← all papers · animal study (40) Science journalism, not medical advice.
- Radiation Snaps the Hinge That Makes Sperm Swim2026-05-27
Synchrotron imaging in irradiated mice reveals the sperm annulus — a structural ring — as the primary fracture point after ionizing radiation exposure
Annulus Fracture Underlies Radiation-Induced Sperm Dysfunction Revealed by Multimodal Nano-Imaging animal study male infertility spermatogenesis environmental exposure semen quality
- Two Supplements Blunt Chemo's Testicular Damage — In Rats2026-05-21
Melatonin and apigenin each partially reversed paclitaxel-induced testicular damage in rats, raising Johnsen scores from 5 back to ~8 out of 9
Comparative Protective Effects of Melatonin and Apigenin Against Paclitaxel-Induced Testicular Injury in Rats: Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage, Apoptosis, and NF-κB Signaling animal study oxidative stress spermatogenesis testicular disease male infertility
- Brain Immune Cells Gatekeep Fertility Hormones2026-05-21
Brain immune cells (microglia) use RANK signaling to control GnRH neurons — and rare RANK variants show up in 564 hypogonadism patients
Microglia Rank Signaling Regulates GnRH Neuronal Function and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis hypogonadism infertility genetics animal study
- New Gene Found Behind Structurally Broken Sperm2026-05-19
Knockout mice lacking DNAI4 are completely infertile with shattered sperm flagella, pointing to a candidate gene for the ~40% of human MMAF cases still unexplained.
DNAI4 is Required for Flagellum Assembly and Male Fertility in Mice animal study male infertility genetics spermatogenesis
- Birch Tree Compound Fights Post-Surgery ED — In Rats2026-05-12
Betulinic acid reduced penile smooth muscle apoptosis in nerve-injured rats, but this is a 5-rats-per-group rodent study with no funding disclosure
Betulinic Acid Ameliorates Cavernous Nerve Injury-Induced Erectile Dysfunction Through Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway Activation and Inhibition of Mitochondrial Damage-Dependent Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle Cells Apoptosis animal study erectile dysfunction oxidative stress surgical outcomes
- Testosterone-Tipped Nanoparticles Find the Testes in Mice2026-04-15
Nanoparticles carrying green tea extract (EGCG) and zinc reduced testicular inflammation and preserved sperm structure in a mouse orchitis model
Testosterone-Modified Liposomes Loaded with the Zn-Polyphenol Complex for Treatment of Male Infertility animal study male infertility inflammation oxidative stress spermatogenesis
- The Gene That Breaks Sperm—But Not Eggs2026-04-15
Mice lacking the RNA-binding protein LARP1 produce sperm with defective flagella, malformed heads, and poor motility — females are unaffected
Deficiency of LARP1 Impairs Spermatogenesis and Leads to Male Subfertility in Mice animal study male infertility spermatogenesis genetics
- Anti-Aging Peptide Fights Post-Surgery ED — in Rats2026-04-08
A Klotho-derived peptide reduced penile fibrosis and preserved erectile function in rats after cavernous nerve injury — no human data yet
Klotho-Derived Peptide Preserves Erectile Function by Limiting Fibrosis, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis of Penile Smooth Muscle Cells in Cavernous Nerve Injured-Rats Through Suppression of the TGF-β1/TGF-β Type II Receptor Signaling animal study erectile dysfunction oxidative stress prostate cancer
- Fasting Hormone Reverses SSRI Sexual Side Effects — In Rats2026-04-05
Asprosin injected directly into rat brains reversed paroxetine-induced erectile dysfunction, sperm loss, and testicular damage across all 5 endpoints measured
Asprosin Infusion Modulates Central Circuits to Rescue Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor-Induced Male Dysfunction antidepressants sexual dysfunction animal study semen quality
- Robot Fixes Floppy Ureteroscope Tip by 70%2026-04
A foldable bedside robot corrected ureteroscope tip bending error by 69.64% using a Bouc-Wen hysteresis model, validated in kidney phantoms and live animals.
