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We invite you to read a selection of papers that have been published in foreign academic journals. You can follow the attached external link to the original source for the full text.
Effects of alcohol use on sperm chromatin structure, a retrospective analysis
Authors: Trautman A., Gurumoorthy A., Hansen K.A.
Journal: Basic and Clinical Andrology
Year: 2023, Vol.: 33, Issue: 1
License: Reproduced with permission of SNCSC
Cite as:
1) Trautman, A., Gurumoorthy, A., & Hansen, K. A. (2023). Effects of alcohol use on sperm chromatin structure, a retrospective analysis. Basic and clinical andrology, 33(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-023-00189-9 [APA]
2) Trautman A, Gurumoorthy A, Hansen KA. Effects of alcohol use on sperm chromatin structure, a retrospective analysis. Basic Clin Androl. 2023 Jun 8;33(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s12610-023-00189-9. [NLM]
Full-text link: Effects of alcohol use on sperm chromatin structure, a retrospective analysis | Basic and Clinical Andrology | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)
Abstract
Background. The evaluation of the infertile couple is often complex as multiple factors in both the male and female can contribute, including social history. Previous studies have displayed that male ethanol consumption can disturb sperm motility, nuclear maturity, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of male alcohol use on sperm chromatin structure analysis (SCSA®). This study was a retrospective chart review of 209 couples that presented to a midsize infertility clinic in the Midwest and had a semen analysis and SCSA® performed. Data extracted from the electronic medical record included demographics, tobacco use, alcohol use, occupational exposures, semen analysis results, and SCSA® results (DNA Fragmentation index (DFI) and High DNA stainability (HDS)). Statistical analysis was performed on this data set to determine significance with a p-level of 0.05, with the primary input being level of alcohol use and primary outcome being the SCSA® parameters.
Results. Overall, 11% of the cohort had heavy alcohol use (>10 drinks/week), 27% moderate (3 –10/week), 34% rare (0.5 – < 3/week), and 28% none. 36% of the cohort had HDS > 10% (a marker of immature sperm chromatin). Level of alcohol use was not significantly associated with HDS > 10% or DFI. Heavier alcohol use was significantly associated with lower sperm count (p = 0.042). Increasing age was significantly associated with increasing DNA Fragmentation Index (p = 0.006), increased sperm count (p = 0.002), and lower semen volume (p = 0.022). Exposure to heat at work was significantly associated with lower semen volume (p = 0.042). Tobacco use was associated with lower sperm motility (p < 0.0001) and lower sperm count (p = 0.002).
Conclusions. There was not a significant association between the level of alcohol use and the High DNA Stainability or DNA Fragmentation Index of sperm. Increasing age was associated with semen parameters as expected, heat exposure was associated with lower semen volume, and tobacco use was associated with lower sperm motility and density. Further studies could investigate alcohol use and reactive oxidative species in sperm.
Effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dong L., Yang F., Li J., Li Y., Yu X., Zhang X.
Journal: Basic and Clinical Andrology
Year: 2022, Vol.: 32, Issue: 1
License: Reproduced with permission of SNCSC
Cite as:
1) Dong, L., Yang, F., Li, J., Li, Y., Yu, X., & Zhang, X. (2022). Effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Basic and clinical andrology, 32(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-022-00173-9 [APA]
2) Dong L, Yang F, Li J, Li Y, Yu X, Zhang X. Effect of oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on sperm parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Basic Clin Androl. 2022;32(1):23. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-022-00173-9 [NLM]
Abstract
Background. Male fertility has gradually become a worldwide problem with limitations in the treatment. Alpha-lipoic acid has been applied to improve the quality of sperm in clinical practice. However, there was currently no high quality of systematic review to evaluate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on sperm parameters.
Material and methods. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.org, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, China Biology Medicine Database, etc., were retrieved. Related randomized controlled trials had been collected and selected up to March 10, 2022. English literature and Chinese literature were searched using terms including “male infertility”, “semen”, “sperm”, “alpha-lipoid acid”, “α-lipoid acid”, “alpha lipoid acid”, “thioctic acid”. All statistical analyses were conducted by RevMan 5.3.
Results. A total of 133 participants in three studies included. Compared with sham therapy, treated with alpha-lipoic acid has significant improvement in the following sperm parameters, including abnormal sperm forms (mean difference[MD] = -1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.29 –0.84, p < 0.00001), sperm concentration (MD = 3.98, 95%CI = 2.28 – 5.67, p < 0.00001), sperm total motility (grade a+b+c) (MD = 6.68, 95%CI = 4.88 – 8.48, p < 0.00001) and progressive motility(grade a+b) (MD = 6.90, 95%CI = 5.62–8.17, p < 0.00001) and semen volume (MD = -0.17, 95%CI = -0.31 – 0.02, p = 0.03).
