← all papers · semen quality (41) Science journalism, not medical advice.
- Gene Defect Leaves Sperm Trapped in Cytoplasm2026-07-15
A single gene defect leaves mouse and human sperm wrapped in leftover cytoplasm, misshapen, and infertile
SPEM2 deficiency disrupts spermiation leading to oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and male infertility male infertility genetics spermatogenesis animal study semen quality
- Pesticide Wrecks Rat Sperm; Nanoparticles Help2026-06-22
Niosome-encapsulated l-carnitine and quercetin partially reversed atrazine-induced sperm damage in rats — in groups of 5 animals each
Niosomal l-carnitine and quercetin improve sperm quality and testicular function in atrazine-induced reproductive toxicity in rats animal study oxidative stress male infertility environmental exposure nanomedicine semen quality
- Your Father's Chemical Exposure May Shape Your Health2026-06-03
Review links six ubiquitous EDC classes to sperm damage and transgenerational harm — paternal occupational exposure tied to low birth weight and congenital heart disease in offspring
Endocrine Disruption and Male Fertility environmental exposure epigenetics male infertility semen quality oxidative stress infertility
- 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
- Oxidative Lipid Damage Markers: A New IVF Yardstick?2026-05-23
A narrative review argues F2-isoprostanes and isofurans could be stable, reliable markers of reproductive oxidative damage — but admits the evidence base is thin
Isoprostanes and Isofurans in Infertility and Assisted Reproduction: What Do We Know So Far? oxidative stress infertility male infertility biomarkers narrative review semen quality
- Weight Loss Surgery Improved Sperm Quality — No Pregnancies Followed2026-05-23
43 obese infertile men saw testosterone rise and semen motility improve after bariatric surgery — but zero pregnancies in 12 months
The Influence of Different Bariatric Surgeries on Male Sex Hormones and Semen Parameters Among Infertile Obese Male Patients: An Observational Study male infertility obesity testosterone semen quality surgical outcomes
- Inside Infertile Sperm: The Missing Power Switch2026-05
In sperm from oligoasthenospermic men, ATP synthase subunits dropped significantly while cytochrome c oxidase rose — in just 17 men
High-Resolution Imaging Reveals Mitochondrial Protein Imbalance in Sperm of Oligoasthenospermic Men male infertility semen quality biomarkers oxidative stress
- Vitamin D Improves Sperm, Not Pregnancies2026-04-13
Vitamin D boosted sperm motility by 6.96% and testosterone slightly, but had no measurable effect on pregnancy or live birth rates (n=1,168)
Vitamin D supplementation in infertile men: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effects on semen quality and endocrine function male infertility semen quality testosterone meta-analysis systematic review
- 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
- One Blood Test Stands Out — But Should It?2026-03-19
In 198 Ghanaian ART patients, only serum chloride differed between pregnancy and non-pregnancy groups — a marginal gap within normal range
Male Factors Associated With Success Following Assisted Reproduction Technology Among Infertile Couples in Ghana male infertility semen quality cross-sectional biomarkers pregnancy
- Sperm's Chemical Entourage Signals the Uterus2026-03-16
Review argues seminal cytokines don't just carry sperm — they actively shape uterine receptivity and embryo implantation
Seminal Fluid Cytokines in Reproductive Health and Fertility of Men male infertility immunology semen quality inflammation narrative review
- When Your Body Attacks Your Own Sperm2026-03-12
Editorial overview of a themed issue: blood-testis barrier, antisperm antibodies, seminal cytokines, and genital pathogens as fertility disruptors
Male Infertility and Immune Function immunology male infertility semen quality systematic review narrative review inflammation antisperm antibodies
- HPV Raises Antisperm Antibodies Tenfold2026-03-11
GU infections were linked to measurable sperm parameter declines, but pregnancy outcomes mostly held — HPV was the outlier, with a tenfold antisperm antibody spike
Impact of Male Genital Tract Infections on Semen Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis male infertility semen quality systematic review meta-analysis HPV antisperm antibodies inflammation
- Poor Sperm, Worse Health: The Iceberg Below2026-03-06
Review argues 1–6% of infertile men have undetected life-threatening pathology, yet workup stops at semen analysis
Is Male Infertility an Early Warning of More Serious Diseases? male infertility genetics semen quality biomarkers
- Dirty Air, Worse Sperm: Meta-Analysis Confirms2026-03-06
Four meta-analyses pooled: air pollution correlates with modestly lower sperm motility, concentration, and morphology
Air pollution and male infertility: A meta-umbrella study of evidence on semen quality male infertility air pollution semen quality meta-analysis
- 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
- Can AI Read Sperm Better Than Humans?2026-03-03
Systematic review maps AI applications in male fertility — sperm analysis, treatment prediction — but reports no pooled numbers
Artificial Intelligence and Infertility: A Systematic Review male infertility systematic review semen quality artificial intelligence
- Vitamins Nudge Sperm Motility, Not Much Else2026-03-02
Antioxidant/vitamin combo raised sperm motility from 17% to 24% in infertile men — statistically significant, still well below normal
Therapeutic Supplementation With Antioxidants and Vitamins Improved Sperm Motility Among Infertile Men With Idiopathic Low Spermatogenesis male infertility oxidative stress spermatogenesis semen quality cohort study
- COVID-19 Damages Sperm. Five Measures Down.2026-03
This meta-analysis of cohort studies found statistically significant reductions in sperm concentration, count, motility, and DNA fragmentation index following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Male Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies male infertility semen quality meta-analysis COVID-19 DNA fragmentation
- 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
- 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
