This study was to survey the relationship between semen values and demographics, comorbidities, and recreational substance use in a large cohort of adult men at the University of Chicago Medical Center Department of Urology (Chicago, IL, USA). We performed an analysis from January 2013 to December 2023 of semen samples obtained from adult patients at our institution and collected their demographics, comorbid medical conditions, and recreational substance use information. Patients were divided into categories of normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, and azoospermia on the basis of the 5 th version of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Data were analyzed by univariate linear and logistic regression models, after which statistically significant variables were placed into multivariable models. Azoospermia and oligozoospermia were both associated with Caucasian or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) race (both P < 0.001), increasing age ( P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively), anemia ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively), lifetime tobacco use (both P < 0.001), lifetime alcohol use ( P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively), and lifetime use of at least two recreational substances ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively) in multivariable models. Oligospermia was additionally associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; P = 0.003) in multivariable models. This study suggests that at-risk populations may benefit from additional early screening and workup for infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Longitudinal Studies ; Middle Aged ; Semen Analysis ; Life Style ; Oligospermia/epidemiology* ; Azoospermia/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Midwestern United States/epidemiology* ; Young Adult

Non-obstructive azoospermia is a common condition associated with significant health risks, including increased mortality, cancer, and chronic diseases such as metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. This review aims to highlight the potential health challenges faced by men with this condition compared to fertile counterparts. Through a comprehensive bibliographic search on PubMed, using the following algorithm: ("infertility, male" [MeSH Terms] OR "azoospermia" [MeSH Terms]) AND ("mortality" [MeSH Terms] OR "neoplasms" [MeSH Terms] OR "chronic disease" [MeSH Terms] OR "diabetes mellitus" [MeSH Terms] OR "heart diseases" [MeSH Terms]), we analyzed existing literature to explore the associations between infertility, specifically azoospermia, and adverse health outcomes. Findings indicate that infertile men are at a higher risk of death, various cancers (particularly testicular cancer), metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypogonadism, and cardiovascular disease. Although research specifically addressing azoospermia is limited, available studies support the notion that men with this condition may experience heightened health vulnerabilities. Given these risks, it is imperative for healthcare professionals, especially urologists, to conduct thorough health assessments for men diagnosed with azoospermia. Informing patients of these potential health issues and integrating comprehensive evaluations into their care can facilitate early detection and intervention for life-threatening conditions. Ultimately, men with azoospermia should receive ongoing monitoring to address their specific health concerns, thus improving their long-term health outcomes.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/epidemiology* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology* ; Metabolic Syndrome/epidemiology* ; Infertility, Male/complications* ; Testicular Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Hypogonadism/epidemiology* ; Diabetes Mellitus/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Neoplasms/epidemiology*

