Seminal plasma leptin and spermatozoon apoptosis in patients with varicocele and leucocytospermia

Excessive apoptotic spermatozoon death is associated with male infertility. Leptin regulates apoptosis in several cell types. We prospectively investigated if seminal plasma leptin mediates spermatozoon apoptosis in 74 varicocele (VC) patients and 70 leucocytospermia patients. Spermatozoa from 40 normospermic men were used as controls. Routine semen analysis, spermatozoon apoptosis rate, seminal plasma leptin, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) levels were measured. In VC and leucocytospermia patients, seminal plasma leptin levels and spermatozoon apoptosis rates were significantly higher compared with controls. In the VC group, seminal plasma ROS levels were significantly higher compared with controls; there were no significant differences in TNF‐α levels. In the leucocytospermia group, both ROS and TNF‐α levels were significantly higher compared with controls. In both the VC and leucocytospermia groups, there was a significant positive correlation between the spermatozoon apoptosis rate and leptin levels and ROS and leptin levels. There was a significant correlation between leptin and TNF‐α levels in the leucocytospermia group. Seminal plasma leptin levels correlate significantly with spermatozoon apoptosis rate, and leptin may be a spermatozoon pro‐apoptotic factors. The generation of ROS is a possible mechanism. Leptin may induce apoptosis via TNF‐α in leucocytospermia patients.     

Recurrent varicocele

Varicocele recurrence is one of the most common complications associated with varicocele repair. A systematic review was performed to evaluate varicocele recurrence rates, anatomic causes of recurrence, and methods of management of recurrent varicoceles. The PubMed database was evaluated using keywords “recurrent” and “varicocele” as well as MESH criteria “recurrent” and “varicocele.” Articles were not included that were not in English, represented single case reports, focused solely on subclinical varicocele, or focused solely on a pediatric population (age <18). Rates of recurrence vary with the technique of varicocele repair from 0% to 35%. Anatomy of recurrence can be defined by venography. Management of varicocele recurrence can be surgical or via embolization.     

腹腔镜术与常规手术治疗精索静脉曲张不育症351例疗效观察

本文对３５１例精索静脉曲张不育症患者采用腹腔镜精索静脉结扎术（２４４例,其中１３例连同精索内动脉一并结扎）和经腹股沟精索静脉结扎术（常规手术,１０７例）,术后随访３～３２个月。在术后８周,两组精子计数、活动率、活动力均较术前有显著改善（Ｐ〈０．０１）。腹腔镜组精索内动脉结扎与否,其精子改善情况无显著差异（Ｐ〉０．０５）。两组相较,腹腔镜组术后精子计数、活动力的改善更为显著（Ｐ〈０．０１）。在术后１４周时,常规手术组精子计数仍明显低于腹腔镜组（Ｐ〈０．０５）。随访期间腹腔镜组妊娠者１４９例,妊娠率６１．０７％（其中动脉结扎者７例,妊娠率５３．８５％）,常规手术组妊娠者６２例,妊娠率５８．９３％,两组妊娠率无明显差异（Ｐ〉０．０５）。     

Epidemiology of varicocele

Varicocele is a common problem in reproductive medicine practice. A varicocele is identified in 15% of healthy men and up to 35% of men with primary infertility. The exact pathophysiology of varicoceles is not very well understood, especially regarding its effect on male infertility. We have conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating the epidemiology of varicocele in the general population and in men presenting with infertility. In this article, we have identified some of the factors that can influence the epidemiological aspects of varicoceles. We also recognize that varicocele epidemiology remains incompletely understood, and there is a need for well-designed, large-scale studies to fully define the epidemiological aspects of this condition.     

精索静脉曲张患者精液质量及其不育患者手术前后精液变化的观察

目的观察精索静脉曲张（VC）患者的精液质量和精子形态学改变，以及VC不育患者手术前后精液的变化。方法121例VC患者精液按WHO标准常规分析并对精子形态学进行评价，23例健康男性精液检查结果作为对照。并对21例VC不育患者术前及术后的精液进行检测分析。结果121例VC患者的精子密度、（A＋B）级活动力精子（％）、活率、有效精子数、活动精子数、活力指数以及正常形态精子比例较对照组明显降低（P〈0．01）；畸形精子中小头、锥形头和无定形头精子数较对照组增多（P〈0．01）。21例VC不育患者手术后精子质量和精子形态学较术前明显改善。结论VC可以引起精液质量下降导致不育，精子形态学分析是判定VC患者精子受损的一个敏感指标，手术能有效地改善精液质量。     

