Stromal vascular fraction(SVF)is a complex mixture derived from adipose tissue,consisting of a variety of cells.Due to its potential for tissue repair,immunomod-ulation,and support of angiogenesis,SVF represents a pro...Stromal vascular fraction(SVF)is a complex mixture derived from adipose tissue,consisting of a variety of cells.Due to its potential for tissue repair,immunomod-ulation,and support of angiogenesis,SVF represents a promising frontier in regenerative medicine and offers potential therapy for a range of disease condi-tions.In this article,we delve into the mechanisms through which SVF exerts its effects and explore its potential applications in treating both male and female reproductive disorders,including erectile dysfunction,testicular injury,stress urinary incontinence and intrauterine adhesion.展开更多
Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a widespread global health concern,contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality rates.The metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes can adversely impact the male reprodu...Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a widespread global health concern,contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality rates.The metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes can adversely impact the male reproductive system,leading to reduced fertility.This review offers an in-depth evaluation of recent global research exploring the impact of diabetes on male reproductive health.Relevant experimental and clinical studies were identified,with a focus on diabetes-related effects on reproductive organs,hormones,and sexual function.The review highlights that insulin deficiency and resistance in diabetic conditions disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,reducing levels of key reproductive hormones such as gonadotropin releasing hormone,luteinizing hormone,follicle stimulating hormone,and testosterone.These hormonal disruptions lead to structural and functional damage in reproductive organs including the testes,Sertoli cells,epididymis,sperm,and accessory glands.Moreover,diabetes contributes to erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions.Various pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress,hormonal imbalances,germ cell apoptosis,autophagy,mitochondrial dysfunction,and endoplasmic reticulum stress are identified as underlying contributors to diabetes-induced male infertility.The findings of this review provide valuable insights into the complex mechanisms by which diabetes affects the male reproductive function.By integrating current research,it highlights the critical need for further studies and the development of targeted therapies to effectively address diabetes-induced infertility.展开更多
Ovarian aging is characterized by a progressive decline in oocyte quality and quantity with age.Icariin(ICA),a flavonoid compound derived from Epimedium species,has demonstrated potential as an agent for ovarian resto...Ovarian aging is characterized by a progressive decline in oocyte quality and quantity with age.Icariin(ICA),a flavonoid compound derived from Epimedium species,has demonstrated potential as an agent for ovarian restoration.In this study,a subcutaneous implantation system using gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)hydrogel embedded with ICA was developed to restore ovarian function in aged female mice.Mice were assigned to receive subcutaneous implantation of GelMA alone(GelMA group),GelMA containing ICA(GelMA/ICA group),or a sham operation.Ovarian morphology,serum hormone levels,follicle counts across developmental stages,and reproductive outcomes were evaluated.In vitro fertilization(IVF)and embryo culture assays were performed to assess oocyte developmental potential,while a 10 day natural mating trial was conducted to determine fertility restoration.RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)and RT-qPCR were performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.Results showed that GelMA/ICA treatment significantly increased ovarian index(0.19±0.01 vs.0.13±0.01,P<0.0001)and follicle numbers at all developmental stages,including primordial(383.33±151.65 vs.107.14±32.26,P<0.0001),primary(203.33±83.22 vs.91.43±27.04,P=0.003),and secondary follicles(154.17±52.00 vs.59.28±20.50,P=0.029)compared to the sham controls.Hormonal analyses revealed a significant reduction in serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH,11.97±3.53 vs.53.10±17.89 ng/mL,P=0.0008),accompanied by elevated anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH,22.97±2.26 vs.5.54±1.56 ng/mL,P<0.0001)and estradiol(E2,315.30±37.62 vs.168.5±14.78 pg/mL,P<0.0001).Oocyte yield and developmental potential improved significantly,as reflected by the increased number of superovulated MII oocytes(17.83±5.15 vs.4.83±4.79,P=0.0002),and higher proportions of two-cell(85.90%±6.16%vs.50.00%±10.00%,P=0.0009),four-cell(81.67%±9.76%vs.50.00%±10.00%,P=0.0061),and blastocyst stage embryos(64.25%±10.55%vs.23.33%±15.28%,P=0.0067).Live birth numbers were significantly increased following GelMA/ICA treatment(6.90±3.21 vs.1.72±2.05,P=0.0001).Transcriptomic analysis revealed up-regulation of genes associated with cytoskeletal organization(Vil1,Tubb3),lipid storage(Soat2,Plin4),oocyte maturation(Oosp2),and cytokine secretion(Cxcl12).Collectively,these findings suggest that GelMA/ICA hydrogels effectively reverse key hallmarks of ovarian aging and restore reproductive function in aged mice,offering a promising platform for fertility preservation and a novel therapeutic for future investigations into ovarian aging.展开更多
A progressive decline in fertility is a well-documented aspect of female aging and is associated with a range of cellular and molecular alterations,including genomic instability and modifications in epigenetic regulat...A progressive decline in fertility is a well-documented aspect of female aging and is associated with a range of cellular and molecular alterations,including genomic instability and modifications in epigenetic regulation.Epigenetic clocks,which estimate biological age based on DNA methylation patterns,have been extensively utilized to evaluate general health status and the risk of various diseases.Despite their broad application,the utility of epigenetic clocks in assessing female reproductive health remains only partially characterized.This minireview consolidates recent advancements in the application of epigenetic clocks to evaluate the functional status of the female reproductive system.The objective is to investigate their potential for quantifying and predicting the biological age of reproductive tissues,thereby establishing a theoretical basis for clinical applications in reproductive medicine.To date,no comprehensive minireview has systematically examined multi-tissue epigenetic clock models in the context of female reproductive aging,positioning this minireview as a novel contribution to the field.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the impact of a group embryo culture approach for women of advanced age.Methods:In this prospective study,two embryo culturing strategies—group and individual—were compared in women who were ol...Objective:To evaluate the impact of a group embryo culture approach for women of advanced age.Methods:In this prospective study,two embryo culturing strategies—group and individual—were compared in women who were older(≥35 years)and younger(<35 years).Data was collected from 450 embryos over 291 intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles performed on 291 patients.A grouped embryo culture group and an individual embryo culture group were generated by selecting the zygotes into two groups based on the type of culture that was used.The main outcomes compared between the groups were the pregnancy and the live birth rates.Results:The pregnancy,and live births rates were significantly higher when group culture was carried out in an advanced-aged women group(41.5%vs.25.0%,P=0.04;14.3%vs.6.6%,P=0.04;respectively).Similarly,the cleavage rate was better in the same group(98.6%vs.91.2%,P=0.001).However,in the group of young women,there were not significant differences in these rates.Conclusions:Group embryo culturing seems to be a promising strategy to improve embryo development and live births for patients over 35 years of age.展开更多
Aim： To promote the provision of reproductive health services to young people by exploring the attitudes and perceptions of university students in Shanghai, China, toward reproductive health. Methods： From July 2004...Aim： To promote the provision of reproductive health services to young people by exploring the attitudes and perceptions of university students in Shanghai, China, toward reproductive health. Methods： From July 2004 to May 2006, 5 243 students from 14 universities in Shanghai took part in our survey. Topics covered the demands of reproductive health-care services, attitudes towards and experience with sex, exposure to pornographic material, and knowledge on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections （STIs）/AIDS. Results： Of the 5 067 students who provided valid answer sheets, 50.05% were female and 49.95% were male, 14.86% were medical students, and 85.14% had non-medical backgrounds. A total of 38.4% of respondents had received reproductive health education previously. The majority of students supported school-based reproductive health education, and also acquired information about sex predominantly from books, schoolmates, and the Internet. Premarital sexual behavior was opposed by 17.7% of survey participants, and 37.5% could identify all the three types of STIs listed in the questionnaire. Although 83.7% knew how HIV is transmitted, only 55.7% knew when to use a condom and 57.8% knew that the use of condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection. Conclusion： The reproductive health service is lagging behind current attitudes and demands of university students. Although students＇ attitudes towards sexual matters are liberal, their knowledge about reproductive health and STIs/AIDS is still limited. It is therefore necessary to provide effective and confidential reproductive health services to young people.展开更多
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are a typical class of persistent organic pollutants that is ubiquitous worldwide.Previous animal studies suggested that PAHs had adverse effects on female reproduction.However,th...Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are a typical class of persistent organic pollutants that is ubiquitous worldwide.Previous animal studies suggested that PAHs had adverse effects on female reproduction.However,the human data regarding relationship of PAHs exposure with women reproductive health,such as ovarian dysfunction,are scarce.In this case-control study,the associations of serum levels of PAHs with the risk of premature ovarian failure(POF)and reproductive hormones in Chinese women were investigated,with recruiting 157 POF patients and 217 healthy women.The serum levels of 12 types of PAHs,as well as reproductive hormones,including follicle-stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone and anti-mullerian hormone,were determined.In the logistic regression models,most individual PAH congeners showed significantly positive correlations with the risk of POF(p<0.05),except for fluorine and pyrene.Benzo(a)pyrene(BaP),as the most carcinogenic PAH congener,was observed to be significantly positively associated with the risk of POF.After adjustment for age,body mass index,educational levels and household income,per one-unit increase in the log-transformed BaP concentration was significantly correlated with 2.191-fold increased risk of POF(OR=2.191,95%CI:1.634-2.938,p<0.05).To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study to report an association between internal exposure levels of PAHs and the increased risk of POF in women.展开更多
The livestock sector is a vital component of India's agricultural economy,providing essential support to rural communities and ensuring food security.Efficient reproductive performance is critical to sustaining li...The livestock sector is a vital component of India's agricultural economy,providing essential support to rural communities and ensuring food security.Efficient reproductive performance is critical to sustaining livestock productivity,yet age-related declines in both male and female fertility pose significant challenges.The current review highlights that male reproductive efficiency is closely tied to semen quality,which deteriorates with age due to oxidative stress,leading to reduced fertilizing capacity and embryonic developmental potential.Similarly,female reproductive longevity is predominantly influenced by ovarian health,which declines with age due to diminished oocyte quality and quantity.This decline is exacerbated by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction,leading to reproductive senescence and reduced offspring viability.Understanding the mechanisms of reproductive aging and developing strategies to mitigate its effects are crucial for enhancing livestock productivity and sustaining the agrarian economy.展开更多
Icariin is a pure compound derived from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim,and it helps the regulation of male reproduction.Nevertheless,the role and underlying mechanisms of Icariin in mediating male germ cell development re...Icariin is a pure compound derived from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim,and it helps the regulation of male reproduction.Nevertheless,the role and underlying mechanisms of Icariin in mediating male germ cell development remain to be clarified.Here,we have demonstrated that Icariin promoted proliferation and DNA synthesis of mouse spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs).Furthermore,surface plasmon resonance iron(SPRi)and molecular docking(MOE)assays revealed that phosphodiesterase 5A(PDE5A)was an important target of Icariin in mouse SSCs.Mechanically,Icariin decreased the expression level of PDE5A.Interestingly,hydrogen peroxides(H2O2)enhanced the expression level of phosphorylation H2A.X(p-H2A.X),whereas Icariin diminished the expression level of p-H2A.X and DNA damage caused by H2O2 in mouse SSCs.Finally,our in vivo animal study indicated that Icariin protected male reproduction.Collectively,these results implicate that Icariin targets PDE5A to regulate mouse SSC viability and DNA damage and improves male reproductive capacity.This study thus sheds new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying the fate decisions of mammalian SSCs and offers a scientific basis for the clinical application of Icariin in male reproduction.展开更多
Emerging evidence suggests that dietary fats may influence testicular function. However, most of the published literature on this field has used semen quality parameters as the only proxy for testicular function. We e...Emerging evidence suggests that dietary fats may influence testicular function. However, most of the published literature on this field has used semen quality parameters as the only proxy for testicular function. We examined the association of fat intake with circulating reproductive hormone levels and testicular volume among healthy young Spanish men. This is a cross-sectional study among 209 healthy male volunteers conducted between October 2010 and November 2011 in Murcia Region of Spain. Participants completed questionnaires on lifestyle, diet, and smoking, and each underwent a physical examination, and provided a blood sample. Linear regression was used to examine the association between each fatty acid type and reproductive hormone levels and testicular volumes. Monounsaturated fatty acids intake was inversely associated with serum blood levels of calculated free testosterone, total testosterone, and inhibin B. A positive association was observed between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and luteinizing hormone concentrations. In addition, the intake of trans fatty acids was associated with lower total testosterone and calculated free testosterone concentrations （Ptrend = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively）. The intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was positively related to testicular volume while the intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids was inversely related to testicular volume. These data suggest that fat intake, and particularly intake of omega 3, omega 6, and trans fatty acids, may influence testicular function.展开更多
