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Cell Proliferation May 2022To evaluate the expression, potential functions and mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis of varicocele (VC)-induced spermatogenic dysfunction.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the expression, potential functions and mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathogenesis of varicocele (VC)-induced spermatogenic dysfunction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We established a rat model with left experimental VC and divided rats into the sham group, the VC group, and the surgical treatment group (each group, n = 10). Haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and sperm quality were analysed to evaluate spermatogenesis function. LncRNA expression profiles were analysed using lncRNA-Seq (each group n = 3) and validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (each group n = 10). Correlation analysis and gene target miRNA prediction were used to construct competing endogenous RNA network. The regulated signalling pathway and spermatogenic dysfunction of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs) were validated by Western blot.
RESULTS
HE detection and sperm quality analysis showed that VC could induce spermatogenic dysfunction. Eight lncRNAs were upregulated and three lncRNAs were downregulated in the VC group compared with the sham group and surgical treatment group. The lncRNA of NONRATG002949.2, NONRATG001060.2, NONRATG013271.2, NONRATG022879.2, NONRATG023424.2, NONRATG005667.2 and NONRATG010686.2 were significantly negatively related to sperm quality, while NONRATG027523.1, NONRATG017183.2 and NONRATG023747.2 were positively related to sperm quality. The lncRNAs promote spermatogenic cell apoptosis and inhibit spermatogonia and spermatocyte proliferation and meiotic spermatocytes by regulating the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway.
CONCLUSION
DE lncRNAs may be potential biomarkers for predicting the risk of spermatogenic dysfunction in VC and the effect of surgical repair. These DE lncRNAs promote spermatogenic dysfunction by regulating the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway.
Topics: Animals; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Male; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; RNA, Long Noncoding; Rats; Spermatogenesis; Varicocele
PubMed: 35297519
DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13220 -
Journal of Andrology 2004The objective of this study was to detect a therapy for idiopathic and varicocele-associated oligoasthenospermia (OAT). Idiopathic and varicocele OAT patients were... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial
The objective of this study was to detect a therapy for idiopathic and varicocele-associated oligoasthenospermia (OAT). Idiopathic and varicocele OAT patients were randomized into 3 groups. Each group was composed of varying degrees of left varicoceles (graded into 5 grades with echo-color Doppler) and of idiopathic OATs. Group 1 used a placebo, group 2 used oral L-carnitine (2 g/d) + acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d), group 3 used L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine + 1 x 30-mg cinnoxicam suppository every 4 days. Drugs were administered for 6 months. The groups were composed as follows: group 1, 71 varicoceles and 47 idiopathic OATs; group 2, 62 varicoceles and 39 idiopathic OATs; group 3, 62 varicoceles and 44 idiopathic OATs. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology before during and after treatments were assessed. Pregnancy rates and side effects were recorded. Group 1 did not have modified sperm patterns during treatment. Group 2 had significantly increased sperm patterns at 3 and 6 months into therapy in idiopathic patients and in patients with grades I, II, and III varicocele, but not in grades IV and V. Group 3 had significantly increased sperm parameters in all patients, with the exception of grade V varicocele. Group 3 sperm patterns proved significantly higher during therapy than group 2. All sperm patterns fell to baseline after therapy suspension. Minor side effects occurred. Pregnancy rates were 1.7% (group 1), 21.8% (group 2), and 38.0% (group 3) (P <.01). L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine + cinnoxicam suppositories proved a reliable treatment for low-grade varicoceles and idiopathic OATs.
Topics: Acetylcarnitine; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Carnitine; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Piroxicam; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Spermatozoa; Testis; Varicocele
PubMed: 15292108
DOI: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2004.tb02853.x -
Fertility and Sterility Feb 2004To evaluate the prevalence of varicocele in the left and right spermatic veins in infertile men by several methods of examination.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of varicocele in the left and right spermatic veins in infertile men by several methods of examination.
DESIGN
Prospective study.
SETTING
Andrology unit of a department of obstetrics and gynecology, and interventional radiology unit of the radiology department at a tertiary care facility.
PATIENT(S)
Two hundred eighty-six infertile men evaluated for varicocele.
