Environmental influences on male reproduction

Gonadal and Cortisol Hormone Profile among Male Chronic Khat, Marijuana, and Heroin Abuses

BACKGROUND

Drugs of abuse could interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, causing impaired functions of the gland and associated functions of target organs. Drugs of abuse tend to cause changes in the endocrine system, and these changes could be physiological, molecular, biochemical, genetic, and cellular.

METHOD

A case-control study design was conducted from a total of 171 male consented study participants (148 drug abusers and 23 controls). The serum gonadal and cortisol hormone levels were assayed using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. Socio-demographic variables were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire by the interview method. Nonparametric statistical tools (Mann-Whitney test and median) were used to compare the groups. In all cases, P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULT

The median age for drug abusers and control groups was 27, and the age difference between drug abusers and control group was not statistically important. The median estradiol levels among chronic khat chewers (39.4 pg/ml), marijuana (44 pg/mL), and users of heroin (40.2 pg/mL) were significantly higher than control groups (23 pg/mL), P < 0.003. However, the median luteinizing hormone levels among chronic khat chewers (5 IU/L), marijuana users (5 IU/L), and heroin users (5.6 IU/L) were significantly lower than those of control groups (6.2 IU/L), P < 0.02. The median testosterone levels among chronic khat chewers (6.1 ng/mL), marijuana users (6.3 ng/mL), and heroin users (6.6 ng/mL) were significantly lower than control groups (8.0 ng/mL), P < 0.003. However, cortisol and follicle stimulating hormone did not show statistically significant difference between users of khat, marijuana, and heroin compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

The drug abuser group had significantly lower testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels compared with control groups. Drug abuse has been shown to affect gonadal hormones in an unusual physiological phenomenon. These findings reveal the need for intervention programs to solve these problems.

Testicular volume and testicular atrophy index as predictors of functionality of unilaterally cryptorchid testis

GOAL

The goal of this study was to determine relationship between the sensitivity and specificity of testicular volume (TV) and testicular atrophy index (TAI) in the indirect assessment of functional ability of cryptorchid testicles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included sixty children with unilateral cryptorchidism who were treated surgically at the Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. We evaluated the correlation of the size of cryptorchid testicles with its locations in various age groups.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant decrease in TV and TAI in the all cryptorchid groups after the sixth month of age compared with the same parameters in control group (p < 0.001). It is also determined a strong correlation between the TV and TAI of cryptorchid testicles with its locations in various age groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that the average volume of cryptorchid testicles decreased after the sixth month as well as that the reduction of testicular size correlated with increasing distance of cryptorchid testicles from the scrotum.

OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism interacts with cigarette smoking to increase oxidative DNA damage in human sperm and the risk of male infertility

8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1) plays an important role in repairing oxidative DNA damage induced by chemical agents, such as tobacco. This study examined the effects of OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and cigarette smoking, alone or combined, on sperm oxidative DNA damage and the risk of male infertility. A total of 620 idiopathic infertile subjects and 480 fertile controls were recruited in this study. Sperm 8-hydroxydeoxyguanine (8-OHdG) was measured by immunofluorescent assay using flow cytometry and genotypes were determined by OpenArray platform with a chip-based Taq-Man genotyping technology. Our results demonstrated that both cigarette smoking and OGG1 polymorphism can affect the sperm 8-OHdG levels. Individuals with variant Cys/Cys homozygote showed higher levels of sperm 8-OHdG than wide-type homozygote carriers (Ser/Ser). Stratified analysis found that the association between OGG1 polymorphism and sperm 8-OHdG levels was only observed among smokers with pack-years ≥5 but not among those subjects with pack-years<5 (pack-years=packs smoked per day×years as a smoker). Further analysis based on the case-control study revealed that variant allele (Cys) of OGG1 was significantly associated with male infertility risk in a dominant model (OR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.01-1.82; trend P<0.001). Furthermore, we found a significant gene-environment interaction between OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and cigarette smoking in relation to male infertility risk (Pinteration=0.0003). These findings provided the first evidence about potential interactive effects of OGG1 polymorphism and cigarette smoking on male infertility risk.

