1.Icariin improves busulfan- and cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive function damage in male mice.
Yao WU ; Shan-Shan SHI ; Hai-Yan LIU ; Hao HUANG ; Xing-Hua SHI ; Jing HOU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(1):25-33
OBJECTIVE:
To comprehensively evaluate the effect of icariin in alleviating reproductive function damage (RFD) in male mice via in vitro and in vivo experiments.
METHODS:
We isolated Leydig cells from 60 KM male mice in vitro, and examined the toxic effect of icariin on the Leydig cells using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). We equally randomized the mice into six groups: normal control, RFD model control (made by intraperitoneal injection of busulfan at 10 mg/kg combined with cyclophosphamide (CP) at 120 mg/kg), positive control, and low-, medium- and high-dose icariin. After modeling, we treated the mice in the positive control group with Wuziyanzong Pills and those in the low-, medium- and high-dose icariin groups by intragastrical administration of icariin at 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg-1, respectively, for 30 successive days. Then we obtained the weight and visceral coefficients of the reproductive organs, calculated the sperm count, observed the pathological changes in the testis tissue by HE staining, measured the serum testosterone (T) level by ELISA, determined the indexes of testicular oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway by colorimetric assay, and detected the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic genes Fas and Bax by qRT-PCR.
RESULTS:
CCK-8 assay confirmed that icariin had no toxic effect on the isolated Leydig cells of the mice, and could effectively reduce busulfan- and CP-induced cytotoxicity and promote the secretion of serum T. Icariin at 80 mg/kg significantly increased the visceral coefficient of the testis and promoted spermatogenesis (P<0.05), but had little effect on the visceral coefficient of the epididymis in the RFD model mice. Testicular histomorphometric observation revealed significantly improved testis structure, intact boundary membrane of seminiferous tubules and increased numbers of various types of spermatogenic cells of the model mice after treated with icariin. Compared with the mice in the model control group, those treated with high-dose icariin showed a significantly reduced content of malondialdehyde (MDA) (by 35.3%, P<0.01), elevated total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity (P<0.05), and decreased NO content and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the testis tissue (P<0.01). In addition, icariin exhibited an evident inhibitory effect on the expressions of the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Fas.
CONCLUSION
Icariin can ameliorate oxidative stress-induced damage to the testicular function and protect spermatogenesis of male mice by elevating TAOC, decreasing NOS activity, inhibiting the NO level in the testis, and suppressing busulfan- and CP-induced apoptosis of testicular cells.
Animals
;
Male
;
Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects*
;
Mice
;
Busulfan/adverse effects*
;
Flavonoids/pharmacology*
;
Leydig Cells/drug effects*
;
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
;
Testis/drug effects*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Testosterone/blood*
2.Research progress on the mechanisms of male reproductive function damage by bisphenol A and traditional Chinese medicine intervention.
Nian-Wen HUANG ; Zun-Guang BAI ; Zhi-Ming HONG ; Huan-Zhou BI
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(5):457-461
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a kind of exogenous chemicals presenting in the human living environment widely which affects the action of endocrine hormones in the human body. Numerous studies have shown that BPA has reproductive toxicity in the spermatogenic function damage of the testes through a variety of mechanisms such as interfering with endocrine function, inducing oxidative stress, promoting spermatogonial cell apoptosis, destroying the integrity of the blood-testis barrier, and regulating epigenetic inheritance, thereby destroying male fertility. Relevant studies have shown that TCM can improve male fertility by reversing BPA-induced reproductive damage through multi-component, multi-target and multi-mechanisms. However, there is no systematic review on the mechanism of TCM to reduce the reproductive toxicity of BPA. Based on the existing studies, this article will systematically introduce the mechanisms of BPA-induced reproductive impairment in men and the progress of TCM interventions, with a view to providing reference targets and research directions for the development of new Chinese medicines.
Humans
;
Benzhydryl Compounds/adverse effects*
;
Male
;
Phenols/adverse effects*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Infertility, Male/chemically induced*
;
Testis/drug effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Bisphenol A Compounds
3.Advances in early screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Ying-fan LI ; Hong-xin LI ; Wei-fu WANG ; Fan-chang ZENG
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(5):462-468
Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumor, with the disease progressing from inert to aggressive tumors, and rapidly progressing to castration-resistant prostate cancer. Early-stage prostate cancer is usually asymptomatic. And by the time that symptoms appear, the disease has progressed to an incurable stage. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is especially important to control prostate cancer, which prolongs the survival period of patients. Digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen have been widely used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, there are certain limitations that lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Although prostate needle biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosing prostate cancer, with the wide application of multiparametric magnetic resonance examination and PSMA-PET/CT and other technologies in recent years, as well as the emergence of new biomarkers with higher sensitivity and specificity, its status as the gold standard has been challenged. And the diagnostic mode of prostate cancer has also undergone great changes. On this basis, the radical prostatectomy without prostate needle biopsy has been attempted clinically to treat prostate cancer, which gains the good clinical results. This article provides a review of the latest research advances in early screening and diagnostic models for prostate cancer.
Humans
;
Male
;
Benzhydryl Compounds/adverse effects*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Infertility, Male/chemically induced*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Phenols/adverse effects*
;
Testis/drug effects*
;
Bisphenol A Compounds
4.Effect of "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture on reproductive function in mice with asthenozoospermia based on mitochondrial apoptosis.
Jianheng HAO ; Boya CHANG ; Jia REN ; Zhen GAO ; Yanlin ZHANG ; Haijun WANG ; Laixi JI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(1):71-81
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of the "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture on key regulatory factors during mitochondrial apoptosis of testicular tissue in asthenozoospermia mice, and explore the potential mechanism of the protective effect of acupuncture on reproductive function.
METHODS:
Thirty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 mice in each group. In the model and the acupuncture groups, the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (30 mg•kg-1•d-1) was delivered for 7 days to prepare the asthenozoospermia model. After the success of modeling, the modeled mice in the acupuncture group were intervened with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture, once daily and the needles were retained for 20 min. The duration of the intervention was 2 weeks. The general condition of each mouse was observed, and the body mass was recorded before modeling, after modeling and after intervention completion. After intervention, the testicular mass was recorded and the weight coefficient was calculated, and the mouse sperm quality was examined; the serum contents of testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected using ELISA, the morphology of testicular tissue was observed using HE, the mitochondrial ultra-microstructure of testicular tissue was observed under transmission electrone microscopy, the mitochondrial membrane potential level of testicular tissue was detected using JC-1 staining, the positive rate of apoptosis cell of testicular tissue was observed using TUNEL; and the mRNA and protein expression of b-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), cytochrome c (Cyt C), apoptotic protease-activating factor1 (Apaf-1), Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 of testicular tissue was detected using real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blot methods separately; and the positive expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 of the testicular tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, the mice were in listless spirits, had shaggy hairs, the reduced appetite and movement, and weight loss in the model group (P<0.01); the testicular mass and the weight coefficient decreased (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability were declined (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH were dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of seminiferous tubules in testicular tissue was abnormal, the number of spermatogenic cells and the number of mitochondria decreased, the inner mitochondrial crest was fractured and lost, and vacuoles appeared. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced (P<0.01); and the positive rate of apoptosis cell in testicular tissue increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was dropped (P<0.01), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 increased (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the general condition of mice was improved, the testicular mass and the weight coefficient elevated (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability increased (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH rose (P<0.01). The pathological morphology of testicular tissue and the inner mitochondrial ultra-microstructure were ameliorated, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was elevated (P<0.01); the positive rate of apoptosis cell was reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was dropped (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 elevated (P<0.05), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 declined (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
"Zhibian" (BL54)-toward- "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture may ameliorate mouse reproductive function by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, alleviating testicular tissue damage in the asthenospermia mice induced by cyclophosphamide.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Apoptosis
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Mitochondria/metabolism*
;
Asthenozoospermia/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Testis/metabolism*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Spermatozoa/metabolism*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Sperm Motility
;
Testosterone/blood*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics*
;
Caspase 3/genetics*
;
Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood*
;
Reproduction
;
Cytochromes c/genetics*
;
bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics*
;
Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/genetics*
5.Mechanism research of "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture technique for improving reproductive function in mice with asthenospermia based on the ferroptosis pathway.
Jianheng HAO ; Boya CHANG ; Qingkai JIN ; Jia REN ; Haijun WANG ; Laixi JI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(3):351-360
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the underlying mechanism of "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture technique for improving reproductive function in mice with asthenospermia by regulating ferroptosis pathway.
METHODS:
Sixty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, an acupuncture group and a Fer-1 group, 15 mice in each one. Except the blank group, the intraperitoneal injection with cyclophosphamide (50·kg-1·d-1) was administered to establish the asthenospermia model in the mice of the rest 3 groups for 5 consecutive days. In the acupuncture group, "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture technique was operated in the mice, for 20 min each time; and in the Fer-1 group, Fer-1 solution (1 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally. The interventions of these two groups were delivered once daily and for 2 consecutive weeks. The testicular wet weight was measured and the testicular coefficient was calculated. Using sperm quality detection system, the sperm quality was detected. With ELISA used, the contents of testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the serum were detected. With HE staining, testicular and epididymal morphology was observed. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the testes. Biochemical assay was conducted to determine the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total iron ion (TFe) in the testicular tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine mitochondrial structure of the testis, while JC-1 staining was used to assess mitochondrial membrane potential in the testicular tissue. Fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses were employed to measure the mRNA and protein expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) in the testicular tissue.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, in the model group, the testicular wet weight and testicular coefficient decreased (P<0.01); the sperm concentration and sperm motility reduced (P<0.01), and the contents of T, FSH, and LH decreased in the serum (P<0.01); and the seminiferous tubules in the testis showed loose structure and deformed lumen, sperm cells were disorganized and the sperm numbers reduced; the tubular walls became thinner, and sperm numbers in the lumen less; the expression of ROS in testicular tissue, as well as the contents of MDA and TFe increased (P<0.01), and the content of GSH decreased (P<0.01); and the numbers of mitochondria reduced, the structure of cristae was serious damaged, and mitochondrial membrane potential level declined (P<0.01); the mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11, GPX4, and FTH1 decreased (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expression of ACSL4 increased (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the acupuncture and Fer-1 groups showed the increase of testicular wet weight and coefficient (P<0.01), sperm concentration and motility (P<0.01), and the serum contents of T, FSH, and LH (P<0.01); and the improvements in testicular and epididymal histopathology; ROS expression and the contents of MDA and TFe decreased (P<0.01), and the content of GSH elevated (P<0.05); the mitochondrial structure and numbers were ameliorated and mitochondrial membrane potential rose (P<0.01). Besides, in comparison with the model group, the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 was higher (P<0.05, P<0.01), the mRNA and protein expression of GPX4 and FTH1 increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expression of ACSL4 decreased (P<0.01) in the acupuncture and the Fer-1 groups; and the protein expression of SLC7A11 was higher in the Fer-1 group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
"Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture technique may improve the reproductive capacity in the mice with asthenospermia by alleviating ferroptosis-induced cellular damage and ameliorating testicular function.
Animals
;
Male
;
Ferroptosis
;
Mice
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Asthenozoospermia/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Testis/metabolism*
;
Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism*
;
Malondialdehyde/metabolism*
;
Reproduction
;
Testosterone/metabolism*
6.Effects of electroacupuncture with different frequencies on spermatogenesis and oxidative stress in oligoasthenospermia rats.
Wen WANG ; Ling HAN ; Yichun LIANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Ting HUANG ; Shaoying YUAN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(4):495-504
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with different frequencies on spermatogenic function, testicular morphology and oxidative stress in oligoasthenospermia (OAT) rats, and to explore the mechanism and the optimal parameters of EA for OAT.
METHODS:
Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a solvent control group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 100 Hz EA group and a 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the solvent control group, the other 4 groups were administered ornidazole suspension (800 mg·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for 28 d to establish the OAT model. Starting from the 1st of modeling, EA was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4), "Qihai" (CV6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) in the 3 EA groups, continuous wave of 2 Hz, continuous wave of 100 Hz, and disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz were used in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group, and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, respectively, with current intensity of 1-3 mA, 30 min a time, once every other day, for 28 consecutive days. After intervention, the testicular index was calculated, epididymal sperm quality was assessed, and the fertility ability was observed; morphology of testicular tissue was observed by HE staining, and the Johnson score was calculated; the positive expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in testicular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA; the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in testicular tissue was detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the solvent control group, in the model group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were decreased (P<0.01), the seminiferous tubules atrophied and the Johnson score decreased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological morphology of testicular tissue improved and the Johnson scores increased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 2 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility, as well as the CAT activity and HO-1 protein expression in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05); the positive expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the 100 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index was increased (P<0.01), the positive expression of ROS in testicular tissue was decreased (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
EA with 2 Hz continuous wave, 100 Hz continuous wave, and 2 Hz/100 Hz disperse-dense wave can all improve the spermatogenic arrest and reduce the level of oxidative stress in testicular tissue in OAT rats, the mechanism may be related to up-regulating the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and improving oxidative stress. EA with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz shows the optimal effect.
Male
;
Animals
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Spermatogenesis
;
Oligospermia/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Testis/metabolism*
;
Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
;
Asthenozoospermia/genetics*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Malondialdehyde/metabolism*
7.Circadian and non-circadian regulation of the male reproductive system and reproductive damage: advances in the role and mechanisms of clock genes.
Meng-Chao HE ; Ying-Zhong DAI ; Yi-Meng WANG ; Qin-Ru LI ; Si-Wen LUO ; Xi LING ; Tong WANG ; Jia CAO ; Qing CHEN
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):712-720
Recently, male reproductive health has attracted extensive attention, with the adverse effects of circadian disruption on male fertility gradually gaining recognition. However, the mechanism by which circadian disruption leads to damage to male reproductive system remains unclear. In this review, we first summarized the dual regulatory roles of circadian clock genes on the male reproductive system: (1) circadian regulation of testosterone synthesis via the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes; (2) non-circadian regulation of spermatogenesis. Next, we further listed the possible mechanisms by which circadian disruption impairs male fertility, including interference with the oscillatory function of the reproductive system, i.e., synchronization of the HPT axis, crosstalk between the HPT axis and the HPA axis, as well as direct damage to germ cells by disturbing the non-oscillatory function of the reproductive system. Future research using spatiotemporal omics, epigenomic assays, and neural circuit mapping in studying the male reproductive system may provide new clues to systematically unravel the mechanisms by which circadian disruption affects male reproductive system through circadian clock genes.
Male
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
Circadian Clocks/physiology*
;
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/genetics*
;
Spermatogenesis/physiology*
;
Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiology*
;
Testis/physiology*
;
Testosterone/biosynthesis*
;
CLOCK Proteins
;
Infertility, Male/physiopathology*
8.Efficacy and mechanism of Cistanches Herba extract in treating reproductive dysfunction in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency based on metabolomics.
Ze-Hui LI ; Pan-Yu XU ; Jia-Shan LI ; Li GUO ; Yuan LI ; Si-Qi LI ; Na LIN ; Ying XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(7):1850-1860
This study investigates the reproductive protective effect and potential mechanism of Cistanches Herba extract(CHE) on a rat model of kidney-Yang deficiency induced by adenine. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal, model, low-dose CHE(0.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), high-dose CHE(1.2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and L-carnitine(100 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). The rats were administered adenine(200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) by gavage for the first 14 days to induce kidney-Yang deficiency, while simultaneously receiving drug treatment. After 14 days, the modeling was discontinued, but drug treatment continued to 49 days. The content of components in CHE was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The adenine-induced kidney-Yang deficiency model was assessed through symptom characterization and measurement of testosterone(T) levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Pathological damage to the testis and epididymis was evaluated based on the wet weight and performing hematoxylin-eosin staining. Sperm density and motility were measured using computer-aided sperm analysis, and sperm viability was assessed using live/dead sperm staining kits, and sperm morphology was evaluated using eosin staining, thereby determining rat sperm quality. Metabolomics was used to analyze changes in serum metabolites, enrich related metabolic pathways, and explore the mechanism of CHE in improving reproductive function damage in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome. Compared to the normal group, the model group exhibited significant kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms, reduced T levels, decreased testicular and epididymal wet weights, and significant pathological damage to the testis and epididymis. The sperm density, motility, and viability decreased, with an increased rate of sperm abnormalities. In contrast, rats treated with CHE showed marked improvements in kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms, restored T levels, alleviated pathological damage to the testis and epididymis, and improved various sperm parameters. Metabolomics results revealed 286 differential metabolites between the normal and model groups(191 upregulated and 95 downregulated). Seventy-five differential metabolites were identified between the model and low-dose CHE groups(21 upregulated and 54 downregulated). A total of 24 common differential metabolites were identified across the three groups, with 22 of these metabolites exhibiting opposite regulation trends between the two comparison groups. These metabolites were primarily involved in linoleic acid metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis, as well as metabolites including 13-hydroperoxylinoleic acid, lysophosphatidylcholine, and pantethine. CHE can improve kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms in rats, alleviate reproductive organ damage, and enhance sperm quality. The regulation of lipid metabolism may be a potential mechanism through which CHE improves reproductive function in rats with kidney-Yang deficiency. The potential bioactive compounds of CHE include echinacoside, verbascoside, salidroside, betaine, and cistanoside A.
