1
|
Yadav A, Yadav K, Rajpoot A, Lal B, Mishra RK. Sub-chronic restraint stress exposure in adult rats: An insight into possible inhibitory mechanism on testicular function in relation to germ cell dynamics. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14575. [PMID: 36056817 DOI: 10.1111/and.14575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychological stress is now widely recognized as one of the major risk factors for male fertility. Its impact on the dynamics of testicular germ cells, however, has yet to be fully investigated. Therefore, we used the rat restraint stress (RS) model as a psychological stressor to assess the impact of psychological stress on testicular germ cell dynamics. Adult male SD rats were exposed to sub-chronic RS for 1.5 and 3 h per day for 30 days. The quality of cauda epididymis spermatozoa was adversely affected by RS exposure, and the frequency of spermatozoa with tail abnormalities was higher than that of spermatozoa with head abnormalities. RS exposure adversely affected testicular daily sperm production by disturbing the meiotic and post meiotic germ cell kinetics in the testis. The histomorphology of the testis was altered by loosening and vacuolization in the seminiferous epithelium, germ cell exfoliation and the presence of giant cells. Seminiferous tubules of stage I-VI and VII-VIII were severely affected in rats exposed to RS for 3 h. By interfering with steroidogenic enzymes, RS exposure disrupts testosterone biosynthesis. The testicular oxidative balance was also disturbed by RS exposure, which disrupted the levels/activities of lipid peroxidation, Nrf-2, superoxide dismutase and catalase. There was also an increase in caspase-3 activity and a decrease in the Bax-Bcl2 ratio. In conclusion, our findings suggest that psychological stressors like RS impair testicular functions in rats by disrupting germ cell dynamics, downregulating testicular androgenesis and increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anupam Yadav
- Male Reproductive Physiology Lab., Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Kiran Yadav
- Male Reproductive Physiology Lab., Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Arti Rajpoot
- Male Reproductive Physiology Lab., Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Bechan Lal
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Raghav Kumar Mishra
- Male Reproductive Physiology Lab., Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Auger J, Eustache F, Chevrier C, Jégou B. Spatiotemporal trends in human semen quality. Nat Rev Urol 2022; 19:597-626. [PMID: 35978007 PMCID: PMC9383660 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00626-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Over the past four decades, studies of various designs have reported spatial and temporal trends in human semen quality. Several standardized-methodology studies in homogeneous populations that compare specific cities within a country or a continent provide clear evidence of geographical differences in sperm production, even over short distances within the same country. Human sperm production is widely believed to be declining over time, but evidence from the scientific literature is less clear. Studies based on repeated cross-sectional data from a single centre have shown mixed results. Among the numerous retrospective studies conducted in a single centre, only some included homogeneous groups of men and appropriate methods, and most of them suggest a temporal decrease in human sperm production in the geographical areas considered. Conclusions reporting temporal trends in sperm production that came from existing retrospective multicentre studies based on individual semen data and those using means, medians or estimates of sperm production are questionable, owing to intrinsic limitations in the studies performed. Regardless of study design, studies on the percentage of motile or morphologically normal spermatozoa are still limited by the inherent variability in assessment. Overall, available data do not enable us to conclude that human semen quality is deteriorating worldwide or in the Western world, but that a trend is observed in some specific areas. To understand these trends and contrasts in sperm and semen quality, prospective studies should be encouraged and combined with assessment of the male exposome. Several studies over the past few decades have suggested that sperm quality varies by geographical region and might be subject to a temporal decline worldwide. However, the data supporting these conclusions have come from studies of various methodologies and heterogeneous populations, making them unreliable. In this in-depth Review, Chevrier and colleagues discuss the data surrounding discussion of spatiotemporal trends in semen parameters and consider how these trends and the factors promoting them interact. The vast literature on human semen quality trends is extremely heterogeneous in terms of the populations studied and study designs, and so these studies have been unable to draw firm conclusions. Understanding the data around spatiotemporal semen trends requires a focus on the methodological choices and application of criteria to filter findings from the studies with optimal design. Numerous appropriately designed studies suggest unambiguous geographical contrasts in human sperm production; however, evidence of a decline in sperm production is reliable only in specific populations and cities in which studies with a complete set of quality criteria have been conducted. By contrast, suggestions of a worldwide drop in human semen quality on the basis of retrospective multicentre studies cannot be substantiated, owing to intrinsic limitations in the studies performed. Many and varied factors of variation, in particular the diverse modalities of assessment, do not enable us to conclude that clear temporal trends of sperm motility and normal morphology are present. Progress in our understanding of the highlighted trends and their causal factors requires prospective studies that minimize all known biases combined with the assessment of men’s exposome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Auger
- INSERM U1016-Equipe "Génomique, Epigénétique et Physiologie de la Reproduction", Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes-Paris, Paris, France
| | - Florence Eustache
- INSERM U1016-Equipe "Génomique, Epigénétique et Physiologie de la Reproduction", Institut Cochin, Université Paris Descartes-Paris, Paris, France.,CECOS, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Seine-Saint-Denis, Hôpital Jean Verdier and Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Nord Val de Seine, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Chevrier
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France.
