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Like other lepidopteran insects, males of the tobacco cutworm moth, Spodoptera litura produce two kinds of spermatozoa, eupyrene (nucleate) and apyrene (anucleate) sperm. Formed in the testis, both kinds of sperm are released into the male reproductive tract in an immature form and are stored in the duplex region of the tract. Neither type of sperm is motile at this stage. When stored apyrene sperm from the duplex are treated in vitro with an extract of the prostatic region of the male tract, or with mammalian trypsin, they become motile; activation is greater and achieved more rapidly with increasing concentration of extract or enzyme. The activating effect of prostatic extract is blocked by soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), also in a dose-dependent way. These results suggest that the normal sperm-activating process is due to an endogenous trypsin-like protease produced in the prostatic region. Proteomic analysis of S. litura prostatic extracts revealed a Trypsin-Like Serine Protease, TLSP, molecular weight 27 kDa, whose 199-residue amino acid sequence is identical to that of a predicted protein from the S. litura genome and is highly similar to predicted proteins encoded by genes in the genomes of several other noctuid moth species. Surprisingly, TLSP is only distantly related to Serine Protease 2 (initiatorin) of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, the only identified lepidopteran protein so far shown to activate sperm. TLSP has features typical of secreted proteins, probably being synthesized as an inactive precursor zymogen, which is later activated by proteolytic cleavage. cDNA was synthesized from total RNA extracted from the prostatic region and was used to examine TLSP expression using qPCR. tlsp mRNA was expressed in both the prostatic region and the accessory glands of the male tract. Injection of TLSP-specific dsRNA into adult males caused a significant reduction after 24 h in tlsp mRNA levels in both locations. The number of eggs laid by females mated to adult males that were given TLSP dsRNA in 10 % honey solution, and the fertility (% hatched) of the eggs were reduced. Injecting pupae with TLSP dsRNA caused the later activation of apyrene sperm motility by adult male prostatic extracts to be significantly reduced compared to controls. Exposure of S. litura pupae to ionizing radiation significantly reduced expression of tlsp mRNA in the prostatic part and accessory gland of irradiated males in both the irradiated generation and also in their (unirradiated) F1 progeny. The implications of these findings for the use of the inherited sterility technique for the control of S. litura and other pest Lepidoptera are discussed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest 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., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Male fertility has been declining in recent decades, and a growing body of research points to environmental and lifestyle factors as the cause. The widespread use of radiation technology may result in more people affected by male infertility, as it is well established that radiation can cause reproductive impairment in men. This article provides a review of radiation-induced damage to male reproduction, and the effects of damage mechanisms and pharmacotherapy. It is hoped that this review will contribute to the understanding of the effects of radiation on male reproduction, and provide information for research into drugs that can protect the reproductive health of males., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest 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., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The impact of electromagnetic radiation from communication on the male reproductive system has emerged as a significant concern in public health. A notable distinction of the 5G sub-6 GHz band, compared to traditional 2G, 3G, and 4G frequency bands, is the inclusion of higher frequency bands. This has raised public concerns regarding the potential effects of these higher frequencies on organisms, particularly their reproductive systems. While it is imperative to investigate the biological effects and potential risks associated with these new frequency bands in laboratory settings, comparing and evaluating differences between various frequency bands remain challenging due to the absence of standardized parameters such as exposure conditions and duration. In contrast, dose assessment offers a simpler and more reliable approach., Materials and Methods: The dose assessment method was employed in this study to investigate the risks associated with sub-6 GHz electromagnetic radiation from 5G base stations on the male reproductive system. A classical human body model (Duke) was utilized, and an electromagnetic simulation environment was established based on the actual polarization direction of the exposed base stations and various body postures. This research explored the effects of field direction, posture, public population, and frequency on the specific absorption rate of the reproductive system., Results and Conclusions: While maintaining the same level of exposure, a higher frequency results in a reduced dosage on reproductive system. Further analysis reveals that, considering the public exposure threshold, the employment of higher frequency bands in 5G sub-6 GHz does not present a greater dosage on reproductive system compared to lower frequency bands. Consequently, with regard to dosage, there is no need for excessive concern among the general public regarding the impact of electromagnetic radiation emitted by 5G base stations operating below 6 GHz on male reproductive health.