INTERVENTION(S)
Patients underwent evaluation for infertility. Physical examination was followed by contact thermography, Doppler sonography, and venography of both testes.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
We measured the prevalence of varicocele in the left and right spermatic veins in infertile men, and the response of semen parameters after embolization of internal spermatic vein.
RESULT(S)
Varicocele was detected by one of the noninvasive methods and confirmed by venography in 255 patients (89.2%): the left site in 45 (17.6%), the right side in 4 (1.5%), and bilaterally in 206 (80.8%). All patients were treated by embolization. Mean sperm concentration increased from 6.12 +/- 1.02 to 21.3 +/- 1.69 million/mL; mean sperm motility from 16.81 +/- 1.51 to 35.90 +/- 1.41%; and mean sperm morphology from 9.75 +/- 0.85 to 16.92 +/- 1.17%. Pregnancy rate was 43.5%.
CONCLUSION(S)
The present study finds that what was traditionally considered a predominantly unilateral anatomical abnormality apparently has a strikingly high bilateral prevalence (80.7%). This may suggest that we should consider varicocele a bilateral disease. The second finding is the high rate of varicocele detected by venography, thermography, and sonography when compared with physical examination results. Our study may have important implications for treatment, indicating that patients with clinical evidence of unilateral left varicocele should be carefully evaluated for bilateral varicocele.
Topics: Functional Laterality; Humans; Incidence; Male; Prospective Studies; Sclerotherapy; Scrotum; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Thermography; Varicocele
PubMed: 14967384
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.08.010 -
Journal of Andrology 2008Clinical examination of the scrotum remains the most commonly used technique to diagnose varicoceles. However, scrotal anatomy (eg, thick scrotum, scarring, hydrocele)... (Review)
Review
Clinical examination of the scrotum remains the most commonly used technique to diagnose varicoceles. However, scrotal anatomy (eg, thick scrotum, scarring, hydrocele) in some men may make physical examination alone unreliable. In these situations, imaging (eg, ultrasound, Doppler imaging, venography) may be used to diagnose a varicocele. The dilemma is that there are no widely accepted or used criteria to diagnose a varicocele based on imaging. This paper reviews the different imaging techniques used and the accuracy of each in diagnosing a varicocele.
Topics: Humans; Male; Valsalva Maneuver; Varicocele
PubMed: 18077824
DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.107.003467 -
The Nigerian Postgraduate Medical... 2023Varicocele is a treatable aetiology of male infertility. Magnification with surgical loupe has been associated with improved outcome and reduced morbidity than the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Varicocele is a treatable aetiology of male infertility. Magnification with surgical loupe has been associated with improved outcome and reduced morbidity than the conventional technique without magnification.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcomes of two techniques of subinguinal varicocelectomy, with a surgical loupe and without.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This was a prospective randomised hospital-based study. Forty-six patients were randomised to two arms - Group A: loupe-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy (LASV) and Group B: open subinguinal varicocelectomy without Loupe (OSV). They all had their semen and hormonal parameters compared preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Post-operative complications were also assessed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The mean age was 38.28 ± 4.55 years with a range of 27-46 years. The mean age in Group A was 37.35 ± 4.68 and 39.22 ± 4.33 years in Group B. There was an improvement in motility, sperm count and concentration in both the groups at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference in these parameters on comparison of the two groups at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). Follicle-stimulating hormone decline was significant in the OSV group at 3 and 6 months, P = 0.010 and 0.021, respectively. There was no difference in other hormonal parameters both at 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). The pregnancy rate in each arm of study was 4.3%. All complications occurred in Group B.
