Topics and Trends in Most Cited Sperm and Testicular Function Papers

Ranked by citations 18 months after publication

Class of 2026 (Papers Published in 2024)

What topics and trends defined most-cited Sperm and Testicular Function research in the Class of 2026?

The Class of 2026 for Sperm and Testicular Function highlights the dominant role of oxidative stress and related biomarkers like Malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species. While traditional themes such as apoptosis saw a relative decline, we observed rapid emergence in areas including endocrine disruption, Leydig cell function, and testicular aging.

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Updated July 19, 2026

At a glance

Field
Sperm and Testicular Function
Cohort label
Class of 2026 (2024 publications)
Papers analyzed
4,732
Papers ranked
20
Top topics in ranked papers
Oxidative stress, Malondialdehyde, Reactive oxygen species, Superoxide dismutase
Publication window
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Eligibility
Research articles; reviews excluded
Citation window
18 months post-publication
18m citation range
20–136
Data source
OpenAlex · Retrieved July 2026
License
CC BY 4.0

Rankings

20 papers ranked by 18-month citation count

#1 of 4,732
13618m citations

Microplastic presence in dog and human testis and its potential association with sperm count and weights of testis and epididymis

Chelin Jamie Hu et al.Toxicological Sciences202410.1093/toxsci/kfae060

Xiaozhong YuUniversity of New Mexico, United States

microplasticsnanoplasticscanine testishuman testissperm countSperm qualitytestis weightepididymis weightpyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometrypolyethylene (PE)polyvinyl chloride (PVC)polyethylene terephthalate (PET)polymer compositionmale reproductive systemmale fertilityreproductive organ weightsinter-individual variabilitymicroplastic quantification
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#2 of 4,732
3118m citations

A 20-year overview of fertility preservation in boys: new insights gained through a comprehensive international survey

Kathleen Duffin et al.Human Reproduction Open202410.1093/hropen/hoae010

Rod T. MitchellUniversity of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

fertility preservationtesticular tissue cryopreservationpre-pubertal boysimmature testicular tissuegonadotoxic treatmentORCHID-NET consortiumdimethylsulphoxide cryoprotectantmalignant and non-malignant indicationsexperimental fertility restorationquality assurance standardstissue storage protocolsfollow-up practice variabilityconsent for research on stored tissueclinical application of stored tissueinternational survey studyharmonization of clinical protocolschildhood cancer survivorsfunding source variationtissue function evaluation
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#3 of 4,732
3018m citations

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection versus conventional in-vitro fertilisation for couples with infertility with non-severe male factor: a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial

Yuanyuan Wang et al.The Lancet202410.1016/s0140-6736(23)02416-9

Hefeng Huang, Jie QiaoPeking University Third Hospital, China

Intracytoplasmic sperm injectionconventional in-vitro fertilisationIn vitro fertilizationnon-severe male factor infertilitymulticentre trialrandomised controlled trialinfertility treatmentAssisted reproductive technologyfertilisation outcomesmale infertilityembryo developmentclinical pregnancy ratelive birth rate
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#4 of 4,732
2618m citations

Signatures of metabolic diseases on spermatogenesis and testicular metabolism

David F Carrageta, Sara C Pereira et al.Nature Reviews Urology202410.1038/s41585-024-00866-y

Marco G. AlvesUniversity of Porto, Portugal

metabolic diseasesSpermatogenesistesticular metabolismmale fertilitySperm qualitymetabolic dysfunctiongerm cell developmentTesticular functionreproductive endocrinologydiabetesobesitymetabolic syndromehormonal regulationenergy metabolismoxidative stress
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#5 of 4,732
2618m citations

Immunoregulation and male reproductive function: Impacts and mechanistic insights into inflammation

Yingjie Ma et al.Andrology202410.1111/andr.13772

Zhen‐Gao Sun, Shengtian ZhaoShandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China

male reproductive functionchronic inflammationSpermatogenesisTesticular immune privilegeSperm qualitygonadal hormone secretionimmune cells in testescytokines in reproductionmale infertilityautoimmune diseases affecting fertilityenvironmental factors and fertilityinfections and male fertilityimmune attacks on reproductive tissuesSpermatogenesis impairmentimmune regulation of reproduction
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#6 of 4,732
2518m citations

Epididymal acquired sperm microRNAs modify post-fertilization embryonic gene expression

Natalie A Trigg et al.Cell Reports202410.1016/j.celrep.2024.114698

Colin C. ConineChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia, United States

sperm microRNAsepididymal transitDgcr8 knockout miceCre/Lox geneticsgermline Dgcr8 knockoutepididymal Dgcr8 knockouttesticular spermsperm small RNAsnon-genetic inheritanceembryonic gene expressionpost-fertilization developmentsoma-to-germline transfermiRNA restorationembryo transcriptomemicroinjection rescueepididymal-acquired miRNAs
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#8 of 4,732
2318m citations

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals transcriptomic landscape and potential targets for human testicular ageing