Background: Exposure to the ionizing radiation (IR) encountered outside the magnetic field of the Earth poses a persistent threat to the reproductive functions of astronauts. The potential effects of space IR on the circadian rhythms of male reproductive functions have not been well characterized so far., Methods: Here, we investigated the circadian effects of IR exposure (3 Gy X-rays) on reproductive functional markers in mouse testicular tissue and epididymis at regular intervals over a 24-h day. For each animal, epididymis was tested for sperm motility, and the testis tissue was used for daily sperm production (DSP), testosterone levels, and activities of testicular enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and acid phosphatase (ACP)), and the clock genes mRNA expression such as Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-β, or Ror-γ., Results: Mice exposed to IR exhibited a disruption in circadian rhythms of reproductive markers, as indicated by decreased sperm motility, increased daily sperm production (DSP), and reduced activities of testis enzymes such as G6PDH, SDH, LDH, and ACP. Moreover, IR exposure also decreased mRNA expression of five clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-β, or Ror-γ) in testis, with alteration in the rhythm parameters., Conclusion: These findings suggested potential health effects of IR exposure on reproductive functions of male astronauts, in terms of both the daily overall level as well as the circadian rhythmicity., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Extensive use of Wi-Fi has contributed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) pollution in environment. Various studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter on male reproduction health. However, there are conflicting findings between studies. Thus, this review aims to elucidate the possible effects of 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi exposure on both animal and human male reproductive system. A computerized database search performed through MEDLINE via Ovid and PUBMED with the following set of keywords: 'Wi-Fi or WiFi or wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi router or WiFi router or electromagnetic or radiofrequency radiation' AND 'sperm or spermatozoa or spermatogenesis or semen or seminal plasma or testes or testis or testosterone or male reproduction' had returned 526 articles. Only 17 studies conformed to pre-set inclusion criterion. Additional records identified through Google Scholar and reviewed article further revealed six eligible articles. A total of 23 articles were used for data extraction, including 15 studies on rats, three studies on mice, and five studies on human health. Sperm count, motility and DNA integrity were the most affected parameters when exposed to RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter. Unfortunately, sperm viability and morphology were inconclusive. Structural and/or physiological analyses of the testes showed degenerative changes, reduced testosterone level, increased apoptotic cells, and DNA damage. These effects were mainly due to the elevation of testicular temperature and oxidative stress activity. In conclusion, exposure towards 2.45 GHz RF-EMR emitted by Wi-Fi transmitter is hazardous on the male reproductive system.

Introduction and Objective: In the light of current data concerning the growing exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) originating from atrificial sources, especially from medical ones, and also related to occupational exposure, it is justifiable to systematize the state of knowledge concerning the effect of IR on the male reproductive system., Brief Description of the State of Knowledge: There is no basis for the application of the hypothesis of hormesis in the area of male reproductive health. Regarding the impact of IR on spermatogenesis, spermatogonia are less susceptible to the occurrence of DNA damage after exposition to IR, but are characterized by slower DNA repair compared to somatic cells. Damage to the genes after exposure to IR is possible at each stage of spermatogenesis; however, haploidal spermatids show the highest radiosensitivity in this respect. The genetic risk of the cells differentiating during spermatogenesis is limited to one cycle of spermatogenesis, whereas the genetic instability may persist for the whole period of life, and DNA damage induced by IR may be transmitted to future generations. The minimum dose causing detectable DNA damage was 30 Gy. While exceeding this dose, the number of single-strand DNA breaks increases. Among males exposed to IR, a decrease was observed in sperm motility and in the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa as well as in an intensification of vacuolization. The genetic material in the sperm of these males showed higher fragmentation and methylation of genomic DNA., Conclusion: In the context of the epidemiological situation concerning the prevalence of infertility, while assessing the health effects of exposure to IR from artificial, including medical sources, the reproductive risk should be considered.

CBLB502, a Toll-like receptor (TLR)5 agonist derived from Salmonella flagellin, was shown to protect mammalian hematopoietic and gastrointestinal systems from acute irradiation syndrome and to stimulate regeneration. To explore whether CBLB502 can improve testicular injuries caused by irradiation, mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.2 mg/kg CBLB502 or vehicle control 30 min prior to applying 5.0 Gy ionizing radiation (IR). We observed these mice for the following 120 days and determined that CBLB502 pretreatment alleviated IR-induced oxidative stress, alleviated the distorted architecture of seminiferous tubules, reversed the decline of sperm quantity and quality, and helped recover male mouse fertility. Additionally, CBLB502 efficiently reduced DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations in IR-treated mice and their offspring. Due to the suppression of p53-dependent apoptosis, in IR-treated mice, CBLB502 was shown to significantly activate the nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) pathway and reduce the apoptotic rate in association with an increase in anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 levels and a decrease in the levels of DNA repair protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Moreover, an IR-induced reduction in serum testosterone and superoxide dismutase levels and an increase in malondialdehyde levels were considerably reversed in CBLB502-pretreated mice. No significant reverse effects were found in Tlr5 knockout mice, suggesting that protection of the testis against IR by CBLB502 is primarily dependent on the TLR5 signaling pathway. Our results may help further investigations into potential CBLB502 applications for the protection of the male reproductive system during radiotherapy.

