Robust Coarse Cage Construction with Small Approximation Errors.

We propose a robust and automatic method to construct manifold cages for 3D triangular meshes. The cage contains hundreds of triangles to tightly enclose the input mesh without self-intersections. To generate such cages, our algorithm consists of two phases: (1) construct manifold cages satisfying the tightness, enclosing, and intersection-free requirements and (2) reduce mesh complexities and approximation errors without violating the enclosing and intersection-free requirements. To theoretically make the first stage have those properties, we combine the conformal tetrahedral meshing and tetrahedral mesh subdivision. The second step is a constrained remeshing process using explicit checks to ensure that the enclosing and intersection-free constraints are always satisfied. Both phases use a hybrid coordinate representation, i.e., rational numbers and floating point numbers, combined with exact arithmetic and floating point filtering techniques to guarantee the robustness of geometric predicates with a favorable speed. We extensively test our method on a data set of over 8500 models, demonstrating robustness and performance. Compared to other state-of-the-art methods, our method possesses much stronger robustness.

Interaction between hepatokines and metabolic diseases.

Metabolic diseases are broadly defined as diseases caused by problems in metabolic function, including central obesity, insulin resistance, lipid glucose abnormalities, and elevated blood pressure. As an important metabolic organ, the liver plays a key role in regulating many physiological processes such as systemic glucose and lipid metabolism. Numerous studies in recent years have shown that the liver can synthesize and secrete a variety of hepatokines, including FGF21, Fetuin-A and ANGPTL8, which regulate the metabolism in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Intervention of hepatokines expression may contribute to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of metabolic diseases. However, further studies are needed to be investigated as the mechanism of hepatokines and metabolic homeostasis is still elusive. In this review, we summarize the relationships between hepatokines and metabolic diseases in order to provide new strategies for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

External Supports Are Associated With the COVID-19 Vaccination in Chinese Breast Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignant cancer in China. Considering the specific national conditions, no evidence is available for factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination in patients with breast cancer. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey, fielded from June 21 through June 27, 2021. A total of 944 nationally representative samples of Chinese breast cancer patients participating in the survey were included. Participant surveys included questions addressing who finished COVID-19 vaccination with the question "Have you taken the COVID-19 vaccine?", and response options were "Yes" and "No". Results: Overall, 730 (77.33%) women with breast cancer were unvaccinated, and only 214 (22.67%) were vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. After adjusting for potential confounders, including both sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, we found that external support, including positive doctor suggestions (odds ratio (OR): 5.52; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.50 - 8.71; P < 0.0001), positive support from surrounding people (OR: 11.65; 95% CI: 7.57 - 17.91; P < 0.0001), and negative initiative from the community (OR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06 - 0.35; P < 0.0001), was associated with COVID-19 vaccination rates among breast cancer patients. These results remain stable in subgroup analyses. We found that most participants (82.52%) understood the necessity of COVID-19 vaccinations in China was strong; however, the recognition regarding the COVID-19 vaccine showed different patterns between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants. Conclusions: Our findings suggest external support, including vaccination suggestions from surgeons or oncologists, vaccination suggestions from associated people, and residents' committee mandated vaccinations, was associated with the COVID-19 vaccination rates. Interventions regarding these factors and improving publicity as well as education regarding COVID-19 vaccines among breast cancer patients are warranted.

Fatal outcome of malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast in pregnancy: a case and literature review.

Phyllodes tumor of the breast (PTB) is a rare fibroepithelial breast neoplasm that accounts for less than 1% of breast tumors. Only a few cases related to pregnancy have been reported. It is not known how pregnancy affects the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of breast tumors. Here we report a case of a 38-year-old female patient with a small, mobile palpable lump in the left breast for about 15 years. it was considered a benign lesion and no surgical treatment was performed at the beginning. The left breast mass became larger suddenly during pregnancy, However, she did not see the doctor and receive any treatment in time. The lump was resected one year after labor and confirmed to be malignant phyllodes of the breast by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Unfortunately, local recurrence occurred within six months after the first operation, and lung metastasis occurred eight months later. And this patient finally died 13 months after the operation due to tumor progression. This is the first report of pregnancy-related malignant PTB, with local recurrence and distant metastasis in a short period. This case report highlights a situation: the patient should be diagnosed early and treated in time when she has a previous breast fibroadenoma, but suddenly increased during pregnancy.

Two new Leptobrachella species (Anura, Megophryidae) from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, southwestern China.

