Is sperm quality really declining — or is the story more complicated than we thought? A short communication in Andrology reports longitudinal semen quality trends from 15,413 men attending a fertility clinic between 2008 and 2023 — and the findings may surprise you.

A tiny molecule is changing how we understand testicular cancer. miR-371a-3p isn't just a better diagnostic marker — it travels via extracellular vesicles, shapes the tumor microenvironment, may drive cisplatin resistance, and even shows up in pregnant women's blood.

🗓️ Does the time of year affect sperm quality? A new meta-analysis of 21 studies says yes — winter and spring are associated with higher sperm concentration, greater total sperm count, and better motility than summer and fall. Worth considering when timing fertility evaluations.

"No sperm found" — but did the lab do everything possible? New 3-step NOA protocol in Andrology: → Mincing alone: 32.5% SRR → Enzymatic digestion: +13.1% → Aniline black staining: +10.1% 23.2% additional yield. From patients already written off. Full article in Andrology: doi.org/10.1111/andr...

Can improving sperm motility actually reduce fertilization success? A new study in Andrology shows that extracellular vesicles from pig seminal plasma increase motility in stored epididymal sperm—but impair capacitation and IVF outcomes.

Sperm motility relies on a finely tuned flagellar structure. A new mouse study in Andrology shows that CFAP77, a microtubule inner protein in the sperm flagellum, is essential for normal motility and male fertility. Knockout males produce morphologically normal sperm that simply can’t swim well.

The ticking clock of cryopreserved sperm ⏳ Compared to fresh washed sperm, thawed sperm shows accelerated deterioration in motility, vitality, and DNA integrity in just 75 minutes. A reminder that in assisted reproduction, timing after thaw matters. Read more: doi.org/10.1111/andr...

🧬 Oxidative stress: a hidden driver of male infertility When reactive oxygen species overwhelm sperm, the consequences are real: • Lipid peroxidation • DNA damage • Apoptosis • Reduced fertility potential

Can magnets treat premature ejaculation? 🧠🧲 A new study in Andrology compares rTMS (brain stimulation) to Dapoxetine. The results? High-frequency (10-Hz) stimulation significantly improved ejaculation latency by activating the BDNF-TrkB pathway. Is a non-drug alternative on the horizon?

A father’s age can leave an epigenetic footprint that lasts beyond sperm. This study shows that advanced paternal age is associated with DNA methylation changes in the human placenta, including at neurodevelopmental genes.

🐴 Capacitated sperm change the game in equine assisted reproduction A new study shows that incubating frozen-thawed stallion semen under capacitating conditions dramatically improves outcomes. Not only for IVF, but also for ICSI. Link in comments.

❤️ The “love hormone” has a new target — sperm! A new study in Andrology reveals that the oxytocin receptor (OR) in sperm may come from both spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation—and it’s not just along for the ride.

Men with low testosterone at age 31 face a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes by midlife. This 15-year birth cohort study shows the link persists after accounting for body weight and waist size, highlighting T as an independent metabolic risk factor. Link in the comments.

🐀 New in Andrology: Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) restore spermatogenesis in aging rats by rebalancing calcium signaling. LBP improved testicular structure, boosted spermatogonia, normalized sex hormone levels, and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Read more doi.org/10.1111/andr...

Microplastics vs. Nanoplastics – A closer look at male fertility risks New research compares polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and nanoplastics (PS-NPs) in rat Sertoli cells, the key guardians of sperm development.

⚡ How do sperm find the right “gear” for fertilization? New research reveals that lactate shifts bull sperm from zigzag motility to straight-line movement by suppressing glycolysis and boosting oxidative metabolism. 🚀

📡 Can prolonged exposure to 35.5 GHz millimeter waves, like those used in modern wireless tech, affect male fertility? This study shows chronic exposure in rats led to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and impaired sperm quality, pointing to potential risks for testicular health.

✨ Infertility in the Bible? A new article looks at the Genetics of infertility and “assisted fertilization” in the Bible. It focuses on Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose wives all faced infertility.

🧬 Why are some testicular tumours so hard to predict and treat? New research uses spatial transcriptomics to map immune cell activity and TGFβ signaling in testicular germ cell tumours.

💤⚡ Can sleepless nights harm sexual health? New research in Andrology reveals how men with anejaculation, with and without sleep disorders, show striking brain differences on fMRI.

