The evaluation of morpho-functional sperm characteristics alone is not enough to explain infertility or to predict the outcome of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): more sensitive diagnostic tools are needed in clinical practice. The aim of the present study was to analyze Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF) and sperm-borne miR-34c-5p and miR-449b-5p levels in men of couples undergoing ART, in order to investigate any correlations with fertilization rate, embryo quality and development. Male partners (n = 106) were recruited. Semen analysis, SDF evaluation and molecular profiling analysis of miR-34c-5p and miR-449b-5p (in 38 subjects) were performed. Sperm DNA Fragmentation evaluation- a positive correlation between SDF post sperm selection and the percentage of low-quality embryos and a negative correlation with viable embryo were found. SDF > 2.9% increased the risk of obtaining a non-viable embryo by almost 4-fold. Sperm miRNAs profile—we found an association with both miRNAs and sperm concentration, while miR-449b-5p is positively associated with SDF. Moreover, the two miRNAs are positively correlated. Higher levels of miR-34c-5p compared to miR-449b-5p increases by 14-fold the probability of obtaining viable embryos. This study shows that SDF, sperm miR-34c-5p, and miR-449b-5p have a promising role as biomarkers of semen quality and ART outcome.

Purpose: Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy among young adult males. The etiology is multifactorial, and both environmental and genetic factors play an essential role in the origin and development of this tumor. In particular, exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs), resulting from industrialization and urbanization, seems crucial both in pre-and postnatal life. However, the lack of long-term studies on a wide caseload and the difficulty in evaluating their toxic effects in vivo make it challenging to establish a causal link. This review aims to discuss the main human epidemiological studies currently available in the literature to define a possible association between these chemicals and TC. Methods: A comprehensive Medline/PubMed and Embase search was performed, selecting all relevant, peer-reviewed papers in English published from 2002 to January 2022. Other relevant papers were selected from the reference lists. Results: To date, literature evidence is limited due to the scarcity and heterogeneity of human studies and shows controversial data, highlighting the complexity of the topic. However, most human epidemiological studies seem to point toward a correlation between EEDs exposure and TC. Conclusion: Although the molecular mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the role of EEDs in TC onset is plausible, but several factors, such as the individual genetic background, the exposure time, and the complex mechanism of action of these chemicals, do not allow defining the causal link with certainty and make further studies necessary to investigate this complex topic.

Purpose: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in semen represents a controversial topic. Recent evidence suggests a correlation with poor semen quality, but its detection is still unstandardized in this biological fluid. Thus, the aims of this study were to verify the ability of nested PCR to reveal HPV-DNA in semen; to evaluate association of seminal HPV with sperm parameters and risk factors for infection; to investigate the rate of HPV-DNA positivity in patients with and without risk factors; to assess HPV transcriptional activity. Methods: We enrolled sexually active men and collected clinical and anamnestic data during andrological and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) evaluation. For each patient, we performed semen analysis and nested PCR to detect HPV-DNA in semen. In positive semen samples, we proceeded with genotyping and RNA quantification to detect HPV transcriptional activity. Results: We enrolled 185 men (36.0 ± 8.3 years), of which 85 with (Group A) and 100 without HPV risk factors (Group B). Nested PCR was able to reveal HPV-DNA in semen, discovering a prevalence of 8.6% (11.8% in Group A and 6% in Group B, respectively). We observed no correlation between sperm quality and seminal HPV. Genital warts and previous anogenital infection were significantly associated with the risk of HPV positivity in semen. Moreover, no viral transcriptional activity was detected in positive semen samples. Conclusions: Our study suggests that searching for seminal HPV could be important in patients both with and without risk factors, especially in assisted reproduction where the risk of injecting sperm carrying HPV-DNA is possible.

Primary Bladder Neck Obstruction (PBNO) management provides medical and surgical treatment, such as transurethral incisions that can lead to retrograde ejaculation. The aim of this study was to investigate the maintenance of anterograde ejaculation and semen quality before and after this surgical procedure. A retrospective evaluation was carried out between 2011 and 2020. A total of 73 patients diagnosed with PBNO were recruited. Ejaculatory function, semen quality, and the fertility of recruited subjects were evaluated. Semen parameters—Baseline, 8.2% of patients were oligozoospermic and 12.3% had a semen volume below the WHO 2010 fifth percentile. Post-surgery, 20% of patients were oligozoospermic. We detected a significant decrease in total sperm number, a significant increase in the number of abnormal forms, and a reduction in the leukocyte concentration. Ejaculatory function—A total of 7.7% of patients reported anejaculation after transurethral incision of the bladder neck. Fertility—9.2% of the patients already had children before surgery; 13.8% had naturally conceived children in the years following surgery; 76.9% had no desire for paternity at the time. Our data have important implications for sperm bank management. The alterations in semen parameters and the risk of anejaculation suggest that the use of sperm cryopreservation before surgery for PBNO should be encouraged.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are aggressive malignancies characterized by a poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. Mounting evidence suggests the pivotal role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance in these cancers. Protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II)—a valuable HCC detector—has ultimately emerged as a potentially relevant biomarker in PDAC, serving as both a serum biomarker and a prognostic indicator. This study investigates the putative link between PIVKA-II expression and the EMT process in HCC and PDAC. Using a Western blot analysis and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), we quantified PIVKA-II serum levels alongside two canonical EMT markers—Vimentin and E-cadherin—in selected cohorts. Emerging data suggest a dual, context-dependent role for PIVKA-II. Beyond its diagnostic value in both malignancies, its co-expression with EMT markers points to a potential mechanistic involvement in tumor invasiveness and phenotypic plasticity. Notably, the selective detection of E-cadherin in HCC implies limited EMT activation and a preservation of the epithelial phenotype, whereas the higher expression of Vimentin in PDAC reflects a more substantial shift toward EMT. We provide a comprehensive analysis of key molecular markers, their involvement in EMT-driven pathophysiological mechanisms, and their potential as novel diagnostic tools.

Background: Male factors contribute to approximately half of all cases of couple infertility, and semen analysis remains the cornerstone of the diagnostic evaluation. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool to improve the objectivity and reproducibility of semen analysis and sperm selection in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Materials and Methods: This narrative review provides an overview of the current applications of AI in seminology, focusing on sperm motility, morphology, DNA fragmentation, sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and sperm retrieval in men with nonobstructive azoospermia. Beyond laboratory applications, the review also highlights the emerging role of machine learning in predicting reproductive outcomes and supporting clinical decision‐making in andrology. Results and Discussion: Although the available evidence is encouraging, most studies remain limited by small and highly selected datasets, a lack of external validation, and scarce evidence on clinically meaningful outcomes. Future progress in the field will likely depend not only on improvements in algorithm performance, but also on the availability of high‐quality, representative datasets to enable robust validation and reliable clinical translation. While issues related to data quality, algorithmic bias, and regulatory and ethical aspects still need to be addressed, AI has the potential to become a valuable decision‐support tool in reproductive medicine. Conclusions: Nonetheless, further prospective multicenter studies are needed before these technologies can be routinely integrated into clinical practice.