Actualización sobre COVID-19 e histofisiología del sistema reproductor masculino / Update on COVID-19 and histophysiology of the male reproductive system

RESUMEN: La reciente pandemia de la COVID-19 ha sacudido a la sociedad teniendo una importante repercusión en el campo de la salud y de la investigación. Dada su relevancia, se han llevado a cabo estudios sobre los efectos del SARS-CoV-2 en la fisiología humana. En concreto, sobre la posible presencia y transmisión del virus a través del sistema reproductor masculino y su posible efecto en el éxito reproductivo. Conocer si la presencia del virus altera los órganos responsables del desarrollo y maduración de las células de la serie espermatogénica podría revelarnos su implicación en la calidad seminal. Por ello, nos planteamos esta revisión, con el fin de analizar las principales evidencias científicas sobre los efectos del SARS-CoV-2 en la histofisiología del sistema reproductor masculino y sobre la capacidad fecundante de los espermatozoides.

SUMMARY: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up society, having a significant impact on the field of health and research. Given its relevance, studies have been performed on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on human physiology. In particular, the possible presence and transmission of the virus through the male reproductive system could affect reproductive success. Knowing if the presence of the virus disrupts the organs responsible for the development and maturation of the cell lines involved in spermatogenesis could reveal its implications in sperm quality. For that reason, we proposed this review, in order to analyze the main scientific evidence on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the histophysiology of the male reproductive system and sperm fertilizing capacity.

Prenatal Water Deprivation Induces Apoptosis in Sexual Dimorphic Nucleus of the Brain of Male New Born Sprague-Dawley Rats / Deprivación Prenatal de Agua Induce Apoptosis en Núcleos Dimórficos Sexuales del Ccrebro de Ratas Sprague-Dawley Macho Recién Nacidas

Considering the size of some nuclei and area, sex hormones control the sexual development of the brain. The sexual development of the brain can also be influenced by environmental stress. This study aimed to clear the effect of prenatal water deprivation on the development of sexual dimorphic nucleus (SDN) of the brain. In this research, pregnant rats were divided into two groups (control and treated). For the treated animals, water was removed from the ewes for 48 h at the end of third trimester of gestation (19-21 days). TUNEL staining was used for detection of apoptosis in paraffin embedded diencephalon selected sections. The ratio of apoptotic cells to non- apoptotic ones was calculated as apoptotic index. Differences of apoptotic index and serum testosterone were examined for statistical significance using Paired T- test (p<0.05). The apoptotic index was 0.0160±.01174 percent for control and 0.1870±.02541 percent for treated groups. The concentration of serum testosterone was 22.4±1.3 for control and 13.37±3.3 for treated groups. Prenatal water deprivation induces apoptosis in developing SDN nucleus of male rats that is derived by reducing the concentration of serum testosterone. The study shows the importance of low concentration acting testosterone for development of SDN nucleus that can be affected by environmental stress.

Considerando el tamaño de algunos núcleos y áreas, las hormonas sexuales controlan el desarrollo sexual del cerebro. El desarrollo sexual del cerebro también puede verse influido por el estrés ambiental. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo establecer el efecto de la privación prenatal de agua en el desarrollo del núcleo dimórfico sexual (NDS) del cerebro. Las ratas preñadas fueron divididas en dos grupos (control y tratados). Para los animales tratados, el agua se retiró de los bebederos durante 48h al final del tercer trimestre de gestación (días 19-21). La técnica TUNEL se utilizó para detectar apoptosis en secciones del diencéfalo incluidas en parafina. La proporción de células apoptóticas y no-apoptóticas fue calculada como índice de apoptosis. Las diferencias del índice de apoptosis y testosterona sérica fueron examinadas para observar significación estadística mediante t de Student pareado (p <0,05). El índice de apoptosis fue 0,0160±0,01174 por ciento para el control y 0,1870±0,02541 por ciento para los grupos tratados. La concentración de testosterona en suero fue de 22,4±1,3 para el grupo control y 13,37±3,3 para los grupos tratados. La privación de agua prenatal indujo la apoptosis en el desarrollo del NDS de las ratas macho derivadas por la reducción de concentración de testosterona sérica. El estudio muestra la importancia de una baja concentración de testosterona para el desarrollo de los NDS, que pueden verse afectados por el estrés ambiental.

