Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples trying to conceive, and a male factor contributes to roughly half of these cases. Oxidative stress (OS) has been identified as one of the many mediators of male infertility by causing sperm dysfunction. OS is a state related to increased cellular damage triggered by oxygen and oxygen-derived free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). During this process, augmented production of ROS overwhelms the body's antioxidant defenses. While small amounts of ROS are required for normal sperm functioning, disproportionate levels can negatively impact the quality of spermatozoa and impair their overall fertilizing capacity. OS has been identified as an area of great attention because ROS and their metabolites can attack DNA, lipids, and proteins; alter enzymatic systems; produce irreparable alterations; cause cell death; and ultimately, lead to a decline in the semen parameters associated with male infertility. This review highlights the mechanisms of ROS production, the physiological and pathophysiological roles of ROS in relation to the male reproductive system, and recent advances in diagnostic methods; it also explores the benefits of using antioxidants in a clinical setting.

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Effect of oxidative stress on male reproduction.

https://uroweb.org/wp-content/uploads/Jungwirth-A-et-al-Eur-Urol-2012-622342-EAU-Guidelines-on-Male-Infertility-the-2012-update.pdf

European Association of Urology Guidelines on Male Infertility: The 2012 Update

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare disorder caused by the deficient production, secretion or action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is the master hormone regulating the reproductive axis. CHH is clinically and genetically heterogeneous, with >25 different causal genes identified to date. Clinically, the disorder is characterized by an absence of puberty and infertility. The association of CHH with a defective sense of smell (anosmia or hyposmia), which is found in ∼50% of patients with CHH is termed Kallmann syndrome and results from incomplete embryonic migration of GnRH-synthesizing neurons. CHH can be challenging to diagnose, particularly when attempting to differentiate it from constitutional delay of puberty. A timely diagnosis and treatment to induce puberty can be beneficial for sexual, bone and metabolic health, and might help minimize some of the psychological effects of CHH. In most cases, fertility can be induced using specialized treatment regimens and several predictors of outcome have been identified. Patients typically require lifelong treatment, yet ∼10-20% of patients exhibit a spontaneous recovery of reproductive function. This Consensus Statement summarizes approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of CHH and discusses important unanswered questions in the field.

/pdf/expert-consensus-document-european-consensus-statement-on-szyt4znv0j.pdf

Expert consensus document: European Consensus Statement on congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism—pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

Approximately 10 to 15% of couples are impacted by infertility. Recently, the pivotal role that lifestyle factors play in the development of infertility has generated a considerable amount of interest. Lifestyle factors are the modifiable habits and ways of life that can greatly influence overall health and well-being, including fertility. Many lifestyle factors such as the age at which to start a family, nutrition, weight, exercise, psychological stress, environmental and occupational exposures, and others can have substantial effects on fertility; lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, illicit drug use, and alcohol and caffeine consumption can negatively influence fertility while others such as preventative care may be beneficial. The present literature review encompasses multiple lifestyle factors and places infertility in context for the couple by focusing on both males and females; it aims to identify the roles that lifestyle factors play in determining reproductive status. The growing interest and amount of research in this field have made it evident that lifestyle factors have a significant impact on fertility.

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Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility

https://www.clevelandclinic.org/reproductiveresearchcenter/docs/agradoc344.pdf

The genetic causes of male factor infertility: A review

http://www.next-up.org/pdf/OfficialJournalAmericanSocietyReproductiveMedecineEffectCcellPhoneSemenAnalysisObservationalStudy012008.pdf

Effect of cell phone usage on semen analysis in men attending infertility clinic: an observational study

https://www.ccf.org/ReproductiveResearchCenter/docs/agradoc257.pdf

Efficacy of Varicocelectomy in Improving Semen Parameters: New Meta-analytical Approach

There has been a tremendous increase in the use of mobile phones in the past decade and concerns are growing about the possible hazardous effects of radio-frequency electromagnetic waves (EMW) emitted by these devices on human health. Preliminary studies, though with limitations in study design, suggest a possible link between cell phone use and infertility. A recent study found that use of cell phones adversely affects the quality of semen by decreasing the sperm counts, motility, viability and morphology. Evidence of detrimental effect of mobile phones on male fertility is still equivocal as studies have revealed a wide spectrum of possible effects ranging from insignificant effects to variable degrees of testicular damage. Although previous studies suggested a role of cell phone use in male infertility, the mode of action of EMW emitted from cell phones on the male reproductive system is still unclear. EMW can affect the reproductive system via an EMW-specific effect, thermal molecular effect or combination of both. Studies performed on human males are scarce and therefore further studies with a careful design are needed to determine the effect of cell phone use on male-fertilizing potential.

http://www.ccf.org/ReproductiveResearchCenter/docs/agradoc250.pdf

Cell phones and male infertility: dissecting the relationship.

https://clevelandclinic.org/reproductiveresearchcenter/docs/agradoc275.pdf

Effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm motility and chromatin integrity: a prospective comparative study

Metabolomics is the systematic study of metabolites as small-molecule biomarkers that represent the functional phenotype in a cell, tissue or organism. Detection of crucial disturbances in the concentration of metabolites by metabolomic profiling of key biomarkers can be beneficial in the management of various medical conditions, including male-factor infertility. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential role of this rapid, noninvasive analysis in the investigation of infertile men. Differences in the concentration of oxidative stress biomarkers (-CH, -NH, -OH and ROH) have been found to be uniquely associated with semen plasma of healthy men compared with patients with idiopathic infertility, varicocele and vasectomy reversal. Furthermore, NMR spectra have shown significant differences in citrate, lactate, glycerylphosphorylcholine and glycerylphosphorylethanolamine among semen samples of men with spermatogenesis failure, obstructive azoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and healthy donors. Evidence has also shown the value of (31)P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in differentiating patients with testicular failure and ductal obstruction by utilizing phosphomonoester and beta-adenosine triphosphate as biomarkers. In addition, metabolomics has shown promise in assisted reproductive techniques. Recent studies involving spectroscopic measurements of follicular fluid and embryo culture media have revealed an association between biomarkers of oxidative stress and pregnancy outcome of oocytes and embryos.

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Fnu Deepinder

Papers

Effect of cell phone usage on semen analysis in men attending infertility clinic: an observational study

Efficacy of Varicocelectomy in Improving Semen Parameters: New Meta-analytical Approach

Cell phones and male infertility: dissecting the relationship.

Effect of vaginal lubricants on sperm motility and chromatin integrity: a prospective comparative study

Role of metabolomic analysis of biomarkers in the management of male infertility.