Since the development of communication devices and expansion of their applications, there have been concerns about their harmful health effects. The main aim of this study was to investigate laptop thermal effects caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields and thermal sources simultaneously; propose a nondestructive, replicable process that is less expensive than clinical measurements; and to study the effects of positioning any new device near the human body in steady state conditions to ensure safety by U.S. and European standard thresholds. A computer simulation was designed to obtain laptop heat flux from SolidWorks flow simulation. Increase in body temperature due to heat flux was calculated, and antenna radiation was calculated using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) Microwave Studio software. Steady state temperature and specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution in user's body, and heat flux beneath the laptop, were obtained from simulations. The laptop in its high performance mode caused 420 (W/m 2 ) peak two-dimensional heat flux beneath it. The cumulative effect of laptop in high performance mode and 1 W antenna radiation resulted in temperatures of 42.9, 38.1, and 37.2 °C in lap skin, scrotum, and testis, that is, 5.6, 2.1, and 1.4 °C increase in temperature, respectively. Also, 1 W antenna radiation caused 0.37 × 10 -3 and 0.13 × 10 -1 (W/kg) peak three-dimensional SAR at 2.4 and 5 GHz, respectively, which could be ignored in reference to standards and temperature rise due to laptop use. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:550-558, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aim: To retrospectively investigate the risk factors and time to occurrence of genitourinary (GU) toxicity after radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer., Patients and Methods: The study included 320 patients. The radiotherapy planning target volume encompassed the prostate with a 1-cm margin in the transverse plane and a 1-cm margin (Group A) or a 1.5-cm margin (Group B) in the longitudinal plane. Incidence rates, risk factors and time to occurrence of GU toxicity were evaluated., Results: After a median follow-up of 38.2 months, the rate of late grade 2-3 GU toxicity was 5.9% and the median interval was 18.3 months. The wider longitudinal margin was the single significant independent factor. The 2-year cumulative incidence rates of late grade ≥2 GU toxicity were 2.8% and 7.5% in Group A and B patients., Conclusion: A wider radiotherapy margin increased the risk of GU toxicity and led to earlier occurrence., (Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Background: To assess the relationship between dosimetric parameters and the quality of life (QL) outcomes of patients with low-intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer (LPC) treated with low-dose-rate brachytherapy (LDR-BT)., Materials and Methods: We evaluated the participants in two consecutive prospective studies of the QL of patients treated with LDR-BT for LPC. QL was evaluated by means of a patient-completed questionnaire assessing non functional [physical (PHY) and psychological (PSY) well-being, physical autonomy (POW), social relationships (REL)] and functional scales [urinary (URI), rectal (REC), and sexual (SEX) function]; a scale for erectile function (ERE) was included in the second study. Urethra (D10 ≤ 210 Gy) and rectal wall constraints (V100 ≤ 0.5 cc) were used for pre-planning dosimetry and were assessed with post planning computerized tomography one month later for each patient., Results: QL was assessed in 251 LPC patients. Dosimetry did not influence the non-functional scales. As expected, a progressive impairment in sexual and erectile function was reported one month after LDR-BT, and became statistically significant after the third year. Rectal function significantly worsened after LDR-BT, but the differences progressively decreased after the 1-year assessment. Overall urinary function significantly worsened immediately after LDR-BT and then gradually improved over the next three years. Better outcomes were reported for V100 rectal wall volumes of ≤ 0.5 cc and D10 urethra values of ≤ 210 Gy., Conclusions: The findings of this study show that dosimetric parameters influence only functional QL outcomes while non-functional outcomes are only marginally influenced.

In recent decades, concern has been growing about decreasing fecundity and fertility in the human population. Exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF), especially radiofrequency (RF) fields used in wireless communications has been suggested as a potential risk factor. For the first time, we evaluated the effects of exposure to the 2450MHz Wi-Fi signal (1h/day, 6days/week) on the reproductive system of male and female Wistar rats, pre-exposed to Wi-Fi during sexual maturation. Exposure lasted 3 weeks (males) or 2 weeks (females), then animals were mated and couples exposed for 3 more weeks. On the day before delivery, the fetuses were observed for lethality, abnormalities, and clinical signs. In our experiment, no deleterious effects of Wi-Fi exposure on rat male and female reproductive organs and fertility were observed for 1h per days. No macroscopic abnormalities in fetuses were noted, even at the critical level of 4W/kg., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study was designed to investigate the effects of 2 weeks of exposure of male mice to bisphenol A (BPA) alone or in a combination with X-rays on the sperm count and quality as well as induction of DNA strand breaks in somatic and germ cells. Pzh:SFIS male mice were exposed to X-rays (0.05 and 0.10 Gy) or BPA (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) or to a combination of both (0.05 Gy + 5 mg/kg body weight of BPA and 0.10 Gy + 10 mg/kg of BPA). Both X-rays and BPA administered alone decreased sperm count and quality. X-rays induced DNA strand breaks in spleen cells, whereas BPA induced DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes and in cells from spleen, kidneys, and lung and in germ cells. After combined exposure to both agents, sperm count and quality were similar as after exposure to each agent alone and significantly reduced, compared to control. Levels of DNA damage in somatic and germ cells after combined exposure to lower, as well as higher, doses were significantly reduced, compared to the effects of BPA alone. Results confirmed the mutagenic ability of BPA. Combined exposure to X-rays and BPA leads to the prevention of DNA damage in somatic and germ cells of mice.

