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Arya D, Balasinor N, Singh D. Varicocele associated male infertility: cellular and molecular perspectives of pathophysiology. Andrology 2022; 10:1463-1483. [PMID: 36040837 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varicocele is a common risk factor associated with reduced male fertility potential. The current understanding of varicocele pathophysiology does not completely explain the clinical manifestation of infertility. The present treatment options such as antioxidant supplementation and varicocelectomy only helps ∼35% of men to achieve spontaneous pregnancy. OBJECTIVE This review aims to summarize the available knowledge on cellular and molecular alterations implicated to varicocele associated male infertility and also highlights the new knowledge generated by 'Omics' technologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases are searched using different combinations of keywords (varicocele, infertile/fertile men with varicocele, cellular changes, molecular mechanisms, proteome, epigenome, transcriptome and metabolome). A total of 229 relevant human and animal studies published till 2021 were included in this review. RESULTS Current understanding advocates oxidative stress (OS) as a major contributory factor to the varicocele associated male infertility. Excessive OS causes alteration in testicular microenvironment and sperm DNA fragmentation which further contributes to infertility. Molecular and omics studies have identified several promising biomarkers such as AAMP, SPINT1, MKI67 (genetic markers), sperm quality and function related protein markers, global sperm DNA methylation level (epigenetic marker), Hspa2, Protamine, Gadd7, Dynlt1 and Beclin1 (mRNA markers), PRDX2, HSPA, APOA2, YKL40 (seminal protein markers), total choline and PHGDH (metabolic markers). DISCUSSION Mature spermatozoa harbours a plethora of molecular information in form of proteome, epigenome and transcriptome; which could provide very important clues regarding pathophysiology of varicocele associated infertility. Recent molecular and omics studies in infertile men with varicocele have identified several promising biomarkers. Upon further validation with larger and well-defined studies, some of these biomarkers could aid in varicocele management. CONCLUSION The present evidences suggest inclusion of OS and sperm DNA fragmentation tests could be useful to the diagnostic workup for men with varicocele. Furthermore, including precise molecular markers may assist in diagnostics and prognostics of varicocele associated male infertility. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepshikha Arya
- Department of Neuroendocrinology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Nafisa Balasinor
- Department of Neuroendocrinology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Dipty Singh
- Department of Neuroendocrinology, ICMR- National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
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Tang S, Yang P, Ding Y, Chen Q, Huang H, Chen X, Zhou H. Silencing CAMK2D Promotes the Proliferation of Spermatogonia in the Testis of Experimental Varicocele Rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:7121245. [PMID: 35911132 PMCID: PMC9325628 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7121245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Varicocele is regarded as the main factor that contributes to male infertility. This study aimed to explore the effect of CAMK2D on spermatogonia in the testis of experimental varicocele rats. The experimental varicocele model was established in rats and treated using different ligation methods. mRNA expression profile analysis was performed on the left testicular tissue isolated from different groups, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analysed by bioinformatics methods and identified by qRT-PCR. The effect of CAMK2D, the screened DEG, on the proliferation of spermatogonia was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The expression level of the c-kit was measured by the immunofluorescence assay and the expression levels of CAMKII, FOXO1, and β-catenin were detected by qRT-PCR and western blotting. Five DEGs (i.e., TMCC3, FLNB, CAMK2D, OPLAH, and EGR1) were screened using the comprehensive analysis of mRNA high-throughput sequencing data. TMCC3 and FLNB were significantly downregulated, and CAMK2D, OPLAH, and EGR1 were dramatically upregulated in the testicular tissue of varicocele rats. The target DEG CAMK2D was obtained through identification by using qRT-PCR. In vitro assays revealed that the proliferation of spermatogonia was significantly facilitated by the silencing of CAMK2D, which resulted in the downregulation of CAMKII, FOXO1, and β-catenin. In conclusion, silencing CAMK2D facilitated the proliferation of spermatogonia in the testis of experimental varicocele rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songxi Tang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Peng Yang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Yilang Ding
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Hailin Huang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
| | - Huiliang Zhou
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, China
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3
