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Epigenetics in Sperm, Epigenetic Diagnostics, and Transgenerational Inheritance
Published in Carlos Simón, Carmen Rubio, Handbook of Genetic Diagnostic Technologies in Reproductive Medicine, 2022
Jennifer L. M. Thorson, Millissia Ben Maamar, Michael K. Skinner
Decreasing male infertility has been observed for the past 60 years (86–90). Several parameters of the male reproductive system have been affected such as a decrease in sperm counts and quality (87), an increase in the incidence of testicular cancer (88), an increase in hypospadias, and cryptorchidism cases (86). Most recent studies have linked this decline with environmental exposures rather than genetic factors due to the rapid pace of the decrease of semen quality and the increase in occurrence of male infertility (87,91,92). Abnormal methylation patterns and aberrant protamine insertions have been shown to influence male fertility. CpG islands at gene promoter regions which are usually hypomethylated are especially susceptible to aberrant methylation for specific genes such as DAZL and MTHFR or imprinted loci. Various forms of infertility have been linked and sperm defects in men have been associated with epigenetic abnormalities in these regions (93). Abnormal DNA methylation is detrimental in imprinted genes as they are known to be directly inherited from the parental germline and they are thought to be involved in part in the transgenerational effect phenomenon. Oligospermic patients (men with less than 10 million spermatozoa per 1 milliliter of semen) have been shown to contain a greater number of DNA methylation anomalies compared to men containing normal sperm counts (94). Interestingly, these imprinted loci are suspected to be inherited by the offspring during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments (95).
Molecular Mediator of Prostate Cancer Progression and Its Implication in Therapy
Published in Surinder K. Batra, Moorthy P. Ponnusamy, Gene Regulation and Therapeutics for Cancer, 2021
Samikshan Dutta, Navatha Shree Sharma, Ridwan Islam, Kaustubh Datta
Prostate is a walnut-sized secretory gland, involved in the male reproductive system by secreting various components of seminal fluids and maintain alkalinity. Architecturally, adult prostate consists of three distinct zones, named peripheral, central and transition. Among these zones, prostate cancer mainly arises from the peripheral zones [10–13]. Histopathologically, prostate consists of three different epithelial layers of cell, namely luminal, basal and neuroendocrine [14–18]. The highly polarized columnar type luminal cells are mainly responsible for the production of secretory proteins. These cells are characterized by the expression cytokeratins 8 and 18 and produce high levels of androgen receptors (AR) [19–22]. On the other hand, basal cells are characterized by the expression of proteins like p63, cytokeratins 5 and 14; however, AR expression is low or often undetectable [22–24]. The basal cells surround the luminal columnar epithelial cells. Neuroendocrine cells are the rarest cells among the prostate epithelial cell types and are AR-negative but express the marker proteins like chromogranin A and synaptophysin [25–27].
The Reproductive System and Its Disorders
Published in Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss, Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss
The function of the reproductive system is preservation of the species by the production of offspring. The male reproductive system consists of organs and ducts responsible for the production of male sex cells, their storage and transport, and their mixing with glandular secretions for ejaculation into the female vagina during coitus. The reproductive system in the female consists of organs that form the female sex cells and transport them to other organs where they are fertilized and the new individual develops.
Microarray profiling of LncRNA expression in the testis of pubertal mice following morning and evening exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields
Published in Chronobiology International, 2021
Fenju Qin, Honglong Cao, Chuhan Feng, Tianyuan Zhu, Bingxu Zhu, Jie Zhang, Jian Tong, Hailong Pei
Recent data have highlighted the rapid development of wireless communication technology, with mobile broadband subscriptions accounting for 76.87% of 8.30 billion mobile telephone subscriptions worldwide estimated in 2019 (International Telecommunication Union 2020). Consequently, there are growing concerns over the potential harmful effects on the human body caused by exposure to radiofrequency fields (RF) (Brzozek et al. 2018; Miligi 2019). Many epidemiological studies have found that different frequencies and intensities of RF exposure may affect the male reproductive system (Adams et al. 2014). Studies have also demonstrated a possible link between the use of mobile telephones and male infertility (La Vignera et al. 2012). As the site of spermatogenesis and testosterone production in mammals, the testis plays a central role in the function of the male reproductive system (Zilberlicht et al. 2015).
Effects of zinc deficiency on impaired spermatogenesis and male infertility: the role of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis
Published in Human Fertility, 2020
Asghar Beigi Harchegani, Heydar Dahan, Eisa Tahmasbpour, Hamid Bakhtiari kaboutaraki, Alireza Shahriary
Zinc plays a multifaceted role in sperm function and fertility of men through various mechanisms (Figure 1). It is now considered as one of the main nutrients in the male reproductive system for proper sperm formation and motility (Khan et al., 2011). Zinc is not only a cofactor for various proteins involved in antioxidant defence, and electron transport, but also it is essential for the production, storage, secretion and function of numerous enzymes such as RNA polymerases, alcohol dehydrogenase, carbonic anhydrase (CA), alkaline phosphatase that are important in normal function of spermatozoa and prevention of sperm damage (Omu et al., 2015). Numerous studies have shown positive effects of zinc on semen quality and male factor infertility (Guzikowski et al., 2015). Zinc is necessary for testicular development and normal spermatogenesis (Colagar et al., 2009). It is also a main factor for DNA replication and packaging, DNA transcription, protein synthesis, cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, which are major parts of sperm development (Chia et al., 2000; Croxford, McCormick, & Kelleher, 2011). Zinc has a regulatory function in steroid hormone synthesis as a critical step for normal spermatogenesis. It plays a regulatory role in the process of sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction (Kothari & Chaudhari, 2016). Zinc protects Leydig cells from damage due to its anti-oxidative properties (Colagar et al., 2009). As the body has no specialized zinc storage system, a daily intake of zinc is, therefore, critical for normal function of the male reproductive system.
The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, EPA, and/or DHA on Male Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Published in Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2019
Banafshe Hosseini, Mahdieh Nourmohamadi, Shima Hajipour, Mohsen Taghizadeh, Zatollah Asemi, Seyed Ali Keshavarz, Sadegh Jafarnejad
Infertility is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the inability to achieve a clinical pregnancy despite 12 months of unprotected intercourse. It affects about 48.5 million couples worldwide (Morrison and Brannigan, 2015; Shahhoseini et al., 2015). Both male and female factors can contribute to infertility; male factors are involved in 50%–60% of overall infertility and this proportion is increasing (Morrison and Brannigan, 2015; Shahhoseini et al., 2015; Ring et al., 2016; Esmaeili et al., 2015; Kolesnikova et al., 2015a). The etiology of male infertility is multifactorial based on genetic, morphologic disorders of the male reproductive system, especially disorders in sperm production and motility in men of reproductive age, as well as non–reproductive system disorders such as addictive disorders (alcoholism, smoking, and drug addiction). In addition, environmental factors of lifestyle and diet can have major effects on infertility (Kolesnikova et al., 2015a; Lafuente et al., 2013; Shahhoseini et al., 2015; Giahi et al., 2016). The suggested factors can lead to several male reproductive system abnormalities related to quantity, motility, and capacity for fertilization of sperm (Kolesnikova et al., 2015a; Wysokińska et al., 2015). Infertility can have detrimental impacts on the psychological and social well-being of couples as well as on the economic status of couples and health services (Safarinejad and Safarinejad, 2012).