Optimization Design and Bending Hysteresis Compensation of a Flexible Ureteroscopy Robot kidney stones surgical outcomes animal study robotics
- A Chinese Herbal Formula Targets Iron Cell Death — in Rats2026-04
TCM formula SFZYD reduced ferroptosis markers and improved erectile function in diabetic rats via the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway — no human data
Mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction in Improving Diabetes Mellitus Erectile Dysfunction Inhibition of Ferroptosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation diabetes erectile dysfunction traditional chinese medicine oxidative stress animal study
- Three Mouse Studies Don't Make a Therapy2026-03-31
A systematic review of exactly 3 mouse studies concludes fat-cell secretions partially regenerate chemotherapy-damaged testes — in rodents
Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome Promotes Testicular Regeneration Following Chemically Induced Injury: A Review of Preclinical Studies male infertility stem cells animal study spermatogenesis
- Dog Tumor Marker Study Oversells Its Findings2026-03-31
87% of canine testicular seminomas expressed ezrin; higher expression correlated with the more invasive diffuse subtype (n=23)
Histomorphological Features and Ezrin Expression in Testicular Seminomas in Dogs: An Association with Potential Prognostic Value animal study testicular cancer pathology biomarkers
- Too Many Gene Copies Wreck Yak Hybrid Sperm2026-03-21
Yak Y chromosomes carry 2–4× more active sperm-related gene copies than cattle; researchers propose this mismatch explains complete hybrid male sterility
Divergent Amplification of Y-Linked Dosage-Sensitive Genes Triggers Regulatory Mismatch Underlying Cattle-Yak Male Sterility male infertility spermatogenesis genomics animal study
- Heat Kills Sperm. Can L-Citrulline Help? Ask a Pig2026-03-20
A narrative review of mostly animal data argues L-citrulline may protect sperm from heat damage via nitric oxide pathways — human evidence is thin
Heat Stress-Mediated Oxidative Damage in Male Germ Cells: Potential Protective Effects of L-Citrulline oxidative stress male infertility spermatogenesis animal study
- One Gene Deletion Kills All Sperm Maturation in Mice2026-03-20
Knocking out a single gene in mice triggers complete male infertility by blocking the histone-to-protamine swap that compacts sperm DNA
PRAMEL12 orchestrates spermiogenesis to ensure male fertility in mice animal study male infertility spermatogenesis genetics epigenetics
- Ginger Improves Sperm in Obese Rats — Humans TBD2026-03-20
Ginger and fenofibrate each reversed obesity-induced sperm and hormone deficits in rats — no human data exists
Effect of Ginger Extract and/or Fenofibrate on the Associated Infertility of Experimentally Induced Obese Wistar Albino Male Rats animal study obesity male infertility oxidative stress spermatogenesis testosterone
- The Cilia Gene Running the Sperm Factory2026-03-15
Knocking out a cilia gene in fish collapses the testicular niche — sperm motility fails and Sertoli cells die off before sperm do
NPHP4 Deficiency Disrupts Testicular Homeostasis and Impairs Male Fertility in Medaka (*Oryzias latipes*) animal study male infertility spermatogenesis genetics
- In Cryptorchidism, the Support Cells Fail First2026-03-07
In a mouse cryptorchidism model, Sertoli and peritubular myoid cells show stress signals within 3 days — before germ cells begin dying
Somatic Cell Dysfunction Precedes Testicular Degeneration in a Surgical Model of Cryptorchidism cryptorchidism animal study pediatric urology spermatogenesis
- Lichen Extract Nearly Triples Sperm Motility — In Rats2026-03-05
Atranorin, a lichen-derived compound, restored sperm motility by 189% and testosterone by 90% in alloxan-diabetic rats at 170 mg/kg.
Extraction, Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Atranorin Against Diabetes-Induced Reproductive Dysfunction Through Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Pathways and Key Reproductive Enzymes animal study male infertility oxidative stress semen quality testosterone
- Mom's Diet Shapes Her Son's Sperm, in Cattle2026-03
Genetics explains only ~15% of male infertility; a cattle review argues epigenetic marks fill the gap — and pass across generations
Bull Fertility and Epigenetics: Exploring Influences Beyond Genetics animal study male infertility genetics epigenetics biomarkers
- One Gene Knockout Tanks Sperm Count in Mice2026-02-28
Germ-cell deletion of TNXB in mice causes testicular atrophy, tubular degeneration, and near-total loss of spermatogenesis
TNXB Regulates Spermatogenesis by Maintaining Cytoskeleton and Cell Junction Stability male infertility genetics animal study semen quality
- Wheat Protein Tanks Rat Testosterone and Sperm2026-02-27
Wheat germ agglutinin at 250 mg/kg/day impaired sperm quality, cut testosterone, and damaged testicular tissue in prepubertal rats across 2–10 weeks
From Food to Infertility: Disruption of the Male Reproductive Axis by Wheat Lectin in Rats animal study male infertility oxidative stress spermatogenesis
- Lead Ages Immune Cells. Those Cells Tank Your Sperm.2026-02-27
A 170-man study linked urinary lead and cadmium to lower sperm motility; mouse work traced the mechanism to senescent immune cells in the epididymis.
Epididymal Macrophage Senescence Contributes to Sperm Motility Decrease upon Environmental Stress male infertility environmental exposure immunology animal study cross-sectional semen quality
- Horny Goat Weed Gets a Mechanistic Review2026-02-26
A narrative review maps how icariin, horny goat weed's active compound, may improve sperm function — mostly in rodents
Icariin in Male Reproduction: Multi-Target Pharmacological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential traditional chinese medicine male infertility oxidative stress animal study spermatogenesis
- Diet Sweeteners Flag a Fertility Gene — In Mouse Cells2026-02-17
Computational screening flagged aspartame, neotame, and sucralose as reproductive toxins targeting FGFR1; validated only in mouse Leydig cells in a dish
Artificial sweeteners and male infertility: Network toxicology and experimental evidence reveal FGFR1 as the critical target. male infertility environmental exposure animal study spermatogenesis
- TCM for ED: Mostly Animal Data, Few Clinical Trials2026-02-13
A narrative review of TCM mechanisms for ED — heavy on preclinical theory, thin on human evidence
Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating erectile dysfunction: A review erectile dysfunction traditional chinese medicine animal study
- The Cleanup Crew Sperm Can't Live Without2026-02-13
Review surveys mouse knockout evidence linking ubiquitin-editing enzymes to spermatogenic failure; no human clinical data
The Potential Role of Deubiquitinating Enzymes (DUBs) in Male Fertility male infertility genetics animal study spermatogenesis
- Plant Compound Cuts Kidney Crystals—In Mice Only2026-02-09
Luteolin reduced calcium oxalate crystal deposition in mice and blocked PI3K/Akt signaling in kidney cells—no human data.
