Search Results (558)

This study aimed to describe the endocrine, cellular, and transcriptomic changes associated with mild heat stress responses in Wugu-Hu and Hu rams. Testicular samples from rams exposed to 3 days of scrotal insulation, resulting in an approximate 3 °C increase in scrotal temperature, and corresponding controls were analyzed for endocrine activity, seminiferous tubule morphology, germ cell composition, and transcriptomic profiles. There were no significant changes in testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, or luteinizing hormone after 3 days of mild heat exposure in either breed. Wugu-Hu rams showed greater disorganization of seminiferous tubules. Apoptotic events occurred mainly from spermatocytes to spermatids and were accompanied by a greater decline in spermatids in Wugu-Hu rams. Comparative transcriptomic analysis between Wugu-Hu and Hu rams identified 854 differentially expressed genes, mainly enriched in immune response function. We conclude that scrotal heat stress does not disrupt endocrine balance at the level applied in this study, but it induces breed-dependent morphological and testicular cellular responses. The differences in the immune response of Hu and Wugu-Hu rams may contribute to their distinct levels of spermatocytes and spermatids’ response to elevated temperatures. Full article

Epilepsy is associated with impaired reproductive function and testicular pathologies. Intermittent fasting (IF) is a nonpharmacological metabolic intervention with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study investigated the protective effects of IF on testicular damage in a genetic absence epilepsy rat model (GAERS), focusing on histomorphology, oxidative stress parameters, and hormonal profiles. Testicular tissues from Wistar control (WC), Wistar + IF (WIF), GAERS control (GC), and GAERS + IF (GIF) groups (total n = 20; 5 rats per group) were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and Periodic Acid–Schiff staining. Apoptosis and spermatogenic cell integrity were assessed using caspase-3, P-element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI), and Deleted in Azoospermia-Like (DAZL) immunohistochemistry. Johnsen’s score, seminiferous tubule diameter, and epithelial thickness were quantified. Oxidative stress markers, including catalase, malondialdehyde, glutathione, myeloperoxidase, and superoxide dismutase, were measured using spectrophotometric methods, and serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were determined using ELISA kits. The GC group showed significantly reduced Johnsen scores, tubular diameters, and epithelial thickness, along with disrupted basement membrane integrity and increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity. IF significantly improved histological parameters, restored basement membrane integrity, reduced apoptosis, and increased PIWI and DAZL expression in the GIF group. IF also ameliorated oxidative stress and elevated reproductive hormone levels, indicating positive modulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. In conclusion, IF reduces oxidative stress and preserves seminiferous tubules and hormonal function in genetic absence epilepsy, highlighting its potential as a supportive nonpharmacological approach to protect male reproductive health. Full article

Increasing environmental contamination with microplastics (MPs) raises significant concerns regarding their potential impact on reproductive health. This study evaluated the effects of prolonged oral exposure to fluorescent polystyrene microplastics (FPS-MPs) of different sizes on the male reproductive system in Wistar rats. Juvenile male rats at 21 days of age were exposed to FPS-MPs of 1 µm and 5 µm for 52 days, covering the period of sexual maturation and a complete spermatogenesis cycle. Body weight, reproductive organ indices, serum levels of testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as sperm motility and morphology, were assessed. Reproductive potential and accumulation of microplastics in reproductive tissues were also evaluated. No significant differences were observed in body weight or most reproductive organ indices, except for a slight reduction in the left epididymis index in the group exposed to 5 µm particles. FPS-MPs induced size-dependent changes in the hormonal profile, including decreases in T and E2 and compensatory increases in FSH and LH, as well as impairments in sperm quality, which were more pronounced in rats exposed to smaller particles. In conclusion, fertility potential remained preserved, while FPS-MPs accumulated in the testes and epididymides, demonstrating subclinical, size-dependent effects on the male reproductive system. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis has been increasingly described as associated with systemic inflammation, raising the question of how it would affect fertility in young women with or without reproductive hormone administration. We studied oogenesis in mice with collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) as a model system with fewer ethical limitations after estradiol (E2) or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment. Methods: Oocytes have been isolated from mice subjected to various treatment regimens. The meiotic spindle, the chromatin, and the actin cap were fluorescently labeled and analyzed. Results: In addition to reduced maturation rates, specific oocyte abnormalities were registered when CIOA, FSH, or E2 were applied in isolation. Combined treatments showed that the spindle, chromatin, and actin cytoskeleton parameters were differently affected in oocytes from groups with CIOA treated by estradiol and those treated with FSH. Enlarged spindles, ooplasmic tubulin asters, aligned metaphases, and predominantly normal actin caps, often with an actin halo, were typical for groups with CIOA combined with estradiol. The groups with CIOA and FSH had slightly enlarged spindles, unaligned metaphases with degenerated chromatin surrounded by a cloud of depolymerized tubulin, and small actin caps. Conclusions: Our results show that experimental osteoarthritis with or without exogenous reproductive hormones negatively affects oogenesis, presumably due to systemic inflammatory factors making the ovarian microenvironment less capable of supporting oocyte maturation. Estradiol supplementation does not benefit oogenesis. FSH treatment induced cytoskeletal and chromatin abnormalities that presumably disturb the fertilization and development potential of affected oocytes. These data can have implications for assisted reproduction in cases of patients with osteoarthritis. Full article