This study aimed to ascertain the current status of Japanese sperm banking for young cancer patients. During 2015, we mailed the directors of 695 institutes where sperm cryopreservation might be performed with questionnaires requesting information on the number of patients, age, precryopreservation chemotherapy, semen analyses results and diagnoses, cryopreservation success rate, and causes of unsuccessful cryopreservation. Of these 695 institutes, 92 had cryopreserved sperm before chemotherapy within the study period. In all, 820 cancer patients (237 testicular, 383 hematological, 46 bone and soft tissue, 20 brain, and 134 other malignancy) consulted the responding institutes for sperm cryopreservation. Except for testicular tumor, the number of patients whose sperm was preserved before cancer treatment was low compared to that of young cancer patients. Approximately 20% of patients with malignancies other than testicular tumor underwent chemotherapy before cryopreservation. The success rate of cryopreservation in hematological malignancy was 82.5%, significantly lower than that of both the testicular cancer (93.6%) and other malignancy groups (95.6%) (P < 0.05). The primary reasons for preservation failure were azoospermia and poor semen quality. Patients with hematological malignancies had a higher rate of unsuccessful cryopreservation compared to those in other groups, possibly due to the large number of patients requesting sperm cryopreservation after chemotherapy induction. In Japan, information regarding sperm banking prior to cancer treatment appears to be lacking. Information regarding sperm preservation before chemotherapy should be provided to all Japanese oncologists.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Azoospermia ; Cryopreservation ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Semen Analysis ; Semen Preservation/methods* ; Sperm Banks/statistics & numerical data* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Testicular Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Microsurgical longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (LIVE) has been widely used to treat epididymal obstructive azoospermia since 2004. Although the deferential vasculature plays an important role in supplying blood to the testis and epididymis, little attention has been paid to the potential benefits of sparing the deferential vessels during the anastomosis in LIVE. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferential vessel-sparing LIVE in humans. From December 2013 to December 2015, 69 azoospermic men with epididymal obstruction due to a genital infection, trauma, or idiopathic factors underwent deferential vessel-sparing LIVE in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. The outcomes of these patients were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 31.1 years for men and 28.3 years for their partners. Fifty-nine (85.5%, 59/69) men were followed up after surgery for approximately 16 months. Patency was noted and confirmed by semen analysis (>10 000 sperm/ml) in 83.1% (49/59) of men. The natural pregnancy rate was 40.7% (24/59) by the end of the study, with 87.5% (21/24) of these natural pregnancies achieved within 12 months after surgery. No severe adverse events or complications were observed. In this study, we present a novel technique for sparing the deferential vessels during LIVE. The preliminary outcomes show this technique to be safe with favorable patency and pregnancy rates.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Epididymis/surgery* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Sparing Treatments/methods* ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen Analysis ; Testis/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Urogenital Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Vas Deferens/surgery* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the fertility of infertile males of large samples by the routine semen examination, and to provide a scientific basis for clinical treatment of male infertility and improve efficacy. METHODS: We collected 16 835 semen specimens of infertile man in our hospital (the infertility group), and 1 567 semen specimens of sperm donating candidates from the sperm bank of our hospital (the control group). Semen routine examination was performed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) technology, and the data of semen routine examination were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The infertile patients with semen abnormalities in our hospital mainly suffered asthenospermia. The proportion of azoospermia, asthenospermia and oligoasthenospermia in the infertility group was higher than that in the control group, while the proportion of oligozoospermia was lower than that in the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Azoospermia, asthenospermia and oligoasthenospermia are related to infertility, but simply oligozoospermia is not necessarily related to infertility.
Asthenozoospermia ; Azoospermia ; China ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; pathology

The purpose of this study was to review occupational reproductive abnormalities and occupational bladder cancer in Korea and to discuss their toxicological implications. Reproductive dysfunction as a result of 2-bromopropane poisoning was first reported in Korean workers. In 1995, 23 of the 33 workers (25 female and 8 male workers) who were exposed to 2-bromopropane during the assembly of tactile switch parts developed reproductive and/or hematopoietic disorders. A total of 17 (68%) workers were diagnosed with ovarian failure. Two of the eight male workers experienced azoospermia and four workers experienced some degree of oligospermia or reduced sperm motility. In summary, 2-bromopropane poisoning caused severe reproductive effects in Korean workers. The prognosis was poor for reproductive dysfunction. A few cases of occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea, whereas other cancers of the urinary tract have not been reported after occupational exposure. A few cases of benzidine-induced cancer have been reported in Korea and 592 workers in Japan have received compensation for benzidine and beta-naphthylamine-induced cancer. In conclusion, a few cases of benzidine-induced occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea. However, benzidine-induced bladder cancer will likely be an important occupational health issue in Korea in the coming years.
2-Naphthylamine/toxicity ; Azoospermia/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Benzidines/toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocarbons, Brominated/toxicity ; Infertility/*chemically induced/*epidemiology ; Male ; Occupational Diseases/*chemically induced/*epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects ; Oligospermia/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/chemically induced/epidemiology ; Republic of Korea ; Sperm Motility/drug effects ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*chemically induced/*epidemiology

AIMTo complete comprehensive haplotype analysis of USP26 for both fertile and infertile men.

METHODSTwo hundred infertile men with severe oligospermia or non-obstructive azoospermia were subjected to sequence analysis for the entire coding sequences of the USP26 gene. Two hundred men with proven fertility were genotyped by primer extension methods. Allele/genotype frequencies, linkage disequilibrium (LD) characteristics and haplotypes of fertile men were compared with infertile men.

