Search Results (2,325)

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men worldwide. Although traditionally considered a disease of older men, the incidence of early-onset PCa (diagnosis < 55 years) is steadily rising. Advances in screening and therapy have significantly improved survival, creating a growing cohort of younger survivors for whom post-treatment quality of life—notably reproductive function—is paramount. Curative treatments such as radical prostatectomy, pelvic radiotherapy, androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), and chemotherapy often cause irreversible infertility via multiple mechanisms, including surgical disruption of the ejaculatory tract, endocrine suppression of spermatogenesis, direct gonadotoxic injury to the testes, and oxidative sperm DNA damage. Despite these risks, fertility preservation is frequently overlooked in pre-treatment counseling, leaving many patients unaware of their options. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on how PCa therapies impact male fertility, elucidates the molecular and physiological mechanisms of iatrogenic infertility, and evaluates both established and emerging strategies for fertility preservation and restoration. Key interventions covered include sperm cryopreservation, microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (TESE), and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Psychosocial factors influencing decision-making, novel biomarkers predictive of post-treatment spermatogenic recovery, and long-term offspring outcomes are also examined. The review underscores the urgent need for timely, multidisciplinary fertility consultation as a routine component of PCa care. As PCa increasingly affects men in their reproductive years, proactively integrating preservation into standard oncologic practice should become a standard survivorship priority. Full article

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are a cervid species native to the Americas with ecological, social, and economic significance. Managers must consider several factors when working to maintain the health and sustainability of these wild herds, including reproduction, particularly pregnancy and recruitment rates. White-tailed deer have a variable reproductive capacity, with age, health, and habitat influencing this variability. However, it is unknown whether chronic wasting disease (CWD) impacts reproduction and, more specifically, if CWD infection alters a female deer’s probability of pregnancy. Our study addressed this question using data from 9783 female deer culled in northern Illinois between 2003 and 2023 as part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ ongoing CWD management program. Multilevel Bayesian logistic regression was employed to quantify the relationship between pregnancy probability and covariates like maternal age, deer population density, and date of culling. Maternal infection with CWD was found to have no significant effect on pregnancy probability, raising concerns that the equal ability of infected and non-infected females to reproduce could make breeding, which inherently involves close physical contact, an important source of disease transmission between males and females and females and their fawns. The results also identified that female fawns (<1 year old) are sensitive to county-level deer land cover utility (LCU) and deer population density, and that there was no significant difference in how yearlings (1–2 years old) and adult (2+ years old) responded to these variables. Full article

Background: Asprosin is a relatively recently discovered glucogenic adipokine secreted during fasting that plays an important role in various biochemical processes in the body, including those connected with obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the associations between selected hormonal, anthropometric, and lifestyle-related parameters and serum asprosin concentration. As studies concerning fertility and asprosin have so far been limited to men or women with PCOS, its role in the general female population remains largely unexplored. The direction of this exploration was thus pointed toward possible connections with female fertility. Methods: The case-control study group included 56 women of reproductive age (25–42 years), who were patients of the Reproductive Health Clinic and the Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Internal Medicine of the Medical University of Białystok, Poland. The levels of selected hormones, including anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and testosterone, body composition parameters, and a lifestyle parameter—night fasting duration—were assessed to test their associations with serum asprosin concentration. Results: A weak negative correlation was found between AMH level and serum asprosin concentration, suggesting a potential link between asprosin and ovarian reserve. Furthermore, a moderate positive correlation was found between the percentage of total body water (TBW) and serum asprosin concentration. No significant associations were observed between the levels of the other tested hormones and serum asprosin concentration, or between body composition parameters or night fasting duration and serum asprosin concentration. The multivariate model designed in the study shows that AMH, TBW, and night fasting duration explain 23.4% of asprosin variability. Conclusions: Although the nature of the study is exploratory, the findings indicate that the role of asprosin in the female population—particularly its role in fertility—requires further research. Not only is the number of available studies on asprosin insufficient, but the results of this study partly contradict what is known about the hormone from previous studies, which were largely performed with male cohorts. In addition, the results of this study suggest that asprosin may indeed be involved in mechanisms related to female fertility, particularly those connected with ovarian reserve. Nevertheless, studies performed in larger, more homogeneous populations are necessary to confirm the role of asprosin in women, including its association with female fertility. Full article