Tripterygium glycoside tablets (TGT), a representative formulation derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, have limited clinical application due to adverse reproductive toxicity. In previous studies investigating the effects of TGT on chronic kidney disease (CKD), it was found that both TGT and its alkaloid-enriched fraction (AEF) induced testicular atrophy, suggesting that AEF may be the material basis for the reproductive toxicity of TGT. Therefore, the reproductive toxicity of AEF was investigated in depth. This study established a CKD rat model to investigate the toxic effects of TGT, AEF, and the non-alkaloid-enriched fraction (NAEF) on the reproductive system during CKD treatment. Network toxicology and metabolomics were combined to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of AEF-induced reproductive toxicity. The results showed that both TGT and AEF significantly reduced testicular index and sperm concentration, causing seminiferous tubule atrophy and disrupting the levels of testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Furthermore, TGT, AEF, and NAEF all significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC-1 cells. Network toxicology indicated that AEF modulates targets such as SRC, AKT, and HSP90AA1, thereby influencing pathways including the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and pathways in cancer. Metabolomics obtained 89 differential metabolites of AEF, which were enriched in glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid metabolism, a finding consistent with the constructed “metabolite–enzyme–reaction–gene” network. In summary, AEF exerts reproductive toxicity primarily by disrupting hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis homeostasis and perturbing glycerophospholipid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Full article

Background/Objectives: Finasteride and dutasteride are 5α-reductase inhibitors that block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, reducing androgenic stimulation of tissues such as the prostate and hair follicles. Used mainly for benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, finasteride selectively inhibits type-2 5α-reductase isoenzyme, while dutasteride inhibits both type-1 and type-2. Although sexual adverse effects like erectile dysfunction are well-documented, emerging evidence suggests possible neuropsychiatric reactions—including depression, suicidal ideation, and cognitive decline—potentially linked to reduced neurosteroid synthesis, such as that of allopregnanolone. Causality cannot be inferred from spontaneous reporting data. This study aimed to assess pharmacovigilance signals for psychopathological disorders associated with finasteride and dutasteride in the FAERS database. Methods: Cleaned FAERS data referring to years up to 2025 after deduplication were analyzed, excluding non-serious cases and those without the drug as the sole suspect (MedDra 29.0). Reporting Odds Ratios (RORs) with 95% CIs were calculated to compare psychiatric reactions between finasteride and dutasteride. Python 3.11 was used to screen and summarize relevant cases, accounting for differences in total case numbers. Results: This pharmacovigilance study analyzed FAERS data to assess the neuropsychiatric and sexual adverse reactions associated with finasteride and dutasteride. Depression, anxiety, suicidality, and libido-related issues were reported more frequently for finasteride, especially in younger men using low-dose therapy for alopecia. Potential mechanisms include reduced neurosteroid synthesis, androgen/sex-hormone axis disruption, altered hippocampal neurogenesis, and dopaminergic changes. Conclusions: A baseline psychiatric assessment and the regular monitoring of mood, sexual function, and suicidal ideation are recommended. Limitations include under-reporting, reporting bias, and a lack of incidence data. The findings underscore the need for ongoing surveillance and controlled studies to clarify the clinical significance of these signals. Full article

