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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
18 articles
Newest firstThis study examined the effects of syringic acid (SA) against testicular toxicity induced by cadmium (CAD). In the study, once daily for 7 days, the control and CAD groups were administered sterile distilled water, while the CAD + SA and SA groups were administered 25 mg/kg SA. Additionally, on the first day of the study, saline solution was administered intraperitoneally to the control and SA groups, and 1.5 mg/k…
Open article record in new tab ↗Purpose The recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) by adolescents and adults has markedly increased in recent years. Previous studies demonstrated that exposure to SCs is associated with multiple adverse health effects. Nevertheless, little is known about the effects of these substances on male fertility. The current study aimed to investigate the toxicological effects of subacute exposure to synthetic c…
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is evolutionarily conserved and regulates key physiological processes, including sperm motility and capacitation. However, the localization and function of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in human sperm remain debated, with prior widefield microscopy studies producing inconsistent results. Using confocal and Airyscan microscopy, we mapped CB1 distribution in human sperm, revealing a d…
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex endocrine network involved in maintaining body homeostasis. It comprises endocannabinoids, their receptors (CB1 and CB2), and the enzymes and transporters responsible for their synthesis and degradation. While the ECS's role in the nervous system is well established, its functions in other organs and peripheral tissues, including the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, a…
Study question Do the main psychoactive phytocannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its non-psychoactive analog cannabidiol (CBD) affect human sperm function? Summary answer THC and CBD affect the sperm-specific Ca2+ channel CatSper, suppress activation of the channel by progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), and THC also alters human sperm function in vitro. What is known already Marijuana (Ca…
Purpose of review Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples, with male factors implicated in more than 50% of cases. Concerns over declining semen quality - evidenced by a more than 50% drop in sperm concentration over four decades - have triggered investigation into modifiable lifestyle and environmental factors. This review summarizes recent evidence on exposures that negatively impact male fertility. Rec…
Open article record in new tab ↗Although tobacco smoking declined among men at reproductive age, the use of cannabis increased. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of tobacco and cannabis on sperm quality, sperm DNA integrity tested by Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and acridine orange (AO) and their association to genetic variants in the Cytochrome C Oxidase 1, 2 and 3 genes (MT-CO1, MT-CO2, and MT-CO3). Semen samples were collected and div…
Background Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary phytocannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive properties of cannabis and is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system, which is functionally present in the male reproductive system. Since cannabis consumption is the highest among reproductive aged males, the current study aimed to further investigate the effects of THC exposure to phenotypica…
Open article record in new tab ↗About 15% of couples worldwide are affected by infertility, with the male factor responsible for approximately 50% of reproductive failures. Male fertility can be influenced by various factors, including an unhealthy lifestyle and diet, often associated with oxidative stress. These changes are frequently the reason for spermatozoan dysfunction, malformations, and lowered count. However, sometimes even with proper…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Western counties and its abuse is particularly high in male adolescents and young adults. Its main psychotropic component, the cannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), interferes in the endogenous endocannabinoid system. This signaling system is involved in the control of many biological activities, including the formation of high-quality male gametes. Dir…
Open article record in new tab ↗CircRNA cargo in spermatozoa (SPZ) participates in setting cell quality, in terms of morphology and motility. Cannabinoid receptor CB1 activity is correlated with a proper spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation. Despite CB1 promotes endogenous skill to circularize mRNAs in SPZ, few notions are reported regarding the functional link between endocannabinoids and spermatic circRNA cargo. In CB1 knock-out mal…
Open article record in new tab ↗Based on the abundance of scientific publications, the polymodal sensor TRPV1 is known as one of the most studied proteins within the TRP channel family. This receptor has been found in numerous cell types from different species as well as in spermatozoa. The present review is focused on analyzing the role played by this important channel in the post-ejaculatory life of spermatozoa, where it has been described to…
Circular RNA (circRNA) biogenesis requires a backsplicing reaction, promoted by inverted repeats in cis-flanking sequences and trans factors, such as RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Among these, FUS plays a key role. During spermatogenesis and sperm maturation along the epididymis such a molecular mechanism has been poorly explored. With this in mind, we chose circCNOT6L as a study case and wild-type (WT) as well as…
The cannabinoid receptor CB1 regulates differentiation of spermatids. We recently characterized spermatozoa from caput epididymis of CB1-knock-out mice and identified a considerable number of sperm cells with chromatin abnormality such as elevated histone content and poorly condensed chromatin. In this paper, we extended our findings and studied the role of CB1 in the epididymal phase of chromatin condensation of…
The endocannabinoid system (ES) is a cell-signalling system widely distributed in biological tissues that includes endogenous ligands, receptors, and biosynthetic and hydrolysing machineries. The impairment of the ES has been associated to several pathological conditions like behavioural, neurological, or metabolic disorders and infertility, suggesting that the modulation of this system may be critical for the mai…
Background The incidence of poor semen quality and sub-fertility/infertility is higher in crossbred as compared to Zebu males. Several attempts have been made to understand the possible reasons for higher incidence of fertility problems in crossbred males, at sperm phenotype, proteome and genome level but with variable results. Since the quality of the ejaculated spermatozoa is determined by the testicular environ…
Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), was administered by diet to gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) in order to study its effects on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and gonadal steroidogenesis. 2-year-old male gilthead sea bream were fed with two different concentrations of BPA (LOW at 4 and HIGH at 4000 µg/kg body weight for 21 days during the reproductive season. Exposure to 4000 µg B…
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce external chemical cues into intracellular signals and are involved in a plethora of physiological processes, but knowledge regarding the function of these receptors in spermatozoa is limited. In the present study, we performed RNA-Seq and analyzed the expression of the all GPCRs except olfactory receptors in human spermatozoa. We revealed the expression of up to 223 di…