Studies in humans and animals suggest that seminal plasma, the acellular seminal fluid component, stimulates the endometrium to promote immune tolerance and facilitate implantation. We designed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to investigate changes in the endometrial transcriptomic profile after vaginal application of seminal plasma. The study participants were randomized into two groups. Five women received a vaginal application of seminal plasma, and four received a placebo application with saline solution. The application was performed 2 days after HCG-triggered ovulation in an unstimulated cycle. After 5-8 days, an endometrial biopsy was collected to analyze differences in the endometrial transcriptomic profile using microarray analyses. A differential gene expression analysis and a gene set analysis were performed. The gene set enrichment analysis showed a positive enrichment of pathways associated with the immune response, cell viability, proliferation, and cellular movement. Moreover, pathways involved in implantation, embryo development, oocyte maturation, and angiogenesis were positively enriched. The differential gene expression analysis, after adjusting for multiple testing, showed no significantly differentially expressed genes between the two groups. A comparative analysis was also performed with similar studies conducted in other animals or in vitro using human endometrial cells. The comparative analysis showed that the effect of seminal plasma effect on the endometrium is similar in pigs, mice, and in vitro human endometrial cells. The present study provides evidence that seminal plasma might impact the endometrium during the implantation window, with potential to affect endometrial receptivity and embryo development.

AndrologyEarly View SOCIETY NEWS Leading at the vanguard of andrology: The Network for Young Researchers in Andrology joins forces with the European Academy of Andrology Alberto de la Iglesia, Corresponding Author Alberto de la Iglesia [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0003-3475-2086 Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Department of Cellular Plasticity and Reproduction, Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, Paris, France Correspondence Alberto de la Iglesia, Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021, Barcelona, Spain. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDorte L. Egeberg, Dorte L. Egeberg Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain European Sperm Bank, Copenhagen, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorDaniel Marcu, Daniel Marcu Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain School of Biological Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UKSearch for more papers by this authorGuillaume Richer, Guillaume Richer orcid.org/0000-0003-2888-9078 Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Genetics, reproduction, and development (GRAD) research group, Biology of the Testis (BITE) laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorBrendan J. Houston, Brendan J. Houston orcid.org/0000-0002-1078-756X Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorOmar Ammar, Omar Ammar orcid.org/0000-0001-8048-9747 Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Ar-Razzi Hospital, Ramadi, Iraq Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Ramadi, IraqSearch for more papers by this authorGülizar Saritas, Gülizar Saritas Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorEmily Delgouffe, Emily Delgouffe Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Genetics, reproduction, and development (GRAD) research group, Biology of the Testis (BITE) laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorDavor Jezek, Davor Jezek European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, Germany Department for Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, Reproductive Tissue Bank, University Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, CroatiaSearch for more papers by this authorCsilla Krausz, Csilla Krausz European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, Germany Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorEwa Rajpert-De Meyts, Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts orcid.org/0000-0002-5946-7559 Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorHermann M. Behre, Hermann M. Behre European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, Germany Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, GermanySearch for more papers by this author Alberto de la Iglesia, Corresponding Author Alberto de la Iglesia [email protected] orcid.org/0000-0003-3475-2086 Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Department of Cellular Plasticity and Reproduction, Université Paris Cité, INSERM, CNRS, Institut Cochin, Paris, France Correspondence Alberto de la Iglesia, Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), 08021, Barcelona, Spain. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDorte L. Egeberg, Dorte L. Egeberg Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain European Sperm Bank, Copenhagen, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorDaniel Marcu, Daniel Marcu Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain School of Biological Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UKSearch for more papers by this authorGuillaume Richer, Guillaume Richer orcid.org/0000-0003-2888-9078 Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Genetics, reproduction, and development (GRAD) research group, Biology of the Testis (BITE) laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorBrendan J. Houston, Brendan J. Houston orcid.org/0000-0002-1078-756X Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorOmar Ammar, Omar Ammar orcid.org/0000-0001-8048-9747 Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Ar-Razzi Hospital, Ramadi, Iraq Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Ramadi, IraqSearch for more papers by this authorGülizar Saritas, Gülizar Saritas Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, DenmarkSearch for more papers by this authorEmily Delgouffe, Emily Delgouffe Network for Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA), Barcelona, Spain Genetics, reproduction, and development (GRAD) research group, Biology of the Testis (BITE) laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, BelgiumSearch for more papers by this authorDavor Jezek, Davor Jezek European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, Germany Department for Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, Reproductive Tissue Bank, University Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, CroatiaSearch for more papers by this authorCsilla Krausz, Csilla Krausz European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, Germany Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorEwa Rajpert-De Meyts, Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts orcid.org/0000-0002-5946-7559 Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, GermanySearch for more papers by this authorHermann M. Behre, Hermann M. Behre European Academy of Andrology (EAA), Münster, Germany Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, GermanySearch for more papers by this author First published: 20 March 2024 https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13633Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT The authors declare no conflict of interest. REFERENCES 1Gromoll J, Michel C, Kostova E, et al. 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The 15th Network of Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA) meeting, held at the Palace de Caux, Switzerland, served as a valuable platform to disseminate cutting-edge research and facilitate interactions among early-career researchers and trainees in andrology from around the world. Preceding the 22nd European Testis Workshop, the 2-day event brought together participants from a variety of countries to discuss a range of topics pertaining to men's reproductive health and biology. Specific focuses included piRNAs in mammalian reproduction, biomolecules enhancing sperm physiology, advances in in vitro spermatogenesis, reproductive strategies across species, and career development. A dedicated 'scientific speed-dating' social event also stood out, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaborations and strengthening ties within the scientific community. The high participation rate of the meeting highlighted its value in connecting the andrology community. Finally, the announcement of NYRA's merger with the European Academy of Andrology (EAA) marked a pivotal moment, enabling NYRA to support young researchers while collaborating with the EAA to advance andrology research. The 15th NYRA meeting played a crucial role in enhancing knowledge dissemination and andrology research, empowering young researchers, and addressing key challenges in male infertility.

