精索静脉曲张对精液质量和血清、精浆中抑制素B水平的影响

目的:探讨精索静脉曲张(VC)患者精索静脉曲张程度对精液参数和血清、精浆中抑制素B(inhibin B)水平的影响。方法:收集95例不育伴VC患者,55例有正常生育力的男性作为对照组,均通过CASA进行精液常规检查,改良巴氏染色进行精子形态检查;通过ELISA法检测外周血、精浆中抑制素B的水平。结果:VC患者正常形态精子百分率[Ⅰ度:(6.3±6.5)%,Ⅱ度:(2.6±3.0)%,Ⅲ度:(1.0±0.7)%]和前向运动精子百分率[Ⅰ度:(33.3±20.8)%,Ⅱ度:(28.9±19.8)%,Ⅲ度:(13.5±8.4)%]明显低于对照组[(7.5±5.2)%,(43.9±22.7)%](P0.05),精子畸形以头部畸形为主;VC患者外周血和精浆中抑制素B水平[Ⅰ度:(160.9±48.9)pg/ml,(208.3±28.1)pg/ml;Ⅱ度:(150.6±44.7)pg/ml,(201.5±83.5)pg/ml;Ⅲ度:(132.6±41.5)pg/ml,(150.2±51.6)pg/ml]均低于对照组[(201.0±38.1)pg/ml,(225.3±82.5)pg/ml]。结论:VC可导致精子活力降低,畸形率升高,外周血和精浆抑制素B水平下降,从而导致男性生育力受损。     

The role of varicocele sclerotherapy in men with severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia

The aim of this study was to verify the role of antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicoceles in infertile men with severe oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT). The 59 patients with severe OAT in this study underwent antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicoceles. The outcome was assessed in terms of improvement in semen parameters and spontaneous conception rate. Semen parameters and reproductive hormones were evaluated before antegrade sclerotherapy (AS) and 6 months after AS. After an average follow-up time of 34.8±3.2 months, significant improvement was noted in the mean sperm concentration, motility and morphology in 36 patients (61%). Spontaneous pregnancy occurred in nine couples (15%). Six months after treatment, inhibin B levels were significantly higher (P<0.04), whereas follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly lower (P<0.001) than before treatment. Antegrade internal spermatic vein sclerotherapy can significantly improve seminal parameters and hormonal parameters in men with severe OAT and may even result in spontaneous pregnancy in couples who would otherwise be candidates for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).     

改进型实验性左侧精索静脉曲张的建立及其对大鼠卵泡刺激素及抑制素B的影响

目的:探讨改进型实验性左侧精索静脉曲张(ELV)对大鼠血清卵泡刺激素(FSH)及抑制素B(InhB)的影响。方法:利用改进的方法建立青春期SD大鼠左精索静脉曲张的模型30只;假手术组SD大鼠30只作对照组。术后3个月,取大鼠血清,ELISA法分别检测FSH、InhB的浓度。结果:实验组大鼠血清中FSH浓度[(37.56±9.72)ng/ml]与对照组[(26.69±5.33)ng/ml]相比升高,具有统计学意义(P<0.05);而实验组大鼠血清中InhB的浓度[(349.93±99.48)pg/ml]与对照组[(768.83±146.96)pg/ml]相比下降,具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:改进型ELV致FSH升高及InhB下降,这些变化可能是影响生育能力的机制之一。     

Leptin levels in infertile male patients are correlated with inhibin B, testosterone and SHBG but not with sperm characteristics

In the present study, differences in leptin levels between different groups of male patients presenting with infertility problems and possible correlations between leptin levels and clinical, spermiological, histological and hormonal characteristics were examined. Two hundred and ten male partners from infertile couples were included in the study. Based on clinical examination, spermiogram and testicular histology results, patients were divided into four groups: 42 men with non-obstructive azoospermia, 15 men with obstructive azoospermia, 68 men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and 85 men with normozoospermia. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin B, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and leptin were measured. After adjustment for body mass index, there was a negative correlation between serum levels of leptin and inhibin B, total testosterone and SHBG (r = -0.189, p = 0.009, r = -0.250, p = 0.001 and r =-0.221, p = 0.003 respectively) but there was no correlation between leptin and classical sperm characteristics. Our results therefore demonstrate a link between leptin and testicular function, independently of FSH and LH, possibly involving testosterone and SHBG through a regulation of Leydig cell function.     