Background and Objectives: Fertility preservation in young patients with hematological malignancies is often constrained by the need for urgent life-saving chemotherapy, leaving limited evidence to guide counseling once treatment has already begun. Reliable predictors of ovarian response after chemotherapy are therefore clinically important. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 37 hematological patients aged ≤35 years who underwent urgent controlled ovarian stimulation after initial chemotherapy. Only the first cycle per patient was analyzed. Patients were grouped by metaphase II oocyte yield as high-yield group (≥8 metaphase II oocytes) or low-yield group (<8). Post-chemotherapy ovarian reserve markers and chemotherapy-related variables were assessed. Parsimoniously adjusted logistic regression and ROC analyses were performed, and LOESS regression was used to explore relationships with mature oocyte number. Results: The median number of chemotherapy cycles before stimulation was three (IQR: 2–4), and the median interval from last chemotherapy to retrieval was 33 days (IQR: 27–39). The high-yield group had higher post-chemotherapy anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) than the low-yield group (both p < 0.05). In adjusted analyses, AMH (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.17–5.70) and AFC (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04–1.48) were associated with achieving ≥8 mature oocytes. No association was detected between oocyte yield and chemotherapy cycle number, chemotherapy-free interval, alkylating agent exposure, or stimulation-related factors. LOESS showed positive, non-linear associations for AMH and AFC with mature oocyte number. In this exploratory analysis, ROC curves suggested moderate discrimination for predicting high oocyte yield, with areas under the curve of 0.78 for AMH, 0.73 for AFC, and 0.80 for the combined model. Conclusions: Post-chemotherapy AMH and AFC were associated with ovarian response in urgent fertility preservation after initial chemotherapy for young hematological malignancies. Larger studies are needed to validate these exploratory findings. Full article

Several reproductive issues in both men and women are caused by changes in the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). For males to sustain spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function, and for females to ensure orderly folliculogenesis, ovulation, and ovarian steroidogenesis, precise coordination of LH and FSH secretion is necessary. Pituitary responsiveness, the frequency or amplitude of gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulses, or the dysregulation of feedback signals mediated by sex steroids and inhibins all disrupt the balance between LH and FSH secretion. Oligozoospermia, luteal-phase abnormalities, anovulation, or complete spermatogenic failure are possible clinical signs of these alterations. In addition to functional neuroendocrine disturbances, emerging genetic and epigenetic evidence, including pathogenic variants in genes such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, kisspeptin, kisspeptin receptor, luteinizing hormone beta subunit, follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor, and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor, has highlighted the role of inherited and acquired molecular defects in disrupting gonadotropin regulation. This narrative review synthesizes contemporary mechanistic, clinical, translational, and genetic evidence elucidating how dysregulated secretion of LH and FSH contributes to reproductive dysfunction. The molecular processes that regulate gonadotropin synthesis and release, as well as neuroendocrine regulation, gene-level determinants of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis dysfunction, and the clinical phenotypes that result from their disruption, are all given special attention. We conclude with a discussion of new treatment strategies that target local intragonadal regulators to enhance gametogenic capacity, modulate gonadotropin signaling, or restore physiological gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility, with consideration of how genetic insights may inform personalized therapeutic approaches. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 mRNA vaccination affects ovarian reserve and reproductive hormone profiles in reproductive-aged women. Methods: This retrospective longitudinal (before–after observational) single-center study included women aged 16–44 years who presented to a tertiary center between January 2021 and September 2023. Participants either had a confirmed COVID-19 infection by a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or had received two doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine without prior infection. Women with available ovarian reserve parameters within six months of infection or vaccination were included. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E₂), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), total testosterone, and free testosterone levels were evaluated at baseline and reassessed six months later. Menstrual cycle characteristics were recorded. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were applied as appropriate. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in AMH, FSH, LH, E2, PRL, TSH, total testosterone, or free testosterone levels before and after COVID-19 infection or vaccination (all p > 0.05). Comparisons between infection and vaccination groups across age subgroups (<25, 25–35, ≥35 years) revealed no significant differences in ovarian reserve parameters. Menstrual irregularities were reported in 38.0% of women following infection and 18.6% following vaccination. All reported menstrual changes were transient and resolved within six months. Conclusions: COVID-19 infection and mRNA vaccination were not associated with detrimental effects on ovarian reserve or reproductive hormone profiles. Although transient menstrual irregularities were observed, no long-term adverse reproductive impact was detected. Larger prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings. Full article