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Zhang Y, Zhang W, Wu X, Liu G, Dai Y, Jiang H, Zhang X. Effect of varicocele on sperm DNA damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Andrologia 2021; 54:e14275. [PMID: 34658054 DOI: 10.1111/and.14275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The updated meta-analysis was conducted to further verify the effect of varicocele on sperm DNA damage, supplying clinicians and researchers with high-grade evidence. The sperm DNA damage was evaluated by DNA fragmentation index (DFI), associated with the male fertility capability tightly. PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched extensively for eligible studies with the search terms: varicocele, sperm DNA and sperm DNA damage. Finally, a total of 12 studies were included in our meta-analysis with a total of 845 patients diagnosed with varicocele and 2,377 healthy controls. A statistical difference of DFI between varicocele patients and healthy controls was found after pooling the data ((Standardised mean difference) SMD: 1.40, 95%CI: 0.83-1.98, p < .0001), using the random effect model. We conducted subgroup analysis according to study region (Brazil and Other countries), detection methods of DFI (TUNEL, Comet, and SCSA), sample size (<50 and >50) and age (<30 and >30 years), based on substantial heterogeneity among eligible studies. The stability of pooled results was verified by sensitivity analysis. All these statistical analyses were conducted using Stata version 16.0. In conclusion, patients diagnosed with clinical varicocele had higher DFI than healthy controls, which means varicocele could impair sperm DNA, consequently the fertility potential of affected men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xu Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Guodong Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yutian Dai
- Department of Andrology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- The department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiansheng Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Li Z, Wang S, Gong C, Hu Y, Liu J, Wang W, Chen Y, Liao Q, He B, Huang Y, Luo Q, Zhao Y, Xiao Y. Effects of Environmental and Pathological Hypoxia on Male Fertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:725933. [PMID: 34589489 PMCID: PMC8473802 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.725933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a widespread health problem affecting approximately 6%-8% of the male population, and hypoxia may be a causative factor. In mammals, two types of hypoxia are known, including environmental and pathological hypoxia. Studies looking at the effects of hypoxia on male infertility have linked both types of hypoxia to poor sperm quality and pregnancy outcomes. Hypoxia damages testicular seminiferous tubule directly, leading to the disorder of seminiferous epithelium and shedding of spermatogenic cells. Hypoxia can also disrupt the balance between oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis of spermatogenic cells, resulting in impaired self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonia, and failure of meiosis. In addition, hypoxia disrupts the secretion of reproductive hormones, causing spermatogenic arrest and erectile dysfunction. The possible mechanisms involved in hypoxia on male reproductive toxicity mainly include excessive ROS mediated oxidative stress, HIF-1α mediated germ cell apoptosis and proliferation inhibition, systematic inflammation and epigenetic changes. In this review, we discuss the correlations between hypoxia and male infertility based on epidemiological, clinical and animal studies and enumerate the hypoxic factors causing male infertility in detail. Demonstration of the causal association between hypoxia and male infertility will provide more options for the treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Key Laboratory of Extreme Environmental Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing, China
| | - Sumin Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunli Gong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiyang Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- Department of Endoscope, The General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region, Liaoning, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiushi Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bing He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Luo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yongbing Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yufeng Xiao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Gill K, Kups M, Harasny P, Machalowski T, Grabowska M, Lukaszuk M, Matuszewski M, Duchnik E, Fraczek M, Kurpisz M, Piasecka M. The Negative Impact of Varicocele on Basic Semen Parameters, Sperm Nuclear DNA Dispersion and Oxidation-Reduction Potential in Semen. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115977. [PMID: 34199549 PMCID: PMC8199719 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Since varicocele is so common in infertile men, this study intends to analyse the relationships between varicocele and conventional semen characteristics, sperm nuclear DNA dispersion and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in semen. Varicocele-positive and varicocele-negative infertile men (study groups) showed significantly lower standard sperm parameters and higher sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and ORP in semen than healthy volunteers and subjects with proven fertility (control groups). A lower proportion of low SDF levels (0–15% SDF) and higher incidence of high SDF levels (>30% SDF), as well as a higher prevalence of high ORP values (>1.37 mV/106 sperm/mL), were found in the study groups vs. the control groups. Moreover, infertile men had significantly lower odds ratios (ORs) for low SDF levels and significantly higher ORs for high SDF levels and high ORP. SDF and ORP were negatively correlated with sperm number, morphology, motility and vitality. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between SDF and ORP. The obtained results suggest that disorders of spermatogenesis may occur in varicocele-related infertility. These abnormalities are manifested not only by reduced standard semen parameters but also by decreased sperm DNA integrity and simultaneously increased oxidative stress in semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Michal Kups
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- TFP Fertility Vitrolive in Szczecin, 70-483 Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Patryk Harasny
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Machalowski
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- Department of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University, 72-010 Police, Poland
| | - Marta Grabowska
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Mariusz Lukaszuk
- Healthcare Center Nowe Orlowo, 81-525 Gdynia, Poland;
- Invicta Fertility Clinic, 80-850 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Marcin Matuszewski
- Department of Urology, Medical University in Gdansk, 80-214 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Ewa Duchnik
- Department of Aesthetic Dermatology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (K.G.); (M.K.); (P.H.); (T.M.); (M.G.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Wang F, Yang W, Ouyang S, Yuan S. The Vehicle Determines the Destination: The Significance of Seminal Plasma Factors for Male Fertility. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228499. [PMID: 33198061 PMCID: PMC7696680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Of all human infertility cases, up to 50% show contributing factors leading to defects in the male reproductive physiology. Seminal plasma (SP) is the biological fluid derived from the male accessory sex gland which carries spermatozoa passing throughout the male and female reproductive tract during ejaculation. It contains a complicated set of heterogeneous molecular structures, including proteins, cell-free nucleic acid (DNA, microRNA and LncRNA), and small-molecule metabolites as well as inorganic chemicals (ions). For a long time, the substantial significance of seminal plasma factors’ functions has been underestimated, which is restricted to spermatozoa transport and protection. Notably, significant advancements have been made in dissecting seminal plasma components, revealing new insights into multiple aspects of sperm function, as well as fertilization and pregnancy outcomes in recent years. In this review, we summarize the state-of-art discoveries regarding SP compositions and their implications in male fertility, particularly describing the novel understanding of seminal plasma components and related modifications using “omics” approaches and mainly focusing on proteome and RNA-seq data in the latest decade. Meanwhile, we highlighted the proposed mechanism of the regulation of SP molecules on immunomodulation in the female reproductive tract. Moreover, we also discussed the proteins investigated as non-invasive diagnosis biomarkers for male infertility in the clinic.
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Identification and verification of hub microRNAs in varicocele rats through high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 98:189-199. [PMID: 33022359 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Varicocele (VC) is the most common treatable cause of infertility, but it is difficult to distinguish fertile from infertile VC populations because the pathogenesis is unclear. In order to study the related mechanism of VC causing male sterility, we made VC rats model by surgery, analyzed the rat epididymal sperm, and use the transcriptome sequencing compared all the miRNA expression differences in testicular tissue between VC rats, surgical treatment rats and control rats. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) of testicular tissue were also screened by the edgeR package in R software. We found that rno-miR-210-3p, rno-miR-6316, rno-miR-190a-5p and rno-miR-135b-5p were key miRNAs for VC and they were all up-regulated in VC samples and they are enriched in regulation of immune system process (GO:0002683), innate immune system (R-RNO-168,249) and apoptotic signaling pathway (GO:0097190). We hypothesize that negative regulation of immune system and apoptosis play an important role in the occurrence and development of VC, and it is induced the abnormal expression of target genes (such as Kitlg, Cxcl12) may involve in the development of VC associated infertility. Four key miRNAs, rno-miR-210-3p, rno-miR-6316, rno-miR-190a-5p and rno-miR-135b-5p, as well as their target genes are critical in VC, which could have attractive applications to provide new biomarkers for VC.
