Immunohistochemical Localization of Neuropeptide Y in Nerves of the Male Genital Tract of the Photoperiodically Responsive Djungarian Hamster, Phodopus Sungoras/Immunhistochemische Lokalisation von Neuropeptid Y in Nerven der männlichen Genitalorgane des photoperiodisch sensiblen Djungarischen Zwerghamsters, Phodopus sungorus

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in nerves of the male genital tract of Phodopus sungorus at long (LD 16:8) und short (LD 8:16) photoperiods. No immunoreactive nerve fibres could be demonstrated in the testis, caput and corpus epididymidis and the ventral prostate gland. Dense networks of NPY-containing nerve fibers were demonstrated in the smooth muscle layer of the sperm-transporting duct, beginning in the cauda epididymidis with increasing density towards the distal part of the ductus deferens, and in the smooth muscle layer of the seminal vesicles. At short photoperiods, the density of the NPY-containing nerve plexus decreased only in the smooth muscle layer of the ductus deferens. A "trophic" influence of the large smooth muscle cells of the ductus deferens on their nerves not only in regard to their noradrenaline, but also on their NPY content is discussed.     

A psychosocial study of male prostitution

A semistructured questionnaire was administered to 50 male prostitutes and 50 nonprostitutes matched on age, sex, and socioeconomic status. The questionnaire focused on areas pertaining to family, sexual and criminal history, current life situation, sexual practices with clients, substance abuse, etc. In addition, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale were administered to 35 subjects from each group. Results indicated that there were differences between the groups but that these differences did not entirely support the demographic profile offered by previous researchers. Specifically, our findings suggest that factors related to family background may be less important as potential determinants for entry into prostitution than influences related to financial gain, sexual orientation (homosexuality), and early sexual experiences.This research was supported by a grant from the Donation Richelieu.     

Attitudes toward male fertility control: results of a multinational survey on four continents

BACKGROUND: Following extensive research activity to develop an effective agent to control male fertility, such a product may be available for use within approximately 5 years. However, little is known concerning contraceptive knowledge, desires and attitudes of men in different countries, and their acceptance of male fertility control (MFC). METHODS: A survey of >9000 males aged 18-50 years was performed in nine countries on four continents in 2002. The objective was to compare, on a cross-cultural basis, the knowledge, attitudes and acceptability of MFC among men and assess their willingness to use such a method. RESULTS: Between 50 and 83% of the male respondents currently use contraceptive methods, and 55-81.5% reported that both partners participate in selecting the method of contraception employed. Overall acceptance of hormonal MFC was high (>55%), with 28.5-71.4% of survey participants of various nationalities expressing the willingness to use such a method. CONCLUSION: While MFC appears to be well accepted overall, the willingness to use this type of contraception varies widely between differing population groups. The specific characteristics and profile of any MFC product will have to be carefully evaluated to accurately assess its acceptance, both by men and their female partners.     

FG syndrome in a premature male

A 30-week premature male infant is presented with dolichocephaly, frontal bossing, down-slanting palpebral fissures, hypertelorism, long philtrum, micrognathia, cleft palate, and imperforate anus. He is the fifth patient to be presented with FG syndrome and sensorineural deafness. The patient's syndromic manifestations became more obvious during an inpatient observation period of 3 months.     

Secretory carcinoma of the breast in adults: emphasis on late recurrence and metastasis

Secretory (so-called juvenile) carcinoma of the breast, first described in children, occurs also in adult women, predominantly in the third decade. Less commonly it is seen in older age groups, up to the eighth decade. We report five patients with this tumour; one, a female aged 73, is the oldest age at which the tumour has been recorded, and one is the first report in an adult male in whom the disease recurred after 20 years, only the second recorded death attributable to this tumour type. Secretory carcinoma in adults is potentially more aggressive than in childhood. Nodal metastases are more frequent and sometimes more extensive. Recurrence of tumour after surgery developed in four of our five patients at 3, 8, 15 and 20 years. Slow growth and delayed recurrence are characteristic of many of these tumours. Death from systemic metastases is rare, but may ensue either rapidly or following a long latent period after treatment. Prolonged follow-up is needed to assess accurately the biological behaviour of this tumour.     

Content of acid and alkaline phosphatases in lymphocytes of peripheral blood and hematopoietic organs of intact rats and mice

The content of acid and alkaline phosphatases was studied in the lymphocytes of the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid organs (thymus, spleen, lymph node) of intact noninbred rats. The mean percentage of cells containing the enzymes was determined. Their organ and species characteristics are described.Central Research Laboratory and Department of Pathophysiology, Tomsk Medical Institute. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR I. V. Toroptsev.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 85, No. 2, pp. 158–159, February, 1978.     