Conclusions. In this meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials, compared with other treatments, alpha-lipoic acid could improve normal sperm forms, sperm concentration, sperm total motility and progressive motility, but more stringent randomized controlled trials must be conducted.
Impact of metabolic syndrome on the viability of human spermatozoa: a cross-sectional descriptive study in men from infertile couples
Authors: Le M.T., Nguyen H.T.T., Dang H.N.T., Nguyen T.T.T., Van Nguyen T., Nguyen Q.H.V.
Journal: Basic and Clinical Andrology
Year: 2021, Vol.: 31, Issue: 1
License: Reproduced with permission of SNCSC
Cite as:
1) Le, M. T., Nguyen, H. T. T., Dang, H. N. T., Nguyen, T. T. T., Van Nguyen, T., & Nguyen, Q. H. V. (2021). Impact of metabolic syndrome on the viability of human spermatozoa: a cross-sectional descriptive study in men from infertile couples. Basic and clinical andrology, 31(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-021-00142-8 [APA]
2) Le MT, Nguyen HTT, Dang HNT, Nguyen TTT, Van Nguyen T, Nguyen QHV. Impact of metabolic syndrome on the viability of human spermatozoa: a cross-sectional descriptive study in men from infertile couples. Basic Clin Androl. 2021 Oct 7;31(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s12610-021-00142-8. PMID: 34615459; PMCID: PMC8495980. [NLM]
Abstract
Background. A direct association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and sperm production/function has been proposed. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the impact of MetS on sperm survival. Men from infertile couples treated at Hue University Hospital, Vietnam, were enrolled in this study, which spanned the October 2018 to October 2020 period. The general characteristics of the patients, including body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), the levels of different biochemicals, and semen parameters were determined, and sperm survival tests (SSTs) were performed. The modified National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III for the Asian population was used for MetS diagnosis.
Results. Men with an abnormal waist circumference (≥ 90 cm) showed a higher rate of abnormal SST results (30.1% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.012). The frequency of abnormal SST results in patients with MetS (72.3%) was significantly higher than that in individuals without MetS (53.4%) (p = 0.02). Furthermore, the percentage of abnormal SST results in patients with MetS and with BMI ≥ 23 was significantly higher than those in individuals without MetS (77.1% vs. 55.2%, p = 0.03). Weak negative correlations were also observed between the patients’ age and the SST results.
Conclusion. Sperm viability was lower in men with MetS. We also observed that age and BMI were independent factors associated with abnormal SST.
Effect of androgens on Sertoli cell maturation in human testis from birth to puberty
Authors: Lapoirie M., Dijoud F., Lejeune H., Plotton I.
Journal: Basic and Clinical Andrology
Year: 2021, Vol.: 31, Issue: 1
License: Reproduced with permission of SNCSC
Cite as:
1) Lapoirie, M., Dijoud, F., Lejeune, H., & Plotton, I. (2021). Effect of androgens on Sertoli cell maturation in human testis from birth to puberty. Basic and clinical andrology, 31(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-021-00150-8 [APA]
2) Lapoirie M, Dijoud F, Lejeune H, Plotton I. Effect of androgens on Sertoli cell maturation in human testis from birth to puberty. Basic Clin Androl. 2021 Dec 14;31(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s12610-021-00150-8. PMID: 34906089; PMCID: PMC8670046. [NLM]
Abstract
Background. Androgens are well known to be necessary for spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine Sertoli cell responsiveness to androgens according to age from birth to puberty.
Results. Testicular tissue samples were studied in a population of 84 control boys classified into seven groups according to age: group 1 (1–30 days), group 2 (1–3 months), group 3 (3–6 months), group 4 (0.5–3 years), group 5 (3–6 years), group 6 (6–12 years), and group 7 (12–16 years). We compared these data with those of 2 situations of pathology linked to androgens: 1/premature secretion of testosterone: 4 cases of Leydig cell tumor (LCT) in childhood; and 2 /defect of androgen receptors (AR): 4 cases of complete form of insensitivity to androgen syndrome (CAIS). In control boys, AR immunoreactivity (ir) in Sertoli cells appeared between 4.6 and 10.8 years of age, Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) ir in Sertoli cells disappeared between 9.2 and 10.2 years of age. Connexin 43 (Cx43) ir in Sertoli cells and histological features of the onset of spermatogenesis appeared between 10.8 and 13,8 years of age. Cx43 ir was significantly higher in 12–16 year-olds than in younger boys. In case of CAIS, no spermatogenesis was observed, both AR and Cx43 ir were undetectable and AMH ir was elevated in Sertoli cells even at pubertal age. In the vicinity of LCTs, spermatogenesis occurred and both AR and Cx43 ir were strongly positive and AMH ir in Sertoli cells was low for age.
