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Andrology 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Department of Integrative Cancer Therapy and Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.

Background: Testis cord elongation and coiling, which occur in the final stage of testis formation, have been attributed to Sertoli cell proliferation; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to clarify the precise three-dimensional (3D) structure of testis cords in the final stage of testis formation in mice and rats.

Materials And Methods: We reconstructed whole testis cords in the final stage of testis formation in mice (on embryonic day (E) 15. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Integrative Research Centre for Critical Care, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Semen quality impairment is a serious consequence of testicular torsion-detorsion. Adequate germ-cell mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation plays a crucial role in male fertility. Changes in cellular oxidative phosphorylation in testicular tissues after testicular torsion-detorsion remain unclear. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Andrology, Sexology & STIs, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt.

Background: Trace elements perform a vital role in all stages of human physiology, as well as reproduction.

Objective: This study aimed to assess seminal calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in infertile men associated with varicocele (Vx).

Materials And Methods: Overall, 50 men were divided into two groups: fertile men (n = 20) and infertile men who were scheduled for Vx surgical repair (n = 30). Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Background: Ultrasound is the main requested technique for the assessment of traumatic, vascular, neoplastic, and inflammatory testicular pathology. Moreover, the role of ultrasound has broadened over the years along with the introduction of new techniques, such as contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and US-elastography.

Objective: An updated representation of the pre-existing Literature evidence for multiparametric ultrasound imaging with particular regard to elastography, in the evaluation of focal and diffuse testicular pathologies, has been presented. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Departments of Environmental Health and Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Background: Infertility affects 15%-25% of all couples during their reproductive life span. It is a significant societal and public health problem with potential psychological, social, and economic consequences. Furthermore, infertility has been linked to adverse long-term health outcomes. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Molecular Biology Laboratory of Andrology Center, Peking University First Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China.

Background: Icariside II (ICA II), an active flavonoid monomer, has been proven to restore post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction in rats; however, the high cost of extraction from natural plants limits the application of ICA II.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of action of YS-10, a new flavonoid compound, which was designed and synthesized based on the structure of ICA II in a rat model in of cavernous nerve injury.

Materials/methods: Eight of 32 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected as the normal control (NC) group and received vehicle treatment. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 4. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Background: Ultrasonography (US) is the gold standard imaging method for scrotal investigation. Colour-Doppler US (CDUS), contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) and sonoelastography (SE) allow sonographers to assess size, echotexture, vascular features and stiffness of the scrotal organs and abnormalities. Scrotal US has been used to investigate male reproductive health, scrotal pain, masses and trauma. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 4. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B are produced by Sertoli cells. Anti-Müllerian hormone secretion indicates an immature Sertoli cell state. Inhibin B serves as a marker of male fertility. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 3. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Background: Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is activated in diabetic mellitus (DM) conditions and may enhance oxidative stress, apoptosis and fibrosis in many tissues. Whether JAK2 activation is involved in the occurrence of diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED) is unknown.

Objectives: We performed this study to investigate the effect of JAK2 deficiency on diabetic ED. Read More

Andrology 2021 Jun 3. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Background: Scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography and transrectal ultrasonography provide crucial information about the clinical status of testes and male accessory glands.

Objective: To analyze the impact of ultrasound in the evaluation of infertile males.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1120 records from infertile men were retrospectively evaluated (from January 2016 up to June 2020). Read More

Andrology 2021 May 25. Epub 2021 May 25.

Williams Institute, School of Law, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Background: Probability and nonprobability-based studies of US transgender persons identify different disparities in health and health care access.

Objectives: We used TransPop, the first US national probability survey of transgender persons, to describe and compare measures of health and health access among transgender, nonbinary, and cisgender participants. We directly compared the results with 2015 US Transgender Survey (USTS) data and with previously published analyses from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Read More

Andrology 2021 May 29. Epub 2021 May 29.

Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.

Color flow Doppler ultrasound is a critical tool in the assessment of the scrotum. Ultrasound is the first-line imaging modality and can rapidly differentiate between surgical and nonsurgical conditions, allowing for appropriate and prompt patient management. We review the role of color flow Doppler in the evaluation of acute scrotal pain, highlighting some of the most commonly seen pathologies such as epididymo-orchitis and testicular torsion. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 28. Epub 2021 May 28.

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, United States.

Background: An increasing number of adolescents are seeking gender care at clinics and hospital programs, and requesting gender-affirming hormonal treatment. The interventions can either include suppression of testosterone and introduction of estrogen, or suppression of estrogen and introduction of testosterone.

Aims: This review article focuses on the psychosocial experiences of youth who have completed their endogenous puberty and are now requesting one of these two forms of gender-affirming hormonal treatment. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 28. Epub 2021 May 28.

Section of Medical Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Background: Scrotal ultrasonography is an essential diagnostic tool in daily clinical practice. The availability of new-generation ultrasound machines characterized by clearly improved image quality, low health cost, and higher patient safety, represents only some characteristics of ultrasound investigation. The usefulness of scrotal ultrasonography is particularly evident in the period of life from infancy to puberty, during which males undergo important morphofunctional changes, and several pathological conditions may occur. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 27. Epub 2021 May 27.

Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

Background: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a sonographic technique that increases the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) when studying testicular abnormalities. However, its role in clinical practice is still debatable because there are no accepted standards regarding how and when this technique should be used for patients with testicular disease.

Objectives: To perform a nonsystematic review of the current literature to highlight the strength and flaws of performing CEUS and to provide a critical overview of current research evidence on this topic. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 26. Epub 2021 May 26.

Andrology, Female Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Carreggi, Firenze, Italy.