Practical overview of analytical methods for endocrine-disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water and wastewater

The detection of organic micropollutants, such as endocrine-disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, in wastewater and the aquatic environment has brought increasing concern over their potential adverse ecological and human impacts. These compounds are generally present at trace levels (ng l(-1)) and in complex water matrices, such as wastewaters and surface waters, making their analysis difficult. Currently, no standardized analytical methods are available for the analysis of organic micropollutants in environmental waters. Owing to the diversity of physico-chemical properties exhibited by the various classes of organic micropollutants, the majority of established analytical methods described in the literature focus on a specific class of compounds, with few methods applicable to multi-class compound analysis. As such, analytical challenges and limitations contribute to the lack of understanding of the effectiveness of drinking water and wastewater treatment processes to remove organic micropollutants. This paper provides a practical overview of current analytical methods that have been developed for the analysis of multiple classes of organic micropollutants from various water matrices and describes the challenges and limitations associated with the development of these methods.

Cigarette smoking is related to a decrease in semen volume in a population of fertile men

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the semen quality and hormonal levels in fertile men according to their level of cigarette smoking.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We evaluated 889 fertile men who came for a vasectomy for sterilization purposes. The men included 522 non-smokers, 143 mild smokers (<10 cigarettes/day), 154 moderate smokers (11-20/day), and 70 heavy smokers (>20/day). We evaluated sperm concentration, motility, motion variables and hormonal levels in these men.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among the groups in sperm concentration or motility, or in levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, or serum total testosterone. Also, sperm motion characteristics did not differ across the groups. Semen volume was the only semen variable which tended to decrease according to the number of cigarettes smoked.

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette smoking had no apparent effect on sperm concentration, motility or reproductive hormonal levels, but tended to reduce semen volume.

Clinical Laboratory Evaluation of Male Subfertility

Male subfertility is a common problem with a complex etiology, requiring a complete andrological work-up for proper diagnosis. The male reproductive tract is controlled by a well-balanced hormonal system, in which hypothalamic (GnRH), pituitary (LH, FSH) and testicular hormones (androgens, inhibin B) participate. Any disturbance of this hormonal system may therefore lead to testicular dysfunction and interfere with the spermatogenesis process. In addition, also other components along the ductal system, such as epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles, that improve sperm fertility by contributing their secretions to the semen, might function inadequately and thus fail to enhance the fertilizing capacity of the sperm cells. External factors (heat, chemicals, life style) and anatomical abnormalities (varicocele) were shown to have a negative influence on male fertility. In a number of patients genetic defects can be identified as the cause of their infertility. Laboratory tests are available to assess hormone concentrations, semen composition, accessory gland function and sperm cell function. Conventional semen analysis includes the determination of sperm concentration, semen volume, sperm motility (qualitative and quantitative), sperm morphology, sperm cell vitality, pH, leucocytes and antibodies. The usefulness of the determination of these parameters as predictor of fertility appears to be rather limited, however. Therefore, alternative tests, some based on more functional aspects (sperm penetration, capacitation, acrosome reaction), have been developed. Furthermore, there is an increasing attention for the assessment of DNA integrity, for instance by the flowcytometer-based Sperm Chromation Structure Assay (SCSA), as an additional or alternative parameter of sperm quality. It is likely and desirable that further assays with better predictive value are being developed in the near future.

Histological evidence of intersex in feral sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) from an estrogen-polluted water source in Gauteng, South Africa

This is the first histological evidence of intersex in a fish species inhabiting a South African water source. One hundred catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were collected randomly from the Marais Dam (MD) and the Rietvlei Dam (RVD) in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve (RNR), South Africa. These dams drain water from a stream that receives effluent from industrial sites, agricultural activities, informal settlements, and municipal treatment plants. Each fish was evaluated macroscopically and had blood drawn, and its gonads were macroscopically and histologically examined to verify intersex potentially related to endocrine disruption. Gonadal histology of several fish showed primary oocytes scattered in testicular tissue, indicative of intersex. The results showed intersexuality in 20% of fish from both the dams. The GSI value for intersex fish was closer to male GSI values, suggesting that the sampled intersex fish were more likely to have occurred from the feminization of male catfish. Target chemical analyses showed that the water, sediment, and serum samples tested positive for p-nonylphenol (p-NP). The p-NP level in water and sediment at MD was 6360 and 4.0 microg/kg, respectively, whereas in sediment at RVD it was 113 microg/kg. Commonly found in the effluent from sewage treatment plants, p-NP in water and sediment indicates estrogenic water pollution, which might affect wildlife and humans dependent on these sources.