Abstract： With the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology, various reproductive disorders have been effectively addressed. Acupuncture-like therapies, including electroacupuncture （EA） and transcutan...Abstract： With the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology, various reproductive disorders have been effectively addressed. Acupuncture-like therapies, including electroacupuncture （EA） and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation （TEAS）, become more popular world-wide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that EA and TEAS are effective in treating gynecological disorders, especially infertility. This present paper describes how to select acupoints for the treatment of infertility from the view of theories of traditional Chinese medicine and how to determine critical parameters of electric pulses of ENTEAS based on results from animal and clinical studies. It summarizes the principles of clinical application of EA/rEAS in treating various kinds of reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）, pain induced by oocyte retrieval, diminished ovarian reserve, embryo transfer, and oligosperrnia/ asthenospermia. The possible underlying mechanisms mediating the therapeutic effects of EA/TEAS in reproductive medicine are also examined.展开更多
Varicocele affects approximately 35%-40% of men presenting for an infertility evaluation. There is fair evidence indicating that surgical repair of clinical varicocele improves semen parameters, decreases seminal oxid...Varicocele affects approximately 35%-40% of men presenting for an infertility evaluation. There is fair evidence indicating that surgical repair of clinical varicocele improves semen parameters, decreases seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation, and increases the chances of natural conception. However, it is unclear whether performing varicocelectomy in men with clinical varicocele prior to assisted reproductive technology （ART） improve treatment outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of varicocelectomy on ART pregnancy outcomes in nonazoospermic infertile men with clinical varicocele. An electronic search was performed to collect all evidence that fitted our eligibility criteria using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until April 2015. Four retrospective studies were included, all of which involved intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, and accounted for 870 cycles （438 subjected to ICSI with prior varicocelectomy, and 432 without prior varicocelectomy）. There was a significant increase in the clinical pregnancy rates （OR = 1.59, 95% CI. 1.19-2.12, 12 = 25%） and live birth rates （OR = 2.17, 95% CI： 1,55-3.06, I^2 = 0%） in the varicocelectomy group compared to the group subjected to ICSI without previous varicocelectomy. Our results indicate that performing varicocelectomy in patients with clinical varicocele prior to ICSI is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes.展开更多
Over the course of the past 35 years,assisted reproductive technologies(ARTs)have been increasingly used worldwide,while debates on their safety have been generated.Birth defects and imprinting disorders were reported...Over the course of the past 35 years,assisted reproductive technologies(ARTs)have been increasingly used worldwide,while debates on their safety have been generated.Birth defects and imprinting disorders were reported in previous research.Thus,the psychological development of children born following ARTs has become a major concern nowadays.This review gives a systematic view of psychological well-being of children conceived by different types of ART,including in vitro fertilization,intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI),preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening,and in vitro maturation.The previous studies are analyzed in three sections:(1)cognitive,motor,and language developments,(2)behavior problems and socio-emotional development,and(3)parent-child relationship.We conclude that although the majority of the studies on cognitive,motor,and language developments reported comparable achievements in the ART group vs.the naturally conceived group,lower intelligence quotient(IQ)scores,worse visual-motor ability or locomotor development,and delayed receptive language competence were found in the ART group.The results on the socio-emotional development were reassuring.As for the behavior problems,a higher prevalence of behavior problems existed in ART children;moreover,ICSI children were found to be at a higher risk of autism than the general population.Meanwhile,ART parents tended to have positive parental attitudes and be more protective of their children.Some suggestions for further research are also given in this review.展开更多
Recent research indicates that the human infertility rate is increasing. Although various reasons have been hypothesized for the growing infertility rate, environmental contaminants are potentially important causal ag...Recent research indicates that the human infertility rate is increasing. Although various reasons have been hypothesized for the growing infertility rate, environmental contaminants are potentially important causal agents associated with this change.Chemical contaminants are widespread throughout our environment and human exposure is virtually unavoidable. The overall contribution of environmental exposure to infertility is unknown, but studies involving occupational exposure, together with results from animal experiments, suggest that environmental contaminants may adversely affect fertility. We reviewed the adverse effects of environmental exposure on fertility and related reproductive outcomes. Environmental contaminants covered in this review include heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides and endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is hoped that this review will highlight the need for further research in this area.展开更多
Environmental contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants （POPs） are man-made bioaccumulative compounds with long half-lives that are found throughout the world as a result of heavy use in a variety of consum...Environmental contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants （POPs） are man-made bioaccumulative compounds with long half-lives that are found throughout the world as a result of heavy use in a variety of consumer products during the twentieth century. Wildlife and animal studies have long suggested adverse effects of exposure to these compounds on human reproductive health, which, according to the endocrine disrupter hypothesis, are ascribed to the compounds＇ potential to interfere with endocrine signaling, especially when exposure occurs during certain phases of fetal and childhood development. An extensive number of epidemiological studies have addressed the possible effects of exposure to POPs on male reproductive health, but the results are conflicting. Thus far, most studies have focused on investigating exposure and the different reproductive health outcomes during adulthood. Some studies have addressed the potential harmful effects of fetal exposure with respect to malformations at birth and/ or reproductive development, whereas only a few studies have been able to evaluate whether intrauterine exposure to POPs has long-term consequences for male reproductive health with measurable effects on semen quality markers and reproductive hormone levels in adulthood. Humans are not exposed to a single compound at a time, but rather, to a variety of different substances with potential divergent hormonal effects. Hence, how to best analyze epidemiological data on combined exposures remains a significant challenge. This review on POPs will focus on current knowledge regarding the potential effects of exposure to POPs during fetal and childhood life and during adulthood on male reproductive health, including a critical revision of the endocrine disruption hypothesis, a comment on pubertal development as part of reproductive development and a comment on how to account for combined exposures in epidemiological research.展开更多
