Environ Toxicol Pharmacol
September 2025
Exposure to environmental chemicals, like pesticides, can impair male reproductive health by affecting Leydig cell (LC) function. This study investigated aminocarb, a widely used carbamate pesticide, and its impact on murine LCs (BLTK1 cell line). We observed a concentration-dependent biphasic toxicity, where higher aminocarb concentrations (500 μM) reduced LC viability, while lower doses (5 and 50 μM) unexpectedly increased it.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOver the years, caloric intake has remained a subject of profound scrutiny. Within the scientific community, there has been rigorous debate to ascertain which path is most ideal for enhancing quality of life and extending the human lifespan. Caloric restriction has been shown to be a promising contributor towards longevity and delaying the onset of age-related diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeydig cells rely on lipids and fatty acids (FA) for essential functions like maintaining structural integrity, energy metabolism, and steroid hormone synthesis, including testosterone production. Carbamazepine (CBZ), a common anticonvulsant medication, can influence lipid metabolism and profiles, potentially impacting Leydig cell function and testosterone levels. Understanding this interplay is crucial to optimize treatment strategies for individuals requiring CBZ therapy while mitigating any adverse effects on male reproductive health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExposure to pesticides, poses a significant threat to male fertility by compromising crucial cells involved in spermatogenesis. Aminocarb, is a widely used carbamate insecticide, although its detrimental effects on the male reproductive system, especially on sustentacular Sertoli cells, pivotal for spermatogenesis, remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of escalating concentrations of aminocarb on a mouse Sertoli cell line, TM4.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeydig cells (LCs) play a pivotal role in male fertility, producing testosterone. Chromium (III) picolinate (CrPic), a contentious supplement with antidiabetic and antioxidant properties, raises concerns regarding male fertility. Using a rodent LC line, we investigated the cytotoxicity of increasing CrPic doses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExpert Rev Proteomics
January 2024
Introduction: Fertility rates in developing countries have declined over the past decades, and the trend of delayed fatherhood is rising as societies develop. The reasons behind the decline in male fertility with advancing age remain mysterious, making it a compelling and crucial area for further research. However, the limited number of studies dedicated to unraveling this enigma poses a challenge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFL-Carnitine, a natural antioxidant found in mammals, plays a crucial role in the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is used as a nutritional supplement by professional athletes, improving performance and post-exercise recovery. Additionally, its therapeutic applications, including those in male infertility, have been investigated, as it may act as a defense mechanism against the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the testis, a process that can lead to sperm damage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLow testosterone (T) levels are a major cause of male infertility, as this hormone is crucial for several processes throughout the entire male reproductive tract. Leydig cells (LC) produce T through testicular steroidogenesis. Disrupted LC function can hinder steroid production and fertility.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: Calorie restriction (CR) diets and glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs are known to alter energy homeostasis with the potential to affect the expression of obesity-related genes (ORGs). We hypothesized that CR and GLP-1 administration can alter ORGs expression in spermatozoa and testes, as well as the sperm parameters implicated in male fertility. Six-week-old adult male Wistar rats (n = 16) were divided into three groups, submitted either to CR (n = 6, fed with 30% less chow diet than the control rats), GLP-1 administration (n = 5, 3.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAging is associated with testicular morphological and functional alterations, but the underlying molecular mechanisms and the impact of physical exercise are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of age and lifelong moderate-intensity exercise on rat testis. Mature adults (35 weeks) and middle-aged (61 weeks) Wistar Unilever male rats were maintained as sedentary or subjected to a lifelong moderate-intensity treadmill training protocol.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe incidence of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity has been increasing dramatically. Both diseases are closely linked and new approaches for type 2 DM treatment aim to enable weight loss. A combined therapy of dapagliflozin and exenatide has been used against type 2 DM, influencing allbody glucose dynamics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To study the abundance of obesity-related gene (ORG) mRNA in human spermatozoa and its association with sperm quality parameters, embryonic development, and pregnancy rates after assisted reproduction treatment (ART).
Design: Cross-sectional study of spermatozoa ORG mRNA expression, and sperm and embryonic development parameters of infertile couples attending a single ART center.
Setting: University, in collaboration with a medically assisted reproduction center.