| | - Bernard Jégou
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Madvig F, Pedersen MK, Urhoj SK, Bräuner EV, Jørgensen N, Priskorn L. Anogenital distance, male factor infertility and time to pregnancy. Andrology 2022; 10:686-693. [PMID: 35178873 PMCID: PMC9306635 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anogenital distance (AGD), the distance between the anus and genitals, is in rodents a well-established marker of early androgen action and has been suggested to be so in humans as well. Thus, a link between human AGD and semen quality and potentially fecundity may exist. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the association between AGD and male factor infertility and among proven fertile men also time to pregnancy (TTP). MATERIAL AND METHODS All included men were recruited from and examined at Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark (N=388). Men with impaired semen quality were included from infertile couples (N=128), and men with naturally conceived pregnant partners were invited to participate when their partners had their routine second trimester examination (N=260). All men underwent a physical examination, completed a questionnaire (including TTP for the fertile men), delivered a semen sample and had a blood sample drawn. The primary exposure was AGDAS measured from the centre of the anus to the posterior base of the scrotum. Associations between AGD and fertility status as well as between AGD and TTP among the fertile men were calculated using multiple logistic regression adjusted for covariates. RESULTS AGD did not show a statistically significant association with fertility status. In adjusted logistic regression models, the odds of infertility per 1 cm increase in AGDAS was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.88; 1.19). Amongst fertile men, a 1 cm increase in AGDAS was associated with an 8% non-statistically significantly reduced odds of having a longer (>3months) TTP (adjusted OR= 0.92, 95%CI: 0.76-1.11). CONCLUSION Our study showed that the clinical application of AGD as a predictor of fertility and fecundity seems to be limited as no associations were observed between AGD and fertility status, nor was the decreased risk of experiencing a longer TTP with longer AGDAS statistically significant. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Madvig
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M K Pedersen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - S K Urhoj
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E V Bräuner
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Priskorn
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gaml-Sørensen A, Brix N, Toft G, Henriksen TB, Ernst A, Arendt LH, Tøttenborg SS, Hærvig KK, Hougaard KS, Bonde JPE, Ramlau-Hansen CH. Parental Separation and Semen Quality in Young Men: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Clin Epidemiol 2022; 14:127-140. [PMID: 35115841 PMCID: PMC8801330 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s348763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Parental separation may be a stressful life event with the potential to influence hormonal regulation of offspring reproductive health and thereby affect semen quality in young men. We aimed to study the association between parental separation in pregnancy or in childhood and semen quality in young men and to study whether the timing of parental separation in childhood was important. Patients and Methods We conducted a follow-up study of 1058 young men born 1998–2000 from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort nested within the Danish National Birth Cohort. Data on parental separation were obtained longitudinal by self-report. Parental separation in pregnancy was dichotomized, and parental separation in childhood was both dichotomized and categorized according to the timing of parental separation (from birth, from early childhood (0–5 years), and from late childhood (6–10 years)). Semen volume, concentration, total sperm count, motility, morphology, and testes volume were analysed using multivariable negative binomial regression models. Results Parental separation in pregnancy was not associated with semen quality. The association between parental separation in childhood and semen quality differed with the timing of parental separation. Parental separation from birth was associated with higher semen volume of 25%, 95% CI (−5; 64); higher total sperm count of 62%, 95% CI (−6; 179); and higher proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa of 59%, 95% CI (20; 111). Parental separation in early childhood was associated with lower semen volume of −14%, 95% CI (−24; −3); lower concentration of −15%, 95% CI (−28; 1); lower total sperm count of −17%, 95% CI (−32; 2) and lower testes volume of −11%, 95% CI (−18; −3). Conclusion The timing of parental separation was important, and parental separation from birth was associated with higher semen quality, and parental separation in early childhood was associated with lower semen quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gaml-Sørensen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Bartholins Allé 2, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
- Correspondence: Anne Gaml-Sørensen, Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Bartholins Allé 2, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark, Tel +45 40868183 Email
| | - Nis Brix
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Bartholins Allé 2, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Toft
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Tine Brink Henriksen
- Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Andreas Ernst
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Bartholins Allé 2, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Linn Håkonsen Arendt
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Bartholins Allé 2, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark
| | - Sandra Søgaard Tøttenborg
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, 2400, Denmark
| | - Katia Keglberg Hærvig
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, 2400, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, København K, 1014, Denmark
| | - Karin Sørig Hougaard
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, København K, 1014, Denmark
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen East, 2100, Denmark
| | - Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen NV, 2400, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, København K, 1014, Denmark
| | - Cecilia Høst Ramlau-Hansen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Epidemiology, Bartholins Allé 2, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rahban R, Nef S. Regional difference in semen quality of young men: a review on the implication of environmental and lifestyle factors during fetal life and adulthood. Basic Clin Androl 2020; 30:16. [PMID: 33072332 PMCID: PMC7559360 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-020-00114-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of low semen quality and the incidence of testicular cancer have been steadily increasing over the past decades in different parts of the World. Although these conditions may have a genetic or epigenetic origin, there is growing evidence that multiple environmental and lifestyle factors can act alone or in combination to induce adverse effects. Exposure to these factors may occur as early as during fetal life, via the mother, and directly throughout adulthood after full spermatogenic capacity is reached. This review aims at providing an overview of past and current trends in semen quality and its relevance to fertility as well as a barometer of men’s general health. The focus will be on recent epidemiological studies of young men from the general population highlighting geographic variations in Europe. The impact of some lifestyle and environmental factors will be discussed with their role in both fetal life and adulthood. These factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, psychological stress, exposure to electromagnetic radiation, and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). Finally, the challenges in investigating the influence of environmental factors on semen quality in a fast changing world are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Rahban
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland and Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), Switzerland and Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bräuner EV, Hickey M, Hansen ÅM, Doherty DA, Handelsman DJ, Juul A, Hart R. In-utero Exposure to Maternal Stressful Life Events and Risk of Cryptorchidism: The Raine Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:530. [PMID: 31428056 PMCID: PMC6688069 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism, registered at birth or later, is the most common birth defect in males in western countries, estimated to affect around 2-3% of newborn boys, declining to around 2% at 3 months. We have previously described a potential association between stressful life events (SLEs) in pregnancy and reduced semen quality and testosterone levels in adult offspring. Both outcomes are believed to share a common etiology with cryptorchidism thus increased risk of cryptorchidism in boys exposed to prenatal SLEs may be plausible. The risk of cryptorchidism associated with prenatal SLE amongst 1,273 male Generation 2 offspring was estimated using the Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Study. SLEs are discrete experiences that disrupt an individual's usual activities causing a life change and readjustment, such as death of a relative or friend, divorce, illness or job loss. Mothers prospectively reported SLEs, during pregnancy at gestational weeks (GW) 18 and 34 using a standardized 10-point questionnaire. A boy was diagnosed as cryptorchid if one or both testes was non-palpable in the scrotum and not able to be manipulated into the scrotum. Twenty-four (2%) cryptorchid boys were identified. Mean (standard deviation) of SLE exposures in GW34 was 1.1 (1.2) for non-cryptorchid boys and slightly higher 1.5 (1.8) for cryptorchid boys, similar differences were observed in GW18. Adjusted odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for risk of cryptorchidism in early (18-weeks) and late gestation (34-weeks) according to prenatal SLE exposures were: 1.06 (95% CI: 0.77-1.45) and 1.18 (95% CI: 0.84-1.67), respectively. This is the first-time report on the possible relationships between exposure to early and late pregnancy SLEs and risk of cryptorchidism in a birth cohort. Prenatal SLE exposure was not associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of cryptorchidism in male offspring. A small case population limits the statistical power of the study and future larger studies are required to evaluate this potential association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvira V. Bräuner
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martha Hickey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Åse Marie Hansen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorota A. Doherty
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Roger Hart
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Bethesda Hospital, Claremont, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Roger Hart
| |
Collapse
|