Assisted reproduction in male cancer survivors: fertility treatment and outcome in 67 couples

BACKGROUND: Many male cancer survivors experience fertility problems due to antineoplastic treatment. We report the fertility outcome in 67 couples referred to assisted reproduction treatment (ART) because of male factor infertility due to cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective study assessing the following parameters: diagnosis, cancer treatment, type of fertility treatment and type of sperm used, number of pregnancies and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: Testicular cancer and lymphomas were the most prevalent diagnoses. Adjuvant treatment with chemo- and/or radiation therapy had been given to 90% of the men. Semen was cryopreserved in 82% of the men prior to treatment. Following antineoplastic treatment, 43% of the men had motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate, but 57% were azoospermic. A total of 151 ART cycles were performed [55 intra-uterine insemination (IUI), 82 ICSI and 14 ICSI-frozen embryo replacement (FER)]. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 14.8% after IUI, 38.6% after ICSI and 25% after ICSI-FER. The corresponding delivery rates were 11.1, 30.5 and 21%. Cryopreserved semen was used in 58% of the pregnancies. The delivery rate per cycle was similar after use of fresh or cryopreserved spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS: Male cancer survivors have a good chance of fathering a child by using either fresh ejaculated sperm or cryopreserved sperm.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the protamine-1 and -2 genes of fertile and infertile human male populations

Although various genetic factors have been implicated in human male infertility, the causative genes for the different types of idiopathic male infertility have not been elucidated. Protamines, which are the major DNA-binding proteins in the sperm nucleus, package the DNA into the sperm head. Analysis of the human protamine-1 (PRM1) and -2 (PRM2) gene sequences in 226 sterile male patients and in 270 proven-fertile male volunteers revealed four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PRM1 coding region, which did not cause any amino acid substitutions, and one SNP in the PRM2 gene, which produced translation termination. We also observed one SNP in the 3' non-coding region of the PRM1 gene, and two SNPs within the intron of the PRM2 gene. The prevalence of these SNPs was similar in both infertile patients and in proven-fertile volunteers, except that the c248t alteration in the PRM2 gene induced a nonsense codon under conditions of heterozygosity in one infertile patient. Although the PRM1 and PRM2 genes are highly conserved, the single SNP in the PRM2 gene that induces translation termination may result in male infertility due to haploinsufficiency of PRM2.     

Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone on Avoidance Behavior of Adult Male Rats

We studied the effect of repeated intraperitoneal treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone in doses of 0.1 and 0.7 mg/kg on conditioned-response activity and behavior of adult male rats. The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on learning was estimated in conditioned active and passive avoidance response paradigms. Chronic administration of dehydroepiandrosterone in low and high doses had no effect on retention of conditioned passive avoidance response in adult male rats 24 h after learning. However, chronic administration of dehydroepiandrosterone in low dose impaired acquisition of the conditioned active avoidance response. It should be emphasized that chronic administration of dehydroepiandrosterone in high dose did not modulate acquisition and retention of this reaction.     

The diagnosis of male infertility--prospective time-specific study of conception rates related to seminal analysis and post-coital sperm--mucus penetration and survival in otherwise unexplained infertility

Infertile women without any inherent female infertility factorsand able to secrete normal cervical mucus were studied prospectivelyin relation to post-coital sperm—mucus penetration (PCT)and their partner's seminal analysis, excluding men with azoospermia.Time-specific cumulative conception rates calculated as forlife-table analysis were related to each measured seminal variableon routine analysis of 2–3 samples (volume, density, proportionwith progressive motility, and proportion with normal morphology);to various derivatives from combinations of these variables;to seminal findings after vital staining; and to the PCT results.The best seminal predictor of fertility was the motile normalsperm density (MNSD), the 18 month conception rates being 57.4%+ 4.6 (SE) and 30.2% + 5.9 (ratio 1.9, P < 0.001) above andbelow a derived threshold value of 4 x 10⁶/ml. The PCT led torates of 55.6% ± 4.3 and 14.9% ± 5.1 (ratio 3.73,P < 0.001) for positive and negative results, respectively.The PCT also gave rise to a significantly distinct intermediatepoor-psitive sub-group (conception rate 30.6% ± 9.0).Seminal analysis (the MNSD) did not affect the conception rateassociated with a positive PCT but helped to discriminate furtherwith a negative PCT (conception rates 22.5% ± 8.7 withan MNSD above 4 x 10⁶/ml versus 5.6% ± 4.8 below, P <0.05). The PCT was the single best predictor of fertility butseminal analysis (the MNSD) was of additional value after anegative PCT.