and in the lower portion the mean was 5.11% (2.3 to 9.8%), with a significant difference (p=0.0001). In the analysis between the upper portion of the right and left testes (p=0.99) and in the analysis of the lower portion of the right and left testes (p=0.83), we did not observe significant differences.
CONCLUSION
The upper portion of the abdominal testis in human fetuses had a higher concentration of vessels than the lower portion. These results suggest that manipulation of the lower end of the testis during Fowler-Stephens surgery should be avoided in order to preserve the collateral circulation.
Topics: Male; Humans; Infant; Testis; Cryptorchidism; Fetus; Fertilization
PubMed: 37338817
DOI: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2023.9909 -
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Oct 2023Staged laparoscopic traction orchiopexy (SLTO) is a novel technique for the intra-abdominal testis (IAT) based on elongation of the testicular vessels without separating...
BACKGROUND
Staged laparoscopic traction orchiopexy (SLTO) is a novel technique for the intra-abdominal testis (IAT) based on elongation of the testicular vessels without separating them. This multicenter study evaluated the medium-term results of this technique.
METHODS
Data of SLTO performed in three pediatric surgical centers between 2013 and 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. In 2021, physical and Doppler ultrasound examinations were performed to determine the position and viability of testes. Success was defined as an intra-scrotal testicle without atrophy.
RESULTS
SLTO was performed on 48 cases (55 testes, 7 bilateral). Mean age at first stage was 2.9 (0.8-12.6) years. High intra-abdominal testes were found in 16.4% and in 60% morphological abnormalities were observed. To fix the testes to the abdominal wall monofilament suture was used in 67.3%, braided in 29.1%. Mean time between the two stages was 16.4 weeks; three testes required redo traction. Perioperative complications occurred in 21 patients (38.2%) including insufficient fixation (11), testicular atrophy (4), wound complications (4), adhesion of the spermatic cords (1) and hydrocele (1). In case of insufficient fixation monofilament sutures were used in 90.9%. In 2021 38 patients (43 testes) had physical and 36 patients (41 testes) had ultrasound examinations. Mean follow-up was 2.7 (0.34-7.9) years. Altogether five atrophies were identified, and three testicular ascents (7.0%) occurred. The overall success rate was 82.2%.
CONCLUSIONS
SLTO may be a feasible alternative to conventional treatments of IATs. Additionally, braided suture seems to be a better option to fix the testicle to the abdominal wall.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
LEVEL IV.
Topics: Child; Male; Humans; Infant; Child, Preschool; Orchiopexy; Testis; Cryptorchidism; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male; Traction; Retrospective Studies; Laparoscopy; Atrophy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37202294
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.04.013 -
Pharmaceutical Biology Dec 2020Zuogui Wan is a classic traditional Chinese prescription. Preliminary studies have confirmed that it could improve sperm quality significantly.
CONTEXT
Zuogui Wan is a classic traditional Chinese prescription. Preliminary studies have confirmed that it could improve sperm quality significantly.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of Zuogui Wan on testis structure and c-kitproto-oncogeneprotein (c-Kit) and octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (Oct4) expression in a rat model of impaired spermatogenesis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into Blank control, glycosides (GTW) and Zuogui Wan groups (n = 12). GTW was used to generate models of impaired spermatogenesis. Then Zuogui Wan group was administered 6 g/kg/d of Zuogui Wan granules for 4 weeks. Changes in the pathological structure and ultrastructure were observed with optical microscope and transmission electron microscope. Expression of c-Kit and Oct4 were quantified by RT qPCR and Western blots.
RESULTS
Both the pathological damage and the damages in the ultrastructure of spermatogenic epithelium had improved in Zuogui Wan group. Compared with the GTW model group (0.47 ± 0.19; 0.38 ± 0.14), c-Kit and Oct4 protein expression increased in the Zuogui Wan group (0.75 ± 0.27; 0.65 ± 0.23). C-Kit and Oct4 mRNA expression increased in Zuogui Wan group (1.06 ± 0.16; 1.85 ± 1.04) compared to the GTW model group (0.66 ± 0.23; 0.46 ± 0.29).
CONCLUSIONS
Zuogui Wan is capable of restoring the damage to the testis structure and ultrastructure and regulates the expression of c-Kit and Oct4 at protein and mRNA levels, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting proliferation of spermatogenic cells.
Topics: Animals; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Infertility, Male; Male; Octamer Transcription Factor-3; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Stem Cell Factor; Testis
PubMed: 33826487
DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2019.1693603 -
Radiography (London, England : 1995) Jul 2023Testicular cells, seminiferous tubule cells, spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cells showing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression have the potential to be targets...
INTRODUCTION
Testicular cells, seminiferous tubule cells, spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cells showing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression have the potential to be targets and to be damaged by the coronavirus. We aimed to use Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography (2D-SWE) as an effective technique to identify parenchymal damage in the testicles of patients recovering from COVID-19 infection.
METHODS
35 Male patients (group 1) who recovered after COVID-19 infection between 4 and 12 weeks were included in this prospective study. Before 2D-SWE, these male patients were confirmed with control Rt-PCR test negativity. In addition, the first Rt-PCR test positivity of these patients was confirmed. A control group was formed of 31 healthy subjects (group 2). These two groups were compared in terms of age, volume of each testis, and SWE values. Ultrasound including SWE was applied to all the testes. A total of 9 measurements were taken as 3 SWE measurements from each third of the testis (superior, mid, inferior) and the average of these was calculated. Data obtained in the study were analyzed statistically. A value of p < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean SWE values for the right testis and the left testis were determined to be statistically significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2, respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
There is an increase in testicular stiffness in males who have recovered from COVID-19 infection. The underlying cause of testicular damage is changes at the cellular level. The 2D-SWE technique can predict potential testicular parenchymal damage in male patients recovering from COVID-19 infection.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography (2D-SWE) seems to be a promising imaging technique in the evaluation of testis parenchyma.
Topics: Humans; Male; Testis; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Prospective Studies; COVID-19; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 37187063
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2023.04.019 -
International Journal of Biological... Dec 2023The variety of species can be efficiently increased by interspecific hybridization. However, because the males in the hybrid progeny are usually sterile, this heterosis...
The variety of species can be efficiently increased by interspecific hybridization. However, because the males in the hybrid progeny are usually sterile, this heterosis cannot be employed when other cattle and yaks are hybridized. While some system-level studies have sought to explore the etiological basis for male cattle-yak sterility, no systematic cellular analyses of this phenomenon have yet been performed. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing and UPHLC-MS/MS targeted metabolomics methods were used to study the differences in testicular tissue between 4-year-old male yak and 4-year-old male cattle-yak, providing new and comprehensive insights into the causes of male cattle-yak sterility. Cattle-yak testes samples detected 6 somatic cell types and one mixed germ cell type. Comparisons of these cell types revealed the more significant differences in Sertoli cells (SCs) and [Leydig cells and myoid cells (LCs_MCs)] between yak and cattle-yak samples compared to other somatic cell clusters. Even though the LCs and MCs from yaks and cattle-yaks were derived from the differentiation of the same progenitor cells, a high degree of overlap between LCs and MCs was observed in yak samples. Still, only a small overlap between LCs and MCs was observed in cattle-yak samples. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that genes down-regulated in cattle-yak SCs were primarily enriched in biological activity, whereas up-regulated genes in these cells were enriched for apoptotic activity. Furthermore, the genes of up-regulated in LCs_MCs of cattle-yak were significantly enriched in enzyme inhibitor and molecular function inhibitor activity. On the other hand, the genes of down-regulated in these cells were enriched for signal receptor binding, molecular function regulation, positive regulation of biological processes, and regulation of cell communication activity. The most significant annotated differences between yak and cattle-yak LCs_MCs were associated with cell-to-cell communication. While yak LCs_MCs regulated spermatogenic cells at spermatogonia, spermatocyte, and spermatid levels, no such relationships were found between cattle-yak LCs_MCs and germ cells. This may suggest that the somatic niche in male cattle-yak testes is a microenvironment that is ultimately not favorable for spermatogenesis.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cattle; Male; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Testis; Infertility, Male; Spermatogenesis; Sequence Analysis, RNA
PubMed: 37716658
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126831 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2021Spermatogenesis, which is a continuous process from undifferentiated spermatogonia to spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules, declines with age. To investigate changes...
Spermatogenesis, which is a continuous process from undifferentiated spermatogonia to spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules, declines with age. To investigate changes in spermatogenesis with aging, we reconstructed the seminiferous tubules of 12 mice aged 12 to 30 months from serial sections and examined age-related and region-specific alterations in the seminiferous epithelium and spermatogenic waves in three dimensions. The basic structure of the seminiferous tubules, including the numbers of tubules, terminating points, branching points, and total tubule length, did not change with age. Age-related alterations in spermatogenesis, primarily assessed by the formation of vacuoles in Sertoli cells, were detected in the seminiferous tubules at 12 months. The proportion of altered tubule segments with impaired spermatogenesis further increased by 24 months, but remained unchanged thereafter. Altered tubule segments were preferentially distributed in tubule areas close to the rete testis and those in the center of the testis. Spermatogenic waves became shorter in length with age. These results provide a basis for examining the decline of spermatogenesis not only with aging, but also in male infertility.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Seminiferous Epithelium; Seminiferous Tubules; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogonia; Testis
PubMed: 34837027
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02443-4