Development of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline Rating the Physical Impairment; Kidney, Bladder, Urethra, Male and Female Reproductive Systems (Preliminary Report)

For the evaluation of the kidney impairment, serum creatinine concentrations or glomerular filtration rates are mainly used, and the conditions of solitary or transplanted kidney and chronic dialysis are also taken into the considerations. Some symptoms and signs of the chronic renal disability in spite of adequate treatment add one additional grade. For evaluating bladder and urethral impairment, the criteria include voiding symptoms and signs. The patients with urinary diversions have impairment grades depending on the alteration of upper urinary tract function. For penile impairment, the degrees are evaluated using the international index of erectile function, nocturnal penile tumescence and color doppler ultrasonography. For evaluating impairment of other male reproductive organs, functional and anatomical changes of these organs, analysis of the semen or hormones and the state of solitary testis are used as the criteria. For evaluating impairment of female reproductive organs, pregnancy potential, requirement of continuous treatment and the ability of sexual intercourse are used. Also, degree of impairment is modified according to the ages in evaluating female reproductive systems. We have tried to make this evaluation system objective, scientific, and convenient, but still find it leaving much to be desired.

Estudio del hombre estéril / Study of sterile man

El enfoque en la evaluación del hombre estéril debe ser similar al utilizado para evaluar otros problemas médicos. Debe obtenerse un interrogatorio detallado con particular atención en aquellas áreas que pueden afectar la fertilidad. El interrogatorio debe ser seguido de un examen físico completos y de las pruebas de laboratorio indicadas. Lo ideal es que la evaluación del hombre estéril conduzca a la identificación de la anormalidad específica responsable de la esterilidad. Si bien esto es posible en algunos casos, muchos hombres presentan anormalidades del análisis seminal cuya etiología no puede ser establecida con certeza

Pudendal somatosensory evoked potential and bulbocavernosus reflex testing in erectile dysfunction

Pudenal somatosensory evoked potential (PSEP) and bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR) testing have been reported to be useful in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction and neurogenic bladder. 461 patients with sexual dysfunction were studied to determine the usefulness of the above tests. Abnormality of PSEP was found significantly in upper motor neuron (UMN) type spinal cord patients and average prolonged P1 latency was 47.4 +/- 9.8 msec. Lower motor neuron (LMN) type spinal cord patients revealed great abnormality in BCR latency with an average value of 44.9 +/- 14.5 msec on the right and 44.2 +/- 15.6 msec on the left. Additionally significant differences were obtained in patients with diabetes mellitus, pelvic trauma and spinal cord lesion of the UMN type in the study of PSEP. There was also a significant difference in the patients with diabetes mellitus, pelvic trauma and spinal cord lesion of the LMN type in the BCR study. The findings of our study suggest that PSEP together with BCR study is useful in assessing the integrity of the sacral reflex arc and the central afferent pathway, in differentiating the lesion site and in providing basic data for the management plan in sexual rehabilitation. Furthermore, because erection is under the influence of both the somatic and autonomic nervous system, BCR study and PSEP combined with currently studied electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum would provide a more accurate evaluation of the neurogenic erectile dysfunction patients.

Avaliaçäo da fertilidade em ratos (Rattus norvergicus albinus) machos tratados cronicamente com morfina endovenosa / Fertility evaluation in male rats (Rattus norvergicus albinus) chronically treated with endovenous morphine

O presente trabalho avalia a fertilidade em ratos machos tratados cronicamente com cloridrato de morfina com injeçöes diárias via endovenosa. A escolha do uso desta via de administraçäo deu-se pelo fato de que em plano piloto anterior a morfina mostrou alteraçöes na fertilidade destes animais, o que näo ocorreu em trabalhos anteriores quando injetada intraperitonealmente. O objetivo deste trabalho, portanto, é determinar a ocorrência de alteraçöes na fertilidade e morfologia dos testículos, hipófise, genitais acessórios e espermatozóides desses ratos, haja a incidência ao uso abusivo deste fármaco por humanos