Microscopic and biochemical fertility characteristics of semen after shockwave lithotripsy of distal ureteral calculi.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the frequency and adversity of the effects of shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) on the male reproductive system. We investigated the possible alterations in the quality of semen in patients treated by SWL for pelvic ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The semen of 10 men was examined 1 day before and 5 and 90 days after SWL for distal ureteral stones, in accordance with the World Health Organisation guidelines. The results were compared with those from the semen samples of 10 healthy male volunteers undergoing SWL for calculi of the upper urinary tract. RESULTS: Microscopic analysis of the semen samples revealed a transient decline in sperm density (24.7%), sperm motility (10%), sperm vitality (8%), and seminal fructose (27.5%) after SWL for distal ureteral stones. A distinctly higher number of spermatozoa of pathological origin was detected after SWL in the same group. There was no trace of microscopic hemospermia before shockwave treatment, but it was detected in 90% of the patients with lower ureteral calculi after SWL. Macroscopic hemospermia was detected in two of these nine patients. No deterioration of the semen characteristics and no hemospermia was observed after treatment in the control group with upper urinary stones. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigations confirmed a transient deterioration in semen quality after SWL for distal ureteral calculi, whereas no deterioration was observed after SWL for upper ureteral stones. Impaired sperm quality values returned to normal within 12 weeks after SWL, clearly indicating a damaging effect of SWL on seminal vesicle or ejaculatory duct function. The initial procreative capacity was restored in all patients.     

Bilateral spontaneous descent of the testis after the age of 10: subsequent effects on fertility

Fertility after late spontaneous descent of the testes in 45 men with previous bilateral undescended testes was evaluated on the basis of seminal analysis and concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. Only 15 (33 per cent) were found to have a normal fertility as estimated from the results of the total semen analysis, whereas 21 (47 per cent) were classified as being sterile or having severely reduced fertility. Elevated serum FSH concentrations in the majority of men with subnormal sperm densities supported the results of the semen analysis, indicating impaired spermatogenesis. These findings suggest that the expectant attitude in the treatment of cryptorchidism does not seem to be justified in terms of fertility and combined with recent histomorphological studies favour a more active and early treatment of undescended testes.     

Tail stump spermatozoa: morphogenesis of the defect. An ultrastructural study of sperm and testicular biopsy

We have studied the ultrastructure of testes biopsies and immotile spermatozoa from a supposed secondary infertile male. A wide range of tail defects has been described in testes and semen. Among these, tail stump spermatozoa occurs rarely. Although the origin of this defect is unknown, testes sections revealed that damage occurs during spermiogenesis at the latest stages during flagellum elongation in spermatids.     

体外冲击波碎石术与输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术治疗输尿管下段结石的疗效比较

目的　比较体外冲击波碎石术 (ESWL)与输尿管镜气压弹道碎石术 (pneumaticlithotripsy ,PL)治疗输尿管下段结石的疗效和安全性。 方法　总结ESWL和PL治疗输尿管下段结石 3 75例的临床资料 ,其中ESWL组 190例 ,PL组 185例。结果　ESWL组单次碎石成功率为 60 .5 %(115 /190 ) ,PL组为 96.2 %(178/185 ) ;ESWL组术后 4周结石排净率为 66.3 %(12 6/190 ) ,PL组为 98.3 %(175 /178)。结论　PL治疗输尿管下段结石的疗效明显优于ESWL。     

Semen analysis in patients operated on for impalpable testes

Semen analysis was performed on 48 men who had undergone orchiopexy, 40 for unilateral impalpable testes and 8 for bilateral impalpable testes. Patients with unilateral impalpable testes had varying sperm analysis; 18 (86%) of the 23 patients with unilateral impalpable canalicular testes had normal sperm analysis. All patients with bilateral impalpable testes were azoospermic. The subsequent quality of the semen is dependent upon the original anatomical positions of the undescended testes.     

Diagnostic value of routine semen analysis in clinical andrology

Infertility is a major health issue affecting over 48.5 million couples around the world, with the male factor accounting for about 50% of the cases. The conventional semen analysis recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the cornerstone in the evaluation of male fertility status. It includes macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the ejaculate, which reflects the production of spermatozoa in the testes, the patency of the duct system and the glandular secretory activity. Evaluation of seminal fructose, sperm vitality and leucocytes (Endtz test) are useful adjuncts to semen analysis that provide information on specific clinical conditions. Though several computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems have been developed, conventional methods for semen analysis are still widely accepted in clinical practice. This review summarises the conventional techniques used in routine semen analysis and their diagnostic value in clinical andrology.     

