Objective: To explore the relationship between Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism (HT) and male fertility, focusing on hormonal and seminal factors.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, covering studies published from January 2000 to March 2024. Studies investigating the impact of HT on semen quality parameters and reproductive hormones were included. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: A total of 8 studies with 8965 participants were included. HT significantly affected semen quality and reproductive hormone levels. Specifically, there was a notable decrease in progressive morphology (SMD= -0.78; 95% CI: -1.40 to -0.17; P=0.01) and sperm motility (SMD= -1.151; 95% CI: -1.876 to -0.425; P=0.002). In addition, there were no significant changes in reproductive hormones, although there were elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (SMD=0.437; 95% CI: 0.000 to 0.874; P=0.050) and follicle-stimulating hormone (SMD=0.293; 95% CI: -0.171 to 0.758; P=0.216), with a slight impact on testosterone levels (SMD= -1.143; 95% CI: -2.487 to 0.200; P=0.095).

Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides robust evidence of the detrimental effects of HT on semen quality and reproductive hormones, underscoring the necessity for thorough evaluation and management of thyroid function in male infertility assessments.

Objective: To assess the factors associated with knowledge, attitude and behavior of contraception use among urban slum population in Chennai.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban slum of Anakaputhur, Chennai. Married couples between ages of 19-49 years and living in slum areas were taken up for the study by simple random sampling. Pregnant women, postnatal and postmenopausal women were excluded from the study. Data collection was done using a pretested structured questionnaire focusing on details regarding contraception knowledge, attitude, and practices. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 22. Analytical test like Chi square and odds ratio (OR) were used to identify association between knowledge, attitude, and behavior of contraception with the associated variables and enter method of logistic regression analysis was done.

Results: Out of the 360 respondents, 228 were females, with a mean age of (34±5) years. Approximately 43% demonstrated adequate knowledge of contraception use, and 91% were aware of at least one contraceptive method. Notably, 72% exhibited a positive attitude towards contraceptive use. Nevertheless, 43% (155 individuals) did not utilize any contraceptive method. Among contraceptive users, intrauterine devices were the most commonly adopted, followed by barrier methods and female sterilization. There was significant association between knowledge of contraception and education (aOR 7.29, 95% CI 2.93-18.10, P<0.05), age (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.193.50, P<0.05) and socioeconomic class (aOR 3.66, 95% CI 1.71-7.85, P<0.05; aOR 3.97, 95% CI 2.12-7.49, P<0.05). Regarding attitude towards contraception use, education (aOR 8.54, 95% CI 2.35-31.03, P<0.05), sex (aOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06-0.37, P<0.05), age (aOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.28-0.99, P<0.05), socio-economic class (aOR 4.42, 95% CI 1.97-9.92, P<0.05; aOR 9.83, 95% CI 3.63-26.58, P<0.05) and number of children (aOR 10.04, 95% CI 4.26-23.66, P<0.05) were the variables that had a significant association.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the imperative for enhanced dissemination of health education pertaining to contraception use within the slum population. The health sectors of the area and other stakeholders need to make sure to extend penetration of family planning related services to the urban slum population.

Objective: To determine the effects of textile dyeing industrial wastewater on the hematological parameters and reproductive health including histoarchitecture of male gonad (testes) of mice.

Methods: Twenty-four Swiss albino mice at 4-weeks old were divided into four groups (n=6 per group). Mice of group 1 supplied with normal drinking water were served as the control group. Mice of group 2, 3 and 4 were supplied normal drinking water mixed with textile dyeing wastewater at 5%, 10% and 20% concentration, respectively. After completing 24 weeks of treatment, different hematological profile, weight of testes, gonadosomatic index (GSI), sperm concentration and morphology were measured. Moreover, histopathological changes in testes were examined.

Results: Hematocrit value and hemoglobin concentrations were decreased in all groups of wastewater-treated mice compared to the control group. Likewise, weight of testes, GSI and sperm concentration were decreased significantly in wastewater-treated mice in comparison to the control group. The percentage of morphologically healthy epididymal sperm was significantly reduced in wastewater-treated mice. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules, a smaller number of spermatogenic cells, elongation of seminiferous tubules and degenerative changes of seminiferous tubules in wastewater- treated mice.

Conclusions: Textile dyeing wastewater has harmful effects on hematological profile and reproductive health of male mice.

Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of probiotic microorganisms on the reproductive and nervous systems of male rats treated with acrylamide.

Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and received normal saline through gavage (control), acrylamide 20 mg/kg body weight, acrylamide plus probiotic microorganisms (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophilus and fructooligosaccharides, all mixed in sachets) 20 or 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively. After 30 days, the testis, prostate, seminal vesicle and cerebellum were removed, fixed and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H & E). The Johnsen score was used to classify spermatogenesis. Cavalieri's principle method was used to evaluate the total volume (in mm³) of the testes. The number of each intratubular cell type as well as intertubular Leydig cells in whole samples was measured using the physical dissector counting techniques. Stereological analysis and the grids were used to determine the volume of cerebellar layers as well as the Purkinje cell number.

Results: The testis weight decreased significantly in the acrylamide- treated group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). The number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and Leydig cells in the acrylamide-treated group were significantly less compared to the control group (P<0.05), while they were increased significantly in the acrylamide+200 mg/kg probiotic group (P<0.05; P<0.01). The mean Johnsen score in the acrylamide-treated group was lower than in the control group (P<0.001). Acrylamide-induced changes including congestion, vacuolization in the secretory epithelial cells, and epithelial rupture were observed in the prostate and seminal vesicle. The volumes of cerebellar layers were decreased in the acrylamide group compared to the control group while recovered in both probiotic treated groups.

Conclusions: Probiotic microorganisms alleviate acrylamide- induced toxicities against the reproductive and cerebellar tissues in rats.

Objective: To examine light and heat effects on the morphological, histological, and micrometric structure of the prostate of rats.

Methods: Thirty adult male rats were divided into three groups. The control group was kept under 20 °C-22 °C and an artificial 12 h/12 h day/night cycle; the temperature group was under normal light and at (42±1) °C heat for 4 to 5 h daily, and the light group was exposed to 8 h/16 h day/night cycle with 20 °C-22 °C. Rats were weighed five times (at the beginning of the study and every seven days). Five milliliters (mL) of their peripheral blood were taken. The tissue staining was performed using the hematoxylin-eosin (H & E) stain and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). In the following, tissue and cellular reactions to the PAS were examined.

Results: Folds were located entirely on the surface of the anterior lobe and periphery of the other lobes. The secretory units in the anterior lobe were more than the lateral lobe. A strong reaction of the secretory cells to the PAS was observed. Testosterone serum levels of the light group also significantly increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). The most histometric changes of the lobes were established in the lateral lobes. Heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone levels and transformed prostate tissue. The epithelium and parenchyma to scaffold ratio in the temperature group decreased.

Conclusions: Maximum and minimum changes in the ventral lobe happened under the ascent of temperature and light, respectively. The ventral lobe in the study of prostatic hyperplasia should be more considered.