Kai Xia et al.Human Reproduction202410.1093/humrep/deae199

Chunhua Deng, Andy Peng XiangSun Yat-Sen University, China

single-cell RNA sequencingTesticular agingspermatogonial stem cellsLeydig cellsbase-excision repair pathwayDe novo germline mutationsredox homeostasisTestosterone productionpleiotrophin signallingSpermatogenesisCellChatcell-cell communicationantioxidant treatmentsomatic niche cellscytokine pathwaysDNA repair defectsmale fertility declinehypogonadismgermline transcriptomicsstress-related pathways
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#10 of 4,732
2218m citations

Unravelling the epigenetic impact: Oxidative stress and its role in male infertility-associated sperm dysfunction

Gokul Sudhakaran et al.Reproductive Toxicology202410.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108531

Ajay Guru, Jesu ArockiarajSRM Institute of Science and Technology, India

Epigenetic modificationsoxidative stressmale infertilitysperm dysfunctionReactive oxygen speciesDNA methylationhistone modificationschromatin remodelingSperm DNA damageantioxidant defense mechanismsSperm mitochondrial dysfunctionLipid peroxidationprotaminationSpermatogenesisSemen parameters
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#11 of 4,732
2218m citations

Semen microbiota are dramatically altered in men with abnormal sperm parameters

Vadim Osadchiy et al.Scientific Reports202410.1038/s41598-024-51686-4

Sriram V. EleswarapuUniversity of California, United States

semen microbiomeabnormal sperm parameterssperm motilitysperm concentrationLactobacillus inersPseudomonas stutzeriPseudomonas fluorescensPseudomonas putidanext generation sequencingANCOM-BCcanonical correlational analysisdifferential abundance testingsemen analysismale fertilitymicrobial community profiling
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#12 of 4,732
2218m citations

Melatonin alleviates heat stress-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction in male dairy goats by regulating arachidonic acid metabolism mediated by remodeling the gut microbiota

Xinrui Guo et al.Microbiome202410.1186/s40168-024-01942-6

Yazhou Wang, Baohua Ma, Sha PengNorthwest A&F University, China

heat stressSpermatogenesis impairmentmale dairy goatsmelatoninarachidonic acid metabolismgut microbiota remodelingSperm qualitytesticular tissueoxidative stressinflammatory stressintercellular barrier functionepididymisFecal microbiota transplantationamplicon-based microbiota analysisarachidonic acid metabolitesTesticular damagedyszoospermiasperm maturationreproductive performance
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#13 of 4,732
2218m citations

Damage to Mitochondria During the Cryopreservation, Causing <scp>ROS</scp> Leakage, Leading to Oxidative Stress and Decreased Quality of Ram Sperm

Liuming Zhang et al.Reproduction in Domestic Animals202410.1111/rda.14737

Jian Wang, Yongjun LiYangzhou University, China

ram sperm cryopreservationSperm mitochondrial dysfunctionReactive oxygen speciesoxidative stressMitochondrial membrane potentialAdenosine triphosphateNDUFV2SDHACYC1COXIVMalondialdehydePhosphatidylserine externalizationmtDNA copy numberBaxCaspase-3Caspase-8Cytochrome Celectron transport chainsperm apoptosisAcrosome integrity
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#14 of 4,732
2218m citations

Pathogenesis of testicular dysfunction in diabetes: exploring the mechanism and therapeutic interventions

Olabimpe Caroline Badejogbin et al.Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics202410.1007/s10815-024-03314-3

Mary Olaoluwa AgunloyeBabcock University, Nigeria

Testicular dysfunctiondiabetespathogenesistherapeutic interventionsmale reproductive healthhyperglycemiaoxidative stresstestosteroneSpermatogenesisLeydig cellsSertoli cellsdiabetic complicationsEndocrine disruptioninsulin signalingSperm mitochondrial dysfunctioninflammationapoptosisBlood-testis barrier
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#15 of 4,732
2118m citations

Small noncoding RNAs and sperm nuclear basic proteins reflect the environmental impact on germ cells

Giulio Ferrero, Rosaria Festa, Marina Piscopo, Luigi Montano, Alessio Naccarati et al.Molecular Medicine202410.1186/s10020-023-00776-6

Luigi MontanoUniversity of Turin, Italy

small noncoding RNAssperm nuclear basic proteinsEnvironmental pollutionsmall RNA sequencingprotamine/histone ratioimmature/immune cellsoxidative damagecopper/zinc ratioMicroRNAintraflagellar transportoxidative stress responseSpermatogenesisPiwi-interacting RNAsEpigenetic modificationssperm motilitysperm concentrationmale germ cellsspermiogram
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#16 of 4,732
2118m citations

Genetic etiological spectrum of sperm morphological abnormalities

Manvi Arora et al.Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics202410.1007/s10815-024-03274-8

Singh RajenderCSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, India

Sperm morphological abnormalitiesGenetic etiologyteratozoospermiamale infertility geneticssperm head defectsFlagellar defectsAcrosome defectsglobozoospermiamacrocephalyasthenoteratozoospermiamonogenic causescandidate gene variantsSpermatogenesis impairmentGenetic testing
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#17 of 4,732
2118m citations