Two new toad species of the genus Leptobrachella are described from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau of China, based on the combination of molecular and morphological data. The description of Leptobrachella aspera Wang, Lyu, Qi & Wang, sp. nov. from Huanglianshan Nature Reserve represents the thirteenth Leptobrachella species known from Yunnan Province, and the description of Leptobrachella dorsospina Wang, Lyu, Qi & Wang, sp. nov. from Yushe Forest Park represents the sixth Leptobrachella species known from Guizhou Province. These new discoveries further emphasize the extremely high diversity of the Leptobrachella toads in these regions.

[Research progresses on PGC-1α, a key energy metabolic regulator].

Disturbance of the energy balance, when the energy intake exceeds its expenditure, is a major risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) functions as a key regulator of energy metabolism and has become a hotspot in current researches. PGC-1α sensitively responds to the environmental stimuli and nutrient signals, and further selectively binds to different transcription factors to regulate various physiological processes, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and circadian clock. In this review, we described the gene and protein structure of PGC-1α, and reviewed its tissue-specific function in the regulation of energy homeostasis in various mammalian metabolic organs, including liver, skeletal muscle and heart, etc. At the meanwhile, we summarized the application of potential small molecule compounds targeting PGC-1α in the treatment of metabolic diseases. This review will provide theoretical basis and potential drug targets for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

[Association between S100B gene polymorphisms and hand, foot and mouth disease caused by enterovirus 71 infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between rs9722 polymorphisms in the S100B gene and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus 71. METHODS: A total of 124 HFMD children with enterovirus 71 infection were enrolled as subjects, and 56 healthy children were enrolled as control group. The rs9722 polymorphisms in the S100B gene were detected for both groups, and the serum level of S100B protein was measured for 74 HFMD children. RESULTS: The rs9722 locus of the S100B gene had three genotypes, CC, CT, and TT, and the genotype frequencies were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared with the control group, the HFMD group had significant increases in the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele (P<0.01). Children with severe HFMD caused by enterovirus 71 infection had significantly higher frequencies of TT genotype and T allele than those with moderate or mild HFMD (P<0.05). Compared with the cured patients, the patients with poor prognosis had significant increases in the frequencies of TT genotype and T allele in the rs9722 locus of the S100B gene (P<0.05). Among the 74 children with HFMD, the children with TT genotype had the highest serum level of S100B protein, and those with CC genotype had the lowest level (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: T allele in the rs9722 locus of the S100B gene might be a risk factor for severe HFMD caused by enterovirus 71 infection.

Mitochondrial variations in the MT-ND4 and MT-TL1 genes are associated with male infertility.

Mitochondrial gene mutations have been reported to be associated with sperm motility and the quality of semen. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the two mitochondrial genes (MT-ND4 and MT-TL1) are involved in Chinese male infertility. A total of 97 asthenospermia patients and 80 fertile controls were recruited in this case-control study. Genomic DNA were extracted from the sperm of all participants. Two mitochondrial DNA genes (MT-ND4 and MT-TL1) were amplified by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the gene-specific primers and sequenced on an ABI 3730XL DNA sequencer. For the MT-ND4 gene, we found a total of 64 and 54 nucleotide substitutions in patients and controls, respectively, with no discrepancy in the mutation rates (66.0% vs. 67.5%, p>0.05). However, one mutation (g.11084A>G, p.T109A) leading to an amino acid substitution in a highly conserved residue and predicted to be deleterious was detected only in the cases. For another gene MT-TL1, a novel mutation (g.3263C>T) near the anticodon TAA was identified in an asthenospermia patient and was absent from normal controls. However, the mutation positions in the cases varied from the controls and one highly conserved mutation (g.11084A>G, p.T109A) which was not found in the controls and probably caused damage to the protein structure might contribute to asthenospermia. For another gene MT-TL1, a highly conservative novel mutation which is located closely next to the anticodon also might contribute to asthenospermia. Our result suggests that the MT-ND4 and MT-TL1 genes might be associated with Chinese male infertility. ABBREVIATIONS: MT-ND4: mitochondrially encoded NADH dehydrogenase 4; MT-TL1: mitochondrially encoded tRNA leucine 1 (UUA/G); PCR: polymerase chain reaction; OXPHOS: mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA; SNPs: single nucleotide substitutions; AD: alzheimer's disease; PD: parkinson's disease; MELAS: mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes; ROS: reactive oxygen species.

