Article
Andrology
Chi Yuan, Liyuan Xiang, Zhongyu Jian, Banghua Liao
Summary: This study investigated the causal association between 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and male factor infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR). The results showed that an increase in genetically predicted natural-log transformed 25OHD levels was associated with a decreased risk of male factor infertility. This conclusion was consistent in several sensitivity analyses. Therefore, VD supplements to increase serum 25OHD levels may be clinically beneficial for male factor infertility in the general population. Well-designed randomized controlled trials should be prioritized to further investigate this question.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MENS HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Edoardo Pozzi, Ranjith Ramasamy, Andrea Salonia
Summary: The evaluation of male infertility begins with obtaining a detailed medical history and the couple's reproductive and sexual history. Semen analysis is the key component of the male partner evaluation, according to World Health Organization recommendations. A comprehensive physical examination, including assessment of secondary sexual characteristics, is crucial. More complex testing may be needed in selected cases. Hormonal evaluation and genetic testing should be considered for specific conditions. Ultrasound can provide additional information in certain cases. The evaluation of male and female partners should proceed simultaneously to optimize management for infertile couples.
EUROPEAN UROLOGY FOCUS
(2023)
Article
Andrology
Marie. H. Sieper, Avinash S. S. Gaikwad, Marion Fros, Philipp Weber, Sara Di Persio, Manon S. S. Oud, Sabine Kliesch, Nina Neuhaus, Birgit Stallmeyer, Frank Tuettelmann, Margot J. J. Wyrwoll
Summary: Researchers screened the genes of 1305 men and identified 9 genes associated with male infertility, including 3 newly discovered potential candidate genes. These findings contribute to the improved accuracy of male infertility diagnosis.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mark Sigman
Summary: Various medical and surgical treatments can lead to impaired male fertility, which may be permanent or reversible. Different diseases and treatments can affect fertility, so understanding how each treatment impacts reproduction and available management options is essential.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
John Charles Rotondo, Carmen Lanzillotti, Chiara Mazziotta, Mauro Tognon, Fernanda Martini
Summary: Research has shown a correlation between sperm DNA methylation and male infertility, with various genes displaying differential methylation patterns in impaired spermatogenesis and reproductive dysfunction. Specifically, DNA methylation defects in MEST and H19 within imprinted genes, as well as MTHFR within non-imprinted genes, have been linked to male infertility. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms affecting methylation in sperm and its impact on male infertility.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Majid Mojarrad, Ehsan Saburi, Alireza Golshan, Meysam Moghbeli
Summary: Male infertility is a significant social and health issue among young couples, with about half of the cases observed among males. Mutations and chromosomal abnormalities are important genetic risk factors, while environmental factors also play a role. Understanding the molecular and cellular processes involved in male infertility, particularly among Iranian males, is crucial for developing efficient diagnostic markers. The review highlights the common aberrant cellular mechanisms and stresses the need for a population-based diagnostic panel of genetic markers for Iranian infertile males.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Andrology
Albert Salas-Huetos, Kenneth Aston
Summary: Male infertility is a common and complex disease with a wide range of phenotypes, making it difficult to identify the underlying genetic causes. Progress has been made in the past decade, and future research will focus on developing more effective phenotyping tools, validating variants in in vitro and animal models, utilizing whole genome approaches, and expanding collaborative efforts in consortia.
TRANSLATIONAL ANDROLOGY AND UROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Tanya Kadiyska, Ivan Tourtourikov, Kristiyan Dabchev, Dilyana Madzharova, Savina Tincheva, Demetrios A. Spandidos, Vassilis Zoumpourlis
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the functional role of testis-specific serine kinase 1B (TSSK1B) gene in infertile patients. The findings suggested an association between TSSK1B gene mutations and certain types of male infertility, which may be the cause of undiagnosed infertility cases.
MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Gentiluomo, Alice Luddi, Annapaola Cingolani, Marco Fornili, Laura Governini, Ersilia Lucenteforte, Laura Baglietto, Paola Piomboni, Daniele Campa
Summary: The study found no significant association between sperm telomere length (STL) and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with sperm quality parameters, but identified five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were statistically significantly associated with sperm variables. The results suggest moderate involvement of telomere length in male fertility, while indicating the potential pleiotropic effects of certain SNPs on sperm parameters independent of telomere homeostasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Nicole Banks, Fangbai Sun, Stephen A. Krawetz, R. Matthew Coward, Puneet Masson, James F. Smith, J. C. Trussell, Nanette Santoro, Heping Zhang, Anne Z. Steiner
Summary: This study found no significant association between vitamin D levels in the male partner and treatment outcomes, but a lower 25(OH)D level (<20 ng/mL) was associated with a higher rate of pregnancy loss. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of male vitamin D deficiency on miscarriage rates in couples.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Madalina Gabriela Barbu, Dana Claudia Thompson, Nicolae Suciu, Silviu Cristian Voinea, Dragos Cretoiu, Dragos Valentin Predescu
Summary: MicroRNAs play a significant role in male infertility, with their concentration in semen being linked to specific reproductive dysfunctions. Aberrant expression of certain microRNAs has been associated with male reproductive disorders. Additionally, idiopathic male infertility is connected to single nucleotide polymorphisms in microRNA binding sites.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Peter N. Schlegel
Summary: Human spermatogenesis differs from that of most other mammals in terms of quantity and quality. Until recently, the understanding of human spermatogenesis was limited and mainly derived from studying rodent models. However, the treatment of severe male infertility has provided unique opportunities to observe human spermatogenesis. These clinical observations have led to the identification of new genetic abnormalities and have challenged the use of rodent models in studying human male infertility.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Emilia Morawiec, Michal Czerwinski, Anna Bednarska-Czerwinska, Andrzej Wiczkowski
Summary: Seminal microflora plays a crucial role in male fertility, and dysbiosis can lead to infertility and other reproductive problems. Inflammation negatively affects sperm quality and may cause partner infection. A comprehensive examination of seminal microflora can clarify the causes of infertility or prevent pathological conditions.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana C. C. Nunes, Joao C. Ribeiro, Marco G. G. Alves, Pedro F. F. Oliveira, Raquel L. L. Bernardino
Summary: Infertility is a growing problem globally, and there is a misconception that it is mostly caused by females. However, literature suggests that infertility has an equal contribution from both sexes. Testosterone, a male sex hormone, plays a significant role in male infertility. Hypogonadism, characterized by changes in testosterone levels, is a common cause of male infertility.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rita I. Pacheco, Maria I. Cristo, Sandra I. Anjo, Andreia F. Silva, Maria Ines Sousa, Renata S. Tavares, Ana Paula Sousa, Teresa Almeida Santos, Mariana Moura-Ramos, Francisco Caramelo, Bruno Manadas, Joao Ramalho-Santos, Sandra Gomes Amaral
Summary: The global trend of rising (male) infertility is concerning. This study aimed to understand unknown origin male infertility (UOMI) by evaluating the male gamete. The study found that idiopathic (ID) patients had the worst sperm functional profile, while unexplained male infertility (UMI) patients were similar to controls. Proteomic analysis identified several differentially expressed proteins in ID and UMI samples. SACA4 and LAMB2 were identified as potential biomarkers for distinguishing ID and UMI patients.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Everett Knudsen, Joseph M. Rich, Runzhuo Ma
UROLOGIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2024)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Rayyan Abid, Ahmed A. Hussein, Khurshid A. Guru
Summary: AI has made significant progress in urologic surgery, but there are still obstacles to achieving fully autonomous surgery, such as the challenges in data collection, preparation, and annotation, as well as the need to address ethical concerns and interpretability.
UROLOGIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2024)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Puria Azadi Moghadam, Ali Bashashati, S. Larry Goldenberg
UROLOGIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2024)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Alex G. Raman, David Fisher, Felix Yap, Assad Oberai, Vinay A. Duddalwar
Summary: Radiomics and AI algorithms have great potential in improving the diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer, enabling tumor segmentation, classification, and prediction of treatment outcomes.
UROLOGIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2024)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Hsin-Hsiao Scott Wang, Ranveer Vasdev, Caleb P. Nelson
UROLOGIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2024)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Mitchell G. Goldenberg
UROLOGIC CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2024)