Approximately 50% of males will develop cancer during their lifetime. In the past, oncologic therapies have largely been focused primarily on cure of the underlying malignancy. With improvements in both diagnostic modalities and treatments, pediatric and adult cancer patients are routinely surviving their disease. For this large group of patients, survivorship issues have become a major concern. Central among these survivorship issues is fertility. For males diagnosed with a malignancy, impaired reproductive potential is often noted even before any cancer therapy has been initiated. Furthermore, cancer treatments, in the form of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, can all have potentially deleterious and lasting effects on male reproductive capability. For these reasons, a change in oncologic treatment paradigms has occurred. Now, the offer of fertility preservation to males diagnosed with cancer is a key component of comprehensive oncologic care.

More and more evidence from over 50 years of researches on the effects of electromagnetic radiation on male reproduction show that a certain dose of electromagnetic radiation obviously damages male reproduction, particularly the structure and function of spermatogenic cells. The mechanisms of the injury may be associated with energy dysmetabolism, lipid peroxidation, abnormal expressions of apoptosis-related genes and proteins, and DNA damage.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare organ and effective dose savings that could be achieved using conventional lead aprons and a new, custom-designed shield as out-of-plane shielding devices during chest CT scans., Methods: Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to measure doses throughout the abdomen and pelvis during CT scans of the chest of a RANDO phantom. Dose measurements were made with no shielding, with lead aprons and with the new shield around the abdomen and pelvis in order to quantify the achievable organ and effective dose reductions., Results: Average dose savings in the 10 phantom sections ranged from 5% to 78% with the highest point dose saving of 93% being found in the mid-pelvis. When shielding was used, the maximum measured organ dose reduction was a 72% dose saving to the testes. Significant dose savings were found throughout the abdomen and pelvis, which contributed to an effective dose saving of 4% that was achieved over and above the dose savings obtained through conventional optimisation strategies. This could yield significant population dose savings and reductions in collective radiation risk., Conclusion: In this study significant organ and effective dose reductions have been achieved through the use of abdominal shielding during chest CT examinations and it is therefore recommended that out-of-plane patient shielding devices should be used for all chest CT scans and potentially for every CT scan, irrespective of body part.

Influence of anabolic drug (phenobolin) injection at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg on some indexes of blood, reproductive system, the level of thyroid hormones, corticosterone and testosterone in blood serum of the male rats exposed to a fractional irradiation at the total dose of 2.0 Gy have been studied. A significant decrease in the quantity of leucocytes and lymphocytes after a fractional irradiation without and with phenobolin introduction was determined. Introduction of anabolic drug resulted in a significant drop of relative mass of testes and, particularly, epididymes, and also in a sharp decrease of the number of mature germ cells isolated from epididymes. A combined action of phenobolin and fractional irradiation (2.0 Gy) led to a significant reduction (3-5 times) in the quantity of mature germ cells in an epididymis. In some cases phenobolin influenced the level of testosterone in blood serum of the intact and irradiated animals. The anabolic steroid drug affects negatively the state of reproductive system of male rats.

To evaluate the radiation-protect effects of Laminaria japonica polysaccharides (LJP) on male reproductive system damage and mating dysfunction induced by multiple mini-dose ionizing radiations, male rats were administrated with radiation and/or LJP. Results showed that mating function (such as erection, mount and ejaculation), sperm count and survival rate in LJP group were significantly better than the corresponding model group after the radiation. The testis organ coefficient, GSH (glutathione) content, serum sex hormones (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone and estradiol) levels improved while MDA (malondialdehyde) content decreased. In addition, SOD (superoxide dismutase), GSH-PX (glutathione peroxidase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) activities were enhanced while testicular tissue damage was reduced, 14 days after the cessation of radiation; all indicators in the LJP group were similar to the control group. Our results suggest that, LJP has some promoting effects on the recovery of the reproductive system and mating dysfunction induced by radiation., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Male reproductive disorders that are of interest from an environmental point of view include sexual dysfunction, infertility, cryptorchidism, hypospadias and testicular cancer. Several reports suggest declining sperm counts and increase of these reproductive disorders in some areas during some time periods past 50 years. Except for testicular cancer this evidence is circumstantial and needs cautious interpretation. However, the male germ line is one of the most sensitive tissues to the damaging effects of ionizing radiation, radiant heat and a number of known toxicants. So far occupational hazards are the best documented risk factors for impaired male reproductive function and include physical exposures (radiant heat, ionizing radiation, high frequency electromagnetic radiation), chemical exposures (some solvents as carbon disulfide and ethylene glycol ethers, some pesticides as dibromochloropropane, ethylendibromide and DDT/DDE, some heavy metals as inorganic lead and mercury) and work processes such as metal welding. Improved working conditions in affluent countries have dramatically decreased known hazardous workplace exposures, but millions of workers in less affluent countries are at risk from reproductive toxicants. New data show that environmental low-level exposure to biopersistent pollutants in the diet may pose a risk to people in all parts of the world. For other toxicants the evidence is only suggestive and further evaluation is needed before conclusions can be drawn. Whether compounds as phthalates, bisphenol A and boron that are present in a large number of industrial and consumer products entails a risk remains to be established. The same applies to psychosocial stressors and use of mobile phones. Finally, there are data indicating a particular vulnerability of the fetal testis to toxicants-for instance maternal tobacco smoking. Time has come where male reproductive toxicity should be addressed form entirely new angles including exposures very early in life.

Background: Phototherapy is a useful therapy for many dermatologic disorders and is known for its low side-effect profile. However, one potential notable side effect is genital skin cancer. Unfortunately, no standards for genital protection currently exist for this preventable complication. Patients treated with phototherapy may already have a decreased quality of life because of their primary dermatologic disorder. Development of squamous cell carcinoma of the genitalia may certainly further affect the quality of life., Objective: The objective was to determine which readily available materials afford the best photoprotection of the male genitalia., Methods: Seven common materials used in phototherapy units for genital protection were placed over ultraviolet (UV) B and UVA monitors and placed in broadband UVB, narrowband UVB, and UVA full-body units. The percentage of light blocked was then calculated., Results: Blue and white cotton underwear, blue surgical towels, an athletic supporter with or without a cup, and the psoralen plus UVA pouch provided acceptable means of genital protection; however, surgical masks did not., Limitations: Only the most commonly used materials were tested in the phototherapy units. The materials were not of a single material type or similar masses. In addition, only one of each type of full-body phototherapy unit was used to obtain the data., Conclusion: Although a polyester composition provides better UV protection, factors such as low porosity and higher mass are intrinsic to decreasing the amount of UV penetration of any fabric. Of the commonly used objects, surgical masks do not provide sufficient protection to the genital area., (Copyright (c) 2009 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Hazardous health effects stemming from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic waves (RF-EMW) emitted from cell phones have been reported in the literature. However, the cellular target of RF-EMW is still controversial. This review identifies the plasma membrane as a target of RF-EMW. In addition, the effects of RF-EMW on plasma membrane structures (i.e. NADH oxidase, phosphatidylserine, ornithine decarboxylase) and voltage-gated calcium channels are discussed. We explore the disturbance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism caused by RF-EMW and delineate NADH oxidase mediated ROS formation as playing a central role in oxidative stress (OS) due to cell phone radiation (with a focus on the male reproductive system). This review also addresses: 1) the controversial effects of RF-EMW on mammalian cells and sperm DNA as well as its effect on apoptosis, 2) epidemiological, in vivo animal and in vitro studies on the effect of RF-EMW on male reproductive system, and 3) finally, exposure assessment and dosimetry by computational biomodeling.

The effects of an extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field on the sex hormones and other fertility parameters of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. Adult male rats were exposed to a 50 Hz sinusoidal magnetic field at approximately 25 microT (rms) for 18 consecutive weeks. There were no significant effects on the absolute body weight and the weight of the testes of the exposed rats. However, the weights of seminal vesicles and preputial glands were significantly reduced in the exposed male rats. Similarly, a significant reduction in sperm count was observed in the exposed group. Furthermore, there were no significant effects on the serum levels of male follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) during the 18 weeks of exposure period. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the serum levels of male luteinizing hormone (LH) after 18 weeks of exposure (P < .005), while testosterone levels were significantly decreased only after 6 and 12 weeks of the exposure period. These results suggest that long term exposure to ELF could have adverse effects on mammalian fertility and reproduction.

Male rats were exposed to fractionated 0.1 Gy radiation in early onthogenesis (1 month). Essential changes in reproductive system and liver were found. First generation offspring of the exposed males and females showed moderate radiation changes more expressed in immature rats.

The effects of prolonged irradiation at accumulated doses from 0.5 to 6.0 Gy (dose rate 3.03 cGy/day) on reproductive organs' weight (testes, epididymises, seminal vesicles, prostate) of male rats starting from the early ontogenetic period were studied. On the first day after the irradiation with 1.0 Gy dose a significant loss of the weight in testes and epididymises was revealed. This leaded to the marked atrophy of the organs with the increase of the radiation dose. Long-term restoration of the weight of testes and epididimyses was registered. It was not completed during three months after radiation exposure at 2.0 Gy and higher doses for epididimyses and 4.0-6.0 Gy for testes. The respective changes in the seminal vesicles and prostate weight were less pronounced and had more complicated character. However in the distant period (30-90 days of postreatment) after exposure to 2.0 Gy these parameters were noticeably decreased.

