The contribution of Asian scientists to global research in andrology

Aim: To present a personal account of the involvement of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the collaborativedevelopment in Asia of those areas of andrology concerned with male contraception and reproductive health.Methods: The andrology training through workshops and institution support undertaken by the WHO HumanReproduction Programme (HRP) and how they contributed to the strengthening of andrology research in Asia aresummarised. Results: The author's experience and the Asian scientific contributions to the global research in thefollowing areas are reviewed: the safety of vasectomy and the development of new methods of vas occlusion; gossypoland its failure to become a safe, reversible male antifertility drag; Tripterygium and whether its pure extracts will passthrough the appropriate toxicology and phased clinical studies to become acceptable contraceptive drugs; hormonalmethods of contraception for men. Conclusion: The WHO policy of research capacity building through training andinstitution stre     

The effects and prospects of the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine on andrology in China

Andrology has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) discussions concerning andropathies, and documentation of relevant therapeutic methods abound in the ancient literature on TCM. Integrated treatment combining TCM and Western medicine has seen both broad and in-depth development, with formidable status in the field of modern andrology in China. This article attempts to demonstrate the unique advantage of integrated treatment in the therapy of andropathies through a review of the ancient literature on andrology in the field of TCM and on the integrative treatment of prostatic diseases, sexual dysfunction, male infertility and late-onset hypogonadism. There is a need for the advancement of a medical theory that integrates TCM and Western medicine practices to create a new therapeutic system with standardized therapeutic and evaluative protocols for diseases involving male sexual health.     

Aetiology of obstructive azoospermia in Chinese infertility patients

To explore the aetiology of obstructive azoospermia (OA) in Chinese infertility patients, 133 OA patients was included in this study diagnosed and evaluated by one major specialist trained urological infertility. We retrospected the medical records to collect relative information. All of the patients had been underwent physical examination, ultrasound scan to the urogenital system, serum hormone tests, genetic tests and two separate semen analyses. The mean age of all 133 patients was 32.7 ± 6.8 years. A total of 266 reproductive tract units (two/patient) were classified into four categories: no causes (Idiopathic) for 74 units (27.8%), single cause for 173 units (65.0%), double causes for 17 units (6.4%) and triple causes for two units (0.8%). As to single cause of OA, there were four types: trauma for 0 unit (0%), infection for 125 units (47.0%), dysplasia for 11 units (4.1%) and surgeries for 37 units (13.9%). As to total cause of OA, there were five types: infection for 144 units (54.1%), orchitis for 51 units (19.2%), epididymitis for 54 units (20.3%), gonorrhoea for 28 units (10.5%) and inguinal hernia repair surgery for 18 units (6.8%). The most frequent cause of obstructive azoospermia was infection revealed in these Chinese infertility populations, followed by idiopathic reason.     

Clinical observation of loupe-assisted intussusception vasoepididymostomy in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia (analysis of 49 case reports)

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of loupe-assisted intussusception vasoepididymostomy (VE) in the treatment of epididymal obstructive azoospermia (EOA), we retrospectively analyzed data from 49 patients with EOA who underwent two-suture longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (LIVE) between 2000 and 2007. The data included the surgical method, postoperative motile sperm count per ejaculation, percentage of progressive motile sperm and patency and pregnancy outcomes. There were a total of 49 men undergoing scrotal exploration, and epididymal obstruction was found in all cases. Bilateral or unilateral anastomoses were performed in 40 and 6 men, respectively. The postoperative courses of 42 patients were followed up for more than 6 months, and the courses of 38 patients were followed up for more than 1 year. The overall patency and pregnancy rates were 71.4% and 26.3%, respectively. Moreover, progressive motile sperm was more frequently present in those patients who had undergone anastomosis at cauda than at corpus or caput. Pregnancy was achieved only in those patients who had undergone anastomosis at least on one side of the cauda epididymis. We think that the loupe-assisted method, with a lower overall cost and a simplified surgical procedure, can achieve satisfactory patency outcomes and pregnancy results. Data from this paper also suggest that paternity outcomes occur more frequently after anastomoses at cauda than at corpus or caput.     