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Fraczek M, Wojnar L, Kamieniczna M, Piasecka M, Gill K, Kups M, Chopyak V, Havrylyuk A, Nakonechnyy J, Nakonechnyy A, Wozniak T, Kurpisz M. Seminal Plasma Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Different Genitourinary Topographical Regions Involved in Reproductive Tract Disorders Associated with Genital Heat Stress. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21176427. [PMID: 32899311 PMCID: PMC7504043 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for male subfertility/infertility caused by or complicated by genital heat stress remains unclear in many respects. Because seminal plasma creates the environment for the proper functioning of spermatozoa, in this study, we verified the associations among standard spermiograms, seminal biochemical parameters (neutral alpha-glucosidase, fructose, and citric acid) and oxidative stress markers (total antioxidant capacity, catalase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, and malondialdehyde concentration) in distinct entities associated with male infertility with and without long-time exposure to local hyperthermia. We demonstrated that men exposed to prolonged environmental or clinically recognized local heat stress in adulthood may suffer from dysregulation of seminal antioxidant components, which can be directly associated with epididymal and prostate function. The comparative analysis of the studied parameters showed numerous correlations among all biochemical parameters (particularly neutral alpha-glucosidase) with low standard semen quality in almost all the investigated infertile groups. In light of the data obtained in this originally designed study, we conclude that more attention should be paid to the epididymis and accessory gland function in subfertile and infertile men exposed to genital heat stress, especially in the context of novel treatment algorithms (targeted therapies).
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fraczek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (T.W.)
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (M.K.)
| | - Lukasz Wojnar
- Clinic of Urology and Oncological Urology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-285 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Marzena Kamieniczna
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (T.W.)
| | - Malgorzata Piasecka
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (M.P.); (K.G.); (M.K.)
| | - Kamil Gill
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (M.P.); (K.G.); (M.K.)
| | - Michal Kups
- Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland; (M.P.); (K.G.); (M.K.)
- Department and Clinic Urology and Oncological Urology, Regional Specialist Hospital in Szczecin, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland
- VitroLive Fertility Clinic in Szczecin, 70-483 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Valentina Chopyak
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine; (V.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Anna Havrylyuk
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine; (V.C.); (A.H.)
| | - Jozef Nakonechnyy
- Department of Urology, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine;
| | - Andrij Nakonechnyy
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Danylo Halytskyy Lviv National Medical University, 79059 Lviv, Ukraine;
| | - Tomasz Wozniak
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (T.W.)
| | - Maciej Kurpisz
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland; (M.K.); (T.W.)
- Correspondence: (M.F.); (M.K.)
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Zhu J, Ou N, Song Y, Hu R, Zhang W, Liang Z, Yang Y, Liu X. Identification and verification of key genes in varicocele rats through high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13662. [PMID: 32459877 DOI: 10.1111/and.13662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Varicocele (VC) is the most common treatable cause of infertility, but it is difficult to distinguish fertile from infertile VC populations because the pathogenesis is unclear. In order to study the related mechanism of VC causing male sterility, we made VC rat model by surgery, analysed the rat epididymal spermatozoa and used the transcriptome sequencing to compare all the mRNA expression differences in testicular tissue between VC rats and control rats. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of testicular tissue were also screened by the limma package in R software (version 3.6.1). The 273 DEGs were identified from the four profile data sets including 124 up-regulated genes and 149 down-regulated genes in the VC group compared to control group. We found that Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 in module 1 had higher degrees of connectivity in the first 10 hub genes. Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis demonstrated that Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 are enriched in regulation of oxidative stress-induced cell death (GO:1,903,201) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (KEGG:05,014). From the above evidence, we speculate that hypoxia plays an important role in the occurrence and development of VC, and it induced the abnormal expression of autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins may involve in the development of VC-associated infertility. Sod1, Casp9, Atg7, Casp3 and Sirt1 as well as their module are hub genes for VC, which will have attractive applications to provide new treatment targets for VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ningjing Ou
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxuan Song
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Hu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Liang
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yongjiao Yang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
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