Do environmental and occupational exposure to pyrethroids and organophosphates affect human semen parameters? Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis

Our purpose was to review and analyse the impact of pyrethroids and organophosphates exposure on human semen parameters. A comprehensive literature search was performed through MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus and Webscience. Only cohort studies examining semen parameters in workers or general populations exposed to pyrethroids or organophosphates were included. Ejaculate volume, sperm count, concentration, motility, viability, normal morphology and seminal pH alterations were pooled using the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel Method with the random effect model and expressed as weighted mean difference, risk ratios, 95% confidence intervals and p-values. Seven cross-sectional studies regarding pyrethroids were included. Four of them were eligible for meta-analysis. The only parameter affected by pyrethroid exposure was normal sperm morphology (WMD-7,61%, 95%CI –11,92 to −3,30;p = 0,0,005). Nine studies were selected to evaluate the impact of organophosphates on semen parameters with six of them eligible for meta-analysis. A significant reduction was detected for the following: ejaculate volume (WMD −0,47ml, 95%CI −0,69 to −0,25; p < 0,0001), sperm count (WMD-40,03, 95%CI −66,81 to −13,25;p = 0,003), concentration (WMD-13,69 x10⁶/mL, 95%CI −23, 27 to-4,12;p = 0,005) and motility (WMD −5,70%, 95%CI −12,89 to 1,50;p = 0,12). Despite the increase in sperm abnormality, it has been shown that pyrethroids are unrelated to reduced sperm quality. However, the negative association of organophosphates with spermatogenesis is noteworthy.     

调畅五脏、调和营卫治疗自汗临证体会

通过分析汗与五脏、营卫的关系,探讨自汗证的病因病机,概括为五脏皆有汗,汗之本为心,汗之化为肾,汗之出为肺,汗之源为脾胃,汗之调为肝。又必以营卫调和为要,汗出方能有节。五脏功能失调、营卫失和均可致自汗。故提出“调畅五脏、调和营卫”的自汗证治则及处方用药,通过典型临床病案,进一步阐释诊疗思路及用药规律。     

基于CiteSpace的近5年国内外男性骨质疏松症研究热点可视化分析

目的 对比近5年男性骨质疏松症国内外研究现状、热点。方法 以中国知网（CNKI）、Web of Science（WOS）核心合集数据库为数据来源,利用CtieSpace,v.5.6.R1对近5年男性骨质疏松症文献进行可视化分析。结果 共纳入中文文献552篇、英文文献3632篇,针对男性骨质疏松症领域的研究主要国家为美国、英国、法国、澳大利亚,主要期刊为Journal of Bone and Mineral Research、Osteoporosis International、Bone。与国外相比,国内机构之间、作者之间缺乏合作。国内外男性骨质疏松症的研究在骨质疏松症的病因、危险因素、实验室检查、影像学检查、治疗药物、骨折风险评估等基础上,以药物治疗、疾病筛查、骨折风险评估等方面为研究热点,就骨质疏松症预防与骨折风险评估而言,国内外研究方向大致相同。在药物治疗方面,国外对新型抗骨质疏松药物的研究较国内更深入。结论 在我国未来男性骨质疏松症的相关研究中,多中心、机构、作者之间的合作有助于研究领域的发展,同时也需更进一步开展骨质疏松性骨折评估、预防、新型抗骨质疏松药物等研究。     

Transient association between semen exposure and biomarkers of genital inflammation in South African women at risk of HIV infection

IntroductionSemen induces mucosal changes in the female reproductive tract to improve pregnancy outcomes. Since semen‐induced alterations are likely short‐lived and genital inflammation is linked to HIV acquisition in women, we investigated the contribution of recent semen exposure on biomarkers of genital inflammation in women at high HIV risk and the persistence of these associations.MethodsWe assessed stored genital specimens from 152 HIV‐negative KwaZulu‐Natal women who participated in the CAPRISA 008 trial between November 2012 and October 2014. During the two‐year study period, 651 vaginal specimens were collected biannually (mean five samples per woman). Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) was screened for prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) by ELISA, whereas Y‐chromosome DNA (YcDNA) detection and quantification were conducted by RT‐PCR, representing semen exposure within 48 hours (PSA+YcDNA+) and semen exposure within three to fifteen days (PSA−YcDNA+). Soluble protein concentrations were measured in CVLs by multiplexed ELISA. T‐cell frequencies were assessed in cytobrushes by flow‐cytometry, and vulvovaginal swabs were used to detect common vaginal microbes by PCR. Linear mixed models adjusting for factors associated with genital inflammation and HIV risk were used to assess the impact of semen exposure on biomarkers of inflammation over multiple visits.ResultsHere, 19% (125/651) of CVLs were PSA+YcDNA+, 14% (93/651) were PSA−YcDNA+ and 67% (433/651) were PSA−YcDNA−. Semen exposure was associated with how often women saw their partners, the frequency of vaginal sex in the past month, HSV‐2 antibody detection, current gonorrhoea infection and Nugent Score. Both PSA detection (PSA+YcDNA+) and higher cervicovaginal YcDNA concentrations predicted increases in several cytokines, barrier‐related proteins (MMP‐2, TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐4) and activated CD4+CCR5+HLA‐DR+ T cells (β = 0.050; CI 0.001 to 0.098; p = 0.046) and CD4+HLA‐DR+ T cells (β = 0.177; CI 0.016 to 0.339; p = 0.032) respectively. PSA detection was specifically associated with raised pro‐inflammatory cytokines (including IL‐6, TNF‐α, IP‐10 and RANTES), and with the detection of BVAB2 (OR = 1.755; CI 1.116 to 2.760; p = 0.015), P. bivia (OR = 1.886; CI 1.102 to 3.228; p = 0.021) and Gardnerella vaginalis (OR = 1.815; CI 1.093 to 3.015; p = 0.021).ConclusionsMore recent semen exposure was associated with raised levels of inflammatory biomarkers and the detection of BV‐associated microbes, which declined by three to fifteen days of post‐exposure. Although transient, semen‐induced alterations may have implications for HIV susceptibility in women.     