Obesity has a negative effect on male reproductive function. It is associated with low testosterone levels and alteration in gonadotropin secretion. Male obesity has been linked to reduced male fertility. Data regardi...Obesity has a negative effect on male reproductive function. It is associated with low testosterone levels and alteration in gonadotropin secretion. Male obesity has been linked to reduced male fertility. Data regarding the relation of obesity to sperm parameters are conflicting in terms of the nature and magnitude of the effect. New areas of interest are emerging that can help explain the variation in study results, such as genetic polymorphism and sleep apnea. Sleep disorders have been linked to altered testosterone production and hypogonadism in men. It was also correlated to erectile dysfunction. The relation of sleep disorders to male fertility and sperm parameters remains to be investigated. Men with hypogonadism and infertility should be screened for sleep apnea. Treatment of obesity and sleep apnea improves testosterone levels and erectile function.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the impacts of reproductive tract infections （RTIs） intervention on RTIs-related knowledge, attitudes, practices and prevalence of married women at reproductive age. Methods Four sub-districts ...Objective To evaluate the impacts of reproductive tract infections （RTIs） intervention on RTIs-related knowledge, attitudes, practices and prevalence of married women at reproductive age. Methods Four sub-districts from Xuhui district, Shanghai were selected by multistage cluster random sampling and residence committees were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control one. RTIs intervention was implemented in intervention group, while routine family planning program was conducted in control group. Results Compared with control group, intervention group have improved the following targets： the increment of RTI knowledge score was higher than that in control group （OR=9. 22, 95%CI： 7.01 - 2.14）; the increment score of individual health behaviors （6. 31） was higher than that in control group （4.50） （OR=1.60, 95%CI： 1.21 -2.10）; the increase of condom use frequency in intervention group was higher than that in control group （4.12% vs 0.69%） （OR=1.84, 95%CI： 1.31-2.57）; the decreased RTIs rate was higher than that in control group （7.45% vs 0.96%） （OR=0.68, 95%CI： 0.49-0.95）. Conclusion It is an effective way to conduct community-based intervention to increase women＇s RTIs knowledge, improve RTIs-related attitudes, promote good individual health behaviors, so as to decrease RTIs prevalence.展开更多
Obtaining high-quality embryos is one of the key factors to improve the clinical pregnancy rate of assisted reproductive technologies(ART).So far,the clinical evaluation of embryo quality depends on embryo morphology....Obtaining high-quality embryos is one of the key factors to improve the clinical pregnancy rate of assisted reproductive technologies(ART).So far,the clinical evaluation of embryo quality depends on embryo morphology.However,the clinical pregnancy rate is still low.Therefore,new indicators are needed to further improve the evaluation of embryo quality.Several studies have shown that the decrease of sperm-specific protein actin-like 7A(ACTL7A)leaded to low fertilization rate,poor embryo development,and even infertility.The aim of this study was to study whether the different expression levels of ACTL7A on sperm can be used as a biomarker for predicting embryo quality.In this study,excluding the factors of severe female infertility,a total of 281 sperm samples were collected to compare the ACTL7A expression levels of sperms with high and low effective embryo rates and analyze the correlation between protein levels and in-vitro fertilization(IVF)laboratory outcomes.Our results indicated that the ACTL7A levels were significantly reduced in sperm samples presenting poor embryo quality.Furthermore,the protein levels showed a significant correlation with fertilization outcomes of ART.ACTL7A has the potential to be a biomarker for predicting success rate of fertilization and effective embryo and the possibility of embryo arrest.In conclusion,sperm-specific protein ACTL7A has a strong correlation with IVF laboratory outcomes and plays important roles in fertilization and embryo development.展开更多
Aim: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Methods: Worms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single ...Aim: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Methods: Worms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single sub-lethal doses of 0, 80, 150, 300 and 600 mg-kg^(-1) soil. (LD_(50) = 880 mg kg^(-1) soil) and evaluated on days 1, 5, 15 and 30 after exposure. The body weights were recorded and male reproductive organs evaluated. Results: Malathion-treated animals showed a significant reduction in body weight in a dose-dependent manner. Malathion treatment modified the disposition of spermatozoa in the basal epithelium of the spermatheca. The Br-deoxyuridine test showed a significant rise in cells in phase S on days 5 and 15. Also, a higher percentage of spermatogonia with fragmented DNA were observed by means of the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique in the spermatheca of treated animals. Conclusion: Treatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.展开更多
Microplastics(MPs)and nanoplastics(NPs)have become hazardous materials due to the massive amount of plastic waste and disposable masks,but their specific health effects remain uncertain.In this study,fluorescence-labe...Microplastics(MPs)and nanoplastics(NPs)have become hazardous materials due to the massive amount of plastic waste and disposable masks,but their specific health effects remain uncertain.In this study,fluorescence-labeled polystyrene NPs(PS-NPs)were injected into the circulatory systems of mice to determine the distribution and potential toxic effects of NPs in vivo.Interestingly,whole-body imaging found that PS-NPs accumulated in the testes of mice.Therefore,the toxic effects of PS-NPs on the reproduction systems and the spermatocytes cell line of male mice,and their mechanisms,were investigated.After oral exposure to PS-NPs,their spermatogenesis was affected and the spermatogenic cells were damaged.The spermatocyte cell line GC-2 was exposed to PS-NPs and analyzed using RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)to determine the toxic mechanisms;a ferroptosis pathway was found after PS-NP exposure.The phenomena and indicators of ferroptosis were then determined and verified by ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),and it was also found that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)played an important role in spermatogenic cell ferroptosis induced by PS-NPs.Finally,it was confirmed in vivo that this mechanism of Nrf2 played a protective role in PS-NPs-induced male reproductive toxicity.This study demonstrated that PS-NPs induce male reproductive dysfunction in mice by causing spermatogenic cell ferroptosis dependent on Nrf2.展开更多
文摘Stromal vascular fraction(SVF)is a complex mixture derived from adipose tissue,consisting of a variety of cells.Due to its potential for tissue repair,immunomod-ulation,and support of angiogenesis,SVF represents a promising frontier in regenerative medicine and offers potential therapy for a range of disease condi-tions.In this article,we delve into the mechanisms through which SVF exerts its effects and explore its potential applications in treating both male and female reproductive disorders,including erectile dysfunction,testicular injury,stress urinary incontinence and intrauterine adhesion.
