The Application of Ejaculate-Based Shotgun Proteomics for Male Infertility Screening

Problems with the male reproductive system are of both medical and social significance. As a rule, spermatozoa and seminal plasma proteomes are investigated separately to assess sperm quality. The current study aimed to compare ejaculate proteomes with spermatozoa and seminal plasma protein profiles regarding the identification of proteins related to fertility scores. A total of 1779, 715, and 2163 proteins were identified in the ejaculate, seminal plasma, and spermatozoa, respectively. Among these datasets, 472 proteins were shared. GO enrichment analysis of the common proteins enabled us to distinguish biological processes such as single fertilization (GO:0007338), spermatid development (GO:0007286), and cell motility (GO:0048870). Among the abundant terms for GO cellular components, zona pellucida receptor complex, sperm fibrous sheath, and outer dense fiber were revealed. Overall, we identified 139 testis-specific proteins. For these proteins, PPI networks that are common in ejaculate, spermatozoa, and seminal plasma were related to the following GO biological processes: cilium movement (GO:0003341), microtubule-based movement (GO:0007018), and sperm motility (GO:0097722). For ejaculate and spermatozoa, they shared 15 common testis-specific proteins with spermatogenesis (GO:0007283) and male gamete generation (GO:0048232). Therefore, we speculated that ejaculate-based proteomics could yield new insights into the peculiar reproductive physiology and spermatozoa function of men and potentially serve as an explanation for male infertility screening.

A Comparative Study on the Effects of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Technology and Electrostimulation for the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Muscles and Urinary Incontinence in Parous Women: Analysis of Posttreatment Data

OBJECTIVES

Pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) weakening and urinary incontinence (UI) represent health issues that have a negative impact on daily life. This study compares the immediate efficiency of high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) therapy and electrostimulation for the treatment of weakened PFMs, accompanied by the UI.

METHODS

Ninety-five parous women were considered for the study. Symptomatic patients received either HIFEM or electrostimulation treatment. Treated patients completed 10 therapies scheduled 2 to 3 times per week (HIFEM) or every other day (electrostimulation). Patients underwent examination by 3-dimensional transperienal ultrasound at the baseline and posttreatments. Levator-urethra gap, anteroposterior diameter, laterolateral diameter of levator hiatus, and hiatal area were measured. In addition, Pelvic Floor Disability Index 20 questionnaire and subjective evaluation of patient's intimate health were assessed.

RESULTS

Enrolled patients were divided into group I (n = 50, HIFEM), group II (n = 25, electrostimulation), and group III (n = 20, control) according the indication and treatment modality. Three-dimensional ultrasounds showed positive changes in dynamics of the pelvic floor posttreatment (decreased anteroposterior diameter, laterolateral diameter, and hiatal area). However, the significant (P < 0.05) changes of pelvic floor integrity were observed only in group I. In addition, group I achieved greater level of improvement in Pelvic Floor Disability Index 20 questionnaire compared with group II (52% and 18% respectively; P < 0.001). Substantially fewer patients in group I reported urine leakage after treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Posttreatment results suggest that HIFEM technology is suitable for treatment of PFMs weakening and showed to be more effective when compared with electrostimulation in short-term. Therefore, we recommend HIFEM as treatment option for weakened PFMs and UI.

The prevalence of non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency in Russian women with hyperandrogenism

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) due to 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) deficiency among hyperandrogenic women in a Russian population and to evaluate diagnostic value of basal serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) level to diagnose this disease. A total of 800 consecutive Caucasian women presenting with elevation of at least one serum androgen and/or manifestation of one of the clinical androgenic symptoms were prospectively recruited and evaluated by basal 17-OHP. The diagnosis of NCAH due to 21-OH deficiency was considered in patients when basal level exceeded 5.0 nmol/L and CYP21A2 gene mutation analysis was performed in this case. Eight (1.0%) of the patients had NCAH due to 21-OH deficiency confirmed by genotyping. These women had a V281L mutation: five homozygous and three compound heterozygous with genotypes V281L/P453S, V281L/I2splice and V281L/I2splice. One patient was diagnosed with NCAH (genotype V281L/I2splice) before the study and was excluded from the analysis. Thus, the unbiased prevalence of NCAH was 0.9%. The 17-OHP basal level ranges from 16.8 to 17.7 nmol/L predicted NCAH with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity.