Andrology最新文献

Fertility preservation (FP) is a fundamental part of gender care. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) involves the use of drugs that could be potential risk factors for fertility. Therefore, FP is recommended before beginning the gender-affirmation process. This narrative review aims to assess several aspects, mainly concerning the assigned male at birth (AMAB) population. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the effects of GAHT on testicular morphology and seminal quality, the use of semen cryopreservation, the desire for parenthood among transgender people, the factors influencing the decision to use fertility preservation (FP) and suggestions for improving clinical practice. A literature search within PubMed was conducted and the results deal with issues such as changes in testicular morphology and semen quality, FP utilization, barriers to treatment, current clinical practice models, and suggestions for improving transgender adolescents access to FP. The results showed that GAHT can have a negative effect on fertility in transgender AMAB subjects. It is therefore recommended to carry out FP before starting such treatment. However, there is low percentage of utilization to FP among transgender adolescents. In deciding whether to pursue FP, they consider many factors: future parenting desires, individual experiences of gender dysphoria, family values around biological parenting, financial considerations, and the availability of fertility information. A discrepancy emerged between the rate of desire to become a parent and the actual rate of FP utilization. The reasons are various, such as cost, and concern in delaying the initiation of treatment. Suggestions for improving clinical practice are also provided from this literature search.

Background

The widespread usage of millimeter waves (MMW) in different spheres of the public domain necessitates to have a better understanding of any possible health impacts caused by them. The latest example of this is the global implementation of 5G technology.

Objectives

The present investigation aimed to study the effects of 35.5 GHz frequency on reproductive parameters of male Wistar rats.

Methods

The study employed a randomized controlled design, with animals being assigned to control, sham-exposed, and exposed groups, with six animals in each group (n = 6). The experimental group was exposed to 35.5 GHz frequency for 2 h per day for 60 days. At the end of the exposure period, various sperm parameters such as sperm count, morphology, viability, and sperm mitochondrial activity were evaluated. The evaluation of oxidative stress was done by lipid peroxidation assay in testis homogenate. Superoxide dismutase, total sulfhydryl level, and total antioxidant capacity were assessed in testis homogenate. The DNA damage in the testis was assessed through the comet assay.

Results

The results showed a significant decrease in sperm viability and count, as well as morphometric changes in testis histopathology. Lipid peroxidation testis was significantly elevated in the exposed group, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), total sulfhydryl level, and total antioxidant capacity were significantly decreased in the exposed group. The comet assay revealed a significant increase in DNA damage in the exposed group, indicating genotoxic effects.

Discussion

The observed changes in sperm parameters, testicular morphology, and oxidative stress markers highlight the potential for testicular tissue damage via oxidative mechanisms. These results underscore the need for further research to elucidate the biological implications of chronic MMW exposure.

Conclusion

Chronic exposure to 35.5 GHz frequency may negatively impact male reproductive function and testicular tissue, primarily through mechanisms involving oxidative stress.

This report is the transcript of what was discussed in a convention at the Endocrinology Unit in Modena, Italy, in the form of the aporetic dialogs of ancient Greece. It is the third episode of a series of four discussions on the differences between males and females, with a multidisciplinary approach. In this work, the role of testosterone in gender differences in the aptitude for mathematics is explored. First, the definitions of mathematical abilities were provided together with any gender difference in the distribution of females and males in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects. A clear predominance of males is evident at most science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education levels, especially in advanced academic careers. Then, the discussants were divided into two groups: group 1, which illustrated the thesis that testosterone promotes the development of logical‒mathematical skills, and group 2, which, in contrast, asserted the inconsistency of a direct role of testosterone in improving cognitive abilities and that socio-cultural factors should be considered on the basis of this gender gap. In the end, an expert referee (a female engineer) tried to resolve the aporia: are the two theories equivalent or is one superior?

Background

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are amongst the most common malignancies in young men, and their incidence is increasing worldwide. Tissue heterogeneity hampers efforts to understand how TGCT precursors (termed germ cell neoplasia in situ; GCNIS) emerge and progress, restricting elucidation of new strategies for diagnosis and management.

Objectives

This study reports the use of spatial transcriptomic analysis in TGCT tissue sections.

Materials and methods

Over 90 regions of interest (ROIs) were identified in sections from four TGCT patients’ samples, three with non-seminoma, one seminoma. Transcripts in each ROI were sequenced and examined using the NanoString GeoMx spatial whole transcriptomics workflow, the values normalised and analysed using Degust RNA-Seq and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software.

Results

The distribution and expression of functional markers in specific cell types was used to map individual tumours, GCNIS, and tumour-adjacent regions. Significant heterogeneity in TGCTs and surrounding areas is documented between patients and across different regions in the same tumour. Immune cell-related transcripts encoding macrophage, T cell, B cell, natural killer cell, dendritic cells and neutrophil subsets were identified as contributing substantially to tumour heterogeneity. Assessment of ROIs containing GCNIS and areas immediately adjacent from two individual non-seminoma tumour samples identified the TGFβ family as contributing to upstream regulation of transcripts in both patients; known activin A target genes were differentially expressed between the GCNIS and microenvironment ROIs. In addition, two discrete tumour areas within the seminoma sample displayed distinct transcript profiles, one featuring higher levels of immune cell-related transcripts, and the other TGFβ superfamily transcripts.

Conclusion

These findings highlight aspects of the complex challenge faced while seeking therapeutic targets to enable tumour spread restriction. However, these outcomes reinforce knowledge that TGFβ family members can influence seminoma fate and provide new evidence of their potential contribution to the transition of GCNIS cells into tumours.

Background and aims

Sleep disorders (SDs) have been identified as an independent risk factor for ejaculatory dysfunctions; yet the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the comorbidity between anejaculation (AE) and SDs remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the potential pathways that connect SDs and AE, comparing findings across a sample of affected patients and healthy controls (HCs) to better elucidate these complex interactions.

Methods

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were obtained for 21 AE patients, 20 patients with anejaculation accompanied by sleep disorders (AESD), and 18 HCs. We analyzed group differences in fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), voxel-based morphometry (VBM), and functional connectivity (FC) values between brain regions of interest (ROIs).

Results

FALFF significant differences were seen in the medial superior frontal gyrus as well as in the left middle occipital gyrus. ReHo analysis demonstrated significant differences among groups in the left middle occipital gyrus, left superior parietal lobe, and left middle temporal gyrus. Different cerebellar area 7b volumes in the AE group compared to the other groups were also reported. Additionally, the AESDs group demonstrated different FC signals in multiple brain areas compared to the other groups.

Conclusion

Rs-fMRI reported structural and functional differences in the brain activity across three groups. This study was the first to disentangle potential links between sleep disorders and AE, generating insights that may guide future therapeutic approaches.