RESULTSThe allele frequencies of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (370-371insACA, 494T>C, 576G>A, ss6202791C>T, 1737G>A) were significantly higher in infertile patients than control subjects. The major haplotypes in infertile men were TACCGA (28% of the population), TGCCGA (15%), TACCAA (8%), TGCCAA (6%), TATCAA (5%) and CATCAA (5%). The major haplotypes for the control subjects were TACCGA (58% of the population), CACCGA (7%), CATCGA (6%) and TGCCGA (5%). Haplotypes TGCCGA, TATCAA, CATCAA, CATCGC, TACCAA and TGCCAA were over-transmitted in patients with spermatogenic defect, whereas haplotypes TACCGA, CACCGA, and CATCGA were under-transmitted in these patients.

CONCLUSIONSome USP26 alleles and haplotypes are associated with spermatogenic defect in the Han nationality in Taiwan, China.

Adult ; Alleles ; Azoospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Multigene Family ; Oligospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; physiology ; Taiwan ; epidemiology

AIMTo develop a high-throughput multiplex, fast and simple assay to scan azoospermia factor (AZF) region microdeletions on the Y chromosome and establish the prevalence of Y chromosomal microdeletions in Chinese infertile males with azoospermia or oligozoospermia.

METHODSIn total, 178 infertile patients with azoospermia (non-obstructed), 134 infertile patients with oligozoospermia as well as 40 fertile man controls were included in the present study. The samples were screened for AZF microdeletion using optimized multi-analyte suspension array (MASA) technology.

RESULTSOf the 312 patients, 36 (11.5%) were found to have deletions in the AZF region. The microdeletion frequency was 14% (25/178) in the azoospermia group and 8.2% (11/134) in the oligospermia group. Among 36 patients with microdeletions, 19 had deletions in the AZFc region, seven had deletions in AZFa and six had deletions in AZFb. In addition, four patients had both AZFb and AZFc deletions. No deletion in the AZF region was found in the 40 fertile controls.

CONCLUSIONThere is a high prevalence of Y chromosomal microdeletions in Chinese infertile males with azoospermia or oligozoospermia. The MASA technology, which has been established in the present study, provides a sensitive and high-throughput method for detecting the deletion of the Y chromosome. And the results suggest that genetic screening should be advised to infertile men before starting assisted reproductive treatments.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; ultrastructure ; DNA ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Genetic Loci ; Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases ; genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Probes ; Oligospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Array Analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seminal Plasma Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of glutathioneS-transferase T (GSTT1) gene polymorphism with azoospermia and oligospermia.

METHODSSemen samples from 34 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 40 patients with idiopathic oligospermia and 53 healthy controls with normal sperm concentration and motility were assessed according to the standards of WHO. The GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with peripheral blood DNA samples.

RESULTSThe frequencies of null GSTTI genotypes in the patients with idiopathic azoospermia, idiopathic oligospermia and the healthy controls were 76.5%, 72.5% and 49.1%, respectively. There was a significant association between the null alleles of GSTT1 and idiopathic azoospermia (odds ratio 3.13, 95% CI 1.20-8.16, P = 0.020) and idiopathic oligospermia (odds radio 2.53, 95% CI 1.06-6.11, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONThe null alleles of GSTTI are a strong predisposing risk factor for idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Genotype ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of male infertility with abnormality of chromosomal quantity and construction and with the deletion of DAZ gene copy in the AZFc region of Y chromosome.

METHODSIncluded in the study were 247 azoospermic and 206 severe oligozoospermic patients, as well as 210 fertile men as controls. Multi-PCR and PCR-RFLP were used to analyze the deletion of DAZ gene copies in the AZFc region of Y chromosome. Chromosomal quantity and construction were detected by G-band in the 453 patients.

RESULTSIn the azoospermic and severe oligozoospermic patients, the incidences of chromosomal abnormality were 12.6% and 8.3%; the rates of complete DAZ deletion were 7.7% and 11.2%, and the rates of DAZ1/DAZ2 deletion were 7.3% and 4.9% respectively, but no deletion was detected in the controls.

CONCLUSIONThere is a high frequency of chromosomal abnormality and DAZ gene copy deletion in patients with azoospermia and oligospermia, which suggests that chromosomal abnormality and partial and complete deletion of DAZ gene copy might be important genetic causes of Chinese male infertility.

China ; epidemiology ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein ; Gene Dosage ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Oligospermia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations