Background
The global prevalence of obesity has soared to a concerning height in the past few decades. Interestingly, the global decline in semen quality is a parallel occurrence that urges ...researchers to evaluate if obesity is among the most essential causatives of male infertility or subfertility.
Main body
Obesity may alter the synchronized working of the reproductive-endocrine milieu, mainly the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis along with its crosstalks with other reproductive hormones. Obesity-mediated impairment in semen parameters may include several intermediate factors, which include physical factors, essentially increased scrotal temperature due to heavy adipose tissue deposits, and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) initiated by various adipose tissue-derived pro-inflammatory mediators. Obesity, via its multifaceted mechanisms, may modulate sperm genetic and epigenetic conformation, which severely disrupt sperm functions. Paternal obesity reportedly has significant adverse effects upon the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) and the overall health of offspring. Given the complexity of the underlying mechanisms and rapid emergence of new evidence-based hypotheses, the concept of obesity-mediated male infertility needs timely updates and pristine understanding.
Conclusions
The present review comprehensively explains the possible obesity-mediated mechanisms, especially via physical factors, OS induction, endocrine modulation, immune alterations, and genetic and epigenetic changes, which may culminate in perturbed spermatogenesis, disrupted sperm DNA integrity, compromised sperm functions, and diminished semen quality, leading to impaired male reproductive functions.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is indeed one of the most common gynecological endocrine disorders, affecting a significant number of females in their reproductive age. While the exact cause of PCOS ...is not fully understood, several factors are believed to contribute to its onset. The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and low-grade chronic inflammation is complex and not fully understood. While there is evidence to suggest an association between PCOS and inflammation, the exact cause and causal nature of this relationship are still under investigation. Several inflammatory markers, including IL-6 (interleukin-6), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL-17 (interleukin-17), CRP (C-reactive protein), NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio), and PLR (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio), have been studied about PCOS. These markers are substances produced by the immune system in response to inflammation. Increased levels of IL-17, IL-1, and IL-8 were correlated with PCO. CRP to albumin ratio can be employed as a precise bio-marker for PCOS. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) indicates poor cardiovascular health and metabolic syndrome (MS) and can be considered a negative regulator for FSH which indirectly stimulates testosterone production. Platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are also recently found to be associated with PCOS. The literature explaining the underlying mechanisms with specific inflammatory markers and how inflammation relates to PCOS will be highlighted in this review article. It will also discuss the roles of inflammation and the association of different inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of PCOS, which may usher in a new era in the treatment approach for PCOS.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common gynecological endocrine disorders affecting up to 10% of all females in their reproductive age, and its cause of onset is still elusive. A spectrum ...of recent research reflected diverse associations between increased plasma level of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and different clinical features of PCOS. Since AMH levels reflect the pool of growing follicles that potentially can ovulate, it can be stated that serum AMH levels can be used to assess the “functional ovarian reserve,” rather mentioning it as the “ovarian reserve.” AMH also appears to be a premier endocrine parameter for the assessment of atrophied ovarian follicular pool in response to age of individuals. AMH hinders the follicular development as well as the follicular recruitment and ultimately resulting in follicular arrest which is the key pathophysiologic condition for the onset of PCOS. Furthermore, FSH-induced aromatase activity remains inhibited by AMH that aids emergence of other associated clinical signs of PCOS, such as excess androgen, followed by insulin resistance among the PCOS individuals. Given the versatile association of AMH with PCOS and scarcity in literature explaining the underling mechanisms how AMH relates with PCOS, this review article will discuss the roles of AMH in the pathogenesis of PCOS which may introduce a new era in treatment approach of PCOS.
Aim:To investigate the effect of arsenic on spermatogenesis.Methods:Mature(4 months old)Wistar rats were intraperitoneally administered sodium arsenite at doses of 4,5 or 6mg·kg^-1·day^-1 for 26 ...days.Different varieties of germ cells at stage Ⅶ seminiferous epithelium cycle,namely,type A spermatogonia(ASg),preleptotene spermatocytes(pLSc),midpachytene spermatocytes(mPSc) and step 7 spermatids(7Sd) were quantitatively evaluated, along with radioimmunoassay of plasma follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),lutuneizing hormone(LH),testosterone and assessment of the epididymal sperm count.Results:In the 5 and 6 mg/kg groups,there were significant dosedependent decreases in the accessory sex organ weights,epididymal sperm count and plasma concentrations of LH,FSH and testosterone with massive degeneration of all the germ cells at stage Ⅶ,The changes were insignificant in the 4 mg/kg group.Conclusion:Arsenite has a suppressive influence on spermatogenesis and gonadotrophin and testosterone release in rats.
Objectives
To study the effectiveness of mirror therapy along with a Stroke rehabilitation program on oedema, pain intensity and functional activities in patients with shoulder‐hand syndrome (SHS) ...after stroke.
Design
Randomized controlled trial.
Settings
Out‐patient rehabilitation center.
Methods
Thirty‐eight SHS patients after stroke, were randomly allocated into two groups; both the groups received a 4‐week stroke rehabilitation program, 30 min a day for 5 days a week. Control group patients performed all the exercises of stroke rehabilitation program, while directly visualizing their both limbs. Experimental group patients performed same exercises of stroke rehabilitation program in front of the mirror.
Outcome Measures
Oedema (figure‐of‐eight measurement method), pain intensity (0–10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale 0–10 NPRS), functional activities (Functional Independence Measure FIM).
Results
After intervention, both groups showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement for all measures (oedema measurement, 0–10 NPRS and FIM). Improvements were more significant (p < 0.05) in the experimental group with mirror therapy for all three measures compared to the control group. Mean differences between groups were 1.40 cm for oedema measurement, 0.87 for NPRS score and 12.20 for FIM score. At 2‐week follow‐up, the improvements were sustained.
Conclusion
The current study may indicate mirror therapy as an effective central neuromodulatory rehabilitative program to reduce pain, improves functional activities. More distinctively, this preliminary study suggests a decrease in oedema by mirror therapy for SHS after stroke. Improvement of upper limb in SHS after stroke will be more perceptible with the decrease in oedema, being the characteristic sign, following mirror therapy. Clinically, patients during their daily functional activities, shall be more confident to use their upper limb following mirror therapy after reduction in oedema along with pain.
In the past two decades, oxidative stress (OS) has drawn a lot of interest due to the revelation that individuals with many persistent disorders including diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome ...(PCOS), cardiovascular, and other disorders often have aberrant oxidation statuses. OS has a close interplay with PCOS features such as insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and chronic inflammation; there is a belief that OS might contribute to the development of PCOS. PCOS is currently recognized as not only one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders but also a significant contributor to female infertility, affecting a considerable proportion of women globally. Therefore, the understanding of the relationship between OS and PCOS is crucial to the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies for PCOS. Moreover, the mechanistic study of intracellular reactive oxygen species/ reactive nitrogen species formation and its possible interaction with women’s reproductive health is required, which includes complex enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. Apart from that, our current review includes possible regulation of the pathogenesis of OS. A change in lifestyle, including physical activity, various supplements that boost antioxidant levels, particularly vitamins, and the usage of medicinal herbs, is thought to be the best way to combat this occurrence of OS and improve the pathophysiologic conditions associated with PCOS.
The aim of the present study was to determine the role of adrenals in gonadal activity in the male toad during the breeding season. Exogenous administration of corticosterone or metapyrone for 6 days ...inhibited adrenal Δ
5-3β(delta 5−3 beta) hydroxysteroid (Δ
5-3β-HSD) and testicular 17β (17 beta) hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) activities, decreased the serum levels of testosterone and inhibited spermatogenesis. When toads were treated with corticosterone a significant rise of serum corticosterone was noted while metapyrone treatment appeared to decrease serum corticosterone levels. It is concluded that adrenocortical hormone plays an indirect role in testicular activity in toads during the breeding season.
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