文摘Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a widespread global health concern,contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality rates.The metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes can adversely impact the male reproductive system,leading to reduced fertility.This review offers an in-depth evaluation of recent global research exploring the impact of diabetes on male reproductive health.Relevant experimental and clinical studies were identified,with a focus on diabetes-related effects on reproductive organs,hormones,and sexual function.The review highlights that insulin deficiency and resistance in diabetic conditions disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,reducing levels of key reproductive hormones such as gonadotropin releasing hormone,luteinizing hormone,follicle stimulating hormone,and testosterone.These hormonal disruptions lead to structural and functional damage in reproductive organs including the testes,Sertoli cells,epididymis,sperm,and accessory glands.Moreover,diabetes contributes to erectile and ejaculatory dysfunctions.Various pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress,hormonal imbalances,germ cell apoptosis,autophagy,mitochondrial dysfunction,and endoplasmic reticulum stress are identified as underlying contributors to diabetes-induced male infertility.The findings of this review provide valuable insights into the complex mechanisms by which diabetes affects the male reproductive function.By integrating current research,it highlights the critical need for further studies and the development of targeted therapies to effectively address diabetes-induced infertility.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82271671)Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Academic Innovation Peak Fund(2024-DF-02)+4 种基金Clinical Trials from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital(2023-LCYJ-MS-05)Nanjing International Science and Technology Cooperation Program(202201027)to L.D.Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health(SKLRM-2022D2)Changzhou Medical Center of Nanjing Medical University(CMCM202203)Clinical Trials from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital(2022-LCYJ-ZD-02)to H.S.
文摘Ovarian aging is characterized by a progressive decline in oocyte quality and quantity with age.Icariin(ICA),a flavonoid compound derived from Epimedium species,has demonstrated potential as an agent for ovarian restoration.In this study,a subcutaneous implantation system using gelatin methacryloyl(GelMA)hydrogel embedded with ICA was developed to restore ovarian function in aged female mice.Mice were assigned to receive subcutaneous implantation of GelMA alone(GelMA group),GelMA containing ICA(GelMA/ICA group),or a sham operation.Ovarian morphology,serum hormone levels,follicle counts across developmental stages,and reproductive outcomes were evaluated.In vitro fertilization(IVF)and embryo culture assays were performed to assess oocyte developmental potential,while a 10 day natural mating trial was conducted to determine fertility restoration.RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)and RT-qPCR were performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.Results showed that GelMA/ICA treatment significantly increased ovarian index(0.19±0.01 vs.0.13±0.01,P<0.0001)and follicle numbers at all developmental stages,including primordial(383.33±151.65 vs.107.14±32.26,P<0.0001),primary(203.33±83.22 vs.91.43±27.04,P=0.003),and secondary follicles(154.17±52.00 vs.59.28±20.50,P=0.029)compared to the sham controls.Hormonal analyses revealed a significant reduction in serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH,11.97±3.53 vs.53.10±17.89 ng/mL,P=0.0008),accompanied by elevated anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH,22.97±2.26 vs.5.54±1.56 ng/mL,P<0.0001)and estradiol(E2,315.30±37.62 vs.168.5±14.78 pg/mL,P<0.0001).Oocyte yield and developmental potential improved significantly,as reflected by the increased number of superovulated MII oocytes(17.83±5.15 vs.4.83±4.79,P=0.0002),and higher proportions of two-cell(85.90%±6.16%vs.50.00%±10.00%,P=0.0009),four-cell(81.67%±9.76%vs.50.00%±10.00%,P=0.0061),and blastocyst stage embryos(64.25%±10.55%vs.23.33%±15.28%,P=0.0067).Live birth numbers were significantly increased following GelMA/ICA treatment(6.90±3.21 vs.1.72±2.05,P=0.0001).Transcriptomic analysis revealed up-regulation of genes associated with cytoskeletal organization(Vil1,Tubb3),lipid storage(Soat2,Plin4),oocyte maturation(Oosp2),and cytokine secretion(Cxcl12).Collectively,these findings suggest that GelMA/ICA hydrogels effectively reverse key hallmarks of ovarian aging and restore reproductive function in aged mice,offering a promising platform for fertility preservation and a novel therapeutic for future investigations into ovarian aging.
