Background: Lifestyle and environmental factors can negatively impact fertility by means of oxidative stress. In this context, antioxidant supplementation therapy has gained much interest in recent years, and different molecules, alone or in combination, have been studied. Objective: The purpose of the present review is to investigate the evidence regarding the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and melatonin on male infertility. Methods: A literature search using PUBMED database from 2000 to October 2022 was performed to explore the role of CoQ10 and melatonin on male reproductive function. Conclusions: The analysis involved a narrative synthesis. CoQ10, alone or in combination, appears to reduce testicular oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation and to improve sperm parameters; particularly sperm motility. Moreover, CoQ10 treatment is associated with higher pregnancy rates, both naturally and through assisted reproductive technology (ART). Larger studies are needed to precisely determine its clinical efficacy. Melatonin is a known antioxidant and preclinical studies have shown its ability to modulate reproductive function through hormonal and immune system regulation and sperm cell proliferation. Regardless, clinical studies are necessary to assess its potential in male infertility.

Background: Different suction-assisted nephrostomic sheaths have been developed for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Objectives: (1) To examine PCNL techniques performed with different aspiration-assisted sheaths (Clear Petra^® sheath, Superperc, SuperminiPCNL, and a miniPCNL patented sheath), with specific regard to effectiveness and safety outcomes in adult and paediatric patients; (2) to extrapolate intrarenal pressure (IRP) data during these procedures. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Relevant articles up to 8 February 2024 were included. Results: Twenty-five studies were selected, thirteen retrospective and twelve prospective. The use of four different aspirating sheaths for miniPCNL was reported: Clear Petra^® sheath, Superperc, SuperminiPCNL, and a miniPCNL patented sheath. Stone free rates (SFRs) across techniques ranged from 71.3% to 100%, and complication rates from 1.5% to 38.9%. Infectious complication rates varied from 0 to 27.8% and bleeding complication rates from 0 to 8.9%. Most complications were low grade ones. The trend among studies comparing aspiration- and non-aspiration-assisted miniPCNL was towards equivalent or better SFRs and lower overall infectious and bleeding complication rates in suction techniques. Operation time was consistently lower in suction procedures, with a mean shortening of the procedural time of 19 min. Seven studies reported IRP values during suction miniPCNL. Two studies reported satisfactory SFRs and adequate safety profiles in paediatric patient cohorts. Conclusions: MiniPCNL with aspirating sheaths appears to be safe and effective in both adult and paediatric patients. A trend towards a reduction of overall infectious and bleeding complications with respect to non-suction procedures is evident, with comparable or better SFRs and consistently shorter operative times. The IRP profile seems to be safe with the aid of aspirating sheaths. However, high quality evidence on this topic is still lacking.

Background: Scoring metrics to assess and compare outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) are needed. We aim to evaluate prevalence and predictors of trifecta in a cohort of patients treated with vacuum-assisted mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (vmPCNL) for kidney stones. Methods: Data from 287 participants who underwent vmPCNL were analysed. Patients’ and stones’ characteristics as well as operative data were collected. Stone-free was defined as no residual stones. The modified Clavien classification was used to score postoperative complications. Trifecta was defined as stone-free status without complications after a single session and no auxiliary procedures. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models tested the association between predictors and trifecta outcome. Results: After vmPCNL, 219 (76.3%) patients were stone-free, and 81 (28.2%) had postoperative complications (any Clavien). Of 287, 170 (59.2%) patients achieved trifecta criteria. Patients who achieved trifecta status had smaller stone volume (p < 0.001), a higher rate of single stones (p < 0.001), shorter operative time (p < 0.01), and a higher rate of single percutaneous tract (p < 0.01) than −trifecta patients. Trifecta status decreased with the number of calyces involved, being 77.1%, 18.8%, and 4.1% in patients with 1, 2, or 3 calyces with stones, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that stone volume (OR 1.1, p = 0.02) and multiple calyces being involved (OR 2.8 and OR 4.3 for two- and three-calyceal groups, respectively, all p < 0.01) were independent unfavourable risk factors for trifecta after accounting for age, BMI, gender, operative time, and number of access tracts. Conclusions: Trifecta status was achieved in 6 out of 10 patients after vmPCNL. Stone distribution in multiple calyceal groups and stone volume were independent unfavourable risk factors for trifecta.