The prostate gland, a male accessory reproductive organ, is regulated by hormonal inputs and autonomic innervation from the major pelvic ganglion. This study examined the effects of major pelvic ganglion denervation on prostate histology, immune cell infiltration, and systemic levels of prolactin, testosterone, and cytokines in rats. Male Wistar rats (300–350 g) were divided into groups receiving bilateral axotomy of the hypogastric nerve, the pelvic nerve, or both, alongside with a sham-operated control. After 15 days, the animals were killed, and prostate tissue was dissociated in DMEM medium containing DNase I and collagenase. The dissociated cells were stained with fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies, and cell characterization was performed using a flow cytometer. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to analyze histological characteristics, while testosterone, prolactin, and interleukin levels were measured via ELISA. Histological analysis revealed inflammatory atypical hypertrophy e hiperplasia. Immunological assessments demonstrated increased leukocytes, T lymphocytes (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺), B lymphocytes, and macrophages following double nerve axotomy. Serum analyses showed elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ, as well as anti-inflammatory IL-10, in denervated animals. Hormonal assessments revealed significant increases in serum prolactin and testosterone levels after double axotomy. Loss of neural control may promote pathological prostate changes via inflammation and hormonal dysregulation, offering insights into neuroimmune and neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying prostate pathologies. Full article

The Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is widely recognized for promoting Müllerian duct regression in higher vertebrates and regulating key reproductive functions like steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, and Leydig cell development. In teleost fish, which lack Müllerian ducts, Amh primarily influences male reproductive functions, including sex determination, testis differentiation, and germ cell proliferation. In adult fish, Amh supports gonad development and spermatogenesis, but its role in teleost gonadal physiology remains largely underexplored. This study reveals a novel steroidogenic function in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) using in vitro testis culture, in vivo plasmid injection, and cell-based transactivation assays. The Amh-induced significant increase in androgen levels was also confirmed in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) treated with recombinant sea bass Amh. Beyond activating the canonical Smad pathway, Amh also triggered the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway via its cognate type II receptor, Amhr2. Inhibitors of these pathways independently and synergistically counteracted Amh-induced CRE-Luc activity, indicating pathway crosstalk. Moreover, inhibition of the cAMP pathway suppressed Amh-induced androgen production in testis cultures, emphasizing the crucial role of protein kinase A in mediating Amh steroidogenic action. These findings uncover a novel steroidogenic function of Amh in teleosts and highlight its broader role in male reproductive physiology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Male infertility is a major health concern with a complex etiopathology, yet a substantial proportion of cases remain idiopathic. Mitochondrial dysfunction and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) deregulation have both been implicated in impaired spermatogenesis, but their interplay remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify infertility-specific variants in ncRNAs that affect mitochondrial dynamics and homeostasis and to explore their roles. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on genomic DNA samples from teratozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, oligozoospermic, and normozoospermic men. Variants uniquely present in infertile individuals and mapped to ncRNAs that affect mitochondrial dynamics were selected and prioritized using bioinformatics tools. An independent transcriptomic validation was conducted using RNA-sequencing data from testicular biopsies of men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) to determine whether the ncRNAs harboring WGS-derived variants were transcriptionally altered. Results: We identified several infertility-specific variants located in lncRNAs known to interact with mitochondrial regulators, including GAS5, HOTAIR, PVT1, MEG3, and CDKN2B-AS1. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed significant deregulation of these lncRNAs in azoospermic testicular samples. Bioinformatic analysis also implicated the disruption of lncRNA–miRNA–mitochondria networks, potentially contributing to mitochondrial membrane potential loss, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, impaired mitophagy, and germ cell apoptosis. Conclusions: Our integrative genomic and transcriptomic analysis highlights lncRNA–mitochondrial gene interactions as a novel regulatory layer in male infertility, while the identified lncRNAs hold promise as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, future functional studies are warranted to elucidate their mechanistic roles and potential for clinical translation in reproductive medicine. Full article

Male infertility is a multifactorial condition often associated with disruptions in sperm metabolism and mitochondrial function, yet traditional semen analysis provides limited insight into these molecular mechanisms. Understanding sperm bioenergetics and metabolic dysfunctions is crucial for improving the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as asthenozoospermia and azoospermia. This systematic review synthesizes recent literature, focusing on advanced tools and techniques—including omics technologies, advanced imaging, spectroscopy, and functional assays—that enable comprehensive molecular assessment of sperm metabolism and development. The reviewed studies highlight the effectiveness of metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics in identifying metabolic biomarkers linked to male infertility. Non-invasive imaging modalities such as Raman and magnetic resonance spectroscopy offer real-time metabolic profiling, while the seminal microbiome is increasingly recognized for its role in modulating sperm metabolic health. Despite these advances, challenges remain in clinical validation and implementation of these techniques in routine infertility diagnostics. Integrating molecular metabolic assessments with conventional semen analysis promises enhanced diagnostic precision and personalized therapeutic approaches, ultimately improving reproductive outcomes. Continued research is needed to standardize biomarkers and validate clinical utility. Furthermore, these metabolic tools hold significant potential to elucidate the underlying causes of previously misunderstood and unexplained infertility cases, offering new avenues for diagnosis and treatment. Full article