Proanthocyanidin alleviates testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Filiz Kazak et al.Tissue and Cell202410.1016/j.tice.2024.102459

Gökhan AkçakavakHatay Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey

proanthocyanidintesticular torsiondetorsionIschemia-reperfusion injurytesticular ischemiaoxidative stressantioxidant therapyTesticular damageSpermatogenesisapoptosisinflammationMalondialdehydeSuperoxide dismutasehistopathological evaluationJohnsen score
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#18 of 4,732
2018m citations

Stem Leydig cells support macrophage immunological homeostasis through mitochondrial transfer in mice

Ani Chi, Bicheng Yang et al.Nature Communications202410.1038/s41467-024-46190-2

Xuetao Shi, Chunhua Deng, Min ZhangSun Yat-sen University, China

stem Leydig cellsmacrophagesmitochondrial transfermale hypogonadismIschemia-reperfusion injuryTestosterone productionmale fertilityReactive oxygen speciesTRPM7testicular mesenchymal stromal cellsinflammatory cascadesTesticular agingcell transplantation therapyimmunoregulationTesticular function
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#19 of 4,732
2018m citations

Multiple ageing effects on testicular/epididymal germ cells lead to decreased male fertility in mice

Tsutomu Endo et al.Communications Biology202410.1038/s42003-023-05685-2

Tsutomu Endo, Masahito IkawaOsaka University, Japan

male fertility declineTesticular agingepididymal ageingSpermatogenesisgerm cell depletionsperm release failureperturbed germ cell associationsspermatogonia proliferationSperm morphological abnormalitiessperm motilitySperm DNA damageFertilizing capacitydevelopmental ratesseminiferous tubulestestosterone levelsmating behaviorin vivo fertility assessment
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#20 of 4,732
2018m citations

Bi-allelic variants in <i>DNAH3</i> cause male infertility with asthenoteratozoospermia in humans and mice

Gui-Quan Meng et al.Human Reproduction Open202410.1093/hropen/hoae003

Yanwei Sha, Lingbo Wang, Wenbin HeHunan Guangxiu Hospital, China

DNAH3asthenoteratozoospermiamale infertilitybi-allelic variantsWhole exome sequencingDnah3 knockout micecentral pair microtubulesinner dynein armsmitochondrial sheathfibrous sheathflagellar morphologytransmission electron microscopyComputer-assisted sperm analysisIntracytoplasmic sperm injectionAsthenozoospermiahaematoxylin and eosin stainingimmunostaining
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Dominant research themes and year-over-year shifts in Sperm and Testicular Function

What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

In the 2024 cohort for Sperm and Testicular Function (Class of 2026), oxidative stress and its associated biochemical markers dominate the research landscape. A prominent cluster of highly cited papers focuses heavily on biomarkers like Malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), reflecting an intense, ongoing effort to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility and reproductive toxicity. The strong presence of these themes indicates that oxidative damage remains a central paradigm in evaluating sperm quality and testicular health. Alongside oxidative stress, testosterone regulation continues to be a foundational concept. This concentration of research highlights that mitigating cellular damage and preserving hormonal balance are the primary therapeutic and diagnostic targets for researchers in this field. The dominance of these well-established biomarkers suggests a maturation in the field, where researchers are increasingly refining diagnostic thresholds and exploring targeted interventions to combat oxidative damage in reproductive tissues.

Leading research themes
Leading research themes

How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparing the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026 reveals significant shifts in research priorities within Sperm and Testicular Function. The most notable trend is the rapid emergence of topics such as endocrine disruption, Leydig cell biology, and testicular aging. These fast-rising concepts indicate a growing focus on how environmental toxicants and aging processes impact male reproductive health at a cellular level, moving beyond general descriptions of infertility. Conversely, traditional mechanistic topics like mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis, and glutathione peroxidase experienced relative declines in their normalized frequencies. This shift suggests that while fundamental cellular death pathways were heavily studied in previous cohorts, current high-impact research is pivoting towards more specific environmental impacts (such as endocrine disruptors) and specialized cellular functions (such as Leydig cells). Overall, the field is evolving from broad studies of cell death and survival towards a more nuanced understanding of how external factors and aging specifically disrupt testicular endocrine function and spermatogenesis.

How topics shifted year over year
How topics shifted year over year
Methodology

PRI identifies high-impact research using a transparent, topic-agnostic framework applied consistently across scientific domains. Bibliographic records are drawn from OpenAlex, including publication dates, citation relationships, and document types.

This ranking covers the Class of 2026 cohort: journal articles published in 2024. Reviews and other non-article document types are excluded to ensure comparability.

Research impact is quantified with an 18-month post-publication citation window—the number of citing works published within 18 months of each paper's publication date. This metric captures early impact while controlling for publication age.

An LLM-based relevance classifier then reviews each candidate's title and abstract to confirm substantive alignment with the target domain. Only papers classified as relevant appear in the final ranking.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459

Full methodologyGitHubbioRxiv preprint

Cite this ranking

Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Sperm and Testicular Function Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/sperm-and-testicular-function/2026. Accessed 2026-07-19.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459