Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0848676 (male subfertility)
 265 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The aim of this experiment was to design a suitable mouse model for male subfertility in which to study the effect of decreased sperm quality on embryo quality in vivo and in vitro. To achieve male subfertility, testes of adult male mice were immersed in water at either 42 degrees C (heated) or 33 degrees C (controls) during 20 min. Twenty-eight days after treatment, all heat stressed males showed a significant decrease in relative testis weight [384.7 mg in controls (286.7-460.6) versus 323 mg in stress heated groups (117.9-405.6); P < 0.001], sperm concentration [3.75 x 10(6)/ml (2.75-7.25) versus 1.00 x 10(6)/ml (0-4.00); P < 0.001] and progressive sperm motility [57.5% (48.0-79.0) versus 42.5% (14.0-66.0); P < 0.001]. Moreover, after mating to heat exposed males, not only the number of pregnant females (20/22 versus 18/30) but also the weight of their embryos [275.4 mg (78.7-339.4) versus 261.8 mg (68.1-339.0); P < 0.001] was significantly lower at 14.5 days post coitum when compared to controls. Neither the number of resorption sites nor the number of viable embryos per pregnant female was significantly different between groups. Also, the in-vitro fertilization rate of oocytes, fertilized by spermatozoa collected from heat stressed males, was significantly lower (44.9%; P < 0.0001) when compared to controls (65.1%; P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that male subfertility induced by acute scrotal heating may result in impaired sperm quality, reduced embryo weight in vivo and decreased fertilization rate in vitro.
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PMID:Male subfertility induced by acute scrotal heating affects embryo quality in normal female mice. 955 41

Male subfertility in congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD) was possible after identification of expression of an epithelial Cl-/HCO3- exchanger SLC26A3 in the male reproductive tract and by the observation that adult men with CLD had very few children. A prospective clinical and laboratory study among eight adult Finnish men with CLD revealed constant oligoasthenoteratozoospermia but normal spermatogenesis, high chloride and low pH in seminal plasma, and three spermatoceles, suggesting that male subfertility is a clinical manifestation of CLD and could be caused by an analogous defect in the epithelial Cl-/HCO3- and water transport, as described for the CLD intestine.
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PMID:Disruption of the SLC26A3-mediated anion transport is associated with male subfertility. 1641 65

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) was produced and used by various industries and in consumer products. Because of its persistence, it is ubiquitous in air, water, soil, wildlife, and humans. Although the adverse effects of PFOS on male fertility have been reported, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Here, for the first time, the effects of PFOS on testicular signaling, such as gonadotropin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, and inhibins/activins were shown to be directly related to male subfertility. Sexually mature 8-wk-old CD1 male mice were administered by gavages in corn oil daily with 0, 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg PFOS for 7, 14, or 21 days. Serum concentrations of testosterone and epididymal sperm counts were significantly lower in the mice after 21 days of the exposure to the highest dose compared with the controls. The expression levels of testicular receptors for gonadotropin, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor 1 were considerably reduced on Day 21 in mice exposed daily to 10 or 5 mg/kg PFOS. The transcript levels of the subunits of the testicular factors (i.e., inhibins and activins), Inha, Inhba, and Inhbb, were significantly lower on Day 21 of daily exposure to 10, 5, or 1 mg/kg PFOS. The mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes (i.e., StAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, 3beta-HSD, and 17beta-HSD) were notably reduced. Therefore, PFOS-elicited subfertility in male mice is manifested as progressive deterioration of testicular signaling.
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PMID:Testicular signaling is the potential target of perfluorooctanesulfonate-mediated subfertility in male mice. 2120 18