一氧化氮合酶对精索静脉曲张患者精子功能的影响

为探讨一氧化氮、一氧化氮合酶对精索静脉曲张（VC）患者精子功能的影响,本文测定15例VC不育患者外周静脉血清、精索静脉血清和精浆中一氧化氮（NO）及一氧化氮合酶（NOS）,并与12例有生育能力的对照组进行了对比研究。结果显示VC组精索静脉血清和精浆中NO含量及NOS活性,不仅高于其外周静脉血清（P＜0．01）,而且高于对照组（P＜0．01）,但两组外周静脉血清中两项指标无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。提示VC时可能是由于曲张精索静脉血和精浆中NOS的产生增加导致精子生成障碍或（和）精子活力下降,从而导致不育症。     

A rare cause of infertility: intratesticular varicocele associated with ipsilateral extratesticular varicocele

Intratesticular varicocele is an uncommon condition with variable sonographic appearence and identified as dilated intratesticular veins lying from the mediastinum through testicular parenchyma. We present a case of a 20‐year‐old male, married and unable to conceive for 2 years. Routine scrotal sonography disclosed extratesticular varicocele which was associated with ipsilateral intratesticular varicocele. Colour Doppler ultrasonography should be the first choice modality of imaging to confirm the diagnosis. Detection of intratesticular varicocele is essential because it is one of the most common recoverable reasons of male infertility.     

Radiologically assessed testicular changes in infertile males with varicocele

The aim of this study was to assess vascular disturbances in the testis of infertile males associated with varicocele. In total, 124 consecutive male subjects were divided into the following groups: healthy fertile controls (n = 10), Gp1 (n = 28); infertile males with subclinical varicocele, Gp2 (n = 26); infertile males with grade I left varicocele, Gp3 (n = 28); infertile males with grade II left varicocele and Gp4 (n = 32); infertile males with grade III left varicocele. They were subjected to colour duplex for pampiniform plexus and scrotal scintigraphy. There was significant decrease in arterial blood velocity, testicular arterial diameters and testicular perfusion especially in high grade varicocele compared with healthy controls. The mean vein diameter demonstrated significant negative correlation with arterial diameter, arterial blood velocity, perfusion index, testicular size and significant positive correlation with perfusion index. The mean testicular size demonstrated significant positive correlation with arterial blood velocity, perfusion index and nonsignificant correlation with arterial diameter. It is concluded that there are significant decreases in testicular volume, testicular perfusion, blood velocity and testicular artery diameter in infertile males with varicocele.     

精索静脉曲张不育与微量元素锌和镉关系的研究

本研究应用原子吸收光谱法 (AAS)测定 18例精索静脉曲张 (VC)不育患者和 14例正常生育的斜疝和或鞘膜积液患者外周静脉血、精索静脉血、精浆中的锌 (Zn)和镉 (Cd)的含量。结果表明 :精索静脉曲张不育患者精静脉血和精浆中Cd含量较对照组明显增高 (P <0 .0 1)、而精浆中的Zn含量较对照组明显减低 (P <0 .0 1)。此外 ,其精索静脉血和精浆中Cd/Zn比值与对照组也有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。提示Cd的增高可能是导致精索静脉曲张不育的原因之一     

精索静脉曲张不育患者的精浆生化分析

目的 探讨精索静脉曲张不育患者精浆中酸性磷酸酶、果糖、锌和α-糖苷酶水平的变化.方法 分别检测120例精索静脉曲张不育患者、180例非精索静脉曲张不育患者和36例正常男性的精浆中酸性磷酸酶、果糖、锌和α-糖苷酶含量.结果 精索静脉曲张不育组和非精索静脉曲张不育组精浆中酸性磷酸酶含量均显著低于正常对照组（P＜0.01）,但精索静脉曲张不育组和非精索静脉曲张不育组之间的差异无显著性意义（P＞0.05）;各组精浆果糖活性无显著性差异（P＞0.05）;精浆中锌和α-糖苷酶含量随精索静脉曲张程度的增加而降低,且明显低于正常对照组（P＜0.05）,但与非精索静脉曲张不育组之间的差异无显著性意义（P＞0.05）.结论 精索静脉曲张可通过某些因素引起精浆中酸性磷酸酶、锌和α-糖苷酶含量降低,从而造成男性不育.     

