Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an amphiphilic phospholipid ubiquitously present in the inside of the membrane of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In mammalian cells, there are two synthetic pathways for PS that are different from those of bacterial biosynthesis. The translocation of sperm PS from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane is considered to be associated with sperm apoptosis and male infertility. The level of PS externalization in human sperm is used as an indicator for the evaluation of sperm quality. Fast separation of PS-externalized sperm at the molecular level by flow cytometry or magnetic activated cell sorting can effectively improve the quality of sperm and the success rate of assisted reproductive technology. This paper reviews the structure properties, distribution, biological activity and synthesis of PS, as well as its association with male reproduction.
Animals ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphatidylserines ; biosynthesis ; metabolism

Many pathological phenomena of male infertility are related to epigenetic changes in male germ cells. Epigenetic regulation during spermatogenesis plays an important role in mitotic/meiotic divisions and spermiogenesis. The histones have various post-translational modifications on different amino acid residues during spermatogenesis. These modifications are crucial to the precise regulation of spermatogenesis. Moreover, the histone-to-protamine transition will occur during spermiogenesis. Many studies have also found that abnormal changes of histone modifications during spermatogenesis may damage the sperm development, leading to male sterility. This article reviews the changes of histone modifications during spermatogenesis, the regulation of the development of male germ cells, and the relationship between histone abnormalities and male sterility.
Epigenesis, Genetic ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; physiopathology ; Male ; Spermatogenesis

Adult ; Endometriosis ; complications ; metabolism ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; metabolism ; Leptin ; metabolism

Heat shock protein (HSP) is a group of evolutionarily highly conserved cell chaperone proteins involved in the processes of molecular chaperone, cytoprotection, anti-apoptosis and immunoregulation. Recent studies found that HSP is also involved in spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation and fertilization, which play a significant role in male reproduction. Therefore, further studies on the action mechanisms of HSP in male infertility may offer a new insight into the management of the problem.
Heat-Shock Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; Male ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Male reproductive infections are known to shape the immunological homeostasis of the testes, leading to male infertility. However, the specific pathogenesis of these changes remains poorly understood. Exosomes released in the inflammatory microenvironment are important in communication between the local microenvironment and recipient cells. Here, we aim to identify the immunomodulatory properties of inflammatory testes-derived exosomes (IT-exos) and explore their underlying mechanisms in orchitis. IT-exos were isolated using a uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)-induced orchitis model and confirmed that IT-exos promoted proinflammatory M1 activation with increasing expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro. We further used small RNA sequencing to identify the differential miRNA profiles in exosomes and primary testicular macrophages (TMs) from normal and UPEC-infected testes, respectively, and identified that miR-155-5p was highly enriched in IT-exos and TMs from inflammatory testes. Further study of bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) transfected with miR-155-5p mimic showed that macrophages polarized to proinflammatory phenotype. In addition, the mice that were administrated IT-exos showed remarkable activation of TM1-like macrophages; however, IT-exos with silencing miR-155-5p showed a decrease in proinflammatory responses. Overall, we demonstrate that miR-155-5p delivered by IT-exos plays an important role in the activation of TM1 in UPEC-induced orchitis. Our study provides a new perspective on the immunological mechanisms underlying inflammation-related male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Animals ; Orchitis ; Uropathogenic Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Phenotype ; Infertility, Male/metabolism*

OBJECTIVEOvarian fibrosis is characterized by excessive proliferation of ovarian fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and it is one of the principal reasons for ovarian dysfunction. This review aimed to investigate the pathogenetic mechanism of ovarian fibrosis and to clarify the relationship between ovarian diseases and fibrosis.

DATA SOURCESWe searched PubMed for English language articles published up to November 2016. The search terms included ovarian fibrosis OR fibrosis, ovarian chocolate cyst OR ovarian endometrioma, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, ECM, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and combinations of these terms.

STUDY SELECTIONArticles were obtained and reviewed to analyze the pathogenic mechanism of ovarian fibrosis and related ovarian diseases.

RESULTSMany cytokines, such as MMPs, TIMPs, TGF-β1, CTGF, PPAR-γ, VEGF, and ET-1, are involved in ovarian fibrogenesis. Ovarian fibrogenesis is associated with various ovarian diseases, including ovarian chocolate cyst, PCOS, and premature ovarian failure. One finding of particular interest is that fibrogenesis in peripheral tissues around an ovarian chocolate cyst commonly causes ovarian function diminution, and therefore, this medical problem should arouse widespread concern in clinicians worldwide.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with ovarian fibrosis are susceptible to infertility and tend to have decreased responses to assisted fertility treatment. Thus, protection of ovarian function should be a priority for women who wish to reproduce when making therapeutic decisions about ovarian fibrosis-related diseases.

Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; Ovary ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the significance of the change of protamine content in the management of male infertility.

METHODSSperm nuclear proteins extracted from 199 infertile patients were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis and scanning microdensitometry.

RESULTSForty-two (21%) cases of the total number had normal sperm nuclear proteins and 157 (79%) had aberrant ones, which mainly presented the interruption of HPRR and abnormality of P2 protamine. Thirty patients were selected at random from 157 abnormal cases for clinical treatment. After the treatment, the sperm nuclear proteins were extracted and analyzed and the results demonstrated that 11 cases (36.6%) improved markedly, 5 (16.6%) restored to normal and the other 16 (46.6%) remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONThere is a reduced level or selective absence or even complete selective absence of protamines in infertile patients. Protamines may act as a parameter for evaluating the treatment effect of infertile males and protamine content can be influenced by a certain or several factors.

Adult ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; Male ; Oligospermia ; metabolism ; Protamines ; analysis ; Spermatozoa ; chemistry

Reduced glutathione (GSH) , the most abundant non-protein thiol in mammalian cells, exists extensively in the human body and plays a key role in many biological processes, including the synthesis of proteins and DNA and the transport of amino acids, especially in protecting cells against oxidation. GSH also shows its important clinical value in the treatment of many diseases. It has been reported that GSH also widely exists in the male reproductive system and has a therapeutic role in male infertility. The objective of this review is to summarize the distribution of GSH in the male reproductive system and its therapeutic value for male infertility.
Genitalia, Male ; metabolism ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted

Primary ovarian insuffiency (POI), which accounts for female infertility, is characterized by amenorrhea before the age of 40 and high serum level of follicular stimulating hormone (>40 U/L) at two measurements taken at least one month apart. The disorder is believed to have a strong genetic component. A large number of candidate genes have been proposed, though few of them were extensively studied. With the rapid evolvement of genome sequencing technology, recent research raised the possibility that the genes involved in essential steps of meiosis such as chromosome synapsis and recombination play an important role in the pathogenesis of POI. Clarifying the genetic pathogenesis of POI not only can enhance understanding of the molecular mechanism of reproductive functions and infertility, but also provide accurate information for genetic counseling for such patients.
Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; genetics ; Meiosis ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; genetics ; metabolism

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infertility ; chemically induced ; Models, Animal ; Tripterygium ; metabolism