Seasonal gonadal recrudescence in the male Siberian hamster is accompanied by the initiation of spermatogenesis, weight gain, and darkening of coat color. The downstream endocrine regulators responsible for these changes have been definitively identified. We have previously shown that the administration of exogenous 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) to adult male Siberian hamsters kept under long-day photoperiod increased testicular mass without altering spermatogenesis. In this study, we examine if E(2) can initiate testicular growth in photo-regressed adult Siberian hamsters and if this testicular growth is accompanied by weight gain and pelage color change. Photo-regressed adult male Siberian hamsters were subcutaneously implanted with a 1 mm silastic capsule containing E(2) or cholesterol control. After 15 days, robust initiation of spermatogenesis was observed in E(2)-implanted animals in the absence of body weight and pelage color change. While circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) remained undetected in both control and E(2)-treated animals, E(2) significantly reduced pituitary gonadotropin stores. Overall, we showed E(2) stimulated gonadal recrudescence via a pathway that has diverged from body weight and pelage color change. Further, we demonstrated a novel role of E(2) in the initiation of spermatogenesis, possibly via a mechanism independent of FSH.

We studied the effects of sodium succinate on the reproductive system and blood leukocyte count in rats 30 and 60 days after fractionated irradiation in a dose of 1 Gy. Sodium succinate in concentrations of 0.2 and 0.5% was given ad libitum with water before (1 week) and during irradiation (5 days). The preparation promoted morphofunctional recovery of the testes and epididymides and restored the count of peripheral blood leukocytes.

The effect of radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) on gonadal function was assessed in males treated for a childhood brain tumor not directly involving the hypothalamus/pituitary (HP) axis in a population-based study with a long follow-up time. All males <15 yr at the time of diagnosis (median: 9.0 yr, range: 0.8 to 14.9 yr) and diagnosed from January 1970 through February 1997 in the eastern part of Denmark and [gte]18 yr at the time of follow-up (median: 25.8 yr, range:18.5 to 39.3 yr) were included. Thirty males fulfilled the criteria. The median age at time of RT was 9.0 yr (range: 0.8 to 14.9 yr) and the median length of follow-up was 18 yr (range: 2.0 to 28.0 yr). The biological effective dose of RT was determined to the HP region and to the spine and expressed in gray because the biological effective dose gives a means of expressing the biological effect on normal tissue of different dosage schedules in a uniform way. Levels of serum FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), sexual hormone-binding globulin, testosterone, and inhibin B were measured and compared with healthy age-matched male controls (n = 347), and the patients had a GnRH stimulation test performed with determination of peak FSH and LH. Patients treated with RT + CT (n = 13), compared with patients treated with RT only (n = 17), had significantly higher median peak FSH (8.33 vs. 3.79 IU/L, P = 0.03) and median peak LH (20.0 vs. 12.8 IU/L, P = 0.03), and significantly lower median inhibin B (86.0 vs. 270 pg/ml, P = 0.03), and median inhibin B/FSH ratio (12.8 vs. 107.9, P = 0.04), which indicates gonadal damage. Inhibin B and inhibin B/FSH ratio were also significantly lower in the RT + CT group, compared with controls (median: 86.0 vs. 215 pg/ml, P = 0.02), (median:12.8 vs. 67; P = 0.01), respectively. We found a significantly inverse correlation between basal FSH and inhibin B and FSH and total testicular volume (r(s) = -0.83; P < 0.0001), (r(s) = -0.67; P < 0.0001), respectively, and a significant correlation between inhibin B and total testicular volume (r(s) = 0.63; P < 0.0001). Stepwise backward multiple linear regression analysis showed the best-fit model to predict inhibin B levels included total testicular volume (P = 0.002) and CT (P = 0.09). Median basal LH in the RT-only group was significantly lower, compared with controls (3.44 vs. 2.45 IU/L; P = 0.0001) indicating secondary hypogonadism, and in both the RT + CT group and the RT-only group, levels of testosterone were significantly lower, compared with our reference population (12.8 vs. 21.9 nmol/L; P = 0.001, and 14.7 vs. 21.9 nmol/L; P = 0.0003), respectively. In conclusion these data suggest that cranial irradiation for a childhood brain tumor may affect the HP axis, and adjuvant CT can reduce inhibin B indicating primary gonadal damage. Thus, such patients may have normal or even low levels of FSH despite damage to the seminiferous epithelium, and because the fertility status by a semen analysis for psychological reasons can be difficult to obtain in this group of patients, we suggest inhibin B as the most useful direct serum marker of spermatogenesis in the follow-up of individuals who have received both cranial irradiation and gonadotoxic chemotherapy. However, because the number of patients with RT + CT and RT only are small, these data must be confirmed in further studies.