精索静脉曲张患者血中儿茶酚胺浓度的变化

目的了解曲张后精索静脉血去甲肾上腺素、肾上腺素及多巴胺浓度的变化，探讨儿茶酚胺在精索静脉曲张病理生理中的作用。方法采用高效液相色谱法测定30例精索静脉曲张患者精索静脉血去甲肾上腺素、肾上腺素及多巴胺浓度，30例无精索静脉曲张的腹股沟斜疝患者作为对照。结果患者精索静脉血的去甲肾上腺素浓度为（597．1±274．3）pg／mL，明显高于对照组（386．2±172．6）pg／mL（P〈0．05）。肾上腺素浓度为（255．0±109．0）pg／mL，亦高于对照组（203．0±67．7）pg／mL（P〈0．05）。多巴胺浓度两组差别无统计学意义。结论精索静脉曲张患者精索静脉血中的去甲肾上腺素、肾上腺素浓度异常，这可能与精索静脉曲张的病理生理有关。     

Seminal plasma oxytocin and oxidative stress levels in infertile men with varicocele

This study aimed to assess seminal plasma oxytocin (OT) and oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile men with varicocele (Vx). A total of 131 men were divided into fertile men (n = 20), fertile men with Vx (n = 17), infertile men without Vx (n = 40) and infertile men with Vx (n = 54). OT, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated in seminal plasma. Mean levels of seminal OT, MDA were significantly decreased, and the mean level of GPx was significantly increased in fertile men with/without Vx compared with infertile men with/without Vx. Mean levels of OT, MDA were increased, and mean level of GPx was significantly decreased in Vx grade III cases compared with Vx grades I, II cases and in bilateral Vx cases compared with unilateral Vx. There was significant negative correlation between seminal OT with sperm count, sperm motility, seminal GPx and significant positive correlation with sperm abnormal forms, seminal MDA. It is concluded that seminal OT is significantly decreased in fertile men with/without Vx compared with infertile men with/without Vx. Seminal OT demonstrated significant negative correlation with sperm count, sperm motility, seminal GPx and significant positive correlation with sperm abnormal forms, seminal MDA. Seminal OT is associated with Vx grade and its bilaterality.     

男性不育伴精索静脉曲张患者的心理状况调查

目的:探索男性不育伴精索静脉曲张患者的精神心理症状的发生情况及其与不育的关系。方法:采用14项症状的医院焦虑抑郁量表(HAD量表)对110例不育伴精索静脉曲张患者进行精神心理因素的评估,分析各相关因素与患者精神心理因素的相关性,筛选鉴别男性不育伴精索静脉曲张患者发生焦虑抑郁症状的危险因素,并与61例已婚生育健康男性作为对照组进行比较分析。对106例不育伴精索静脉曲张患者的精神心理症状进行多因素分析。结果:男性不育伴精索静脉曲张患者和已经生育的健康对照者焦虑症状发生率分别为61.32%和13.79%,抑郁症状发生率分别为37.73%和6.90%,不育伴精索静脉曲张组的焦虑和抑郁症状发生率显著高于已育健康对照组(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析结果显示,不育患者发生焦虑抑郁的主要危险因素是就诊次数和睾丸病变程度。结论:男性不育伴精索静脉曲张患者合并有明显精神心理症状,值得关注。患者中多次就诊及睾丸病变程度严重者更容易发生焦虑抑郁。     

Seminal plasma reactive oxygen species-antioxidants relationship with varicocele grade

This work aimed to assess seminal plasma reactive oxygen species (ROS)-antioxidants relationship with varicocele grade in infertile men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). The study included 89 infertile OAT men with varicocele divided into grade I (n = 22) and grade II (n = 43), grade III (n = 24) and compared with 20 healthy fertile controls. In their seminal plasma, two ROS parameters (malondialdehyde [MDA], hydrogen peroxide [H(2) O(2) ]) and four antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [Cat], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], vit.C) were estimated. There was significant increase in seminal MDA, H(2) O(2) and significant decrease in seminal SOD, Cat, GPx, vit.C in varicocele-associated OAT cases when compared with the controls. Compared with grade I cases, varicocele cases with grades II, III demonstrated significant increase in estimated seminal MDA, H(2) O(2) and significant decrease in seminal SOD, Cat, GPx, vit.C. It is concluded that seminal oxidative stress (OS) is related to increased varicocele grade in infertile OAT men associated with varicocele.     