Animals
;
Male
;
Rats
;
Yang Deficiency/physiopathology*
;
Metabolomics
;
Kidney/physiopathology*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Cistanche/chemistry*
;
Kidney Diseases/metabolism*
;
Testis/metabolism*
;
Humans
;
Reproduction/drug effects*
;
Testosterone/blood*
9.Ex vivo microscopic testicular sperm extraction at the time of radical orchiectomy in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA): a scoping review.
Carlo GIULIONI ; Nguyen Ho Vinh PHUOC ; Selahittin CAYAN
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(3):416-422
Testicular tumor is the most common solid malignancy in males under 40 years of age. This malignancy is known to have a negative impact on male fertility. Therefore, several techniques for sperm retrieval have been proposed, including microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE). The objective of this study was to review the literature on the outcomes of oncological (Onco)-mTESE at the time of radical orchiectomy. We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Controlled Register of Trials. Only studies reporting ex vivo mTESE in patients with testicular tumor were considered. Twelve papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Tumor size was identified as the sole preoperative factor influencing spermatogenesis. The considered studies demonstrated a satisfactory success rate for Onco-mTESE, associated with a similarly valid percentage of live healthy births through assisted reproductive technology. Currently, no comparison has been made between Onco-mTESE and conventional Onco-TESE, hence further assessment is required. In cases where the tumor completely replaces the cancer-bearing testicle, a contralateral micro-TESE may be a viable alternative. However, the surgeon should evaluate associated risks and benefits preoperatively. In conclusion, Onco-mTESE at the time of radical orchiectomy appears to be a promising therapeutic option for young patients with testicular tumors. Nevertheless, additional studies are necessary to achieve a definitive conclusion.
Humans
;
Male
;
Azoospermia/etiology*
;
Sperm Retrieval
;
Orchiectomy/methods*
;
Testicular Neoplasms/complications*
;
Microdissection/methods*
;
Testis/surgery*
;
Adult
10.Second chance in fertility: a comprehensive narrative review of redo micro-TESE outcomes after initial failure.
Haitham ELBARDISI ; Emre BAKIRCIOGLU ; Wen LIU ; Darren KATZ
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(3):409-415
When microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) fails, a redo procedure may be the only option for patients who want a biological child. However, there are many gaps of knowledge surrounding the procedure, which need to be addressed to help clinicians and patients make informed decisions. This review explores redo micro-TESE in the context of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Literature was searched using Google Scholar, Medline, and PubMed. Search terms were "NOA" AND "second microdissection testicular sperm extractions" AND "redo microdissection testicles sperm extraction" AND "repeat microdissection testicular sperm extractions" AND "failed microdissection testicular sperm extractions" AND "salvage microdissection testicular sperm extractions". Only original articles in English were included. A total of nine articles were included, consisting of four retrospective and five prospective studies. The time gap between the first and second micro-TESE varied from 6 months to 24 months. Most of the included studies reported successful surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) in the second micro-TESE in the range of 10%-21%, except in one study where it reached 42%. It has not been presented any definitive information about the use of hormonal treatment or the benefit of varicocelectomy prior to the second micro-TESE. Patients with hypospermatogenesis and Klinefelter syndrome (KS) had the highest chance of success in redo surgery. In conclusion, redo micro-TESE following a negative procedure can lead to sperm recovery in 10%-21%. Patients with hypospermatogenesis and KS have a higher chance of success. There is no enough evidence to conclude which is the best hormonal stimulation if any before a redo surgery.
Humans
;
Male
;
Azoospermia/surgery*
;
Sperm Retrieval
;
Microdissection
;
Reoperation
;
Treatment Failure
;
Testis/surgery*
;
Treatment Outcome

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