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Nutrients May 2022The role of meat and vegetable intake in the development of asthenozoospermia has been controversial, and the role of cooking methods for meat and vegetables in the...
The role of meat and vegetable intake in the development of asthenozoospermia has been controversial, and the role of cooking methods for meat and vegetables in the association has yet to be determined. The present study aimed to illuminate the relationship between the consumption and cooking methods of meat and vegetables and the risk of asthenozoospermia. In this hospital-based case-control study, we enrolled 552 patients with asthenozoospermia and 585 healthy controls. Dietary information was assessed using a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Asthenozoospermia was diagnosed according to the fifth edition of the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Participants in the highest tertile of total meat and unprocessed meat intake had a 44% and 39% lower risk of asthenozoospermia than those in the lowest tertile (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.87 and OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.93), respectively. Participants with the highest processed meat consumption showed higher risk (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.06). Raw vegetable consumption was negatively associated with the risk of asthenozoospermia (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.98). The stir-frying cooking method for meat was associated with increased risk of asthenozoospermia (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.46). Intake of total meat, unprocessed meat, and raw vegetable may reduce asthenozoospermia risk, while higher consumption of processed meat may increase the risk. Cooking methods may play a role in these associations. These findings need to be confirmed in large and prospective cohort studies.
Topics: Asthenozoospermia; Case-Control Studies; Cooking; Diet; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Meat; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Vegetables
PubMed: 35565922
DOI: 10.3390/nu14091956 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Oct 2006Approximately 15% of human couples are affected by infertility, and about half of these cases of infertility can be attributed to men, through low sperm motility...
Approximately 15% of human couples are affected by infertility, and about half of these cases of infertility can be attributed to men, through low sperm motility (asthenozoospermia) or/and numbers (oligospermia). Because mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) mutations are identified in patients with fertility problems, there is a possibility that mitochondrial respiration defects contribute to male infertility. To address this possibility, we used a transmitochondrial mouse model (mito-mice) carrying wild-type mtDNA and mutant mtDNA with a pathogenic 4,696-bp deletion (DeltamtDNA). Here we show that mitochondrial respiration defects caused by the accumulation of DeltamtDNA induced oligospermia and asthenozoospermia in the mito-mice. Most sperm from the infertile mito-mice had abnormalities in the middle piece and nucleus. Testes of the infertile mito-mice showed meiotic arrest at the zygotene stage as well as enhanced apoptosis. Thus, our in vivo study using mito-mice directly demonstrates that normal mitochondrial respiration is required for mammalian spermatogenesis, and its defects resulting from accumulated mutant mtDNAs cause male infertility.
Topics: Animals; DNA, Mitochondrial; Female; Infertility, Male; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mitochondria; Sequence Deletion
PubMed: 17005726
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0604641103 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2022In mammals, sperm fertilization potential relies on efficient progression within the female genital tract to reach and fertilize the oocyte. This fundamental property is... (Review)
Review
In mammals, sperm fertilization potential relies on efficient progression within the female genital tract to reach and fertilize the oocyte. This fundamental property is supported by the flagellum, an evolutionarily conserved organelle that provides the mechanical force for sperm propulsion and motility. Importantly several functional maturation events that occur during the journey of the sperm cells through the genital tracts are necessary for the activation of flagellar beating and the acquisition of fertilization potential. Ion transporters and channels located at the surface of the sperm cells have been demonstrated to be involved in these processes, in particular, through the activation of downstream signaling pathways and the promotion of novel biochemical and electrophysiological properties in the sperm cells. We performed a systematic literature review to describe the currently known genetic alterations in humans that affect sperm ion transporters and channels and result in asthenozoospermia, a pathophysiological condition defined by reduced or absent sperm motility and observed in nearly 80% of infertile men. We also present the physiological relevance and functional mechanisms of additional ion channels identified in the mouse. Finally, considering the state-of-the art, we discuss future perspectives in terms of therapeutics of asthenozoospermia and male contraception.
Topics: Animals; Asthenozoospermia; Female; Humans; Ion Channels; Male; Mammals; Mice; Models, Animal; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35409285
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073926 -
Human Reproduction Open 2023Are dietary fat and fatty acid (FA) intakes related to the odds of asthenozoospermia?
STUDY QUESTION
Are dietary fat and fatty acid (FA) intakes related to the odds of asthenozoospermia?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Plant-based fat consumption was associated with decreased asthenozoospermia odds, while the consumption of animal-based monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was positively related to asthenozoospermia odds.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Dietary fat and FA are significant ingredients of a daily diet, which have been demonstrated to be correlated to the reproductive health of men. However, to date, evidence on fat and FA associations with the odds of asthenozoospermia is unclear.
STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION
The hospital-based case-control study was performed in an infertility clinic from June 2020 to December 2020. Briefly, 549 asthenozoospermia cases and 581 controls with normozoospermia were available for final analyses.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS
We collected dietary data through a verified food frequency questionnaire of 110 food items. Asthenozoospermia cases were ascertained according to the World Health Organization guidelines. To investigate the correlations of dietary fat and FA consumptions with the odds of asthenozoospermia, we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% CIs through unconditional logistic regression models.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
Relative to the lowest tertile of consumption, the highest tertile of plant-based fat intake was inversely correlated to the odds of asthenozoospermia (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50-0.91), with a significant dose-response relation (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75-0.97, per standard deviation increment). Inversely, animal-based MUFA intake (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.04-2.14) was significantly correlated to increased odds of asthenozoospermia, and an evident dose-response relation was also detected (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.05-1.45, per standard deviation increment). Subgroup analyses showed similar patterns of associations to those of the primary results. Moreover, we observed significant interactions on both multiplicative and additive scales between animal-based MUFA and cigarette smoking.
LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION
Selection bias and recall bias were unavoidable in any of the observational studies. As we failed to obtain the information of trans-fatty acid (TFA) consumption, the relation of TFA intake and asthenozoospermia odds was unclear.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
This study indicated that different sources of fat and FAs might exert different effects on the etiology of asthenozoospermia, and cigarette smoking could exacerbate the adverse effect of high animal-based MUFA intake on asthenozoospermia. Our findings provide novel evidence pertaining to the fields of prevention of asthenozoospermia through decreasing animal-derived fat and FA consumptions and smoking cessation.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS
This work was supported by the JieBangGuaShuai Project of Liaoning Province, Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, Clinical Research Cultivation Project of Shengjing Hospital, and Outstanding Scientific Fund of Shengjing Hospital. All authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
N/A.
PubMed: 37547665
DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoad030 -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... Feb 2018Asthenozoospermia is considered as a common cause of male infertility and characterized by reduced sperm motility. However, the molecular mechanism that impairs sperm... (Review)
Review
Asthenozoospermia is considered as a common cause of male infertility and characterized by reduced sperm motility. However, the molecular mechanism that impairs sperm motility remains unknown in most cases. In the present review, we briefly reviewed the proteome of spermatozoa and seminal plasma in asthenozoospermia and considered post-translational modifications in spermatozoa of asthenozoospermia. The reduction of sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients had been attributed to factors, for instance, energy metabolism dysfunction or structural defects in the sperm-tail protein components and the differential proteins potentially involved in sperm motility such as COX6B, ODF, TUBB2B were described. Comparative proteomic analysis open a window to discover the potential pathogenic mechanisms of asthenozoospermia and the biomarkers with clinical significance.
Topics: Asthenozoospermia; Humans; Male; Proteome; Proteomics; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 29482568
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0334-1 -
Pharmaceutical Biology Dec 2023Therapeutic effects of Qiangjing tablets (QJT) on sperm vitality and asthenozoospermia (AZS) have been confirmed. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear.
CONTEXT
Therapeutic effects of Qiangjing tablets (QJT) on sperm vitality and asthenozoospermia (AZS) have been confirmed. However, the mechanism of action remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates the effects of QJT on AZS and the underlying mechanism of action.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: Control, ORN (ornidazole; 200 mg/kg), ORN + QJT-low (0.17 g/mL), ORN + QJT-middle (0.33 g/mL), ORN + QJT-high (0.67 g/mL), and ORN + QJT + Radicicol (0.67 g/mL QJT and 20 mg/kg radicicol) groups. Pathological evaluation and analysis of mitophagy were conducted by H&E staining and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Reactive oxygen species were detected by flow cytometry. Protein expression was determined by Western blotting.
RESULTS
QJT significantly improved ORN-treated sperm motility and kinematic parameters, as well as the pathological symptoms of testicular and epididymal tissues. In particular, QJT mitigated impaired mitochondrial morphology, and increased the PHB, Beclin-1, LC3-II protein, and ROS levels ( < 0.05), and reduced the protein expression levels of LC3-I and p62 ( < 0.05). Mechanistically, QJT antagonized the downregulation of SCF and Parkin protein levels ( < 0.05). Furthermore, QJT significantly increased the protein expressions levels of LKB1, AMPKα, p-AMPKα, ULK1 and p-ULK1 ( < 0.05). The ameliorative effect of QJT on pathological manifestations, mitochondrial morphology, and the expressions of mitophagy and mitochondrial ubiquitination-related proteins was counteracted by radicicol.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
QJT improved AZS mitochondrial ubiquitination and mitophagy mediated by the LKB1/AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of AZS and male infertility.
Topics: Animals; Male; Rats; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Asthenozoospermia; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Mitophagy; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Semen; Sperm Motility; Tablets; Ubiquitination
PubMed: 36655371
DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2168021 -
Nature Communications Nov 2020Axonemal dynein ATPases direct ciliary and flagellar beating via adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. The modulatory effect of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and...