Conclusions. Androgen action on Sertoli cells is required for onset of spermatogenesis and premature androgen secretion by LCT can induce spermatogenesis in the vicinity of the tumor. AR ir appeared earlier than onset of spermatogenesis, with large interindividual variability. The timing and mechanisms of Sertoli cell responsiveness to androgens are important issues for understanding the induction of spermatogenesis at puberty.
Nose size indicates maximum penile length
Authors: Ikegaya H., Suzuki M., Kondou H., Kawai T., Sato Y., Kitamura T., Kume H.
Journal: Basic and Clinical Andrology
Year: 2021, Vol.: 31, Issue: 1
License: Reproduced with permission of SNCSC
Cite as:
1) Ikegaya, H., Suzuki, M., Kondou, H. et al. Nose size indicates maximum penile length. Basic Clin. Androl. 31, 3 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-021-00121-z [AMA]
2) Ikegaya H, Suzuki M, Kondou H, Kawai T, Sato Y, Kitamura T, Kume H. Nose size indicates maximum penile length. Basic Clin Androl. 2021;31(1):3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-021-00121-z [NLM]
Full-text link: Nose size indicates maximum penile length | Basic and Clinical Andrology | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)
Abstract
Background. In a previous report, we investigated whether the size of male genitalia similarly exposed to serum testosterone during aging could change with age and found that penile length almost stopped increasing during adolescence and decreased in older males. In this report, to determine what factors other than age are related to penile length, we performed a multivariate analysis of the relationships between stretched penile length (SPL) and other measurements of genital organs, nose size, height and body weight in 126 adults in their 30s – 50s.
Results. The most highly correlated factor with SPL was flaccid penile length (r = 0.565, P < 0.0001). The next highest correlation was nose size (r = 0.564, P < 0.0001). The penile stretched rate correlated with FPL (r = -0.690, P < 0.0001) but not with SPL or penile circumference.
Conclusions. The fact that nose size is related to SPL indicates that penile length may not be determined by age, height or body weight but has already been determined before birth.
Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men – a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study
Authors: Isenmann E., Schumann M., Notbohm H.L., Flenker U., Zimmer P.
Journal: Basic and Clinical Andrology
Year: 2021, Vol.: 31, Issue: 1
License: Reproduced with permission of SNCSC
Cite as:
1) Isenmann, E., Schumann, M., Notbohm, H.L. et al. Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men – a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study. Basic Clin. Androl. 31, 32 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12610-021-00148-2 [AMA]
2) Isenmann E, Schumann M, Notbohm HL, Flenker U, Zimmer P. Hormonal response after masturbation in young healthy men - a randomized controlled cross-over pilot study. Basic Clin Androl. 2021;31(1):32. 2021. doi:10.1186/s12610-021-00148-2 [NLM]
Abstract
Background. Hormones like testosterone play a crucial role in performance enhancement and muscle growth. Therefore, various attempts to increase testosterone release and testosterone concentration have been made, especially in the context of resistance training. Among practitioners, sexual activity (coitus and masturbation) a few hours before training is often discussed to result in increases of testosterone concentration and thus promote muscle growth. However, there is no evidence to support this assumption and the kinetics of the testosterone and cortisol response after sexual activity have not been adequately investigated. Therefore, the aim of this pilot-study was to examine the kinetics of hormone concentrations of total testosterone, free testosterone and cortisol and their ratios after masturbation. In a three-arm single blinded cross-over study, the effects of masturbation with visual stimulus were compared to a visual stimulus without masturbation and the natural kinetics in healthy young men.
Results. The results showed a significant between-condition difference in free testosterone concentrations. Masturbation (p < 0.01) and a visual stimulus (p < 0.05) may seem to counteract the circadian drop of free testosterone concentrations over the day. However, no statistical change was observed in the ratios between total testosterone, free testosterone and cortisol.
Conclusions. It can be assumed that masturbation may have a potential effect on free testosterone concentrations but not on hormonal ratios. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.