The mountainous rivers of Central Asia host diverse ichthyofauna threatened by increasing anthropogenic pressures, particularly water pollution, abstraction, and hydropower development. This study provides valuable morphometric and ecological data for Schizothorax eurycephalus (snow trout) and Triplophysa ferganaensis (stone loach) in the Shakhimardan River basin, Uzbekistan. S. eurycephalus exhibited positive allometric growth, while T. ferganaensis showed negative near-isometric growth. The mean Fulton’s Condition Factor was 1.0 for S. eurycephalus and 0.7 for T. ferganaensis, with site-specific variations. Strong correlations among morphometric parameters, particularly length–height relationships, support non-invasive monitoring techniques. Dietary analysis revealed S. eurycephalus was predominantly herbivorous, with around 70% algae consumption. Early sexual maturity was observed in S. eurycephalus males, whereas T. ferganaensis showed no clear maturity signs, but swollen bellies suggested ongoing or recent reproductive activity. These baseline morphometric and ecological data establish a solid foundation for future ecological assessments, conservation strategies, and the design and monitoring of mitigation measures to address anthropogenic impacts in this vulnerable region. Full article

This review explores sexual aggression in broiler breeder males, aiming to synthesize existing scientific evidence regarding its causes, behavioral manifestations, and consequences, while addressing the genetic, neuroendocrine, and environmental mechanisms involved. Through an extensive analysis of scientific literature, the paper highlights that intensive genetic selection aimed at enhancing growth and productivity has resulted in unintended behavioral dysfunctions. These include the reduction or absence of courtship behavior, the occurrence of forced copulations, and a notable increase in injury rates among hens. Reproductive challenges observed in meat-type breeder flocks, in contrast to those in layer lines, appear to stem from selection practices that have overlooked traits related to mating behavior. Environmental and managerial conditions, including photoperiod manipulation, stocking density, nutritional imbalances, and the use of mixed-sex rearing systems, are also identified as contributing factors to the expression of sexual aggression. Furthermore, recent genetic findings indicate a potential link between inherited neurobehavioral factors and aggressive behavior, with the SORCS2 gene emerging as a relevant candidate. Based on these insights, the review emphasizes the importance of considering behavioral parameters in breeding programs in order to reconcile productivity objectives with animal welfare standards. Future research may benefit from a more integrative approach that combines behavioral, physiological, and genomic data to better understand and address the multifactorial nature of sexual aggression in poultry systems. Full article

Varicocele is a common, potentially correctable condition associated with impaired male fertility. Despite being frequently encountered in clinical andrology, its pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic approaches remain areas of active investigation and debate. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search, using the PubMed database, covering clinical studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and current international guidelines from the past ten years. Emphasis was placed on studies investigating novel diagnostic modalities, therapeutic innovations, and prognostic markers. Emerging evidence supports the multifactorial pathophysiology of varicocele, involving oxidative stress, hypoxia, inflammatory pathways, and potential genetic predisposition. Biomarkers, including microRNAs, antisperm antibodies, and sperm DNA fragmentation, offer diagnostic and prognostic utility, though their routine clinical implementation requires further validation. Advances in imaging, such as shear wave elastography, may improve diagnostic accuracy. While microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy remains the gold standard, technological refinements and non-surgical alternatives are being explored. Indications for treatment have expanded to include selected cases of non-obstructive azoospermia, hypogonadism, and optimization for assisted reproduction, though high-level evidence is limited. Full article