精索静脉曲张不育患者的精液质量和精子形态学观察

目的:观察不育伴精索静脉曲张(VC)患者的精液质量和精子形态学变化。方法:98例不育伴VC患者精液按WHO标准常规分析并对精子形态学进行评价。130例正常供精者精液检测结果作为对照。结果:VC患者正常形态精子和前向运动精子明显低于对照组(P<0.001),精子畸形的类型以梨形、锥形和不定型头部畸形为主。结论:VC可导致精子畸形率升高,后者可能是男性生育力受损的重要标志之一,经染色后的精子形态学分析是判定VC患者精子受损的一个敏感指标。     

Age is a significant predictor of early and late improvement in semen parameters after microsurgical varicocele repair

Accumulating evidence indicates that varicocele repair improves sperm quality. However, longitudinal changes in sperm parameters and predictors of improved semen characteristics after surgery have not been fully investigated. We retrospectively reviewed data from 100 men who underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocele repair at a single centre. Follow‐up semen examinations were carried out at 3, 6 and 12 months post‐operatively. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of early (3 months) and late (≥6 months) improvement in semen parameters after varicocele repair. At 3 months post‐operatively, 76.1% of the patients had improved total motile sperm counts, which continued to improve significantly up to 12 months post‐operatively (p = .016). When comparing changes in semen parameters between younger (<37 years) and older (≥37 years) men, post‐operative improvements in sperm concentration and motility were greater among younger men. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age was associated with early (p = .043) and late (p = .010) post‐operative improvement in total motile sperm count. Our findings indicate that early varicocele repair improved semen parameters after surgery.     

Time to improvement of semen parameters after microscopic varicocelectomy: When it occurs and its effects on fertility

While ligation of clinical varicoceles has been clearly shown to improve semen parameters in subfertile men, evidence describing when to expect improvement and the potential effects on fertility following surgery are sparse. A chart review was undertaken to identify men who had undergone a microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy from January 1, 2006, to June 30, 2018. Semen analyses were reviewed to determine if a significant improvement occurred post-operatively and when the improvement was seen. Pregnancy data were reviewed to determine if fecundity rates were affected by semen parameter improvement or the interval at which improvement occurred. A total of 170 men met criteria for inclusion, including pregnancy data on 140. 69.4% of patients experienced a significant improvement in total progressive sperm count (TPSC), 78.8% of which occurred after 3 months. The overall pregnancy rate was 40.7%. When comparing men whose TPSC improved to those who did not, there was an odds ratio (OR) of 5.89 (2.28–15.28, 0.0003) for achieving pregnancy, while an OR of 2.05 (0.80–5.28, 0.13) was found when comparing pregnancy rates between early and late improvement in semen parameters. Pregnancy rates were not affected by time to improvement, but were higher in men who had a significant improvement in TPSC after surgery.     

Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy of internal spermatic veins for varicocele treatment: technique,complications, and results

Varicocele repair is mainly indicated in young adult patients with clinical palpable varicocele and abnormal semen parameters. Varicocele treatment is associated with a significant improvement in sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and pregnancy rate. Antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy (ASS) represented one of the main alternatives to the traditional inguinal or suprainguinal surgical ligation. This article reviews the use of ASS for varicocele treatment. We provide a brief overview of the history of the procedure and present our methods used in ASS. In addition, we review complication and success of ASS, including our own retrospective data of treating 674 patients over the last 17 years. Herein, we analyzed step by step the ASS technique and described our results with an original modified technique with a long follow-up. Between December 1997 and December 2014, we performed 674 ASS. Mean operative time was 14 min (range 9 to 50 min). No significant intraoperative complications were reported. Within 90 days from the procedure, postoperative complications were recorded in overall 49 (7.2%) patients. No major complications were recorded. A persistent/recurrent varicocele was detected in 40 (5.9%) cases. In 32/40 (80%) cases, patients showed preoperative grade III varicoceles. In patients with a low sperm number before surgery, sperm count improved from 13 × 10⁶ to 21 × 10⁶ ml⁻¹ (P < 0.001). The median value of the percentage of progressive motile forms at 1 h improved from 25% to 45% (P < 0.001). Percentage of normal forms increased from 17% before surgery to 35% 1 year after the procedure (P < 0.001). In the subgroup of the 168 infertile patients, 52 (31%) fathered offspring at a 12-month-minimum follow-up. Therefore, ASS is an effective minimal invasive treatment for varicocele with low recurrence/persistence rate.     

Assessment of seminal granulysin in infertile men with varicocele

Varicocele has a common association with male infertility, but its exact role is still debated. Apoptosis has been suggested as one of the mechanisms of varicocele‐associated infertility. Granulysin is a molecule that plays a role in apoptosis with no previous study about its role in male infertility. This case‐controlled study aimed to assess seminal plasma granulysin level in infertile patients with varicocele. This study involved 90 men that were allocated into fertile normozoospermic men (n = 20), infertile men without varicocele (n = 30) and infertile men with varicocele (n = 40). These men were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, semen analysis and estimation of seminal granulysin. In general, seminal granulysin level was significantly elevated in infertile men compared with fertile men. Infertile men with varicocele showed significantly higher seminal granulysin compared with infertile men without varicocele, in bilateral varicocele cases and in grade III varicocele. Seminal granulysin level was negatively correlated with sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm normal forms percentage and testicular volumes. It is concluded that increased seminal granulysin has a negative impact on spermatogenesis in infertile men in general and in infertile men associated with varicocele in particular.     

Ultrasonographic parameters of the spermatic veins at the inguinal and scrotal levels in varicocele diagnosis and post-operative repair

Varicocele has been identified as an important cause of male infertility where its influence on men's reproductive capacity is due to its markedly diverse effects on the testicles. This study aimed to assess the value of ultrasonographic parameters of the spermatic veins at the inguinal and scrotal levels in varicocele diagnosis and post-operative evaluation. Forty-five infertile men associated with varicocele and 15 fertile men were subjected to history taking, genital examination and semen analysis. In addition, inguinal and scrotal ultrasonography was carried out pre-varicocelectomy and 3 months post-varicocelectomy. At both the scrotal or inguinal levels, the mean spermatic vein diameter demonstrated significant post-operative decrease compared with the pre-operative resting condition and on Valsalva' manoeuvre. The mean diameters of the pampiniform plexus of veins also demonstrated significant decreases post-operatively compared with the pre-operative resting condition or on Valsalva' manoeuvre. It is concluded that colour Doppler ultrasound is a reliable and noninvasive method that is useful not only for diagnosis but also for post-varicocele repair follow-up.     

精索静脉曲张与男性不育

精索静脉曲张(VC)是导致男性不育的最常见原因之一,手术是治疗VC的主要方法。近来,关于VC导致不育的病理机制研究较多,尤其是细胞分子机制的研究进展较快,主要包括生精细胞凋亡异常和氧化应激。同时,对于VC手术指征和各种术式优劣性的认识也渐趋统一。本文介绍VC导致不育的细胞分子机制及临床治疗决策的研究进展。     

