Blood and semen paraoxonase-arylesterase activities in normozoospermic and azoospermic men.

Paraoxonase and arylesterase enzymes are corner stones of antioxidant defence. We aimed to compare azoospermic infertile men and normozoospermic individuals with respect to total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase and arylesterase levels in the blood and seminal plasma. Two-hundred consecutive infertility patients and voluntarily participated were included. In the normozoospermic group, TAS, PON, arylesterase values were statistically significantly higher when compared with those in the azoospermic group, while lower TOS and OSI levels were observed in the blood and seminal plasma of azoospermic group. In the semen analyses of normozoospermic group, the correlation between semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphology and TAS, TOS, OSI, PON and arylesterase values was examined. A negative correlation was determined between semen volume and OSI. Levels of serum oxidative parameters were higher in the azoospermic group relative to normozoospermic group, but antioxidant parameters were lower than those of the normozoospermic group. Oxidative stress performs an essential role in the aetiology of male infertility by negatively influencing sperm quality and function. Assessment of blood and seminal plasma oxidative profiles might be an important tool to better evaluation of sperm reproductive capacity and functional competence.

Assessment of Mean Platelet Volume in men with vasculogenic and nonvasculogenic erectile dysfunction.

Mean platelet (PLT) activation has an important role in the development of vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the PLT volume in patients with vasculogenic and nonvasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) and compare it with the control group. Mean PLT volume (MPV) levels were measured in 50 patients with vasculogenic ED, in 30 patients who developed ED after radical prostatectomy (nonvasculogenic) and in 40 healthy controls. Ages were similar between the three groups. The diagnosis of ED was based on detailed sexual history, physical examination, laboratory assessment and color Doppler ultrasonography and is defined as the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection that is sufficient for successful vaginal intercourse. The results are given as mean ± s.d. of the mean. The mean age of the patients with vasculogenic ED, of patients with ED after radical prostatectomy and of the control group were 53.70 ± 12.39 (range 24-77), 54.60 ± 11.40 (range 43-61) and 53.85 ± 9.5 (range 30-73), respectively (P = 0.853). The MPV and PLT values were significantly higher in patients with vasculogenic ED than in patients with ED after radical prostatectomy and in control groups: 7.49 ± 1.4, 6.43 ± 1.19 and 6.85 ± 1.2 for MPV and 262.97 ± 68, 251.77 ± 78 and 252.89 ± 82 for PLT values, respectively (P = 0.033). The MPV and PLT values were not statistically significant in postprostatectomy ED patients and in control groups (P = 0.663). There was no significant difference among the three groups in terms of white blood cells and hemoglobin levels. PLT count and mean PLT volume were detected to be increased in patients with vasculogenic ED. This finding may suggest a role for PLT volume in the pathogenesis of vasculogenic ED.

Sexual functions and quality of life in women with tubal sterilization.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual functions and quality of life of women who have undergone tubal sterilization after tubal surgery. In all, 90 active premenopausal women, who had undergone tubal sterilization at least 1 year ago and been admitted to four different hospitals, were included in the study group. A total of 100 women at a similar age range, admitted to the same four hospitals for routine health controls, were included in the control group. To obtain sexual function assessments, the patients were asked to fill out Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. The participants were also asked to fill out Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire. All values were found to be lower in the tubal sterilization (TS) group and the differences between groups were statistically significant in domain except for pain and lubrication. Similarly, in the analysis of SF-36 scores, there were differences in comparison with the TS group in all domains. In the evaluation of the relationship of FSFI with educational level in the TS group, it was found that, while the educational level increased, all domain scores also increased, and this increase was statistically significant in all domains except pain. The termination of fertility, which is one of the important abilities of women, with tubal sterilization, may be a risk factor for female sexual dysfunction in people with low educational levels.

Comparison of oxidative/antioxidative status of penile corpus cavernosum blood and peripheral venous blood.

The aim of the study is to determine and to compare the oxidative and antioxidative status of penile corpus cavernosum and peripheral venous blood. A total of 28 adult healthy males were included in the study. Whole blood was simultaneously withdrawn from penile corpus cavernosum and the cubital vein and their plasma separated. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitamin C, total protein, albumin, uric acid, bilirubin and total peroxide (TP) levels of both plasma samples were measured and compared. While TAC, total protein, albumin, bilirubin and uric acid levels were higher, vitamin C levels were lower in cavernosal blood than that of peripheral blood. On the other hand, TP level was found to be higher in penile blood samples than that of peripheral blood. We thought that the normal erectile process of the penile cavernosal body leads to increased production of oxidants as in the mechanism of ischaemia-reperfusion; however, the increase of TAC can prevent development of oxidative injury.