Axonemal dynein ATPases direct ciliary and flagellar beating via adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis. The modulatory effect of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) on flagellar beating is not fully understood. Here, we describe a deficiency of cilia and flagella associated protein 45 (CFAP45) in humans and mice that presents a motile ciliopathy featuring situs inversus totalis and asthenospermia. CFAP45-deficient cilia and flagella show normal morphology and axonemal ultrastructure. Proteomic profiling links CFAP45 to an axonemal module including dynein ATPases and adenylate kinase as well as CFAP52, whose mutations cause a similar ciliopathy. CFAP45 binds AMP in vitro, consistent with structural modelling that identifies an AMP-binding interface between CFAP45 and AK8. Microtubule sliding of dyskinetic sperm from Cfap45 mice is rescued with the addition of either AMP or ADP with ATP, compared to ATP alone. We propose that CFAP45 supports mammalian ciliary and flagellar beating via an adenine nucleotide homeostasis module.
Topics: Adenine Nucleotides; Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Asthenozoospermia; Axoneme; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Cilia; Cytoskeletal Proteins; DNA Mutational Analysis; Disease Models, Animal; Epididymis; Female; Flagella; Humans; Loss of Function Mutation; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Middle Aged; Planarians; Respiratory Mucosa; Situs Inversus; Sperm Motility; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Exome Sequencing
PubMed: 33139725
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19113-0 -
Medicine Apr 2021According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of infertility is about 15%, and more than 50% of infertility cases are caused by male infertility....
BACKGROUND
According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of infertility is about 15%, and more than 50% of infertility cases are caused by male infertility. Asthenozoospermia is caused by male fertility decline and male infertility. Due to work pressure, environmental pollution, sexual diseases, and other factors, the number of patients with asthenozoospermia has increased in recent years. It has been confirmed that acupuncture has a certain effect on patients with asthenozoospermia. Acupuncture and moxibustion can be an adjuvant treatment plan for the treatment of asthenozoospermia in addition to drug treatment.
METHODS
Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP database). The studies of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote V.9.1 software. We will run meta-analyses using the Review Manager (RevMan) V.5.3 software. Any disagreements will be solved in consultation with a third reviewer.
RESULTS
Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of asthenozoospermia.
CONCLUSION
This study will perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of acupuncture for asthenozoospermia, making up for the lack of relevant evidence of the clinical use of acupuncture.
INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER
INPLASY 202140032.
Topics: Acupuncture Therapy; Asthenozoospermia; Humans; Male; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Moxibustion; Research Design; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33907155
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000025711 -
Health Science Reports Dec 2021Motility and morphological defects of spermatozoa can cause male infertility. Sperm RNAs are related to sperm quality. They are considered to have clinical values as a...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Motility and morphological defects of spermatozoa can cause male infertility. Sperm RNAs are related to sperm quality. They are considered to have clinical values as a biomarker for assessing sperm quality and fertility potential. The annulus, located in the mammalian sperm tail, is required for motility and terminal differentiation of the spermatozoa. SEPT2, 4, 6, 7, and 12 proteins are the main components of the annulus in the sperm tail. The study aimed to evaluate and mRNA contents in the spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia.
METHODS
We evaluated transcript levels of and in the sperm samples of 20 asthenozoospermic, 20 teratozoospermic, and 20 normozoospermic samples using quantitative PCR.
RESULTS
The transcript level was significantly decreased in the asthenozoospermia samples compared with the normal group ( = .013). However, was not significantly different between these two groups. The transcript levels of and were not statistically different between teratozoospermic and normozoospermic groups.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, downregulation of in patients with asthenozoospermia appears to be associated with poor sperm motility.
PubMed: 34849407
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.436 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2023Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is one of the most common causes of male fertility, affecting family wellbeing and population growth. Chronic epididymitis (CE) is a common and...
Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is one of the most common causes of male fertility, affecting family wellbeing and population growth. Chronic epididymitis (CE) is a common and lingering inflammatory disease in the scrotum. Inflammation in the epididymis has a severe impact on sperm motility. This study aimed to explore the genetic profile and critical pathways involved in the pathological mechanisms of AZS and CE, and discover potential biomarkers. Genomic datasets of AZS and CE were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and relevant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO and pathway enrichment analyses, construction of a protein-protein interaction network, and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were conducted. The expression profile of hub genes was validated in immunohistochemical data and testicular cell data. Immune infiltration, miRNA-hub gene interactions, and gene-disease interactions were explored. The mRNA levels of hub genes were further measured by qRT-PCR. A total of 109 DEGs were identified between the AZS/CE and healthy control groups. Pathways of the immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling were enriched in AZS and CE. Five hub genes ( and ) were selected, and their diagnostic values were validated in AZS, CE, and independent validation sets (area under the curve >0.7). Furthermore, the five-hub gene signature was well characterized in testicular immunohistochemical staining and testicular cells from healthy controls. Immune infiltration analysis showed that infiltration of CD8 cells and T helper cells was significantly related to the expression level of five hub genes. In addition, a miRNA-hub gene network and interaction of other diseases were displayed. The mRNA levels of hub genes ( and ) were significantly elevated in the patient group. The mRNA level of CTSK also showed a similar trend. Our study uncovered the genetic profile involved in AZS and CE, and elucidated enriched pathways and molecular associations between hub genes and immune infiltration. This finding provides novel insight into the common pathogenesis of both diseases as well as the potential biomarkers for CE-associated AZS.
PubMed: 37152990
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1110218