男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎患者血清和精液氧化应激水平及相关参数分析

目的:探讨男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎患者血清和精液丙二醛(MDA)、对氧磷酶-1(PON-1)水平及对精液相关参数的影响。方法:选择有生育力的男性健康对照组50例,男性不育组42例,男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎组45例,采用分光光度法测定血清和精浆MDA水平、PON-1活性,采用吖啶橙荧光染色法测定精子DNA碎片化指数(DFI)。结果:不育伴肝炎组血清和精浆MDA水平明显高于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05),而PON-1活性明显低于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05)。不育伴肝炎组精子活动率、精子存活率均明显低于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05),而精子DFI明显高于对照组和不育组(P<0.01和P<0.05)。三组精子浓度无显著性差异(P>0.05);不育组与不育伴肝炎组精液WBC显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。男性不育伴慢性病毒性肝炎组精浆中的MDA水平、PON-1活性分别与血清中的MDA和PON-1呈显著正相关(r=0.57和0.48,P<0.01)。结论:病毒引起慢性活动性肝炎会使生殖系统氧化应激加强,加重对精子的损害,影响精子质量。     

Assessment of seminal mast cells in infertile men with varicocele after surgical repair

This study aimed to assess seminal mast cells in infertile men associated with varicocele (Vx) pre‐ and post‐surgical repair. Forty‐five infertile men associated with Vx were subjected to history taking and clinical examination. In addition, semen parameters and seminal mast cells stained with 1% toluidine blue were estimated pre‐varicocelectomy and three months post‐varicocelectomy. Vx surgical repair revealed a significant improvement in the mean sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, total sperm motility and sperm abnormal morphology and a significant decrement in seminal mast cells (mean ± SD, 3.56 ± 2.23 cells per high‐power field (HPF) vs. 2.22 ± 1.06 cells per HPF, p = .01). The pre‐operative mean mast cell count demonstrated significant increases in cases with Vx grade III compared with other Vx grades and in cases with bilateral Vx compared with unilateral Vx cases. Seminal mast cells demonstrated a significant correlation with sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility and total sperm motility and a nonsignificant correlation with age and sperm abnormal morphology. It is concluded that seminal mast cells decrease significantly in infertile men with Vx after surgical repair showing a significant negative correlation with sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility and total sperm motility.     

Evaluation of sperm DNA fragmentation index,Zinc concentration and seminal parameters from infertile men with varicocele

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of varicocele on DNA fragmentation index (DFI), zinc concentration and seminal parameters in infertile patients. In this prospective study, 179 men with at least 1‐year history of infertility and varicocele were examined for semen quality at Hanoi Medical University Hospital (HMUH), Hanoi, Vietnam. In addition, an inverse correlation between zinc concentration and the degree of sperm DNA fragmentation in patients with clinical varicocele was found. The difference in mean values of sperm DNA fragmentation index in patients with various grades of varicoceles can be neglected, whereas most patients with varicocele of grades II and III had DFI >30%. Varicocele is associated with high levels of DNA damage in spermatozoa and reduced zinc levels that correlate with different grades of disease. Therefore, DNA fragmentation index and zinc concentration can be used as essential additional diagnostic test for patients with clinical varicocele. A study should be conducted to evaluate the benefits of zinc supplementation to improve seminal parameters in patients with varicocele.     

精浆弹性蛋白酶水平与精液主要参数和精子功能的相关性分析

目的:探讨精浆弹性蛋白酶与精液主要参数和指标的关系。方法:用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测精浆中的弹性蛋白酶,按照WHO人类精液实验室手册要求进行精液常规分析、精子形态分析,检测精子顶体酶活性、精浆抗体(AsAb)、解脲支原体等,分析弹性蛋白酶与男性不育相关因素的关系。结果:209例男性不育患者中,43例患者精浆弹性蛋白酶≥290ng/ml,设为炎症组;166例患者精浆弹性蛋白酶<290ng/ml,设为非炎症组。炎症组的精子密度、精子活动率、a+b级活力精子率、精子顶体酶阳性率均低于非炎症组(P<0.05);而精子畸形率、精浆抗体(AsAb)、解脲支原体阳性率均高于非炎症组(P<0.05)。两组的精液量、PH值和液化时间差异无统计学意义。结论:精浆弹性蛋白酶水平与精液质量有密切的关系,生殖道感染是导致男性不育的重要原因。     

