ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to elucidate the clinical findings in male dromedary camels with phimosis (PHI, n = 43) and to investigate the association of this syndrome with the hemogram, nitric oxide metabolites (NOMs), and testosterone concentrations. History and signalment were obtained, and a breeding soundness examination was performed. The penis was exteriorized after administration of a pudendal nerve block. Abnormal masses obtained from the prepuce and penis were prepared for histopathology. Blood samples for hemogram assessment were taken from the diseased animals and from 10 healthy control males. Total nitrates/nitrites were determined in sera using the Griess assay. Testosterone was estimated in sera using ELISA. Phimosis associated with detectable pathologic lesions, mainly including ulcerative posthitis and lacerated glans penis, was present in 34 (79.1%) of the 43 cases (PHI-P), whereas the remaining nine (20.9%) of the 43 cases had no noticeable lesions (PHI-N). The PHI-P group showed higher leukocyte counts (P = 0.001), especially neutrophils (P = 0.0001), and greater NOM concentrations (P = 0.002) than the PHI-N and control groups. However, testosterone concentrations did not differ among groups. In conclusion, PHI in the male dromedary camels was mainly associated with ulcerative posthitis and laceration of the glans penis. The presence of pathologic lesions in cases with PHI was associated with leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and high NOM concentrations.
Subject(s)
Nitric Oxide/blood , Phimosis/veterinary , Testosterone/blood , Animals , Camelus , Male , Penis/pathology , Phimosis/metabolismABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular aetiology of hypospadias during a critical developmental period by identifying differentially regulated genes in the tissues of individuals with hypospadias and comparing these genes with similar genes in the tissues of control individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered flutamide (7.5 mg) on gestational days 15-17 to produce hypospadiac pups. Dams were killed on gestational day 17, and the genital tubercles (GTs) of male pups were harvested. Gene expression of RNA isolated from the GTs was analysed using an oligonucleotide microarray containing 20,500 genes. The results of microarray analysis were confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Protein expression levels were studied using Western blot analysis. The distribution of genes associated with GT development in rats was histologically examined. Prepuces harvested from patients with hypospadias and phimosis were immunohistochemically examined for gene distribution. RESULTS: Of the 20, 500 genes, 23 annotated genes, including prolactin-induced protein (Pip), in the GTs of the hypospadiac rats were expressed at levels less than half of that of similar genes in the GTs of the control rats. Findings from qPCR and Western blot analysis revealed significantly lower Pip/PIP expression in the GTs of the hypospadiac rats than in those of the control rats. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed PIP expression in the prepuces of the GTs of the control and hypospadiac rats. PIP was expressed in the human prepuces of the patients with hypospadias and phimosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pip/PIP, expressed at low levels in the GTs of hypospadiac rats, may be associated with preputial development. This model can be useful to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying penile and urethral development as well as preputial development. Further studies should provide detailed information regarding the molecular aetiology of hypospadias.
Subject(s)
Carrier Proteins/genetics , Glycoproteins/genetics , Hypospadias/genetics , Phimosis/genetics , Androgen Antagonists , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Blotting, Western , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Models, Animal , Flutamide , Gene Expression , Glycoproteins/metabolism , Humans , Hypospadias/chemically induced , Hypospadias/metabolism , Male , Membrane Transport Proteins , Phimosis/metabolism , RNA/genetics , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Real-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
We report the 2nd case of titanium balanitis reported in the world literature. Clinically the patient presented with phimosis: histologically the titanium was surrounded by a mixed granulomatous inflammatory reaction. Topical titanium preparations may lead to phimosis and therefore we thought it important to bring this potential iatrogenic complication to further notice.