Luteolin Prevents Hyperoxaluria-Induced Renal Injury by Inhibiting Crystal Deposition and Renal Inflammation kidney stones animal study inflammation traditional chinese medicine
- Ginseng Compound Raises Testosterone — In Obese Mice2026-01-28
A ginseng-derived compound raised testicular testosterone in high-fat-diet mice by activating the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway — no human data yet
Ginsenoside Rf Promotes Testosterone Synthesis Through the cAMP/PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway to Improve Obesity-Related Male Hypogonadism animal study hypogonadism testosterone obesity traditional chinese medicine
- X-Linked Gene Found in Sperm Failure, Monkeys Confirm It2026-01-27
A primate-exclusive X-linked gene, TFDP3, was defective in 8 infertile men with OAT — and silencing it in monkeys replicated the phenotype
Deficiency of Primate-Specific TFDP3 Causes Male Infertility with Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in Humans and Cynomolgus Monkeys genetics male infertility spermatogenesis animal study
- Blocking One Protein Protects Penile Vessels in Diabetic Rats2025-12-16
Rat study identifies a molecular pathway linking high blood sugar to penile endothelial aging — no human data yet
Inhibition of c-Jun/Bak Signaling Alleviates Endothelial Cell Senescence and Inflammation Caused by Mitochondrial Dysfunction in DMED erectile dysfunction animal study oxidative stress vascular health inflammation
- Ancient TCM Formula Targets Copper-Mediated Sperm Death2025-12-13
A rat study found Zuogui Wan improved sperm quality partly by reducing testicular copper accumulation and suppressing cuproptosis
Research on the Mechanism of Zuogui Wan in Ameliorating Oligoasthenozoospermia in Rats via Modulating Cuproptosis-Related Pathways animal study male infertility spermatogenesis traditional chinese medicine oxidative stress
- Herbal Skin Patch Protects Rat Sperm from Plasticizer2025-11-28
In rats exposed to DEHP plasticizer, icariin microneedle patches reduced testicular damage and outperformed oral icariin — in rats
Transdermal Delivery of Icariin via Microneedle Patches Attenuates Phthalate-Induced Testicular Injury animal study male infertility traditional chinese medicine environmental exposure
- Gut Metabolite Cuts Kidney Stone Damage—in Mice2025-11-19
A pomegranate-derived gut metabolite reduced kidney crystal deposits in mice by reactivating a mitochondrial cleanup pathway via PCK1
Urolithin A Protects Against Calcium Oxalate-Induced Crystal Formation and Kidney Injury by Regulating PCK1 to Restore Mitophagy Function in Kidney Stone Disease kidney stones animal study
- Chinese Herbal Mix Reverses Rat Infertility2025-10-31
TCM formula QYYJF improved sperm motility and HPG axis hormones in chemotherapy-damaged rats, via 25 identified serum compounds
Qingyu Yangjing Formula Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Oligoasthenospermia by Regulating the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and Inhibiting Testicular Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Rats traditional chinese medicine male infertility animal study semen quality
- TCM Formula Improves Sperm in Fat Mice2025-10-16
A traditional Chinese herbal formula reduced abnormal sperm and boosted concentration in obese mice — in mice only
Er-Chen decoction alleviates spermatogenic dysfunction in obese mice by tuning the SIRT1/p53 axis male infertility traditional chinese medicine animal study
- Nanoparticles Sneak ATP Past the Testicular Wall2025-10-13
ATP-loaded nanoparticles crossed the testicular barrier in mice and improved sperm motility — no human data yet
Blood-Testis Barrier-Crossing Extracellular Vesicles for Asthenozoospermia Therapy via Synergistic ATP Replenishment and Ferroptosis Suppression male infertility spermatogenesis stem cells oxidative stress animal study
- CoQ10 Cuts Varicocele Damage — In Rats2025-10-07
CoQ10 reduced oxidative stress and improved sperm parameters in rat varicocele and hypoxia models via the caspase1-IL1β-egr2 pathway
Ameliorative Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Against Hypoxia-Induced and Varicocele-Associated Spermatogenesis Dysfunction in Rat animal study male infertility semen quality testicular disease
- 18 'Male Fertility Genes' Turn Out Unnecessary2025-06-26
18 testis-enriched genes knocked out one by one in mice — none of them mattered for fertility
Mouse Genome Engineering Uncovers 18 Genes Dispensable for Male Reproduction animal study genetics male infertility semen quality