CONCLUSION
Both techniques resulted in improvement in seminal fluid parameters. All complications occurred in the arm that had subinguinal varicocelectomy without loupe. Loupe-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy is safe and effective.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Semen; Nigeria; Infertility, Male; Varicocele
PubMed: 37675698
DOI: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_39_23 -
Fertility and Sterility Dec 2011The authors review the current approach to management of the adolescent varicocele which has evolved over the past two decades. Principles of observational, surgical and... (Review)
Review
The authors review the current approach to management of the adolescent varicocele which has evolved over the past two decades. Principles of observational, surgical and adjunctive management are discussed relative to significant clinical findings. A selective approach to surgical intervention is advocated with the goal of preserving fertility potential.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Medicine; Concept Formation; Disease Progression; Humans; Male; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male; Varicocele; Watchful Waiting
PubMed: 22130100
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.10.034 -
Nature Reviews. Urology Mar 2012During adolescence, the risk of developing a varicocele increases. Prevalence is less than 1% in boys aged younger than 10 years, but approaches that of the general... (Review)
Review
During adolescence, the risk of developing a varicocele increases. Prevalence is less than 1% in boys aged younger than 10 years, but approaches that of the general adult population (about 15%) during puberty. For adolescent males with varicoceles, surgical risk factors have not yet been clearly delineated and clinical severity correlates poorly with prognosis. Fortunately, the widespread use of Doppler ultrasonography is transforming the diagnostic work-up for this demographic. A continuous reflux detected by color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) is thought to have a negative prognostic value and evidence suggests that a peak retrograde flow above 38 cm per second is a powerful predictor of lack of spontaneous improvement in adolescent patients with ≥ 20% asymmetry between testes. CDUS also enables the detection of varicocele resulting from reflux in the deferential vein adjunctive to a refluxing internal spermatic vein; a causality that accounts for approximately 15% of cases. In addition to a diagnostic role, hemodynamic parameters can be used to predict the risk of persistence or worsening asymmetry. Although further studies are necessary to validate single parameters, it seems that the more severe the reflux, the greater the likelihood that the patient will develop testicular asymmetry.
Topics: Adolescent; Hemodynamics; Humans; Male; Varicocele
PubMed: 22450604
DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2012.41 -
Urology Journal Jun 2019Oxidative stress (OS) plays a central role in the pathophysiology of varicocele (VC), however, com-prehensive studies concomitantly assessing semen parameter along with...
PURPOSE
Oxidative stress (OS) plays a central role in the pathophysiology of varicocele (VC), however, com-prehensive studies concomitantly assessing semen parameter along with chromatin status, oxidative stress, and enzymatic antioxidants in both testis and sperm are limited. Therefore, this study aims to assess these parameters in varicocelized rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
For this study, 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (I); sham-operated group (II) and left varicocele group (III). Left varicocele was induced and two months after surgery, we evaluated sperm parameters, persistent histone, DNA integrity and lipid peroxidation in sperm and also oxidant/antioxidant markers in testis.
RESULTS
The results showed that sperm concentration, motility, and normal morphology significantly decreased in varicocele group compared to other groups (P < 0.001). Also, we observed a significant increase in persistent histone and DNA damage of sperm cells in varicocele rats (P < 0.05). In addition, oxidant assessment analysis showed that ROS level was higher in testis tissue and sperm cells from the left varicocele rats compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
This results show that varicocele has a negative effect on spermatogenesis and increased oxidative stress and reduce in antioxidant capacity hand in hand lead to the production of sperm with damaged chromatin which reduces the fertility potential and may jeopardize the future health of the progeny.
Topics: Animals; Male; Oxidative Stress; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spermatozoa; Testis; Varicocele
PubMed: 30471074
DOI: 10.22037/uj.v0i0.4740 -
Genetics and Molecular Research : GMR Dec 2015The glutathione S-transferase (GST) family represents a major group of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes. Studies have shown that high oxidative stress levels are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The glutathione S-transferase (GST) family represents a major group of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes. Studies have shown that high oxidative stress levels are associated with varicocele. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms and varicocele using a study group of 497 varicocele patients and 476 control subjects. A systematic literature search (for articles published up to September 2014) utilizing Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted. The chi-square-based Q test and I(2) index were used to evaluate data from retrieved studies. The possible publication bias was evaluated by Begg funnel plot and the Egger test. No statistically significant association was found between GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotypes and varicocele in the overall data analysis. In a subgroup analysis, only the null GSTM1 genotype was observed at a significantly higher frequency in Caucasian varicocele patients. In the Chinese subgroup, no association was established between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes and this condition. More attention should be drawn to oxidative stress-related pathological manifestations for Caucasian varicocele patients.
Topics: Asian People; Case-Control Studies; Disease Susceptibility; Gene Expression; Glutathione Transferase; Humans; Male; Oxidative Stress; Polymorphism, Genetic; Publication Bias; Risk Factors; Varicocele; White People
PubMed: 26782535
DOI: 10.4238/2015.December.28.34 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Apr 2004
Topics: Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Testis; Varicocele
PubMed: 15105302
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.328.7446.967