COVID-19 and male reproductive system: pathogenic features and possible mechanisms.

Multiorgan dysfunction is the main characteristic of severe COVID-19 patients and the involvement of male reproductive system may occur among these patients. Although there is a limited evidence to confirm the orchitis and virus presence in the semen of patients, there are concerns about the transmission of virus through the semen. In addition, reduced fertility or infertility can be seen as consequences of severe COVID-19 in recovered subjects. In this study, we aimed to review articles related to COVID-19 and male reproductive system to find the possible underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 in affecting male fertility. The following keywords of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, testis, orchitis, semen, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, Hypothalamus, etc., were defined to find the related publications from standard search engines, e.g., PUBMED, SCOPUS, Google Scholar. According to studies, COVID-19 occurs in severe patients as respiratory disease, along with multi-organ failure. The most important mechanisms are classified as direct and indirect pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. The presence of ACE2 on the cell surface of various cells in testis increases the risk of direct infection by this virus. SARS-CoV-2 also affects the testis through the cytokine storm. In addition, the important role of HPT axis dysregulation through impaired Leydig cells and hypothalamus should be considered. Using antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy can be harmful for testis function. Further investigations are required to investigate potential mechanisms of male infertility in survivals of COVID-19. Since involvement of testis is essential for fertility, increasing the knowledge of health system may improve the outcomes.

Dietary supplements in the management of varicocele-induced infertility: A review of potential mechanisms.

Varicocele is a main cause of lower production of spermatozoon and infertility with multiple pathophysiological mechanisms. In the past decades, the use of dietary supplements has significantly increased due to both the modern lifestyle and the food shortages of the industrialised countries. The purpose of this review paper is to collect scientific evidences from basic and clinical studies which support the use of dietary supplements to define the clinical framework for patients with varicocele. In the present review, we used keywords such as dietary supplements, varicocele, male infertility, oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation, sperm parameters to find the proper articles. The standard search biomedical engines were used for seeking the papers. The use of dietary supplements such as minerals, vitamins and antioxidants has an essential role in the prevention and treatment of varicocele by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes (e.g. peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) and decreasing the levels of inflammatory markers (e.g. tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1) in testis. According to the results, the dietary supplements may alleviate the spermatogenesis in varicocele patients through different mechanisms such as suppression of stress oxidative and inflammation in testicular tissue.

The role of Vitamin E - Selenium - Folic Acid Supplementation in Improving Sperm Parameters After Varicocelectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of antioxidants including Vitamin E-Selenium-Folic acid (Vit E -Se- FA) on semen parameters following varicocelectomy (VCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients from 64 infertile male patients diagnosed with varicocele (VC) who un-derwent sub-inguinal VCT were included in the study. Following sub-inguinal VCT, the patients were randomized into two groups: 30 receiving Vit E-Se-FA supplementation for six months, and 30 as the control group with supplemental treatment. The post-operative semen parameters of Vit E-Se-FA receiving group were compared with control group at the end of experiment. The sperm count, percentage of motile and abnormal sperms were considered. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in terms of count (P = .031) and motility (P = .01) of sperm after six months of receiving Vit E-Se-FA supplementation comparing with control group. CONCLUSION: Vit E-Se-FA supplementation can improve sperm parameters (count and motility of sperm) after VCT.

Prostate-specific antigen rising in Iranian men in correlation with body mass index, fasting blood sugar and blood lipid profile.

BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a serine protease that is secreted by prostate cells and it is useful as a tumor marker for prostate cancer. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the relationship between some of metabolic factors and serum PSA level was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients with urinary symptoms or for screening of the prostate cancer (after 50 years of age or 40 years with a family history of prostate cancer), were evaluated. Collected data included metabolic syndrome factors such as cholesterol (Chol), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood sugar (FBS), and body mass index (BMI), serum PSA level, prostate volume and age. RESULTS: 481 patients were enrolled to this study with the average age of 60.69 ± 9.72 years and the average PSA level of 1.70 ng/ml. Data analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between serum PSA level with age (P < 0.001, r = 0.30) and prostate volume (P < 0.001, r = 0.29). There were not significant relationship between serum PSA level with TG (P = 0.57, r = 0.026), Chol (P = 0.57, r = -0.025), FBS (P = 0.054, r = 0.088), and BMI (P = 0.89, r = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that, with increasing age and prostate volume, serum PSA level increased, and an increase in the levels of cholesterol, TG, FBS and BMI did not have significant effect on serum PSA level.

An Extremely Rare Complication of Ureteral Pigtail Stent Placement: A Case Report.

Double-J (DJ) stents are the main tools used in urological practice for prevention and treatment of obstruction. Stenting is also mandatory after complicated ureteroscopy or TUL (Transureteral Lithotripsy). Known complications are upper migration of DJ stents into the kidney and lower migration to the bladder. In a man with an impacted right lower ureteral stone, a DJ stent was placed because the ureteroscope was not passed from an intramural ureter. We reported a very rare complication of DJ ureteral stent placement with intravascular migration to the pulmonary arteries, which was removed percutaneously through the right femoral vein under fluoroscopic guidance.