The Siberian hamster, Phodopus sungorus, breeds seasonally. In the laboratory, seasonal breeding can be controlled by photoperiod, which affects the duration of nightly melatonin secretion. Winterlike, short day lengths induce gonadal regression in adult animals, and pups born and maintained in short days undergo pubertal gonadal development later than animals born into long days. However, to date there have been no reports of gestational photoperiod affecting fetal development of reproductive systems. The spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and its target muscles, the bulbocavernosus (BC) and levator ani (LA), compose a sexually dimorphic, androgen-sensitive neuromuscular system involved in male reproduction. The SNB neuromuscular system was studied in male Siberian hamsters maintained from conception in short-day (8 h light, 16 h dark; 8L:16D) versus long-day (16L:8D) conditions. On the day of birth, and at postnatal (PN) days 2 and 18, the BC/LA muscles of hamsters gestated and raised in the short photoperiod were significantly reduced relative to those of their long-day counterparts. Testes weights were not significantly different between groups until day 18. Thus, photoperiod exposure during gestation and after birth affects perinatal development of the SNB system in this species, and these effects can be seen as early as the day of birth. Because photoperiod did not significantly affect testes weights until PN18, these results suggest that either perinatal photoperiod affects fetal androgen production without affecting testes weight or it influences BC/LA development independently from androgen.

Radioactive 131I was injected in single doses 9.25, 37, and 92.5 kBq to prepubertal (30-day-old) male rats. Iodine incorporation in doses 37 and 92.5 kBq resulted in some functional changes in the reproductive system of mature rats: blood testosterone level increased, its hypothalamic aromatization intensified, and biologically active LH level in the blood dropped. Incorporation of 9.25 kBq of 131I had no effect on male reproductive system. A possibility of direct injury to rat testicles by 131I incorporation is suggested.

Twelve men with different forms and stages of chronic radiation dermatitis caused by accidental exposure to beta and gamma irradiation during and after the Chernobyl atomic power plant accident were examined. Two patients had impotentia coeundi, and the others reported various impairments of sexual function. One patient had aspermia, two patients had azoospermia, one had oligospermia, and four had normal sperm counts. In three samples abnormal forms of spermatozoa were increased. Sperm motility was decreased in 3 samples and was normal in another. Hormonal analyses demonstrated low testosterone plasma levels in two patients, an increase of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in six patients, and a decrease of luteinizing hormone (LH) in one patient. In one patient who showed an increase of plasma prolactin level, associated with low testosterone and LH, a microadenoma of the pituitary gland (prolactinoma) was detected. It would appear that there is an association between accidental exposure to ionizing radiation of varying severity and the impairment of exocrine and endocrine testicular function, sometimes resulting in long-lasting physiological and psychological problems.

Radiosurgery is used with increasing frequency, not only for the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), but also for the treatment of other well-defined lesions including acoustic neuromas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas as well as solitary metastases. Although investigators have addressed dosimetric aspects of stereotactic radiosurgery in terms of target volume, little if any attention has been focused on the absorbed doses received at extracranial sites. Therefore, absorbed doses to the eye, thyroid, sternum and gonads were measured in 111 patients (100 adults and 11 children) using thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLDs). For the 100 adults, the average maximum target absorbed dose was 35 +/- 8 Gy. The measured absorbed dose in selected organs of adults from Gamma Knife radiosurgery using one or more isocenters was 9 +/- 8 cGy for the eye, 15 +/- 7 cGy for the thyroid, 20 +/- 10 cGy for the sternum and 3 +/- 2 cGy for the gonads. The absorbed doses received by the children (13 years and younger) was similar with the exception of a marked increase in gonadal dose. The use of multiple isocenters is associated with higher absorbed doses to extracranial sites.

A study of 426 males who participated in liquidating the sequels of the Chernobyl atomic station disaster revealed specific changes of the sexual active and generative function. Data are reported on the main mechanisms of these disorders and treatment results are analyzed.

Modifications of spermatogenesis and anatomy of male reproductive tracts caused by radiation (fast electrons) are described in Acarus siro and compared with data from other arthropod taxa. Radiation induced severe changes in gonial cells, including dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum and disruption of mitochondrial cristae. The latter sometimes created roundish myelin structures inside the mitochondrial matrix. Damage in developing cells caused an interruption of spermatogenesis and reduced the number of spermatids produced; high doses can cause sterility.