Introduction: Infertility affects 15% of couples, with oxidative stress recognized as a key contributor to male infertility. Night-shift work, through circadian disruption, may exacerbate oxidative imbalance and impair reproductive function. This study investigates the impact of night-shift work on oxidative stress and semen quality and evaluates the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation in this context. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analysed 96 white-European men aged 18–45, seeking fertility assessment at a single academic centre. Participants were classified as day or night workers based on their shift schedule, and all underwent standardised clinical, hormonal, and semen evaluations. Oxidative stress was assessed using the d-ROMs test. A subgroup of 40 patients (20 per group) treated for 3 months with antioxidant supplementation (Drolessano) to evaluate changes in oxidative stress and semen parameters was also considered. Statistical comparisons were performed using non-parametric tests and logistic regression analyses. Results: Night-shift workers exhibit significantly higher oxidative stress levels compared to day workers (median D-ROMs values of 340 vs. 280 U.CARR, p = 0.01), and a greater proportion of men exceeding the oxidative stress threshold (74.4% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.01). Logistic regression confirmed night-shift work as an independent predictor of elevated oxidative stress (OR 2.1, p = 0.001), even after adjusting for age and smoking. Following three months of antioxidant supplementation with Drolessano, both groups experienced significant reductions in oxidative stress (all p < 0.01), but night workers showed a substantially greater decrease (mean change −58.5 vs. −15.4 U.CARR, p = 0.001). Improvements in semen quality, including sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, were also more pronounced in the night group after treatment. Conclusions: At baseline, night-shift workers had significantly higher oxidative stress than day workers, likely due to circadian disruption. Both groups improved after antioxidant treatment, but night workers showed a greater reduction in D-ROMs. This pilot study might suggest a potential benefit of antioxidant therapy particularly in night workers.

Background. Antioxidants are commonly used for the treatment of idiopathic male infertility. Previous studies have shown that antioxidants are able to improve sperm quality, but little is known about their impact on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). Preliminary findings showed that superoxide-dismutase (SOD)-based antioxidant plus hydroxytyrosol and carnosol (FertiPlus^® SOD) therapy was associated with SDF improvement in a small cohort of infertile men. Therefore, we aimed to assess rates of and predictors of semen parameters and SDF improvements in infertile men treated with FertiPlus^® SOD therapy (SOD+) or with other antioxidants without SOD (SOD−) in the real-life setting. Methods. Data from 60 consecutive infertile men with baseline SDF ≥ 30% and treated with SOD+ or SOD− for at least three months were analyzed. Clinical parameters and serum hormones were collected. Sperm parameters and SDF were requested at baseline and after SOD+ or SOD− treatment. Clinically meaningful SDF change after treatment was defined as SDF improvement >20% compared to baseline. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences between groups. Descriptive statistics were used to compare clinical and hormonal characteristics between SOD+ and SOD− groups. Semen characteristics were compared before and after treatment. Logistic regression models investigated the association between clinical variables and SDF improvement. Results. Groups were similar in terms of clinical, serum hormones and semen parameters at baseline after matching. Compared to baseline, sperm progressive motility (17 (10–36)% vs. 27 (12–41)%) and normal morphology (2 (1–6)% vs. 4 (2–6)%) significantly improved after SOD+ treatment (all p < 0.01), but not after SOD−. SDF values significantly improved after treatment in both groups, compared to the baseline evaluation (all p < 0.01). However, SDF values were lower after SOD+ than SOD− treatment (30 (22–36)% vs. 37 (31–42)%, p = 0.01). Similarly, a clinically meaningful improvement in SDF at follow-up was more frequently found after SOD+ than SOD− treatment (76.7% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that SOD+ treatment (OR 5.4, p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of clinically meaningful SDF improvement, after accounting for age and baseline FSH values. Conclusions. This cross-sectional study showed that, in a cohort of primary infertile men with SDF ≥ 30%, SOD-based treatment was significantly effective in improving SDF compared to antioxidants without SOD. Approximately 80% of men treated with SOD+ achieved clinically meaningful improvement in SDF after three months of treatment. Sperm progressive motility and normal morphology also improved after SOD+ therapy but not after SOD−. These results suggest that SOD+ treatment could be considered an effective option for the management of idiopathic infertile men with elevated SDF.