Randomised clinical trial of comparing effects of acupuncture and varicocelectomy on sperm parameters in infertile varicocele patients

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the acupuncture treatment on sperm parameters and pregnancy rates in patients with primary infertility. Between January 2008 and May 2010, 30 men with the primary infertility (one year of unprotected intercourse, healthy wife) and varicocele with normal hormone levels and abnormal semen analysis were randomised into two groups. Group 1 underwent subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy, and Group 2 underwent acupuncture treatment twice a week for 2 months. Both groups were evaluated with semen analysis at 6 months after the treatment. Patients in both groups evaluated with telephone calls and e‐mail in terms of pregnancy. The mean age of the patients was 27.2, and groups were comparable regarding the age (P = 0.542). The pre‐treatment sperm concentration, motility and morphological characteristics were similar in both groups. Sperm concentration and motility improved significantly in both groups after the treatment. Increase in sperm concentration was higher in the acupuncture group compared to the varicocelectomy group (P = 0.039). The average follow‐up was 42 months, and pregnancy rates were emphasised 33% in both groups. Acupuncture treatment in primary infertile varicocele patients with semen abnormalities seems to be effective and has comparable results with the varicocelectomy treatment.     

Proteomic profile of seminal plasma in adolescents and adults with treated and untreated varicocele

Varicocele, the most important treatable cause of male infertility, is present in 15% of adult males, 35% of men with primary infertility, and 80% of men with secondary infertility. On the other hand, 80% of these men will not present infertility. Therefore, there is a need to differentiate a varicocele that is exerting a deleterious effect that is treatable from a “silent” varicocele. Despite the growing evidence of the cellular effects of varicocele, its underlying molecular mechanisms are still eluding. Proteomics has become a promising area to determine the reproductive biology of semen as well as to improve diagnosis of male infertility. This review aims to discuss the state-of-art in seminal plasma proteomics in patients with varicocele to discuss the challenges in undertaking these studies, as well as the future outlook derived from the growing body of evidence on the seminal proteome.     

精索静脉曲张显微手术及腹腔镜手术疗效对比

目的对比评价显微技术精索静脉结扎术和腹腔镜精索静脉高位结扎术治疗精索静脉曲张引起不育症患者的临床疗效。方法分析65例应用显微技术精索静脉结扎术和64例应用腹腔镜精索静脉高位结扎术的不育症患者。结果两组患者手术均正常完成,未发生术后并发症。显微手术组双侧精索静脉曲张的手术时间长于腹腔镜手术时间,两者差别具有统计学意义(P0.05)。129例患者均得到术后3个月复诊:84例精子活力改善(提高20%以上),其中显微手术组45例(45/65),腹腔镜手术组39例(39/63)(P0.05)。107例患者术后6个月复诊结果:21例精子活力改善(与上次复查结果对比提高20%以上),其中显微手术组17例(17/52),腹腔镜手术组6例(6/55)(P0.05)。术后12个月与6月数据接近。结论显微技术精索静脉结扎术在术后疗效方面优于腹腔镜手术。     

Heme oxygenase enzyme activity in seminal plasma of oligoasthenoteratozoospermic males with varicocele

This work aimed to assess seminal plasma heme oxygenase (HO) enzyme activity in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) males with varicocele. Ninety‐three men were divided according to their sperm count and clinical examination into: healthy fertile controls (n = 34), OAT without varicocele (n = 37) and OAT associated with varicocele (n = 22). They were subjected to semen analysis and estimation of seminal plasma HO enzyme activity in the form of bilirubin concentration. Seminal plasma HO enzyme activity decreased significantly in OAT cases compared with controls. Seminal plasma HO in OAT cases associated with varicocele decreased significantly compared with OAT cases without varicocele and healthy controls (mean ± SD; 109.2 ± 29.5, 283.6 ± 88.4, 669.5 ± 236.1 nMol bilirubin/mg ptn/min, P < 0.001). There was positive correlation between seminal plasma HO enzyme activity and sperm concentration, per cent of motile spermatozoa, number of motile spermatozoas ml^?1 and significant negative correlation with sperm abnormal forms per cent. It is concluded that varicocele has a negative impact on seminal HO enzyme activity. Therefore, improved seminal picture after correcting varicocele repair might be related, in part, to improved HO action(s).     

迈之灵治疗精索静脉曲张的临床观察

目的　评价迈之灵在治疗精索静脉曲张中的作用。方法　选择有症状的精索静脉曲张患者 5 0例 ,服用迈之灵 3周 ,观察治疗前后的症状 ,精索静脉内径及血流改变。结果　与治疗前相比 ,96 %的患者症状消失或减轻 ,90 %的患者精索静脉内径缩小和血流改善。结论　迈之灵治疗精索静脉曲张有明显的效果 ,且服用方便 ,无明显副作用。