Impact of hormonal changes on the semen quality and assisted reproductive outcomes in infertile men

Chlorantraniliprole (Coragen® 20% SC) exposure induced reproductive toxicity mediated by oxidative stress, apoptosis, and sperm quality deficient in male Wistar rats

Pesticides can adversely affect reproduction by causing congenital abnormalities, fetal demise, and infertility. The reproductive toxicity of coragen, a modified ryanodine receptor-targeting insecticide with chlorantraniliprole concentrations of 20%, was examined in male rats. Twenty-one healthy male rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the control group, two orally administered with low (500 mg/kg) and high (1000 mg/kg) doses of coragen for 8 weeks. Exposure to coragen resulted in significant, dose-dependent changes in male reproductive hormones, steroidogenic enzymes, and an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system. The treated groups revealed significantly higher lipid peroxidation levels than the control group. The effects were accompanied by damage to testicular tissue, modified testicular lactate dehydrogenase, reduced sperm motility and viability, and heightened sperm abnormalities. Elevated levels of pro-apoptotic proteins (caspase-3 and Bax) and decreased levels of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) provided evidence of apoptosis in both treatment groups. Moreover, coragen induced substantial DNA damage in the testicular tissue. The results indicate that the reproductive impairment caused by coragen may be ascribed to oxidative stress, hormonal disturbance, apoptosis, and damage to testicular DNA and finally might result in infertility and compromised reproductive function.

Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility: A Pilot Study in Male Partners of Infertile Couples

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and infertility are important health concerns with negative impacts on the quality of life and couple’s relationship, which is emerging as an early marker for decreased general health. Objectives: This pilot study intended to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of erectile dysfunction in men of infertile couples referred to an in vitro fertility center in northern Vietnam. Methods: A total of 138 men of infertile couples were enrolled in this study from January to May 2018. The International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire scale was used to evaluate the severity of ED. Also, several related factors were collected to determine potential risk factors. Results: The prevalence of ED among was 18.1%, including 13 mild ED (9.4%), 7 mild to moderate ED (5.1%), 2 moderate ED (1.4%), and 1 severe ED (0.7%). The logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors associated ED were smoking > 5 pack/years (OR = 3.16, CI = 0.98 - 10.18; P = 0.05), not graduating from junior high school (OR = 5.11; CI = 1.11 - 23.8; P = 0.03) and azoospermia (OR = 7.55; CI = 2.18 - 26.16; P = 0.001). We observed relatively high OR in men with smoking < 5 pack/years (OR = 2.51) and abnormal semen analysis (hypospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, or teratozoospermia) (OR = 2.36), but there was no significant difference compared to the reference group. Conclusions: In the present study, the prevalence of ED among men of infertile couples was higher than non-infertile men. Low level of education, smoking for a long period, and azoospermia were the main risk factors of ED in men. Further large-scale studies are needed to extend the results.