The impact of shock wave lithotripsy on male fertility: a critical analysis of existing evidence

We review the literature about the impact of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on male reproduction. Studies investigating the in vitro effect of shock waves on semen samples indicate that spermatozoa are vulnerable to SWL. According to animal studies, intratesticular bleeding is common, but pregnancy rates are not affected by shock waves. In the clinical setting, SWL causes an acute deterioration in sperm quality, but semen parameters return to baseline 3 months later. Long-term data on male fertility (ie, pregnancy rates) after SWL have yet to be reported and the significance of preexisting infertility has not been elucidated to date.     

Testis histopathology in boys with cryptorchidism correlates with future fertility potential

PURPOSE: We studied the ability of testis biopsy to predict eventual fertility potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 patients with unilateral undescended testis and 11 with bilateral undescended testes who previously underwent orchiopexy at a median age of 9 years were followed until after age 18 years. Semen analysis, testicular volume, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and inhibin B were compared to previously obtained biopsies of each testis. Biopsies were graded as mild, moderate or severe histology based on published data for normal and undescended testis histology. RESULTS: Patients with unilateral undescended testis and moderate histology were more likely to have a sperm density of greater than 20 million per cc than those with severe histology (p = 0.006), although no difference in hormonal parameters was noted. Patients with bilateral undescended testes and moderate histology were more likely to have normal follicle-stimulating hormone and inhibin B than those with severe histology (p = 0.05 and 0.002, respectively), although no difference in semen analysis was observed. Overall 7 of the 9 patients with bilateral undescended testes had less than 20 million sperm per cc. CONCLUSIONS: Testis biopsy provides useful prognostic information about semen analysis in patients with unilateral undescended testis. In the 9 patients with bilateral undescended testes testis biopsy divided them into normal and abnormal groups in terms of hormonal parameters. Testis biopsy was not able to provide additional prognostic information on semen analysis in patients with bilateral undescended testes since they were uniformly poor.     

Management of ejaculatory duct obstruction: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Abnormalities of the distal ejaculatory ducts related to infertility have been well-documented. Although there are no specific findings associated with ejaculatory duct obstruction, several clinical findings are highly suggestive. A diagnosis of ejaculatory duct obstruction is suggested in an infertile male with oligospermia or azoospermia with low ejaculate volume, normal secondary sex characteristics, testes, and hormonal profile, and dilated seminal vesicles, midline cyst, or calcifications on TRUS. Other causes of infertility may be concomitantly present and need to be evaluated and treated. Trans urethral resection of ejaculatory ducts (TURED) has resulted in marked improvement in semen parameters, and pregnancies have been achieved. Proper patient selection and surgical experience are necessary to obtain optimal results. In case of testicular dysfunction, chances of success are minimal. Extended follow-up periods are needed after TURED to examine the long-term effects of this procedure. Better understanding of the anatomy and pathology of the ejaculatory ducts will continue to refine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for this disorder.     

Long-term follow-up of fertility in cryptorchid patients

Sixty-four patients who had unilateral or bilateral orchiopexy for cryptorchism between 1950 and 1960 responded to a questionnaire. Marriage rates were the same as in a control group. Unilaterally cryptorchid patients had normal paternity rates and sperm concentrations on semen analysis. Only 2 of 15 bilaterally cryptorchid patients had fathered children, while severe oligospermia was present in all 10 who had semen analysis performed. Thirty per cent of pexed testes had a cosmetically poor result.     

Improvement in the assessment of human epididymal function by the use of inhibitors in the assay of α-glucosidase in seminal plasma

Seminal alpha-glucosidase has been used clinically as a marker of epididymal function. In this study enzyme inhibitors were used to increase the specificity of the human seminal alpha-glucosidase assay and improve its diagnostic value as an indicator of distal epididymal occlusion in cases of azoospermia. Sodium dodecylsulphate was added to the sample to eliminate the interfering acid isoenzyme secreted by the prostate gland, and castanospermine was used with semen pools to provide a semen blank for the assay by eliminating non-glucosidase-regulated degradation of the substrate. With both inhibitors included in the assay, glucosidase activity in semen samples from 17 fathers was measured to provide reference values for the clinic (lower threshold 18 mU per ejaculate). With the improved assay glucosidase was non-detectable in 8 out of 11 cases of proven and 5 out of 8 cases of suspected ductal obstruction; other azoospermic patients with distal occlusion had values below 11 mU per ejaculate.     