Experiments examining the photoperiodic effects of various light-dark cycles unexpectedly demonstrated that light during the subjective night is not necessarily photoinductive to the reproductive system of long day breeders. Feedback lighting (illumination in response to locomotor activity) and a high-frequency light-dark cycle with 1 minute (m) of light followed with 1 minute of dark (LD1m:1m) failed to maintain reproductive function in Syrian hamsters despite exposing the animal to 5-6 hours of light per cycle during the subjective night. In an effort to determine why feedback lighting and LD1m:1m do not maintain reproductive function, male Syrian hamsters were exposed to one of the following lighting conditions for ten weeks: a light-dark cycle with 14 hours of light followed by a 10 hour light-dark cycle of 1 minute of light followed by 1 minute of dark ¿LD14:10(1m:1m)¿; a cycle of a 14 hour light-dark cycle of 1 minute of light followed by 1 minute of dark, followed by 10 hours of dark ¿LD14(1m:1m):10)¿; a light-dark cycle of 2 hours of light and 21 hours of dark (LD2:21); a light-dark cycle of 2 hours of light and 22 hours of dark (LD2:22); LD2:21 in conjunction with feedback lighting (LD2:21/FB); LD2:22 in conjunction with feedback lighting (LD2:22/FB); constant dark (DD) or constant light (LL). All hamsters exposed to LD14(1m:1m):10 entrained. Only 7 of 12 hamsters exposed to LD14:10(1m:1m) entrained. This supports previous findings, which suggest that the circadian system has difficulty differentiating between LD1m:1m and LL. Exposure to LD2:22 and DD induced testicular regression, while LL, LD2:21 and LD14(1m:1m):10 maintained reproductive function, as expected. The addition of approximately 5 hours of nocturnal illumination by feedback lighting, however, not only failed to prevent reproductive regression in LD2:22, but attenuated the stimulatory nature of LD2:21. This suggests that feedback lighting is not only not stimulatory, but may be actively inhibitory. Perhaps this is due to a photoinhibitory effect of multitransitional nocturnal illumination. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that LD14:10(1m:1m) allows regression, while LD14(1m:1m):10 is stimulatory. These findings also imply that the state of the circadian system is instrumental in the reproductive system's interpretation of a light signal.

Mature male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were placed in individual light-tight, sound attenuated chambers and exposed to one of four lighting conditions for a duration of approximately seven weeks. The four lighting conditions were: constant light (LL); constant dark (DD); feedback lighting (LDFB; a condition that illuminates the cage in response to locomotor activity); or a feedback lighting neighbor control (LDFB NC; the animal receives the same light pattern as a paired animal in feedback lighting, but has no control over it). Exposure of hamsters to LL or LDFB produced significantly and similarly longer free-running periods of the locomotor activity rhythm than exposure of animals to DD. Hamsters exposed to LDFB NC did not free-run or entrain, but rather displayed "relative coordination". The paired testes and sex accessory glands weights suggest that in the Djungarian hamster, LL and LDFB exposed animals maintained reproductive function, whereas DD exposed animals did not. Animals exposed to LDFB NC had intermediate paired testes weights. Since several previous studies have demonstrated that short pulses of light, which are coincident with the subjective night, are photostimulatory, it is not surprising that LDFB maintained reproductive function in the mature Djungarian hamster. Feedback lighting, however, has been shown to be an insufficient stimulus to maintain reproductive function of mature male and female Syrian hamsters, and to the reproductive maturation of immature Djungarian hamsters. The results suggest that there may be slight, but significant differences in the way these two species interpret photoperiod, as well as a developmental change in the photoperiodic response of Djungarian hamsters.

Of 395 male pediatric patients with previously untreated acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 20 (5%) exhibited testicular infiltration prior to or concurrent with their first bone marrow relapse. Fourteen occurred as an isolated relapse and six occurred concomitant with bone marrow and/or central nervous system relapse. Nine of the 20 relapses were in patients who had discontinued therapy after completing three years of continuous complete remission. Factors found to be independently associated with an increased risk of testicular relapse during maintained remission included pretreatment lymphadenopathy, and to a lesser extent, initial hemoglobin level and initial platelet count. Pretreatment splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy appear to imply an increased risk of testicular relapse for those patients who have their maintenance therapy discontinued. Time from testicular relapse to bone marrow relapse or death was significantly shorter for patients with testicular involvement while receiving chemotherapy when compared to patients with testicular relapse after discontinuing therapy. In those patients achieving three years of continuous complete remission, subsequent testicular relapse occurred significantly more often in patients who discontinued therapy than a similar group who continued therapy. In a group of 76 males who received presymptomatic gonadal radiation immediately after achieving an initial marrow remission, protection appears to have been provided against the manifestation of testicular leukemia during maintained remission.

1. The effects of 400 and 575 rads of whole body irradiation in gerbil (Meriones hurrianae), hedgehog (Hemiechinus auratus Collaris) and house rat have been studied with a view to compare the effects of irradiation on the desert mammalian species with those of domestic ones. 2. Typical signs and symptoms of radiation sickness, transient body loss and radiation mortality in gerbils and house-rats were apparent, whereas the hedgehogs were not affected at this dose level. 3. Extensive necrosis, exfoliation of seminiferous element, intertubular edema and shrinkage of the seminiferous tubule and Leydig cell nuclei in gerbils and house-rats were conspicuous in histological preparations. Mild regressive tubular lesions were also observed in hedgehogs treated with 575R. 4. Whole body irradiation depleted the RNA, protein and sialic acid contents of the testes. High cholesterol contens in the testes of irradiated gerbil, hedgehog and house rats identified this as the site of degenerating cells and fragments. 5. Reduced androgen production was confirmed in non active Leydig cells and decreased fructose contents in the seminal vesicles of gerbil and house rats. At 575 R dose level, hedgehog was comparatively radio-resistant. But at 875 R extensive damage to the reproductive organs could be noticed.