Background: Varicocoeles have been considered for a long time potentially correctable causes for male infertility, even though the correlation of this condition with infertility and sperm damage is still debated.

Objective: To present a summary of the evidence evaluation for imaging varicocoeles, to underline the need for a standardized examination technique and for a unique classification, and to focus on pitfalls in image interpretation.

Methods: Based on the evidence of the literature, the current role of ultrasound (US) imaging for varicocoeles has been reported and illustrated, with emphasis on examination technique, classification, and pitfalls. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 25. Epub 2021 May 25.

Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Background: Gynecomastia (GM) is the benign proliferation of glandular tissue in the male breast. It is a common condition, which may occur physiologically and shows three age peaks during a male's lifespan: infancy, puberty, and senescence. An underlying pathology may be revealed in 45%-50% of adult men with GM, such as aggravating medications, systemic diseases, obesity, endocrinopathies, or malignancy. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 21. Epub 2021 May 21.

Department of Urology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, UK.

Introduction: Our study analysed previous studies employing positron emission tomography with co-registered computer tomography (PET/CT) in andrological patient evaluation and assessed the differences in 2-[ F]F-fluoro-2'-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake between three groups: healthy testes, benign and malignant testicular pathology.

Methods: Medline and Embase were systematically searched for studies involving FDG-PET/CT imaging of testes with results expressed as mean standardised uptake value (SUV ). A one-way ANOVA was used to compare SUV between three groups. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 21. Epub 2021 May 21.

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University Paris Saclay, Paris, France.

Andrology 2021 May 21. Epub 2021 May 21.

Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran.

Background: Sperm selection procedures for future strategies that aim to select normal spermatozoa with intact DNA to improve intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes are in early developing stage.

Objectives: The objective is to find out whether the sperm selection procedure based on the ability of spermatozoa to traverse the cumulus cells could improve clinical outcomes of ICSI technique in infertile couples with male factor etiology.

Materials And Methods: For this single-blind clinical trial, mature metaphase II oocytes were retrieved from 150 couples with male factor infertility, male age lower than 45 years and female age under 38 years. Read More

Andrology 2021 05;9(3):762-768

Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Andrology 2021 May 17. Epub 2021 May 17.

Al Hadi Laboratory and Medical Centre, Beirut, Lebanon.

Background: Suboptimal human semen handling in vitro may induce sperm damage. However, the effects of semen swim-up, pellet swim-up, density gradient, and density gradient followed by SU on sperm motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation, acrosome reaction, intracellular reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial activity were not fully understood.

Objectives: To study the impact of four sperm preparation techniques on sperm functional parameters. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 16. Epub 2021 May 16.

Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Background: Statins constitute the mainstay of treatment in patients with hypercholesterolemia. However, their effect on semen parameters is unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically review the best available evidence regarding the effect of statins on ejaculate volume and sperm concentration, motility, morphology, or vitality. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 16. Epub 2021 May 16.

Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Sapienza University/Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.

Background: Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is the "state of the art" management tool for patients with suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa). The role of non-contrast MRI is investigated to move toward a more personalized, less invasive, and highly cost-effective PCa diagnostic workup.

Objective: To perform a non-systematic review of the existing literature to highlight strength and flaws of performing non-contrast MRI, and to provide a critical overview of the international scientific production on the topic. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 16. Epub 2021 May 16.

College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-4466, United States.

Background: Exposure to the calcium ionophore A23187 may present a "universal" sperm treatment for IVF, as it bypasses capacitation pathways. However, success in utilizing A23187 is variable, especially in equine sperm. Notably, albumin is used during A23187 treatment but paradoxically is thought to suppress A23187 action. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 16. Epub 2021 May 16.

MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK.

Background: Circulating prolactin concentration in rodents and humans is sexually dimorphic. Oestrogens are a well-characterised stimulator of prolactin release. Circulating prolactin fluctuates throughout the menstrual/oestrous cycle of females in response to oestrogen levels, but remains continually low in males. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 16. Epub 2021 May 16.

Fertility Medical Group, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes serious respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and lung failure, was first reported in mid-December 2019 in China and has spread around the world. In addition to causing serious respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and lung failure, there have been conflicting reports about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the semen of patients who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 and possible implications for the male reproductive tract.

Objective: The goal for the present study was to review the current status of the literature concerning COVID-19 and male reproduction. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 13. Epub 2021 May 13.

Department of Life Sciences and Chemistry, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany.

Background: Spermatogenesis is an elaborately organized and tightly regulated differentiation process. The spermatogenesis duration is stable within a certain species but highly variable between species of the same family.

Objectives: In this study, the spermatogenesis duration of the Roborovski hamster was measured for the first time, and the spermatogenesis duration of the Chinese hamster was re-assessed. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 9. Epub 2021 May 9.

Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

The sexually dimorphic trait of height is one aspect of the experience of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals that may influence their gender dysphoria and satisfaction with their transition. In this article, we have reviewed the current knowledge of the factors that contribute to one's final adult height and how it might be affected in TGD youth who have not experienced their gonadal puberty in the setting of receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) and gender-affirming hormonal treatment. Additional research is needed to characterize the influence of growth and final adult height on the lived experience of TGD youth and adults and how to best assess their growth, predict their final adult height, and how medical transition can be potentially modified to help them meet their goals. Read More

Andrology 2021 May 8. Epub 2021 May 8.

Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy.

Background: Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the scrotum has been established as a useful second-line diagnostic tool for the investigation of scrotal diseases. Recently, recommendations on clinical indications for scrotal MRI were issued by the Scrotal and Penile Imaging Working Group of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology.

Objective: To update current research on when to ask for an MRI of the scrotum. Read More