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Effect of low-level laser therapy on seminiferous epithelium: a systematic review of in vivo studies

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Abstract

Laser therapy has proved effective in the treatment of different tissue injuries but little is known about its effect on the testis. The aim of this review was to synthesize research on the in vivo effect of low-level laser therapy on the seminiferous epithelium. A search was performed in the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS databases. The initial search retrieved 354 references, and five articles that met the eligibility criteria were selected. In general, the studies showed that laser therapy exerted a positive effect on the germ cell population; however, there was considerable variation in the laser parameters, as well as in the experimental models and methods of tissue analysis used. In conclusion, further studies determining the biostimulation parameters of laser therapy in the testis are necessary in order to provide a basis for the possible application of this technique to the restoration of the human seminiferous epithelium and consequent treatment of some male reproductive disorders.

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Funding

The study was financed in part by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Biosciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil

    Everton Lira Façanha, Danielle Barbosa Morais & Carlos Augusto Galvão Barboza

  2. Center of Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil

    Everton Freitas de Morais, Juliana Campos Pinheiro & Dennys Ramon de Melo Fernandes Almeida

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  1. Everton Lira Façanha
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  2. Everton Freitas de Morais
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  3. Juliana Campos Pinheiro
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  4. Dennys Ramon de Melo Fernandes Almeida
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  5. Danielle Barbosa Morais
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  6. Carlos Augusto Galvão Barboza
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Correspondence to Carlos Augusto Galvão Barboza.

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Façanha, E.L., de Morais, E.F., Pinheiro, J.C. et al. Effect of low-level laser therapy on seminiferous epithelium: a systematic review of in vivo studies. Lasers Med Sci 36, 259–267 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03122-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03122-y

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