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Re: Lack of Testicular Seipin Causes Teratozoospermia Syndrome in Men
URO-SCIENCE
369
Editorial Comment: This study demonstrates 2 important findings. First, female environmental perception can have strong effects on sperm function. Disrupting the neuroendocrine mechanisms that mediate these effectsdthrough genetic mutation, dietary changes or environmental exposuresd impairs fertility. These mechanisms may be relevant to infertile human couples and internally fertilizing animals with disappearing or changing habitats. In addition, an alternative Cox independent pathway for F class prostaglandin synthesis emerged early in animal evolution. These prostaglandins probably modulate numerous biological processes, perhaps together with Cox dependent prostaglandins. Since prostaglandins are oxidative stress markers and therapeutic targets for many human disorders, the implications are numerous. Anthony Atala, MD
Suggested Reading Zalata AA, Morsy HK, Badawy AE et al: ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism seminal associations in infertile men. J Urol 2012; 187: 1776.
Re: Lack of Testicular Seipin Causes Teratozoospermia Syndrome in Men M. Jiang, M. Gao, C. Wu, H. He, X. Guo, Z. Zhou, H. Yang, X. Xiao, G. Liu and J. Sha State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University Health Science Center and Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing and Department of Endocrinology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China, and School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111: 7054e7059.
Abstract available at http://jurology.com/ Editorial Comment: The relationship between body fat and male reproduction is clearly seen when excess fat compromises fertility. However, potential consequences of adipose tissue paucity on fertility are unclear. This study shows that lack of seipin, a transmembrane protein localizing to the endoplasmic reticulum, causes paucity of adipose tissue and male sterility. Human patients and mouse models lacking seipin in germ cells produce severely abnormal sperm because of impaired lipid distribution during sperm maturation. These defects are testis intrinsic. Scarcity of adipose tissue per se does not affect male fertility. The authors show that 2 distinct organs, adipose tissue and the male germline, depend on seipin function and that appropriate lipid distribution is essential for production of mature, functional sperm. Anthony Atala, MD
Suggested Reading Handel LN, Shetty R and Sigman M: The relationship between varicoceles and obesity. J Urol 2006; 176: 2138.
369
Editorial Comment: This study demonstrates 2 important findings. First, female environmental perception can have strong effects on sperm function. Disrupting the neuroendocrine mechanisms that mediate these effectsdthrough genetic mutation, dietary changes or environmental exposuresd impairs fertility. These mechanisms may be relevant to infertile human couples and internally fertilizing animals with disappearing or changing habitats. In addition, an alternative Cox independent pathway for F class prostaglandin synthesis emerged early in animal evolution. These prostaglandins probably modulate numerous biological processes, perhaps together with Cox dependent prostaglandins. Since prostaglandins are oxidative stress markers and therapeutic targets for many human disorders, the implications are numerous. Anthony Atala, MD
Suggested Reading Zalata AA, Morsy HK, Badawy AE et al: ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism seminal associations in infertile men. J Urol 2012; 187: 1776.
Re: Lack of Testicular Seipin Causes Teratozoospermia Syndrome in Men M. Jiang, M. Gao, C. Wu, H. He, X. Guo, Z. Zhou, H. Yang, X. Xiao, G. Liu and J. Sha State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University Health Science Center and Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing and Department of Endocrinology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China, and School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111: 7054e7059.
Abstract available at http://jurology.com/ Editorial Comment: The relationship between body fat and male reproduction is clearly seen when excess fat compromises fertility. However, potential consequences of adipose tissue paucity on fertility are unclear. This study shows that lack of seipin, a transmembrane protein localizing to the endoplasmic reticulum, causes paucity of adipose tissue and male sterility. Human patients and mouse models lacking seipin in germ cells produce severely abnormal sperm because of impaired lipid distribution during sperm maturation. These defects are testis intrinsic. Scarcity of adipose tissue per se does not affect male fertility. The authors show that 2 distinct organs, adipose tissue and the male germline, depend on seipin function and that appropriate lipid distribution is essential for production of mature, functional sperm. Anthony Atala, MD
Suggested Reading Handel LN, Shetty R and Sigman M: The relationship between varicoceles and obesity. J Urol 2006; 176: 2138.