Influence of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol, non-ortho PCB 77 and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane on human sperm function in vitro.

In recent years, there has been growing concern that environmental pollutants in general, and organochlorines in particular, adversely affect male fertility. Therefore, we investigated the effects of tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPM), non-ortho PCB 77 and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH, lindane) on human sperm functions in vitro. Human spermatozoa from healthy donors were washed in human tubular fluid medium containing 1% human serum albumin, filtered through glass wool and exposed to different concentrations of TCPM, PCB 77 or gamma-HCH. After incubation for 5 h at 37 degrees C and 5% CO(2), sperm vitality and the percentage of living acrosome-reacted spermatozoa were examined using triple stain technique. Total sperm motility was evaluated by computer-assisted sperm analysis (Stroemberg-Mika) after 5 h. For TCPM, total motility was additionally measured after 18 and 40 h. Different concentrations of PCB 77 and gamma-HCH did not alter the percentage of spontaneous living acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, vitality and total motility. TCPM dose-dependently altered sperm motility, vitality and acrosome reaction. The percentage of living acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was increased at overtly toxic concentrations. Therefore, it is suggested that unspecific acrosomal loss has been induced by degenerative processes. In conclusion, even high concentrations of PCB 77 and gamma-HCH did not affect human sperm functions in vitro. Only very high cytotoxic TCPM concentrations modulated spontaneous acrosome reaction and total motility. Therefore, in vivo effects on human sperm function seem to be unlikely. However, individual susceptibility has to be considered and little is known about additive and possible synergistic effects as other environmental pollutants with similar potencies have been found in the human male and female reproductive tract.

[Mycotic infections of the anogenital region]. / Anogenitale Pilzerkrankungen.

Mycotic infections of the anogenital region are very common in dermatological practice. While dermatophyte infections are more frequent in men, genital candidosis is a more striking problem in women. The increasing prevalence of non-albicans species (esp. C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii) with their resistance against azole derivatives may be responsible for therapeutic failures and a relapsing course in some instances. Most superficial infections of the anogenital area respond satisfactorily to topical antifungal treatment, especially if provocative factors and the possibility of sexual transmission are considered. Systemic treatment is recommended in cases of widespread dermatophyte infections, candidosis or systemic mycosis.

The male reproductive system and its susceptibility to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

In the past years, there has been increased interest in assessing the relationship between impaired male fertility and environmental factors. Human male fertility is a complex process and therefore a great variety of sites may be affected by exogenous noxae. Lifestyle factors as well as various environmental and occupational agents may impair male fertility. Many studies have been published reporting on reproductive dysfunctions in male animals and humans. Especially environmental pollutants with endocrine activity are discussed as a possible cause of this detrimental development. Evidence from animal experiments show that substances with oestrogenic and antiandrogenic properties may cause hypospadia, cryptorchidism, reduction of sperm density and an increase of testicular tumours. Many adverse effects on animal male fertility have been documented for phthalates and some chlorinated hydrocarbons such as polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins. For other chemicals such as bisphenol A and nonylphenols animal data are conflicting. Environmental pollutants may mediate their effects by receptor binding, modulation of hormone-regulated mechanisms or direct toxic effects. Data on environmental chemicals and human male fertility are scarce, and risk assessment is mostly based on the results of animal studies. However, there are indications that exposure to endocrine active chemicals during early development may alter hormone responsiveness in adulthood. Furthermore, some of the chemicals are found in fluids that are associated with human reproduction, such as follicular fluid, seminal fluid and cervical mucus. Recent studies suggest a correlation between pesticide exposure and standard semen parameters as well as in vitro fertilization rates.

[Chlamydia, herpes, chancre,gonorrhea, syphilis. Are you familiar with the therapy?]. / Chlamydien, Herpes, Schanker, Tripper, Syphilis. Sind Sie vertraut mit der Therapie?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) which today are taken to cover all genital contact infections including the classical venereal diseases, have increased appreciably in recent years. With regard to the penis, STDs may manifest as papules, pustules and ulcers including urethral discharge and swelling of regional lymph nodes. Possible causes may be bacterial, viral or fungal. Depending on the pathogens involved, local or hematogeneous dissemination may occur. Treatment of infectious penile diseases follows the recommendations contained in the guidelines of the German Society for STD.

Effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons on sperm function in vitro.

For the past few years there has been controversial discussion of whether environmental pollutants in general, and chlorinated hydrocarbons in particular, may impair male fertility. Organochlorine compounds, e.g. dichlorodiphenyltrichlorothane (DDT) and metabolites, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are highly persistent in the environment and there is therefore some concern about human exposure. These chlorinated compounds are universally found in human body fluids. Substantial amounts are detected in human body fluids associated with reproduction such as follicular fluid, seminal fluid and cervical mucus. The available data on male fertility and organochlorines are scarce and controversial. Fertilization rates in in vitro fertilization procedures were found to be decreased in couples in whom the male partner was exposed to pesticides. Data on the effects of PCBs on human sperm motility and acrosome reaction in vitro are controversial. Various PCDD congeners had no effect on human sperm motility in vitro. Effects of chlorinated hydrocarbons on sperm function in vivo seem to be unlikely since the concentrations used in vitro were far higher than those found in fluids of the human reproductive tract. However, negative effects on human spermatozoa in vivo cannot be totally excluded because other organohalogen compounds can be identified in the genital tract and little is known about their synergistic effects.

Effects of single polychlorinated biphenyls on the morphology of cultured rat tubuli seminiferi.

The effects of single polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) on isolated tubuli seminiferi of the rat were studied. Freshly isolated rat tubuli seminiferi were prepared according to their transillumination pattern, i.e. dark or pale. Tubuli seminiferi with the dark pattern included stages II to VIII and tubuli with the pale pattern represented stages IX to XIV and stage I of the seminiferous cycle. Afterwards, tubuli seminiferi were exposed to single polychlorinated biphenyls for 5 or 24 h in vitro. PCB 126, PCB 77, and PCB 118 were used in final parts per billion (p.p.b.) concentrations as determined by quantitative PCB analysis. Eventually, the specimens were plastic embedded, cut into semithin sections, stained, and morphology was evaluated by light microscopy. Single PCB congeners induced morphological alterations in cultivated rat tubuli seminiferi in a time- and stage-dependent manner. Effects comprised loosened intercellular contacts between germ cells and Sertoli cells as well as cellular fragmentation in the layer of round spermatids. Early spermiogenesis seems particularly susceptible to single PCB congeners in concentration of background magnitude. The target cell has still to be discovered.

Penile skin diseases.

Many dermatoses become manifest in the genital region. Some of them are specific for this anatomical site; other lesions of the penis are associated with systemic dermatological diseases. Medical history, clinical inspection of the whole integument and optional microbiological or histological examination of the lesions will lead to a correct diagnosis. Dermatoses of the penis (glans penis and/or prepuce) may be symptoms of general diseases or specific alterations of the genital region. The differential diagnoses of penile dermatoses include infections, balanitides, neoplastic diseases, trauma, papulosqamous or systemic diseases, fixed drug reactions, allergic or irritant contact dermatitis and miscellaneous lesions. Since andrologists pay special attention to the inspection and palpation of the male genital region, they should possess knowledge of dermatologically relevant penile lesions.