Male infertility is a prevalent condition affecting approximately 15% of couples worldwide. Recent evidence indicates that, beyond its immediate reproductive implications, male infertility may reflect broader health concerns. Large-scale cohort studies consistently show that men with poorer semen parameters have elevated all-cause mortality compared to fertile counterparts, with a dose-dependent pattern whereby more severe abnormalities correlate with a higher risk of early death. Proposed mechanisms linking infertility to reduced life expectancy encompass genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. For instance, Klinefelter syndrome exemplifies a genetic cause of azoospermia that also predisposes to metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and certain malignancies. Low testosterone, a frequent finding in testicular dysfunction, is implicated in obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease, all of which can shorten lifespan. Additionally, psychosocial stress and depression—commonly reported among infertile men—may contribute to health-compromising behaviors. Environmental exposures and socioeconomic factors further compound these risks. Collectively, these data underscore the importance of recognizing male infertility as an early indicator of potentially modifiable health vulnerabilities. A comprehensive evaluation of infertile men should therefore extend beyond fertility assessments to include screening for chronic diseases, hormonal imbalances, and mental health issues. Targeted surveillance for specific cancers (e.g., testicular and prostate) and early interventions—such as lifestyle modifications, appropriate hormonal therapies, and psychosocial support—can improve both reproductive outcomes and long-term well-being. Given these insights, male fertility assessment may serve as a valuable gateway to broader men’s healthcare, prompting proactive strategies that mitigate associated risks and potentially enhance longevity.

Male-factor infertility accounts for approxiamately half of all infertility cases globally, yet therapeutic options remain limited for individuals with no retrievable spermatozoa, such as those with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). In recent years, artificial gametogenesis has emerged as a promising avenue for fertility restoration, driven by advances in two complementary strategies: organotypic in vitro spermatogenesis (IVS), which aims to complete spermatogenesis ex vivo using native testicular tissue, and in vitro gametogenesis (IVG), which seeks to generate male gametes de novo from pluripotent or reprogrammed somatic stem cells. To evaluate the current landscape and future potential of these approaches, a narrative, semi-systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for the period January 2010 to February 2025. Additionally, landmark studies published prior to 2010 that contributed foundational knowledge in spermatogenesis and testicular tissue modeling were reviewed to provide historical context. This narrative review synthesizes multidisciplinary evidence from cell biology, tissue engineering, and translational medicine to benchmark IVS and IVG technologies against species-specific developmental milestones, ranging from rodent models to non-human primates and emerging human systems. Key challenges—such as the reconstitution of the blood–testis barrier, stage-specific endocrine signaling, and epigenetic reprogramming—are discussed alongside critical performance metrics of various platforms, including air–liquid interface slice cultures, three-dimensional organoids, microfluidic “testis-on-chip” devices, and stem cell-derived gametogenic protocols. Particular attention is given to clinical applicability in contexts such as NOA, oncofertility preservation in prepubertal patients, genetic syndromes, and reprocutive scenarios involving same-sex or unpartnered individuals. Safety, regulatory, and ethical considerations are critically appraised, and a translational framework is outlined that emphasizes biomimetic scaffold design, multi-omics-guided media optimization, and rigorous genomic and epigenomic quality control. While the generation of functionally mature sperm in vitro remains unachieved, converging progress in animal models and early human systems suggests that clinically revelant IVS and IVG applications are approaching feasibility, offering a paradigm shift in reproductive medicine.

The relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is both bidirectional and multifactorial. Several risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking, have been associated with an increased risk for the development of CKD and RCC. CKD may predispose individuals to RCC through various mechanisms, including renal cystic diseases or induced oxidative stress effects. Conversely, RCC can induce CKD through the direct effects of the tumor, after surgeries for the management of the tumor (either partial or radical nephrectomy), and through perioperative acute kidney injury. Furthermore, medical interventions, including immunotherapy or targeted therapies, may precipitate acute kidney injury, potentially leading to the development of CKD. The expression of several genes in renal tissues has been related to the remodeling of kidneys during end-stage kidney disease and with an increased risk of the development of preneoplastic lesions and tumors. The aim of this review is to update the knowledge of these relationships, highlight the pathophysiologic mechanisms, and identify the genes and molecular expressions involved in this pathway.

