Una mejor comprensión de la sexualidad humana a través del estudio de la asexualidad / A better understanding of human sexuality through the study of asexuality

La asexualidad ha cobrado importancia con la entrada del presente siglo. Sin embargo, sigue siendo un fenómeno poco estudiado. Las investigaciones realizadas hasta la fecha confirman que la carencia de “atracción erótica” hacia uno u otro sexo es definitoria y se impone como el eje de todos los comportamientos asexuales englobados bajo idéntica denominación. Por ello, el estudio presente se centra en delimitar con precisión el concepto de “atracción sexual” que es distinto al cariño, a la admiración, a la mal llamada “atracción romántica” y a la excitación sexual. Por otra parte, en el asexual se observan frecuentes conductas masturbatorias y parafílicas, y es obvio que estas conductas responden a otros factores no dependientes de la “atracción erótica,” lo que conduce a mantener como evidencia la existencia de tres factores fundamentales constituyentes del núcleo de la sexualidad humana: atracción sexual, excitación y orgasmo. Factores no covariables entre sí, cuya presencia, conjunta o aislada, explica las diferentes conductas sexuales de hombres y mujeres. (AU)

Asexuality has gained importance with the entrance of the present century. However, this phenomenon has been little studied. The investigations carried out to date confirm that the lack of “erotic attraction” towards one sex or the other is defining and imposes itself as the axis of all the asexual behaviors encompassed under the same name. Therefore, the present study focuses on defining precisely the concept of “sexual attraction”, which is different from affection, admiration, the so-called “romantic attraction”, and sexual excitement. On the other hand, there are frequent masturbatory and paraphilic behaviors in asexual people, and it is obvious that these behaviors respond to other factors not dependent on the “erotic attraction”, which leads us to maintain as evidence the existence of three fundamental constituent factors of the core of human sexuality: sexual attraction, excitement, and orgasm. Non-covariable factors, whose presence, joint or isolated, explains the different sexual behaviors of men and women. (AU)

A retrospective study on sperm banking: a Uruguayan experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of homologous sperm banking in Uruguay. METHODS: A retrospective investigation was performed on data collected between 2013 and 2015. Reasons for sperm banking, patient age, pre-freeze and post-thaw semen parameters, and recovery rates were analyzed. RESULTS: 623 samples were cryobanked between 2013 and 2015. Only 324 samples were considered for analysis after selection based on inclusion criteria. In most cases the samples were stored because the patients were undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment (n=190; 58,64%) or for oncological reasons (n=113; 34,88%). The median age of bankers was 34 years. In the cancer group, 61.95% (n=70) of the subjects had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Medians of semen parameters for both groups were above the lower reference limits dictated by the . In fresh samples, a significant difference was observed in progressive motility (47% vs. 56%) between ART and oncological patients. After thawing, total motility (27% vs. 32%), progressive motility (19% vs. 22%), and vitality (48% vs. 56%) differed significantly between ART and oncological bankers. CONCLUSION: Semen banking has been performed successfully in Uruguay and outcomes are on par with international standards. Surprisingly, the semen parameters of the cancer group were nearly normal.

Estado de la vitamina D en adultos uruguayos aparentemente saludables, en invierno y en Montevideo / Vitamin D status in apparently healthy uruguayan adults in winter in Montevideo city

Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia del estado de la vitamina D por los niveles séricos de 25(OH) Vit D total y su relación con edad, sexo, etnia, índice de masa corporal (IMC), exposición solar y parámetros del metabolismo fosfo-cálcico en adultos de ambos sexos, aparentemente sanos, en invierno y en Montevideo (latitud sur 34,50°). Material y método: estudio descriptivo, transversal, sobre 175/331 adultos (95% 50), 102 hombres y 73 mujeres (95% premenopáusicas), caucásicos (84%), exposición solar habitual (43%), IMC (62% >27 kg/m2). Se determinaron 25(OH) Vit D total, PTHi, calcemia iónica, fosfatemia, magnesemia y eIVFG. Resultados: niveles de 25(OH) Vit D: 89% <30 ng/mL; Deficiencia (<14) 25,7%; Insuficiencia (14 - <30) 63,4%; Suficiencia (30 - <=80) 10,9% (diferencias altamente significativas entre las categorías), sin asociación con ninguna de las variables estudiadas. La PTHi se correlacionó negativa y muy significativamente con la calcemia iónica, pero su correlación inversa con 25(OH) Vit D no alcanzó significación. Sin hiperparatiroidismo secundario al déficit. Conclusiones: la población aparentemente sana, en invierno, presentó muy alta prevalencia del estado de la vitamina D bajo, sin correlación significativa con ninguna de las variables. La PTHi mostró respuestas individuales diferentes frente a distintos niveles de 25(OH) Vit D, por lo que no es buen biomarcador del estado de Vit D en el organismo. Con estos resultados (en concordancia con la bibliografía) y ante la imposibilidad del cribado de la población global por el alto costo del test surge la pregunta ¿qué hacer? ¿Suplementación profiláctica en todas las edades?, ¿cómo?, ¿cuánto reponer?, ¿hasta qué niveles?, ¿valores >30 ng/mL protegen igualmente la salud ósea y la extraósea? La controversia persiste.