文摘A progressive decline in fertility is a well-documented aspect of female aging and is associated with a range of cellular and molecular alterations,including genomic instability and modifications in epigenetic regulation.Epigenetic clocks,which estimate biological age based on DNA methylation patterns,have been extensively utilized to evaluate general health status and the risk of various diseases.Despite their broad application,the utility of epigenetic clocks in assessing female reproductive health remains only partially characterized.This minireview consolidates recent advancements in the application of epigenetic clocks to evaluate the functional status of the female reproductive system.The objective is to investigate their potential for quantifying and predicting the biological age of reproductive tissues,thereby establishing a theoretical basis for clinical applications in reproductive medicine.To date,no comprehensive minireview has systematically examined multi-tissue epigenetic clock models in the context of female reproductive aging,positioning this minireview as a novel contribution to the field.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the impact of a group embryo culture approach for women of advanced age.Methods:In this prospective study,two embryo culturing strategies—group and individual—were compared in women who were older(≥35 years)and younger(<35 years).Data was collected from 450 embryos over 291 intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)cycles performed on 291 patients.A grouped embryo culture group and an individual embryo culture group were generated by selecting the zygotes into two groups based on the type of culture that was used.The main outcomes compared between the groups were the pregnancy and the live birth rates.Results:The pregnancy,and live births rates were significantly higher when group culture was carried out in an advanced-aged women group(41.5%vs.25.0%,P=0.04;14.3%vs.6.6%,P=0.04;respectively).Similarly,the cleavage rate was better in the same group(98.6%vs.91.2%,P=0.001).However,in the group of young women,there were not significant differences in these rates.Conclusions:Group embryo culturing seems to be a promising strategy to improve embryo development and live births for patients over 35 years of age.
文摘Aim： To promote the provision of reproductive health services to young people by exploring the attitudes and perceptions of university students in Shanghai, China, toward reproductive health. Methods： From July 2004 to May 2006, 5 243 students from 14 universities in Shanghai took part in our survey. Topics covered the demands of reproductive health-care services, attitudes towards and experience with sex, exposure to pornographic material, and knowledge on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections （STIs）/AIDS. Results： Of the 5 067 students who provided valid answer sheets, 50.05% were female and 49.95% were male, 14.86% were medical students, and 85.14% had non-medical backgrounds. A total of 38.4% of respondents had received reproductive health education previously. The majority of students supported school-based reproductive health education, and also acquired information about sex predominantly from books, schoolmates, and the Internet. Premarital sexual behavior was opposed by 17.7% of survey participants, and 37.5% could identify all the three types of STIs listed in the questionnaire. Although 83.7% knew how HIV is transmitted, only 55.7% knew when to use a condom and 57.8% knew that the use of condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection. Conclusion： The reproductive health service is lagging behind current attitudes and demands of university students. Although students＇ attitudes towards sexual matters are liberal, their knowledge about reproductive health and STIs/AIDS is still limited. It is therefore necessary to provide effective and confidential reproductive health services to young people.
基金supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science of Foundation of China(No.LQ20B070005)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Nos.2019FZJD007 and 2019QNA6008)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21876151 and 81703236)Project for Zhejiang Medical Technology Program(Nos.2018KY437,2016KYA049 and WKJ-ZJ-1621)
文摘Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)are a typical class of persistent organic pollutants that is ubiquitous worldwide.Previous animal studies suggested that PAHs had adverse effects on female reproduction.However,the human data regarding relationship of PAHs exposure with women reproductive health,such as ovarian dysfunction,are scarce.In this case-control study,the associations of serum levels of PAHs with the risk of premature ovarian failure(POF)and reproductive hormones in Chinese women were investigated,with recruiting 157 POF patients and 217 healthy women.The serum levels of 12 types of PAHs,as well as reproductive hormones,including follicle-stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone and anti-mullerian hormone,were determined.In the logistic regression models,most individual PAH congeners showed significantly positive correlations with the risk of POF(p<0.05),except for fluorine and pyrene.Benzo(a)pyrene(BaP),as the most carcinogenic PAH congener,was observed to be significantly positively associated with the risk of POF.After adjustment for age,body mass index,educational levels and household income,per one-unit increase in the log-transformed BaP concentration was significantly correlated with 2.191-fold increased risk of POF(OR=2.191,95%CI:1.634-2.938,p<0.05).To the best of our knowledge,this is the first study to report an association between internal exposure levels of PAHs and the increased risk of POF in women.
文摘The livestock sector is a vital component of India's agricultural economy,providing essential support to rural communities and ensuring food security.Efficient reproductive performance is critical to sustaining livestock productivity,yet age-related declines in both male and female fertility pose significant challenges.The current review highlights that male reproductive efficiency is closely tied to semen quality,which deteriorates with age due to oxidative stress,leading to reduced fertilizing capacity and embryonic developmental potential.Similarly,female reproductive longevity is predominantly influenced by ovarian health,which declines with age due to diminished oocyte quality and quantity.This decline is exacerbated by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction,leading to reproductive senescence and reduced offspring viability.Understanding the mechanisms of reproductive aging and developing strategies to mitigate its effects are crucial for enhancing livestock productivity and sustaining the agrarian economy.
基金supported by the grants from the National Nature Science Foundation of China(No.32170862)Developmental Biology and Breeding(No.2022XKQ0205)+2 种基金the Research Team for Reproduction Health and Translational Medicine of Hunan Normal University(No.2023JC101)Graduate Scientific Research Innovation Project of Hunan Province(No.CX2022520)Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine(2022SKLRM01).
文摘Icariin is a pure compound derived from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim,and it helps the regulation of male reproduction.Nevertheless,the role and underlying mechanisms of Icariin in mediating male germ cell development remain to be clarified.Here,we have demonstrated that Icariin promoted proliferation and DNA synthesis of mouse spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs).Furthermore,surface plasmon resonance iron(SPRi)and molecular docking(MOE)assays revealed that phosphodiesterase 5A(PDE5A)was an important target of Icariin in mouse SSCs.Mechanically,Icariin decreased the expression level of PDE5A.Interestingly,hydrogen peroxides(H2O2)enhanced the expression level of phosphorylation H2A.X(p-H2A.X),whereas Icariin diminished the expression level of p-H2A.X and DNA damage caused by H2O2 in mouse SSCs.Finally,our in vivo animal study indicated that Icariin protected male reproduction.Collectively,these results implicate that Icariin targets PDE5A to regulate mouse SSC viability and DNA damage and improves male reproductive capacity.This study thus sheds new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying the fate decisions of mammalian SSCs and offers a scientific basis for the clinical application of Icariin in male reproduction.