A multi-center study for birth defect monitoring systems in Korea

The aim of this study was to establish a multi-center birth defects monitoring system to evaluate the prevalence and the serial occurrence of birth defects in Korea. Ten medical centers participated in this program. A trained nurse collected relevant records from delivery units and pediatric clinics in participating hospitals on a monthly basis. We observed 1,537 cases of birth defects among 86,622 deliveries, which included live births and stillbirths. The prevalence of birth defects was 1.8%, and the sex distribution of the birth defect cases was 55.2% male and 41.6% female. The highest proportion of birth defects was in the cardiovascular system (17.5%), followed by birth defects involving in the genitourinary system (15.6%). Chromosomal anomalies were detected 30.0 per 10,000 births. Of these chromosomal anomalies, Down syndrome was most frequently observed. This study led to an establishment of a multi-center active monitoring system for birth defects. To better understand the serial occurrence of birth defects in Korea, it is necessary to increase the number of participating hospitals and to launch on a nation-wide multi-center study.

Effects of medical therapy, alcohol, smoking, and endocrine disruptors on male infertility

Infertility affects up to 15% of the sexually active population, and in 50% of cases, a male factor is involved, either as a primary problem or in combination with a problem in the female partner. Because many commonly encountered drugs and medications can have a detrimental effect on male fertility, the medical evaluation should include a discussion regarding the use of recreational and illicit drugs, medications, and other substances that may impair fertility. With the knowledge of which drugs and medications may be detrimental to fertility, it may be possible to modify medication regimens or convince a patient to modify habits to decrease adverse effects on fertility and improve the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy. Concern is growing that male sexual development and reproduction have changed for the worse over the past 30 to 50 years. Although some reports find no changes, others suggest that sperm counts appear to be decreasing and that the incidence of developmental abnormalities such as hypospadias and cryptorchidism appears to be increasing, as is the incidence of testicular cancer. These concerns center around the possibility that our environment is contaminated with chemicals - both natural and synthetic - that can interact with the endocrine system.

The effect of cryptorchidism on inhibin B in a subfertile population

OBJECTIVE

Prepubertal cryptorchidism may cause fertility problems in adulthood, due to impaired spermatogenesis. Serum inhibin B has emerged as an accurate marker of spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a history of cryptorchidism on serum inhibin B levels and other markers of spermatogenesis in subfertile men.

PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS

In a retrospective study, the effect of cryptorchidism on inhibin B, FSH, LH, free testosterone, testicular volume and semen parameters was assessed in a case-control study within a population of 2613 subfertile men. Of these, 161 and 102 subjects had a history of, respectively, unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism that was treated by orchiopexy in childhood. Hormone data were complete for 64 cryptorchid patients (32 unilateral and 32 bilateral). A group of 128 patients was randomly selected out of the remaining group of 2350 men with idiopathic subfertility. An additional control group consisted of 32 fertile men from the general population.

RESULTS

In cryptorchid subfertile men, inhibin B concentrations were significantly lower than in noncryptorchid subfertile men and fertile men (103 ng/l, 143 ng/l and 148 ng/l, respectively; P < 0.01). The FSH concentration was significantly higher in cryptorchid men vs. noncryptorchid men and controls (6.1 IU/l vs. 3.3 and 2.9 IU/l, respectively; P < 0.01). Testicular volumes and sperm concentration of cryptorchid men were significantly lower than in noncryptorchid subfertile men (12 vs. 15 ml, P < 0.01 and 3.8 x 10(6) sperm/ml vs. 17.4 x 10(6) sperm/ml; P < 0.05). A significantly higher inhibin B level and sperm concentration was observed in men undergoing orchiopexy at an early age (1-4 years) compared with men treated between 5 and 9 years or later (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Spermatogenesis is more impaired in cryptorchid subfertile men compared to men with idiopathic subfertility, as reflected by a lower inhibin B concentration.