机器人手术系统在女性梗阻性生殖道畸形中的应用

目的:分析达芬奇机器人手术系统在女性梗阻性生殖道畸形中的临床应用效果.方法:回顾性分析空军军医大学第一附属医院2015年9月～2019年10月使用达芬奇机器人手术系统完成的梗阻性生殖道畸形手术患者7例的临床资料,统计分析不同生殖道畸形的分类、临床表现、手术方法、术后并发症、月经恢复情况和性生活满意度等.结果:7例患者中,宫颈发育异常者6例,阴道完全闭锁者4例,阴道下段闭锁者1例,合并子宫内膜异位症者6例,合并泌尿系统畸形者1例.所有患者均保留了有功能子宫,6例行宫颈成形术,5例行阴道成形术;所有患者均恢复规律月经,2例有性生活者性生活均满意.结论:对于梗阻性生殖道畸形的患者,达芬奇机器人手术系统能更好地重建生殖道解剖结构,保留有功能子宫.     

Peyronie’s disease may negatively impact the sexual experience of a couple and female sexual function: a single center study

BackgroundPeyonie’s disease (PD) mostly affects males in the fifth decade of life, with a prevalence in the general population ranging between 0.5% and 20.3%. The pathology of PD is characterized by fibrosis of the tunic albuginea of the cavernous bodies of the penis, with the presence of pain in the erection and penile deformity. This is associated with decreased sexual function for both participants. The objective of the study was to investigate the influence of PD pathology on both male patients’ and their female partners’ sexual spheres, and analyze changes in sexual function and perception following penile correction surgery.MethodsProspective study, we included male patients with PD and their female partner sexually active. Patients underwent corporoplasty with multiple plications. The male and female sexuality was evaluated before surgery and three months after male treatment by the Female sexual Function Index (FSFI); International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF); Visual Analogical Scale (VAS).ResultsFrom January 2018 to November 2019 we included 35 couple. The female subjects before partner’s surgery presented dyspareunia, loss of sexual desire, inability to achieve orgasm, and sexual dissatisfaction. At three months after surgical treatment there was an improvement of sexual function in both male patients and female partners (desire P<0.0001, arousal P<0.0001, lubrification P<0.0001, orgasm P<0.0001, satisfaction P<0.0001, pain P<0.0001). As regarding male patients the pain decreased significantly (VAS score from 6 to 2.5), while there was no statistically significant improvement in erectile function (P=0.05).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a viable approach to treatment of PD patients that involves their partners could lead to better functional and psychological results.     

Genetic sperm defects and consanguinity.

BACKGROUND: The existence of a genetic component to human infertility has been suggested, although neither the specific abnormalities involved, nor their genetic mechanism of transmission, are currently defined. We have examined, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ejaculate from 1600 males with fertility problems. Among the subjects studied, we focused on a group of patients whose family histories revealed different degrees of consanguinity, in order to evaluate the relationship between consanguinity and particular sperm alterations. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 64 consanguineous individuals were identified. In this group, excluding two azoospermic patients, 17 patients (27%) were found to have well recognized genetic ultrastructural defects affecting their entire sperm population: eight subjects had spermatozoa with "stunted tails", four "detached tail" spermatozoa, two "Kartagener's syndrome", two "miniacrosome" and one "round headed" spermatozoa. Since these alterations affect the total sperm population and do not respond to medical treatment, they are suspected of having a genetic origin. The remaining group of 1506 non-consanguineous patients suffered from the same genetic defects in only 15 cases (<1%). CONCLUSIONS: From the data presented, it appears that some very peculiar and rare sperm defects may have a genetic basis since they occur more frequently in consanguineous patients, and are related to different degrees of consanguinity. Since the ejaculate of the remaining patients, both consanguineous and not, showed diverse types of ultrastructural sperm anomalies that did not affect the entire sperm population, they might represent pathologies lacking a genetic basis.     

Sexual functioning of male anabolic steroid abusers

The effects of anabolic steroid use on male sexual behavior were assessed using a structured clinical interview administered to male body builders currently using steroids, and to two comparison groups (body builders with a past but not current history of steroid use, and a group of natural body builders who had never used steroids). Current anabolic steroid users had a significantly higher coital and orgasmic frequency than did comparison athletes. They also reported a significantly higher incidence of erectile difficulties during the past month. Beliefs concerning the sexually stimulating effects of steroids did not correlate with the frequencies of specific sexual behaviors. The data support the contention that anabolic steroids, as androgenic compounds, enhance sexual desire.