ABSTRACT The 14th Network of Young Researchers in Andrology (NYRA) meeting was a 2-day conference held at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, organized by the NYRA. The meeting brought together researchers and experts to discuss and exchange ideas on male infertility and spermatogenesis. The meeting covered a wide range of topics related to male germline research, including the impact of mutations in the male germline on future generations, the use of innovative sequencing tools for the study of male infertility, and the intricate germline epigenome. The impact of aging on spermatogenesis was also discussed, with a focus on the increased DNA fragmentation rates, changes in DNA methylation patterns, and longer telomeres associated with aging sperm. Additionally, progress on fertility preservation options for children undergoing gonadotoxic cancer treatments was presented. The meeting also featured workshops on leadership and career development strategies in science, providing a valuable opportunity for young researchers to learn from experts in the field and exchange ideas with their peers. Overall, the meeting provided a platform for researchers to discuss the latest developments in male germline research, highlighting the importance of empowering young researchers to tackle male reproductive health.

Synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), omnipresent in food, household, and personal care products, have been implicated in adverse trends in human reproduction, including infertility and increasing demand for assisted reproduction. Here, we study the action of 96 ubiquitous EDCs on human sperm. We show that structurally diverse EDCs activate the sperm-specific CatSper channel and, thereby, evoke an intracellular Ca2+ increase, a motility response, and acrosomal exocytosis. Moreover, EDCs desensitize sperm for physiological CatSper ligands and cooperate in low-dose mixtures to elevate Ca2+ levels in sperm. We conclude that EDCs interfere with various sperm functions and, thereby, might impair human fertilization.

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Denmark, largely due to the advanced stage at diagnosis in most patients. Approximately 90% of ovarian cancers originate from the single-layered ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Defects in the primary cilium, a solitary sensory organelle in most cells types including OSE, were recently implicated in tumorigenesis, mainly due to deregulation of ciliary signaling pathways such as Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. However, a possible link between primary cilia and epithelial ovarian cancer has not previously been investigated.