- AMH Flags Azoospermia But Can't Predict Sperm Count2026-02-20
AMH is lower in men with non-obstructive azoospermia, but doesn't independently predict sperm concentration once FSH and testicular volume are accounted for
Serum Antimüllerian Hormone as a Biomarker of Functional Testicular Reserve: A Comparative Analysis male infertility biomarkers semen quality infertility
- Osteoporosis Drug Fails Oligospermia Trial2026-02-20
Denosumab 60 mg produced no improvement in sperm concentration over placebo in 39 men with severe oligospermia
Effect of Denosumab on Sperm Concentration in Men With Severe Oligospermia: A Randomized Controlled Trial male infertility semen quality infertility
- Why Some Sperm Can't Swim: A Molecular Tag2026-02-09
Kmal levels were significantly elevated in asthenozoospermic men and inversely correlated with progressive motility across 94 participants
Lysine Malonylation Regulates Human Sperm Motility male infertility semen quality spermatogenesis biomarkers
- Scrotal Calcifications Don't Trigger Immune Attack2026-02-06
In 1,755 infertile men, testicular microlithiasis was not associated with higher antisperm antibody rates (1.2% vs 3.5%, p=0.17)
Testicular Immune Privilege Maintained in Incidental Testicular Microlithiasis: Evidence from 1755 Infertile Men testicular disease infertility immunology semen quality
- Your Partner's Bacteria Can Shift Your Sperm2026-01-27
Anaerobe-heavy seminal profiles correlate with higher sperm DNA fragmentation and lower motility; Lactobacillus-rich profiles align with better DNA integrity
Micromanagement: How the Male Reproductive Microbiome Shapes Male Fertility male infertility semen quality DNA fragmentation oxidative stress inflammation
- Varicocele Surgery Rescues Sperm in Half of Near-Zero Cases2026-01-21
54% of men with cryptozoospermia (near-zero sperm) improved to at least oligozoospermia after varicocele repair in a 24-man study
Semen Parameter Response to Varicocele Repair in Infertile Men With Cryptozoospermia varicocele male infertility semen quality surgical outcomes retrospective cohort
- More Soy, Fewer Sperm? Japanese Data Stirs the Debate2026-01-13
Men in the top daidzein quartile had 32–40% lower sperm counts than lowest-quartile men — but this is cross-sectional data from a fertility clinic.
Urinary Isoflavone Concentrations and Semen Parameters of Japanese Men Seeking Fertility Treatment male infertility semen quality environmental exposure cross-sectional epidemiology
- 67 Sperm Risk Factors, Almost All Weak Evidence2026-01-13
67 risk factors linked to male infertility catalogued — but 78% of the underlying evidence rated low or very low quality
Current Risk Factors for Male Infertility and Semen Parameters: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses male infertility semen quality evidence quality environmental exposure systematic review meta-analysis
- Better Sperm Quality, Still Not Pregnant2026-01-05
Treating seminal tract infections improves sperm parameters and reduces DNA fragmentation — but no evidence shows it increases conception rates
Infection and Inflammation of the Seminal Tract: A Review of Its Relationship to Male Fertility male infertility semen quality DNA fragmentation inflammation
- Antioxidants Out, Varicocele Repair In: WHO Rules2026
WHO's first unified infertility guideline backs varicocele repair conditionally but won't endorse antioxidants—evidence too heterogeneous
The WHO 2025 Guideline for the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Infertility: A Comprehensive Review with Focus on Male Reproductive Health male infertility infertility evidence quality semen quality
- Blood Type O and Infertility: Weak Signal, Big Caveats2025-12-19
Blood type O was overrepresented in infertile couples (39.5% vs 34.2%), but effect sizes were weak and key findings didn't survive correction
ABO Blood Group Distribution and Infertility Risk in Southern China: A Retrospective Analysis of the Ganzhou Region male infertility infertility genetics semen quality
- Microplastics Rival Chemo for Sperm Damage in Rats2025-12-05
Network meta-analysis of 201 rodent studies ranks microplastics alongside chemotherapy drugs for reproductive toxicity, with sperm counts dropping to ~19 million/mL
Quantitative Analysis and Toxicological Mechanisms of Various Male Infertility Inducers: A Network Meta-Analysis and Pharmacological Approach male infertility meta-analysis environmental exposure semen quality
- Two Brothers, One Gene, Zero Sperm Motility2025-11-11
Two siblings share novel homozygous DNHD1 mutations causing severe flagellar defects and near-total sperm immotility
Novel Biallelic *DNHD1* Variants Associated with Male Infertility with Severe MMAF Phenotype genetics male infertility semen quality case report
- Ureaplasma Hits Sperm DNA Without Tanking the Count2025-11-11
UU infection correlated with higher DNA fragmentation index and more abnormal morphology, but most routine semen parameters were unchanged
Effects of Ureaplasma urealyticum Infection on Sperm DNA and Semen Quality male infertility semen quality infertility biomarkers
- 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
- 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
- Surgically Retrieved Sperm Drags Down IVF Success2025-09-20
Testicular sperm extraction cut live birth rates vs. ejaculated sperm in ICSI — but only cumulative, not first-transfer outcomes
Effect of Abnormal Semen Parameters on ICSI: Morphokinetics and Cumulative Clinical Outcomes of 10,623 Embryos male infertility semen quality infertility surgical outcomes
- Mutant DNA Repair Gene Found in Two Infertile Men2025-09-15
Two men with severe OAT carried novel loss-of-function variants in MDC1, a DNA damage checkpoint protein — one ICSI attempt failed
Novel Variants in MDC1 are Associated With Severe Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia genetics male infertility semen quality case report
- 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
- Sickle Cell Damages Sperm — So Does the Treatment2025-05-30
Systematic review finds SCD impairs sperm parameters, and both hydroxyurea and stem cell transplant make it worse
Reproductive function and sperm parameters in men with sickle cell disease: a systematic review male infertility semen quality genetics stem cells