Seminal mast cells in infertile asthenozoospermic males.

This work aimed to assess the possible association between the presence of seminal mast cells and asthenozoospermia. One hundred and seventy-six male subjects were investigated: group (Gr)1 (n=46) normozoospermic fertile controls, Gr2 (n=62) idiopathic asthenozoospermia, Gr3 (n=32) asthenozoospermia with scrotal varicocele and Gr4 (n=36) asthenozoospermia with leucocytospermia. Four smear slides were prepared for each semen sample to be stained with toluidine blue-pyronin to detect mast cells. A significant increase was shown in mast cell-positive samples among varicocele-associated and idiopathic asthenozoospermic patients in comparison with fertile controls. Seminal mast cells were also detected at higher frequency among smokers and in age group over 40 years. It is concluded that mast cells and their products may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia, possibly proposing a new goal for medical treatment of infertile males to pursue. In addition, this concept may in a way detain smoking as a cause of male infertility considering the clear abundance of mast cells in semen samples of smokers.

Repeated intracorporeal self-injection: effect on peak systolic velocity and cavernosal artery diameter.

This work is aimed at evaluating the effect of repeated intracavernosal injection (ICI) self-injection on the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the diameter of cavernosal arteries. Sixty erectile dysfunction (ED) patients who were positive responders for ICI therapy were studied. Pharmacopenile duplex ultrasonography (PPDU) was carried out before starting ICI and after 10 doses of home therapy in an open-label uncontrolled study. There was significant increase in the cavernosal artery diameter and their PSV before and after injection. Cavernosal arteries diameter before injection in both right and left sides was 0.64+/-0.13 and 0.63+/-0.12 mm at the start and became 0.81+/-0.22 and 0.79+/-0.22 mm respectively at the end with significant differences (P<0.001). Cavernosal arteries diameter after injection in both right and left sides was 1.10+/-0.18 and 1.09+/-0.19 mm at the start and became 1.34+/-0.39 and 1.27+/-0.33 mm respectively at the end with significant differences (P<0.001). PSV at the start was 33.77+/-13.26 and 32.33+/-8.09 cm/s on both right and left sides and became 44.4+/-1.19 and 46.1+/-5.86 cm/s respectively at the end with significant differences (P<0.001). It is concluded that repeated ICI improves arterial erectile response with associated increase in PSV and cavernosal artery diameters.

Etiological factors of unconsummated marriage.

Normal erectile function is subjected to the influence of psychological, hormonal, neurological, vascular and cavernosal factors. Unconsummated marriage is a common medical and social problem in andrology clinics in conservative communities. However, its etiological factors remain unclear. This work aimed to define the probable etiology of unconsummated marriage. A total of 191 patients were evaluated through history taking, constructed questionnaire, educational settings, clinical examination, lab investigation, imaging procedures and other measures. Psychogenic factors were the cause in 74.4% of the investigated patients. Performance anxiety was the cause in 52.9%, and in 21.5% other psychological distresses were responsible. Organic causes represent 7.3%, vaginismus 8.4%, premature ejaculation 3.1% and cases with undetermined etiology were 6.8%. In conclusion, performance anxiety was revealed to be the main contributor. However, other psychogenic, organic and social factors represent sizable etiological factors.

FSH, LH, E2, progesterone, and testosterone in peripheral blood, spermatic vein, and semen of subfertile men with varicocele.

Peripheral blood (PB), spermatic vein (Sp. V.), and semen samples were collected from 31 subfertile men with varicocele. Levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were determined in the three biological fluid compartments using RIA. Remarkable increases in both testosterone and estradiol in the spermatic vein samples, as compared to either peripheral blood or semen, were evident. Correlation coefficient indicated significant positive correlation between PB FSH and each of PB LH, Sp. V. FSH, and Sp. V. LH. Significant positive correlation existed between PB LH and each of Sp. V. FSH, LH, and testosterone. Significant positive correlations were found between PB testosterone and each of Sp. V. testosterone and semen testosterone, as well as between PB estradiol and each of Sp. V. FSH and progesterone. Significant positive correlations between Sp. V. FSH and Sp. V. testicular progesterone was significantly correlated with seminal estradiol.

Clinical and hormonal studies of subfertile males with varicocele.

To evaluate the hormonal factor in subfertile males with varicocele, FSH, LH, estradiol (E2), and testosterone (T) were assayed both from cubital and spermatic veins. The hormonal profile of patients showed no significant differences from the normal control group. Blood hormonal levels of E2 and T in the testicular veins were much higher than those in the cubital veins while FSH and LH levels showed no significant difference. FSH, LH, and testosterone blood levels in cubital and spermatic veins were statistically correlated. A preoperative hormonal study would be helpful in excluding cases in which varicocele is not the underlying cause of infertility.

Endocrine profile of semen in subfertile males with varicocele.

The semen levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were estimated in normal fertile males and in patients with oligozoospermia and varicocele. The only significant difference between the mean values of the two groups was noted for semen LH. Patients with oligozoospermia and varicocele had lower level than the normal fertile males. As a function of prostatic infection, no significant difference was obtained.