梗阻性无精子症患者睾丸抽吸精子行ICSI后的胚胎结局

目的总结非手术精子抽吸(NSA)联合ICSI对梗阻性无精子症患者的治疗意义,并探讨精子来源等对ICSI后胚胎结局的影响。方法回顾性分析642个ICSI周期,比较了睾丸抽吸精子和精液精子行ICSI后的受精率、优质胚胎率、临床妊娠率、种植率及胚胎停育率等。结果NSA睾丸精子组和精液精子组相比较,其2PN受精率、优质胚胎率、临床妊娠率、种植率及胚胎停育率之间均没有显著性差异(71．4％vs 73．2％, 73．1％vs 70．1％,34．2％vs 32．6％,22．3％vs 19．8％,21．3％vs 25．0％,P>0．05)。结论非手术抽吸睾丸精子联合ICSI是治疗梗阻性无精子症的一种有效方法。     

36例梗阻性无精子症附睾液中精子参数和细菌培养结果分析

目的 分析不同病因梗阻性无精子症患者附睾液中的精子参数和细菌培养结果 .方法 将36例梗阻性无精子症患者按不同病因分成A、B和C 3组,A组(14例)为有明确附睾炎症病史的附睾炎症梗阻;B组(7例)为无明确生殖道炎症病史的精道梗阻:C组(15例)为先天性双侧输精管缺如.将这些患者行诊断性经皮附睾穿刺精子抽吸术(PESA),分析附睾液中的精子参数,同时将附睾液做常规细菌培养和结核杆菌培养.结果 3组患者中,附睾精子密度≥20×106/ml,1～20×106/ml及≤1×106/ml的分别占33.3%(12/36),41.7%(15/36)和25%(9/36),各组间的精子密度无统计学差异(P>0.05):附睾液中有A或B级活动精子,仅有C级活动精子及仅有D级精子的患者分别占41.7%(15/36),36.1%(13/36)和22.2%(8/36),各组间的精子活动力无统计学差异(P>0.05):所有病例标本的常规细菌培养和结核杆菌培养均为阴性.结论 对于不同病因导致精道梗阻的患者,附睾液中精子的密度和活动力无统计学差异,大多数PESA附睾液标本中的精子足够用于单精子卵胞浆内注射(ICSI)治疗;梗阻性无精子症患者非急性炎症期附睾液中不存在活动性细菌感染,可以安全应用于ICSI治疗.     

Paternal age as an independent factor does not affect embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes of testicular sperm extraction‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection in azoospermia

This study was performed to evaluate the independent influence of paternal age affecting embryo development and pregnancy using testicular sperm extraction (TESE)‐intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in obstructive azoospermia (OA) and nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Paternal patients were divided into the following groups: ≤30 years, 31–35 years, 36–40 years, 41–45 years and ≥46 years. There were no differences in the rates of fertilisation or embryo quality according to paternal and maternal age. However, clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly lower between those ≥46 years of paternal age compared with other age groups. Fertilisation rate was higher in the OA than the NOA, while embryo quality, pregnancy and delivery results were similar. Clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were significantly lower for patients ≥46 years of paternal age compared with younger age groups. In conclusion, fertilisation using TESE in azoospermia was not affected by the independent influence of paternal age; however, as maternal age increased concomitantly with paternal age, rates of pregnancy and delivery differed between those with paternal age <41 years and ≥46 years. Therefore, paternal age ≥46 years old should be considered when applying TESE‐ICSI in cases of azoospermia, and patients should be advised of the associated low pregnancy rates.     

Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis of sex chromosome in non‐obstructive azoospermic men

The aim of this study was to compare results of karyotypes and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique among non‐obstructive azoospermic men and to evaluate feasibility of using FISH to assess the types of major sex chromosome abnormalities. We compared results of karyotypes and FISH technique in those patients, and the association between genetic abnormality and clinical and hormonal parameters was evaluated. We studied 68 non‐obstructive azoospermic men using conventional cytogenetics and FISH. Karyotyping revealed chromosomal abnormalities in 28 males (41%); the most common was Klinefelter syndrome (82%). FISH proved very effective in verifying low level of mosaisim in two cases with Klinefelter syndrome and complex chromosomal rearrangements in four cases with structural sex chromosome abnormalities. Our results indicate that genetic testing and screening is important in men with hypergonadotrophic azoospermia prior to the employment of assisted reproduction techniques. FISH analysis is recommended before discussing the risk of chromosomal aberrations in the offspring of infertile couples.     

Association and meta‐analysis of HLA and non‐obstructive azoospermia in the Han Chinese population

The exact aetiology and pathogenesis of most non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) are still unknown. The previous two genomewide association studies (GWASs) have identified three different loci within the HLA region for NOA in the Han Chinese population, including rs3129878, rs498422 and rs7194. To further validate the risk of three GWAS‐linked loci for NOA, we conducted a case–control study of these three risk loci in an independent Han Chinese male population, with 603 NOA patients and 610 controls. Furthermore, we also performed a meta‐analysis of five studies on these three NOA‐risk loci. The case–control study strongly suggested a significant association between loci rs3129878, rs498422 and rs7194 and NOA (P = 6.75 × 10^?21 (OR = 2.2586), P = 0.0060 (OR = 1.4013) and P = 0.0128 (OR = 1.2626) respectively). Our meta‐analyses also supported the susceptibility of these three risk loci to NOA (P < 0.01). The risk variants within the HLA region potentially have a strong effect on males at risk of NOA, and may serve as diagnostic markers for male infertility. However, considering genetic difference between different populations, future validating studies in larger independent samples and animal experiments are suggested.     

男子不育症患者无精子因子检测的临床意义

本文对30例非梗阻性无精子症或严重少精子症患者及20例正常有生育能力的男子进行了AZF因子（AZFa、ZAFb和AZFc）检测,发现病人组中有4例患者存在着AZF因子不同区域片段的缺失,发生率为13．3％,而20例对照组男子均未发现相应部位的缺失。由此可见,精子发生与AZF因子存在有关。     

The production of testis biomodels using three-dimensional (3D) technologies

This study aimed to investigate the potentiality of biomodels to be produced as alternative tools to slaughterhouse materials in andrology education. For this purpose, testis biomodels were produced with reference to bull testes. The biomodel production was carried out by the following steps: the preparation of the reference organs, 3D modelling, and processing of data sets and stages. The biomodels and reference testes were compared in terms of morphological parameters and tonicity. As a result of quantitative measurements, the average length in the reference testicles was 145.56 ± 21.3 mm, while the thickness was 61.94 ± 17.2 mm. The average length, thickness, volume and tonicity values of the biomodels showed similarity to the values of the reference testicles (p > .05). However, it was recorded that the average weight of the reference testicles was determined as 368.07 ± 40.3 g, while the average weight of the biomodels was 69.02 ± 3.18 g (p < .01). As a result, it has been shown that testis biomodels can be successfully produced using three-dimensional technologies. These biomodels are the first examples in the field. We think that the biomodels produced by using innovative technologies should be considered as serious alternatives, which could contribute to the learning processes of students, especially in andrology education.     