Antioxidants (Basel)
September 2021
Nowadays, infertility is classified as a disease of the reproductive system. Although it does not compromise the life of the individual, it can have detrimental effects on the physiological and psychological health of the couple. Male fertility evaluation is mainly focused on the analysis of sperm parameters.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeptin is an adipose tissue hormone that acts as energy sensor and reproductive function regulator. Recent reports suggest that leptin is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis in different tissue cells. Herein, we hypothesized that leptin could also affect Sertoli cells mitochondrial dynamics and biogenesis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProteome of seminal plasma provides profound information related to the male reproductive health. This pilot study was conducted to characterize proteomic profile of seminal plasma from men with primary, or secondary infertility and compare it with proven fertile men. Study participants (n = 59) were recruited at the Cleveland Clinic and divided according to their fertility status: proven fertile (n = 39); primary infertility (n = 11) and secondary infertility (n = 9).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab
January 2020
Energy homeostasis is crucial for all physiological processes. Thus, when there is low energy intake, negative health effects may arise, including in reproductive function. We propose to study whether caloric restriction (CR) changes testicular metabolic profile and ultimately sperm quality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe correct functioning of Sertoli cells (SCs) is pivotal for successful spermatogenesis. They are major targets for hormones, endocrine disruptors, and other substances that men are subjected to every day. One of the main SC functions that quickly responds to a deleterious stimulus is proliferation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Mens Health
October 2020
Purpose: Hodgkin's disease (HD) is a type of cancer affecting men in the reproductive age with potential consequences on their fertility status. This study aims to analyze sperm parameters, alterations in proteomic profiles and validate selected protein biomarkers of spermatozoa in men with HD undergoing sperm banking before cancer therapy.
Materials And Methods: Semen analysis was carried out in healthy fertile donors (control, n=42), and patients diagnosed with HD (patients, n=38) before cancer therapy.
Semen contains leucocytes and round cells, besides spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to identify whether the proteins from round cells and leucocytes affect the proteomic analysis of spermatozoa. Cryopreserved human sperm samples were divided into four groups: (1) samples with ≥1 × 10 /ml leucocytes unprocessed; (2) samples with ≥1 × 10 /ml leucocytes processed by 65% density centrifugation; (3) samples with round cells <1 × 10 /ml unprocessed; and (4) samples with round cells <1 × 10 /ml processed by 65% density centrifugation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Aberrant expression of seminal plasma proteins are associated with altered homeostasis that may affect the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. However, the precise roles of seminal exosomes on sperm function remain unclear. The objective of this study was to identify the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) associated with varicocele-mediated infertility by comparing seminal plasma protein profile of unilateral varicocele patients with proven fertile donors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOxidative stress is considered a major etiology for male infertility, more specifically idiopathic infertility. The causes of seminal oxidative stress can be intrinsic, such as varicocele or due to the presence of active leukocytes and immature germ cells. Reported external causes are smoking, alcohol or exposure to environmental toxins.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn sperm proteomic experiments round cells and leukocyte proteins are profiled along with sperm proteome. The influence of round cell and leukocyte proteins on the sperm proteome has not been investigated. The objective of this study was to identify if the proteins from round cells, including leukocytes, interfere with the proteomic analysis of spermatozoa in frozen semen samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn human sperm proteomic experiments, leukocyte and round cell proteins may contaminate the sperm proteome and affect the bioinformatic results. The main objective of this study was to identify the possible interference of these proteins, especially from leukocytes, in identification of sperm functional pathways through proteomic and bioinformatic tools. We have evaluated the sperm proteome by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in four groups: (1) neat semen with round cells and leukocytes ≥1 × 10/mL; (2) samples with round cells and leukocytes ≥1 × 10/mL processed by 65% density gradient centrifugation; (3) neat semen with round cells <1 × 10/mL; and (4) samples with round cells <1 × 10/mL processed by 65% density gradient centrifugation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMetabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a cluster of conditions that have a negative impact on human health overall. Its prevalence has been rapidly increasing worldwide and has coincided with a global decrease in birth rates and fertility potential. This review aims to address this observation through studying the relationship between MetS and male reproductive health.
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