Objectives: Determine the prevalence of the "Vitamin D Status" through the serum levels of total 25(OH) Vit D) and its relationship with age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, usual sun exposure and parameters of the phosphate-calcium metabolism, in an adult population, of both sexes, asymptomatic and apparently healthy, in winter, in Montevideo (Latitude 34,50° S) Material and methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive study where 175/331 outpatient subjects (18-76 y.o; 95% 50 y.o.), 102 men and 73 women (95% premenopausal), Caucasian (84%), usual sun exposure (43%), BMI (62% > 27 kg/m2 ). Total 25(OH)VitD, Intact PTH (IPTH), ionized Calcium, magnesium, phosphate eIVFG were determined Results: serum levels of total 25(OH)Vt D: 89% <30 ng/mL; Deficiency (<14) 25,7%; Insufficiency (14-<30) 63,4%; Sufficiency (30-80) 10,9%. Among categories, differences were highly significant, without association with any of the studied variables. IPTH had a negative and highly significant correlation with ionized calcium but the inverse correlation with 25(OH)Vit D didn´t reach significance. Secondary hyperparathyroidism due to the deficit wasn't found. Conclusions: apparently healthy adults in winter had a very prevalent "Low Vitamin D Status", without any significant association with the studied variables. IPTH had different individual responses before distinct levels of 25(OH)Vit D; then it isn´t a good bio-marker of "Vitamin D status". Facing these results ( in agreement with the bibliography) and the impossibility of a global screening (very costly test) ¿what to do?: ¿prophylactic supplementation at all ages?; ¿how; how much supplement; up to which level? ¿do >30 ng/mL levels protect similarly the osseus and the extra-osseus health? The controversy persists.

Objetivo: determinar a prevalência do nível de vitamina D de acordo com os níveis séricos de 25(OH) Vit D total e sua relação com idade, sexo, etnia, índice de massa corporal (IMC), exposição solar e parâmetros do metabolismo de fósforo e cálcio em adultos de ambos sexos, aparentemente saudáveis, durante o inverno na cidade de Montevidéu (latitude sul 34,50°). Material e método: estudo descritivo, transversal, com 175/331 adultos (95% 50), 102 homens e 73 mulheres (95% pré-menopáusicas), caucásicos (84%), exposição solar habitual (43%), IMC (62% >27 kg/m2 ). Foram determinados os valores de 25(OH) Vit D total, PTHi, calcemia iônica, fosfate mia, magnesemia e eIVFG. Resultados: foram obtidos valores de 25(OH) Vit D: 89% <30 ng/mL: deficiência (<14) 25,7%; insuficiência (14 - <30) 63,4%; suficiência (30 - <80) 10,9% (diferencias altamente significativas entre as categorias), sem associação com nenhuma das variáveis estudadas. Observou-se uma correlação negativa e altamente significativa da PTHi a calcemia iônica, porém sua correlação inversa com 25(OH) Vit D não mostrou valores significativos. Não se observou hiperparatiroidismo secundário ao déficit. Conclusões: a população aparentemente saudável, no inverno, apresentou uma prevalência muito alta de baixo nível de vitamina D, sem correlação significativa com nenhuma das variáveis estudadas. A PTHi apresentou respostas individuais diferentes considerando distintos níveis de 25(OH) Vit D, não sendo por isso um bom biomarcador do estado de Vit D no organismo. Com estes resultados, que concordam com os descritos na literatura e considerando a impossibilidade da triagem na população em geral devido aos altos custos surgem algumas dúvidas sobre que decisões tomar ­ realizar suplementação profilática em todas as idades, de que maneira, quanto repor, até que níveis, valores >30 ng/mL protegem igualmente a saúde óssea e a extra-óssea? A controvérsia persiste.