Varicocele: Current controversies in pathophysiology and treatment

Although varicocele is generally regarded as the most common and easily correctable cause of male factor infertility, controversy continues to surround its pathophysiology and treatment. Most likely, a varicocele is the result of a multifactorial process including a longer left internal spermatic vein with its right‐angle insertion into the left renal vein and the absence of valves, which causes a higher hydrostatic pressure resulting in dilatation. Much of the pathophysiology is still unknown, increased blood flow causing an elevated intratesticular temperature may be important. The best method for diagnosis remains a good clinical examination. A key to patient counselling regarding varicocele treatment is an understanding of outcomes data and various predictive factors for response. Positive gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone stimulation test, normal serum follicle‐stimulating hormone level, grade III varicocele, normal testicular size, total motile sperm count more than 5 million per ejaculate and absence of genetic defect are associated with improved outcomes following varicocelectomy. Surgical ligation is still the preferred method of treatment. Percutaneous treatment is reserved for recurrent varicoceles after failure of surgical ligation.      

Early varicocelectomy by percutaneous scleroembolization improves seminiferous tubules spermatozoa release in the adolescent phase of testicular growth

Varicocele is a rather common andrological condition in adolescents, which can adversely affect testicular growth and seminal parameters, leading to infertility in about 20% of adults. The aim of this study was to investigate if treating varicocele before the age of 18 is a beneficial option to improve testicular hypotrophy and seminal parameters and if minimally invasive techniques could be an appropriate treatment choice for adolescent varicocele associated with spermatic vein reflux. A percutaneous scleroembolization was performed in sixty‐four consecutive young patients (13–19 years old) with left varicocele, preceded by a fluoroscopy. In thirty‐four of them, semen samples were also collected. We examined semen samples and testicles dimensions before and after percutaneous varicocelectomy, compared to a nonoperated control group, with a six‐month follow‐up. Total sperm count and sperm morphology were significantly increased in the intervention group. Left testicular volume significantly increased in both groups, while only correction of varicocele improved spermatozoa release per unit of testis volume. We conclude that early varicocelectomy by percutaneous scleroembolization significantly ameliorates seminiferous tubules activity in the critical adolescent phase of testicular growth. It is suggested that adolescents should be; offered varicocele repair as soon as possible in order to improve reproductive potential.     

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).     

Low inhibin B levels alone are not a reliable marker of dysfunctional spermatogenesis in childhood cancer survivors

Hormone and semen analyses were carried out to examine the diagnostic value of hormones and hormone combinations as markers of spermatogenesis in male patients who had received oncological treatment in childhood. Hormone analyses from 73 participants and spermiograms from 42 participants were evaluated. Spearman's correlation coefficients and measures of diagnostic accuracy were calculated for the hormone and semen analysis values. Inhibin B levels of <80 ml/ml, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels of >10 IU l(-1) and a combination of the two parameters showed positive predictive values for azoospermia of 0.423, 0.6154 and 0.6667 respectively. While 32% of the 73 participants showed a combination of abnormal inhibin B and FSH values, which strongly indicates impaired spermatogenesis, 31% of the 42 spermiogram results revealed azoospermia. The hormone and semen analyses showed that approximately one-third of the participants had fertility impairment. Inhibin B alone thus does not reflect spermatogenesis as well as inhibin B in combination with FSH in patients who have undergone cancer treatment in childhood. Both parameters should therefore be evaluated in paediatric cancer follow-up programmes to allow better identification of treatment regimens that cause persistent azoospermia in male childhood cancer survivors.