Deferasirox, an Iron-Chelating Agent, Improves Testicular Morphometric and Sperm Functional Parameters in a Rat Model of Varicocele

The role of the transsulfuration pathway in spermatogenesis of vitamin D deficient mice

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem and has been linked to defective spermatogenesis and male infertility. In this study, we aimed to investigate the main enzymes involved in the transsulfuration pathway of 1-carbon metabolism, and spermatogenesis function. Therefore, sixteen male C57 mice were addressed to a control (standard diet) or vitamin D deficient (VDD) diet for 14 weeks. The results show that compared to the standard diet, VDD increased final body weight and reduced sperm quality, caused damage to the testicular structure, and decreased the serum levels of testosterone. In addition, serum concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and sperm oxidative stress markers increased. In testicular tissues, the CBS and CSE protein levels were down-regulated whereas HO-1 was up-regulated at both mRNA and protein expression levels. Within a mice deprivation model, VDD deeply suppressed testosterone and impaired spermatogenesis with oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms. The effects of the deprivation appeared to be at least in part independent of genomic and receptor-mediated vitamin D actions and suggest a specific impairment of the alternative transsulfuration pathway.

Aberrant Expression of TET2 Accounts for DNA Hypomethylation in Varicocele

OBJECTIVE

Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation play a key role in male infertility etiology. This study aimed to explore the global DNA methylation status in testicular spermatogenic cells of varicocele-induced rats and consider their semen quality, with a focus on key epigenetic marks, namely 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), as well as the mRNA and proteins of ten-eleven translocation (TET) methylcytosine dioxygenases 1-3.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, 24 mature male Wistar rats (8 in each group) were assigned amongst the control, sham, and varicocele groups. Sperm quality was assessed, and DNA methylation patterns of testicular spermatogenic cells were investigated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, and immunofluorescence techniques.

RESULTS

Sperm parameters, chromatin and DNA integrity were significantly lower, and sperm lipid peroxidation significantly increased in varicocele-induced rats in comparison with control rats. During spermatogenesis in rat testis, 5-mC and 5-hmC epigenetic marks, and TET1-3 mRNA and proteins were expressed. In contrast to the 5-mC fluorescent signal which was presented in all testicular cells, the 5-hmC fluorescent signal was presented exclusively in spermatogonia and a few spermatids. In varicocele-induced rats, the 5-mC signal decreased in all cells within the tubules, whereas a strong signal of 5-hmC was detected in seminiferous tubules compared to the control group. As well, the levels of TET2 mRNA and protein expression were significantly upregulated in varicocele-induced rats in comparison with the control group. Also, our results showed that the varicocele-induced animals exhibited strong fluorescent signals of TET1-3 in testicular cells, whereas weak fluorescent signals were identified in the seminiferous tubules of the control animals.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, we showed TET2 upregulation and the 5-hmC gain at testicular levels are associated with varicocele and sperm quality decline, and therefore they can be exploited as potential biomarkers of spermatogenesis.

Iron deficiency and iron overload in men and woman of reproductive age, and pregnant women

Iron is an essential micronutrient for human biology and health, but high iron levels can be dangerous. Both iron deficiency and iron overload have been linked to reproductive health. This review summarizes the effects of iron deficiency and iron overload on men of reproductive age, women of reproductive age, and pregnant women. In addition, appropriate iron levels and the need for iron and nutritional supplements at different stages of life and pregnancy are discussed. In general, men should be aware of the risk of iron overload at any stage of life; women should take appropriate iron supplements before menopause; postmenopausal women should pay attention to the risk of iron overload; and pregnant women should receive reasonable iron supplementation in middle and late pregnancy. By summarizing evidence on the relationship between iron and reproductive health, this review aims to promote the development of strategies to optimize reproductive capacity from the perspective of nutrition. However, additional detailed experimental investigations and clinical studies are needed to assess the underlying causes and mechanisms of the observed associations between iron and reproductive health.

Vulnerability of The Male Reproductive System to SARS-CoV-2 Invasion: Potential Role for The Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone Grp78/HSPA5/BiP

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) may adversely affect male reproductive tissues and male<br />fertility. This concern is elicited by the higher susceptibility and mortality rate of men to the SARS-CoV-2 mediated coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), compared to the women. SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells after binding to a functional receptor named angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) and then replicates in the host cells and gets released into the plasma. SARS-CoVs use the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a site for viral protein synthesis and processing, as well as glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78) is a key ER chaperone involved in protein folding by preventing newly synthesized proteins from aggregation.<br />Therefore, we analyzed Grp78 expression in various human organs, particularly male reproductive organs, using Broad<br />Institute Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx), and Human Protein Atlas online<br />datasets. Grp78 is expressed in male reproductive tissues such as the testis, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicle. It can facilitate the coronavirus entry into the male reproductive tract, providing an opportunity for its replication. This link between the SARS-CoV-2 and the Grp78 protein could become a therapeutic target to mitigate its harmful effects on male fertility.

Silencing CAMK2D Promotes the Proliferation of Spermatogonia in the Testis of Experimental Varicocele Rats

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.

Effect of curcumin, and nano-curcumin on sperm function in varicocele rat model

Varicocele is one of the most important causes of infertility in men which gradually leads to testicular dysfunction. Testicular heat stress-induced oxidative stress is considered the main cause of pathology in these individuals. In this study, the effects of curcumin and nano-curcumin, as natural antioxidants, were investigated on spermatogenesis and sperm function in varicocele-induced rats. Seventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups; sham, control, varicocele, varicocele + curcumin 50 mg, varicocele + curcumin 100 mg, varicocele + nano-curcumin 4 mg and varicocele + nano-curcumin 8 mg. After 2 months of antioxidant therapy, all the rats were sacrificed. The results demonstrated that the mean sperm concentration and motility were significantly lower while the mean of abnormal morphology, lipid peroxidation, intracytoplasmic ROS and DNA damage was significantly higher in varicocelised rats compared to control and sham groups (p < .05). Both doses of curcumin and also nano-curcumin were significantly effective in improving the aforementioned parameters except for abnormal sperm morphology, and motility where nano-curcumin (4 mg) was significantly more effective than other groups (p < .05). The results of the current study suggest the application of nano-curcumin is more preferable to curcumin in infertile individuals with varicocele.