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Seminal Analysis (seminal + analysis)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Zinner's syndrome: an up-to-date review of the literature based on a clinical case

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2009
B. J. Pereira
Summary The authors made an up-to-date review of the literature concerning the management of Zinner's syndrome and evaluated a young patient with Zinner's syndrome who had presented with urinary and ejaculatory complaints. Physical examination and transrectal ultra-sonography showed a 7.0 cm right seminal vesicle cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis of Zinner's syndrome. Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia was present at the two seminal analyses. Symptomatic improvement was achieved with conservative measures. Actually, the patient is still on a follow-up programme. The diagnosis is usually established at the age of increased sexual activity. Patients may be asymptomatic or present pain, irritative urinary or ejaculatory symptoms and infertility. MRI has proved to be the best imaging examination. Treatment should be adapted to symptoms, surveillance being the best option in the absence of clinical manifestations. Surgical approach may be adequate when conservative measures prove ineffective. Zinner's syndrome should be suspected if a male young patient presents with unilateral renal agenesis and pelvic complaints and has a supraprostatic mass on digital rectal examination. The initial approach should be medical, but invasive procedures may be the only way to solve the patient's complaints. Nowadays, laparoscopic and robotic techniques must replace the open surgical approach. [source]

Politics And Gastropolitics: Gender And The Power Of Food In Two African Pastoralist Societies

THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, Issue 2 2002
Jon Holtzman
Male-centred aspects of political behaviour have generally remained the explanatory and interpretive focuses in analyses of the social organization of African pastoralists. While recent work on African pastoralists has shed increasing light on the lives of women, I argue that key assumptions underlying anthropological models of male dominance in these societies have been insufficiently challenged. Drawing on recent approaches in gender and social organization that highlight the mutual constitution of domestic and political domains, I examine comparative material from two well-known pastoralist societies: the Samburu of northern Kenya and the Nuer of southern Sudan. In doing so, I suggest strong linkages between male-dominated ,political spheres' and areas of domestic life in which the role of women is more significant , particularly processes of domestic food distribution. In re-examining central facets of Samburu politics , which are best known through Paul Spencer's seminal analysis of the gerontocratic aspects of Samburu political life , I suggest that the status and identities of Samburu men are in fundamental ways defined through their relationship to women as providers of food within Samburu households. Comparative material from the Nuer suggests, additionally, the strategic use of food by women in influencing male ,political spheres'. In comparing these cases, I suggest a more general model through which domestic processes of food allocation as realms of female-centred social action may be seen to play a central role in the forms and processes of pastoral ,political' life. [source]

Integrity of mitochondrial membrane potential reflects human sperm quality

ANDROLOGIA, Issue 1 2009
J. A. Espinoza
Summary The aim of this work was to evaluate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, phosphatidylserine (PS) externalisation and mitochondrial membrane potential integrity in the spermatozoa of healthy donors and outpatients who consulted for infertility and to correlate the results with the classic sperm parameters. For the evaluation of intracellular ROS levels, PS externalisation and mitochondrial membrane potential integrity, the fluorescent compounds dihydroethidium, annexin V-FITC and JC-1, respectively, were used and analysed by using flow cytometry. Conventional seminal analysis, including motility, viability, morphology, sperm count and volume, was performed according to the WHO criteria. The mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS results showed significant differences between the spermatozoa of individuals with a normal semen analysis and those of the group presenting abnormality in at least one of the sperm parameters. Mitochondrial membrane potential showed a significant and direct correlation with all the sperm parameters analysed. ROS were inversely correlated with motility, viability and morphology. PS externalisation, however, did not show any differences between the two groups, nor was it correlated with the sperm parameters examined. The evaluation of mitochondrial membrane potential integrity is a test that reflects sperm quality, which makes it highly recommendable to be applied as a complement to routine sperm analyses. [source]

Failed vasectomy reversal: is a further attempt using microsurgery worthwhile?

BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2000
M. Fox
Objective To determine, in failed vasectomy reversal, the usefulness of a revised anastomosis using microsurgery in achieving sperm in the ejaculate and fertility, and to relate the outcome to the site of the anastomosis, length of time from vasectomy, and presence or absence of sperm in the vas at surgery. Patients and methods In a series of 28 patients with confirmed anastomotic obstruction undergoing vasectomy reversal (over a 10-year period), a microsurgical technique using an oblique end-to-end two-layer interrupted anastomosis with 10/0 Nylon was used to establish vasal continuity. Subsequent seminal analysis at 3,6 months and ensuing paternity were related to several variables. The results were compared with those obtained after 137 cases of primary microsurgical vasovasostomy. Results Sperm was restored to the ejaculate in 16 (57%) of the patients and successful fertilization was reported in nine (32%). The interval between vasectomy and reversal surgery was relevant to the outcome, with four out of four men having sperm in the ejaculate within 5 years and three achieving paternity. However, the fertility rate was still moderate after an interval of 6,10 years (two of six) and at > 10 years (four of 18). The presence of sperm in the ejaculate was related to whether or not sperm were found in the testicular end of the vas at operation, but absence did not preclude a successful outcome. The overall results were not significantly different from those after primary microsurgical reversal surgery. Conclusion Microscopic vasovasostomy after previous obstructive failure provides the patient with a further reasonable chance of becoming fertile; although diminishing with time from vasectomy, even after a prolonged period there can be success. The absence of sperm at the time of vasovasostomy does not necessarily indicate failure, but in these cases the presence of thick creamy fluid in the vas predicts a poor outcome, and alternative methods of management should be considered. A microsurgical technique extending, if necessary, well into the convoluted part of the vas, is recommended. Microsurgical skills, relevant equipment and adequate time are required. [source]