Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40700278›Full record

ArticleProteomes2025

Molecular Remodeling of the Sperm Proteome Following Varicocele Sclero-Embolization: Implications for Semen Quality Improvement.

Domenico Milardi, Edoardo Vergani, Francesca Mancini, Fiorella Di Nicuolo, Emanuela Teveroni, Emanuele Pierpaolo Vodola, Alessandro Oliva, Giuseppe Grande, Alessandro Cina, Roberto Iezzi and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Proteomes, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Domenico MilardiComplex Operative Unit of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Edoardo VerganiComplex Operative Unit of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8444-0091
Francesca ManciniInternational Scientific Institute Paul VI, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Fiorella Di NicuoloInternational Scientific Institute Paul VI, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Emanuela TeveroniDepartment of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Emanuele Pierpaolo VodolaComplex Operative Unit of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Alessandro OlivaComplex Operative Unit of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Giuseppe GrandeUnit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3264-0937
Alessandro CinaDepartment of Imaging Diagnostics, Oncological Radiotherapy, and Hematology-Institute of Radiology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Roberto IezziDepartment of Imaging Diagnostics, Oncological Radiotherapy, and Hematology-Institute of Radiology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2791-481X
Michela CicchinelliDepartment of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0008-8975-4947
Federica IavaroneDepartment of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2074-5531
Silvia BaroniDepartment of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-8528-7533
Alberto FerlinUnit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5817-8141
Andrea UrbaniDepartment of Basic Biotechnological Sciences, Intensive and Perioperative Clinics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Alfredo PontecorviComplex Operative Unit of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVaricocele is a common condition involving the dilation of veins in the scrotum, often linked to male infertility and testicular dysfunction. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular effects of successful varicocele treatment on sperm proteomes following percutaneous sclero-embolization.

methodsHigh-resolution tandem mass spectrometry was performed for proteomic profiling of pooled sperm lysates from five patients exhibiting improved semen parameters before and after (3 and 6 months) varicocele sclero-embolization. Data were validated by Western blot analysis.

resultsSeven proteins were found exclusively in varicocele patients before surgery-such as stathmin, IFT20, selenide, and ADAM21-linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. After sclero-embolization, 55 new proteins emerged, including antioxidant enzymes like selenoprotein P and GPX3. Thioredoxin (TXN) and peroxiredoxin (PRDX3) were upregulated, indicating restoration of key antioxidant pathways. Additionally, the downregulation of some histones and the autophagy-related protein ATG9A suggests a shift toward an improved chromatin organization and a healthier cellular environment post-treatment.

conclusionsVaricocele treatment that improves sperm quality and fertility parameters leads to significant proteome modulation. These changes include reduced oxidative stress and broadly restored sperm maturation. Despite the limited patient cohort analyzed, these preliminary findings provide valuable insights into how varicocele treatment might enhance male fertility and suggest potential biomarkers for improved male infertility treatment strategies.

Indexed as

ADAM21ATG9AIFT20PRDXsclero-embolizationselenoprotein Psperm proteomestathminTXNvaricocele

Identifiers

PMID40700278
PMCPMC12286009

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.