文摘Emerging evidence suggests that dietary fats may influence testicular function. However, most of the published literature on this field has used semen quality parameters as the only proxy for testicular function. We examined the association of fat intake with circulating reproductive hormone levels and testicular volume among healthy young Spanish men. This is a cross-sectional study among 209 healthy male volunteers conducted between October 2010 and November 2011 in Murcia Region of Spain. Participants completed questionnaires on lifestyle, diet, and smoking, and each underwent a physical examination, and provided a blood sample. Linear regression was used to examine the association between each fatty acid type and reproductive hormone levels and testicular volumes. Monounsaturated fatty acids intake was inversely associated with serum blood levels of calculated free testosterone, total testosterone, and inhibin B. A positive association was observed between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and luteinizing hormone concentrations. In addition, the intake of trans fatty acids was associated with lower total testosterone and calculated free testosterone concentrations （Ptrend = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively）. The intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was positively related to testicular volume while the intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids was inversely related to testicular volume. These data suggest that fat intake, and particularly intake of omega 3, omega 6, and trans fatty acids, may influence testicular function.
基金Project supported by the Special Research Fund for the Public Welfare Industry of Health of China(No.201302013)
文摘Abstract： With the rapid development of assisted reproductive technology, various reproductive disorders have been effectively addressed. Acupuncture-like therapies, including electroacupuncture （EA） and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation （TEAS）, become more popular world-wide. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that EA and TEAS are effective in treating gynecological disorders, especially infertility. This present paper describes how to select acupoints for the treatment of infertility from the view of theories of traditional Chinese medicine and how to determine critical parameters of electric pulses of ENTEAS based on results from animal and clinical studies. It summarizes the principles of clinical application of EA/rEAS in treating various kinds of reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）, pain induced by oocyte retrieval, diminished ovarian reserve, embryo transfer, and oligosperrnia/ asthenospermia. The possible underlying mechanisms mediating the therapeutic effects of EA/TEAS in reproductive medicine are also examined.
文摘Varicocele affects approximately 35%-40% of men presenting for an infertility evaluation. There is fair evidence indicating that surgical repair of clinical varicocele improves semen parameters, decreases seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation, and increases the chances of natural conception. However, it is unclear whether performing varicocelectomy in men with clinical varicocele prior to assisted reproductive technology （ART） improve treatment outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of varicocelectomy on ART pregnancy outcomes in nonazoospermic infertile men with clinical varicocele. An electronic search was performed to collect all evidence that fitted our eligibility criteria using the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases until April 2015. Four retrospective studies were included, all of which involved intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）, and accounted for 870 cycles （438 subjected to ICSI with prior varicocelectomy, and 432 without prior varicocelectomy）. There was a significant increase in the clinical pregnancy rates （OR = 1.59, 95% CI. 1.19-2.12, 12 = 25%） and live birth rates （OR = 2.17, 95% CI： 1,55-3.06, I^2 = 0%） in the varicocelectomy group compared to the group subjected to ICSI without previous varicocelectomy. Our results indicate that performing varicocelectomy in patients with clinical varicocele prior to ICSI is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes.
基金Project supported by the National Basic Research Program(973)of China(No.2012CB944901)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.81070532 and 81070541)the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.Y2100822 andLZ13H040001)
文摘Over the course of the past 35 years,assisted reproductive technologies(ARTs)have been increasingly used worldwide,while debates on their safety have been generated.Birth defects and imprinting disorders were reported in previous research.Thus,the psychological development of children born following ARTs has become a major concern nowadays.This review gives a systematic view of psychological well-being of children conceived by different types of ART,including in vitro fertilization,intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI),preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening,and in vitro maturation.The previous studies are analyzed in three sections:(1)cognitive,motor,and language developments,(2)behavior problems and socio-emotional development,and(3)parent-child relationship.We conclude that although the majority of the studies on cognitive,motor,and language developments reported comparable achievements in the ART group vs.the naturally conceived group,lower intelligence quotient(IQ)scores,worse visual-motor ability or locomotor development,and delayed receptive language competence were found in the ART group.The results on the socio-emotional development were reassuring.As for the behavior problems,a higher prevalence of behavior problems existed in ART children;moreover,ICSI children were found to be at a higher risk of autism than the general population.Meanwhile,ART parents tended to have positive parental attitudes and be more protective of their children.Some suggestions for further research are also given in this review.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDB14010300)the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission(No.Z151100004015167)+1 种基金the Beijing Municipal Health Technology High-level Talent Project(No.2014-3-076)the Open fund of State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology(No.KF-2017-13)
文摘Recent research indicates that the human infertility rate is increasing. Although various reasons have been hypothesized for the growing infertility rate, environmental contaminants are potentially important causal agents associated with this change.Chemical contaminants are widespread throughout our environment and human exposure is virtually unavoidable. The overall contribution of environmental exposure to infertility is unknown, but studies involving occupational exposure, together with results from animal experiments, suggest that environmental contaminants may adversely affect fertility. We reviewed the adverse effects of environmental exposure on fertility and related reproductive outcomes. Environmental contaminants covered in this review include heavy metals, organic solvents, pesticides and endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is hoped that this review will highlight the need for further research in this area.
文摘Environmental contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants （POPs） are man-made bioaccumulative compounds with long half-lives that are found throughout the world as a result of heavy use in a variety of consumer products during the twentieth century. Wildlife and animal studies have long suggested adverse effects of exposure to these compounds on human reproductive health, which, according to the endocrine disrupter hypothesis, are ascribed to the compounds＇ potential to interfere with endocrine signaling, especially when exposure occurs during certain phases of fetal and childhood development. An extensive number of epidemiological studies have addressed the possible effects of exposure to POPs on male reproductive health, but the results are conflicting. Thus far, most studies have focused on investigating exposure and the different reproductive health outcomes during adulthood. Some studies have addressed the potential harmful effects of fetal exposure with respect to malformations at birth and/ or reproductive development, whereas only a few studies have been able to evaluate whether intrauterine exposure to POPs has long-term consequences for male reproductive health with measurable effects on semen quality markers and reproductive hormone levels in adulthood. Humans are not exposed to a single compound at a time, but rather, to a variety of different substances with potential divergent hormonal effects. Hence, how to best analyze epidemiological data on combined exposures remains a significant challenge. This review on POPs will focus on current knowledge regarding the potential effects of exposure to POPs during fetal and childhood life and during adulthood on male reproductive health, including a critical revision of the endocrine disruption hypothesis, a comment on pubertal development as part of reproductive development and a comment on how to account for combined exposures in epidemiological research.