无黄疸性胰腺癌及壶腹癌的早期诊断（附8例报告）

近年来，作者收治Ｂ超发现的胆道扩张８例，分别经十二指肠低张造影、ＣＴ、内镜等检查，发现其为无黄疸性早期壶腹周围癌。术前有３例内镜活检证实。８例均行胰十二指肠切除术。病理检查胰腺癌１例，壶腹癌６例，乳头部绒毛腺管腺瘤Ⅱ－Ⅲ级１例，配合其他治疗取得了较好效果。本组８例中１例胰腺癌病人生存９年死亡，余均仍存活，３年以下４例，３－５年１例，５年以上２例。本组病人早期主要症状是上腹痛和发热，或上腹痛合并发热     

The predictive value of parameters of clinical presentations for sperm yield in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia receiving microdissection testicular sperm extraction

ObjectiveWe analyzed a cohort of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients receiving microdissection testicular sperm extraction (mTESE) to examine the relationship of sperm yield and the parameters of clinical presentations. We aim to identify the parameters that might positively predict a positive sperm yield after mTESE.Materials and methodsA total of 200 patients with NOA who had undergone mTESE were enrolled. Among them, 112 (56%) had received a prior testicular needle biopsy. Clinical data including physical findings, underlying genetic abnormalities, pathologic findings in needle biopsy, and sperm retrieval rate (SRR) during mTESE were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe pathological findings of prior needle biopsy demonstrate a predictive value of sperm yield during mTESE. Hypospermatogenesis had SRR of 93.3% during mTESE, early maturation arrest had SRR of 13.3%, late maturation arrest (LMA) had SRR of 66.7%, and Sertoli cell-only syndrome had SRR of 18.1%. Regarding parameters of clinical presentation, we found that SRR during mTESE was 85.7% for patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, 60.0% for men with undescended testes (UDT) history, 50.0% for patients who had been exposed to chemotherapeutics due to malignancy of other organs, 100% for prior mumps infection, 50.0% for AZFc deletion, 50.0% for Klinefelter syndrome, and 33.3% for other sex chromosome-related abnormalities. No sperm was found in patients with AZFa or AZFb microdeletion. The consistency of histopathological findings between initial testis biopsy and mTESE was 77.7%. As much as 17.4% of cases had upgraded on spermatogenesis at later mTESE.ConclusionClinical presentations or phenotypes can be used as predictive factors for successful sperm retrieval during mTESE in patients with NOA. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and cases with UDT history have a higher chance of sperm retrieval. Initial testicular needle biopsy, if available, can provide valuable information about chances of sperm retrieval. Hypospermatogenesis predicts high sperm yield rate, and LMA can have best upgrade results of sperm yield after mTESE.     

The impact of fresh and frozen testicular tissue quality on embryological and clinical outcomes

Our ability to predict the potential of testicular spermatozoa to support embryonic development is still limited. Although motility of testicular spermatozoa is associated with embryo development, the impact of morphology and the presence of spermatozoa in the testicular sample has not been previously researched. Moreover, while the majority of data indicate no effect of cryopreservation, there are studies reporting impaired clinical outcomes due to testicular cryopreservation. In a retrospective study, 118 ICSI-TESE cycles were analysed to study the impact of (a) total quality of testicular tissue, (b) testicular tissue cryopreservation and (c) presence/motility/morphology of testicular spermatozoa in fertilisation rate, embryonic development, clinical pregnancy (CPR), ongoing pregnancy (OPR) and live birth rate (LBR). Results showed that fertilisation rate was significantly affected by both total quality of testicular tissue (p < .05) and rare presence of spermatozoa (p < .01). Moreover, total tissue quality (p < .01), cryopreservation of low-quality samples (p < .01), absence of motile testicular spermatozoa (p < .01) and poor spermatozoa morphology (p < .05) had a negative impact on the number of good quality day 3 embryos. CPR, OPR or LBR was not affected by any parameters examined. Our data suggest that the quality of testicular tissue influences both fertilisation rate and embryo development. Moreover, cryopreservation of low-quality testicular samples has a negative impact on the number of available embryos for transfer.     