Defective Human Sperm Cells Are Associated with Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidant Production.

Infertility affects about 15% of couples of reproductive age. The male factor is involved in nearly 50% of infertility cases. Defective human sperm function has been associated with evidence of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a resultant loss of fertilizing potential in vivo and in vitro. Analogous to what has been observed in somatic cells, mitochondria are likely the major sources of ROS in sperm cells. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial function using high-resolution respirometry, ROS production, and footprints of oxidative and nitrative stress processes in intact human sperm cells. We showed that mitochondrial dysfunction (measured through the respiratory control ratio) was correlated with a decrease in human sperm motility. The samples analyzed presented nitro-oxidative modifications of proteins, such as protein 3-nitrotyrosine, that were observed mainly in the mid-piece (where mitochondria are localized) and in the sperm head. Semen samples presenting lower percentage of motile sperm showed higher amounts of nitro-oxidative protein modifications than those with larger quantities of motile sperm. When spermatozoa were exposed to inhibitors of the respiratory mitochondrial function, in the presence of a nitric oxide flux, sperm produced potent nitro-oxidative species (i.e., peroxynitrite). This effect was observed in more than 90% of intact living sperm cells and in sperm mitochondrial fractions. These data suggest that dysfunctional mitochondria in sperm cells produce oxidants that may contribute to male infertility. These data provide the rationale for testing the potential of compounds that improve sperm mitochondrial function to treat male infertility.

Exercise intervention in childhood obesity: a randomized controlled trial comparing hospital-versus home-based groups.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a hospital clinic group- versus home-based combined exercise-diet program for the treatment of childhood obesity. METHODS: One hundred ten overweight/obese Spanish children and adolescents (6-16 years) in 2 intervention groups (hospital clinic group-based [n = 45] and home-based [n = 41]) and a sex-age-matched control group (n = 24) were randomly assigned to participate in a 6-month combined exercise (aerobic and resistance training) and Mediterranean diet program. Anthropometric values (including body weight, height, body mass index, BMI-Z score, and waist circumference) were measured pre- and postintervention for all the participants. Percentage body fat was also determined with a body fat analyzer (TANITA TBF-410 M). RESULTS: Our study showed a significant reduction in percentage body fat and body mass index Z-score among both intervention-group participants (4%, 0.16, hospital clinic group-based; 4.4%, 0.23, home-based; P < .0001). There was also a significant reduction in waist circumference in the home-based group (4.4 cm; P = .019). Attendance rates at intervention sessions were equivalent for both intervention groups (P = .805). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate that a simple home-based combined exercise and Mediterranean diet program may be effective among overweight and obese children and adolescents, because it improves body composition, is feasible and can be adopted on a large scale without substantial expenses.

Gamma-glutamil transpeptidasa en plasma seminal humano / Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in human seminal plasma

Se determinó la actividad gamma-glutamil transpeptidasa (GGT) (EC 2.3.2.2) en el plasma seminal de 61 varones y en el eyaculado fraccionado de 4 pacientes que consultaron en un Servicio Andrológico por motivos de esterilidad conyugal, con el fin de establecer su posible valor en el diagnóstico de la esterilidad masculina. Los resultados obtenidos permiten afirmar la irrelevancia de la GGT como indicador de fertilidad y ponen en duda, además, su valor como marcador de función prostática en virtud de la falta de correlación con la citricospermia y la ausencia de órgano-selectividad

Gamma-glutamil transpeptidasa en plasma seminal humano / Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in human seminal plasma

Se determinó la actividad gamma-glutamil transpeptidasa (GGT) (EC 2.3.2.2) en el plasma seminal de 61 varones y en el eyaculado fraccionado de 4 pacientes que consultaron en un Servicio Andrológico por motivos de esterilidad conyugal, con el fin de establecer su posible valor en el diagnóstico de la esterilidad masculina. Los resultados obtenidos permiten afirmar la irrelevancia de la GGT como indicador de fertilidad y ponen en duda, además, su valor como marcador de función prostática en virtud de la falta de correlación con la citricospermia y la ausencia de órgano-selectividad (AU)