The Effects of Varicocele Repair on Testicular Sperm Retrieval, Sperm Recovery in the Ejaculate and Clinical Pregnancy Rates in Non-Obstructive Azoospermic Men with Clinical Varicocele: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: The role of varicocele repair (VR) in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and varicocele is controversial in the current guidelines, despite available studies. This study aims to assess the impact of VR on testicular sperm retrieval, sperm recovery from the ejaculate, and clinical pregnancy rates in infertile men with NOA and clinical varicocele through a systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) of controlled studies.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using the Scopus and PubMed databases up to November 2023.

Mapping the Scientometric Landscape of Andrology: Trends, Gaps, and Future Directions in Male Reproductive Health: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: This scoping review examines the extent and focus of scientometric studies on male infertility and male sexual dysfunctions (MSDs) while assessing gaps in the current research. It highlights contributions from leading countries, institutions, and authors and identifies important emerging areas of research in male infertility and MSDs.

Materials And Methods: A literature search was performed using Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), Scopus, and PubMed following the methodological framework of a scoping review.

The Global State of Contemporary Andrology Practice: A Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Practice, Training Pathways, and Emerging Challenges.

Purpose: This study evaluates the current state of andrology practice worldwide, identifies challenges faced by clinicians, and explores training, certification, and research opportunities. It also seeks to redefine the qualifications necessary to be recognized as an andrologist and to propose areas for standardization and improvement.

Materials And Methods: A global, cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 48-question online questionnaire designed by international experts.

Global Andrology Forum (GAF) Clinical Guidelines on the Management of Non-obstructive Azoospermia: Bridging the Gap between Controversy and Consensus.

Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to testicular failure, is observed in 5% to 15% of infertile men and accounts for two-thirds of azoospermia cases. The management of NOA is marked by significant controversy and global variation in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, highlighting the crucial need for well-designed and standardized clinical practice guidelines. We present comprehensive graded clinical practice recommendations and statements for diagnosing and treating NOA, aiming to establish standardized strategies that can globally help guide practitioners in their practice.

Global Andrology Forum Clinical Guidelines on the Relevance of Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Reproductive Medicine.

Purpose: To evaluate the evidence on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and its clinical applications in reproductive medicine, highlighting benefits, limitations, and guidelines for its use to assist clinicians in objective decision-making.

Materials And Methods: A multidisciplinary team of clinicians and reproductive experts from the Global Andrology Forum (GAF) reviewed the latest evidence on SDF, covering indications, testing methods, recurrent pregnancy loss, varicocele and its repair, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), treatment of associated conditions, antioxidant therapy, and sperm selection for ART. Expert statements and recommendations were developed and graded with the GRADE system using a modified Delphi process.

Catestatin-like immunoreactivity in the skin and related sensory ganglia.

Aim: The chromogranin A-derived peptide catestatin has previously been shown to be a constituent of the sensory innervation of the eye and dental pulp. The antibody used in these studies not only recognizes authentic catestatin but also larger molecules containing the sequence of catestatin. Therefore, the authors now aimed to explore whether there are additional molecular forms present in the rat skin, rat trigeminal ganglion and rat dorsal root ganglia apart from free catestatin.

Global Andrology Forum Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Premature Ejaculation.

Purpose: Premature ejaculation (PE) is a commonly encountered male sexual dysfunction (MSD) with various definitions, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options, leading to significant heterogeneity and controversy in its management. This study aimed to explore the global practice patterns of the diagnosis and management of PE.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional, global, online survey on PE was conducted using a questionnaire developed by an international cohort of experts.

Reducing Quotation Errors in Scientific Manuscripts: A Novel Approach from the Global Andrology Forum.

Purpose: This study investigated 1) the frequency of quotation errors in multi-authored medical manuscripts in andrology, 2) analyzed common types of quotation errors and the methods used to rectify them, and 3) evaluated their impact on manuscript accuracy, credibility, and research conclusions.

Materials And Methods: Twelve manuscripts written by the Global Andrology Forum (GAF) members between 2023 and 2024 were randomly selected for this study. The manuscripts and "Quotation Verification Sheets" were analyzed by senior GAF researchers to detect the number and types of quotation errors.

Clinician's guide to the management of azoospermia induced by exogenous testosterone or anabolic-androgenic steroids.

Azoospermia, defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate, is a well-documented consequence of exogenous testosterone (ET) and anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use. These agents suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, leading to reduced intratesticular testosterone levels and impaired spermatogenesis. This review examines the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying azoospermia and outlines therapeutic strategies for recovery.

Impact of Varicocele Repair on Assisted Reproductive Technique Outcomes in Infertile Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated assisted reproductive technology (ART) success in infertile men with clinical varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocele repair (VR) before the ART procedure as compared to those who did not.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive search of the Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted using a specific query string to identify studies examining the impact of VR on ART outcomes, including fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and live-birth rate, until October 2023. Outcomes were analyzed based on the type of ART.

Technologies to improve sperm retrieval in men undergoing micro-TESE for NOA.

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is considered the most challenging clinical scenario for infertile men and current treatments leave many men unsuccessful at being able to achieve a pregnancy with their partner using their own sperm. Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) is the choice for men with NOA desiring to father children with their own gametes. Micro-TESE results in the highest numbers of sperm cells retrieved for use with in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Impact of Varicocele on Testicular Oxidative Stress and Sperm Parameters in Experimental Animals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Varicocele has been associated with high seminal oxidative stress (OS), impaired semen quality, and reduced male fertility potential. However, the exact mechanism(s) underlying the development of varicocele-mediated infertility and the cause-effect relationship between varicocele and testicular dysfunction are not fully understood. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) is to investigate the impact of varicocele on testicular OS markers and sperm parameters in experimental animals with varicocele as compared to animals without varicocele.

Subsets of preoperative sex hormones in testicular germ cell cancer: a retrospective multicenter study.

Preoperative homeostasis of sex hormones in testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) patients is scarcely characterized. We aimed to explore regulation of sex hormones and their implications for histopathological parameters and prognosis in TGCT using a data-driven explorative approach. Pre-surgery serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and prolactin were measured in a retrospective multicenter TGCT cohort (n = 518).