Sertoli cells (SCs) form the blood-testis barrier (BTB) that controls the microenvironment where the germ cells develop. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) plays an essential role to male fertility and it was recently suggested that it may promote water transport. Interestingly, Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is widely expressed in blood barriers, but was never identified in SCs. Herein we hypothesized that SCs express CFTR and AQP4 and that they can physically interact. Primary SCs cultures from 20-day-old rats were maintained and CFTR and AQP4 mRNA and protein expression was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The possible physical interaction between CFTR and AQP4 was studied by co-immunoprecipitation. We were able to confirm the presence of CFTR at mRNA and protein level in cultured rat SCs. AQP4 mRNA analysis showed that cultured rat SCs express the transcript variant c of AQP4, which was followed by immunodetection of the correspondent protein. The co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed a direct interaction between AQP4 and CFTR in cultured rat SCs. Our results suggest that CFTR physically interacts with AQP4 in rat SCs evidencing a possible mechanism by which CFTR can control water transport through BTB. The full enlightenment of this particular relation between CFTR and AQP4 may point towards possible therapeutic targets to counteract male subfertility/infertility in men with Cystic Fibrosis and mutations in CFTR gene, which are known to impair spermatogenesis due to defective water transport.
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PMID:Aquaporin-4 as a molecular partner of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in rat Sertoli cells. 2465 65

The maintenance of pH homeostasis in the male reproductive tract is kept through the involvement of several mechanisms, among which is included the transmembranous movement of H(+) ions. Na(+)-H(+) exchangers (SLC9, solute carrier 9 family members) are among the membrane transporters known to participate in intracellular and extracellular pH regulation but also have important roles in salt and water absorption across epithelia and in the regulation of cell volume. The presence of several Na(+)-H(+) exchangers has been reported in the male reproductive tract. Their involvement in the processes that ensure the correct pursuance of the spermatogenetic event and spermatozoa maturation has been suggested. Indeed, the formation of mature spermatozoa is highly dependent on the maintenance of adequate ductal luminal milieu pH and ionic balance. Perturbations in these processes result in reduced male reproductive potential and consequently male subfertility and/or infertility. Thus, it is imperative to understand H(+) transport dynamics in order to identify and counteract possible alterations associated with reduced male fertility caused by pathological conditions. Herein, we will discuss the expression pattern and physiological roles of SLC9 family members in the cells of the male reproductive tract as well as the molecular basis of H(+) transport and its involvement in male reproductive potential.
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PMID:Physiology of na+/h+ exchangers in the male reproductive tract: relevance for male fertility. 2487 6

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channel proteins responsible for the transport of water and small uncharged molecules. Thirteen distinct isoforms of AQPs have been identified in mammals (AQP0-12). Throughout the male reproductive tract, AQPs greatly enhance water transport across all biological barriers, providing a constant and expeditious movement of water and playing an active role in the regulation of water and ion homeostasis. This regulation of fluids is particularly important in the male reproductive tract, where proper fluid composition is directly linked with a healthy and competent spermatozoa production. For instance, in the testis, fluid regulation is essential for spermatogenesis and posterior spermatozoa transport into the epididymal ducts, while maintaining proper ionic conditions for their maturation and storage. Alterations in the expression pattern of AQPs or their dysfunction is linked with male subfertility/infertility. Thus, AQPs are important for male reproductive health. In this review, we will discuss the most recent data on the expression and function of the AQPs isoforms in the human, mouse and rat male reproductive tract. In addition, the regulation of AQPs expression and dysfunction linked with male infertility will be discussed.
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PMID:Aquaporins and male (in)fertility: Expression and role throughout the male reproductive tract. 3181 11

The transport of water and several other small molecules across cell membranes is vital in many of the processes underlying reproduction. Fluid transport in cells and tissues inclusive of male reproductive organs are regulated by disparate isoforms of aquaporins (AQPs) in living organisms. Alteration in the expression, function and/or regulation of AQPs leads to some forms of male subfertility and infertility. The emerging role of AQPs in male and female reproductive function has been revealed in recent times. However, the role of AQPs with reference to male reproductive system needs to be explored in greater detail. This review emphasizes the distribution of AQPs and their physiological and pathophysiological role in spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis; and understanding the molecular mechanisms behind AQPs mediated regulation of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis will help us in developing treatment strategies towards improved reproductive health.
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PMID:Role of Aquaporins in Spermatogenesis and Testicular Steroidogenesis. 3221 86