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Background: Seminal oxidative stress has been shown to be a key factor in the development of male infertility. However, the benefits of infertility treatments with antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) remains controversial. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on semen quality, i.e., semen volume, total sperm number, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, percentage of progressive sperm motility and sperm morphology. In addition, the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on circulating testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and inhibin B levels were evaluated. Design: A systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on semen quality and serum levels of male reproductive hormones. Methods: We conducted a strategic literature search in the Cochrane, EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and collected only RCTs. The data in the collected RCTs were then meta-analyzed according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: Out of 2,144 collected studies, only eight were classified eligible. The studies included a total of 877 male subjects; 462 CoQ10-treated and 415 untreated/placebo-treated. We found significantly higher total sperm counts (SMD -13.38 [95% CI: −16.33, −10.43] P < 0.0001), total (SMD -7.26 [95% CI: −10.15, −4.36] P< 0.00001) and progressive motility (SMD -6.386 [95% CI: −10.04, −2.73] P= 0.0006), and normally formed sperm (SMD -1.96 [95% CI: −3.29, −0.62] P= 0.004) in CoQ10-treated male subjects compared with untreated/placebo-treated male subjects. Nonetheless, there was a significant inter-study heterogeneity in these studies. Moreover, significantly higher serum testosterone (SMD -0.59 [95% CI: −0.79, −0.40] P< 0.00001) and inhibin B levels (SMD -0.92 [95% CI: −1.47, −0.37] P= 0.001) were recorded in CoQ10-treated subjects compared to untreated/placebo-treated subjects. In addition, CoQ10 supplementation significantly lowered serum LH (SMD 1.77 [95% CI: 1.26, 2.28] P< 0.00001) and FSH concentrations (SMD 1.60 [95% CI: 1.38, 1.81] P< 0.00001). Interestingly, there was no significant inter-study heterogeneity in the hormonal studies. However, CoQ10 supplementation had no significant effect on semen volume (SMD 0.12 [95% CI: −0.13, 0.37] P = 0.34) and sperm concentration (SMD -6.69 [95% CI: −16.28, 2.90] P= 0.17). Conclusion: Our study shows that CoQ10 supplementation increases total sperm count, total and progressive sperm motility, and the proportion of normally formed sperm in association with higher serum testosterone and inhibin B levels. Our study therefore supports the view in the literature of a beneficial use of CoQ10 in male infertility treatment. However, further well-designed RCTs with sufficiently large numbers of subjects are required to reach a final conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and tramadol are central nervous system stimulants known for inducing emotional communion and socializing effects. FMRFamide, an RFamide peptide isolated from mollusks, plays diverse roles in physiological processes. This study aimed to evaluate FMRFamide's impact on testicular toxicity induced by MDMA/tramadol in Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (n=5). Group A served as the control, Group B received 2 mg/kg FMRFamide for two consecutive days. Groups C, D, and E received MDMA/tramadol (20 mg/kg) for ten days, while Group F received the same dosage along with FMRFamide. Sperm analysis, biochemical, and histological assessments were conducted. The results revealed significant body weight loss, decreased sperm count and motility, increased abnormal sperm formation, and reduced serum LH, FSH, and Testosterone levels. Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) expression was intensified in Groups A, B, D, and F. Notably, FMRFamide administration attenuated the adverse effects of MDMA/tramadolinduced testicular toxicity, suggesting a potential therapeutic role in safeguarding male reproductive health. These findings highlight the importance of further exploring FMRFamide's protective mechanisms and its potential application in mitigating drug-induced reproductive toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organophosphate (OP) pesticides have been associated with a decline in semen quality, although there are still considerable arguments about the magnitude of the association. Objective: This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the impacts of OP pesticides on semen quality and male reproductive hormones. Methods: This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols. Strategic search was conducted using combined text words as search terms. The eligibility criteria were developed based on Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome, and Study designs (PECOS) framework. Relevant data were extracted, risk of bias was evaluated by The Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) tool, and certainty of evidence was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group guidelines. Quantitative meta-analysis was performed by using Review Manager. Results: A total of 766 male subjects (349 exposed to OP pesticides and 417 unexposed controls) were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in the ejaculate volume, seminal fluid volume, sperm multiple anomaly index, sperm, and leukocytes levels of the OP-exposed subjects compared to the control. In addition, OP pesticides exposure did not significantly affect serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and testosterone in subjects who were exposed to OP pesticides compared to their unexposed counterparts. However, we found a significant reduction in the sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility, and normal sperm morphology of OP pesticides-exposed subjects compared to the unexposed subjects. However, after subtype and sensitivity analyses, exposure to OP pesticides did not reduce sperm count. Also, after sensitivity analysis, OP pesticides exposure did not alter progressive sperm motility. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that OP pesticides exposure reduced sperm count, concentration, total and progressive motility, and normal sperm morphology, possibly via a testosterone-independent mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is one of the most effective antipsychotic drugs used for managing psychotic related disorders owing to its dopamine receptor blocking action. However, pharmacological investigations against CPZ's cytotoxic effect have remained scarce. Hence, this study investigated the preventive and reversal effects of taurine and coenzyme-Q10 (COQ-10), which are compounds with proven natural antioxidant properties, against CPZ-induced hematological impairments in male rats. In the preventive study, rats received oral saline (10 ml/kg), taurine (150 mg/kg/day), COQ-10 (10 mg/kg/day) or in combination for 56 days, alongside CPZ (30 mg/kg, p.o.) between days 29-56. In the reversal protocol, rats had CPZ repeatedly for 56 days before taurine and COQ-10 treatments or their combination from days 29-56. Rats were also given taurine (150 mg/kg/day), and COQ-10 (10 mg/kg/day) alone for 56 days. Serums were extracted and assayed for hematological, with oxidative and inflammatory markers. CPZ induced decreased red/white blood cells, erythropoietin, platelet count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin, neutrophil, and lymphocyte, which were prevented and reversed by taurine and COQ-10, or their combination. Taurine and COQ-10 improved mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin concentration, with increased erythropoietin levels relative to CPZ groups. CPZ-induced increased malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels with decreased interleukin-10, glutathione, and superoxide-dismutase were prevented and reversed by taurine and COQ-10 in comparison with CPZ groups. Taurine and COQ-10 alone notably improved the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory status relative to controls. Among other mechanisms, taurine and COQ-10 abated CPZ-induced hematological deficiencies, via decreased serum levels of oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines release, with increased antioxidants and anti-inflammation function., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)