Early Embryo Development: What Does Daddy Do?

Infertility represents a major global health challenge, with male infertility accounting for a significant proportion of cases, yet its underlying causes remain elusive in many instances. Traditionally, spermatozoa were viewed merely as DNA carriers, with little consideration given to their role beyond fertilization. Recent research, however, is challenging this view, revealing that spermatozoa are far more than passive delivery vehicles.

Testicular function in postpubertal patients with growth hormone deficiency: A prospective controlled study.

Background: We have previously shown that treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (GH) influences testicular growth in children with GH deficiency (GHD) and have suggested that GH plays a role in testicular growth in childhood. Little evidence is available on testicular function in post-pubertal GHD patients.

Objective: This prospective controlled study was undertaken to evaluate testicular function in patients with GHD.

The influence of seminal microbiota on human testicular steroidogenesis: a prospective study.

Objective: Preclinical evidence has demonstrated that gut microbiota composition can influence steroid hormone biosynthesis and spermatogenesis. This study aims to investigate the association of seminal microbiota and testicular steroidogenesis.

Patients And Methods: One hundred adult eugonadal men were consecutively enrolled.

Molecular insights into Sertoli cell function: how do metabolic disorders in childhood and adolescence affect spermatogonial fate?

Male infertility is a major public health concern globally with unknown etiology in approximately half of cases. The decline in total sperm count over the past four decades and the parallel increase in childhood obesity may suggest an association between these two conditions. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms through which obesity during childhood and adolescence may impair future testicular function.

Obesity and male fertility disorders.

Often associated with obesity, male infertility represents a widespread condition that challenges the wellbeing of the couple. In this article, we provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of studies exploring the association between obesity and male reproductive function, to evaluate the frequency of this association, and establish the effects of increased body weight on conventional and biofunctional sperm parameters and infertility. In an attempt to find possible molecular markers of infertility in obese male patients, the numerous mechanisms responsible for infertility in overweight/obese patients are reviewed in depth.

Sperm-carried IGF2 downregulated the expression of mitogens produced by Sertoli cells: A paracrine mechanism for regulating spermatogenesis?

Introduction: Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) mRNA has been found in human and mouse spermatozoa. It is currently unknown whether the IGF2 protein is expressed in human spermatozoa and, if so, its possible role in the cross-talk between germ and Sertoli cells (SCs) during spermatogenesis.

Methods: To accomplish this, we analyzed sperm samples from four consecutive Caucasian men.