📉 Does semen quality predict time to pregnancy? A new prospective study published in Andrology examines semen parameters and fecundability in over 700 North American couples trying to conceive.

🚨 LH and FSH may come from the same cell – but they follow very different paths. This new review traces the evolution and trafficking of gonadotropins from primitive fish to mammals, revealing how molecular tweaks to FSH secretion can boost ovulation and ovarian health.

New clues in the quest to predict male fertility in boars 🐖💡 Proteomic profiling of pig seminal extracellular vesicles reveals dozens of proteins linked to sperm function, embryo development, and implantation. These biomarkers could improve boar selection in AI programs.

🧊 Freezing damages more than you think. 🔍 A new study in Andrology reveals how slow freezing reshapes sperm chromatin deep inside the nucleus. This tool could be a game-changer for assessing sperm quality in fertility clinics.

A new nationwide study published in Andrology reveals that the prevalence of hypospadias has significantly increased in China between 2010 and 2020. 🔍 Using data from over 11 million births, the research uncovers geographic and demographic disparities.

Why don’t ED drugs work for everyone? A new study published in Andrology uncovers two promising drug targets using genetic tools and single-cell technology—paving the way for next-gen erectile dysfunction treatments beyond Viagra. 👉 Find out more: doi.org/10.1111/andr...

How does the immune system shape the maturing testis? 🧬🧪 A new study maps the immune cells of the testis before and after sexual maturation — revealing dynamic immune remodeling, rare B cells, and key crosstalk between immune and androgen-producing cells.

Iron: essential for healthy testes — harmful when imbalanced. This new review explores how iron metabolism shapes spermatogenesis, testosterone production, and male fertility — and how both iron overload and deficiency can drive testicular dysfunction. Read more here: doi.org/10.1111/andr...

New research uncovers disrupted brain connectivity in individuals with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The study identifies topological abnormalities in the left middle orbital frontal gyrus and amygdala, key regions for sexual motivation and emotional regulation.

New in Andrology A renowned Japanese research group specializing in testis-specific gene knockouts reports that simultaneous loss of RIBC1 and RIBC2 in mice leads to reduced sperm motility and smaller litter sizes—despite no structural defects visible under TEM.

Can nanotechnology change the future of male fertility treatment? As fertility challenges continue to rise—especially in aging populations—traditional treatments for testicular disorders often fall short due to side effects, invasiveness, and the tough-to-penetrate BTB.

How can you use spatial transcriptomics to study spermatogenesis? This review highlights how this technology is being used to study spermatogenesis by preserving tissue context—enabling researchers to explore spatial gene expression, cellular neighborhoods, and molecular changes in the testis.

Diabetes may impair the epididymis, disrupting sperm maturation at a critical stage. This systematic review, published in Andrology, links high glucose, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalance to epididymal dysfunction in both humans and mice. Read the fully study: doi.org/10.1111/andr...

🧊 How well does sperm hold up in long-term storage? New research published in Andrology shows that initial motility and vitality are key predictors of semen quality after years in cryostorage—even in patients with severely impaired semen parameters.

Can we move toward a less invasive, more patient-friendly approach for diagnosing erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Chronic opioid use is silently causing androgen deficiency in 20-80% of men, disrupting testosterone via GnRH suppression. It’s underrecognized by doctors, leaving many untreated. Testosterone therapy shows promise—boosting libido, body composition, and maybe even reducing pain.

How can we advance our understanding of human testis development and function? While research on mammalian models has provided key insights, human-specific differences require access to human testicular tissues for more precise studies.

Did you know that tiny hair-like structures called motile cilia play a crucial role in reproductive health?

What can a luteinizing hormone receptor knockout (LuRKO) mouse teach us about reproductive biology? 🧬🐭 For over 20 years, this model has helped uncover key insights into LH, LHR, and gonadal function—shedding light on hypogonadism, fertility, and beyond.

CDYL splicing mutation affects sperm flagella, leading to male infertility. This breakthrough study provides insights into the genetic mechanisms behind sperm motility issues.

From coffee to cocktails, how do beverages affect men's fertility? New research reveals no strong link between men's beverage intake and semen quality but suggests high caffeine and liquor intake may reduce live birth rates in IVF. Further studies needed to confirm.

Our latest publication examines the short and long-term effects of varicocele on male fertility, revealing significant declines in sperm health over time. Read more here: doi.org/10.1111/andr...