Cryptorchidism: incidence and sperm quality in infertile men

In a population of 8500 men attending the andrology outpatient clinic, 200 men (2.35%) were recorded as having some disturbances with the descent of the testes into the scrotum. Medical history of the patients revealed that 51 underwent unilateral orchidopexy; 40 bilateral orchidopexy; and 24 were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin in order to induce descent of their testes. In addition, 6 patients reported spontaneous descent of the testes, and 13 others were found to be unilaterally cryptorchid upon physical examination. Results of semen analysis, hormonal profile, testes position, and testicular volume were compared to those of 105 proven fertile men. The major finding of this study shows that post-partum undescended testes suffer from primary Sertoli cell malfunction as reflected by elevated serum follicle stimulating hormone levels. Serum luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were within the normal range. Surgical descent of the testes did not improve sperm production, proved by low sperm quality of all the study groups, compared to the cryptorchid group. Among the patients who were operated on, no correlation was found between age at operation and semen variables. All groups showed poor sperm quality which can be defined as oligoteratoasthenozoospermia. The degree of spermatogenic damage was in the following order of diagnosis or treatment: bilateral orchidopexy greater than cryptorchid testes greater than hormonal treatment greater than unilateral orchidopexy greater than late spontaneous descent of the testes. Thus, it is advisable to postpone surgical treatment of cryptorchidism and apply this only after a waiting period, and if the hormonal approach has failed to descend the testis.     

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy of distal ureteral calculi

To date, the use of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been limited to renal calculi and ureteral calculi above the pelvic brim. Modifying the position of the patient on the support of the Dornier lithotripter HM3, we were able to localize and treat distal ureteral calculi. Until April 1986, 43 patients with stones in the lower ureter underwent contact-free lithotripsy. Treatment was successful in 39 patients (90%), 2 of these requiring 2 sessions. In 4 patients treatment failed and stone removal was accomplished using ureteroscopy or open surgery. No complications or adverse side effects were encountered in the whole series. ESWL is now the method of choice for the treatment of distal ureteral calculi in our department.     

ESWL和输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术对输尿管结石患者T细胞亚群和NK细胞的影响

目的:探讨体外冲击波碎石术(ESWL)和输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术(URS-PL)对输尿管下端结石患者T细胞亚群和自然杀伤细胞(NK细胞)的影响及临床意义。方法:收集本院输尿管下段结石61例,行体外冲击波碎石术31例(ESWL组),行输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术30例(URS-PL组),两组患者分别于术前1天、术毕30 min、术后1天以及术后4天抽取肘静脉血,通过流式细胞仪检测T细胞亚群和NK细胞。统计并比较分析两组患者T细胞亚群、T细胞增殖活性、NK细胞含量以及杀伤活性。结果:ESWL组术后CD_3~+、CD_4~+ T细胞比例、CD_4/CD_8比值、NK细胞比例和杀伤活性无明显变化;URS-PL组术后1天CD_3~+、CD_4~+T细胞比例、CD_4/CD_8比值、NK细胞比例和杀伤活性明显下降(P0.05),与ESWL组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),术后4天恢复正常。ESWL组与URS-PL组患者围手术期T细胞增殖变化比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:治疗输尿管下段结石,体外冲击波碎石术相对输尿管镜下气压弹道碎石术对T细胞亚群和NK细胞的抑制更细微。免疫应答反应作为监测机体创伤程度这一因素将对选择ESWL和URS-PL治疗输尿管下段结石具有临床指导价值。     

Results of orchiopexy for the undescended testis

The undescended testis is one of the most common congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary system. Outcomes of orchiopexy include (1) having a viable, palpable testis in the scrotum, (2) fertility, as measured by paternity rates or semen analysis in adulthood and (3) risk of testicular cancer. Multiple operative techniques have been described and are associated with various success rates. In the past decade, success of orchiopexy for inguinal testes has been >95%. For abdominal testes, success for orchiopexy has been >85–90% in most series with single stage orchiopexy or two stage Fowler–Stephens orchiopexy, both with open surgical or laparoscopic technique. However, having a palpable testis in the scrotum does not assure fertility, as there are iatrogenic factors that may adversely affect the outcome. In adult men with a history of unilateral orchiopexy, fertility is nearly normal, but is significantly reduced following bilateral orchiopexy. The risk of testicular carcinoma is increased by a factor of 3.7 to 7.5 times. Tumor type is most commonly seminoma if the testis is undescended, whereas tumors that occur following orchiopexy are much more likely to be nonseminomatous.     