文摘Obesity has a negative effect on male reproductive function. It is associated with low testosterone levels and alteration in gonadotropin secretion. Male obesity has been linked to reduced male fertility. Data regarding the relation of obesity to sperm parameters are conflicting in terms of the nature and magnitude of the effect. New areas of interest are emerging that can help explain the variation in study results, such as genetic polymorphism and sleep apnea. Sleep disorders have been linked to altered testosterone production and hypogonadism in men. It was also correlated to erectile dysfunction. The relation of sleep disorders to male fertility and sperm parameters remains to be investigated. Men with hypogonadism and infertility should be screened for sleep apnea. Treatment of obesity and sleep apnea improves testosterone levels and erectile function.
文摘Objective To evaluate the impacts of reproductive tract infections （RTIs） intervention on RTIs-related knowledge, attitudes, practices and prevalence of married women at reproductive age. Methods Four sub-districts from Xuhui district, Shanghai were selected by multistage cluster random sampling and residence committees were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control one. RTIs intervention was implemented in intervention group, while routine family planning program was conducted in control group. Results Compared with control group, intervention group have improved the following targets： the increment of RTI knowledge score was higher than that in control group （OR=9. 22, 95%CI： 7.01 - 2.14）; the increment score of individual health behaviors （6. 31） was higher than that in control group （4.50） （OR=1.60, 95%CI： 1.21 -2.10）; the increase of condom use frequency in intervention group was higher than that in control group （4.12% vs 0.69%） （OR=1.84, 95%CI： 1.31-2.57）; the decreased RTIs rate was higher than that in control group （7.45% vs 0.96%） （OR=0.68, 95%CI： 0.49-0.95）. Conclusion It is an effective way to conduct community-based intervention to increase women＇s RTIs knowledge, improve RTIs-related attitudes, promote good individual health behaviors, so as to decrease RTIs prevalence.
基金supported by the Foundation of Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(No.202140340)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82171603)Foundation of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(No.17JC1400902,No.20Z21900402).
文摘Obtaining high-quality embryos is one of the key factors to improve the clinical pregnancy rate of assisted reproductive technologies(ART).So far,the clinical evaluation of embryo quality depends on embryo morphology.However,the clinical pregnancy rate is still low.Therefore,new indicators are needed to further improve the evaluation of embryo quality.Several studies have shown that the decrease of sperm-specific protein actin-like 7A(ACTL7A)leaded to low fertilization rate,poor embryo development,and even infertility.The aim of this study was to study whether the different expression levels of ACTL7A on sperm can be used as a biomarker for predicting embryo quality.In this study,excluding the factors of severe female infertility,a total of 281 sperm samples were collected to compare the ACTL7A expression levels of sperms with high and low effective embryo rates and analyze the correlation between protein levels and in-vitro fertilization(IVF)laboratory outcomes.Our results indicated that the ACTL7A levels were significantly reduced in sperm samples presenting poor embryo quality.Furthermore,the protein levels showed a significant correlation with fertilization outcomes of ART.ACTL7A has the potential to be a biomarker for predicting success rate of fertilization and effective embryo and the possibility of embryo arrest.In conclusion,sperm-specific protein ACTL7A has a strong correlation with IVF laboratory outcomes and plays important roles in fertilization and embryo development.
文摘Aim: To observe the cytotoxic effect of the organophosphate insecticide malathion in the reproductive tissues of the earthworms, Eisenia foetida. Methods: Worms were nourished in soil treated with malathion at single sub-lethal doses of 0, 80, 150, 300 and 600 mg-kg^(-1) soil. (LD_(50) = 880 mg kg^(-1) soil) and evaluated on days 1, 5, 15 and 30 after exposure. The body weights were recorded and male reproductive organs evaluated. Results: Malathion-treated animals showed a significant reduction in body weight in a dose-dependent manner. Malathion treatment modified the disposition of spermatozoa in the basal epithelium of the spermatheca. The Br-deoxyuridine test showed a significant rise in cells in phase S on days 5 and 15. Also, a higher percentage of spermatogonia with fragmented DNA were observed by means of the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique in the spermatheca of treated animals. Conclusion: Treatment with malathion decreased the body weight and the spermatic viability in spermatheca, altering the cell proliferation and modifying the DNA structure of spermatogonia.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82204094)the Key Research and Development Program of Ningxia(No.2022BEG03084)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2018YFC1004202)。
文摘Microplastics(MPs)and nanoplastics(NPs)have become hazardous materials due to the massive amount of plastic waste and disposable masks,but their specific health effects remain uncertain.In this study,fluorescence-labeled polystyrene NPs(PS-NPs)were injected into the circulatory systems of mice to determine the distribution and potential toxic effects of NPs in vivo.Interestingly,whole-body imaging found that PS-NPs accumulated in the testes of mice.Therefore,the toxic effects of PS-NPs on the reproduction systems and the spermatocytes cell line of male mice,and their mechanisms,were investigated.After oral exposure to PS-NPs,their spermatogenesis was affected and the spermatogenic cells were damaged.The spermatocyte cell line GC-2 was exposed to PS-NPs and analyzed using RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)to determine the toxic mechanisms;a ferroptosis pathway was found after PS-NP exposure.The phenomena and indicators of ferroptosis were then determined and verified by ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),and it was also found that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)played an important role in spermatogenic cell ferroptosis induced by PS-NPs.Finally,it was confirmed in vivo that this mechanism of Nrf2 played a protective role in PS-NPs-induced male reproductive toxicity.This study demonstrated that PS-NPs induce male reproductive dysfunction in mice by causing spermatogenic cell ferroptosis dependent on Nrf2.