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is characterized by focal and quantitatively limited spermatogenesis, making preoperative prediction of sperm retrieval difficult. Seminal plasma is a biologically plausible liquid-biopsy compartment because it contains testicular, epididymal and accessory-gland secretions enriched with extracellular vesicles, cell-free nucleic acids, proteins and metabolites. This narrative molecular review examines the mechanisms by which germ-cell-derived molecular cargo reaches the ejaculate and organizes seminal-plasma biomarkers by cargo class and spermatogenic stage. Particular attention is given to extracellular-vesicle non-coding RNAs, cell-free seminal mRNAs, germ-cell-enriched proteins including TEX101 and ECM1, and metabolomic and lipidomic signatures. Although several markers show promising discrimination, most remain discovery-stage, single-center and insufficiently validated. The central argument is that the field should move from isolated biomarker nomination toward locked, stage-mapped multi-analyte panels integrated with clinical and genetic predictors under modern prediction-model standards. Seminal plasma is best viewed not as a ready clinical test, but as a biologically coherent platform for future calibrated, externally validated and artificial-intelligence (AI)-ready sperm-retrieval decision support.

Midgut malrotation (MM) is a rare congenital abnormality that is usually diagnosed early in life during the neonatal period or the first year of life. In some rare cases, the patient may remain asymptomatic or with only mild nonspecific symptoms that delay the diagnosis until late adulthood. These nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms can culminate in an adhesive bowel obstruction or volvulus making the presentation a surgical emergency. In our case, we present a 73‐year‐old male with nonspecific symptoms that led to the diagnosis of adhesive obstruction of the duodenum from Ladd bands due to undiagnosed MM. A laparotomy with Ladd’s procedure was performed.

Background/Objectives: Varicocele is usually clinically left-sided, but imaging and mechanistic studies suggest that contralateral venous reflux or bilateral testicular effects may be more common than physical examination indicates. This narrative review critically examines whether varicocele-associated infertility is better conceptualized as an asymmetric disorder with potential bilateral anatomical or functional involvement and considers the implications for diagnosis and treatment. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were searched from inception to 21 June 2026 for studies on varicocele laterality, bilateral and subclinical disease, color Doppler ultrasonography, venography, and unilateral versus bilateral repair. Reference lists and contemporary clinical guidelines were also reviewed. Because the included studies differed substantially in patient selection, age, operator technique, diagnostic criteria, and reference standards, reported bilateral rates were not interpreted as head-to-head estimates of diagnostic sensitivity or as pooled prevalence estimates. Results: Physical examination identifies predominantly left-sided clinical disease. Bilateral involvement is reported more frequently when both sides are assessed using Doppler ultrasonography or venography, but estimates vary widely across referral-enriched and highly selected cohorts. Human and experimental evidence supports several mechanisms by which a clinically unilateral lesion may have bilateral functional effects, including shared scrotal hyperthermia, oxidative stress, endocrine disturbance, and venous cross-communication. Bilateral repair is consistent with standard treatment criteria when both varicoceles are clinically palpable. In men with a clinical left varicocele and non-palpable right-sided reflux, comparative evidence is mixed, and current guidelines do not support routine treatment of imaging-only disease. Conclusions: Varicocele is best viewed as an asymmetric disorder that may be anatomically or functionally bilateral in selected men, rather than as a universally bilateral disease. Deliberate bilateral clinical assessment and standardized bilateral ultrasonography when imaging is clinically indicated may improve phenotyping and operative planning. However, contralateral imaging abnormalities should not automatically be converted into a surgical indication.