精索静脉曲张不育患者手术前后血浆性激素变化

将６４例单纯精索静脉曲张源性不育患者随机分为手术组３３例与非手术组３１例，分别于术前及术后６个月测血浆卵泡刺激素（ＦＳＨ）、黄体生成素（ＬＨ）、睾酮（Ｔ），同时测４６名正常生育力男性性激素作为正常值对照，对两组不育患者还进行了睾丸体积测定和精液分析。手术组采用经髂窝腹膜外单纯精索内静脉高位结扎术。结果：６４例精索静脉曲张源性不育患者精子密度、精子存活率、睾丸体积低于正常组，ＦＳＨ、ＬＨ、Ｔ均在正常值范围，与正常组对照无明显差异。两组手术前后对照分析，手术组与非手术组手术前后血浆性激素虽无统计学差异，但手术组患者术后精液质量、睾丸体积明显改善，随访一年手术组妊娠率（２７％）显著高于非手术组（１３％）。术前ＦＳＨ较高的患者术后精液质量、睾丸体积无明显改善，而术前ＦＳＨ正常者有显著差异。认为，精索静脉曲张不育患者通过手术治疗确能提高其生育能力，而术前根据血浆ＦＳＨ、ＬＨ、Ｔ测定结合睾丸检查、精液分析可以初步估计睾丸受损程度，对手术预后的判断有一定参考价值。     

Management of ureteral calculi: a cost comparison and decision making analysis

PURPOSE: We compared the cost of treatment strategies for ureteral calculi using a decision tree model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was performed to determine the average success rate of each of 3 treatment modalities, namely observation, ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy. Using these success rates decision analysis models were constructed using Data 3.5 software (TreeAge Software, Inc., Williamstown, Massachusetts) to estimate the cost of treatment and followup for each of the 3 treatments. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of varying individual probabilities of success and costs, and 2-way sensitivity analysis was done to evaluate the model for a wide range of potential costs and success rates of ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy. In addition, a table was constructed to enable individual surgeons and institutions to determine the cost impact of ureteroscopy and shock wave lithotripsy in their unique clinical scenarios. RESULTS: Observation was the least costly pathway if no financial cost, such as emergency room visits, was incurred by failed observation. Ureteroscopy was less costly than shock wave lithotripsy for stones at all ureteral locations. A cost difference between the 2 modalities of approximately $1,440, $1,670 and $1,750 was noted for proximal, mid and distal ureteral calculi, respectively. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the cost of ureteroscopy would have to increase by more than $1,400, $1,700 and $1,850, and the success rate would have to decrease by 28%, 36% and 39% for proximal, mid and distal stones, respectively, before reaching cost equivalence with shock wave lithotripsy. Likewise, the cost of shock wave lithotripsy would have to decrease by more than $1,489 to achieve cost equivalence with ureteroscopy. Overall ureteroscopy was more cost-effective at all stone sites regardless of the success rate of shock wave lithotripsy. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteroscopy is the most cost-effective treatment strategy for ureteral stones at all locations after observation fails. The high cost of purchasing and maintaining a lithotriptor is responsible for the high treatment cost associated with shock wave lithotripsy. However, cost is only one of a number of important factors that are considered when determining an appropriate treatment strategy.     

F6/7.5输尿管镜联合双管扩张法在处理输尿管结石合并狭窄患者中的疗效观察

目的 探讨F6/7.5输尿管镜联合双管扩张法在处理输尿管结石合并结石远段输尿管狭窄患者中的安全性和有效性。方法 回顾性分析2012年1月至2016年12月期间本院112例输尿管结石合并结石远段输尿管狭窄患者使用F6/7.5输尿管镜联合双管扩张法行钬激光碎石术的临床资料及治疗效果。结果 所有患者均顺利完成手术,平均手术时间为（38.7±4.3）min,一次性碎石成功率达95.5%（107/112）。结论 使用F6/7.5输尿管镜联合双管扩张法可以大大提高输尿管结石合并远段狭窄患者的手术成功率,具有安全、可靠、操作简单等优点,值得临床推广。     

Recovery from azoospermia caused by a testicular injury: a case report

Some cases of testicular trauma cause infertility especially when the injured testes are not removed. However, only a few long‐term follow‐up studies investigating endocrinological and semen parameters in patients who had testicular trauma have been conducted. Herein, we report an interesting case of a patient who spontaneously recovered from azoospermia due to a traffic injury and present in detail the results of the hormonal examination and semen analysis. The patient was a 22‐year‐old man with a history of left testicular injury and bilateral orchidopexy. Four months after the injury, the semen parameters improved but azoospermia occurred 1 year later. However, spermatogenesis spontaneously recovered without any treatment or without undergoing orchiectomy 6 months after the testicular injury.     

Treatment of prevesical ureteral calculi by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Since August 1985 extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy has been performed in 39 patients with prevesical ureteral stones, including 3 with steinstrasse after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of kidney stones. Female patients less than 40 years old were excluded because of the theoretical possibility of harm to the ovary by shock waves. Via a modified technique with the patient in a flat position, x-rays and shock waves enter through the foramen obturatum. High total power (high number of shocks and high kilovoltage) led to complete stone disintegration and a success rate of 95 per cent was achieved. While ureterorenoscopy should be more restricted, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is the method of choice for the treatment of distal ureteral stones.