A familial analysis of two brothers with azoospermia caused by maternal 46,Y,t(X; 1) (q28; q21) chromosomal abnormality

Chromosomal abnormality is a primary genetic factor that lead to azoospermia and male infertility. Here, we report the cases of two brothers with primary infertility, whose chromosomes displayed a balanced translocation, and their karyotypes were 46,Y, t(X; 1) (q28; q21). Both presented an azoospermia phenotype without abnormal clinical symptoms. Their mother's karyotype was 46,X, t(X; 1) (q28; q21), and their father's chromosome karyotype was 46,XY. No abnormal changes were noted in the copy number of chromosome fragments in the whole genome. This study is the first to report showing that 46,Y, t(X; 1) (q28; q21) chromosomal abnormalities are associated with azoospermia.     

Correlation between the motility of frozen–thawed epididymal spermatozoa and the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection

The purpose of this study was to investigate if the outcome of ICSI was influenced by epididymal sperm motility in frozen-thawed specimens. A total of 18 ICSI treatment cycles using spermatozoa retrieved by microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) were analysed retrospectively. Cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa was performed when enough epididymal aspirates were collected. Sixty-nine out of 126 oocytes injected with spermatozoa retrieved by MESA were fertilized, giving a fertilization rate of 54.8%. Out of 18 embryo transfer cycles, 6 (33.3%) achieved pregnancies. Fresh epididymal spermatozoa were used in 5 cycles while frozen-thawed epididymal spermatozoa were used in 13 cycles for ICSI. The fertilization rates were 68.6% (35/51) in the former group and 45.3% (34/75) in the latter group, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.05). In ICSI treatments using fresh epididymal spermatozoa, the cells used for injection were all motile. However, motile epididymal spermatozoa could be used in only five ICSI treatment cycles after freeze-thawing. In 6 cycles, only immotile sperm were used for injection of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. The fertilization rate in each group was 68.4% (13/19) and 31.6% (12/38), respectively. There was a significant difference between these groups (p < 0.01). These results indicate that the outcome of ICSI was influenced by sperm motility in frozen-thawed epididymal specimens. When no sperm motility could be recovered after freeze-thawing even with chemical treatments, consideration should be given to retrieving fresh epididymal spermatozoa again to achieve a better fertilization rate in such patients.     

146例炎症梗阻性无精子症的临床评估和ICSI治疗结局分析

目的分析炎症梗阻性无精子症的临床评估和单精子卵胞浆内注射(ICSI)的治疗结局。方法前瞻性研究近5年间接受ICSI治疗的炎症性梗阻性无精子症的临床特征、精液和超声特点,经皮附睾穿刺精子抽吸术(PESA)或经皮睾丸穿刺取精术(TEFNA)结合ICSI治疗后观察受精、临床妊娠等结果。结果146例患者体检附睾均有增粗变硬或伴头尾部结节。82例患者曾有生育史、附睾炎症史或输精管附睾吻合手术史,其中72例PESA找到附睾精子;53例无上述病史者49例PESA找到附睾精子:另有精道远端梗阻11例。ICSI治疗146例167周期炎症性梗阻性无精子症的受精率、每周期临床妊娠率分别为81.1%和42.1%。结论炎症梗阻性无精子症具备典型的临床和超声特征,PESA附睾精子获取率高,ICSI治疗获得较高受精率和临床妊娠率。     

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for renal cell carcinoma (Summary – JUA 2007 Edition)

Abstract:   The text of these guidelines was published for general clinicians, general urologists, and patients, with the aim of providing a system of effective and efficient clinical practices for managing renal cell carcinoma based on evidence-based medicine–intended techniques. The guidelines contain the answers to a total of 21 clinical questions (CQ) that were formulated under the headings of 'risk factors and prophylaxis,'diagnosis,'surgical treatment and local treatment,' and 'systemic treatment,' along with the recommendation grades and systems/algorithms for clinical practice based on structured abstracts prepared through critical reviews of the relevant published reports; the literature search was conducted using the key words for each CQ. An abridged edition of these guidelines can be found on the web pages of the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology and the Medical Information Network Distribution Service.