Objectives: Parental exposure to tobacco smoke is a significant public health concern, with over 1.1 billion smokers worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of maternal, paternal, and dual-parental cigarette smoke exposure on offspring reproductive health. Methods: Original human clinical and animal research studies were included; titles and abstracts were manually scanned for relevance to the effect of parental smoking on offspring reproductive outcomes (Date of search:18/03/2025). Results: This systematic review incorporates 30 studies identified from three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus). The results indicate that male offspring exhibit reduced spermatogenic capacity, characterized by decreased testicular size, lower sperm count, and impaired hormonal biosynthesis, with reductions of 30–40% in sperm production. Dual-parental smoking exacerbates these effects, with sperm counts averaging 85 million per ml in human male offspring from dual-smoking households, compared to 111 million per ml in single-smoking households. Animal studies provide mechanistic insights, revealing reduced testis weight in nicotine-exposed male rats and increased oxidative stress in offspring. Conclusions: This review highlights the dose-dependent and sex-specific effects of smoking on the fertility of offspring and underscores the need for standardized protocols to enhance the consistency and comparability of future research in both human and animal studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Infertility, defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after one year of regular unprotected intercourse, represents a significant global health challenge, with male factors contributing to approximately 50% of cases. In this epidemiological context, both primary male infertility (the inability to conceive a first child) and secondary male infertility (which occurs when a man who has already fathered a child faces difficulty conceiving again) remain poorly understood at the genetic level. This study explored the role of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in mitochondrial genes (MT-ND3, MT-ND4L, and MT-ND4) in primary and secondary male infertility. Methods: This study analyzed the genotype distributions of SNPs in 68 infertile males (49 with primary infertility and 19 with secondary infertility) using Sanger sequencing. Results: Key findings revealed that studied SNPs were significantly associated with infertility type. Specifically, rs2857285 (T>C,G) in the ND4 gene showed a significant correlation (p = 0.023) with the TT genotype, which is prominent in primary infertility. Another SNP, rs28358279 (T>A,C) in the ND4L gene, also demonstrated a significant correlation (p = 0.046) with the TT genotype, being more common in primary infertility. In addition, rs869096886 (A>G) in the ND4 gene had a borderline correlation (p = 0.051), indicating a possible association between this SNP and reproductive duration. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the potential relevance of mitochondrial malfunction in male infertility, specifically the effects of studied SNPs on sperm survival and function over time. These findings suggest that certain mitochondrial SNPs might be potential biomarkers for infertility risk. Larger studies are needed to confirm these associations and examine the functional effects of these SNPs. Combining genetic analysis with environmental and lifestyle factors could enhance our understanding of male infertility and improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Full article

To achieve the goals of productivity and sustainability across diverse livestock systems, reproductive factors play a pivotal role. Historically, reproductive research has primarily focused on females, as they are responsible for maintaining pregnancy and delivering offspring following oocyte fertilization. However, since the early 2000s, the biological significance of sperm RNAs has been increasingly recognized in various livestock species. These RNAs contribute both genetically and epigenetically at the time of fertilization and during early embryonic development. Multiple types of sperm RNA have been identified in bovine, porcine, ovine, buffalo, and caprine spermatozoa. Notably, transcriptomic profiling has shown potential to differentiate between high- and low-fertility males, even when conventional semen quality values appear normal in both groups. This opens the possibility for more accurate identification of highly fertile sires. Nevertheless, a definitive marker or set of markers has yet to be established, likely due to the transcriptome’s sensitivity to environmental conditions and to the variability in evaluation methodologies. Therefore, global scientific efforts should aim to establish standardized, robust protocols, as sperm RNA represents a promising avenue for enhancing the sustainability of animal production systems. Full article

Fish coloration plays an important role in reproduction and camouflage, yet capturing color variation under field conditions remains challenging. We present a standardized, semi-automated protocol for measuring body coloration in the popular model fish threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Individuals are photographed in a controlled light box within minutes of capture, and color is sampled from eight anatomically defined standard sites in human-perception-based CIELAB space. Analyses combine univariate color metrics, multivariate statistics, and the ΔE* perceptual difference index to detect subtle shifts in hue and brightness. Validation on pre-spawning fish shows the method reliably distinguishes males and females well before full breeding colors develop. Although it currently omits ultraviolet signals and fine-scale patterning, the approach scales efficiently to large sample sizes and varying lighting conditions, making it well suited for population-level surveys of camouflage dynamics, sexual dimorphism, and environmental influences on coloration in sticklebacks. Full article

Background: The advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment have significantly improved survival rates in pediatric patients, with five-year survival now exceeding 80% in many high-income countries. However, these life-saving therapies often carry long-term consequences, including impaired fertility. The reproductive health of childhood cancer survivors has emerged as a key issue in survivorship care. Objective: This narrative review aims to examine the gonadotoxic effects of cancer treatments on pediatric patients, evaluate fertility preservation strategies in both males and females, and provide guidance on the long-term monitoring of reproductive function post treatment. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, including randomized trials, cohort studies, and clinical guidelines published up to March 2024. The keywords focused on pediatric oncology, fertility, and reproductive endocrinology. Studies were selected based on relevance to treatment-related gonadotoxicity, fertility preservation options, and follow-up care. Results: Radiotherapy and alkylating agents pose the highest risk to fertility. Postpubertal patients have access to standardized preservation techniques, while prepubertal options remain experimental. Long-term effects include premature ovarian insufficiency, azoospermia, hypogonadism, and uterine dysfunction. The psychosocial impacts, especially in female survivors, are profound and often overlooked. Conclusions: Fertility preservation should be discussed at diagnosis and integrated into treatment planning in pediatric patients with cancer. While options for postpubertal patients are established, more research is needed to validate safe and effective strategies for younger populations. A multidisciplinary approach and long-term surveillance are essential for safeguarding future reproductive potential in childhood cancer survivors. Full article