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by substantial inter-individual variability in ovarian sensitivity to recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Clinically applicable tools for personalized dosing in this population remain limited. Methods: This retrospective single-center study (2013–2024) analyzed 369 PCOS patients undergoing GnRH antagonist protocols who achieved optimal ovarian responses (10–20 oocytes with at least 40% of follicles ≥ 16 mm in diameter on trigger day). The final retrospective dataset was randomly split into modeling (n = 258) and validation (n = 111) groups. A multivariate linear regression model incorporating age, BMI, basal FSH, basal LH, AMH, and AFC was developed to estimate the average daily rFSH dose. Model performance was evaluated using correlation analysis, prediction error metrics, and calibration assessment. Results: Age, BMI, and basal FSH were positively associated with average daily rFSH dose, whereas basal LH, AMH, and AFC were negatively associated. The model explained 40.4% of the variability in average daily rFSH dose. In the modeling cohort, 77.9% of estimated doses fell within ±20% of the observed values, with a moderate correlation between predicted and observed doses (ρ = 0.646). In the validation cohort, 67.6% of estimates met the predefined accuracy threshold (ρ = 0.676). Calibration analyses demonstrated robust agreement between predicted and observed doses. Conclusions: By integrating endocrine markers, ovarian reserve indicators, and clinical characteristics, this study provides a practical example of personalized medicine in COS in women with PCOS. The internally validated approach may support individualized rFSH dosing during COS and serve as a basis for future development of decision support tools in this specific population. Full article

Reproductive efficiency substantially determines livestock productivity, and suboptimal fertility continues to limit productivity across species. Inhibin immunization represents a novel strategy to enhance fertility by neutralizing inhibin’s negative feedback on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence from ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and buffalo) and non-ruminants (pigs, donkeys, rabbits, and avian species), evaluating inhibin immunization mechanisms and reproductive outcomes. Immunoneutralization of inhibin consistently elevates FSH, activin A, and estradiol, thereby promoting ovarian follicular recruitment and spermatogenesis. In females, this approach has been widely reported to increase ovulatory activity and improve embryo production and quality. In males, immunization enhances testicular function and semen quality while mitigating seasonal infertility. However, species-specific variations in response and dose-dependent luteal suppression (particularly in pigs) necessitate optimized protocols. While inhibin immunization shows consistent benefits when integrated with multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), standardized protocols and long-term fertility data remain insufficient for commercial implementation. This review identifies critical evidence gaps and safety considerations essential for clinical translation. Full article

Gonad loss triggers severe endocrine disorders and altered energy metabolism, yet the precise mechanisms remain poorly understood. In swine production, surgical castration is widely performed to eliminate boar taint and aggressive behavior, but it impairs feed efficiency, increases fat deposition, and raises animal welfare issues. Castration reduces testosterone and estrogen levels, leading to elevated gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its downstream follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Traditionally viewed as a reproductive hormone, FSH has recently emerged as a critical regulator of peripheral metabolism. Based on these findings, we designed and developed a novel FSH vaccine comprising an FSHβ13AA-tandem-ovalbumin conjugate, which has been demonstrated to effectively regulate growth and metabolism in castrated boars. In conclusion, this review underscores the previously underrecognized metabolic functions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and proposes a novel immunomodulatory strategy targeting FSH for fine-tuning organ function and energy metabolism. This approach shows considerable potential for advancing sustainable, welfare-oriented swine production. Full article

Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraovarian platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and related conditions, given the growing clinical interest and the conflicting evidence from uncontrolled and controlled studies. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Scopus up to January 2026. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective cohort studies, and before–after studies investigating PRP-based interventions in women diagnosed with DOR, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), or poor ovarian response (POR). Given the limited availability of controlled data, these populations were analyzed together with cautious interpretation. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklists and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool for RCTs. Pooled estimates were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models depending on heterogeneity (I²). Results: Nineteen studies involving 1794 women were included, of which two were randomized controlled trials. In single-arm and before–after analyses, PRP administration was associated with increases in serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC), as well as a reduction in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In addition, the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes retrieved and transferable embryos increased following PRP treatment. However, pooled analyses of controlled studies, including RCTs, did not demonstrate consistent improvements in mature oocyte yield compared with control groups. In single-arm analyses, the pooled clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate following PRP treatment were 15.5% (95% CI: 11.1–21.2%) and 10.7% (95% CI: 6.7–16.6%), respectively. No major procedure-related adverse events were reported across included studies. Conclusions: In conclusion, intraovarian PRP is associated with improvements in ovarian reserve markers such as AMH and AFC in uncontrolled studies. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials does not demonstrate a consistent benefit in pregnancy and live birth. Well-designed RCTs with standardized protocols are needed before clinical recommendation. Full article

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has significant hurdles due to individual differences in ovarian response during controlled ovarian stimulation. The Asn680Ser polymorphism of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is linked to varying ovarian sensitivity to FSH. However, its relationship with intrafollicular redox signalling remains unclear. Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial compound that functions inside follicles and participates in angiogenesis, steroidogenesis, and oocyte competence. This prospective observational research classified women undergoing IVF into Asn allele carriers (Asn/Asn and Asn/Ser) and Ser/Ser homozygotes, according to the FSHR Asn680Ser polymorphism. The groups were assessed according to follicular fluid nitric oxide metabolites (NO₂-NO₃), fertilisation results, ovarian response indicators, and hormonal profiles. No substantial variation was seen between baseline and trigger-day hormone levels. In contrast, Ser/Ser individuals had a significantly higher total count of recovered oocytes, an elevated number of metaphase II oocytes, and enhanced fertilisation outcomes relative to carriers. The Ser/Ser group demonstrated increased intrafollicular NO₂-NO₃ concentrations. This difference was not statistically significant. These results link FSH receptor genetics to functional follicular competence, indicating that the FSHR Asn680Ser polymorphism is associated with differing ovarian responsiveness during IVF and may affect intrafollicular nitric oxide bioavailability. Full article

Timely and accurate detection of sow oestrus is crucial for enhancing reproductive efficiency and reducing non-productive days (NPDs) in large-scale pig farms. However, traditional manual observation is labour-intensive and subjective, while cloud-based deep learning solutions face challenges such as high latency and privacy risks when applied in intensive housing environments. This study developed an edge-intelligent monitoring system that integrates deep temporal modelling with sound source localisation technology. A three-stage hierarchical screening strategy was utilised to select and deploy a lightweight Stacked-LSTM model on the resource-constrained ESP32-S3 hardware platform. This model was trained and calibrated using a high-quality acoustic dataset validated against serum reproductive hormones, specifically follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), and progesterone ($P_4$). Experimental results demonstrate that the optimised model achieved a classification accuracy of 96.17%, with an inference latency of only 41 ms, thereby fully satisfying the stringent real-time monitoring requirements while maintaining a minimal memory footprint. Furthermore, the system integrates a localisation algorithm based on Generalised Cross-Correlation with Phase Transform (GCC-PHAT). Through spatial geometric modelling, the system successfully implements the functional mapping of vocalisation events to individual gestation stalls (Stall IDs). Laboratory pressure tests validated the robustness and low-cost deployment advantages of the “edge recognition–cloud synchronization” architecture, providing a reliable technical framework for the precision management of smart livestock farming. Full article