Male Infertility and Endocrine Metabolism

A special issue of Endocrines (ISSN 2673-396X). This special issue belongs to the section "Andrology and Male Sexual Function".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2022) | Viewed by 6912

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: male infertility; biofunctional sperm parameters; hypogonadism; obesity; male accessory gland infection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Infertility represents a highly prevalent global condition, affecting 15% of all couples of reproductive age in industrialized countries, and for a long time, it has been considered only women’s problem. During the last 20 years, a progressive decline in sperm quality has been described, and attention of the scientific world to male-related fertility issues has grown exponentially. It is estimated that at least 30 million men worldwide were infertile, and half of the cases of couple infertility recognized a male factor of infertility. Metabolic diseases are often involved in or contribute to the etiopathogenesis of male infertility. Among these, obesity, insulin resistance, and more generically metabolic syndrome negatively affect male fertility.

This Special Issue of Endocrines welcomes original experimental and clinical studies on the gonadal hormone profile and/or sperm modification in metabolic diseases, as well as in response to treatment of these conditions. Narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are welcome too.

Dr. Laura Maria Mongioì
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • male infertility
  • metabolism
  • obesity
  • metabolic diseases

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 751 KiB  
Article
The IGF1/FSH Ratio Correlates with Sperm Count and Testicular Volume
by Rossella Cannarella, Sandro La Vignera, Rosita A. Condorelli and Aldo E. Calogero
Endocrines 2022, 3(4), 624-632; https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines3040053 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2528
Abstract
BACKGROUND. Several studies have already investigated the relationship between IGF1 and semen parameters. However, clinical studies rarely concluded on the existence of a relationship between IGF1 and the sperm number, and whether the IGF1 serum levels have a practical value in the diagnostic [...] Read more.
BACKGROUND. Several studies have already investigated the relationship between IGF1 and semen parameters. However, clinical studies rarely concluded on the existence of a relationship between IGF1 and the sperm number, and whether the IGF1 serum levels have a practical value in the diagnostic work-up of patients with oligozoospermia is still unclear. OBJECTIVE. Molecular evidence reported that IGF1 and FSH belongs to the same molecular pathway. The aim of this study is to assess whether insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio has an impact on testicular function and, specifically, on sperm number and testicular volume in a cohort of unselected men. METHODS. This is a cross-sectional study on 59 patients who attended the Seminology laboratory of the Division of Endocrinology of the University of Catania (Catania, Italy) for semen analysis. Data were analyzed to evaluate the relationships between IGF1 or IGF1/FSH ratio and sperm concentration, total sperm count (TSC), and testicular volume (TV). We also evaluated the occurrence of any difference in IGF1 and FSH serum levels and the IGF1/FSH ratio in patients with oligozoospermia and those with a TSC > 39 million/ejaculate. MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANGE. Patients had a mean age of 31.0 ± 8.5 years. The mean FSH and IGF1 levels were 3.95 ± 2.55 mIU/mL and 232.59 ± 65.13 ng/mL, respectively. IGF1 serum levels did not correlate with sperm concentration, TSC, and TV. The IGF1/FSH ratio showed a positive correlation with sperm concentration (r = 0.408; p = 0.004), TSC (r = 0.468; p = 0.001), and TV (0.463; p = 0.002). Patients with oligozoospermia (Group 1, 23.7%, n = 14) had a significant lower IGF1/FSH ratio (57.9 ± 9.5 vs. 94.1 ± 8.7; p = 0.03) compared to those with TSC > 39 million/ejaculate (Group 2, 76.3%, n = 45). They did not differ significantly for neither IGF1 nor FSH serum levels. CONCLUSION. We found a positive correlation between the IGF1/FSH ratio and sperm concentration, TSC and TV. Furthermore, patients with oligozoospermia showed a significantly lower ratio compared to those with a normal TSC, while neither IGF1 nor FSH differed significantly in the two groups. Our results may reflect the existence of a molecular pathway to which IGF1 and FSH belongs. However, further studies are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Male Infertility and Endocrine Metabolism)
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Review

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13 pages, 979 KiB  
Review
Mediterranean Diet and Male Fertility
by Inês Tomada and Nuno Tomada
Endocrines 2023, 4(2), 394-406; https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines4020030 - 1 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3890
Abstract
Diet has an impact on male reproductive potential, but few studies have focused on the specific impact of food groups or dietary patterns on fertility. Male reproductive health, as indicated by improved semen parameters and increased chances of conceiving, is associated with the [...] Read more.
Diet has an impact on male reproductive potential, but few studies have focused on the specific impact of food groups or dietary patterns on fertility. Male reproductive health, as indicated by improved semen parameters and increased chances of conceiving, is associated with the Mediterranean diet, while the Western diet is considered a risk factor for male infertility. The potential mechanisms that may explain the impact of these diets on semen quality are still largely unknown. However, numerous studies suggest that nutritional interventions are crucial for the preservation and improvement of male fertility. This review aims to summarize the most recent evidence on the influence of components of the Mediterranean diet on sperm parameters. Unlike other risk factors, dietary modulation represents a great opportunity for improving overall health and can also be an important tool in recommendations for male reproductive health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Male Infertility and Endocrine Metabolism)
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