Ultrasound sclerotherapy pretreatment could obtain a similar effect to surgical intervention on improving the outcomes of in vitro fertilization for patients with hydrosalpinx.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for patients with hydrosalpinx between ultrasound sclerotherapy and surgical intervention. METHODS: The data of 482 IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were divided into three groups according to different intervention protocols before IVF/ICSI. Group A included 265 cycles in which ultrasound sclerotherapy pretreatment was carried out before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Group B included 109 cycles in which hydrosalpinx aspiration was carried out under ultrasound guidance on the day of oocyte retrieval. Croup C included 108 cycles in which bilateral salpingectomy was carried out before IVF/ICSI. RESULTS: The rates of embryo implantation, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, and early abortion showed no significant differences between groups A and C (P > 0.05); whereas the rates of embryo implantation, biochemical pregnancy, and clinical pregnancy in group B were significantly lower than those in groups A and C (P < 0.05), and that of early abortion in group B was significantly higher than that in groups A and C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound sclerotherapy on patients with hydrosalpinx before IVF-embryo transfer could obtain a similar clinical outcome to surgical intervention.

[Application value of frozen-thawed mouse round spermatids in in vitro fertilization].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of the frozen-thawed round spermatids of the mouse in in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: Haploid spermatids of the mouse obtained in vitro were divided into a frozen-thawed and a fresh group and oocytes were collected from 6－8 weeks old female mice. After diamidino-phenyl-indole (DAPI) staining, the oocytes were subjected to intracytoplasmic round spermatid injection (ROSI), 259 in the frozen-thawed and 238 in the fresh group. Comparisons were made between the two groups in the capacities of fertilization and embryonic development. RESULTS: The survival rate of the frozen-thawed haploid spermatids was (75.9 ± 2.3) %. No statistically significant differences were observed between the frozen-thawed and fresh groups after ROSI in the rates of fertilization (51.9 vs 55.7%, P >0.05), 2-cell embryos (51.0 vs 62.2%, P >0.05), 4－8-cell embryos (41.8 vs 42.9%, P >0.05), or morula-blastocysts (12.2 vs 21.4%, P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Frozen-thawed round spermatids of the mouse are similar to fresh ones in their capacities of fertilization and embryonic development.

Regulation of reproduction by the circadian rhythms.

Mammals synchronize their circadian activity primarily to the cycles of light and darkness in the environment. Circadian rhythm is controlled by the central clock in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and the peripheral clocks in various tissues. More importantly, the central clock can integrate photic/nonphotic signals to generate rhythmic outputs, and then drive the slave oscillators in peripheral tissues through neuroendocrine and behavioral signals. Human reproductive activities, as some other physiological functions, are controlled by the biological clocks. Accumulating lines of epidemiological and genetic evidence indicate that disruption of circadian clock can be directly involved in multiple pathological processes, including infertility. In this review, we mainly discuss the presence of a circadian clock in reproductive tissues and its roles in follicles development, ovulation, spermatogenesis, fertilization and embryo implantation, etc. As the increased shift work and assisted reproductive technologies possibly disrupt circadian rhythmicity to impact reproduction, the importance of circadian rhythms should be highlighted in the regulation of reproductive process.

Ultrasound-guided aspiration of hydrosalpinx occurring during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation could improve clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

AIM: To investigate whether aspiration of hydrosalpinx during oocyte retrieval could improve the clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: The clinical data of 598 IVF-ET cycles with tubal factor infertility at Reproductive Medical Center, 105 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Anhui, China, between March 2011 and July 2015 were analyzed in this retrospective study. Among them, 71 cycles with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx confirmed on both hysterosalpingography (HSG) and ultrasonography before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) were assigned to group A. A total of 51 cycles with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx occurring during COH and confirmed on ultrasonography were assigned to group B. In both group A and group B, ultrasound-guided hydrosalpinx aspiration was performed in all patients when oocyte retrieval was finished. A further 35 cycles with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx during COH received no intervention and were assigned to group C. A total of 441 cycles without hydrosalpinx on HSG or on ultrasonography before or during COH served as the control (group D). The IVF-ET outcomes of the four groups were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in group A and group C were significantly lower than those in group B and group D. The ongoing pregnancy rate in group A was significantly lower than that in group B and group D, and the ongoing pregnancy rate in group C was significantly lower than that in group D. CONCLUSION: Aspiration of hydrosalpinx occurring during COH could significantly improve the clinical outcomes of IVF-ET, but not for the hydrosalpinx occurring before COH.

Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of interventional ultrasound sclerotherapy with 98% ethanol on women with hydrosalpinx before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of ultrasound sclerotherapy with 98% ethanol on women with hydrosalpinx before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 339 women were divided into 4 groups. Group A without a recurrent hydrosalpinx after sclerotherapy (n = 123, 130 cycles), group B having a recurrence of hydrosalpinx after sclerotherapy (n = 34, 39 cycles), group C (n = 47, 50 cycles) with no prophylactic intervention for hydrosalpinx, whereas group D with nonhydrosalpinx tubal factor infertility was served as control group (n = 135, 145 cycles). Pulsatility index, resistance index, the ratio between peak systolic flow and lowest diastolic flow of the uterine arcuate artery on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin administration, and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-four women (21.7%) experienced hydrosalpinx recurrence after sclerotherapy. The rates of embryo implantation (8.8%), clinical pregnancy (16.0%), and live birth (10.0%) in group C were significantly lower than those in group A (26.4%, 43.1%, 33.8%), group B (24.5%, 38.5%, 28.2%), and group D (30.0%, 50.3%, 39.3%), respectively. The pulsatility index, resistance index, and the ratio between peak systolic flow and lowest diastolic flow of the uterine arcuate artery in group C were significantly higher than those in the other 3 groups. No significant differences in the rate of preterm birth, the rate of low birthweight newborns, and birth defects were found among the 4 groups. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound sclerotherapy on women with hydrosalpinx could improve the outcomes of in vitro fertilization embryo transfer by improving the blood flow of the uterine arcuate artery. Interventional ultrasound sclerotherapy has no adverse effect on perinatal outcomes.

[Methylation pattern of imprinted genes H19 and IGF2r in spermatogenic cells cultured in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the methylation patterns of imprinting control region (ICR) of H19 gene and differentially methylated region (DMR) of IGF2r gene in mature sperms derived from epididymis of Kunming mice and in vitro cultured haploid spermatids. METHODS: The H19 ICR and IGF2r DMR2 were detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). The results were compared with standard sequence derived from GenBank using a DNAman software. RESULTS: 96.67% (15 CpG sites) of H19 ICR was found to be methylated, and 94.29% IGF2r DMR2 was found to be unmethylated in mature sperms. By contrast, 69.33% of H19 ICR and 44.29% of IGF2r DMR2 were found to be methylated in the haploid spermatids cultured in vitro. A significant difference was detected in the methylation patterns between the two types of cells (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The H19 ICR in mature sperm of Kunming mice was essentially methylated, while the IGF2r DMR2 was essentially unmethylated. Partial methylation loss in H19 ICR and abnormal methylation in IGF2r DMR2 were found in the haploid spermatids cultured in vitro.

[Expression levels of Slc7a11 in the skin of Kazakh sheep with different coat colors].

Slc7a11 belongs to solute transporter gene family, encoding cystine/glutamate transporter xCT. It regulates switching between eumelanin and pheomelanin synthesis. In the present study, Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of Slc7a11 in the skin of Kazakh lambs with different coat colors (black, brown and white), and then the prokaryotic expression plasmid PET-32a-sxCT was constructed to induce the expression of fusion protein. The target pro-tein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatographic separation, and then was used to immunize rabbit in order to produce rabbit anti-sxCT polyclonal antibody. Finally, the expression levels of sxCT were detected in the skin of Kazakh lambs with different hair colors by Western blotting analysis. Results showed that the mRNA expression levels of Slc7a11 differed significantly in the skin of Kazakh lambs with different coat colors, with the highest level in brown coat color, followed by the black, and then the white. The sxCT protein was also detected in the skin of different coat colors by polyclonal antibody, with the highest level in brown coat color, followed by the black, and then the white. It is, therefore, concluded that slc7a11 gene might be associated with the phenotype of coat color in Kazakh sheep.

[Clinical applications of different doses of leuprorelin acetate in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of different doses of leuprorelin acetate in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2011, the data of 268 patients undergoing IVF and(or) intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in Reproductive Medical Center, Clinical College of PLA, Anhui Medical University were studied retrospectively. All the patients were divided into three groups based on with long protocol and controlled ovarian stimulation (COH) including 83 cycles with 1.25 mg of leuprorelin in low dose group, 68 cycles with 1.88 mg of leuprorelin in high dose group, 117 cycles with 1.25 mg of diphereline in control group. The serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P) before gonadotropin (Gn) administration on the days 3-5 of the menstrual cycle and on the day of hCG administration were detected, the dose and duration of Gn, number of oocytes retrieved, number of mature oocytes, the rates of fertilization, embryo cleaved, good-quality embryos clinical pregnancy and early miscarriage were compared among three groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, the level of LH and P on the day of hCG administration among three groups (P > 0.05). The level of FSH was (3.8 ± 1.6) U/L in low dose leuprorelin group, (3.1 ± 1.4) U/L in high dose of leuprorelin group and (2.4 ± 1.3) U/L in diphereline group before Gn administration, which reached statistical difference (P < 0.05). The mean length of Gn stimulation were (9.8 ± 1.7) days in low dose leuprorelin group, (10.5 ± 1.8) days in high dose of leuprorelin group and (11.1 ± 1.4) days in diphereline group, which reached statistical difference (P < 0.05). The mean dose of Gn was (24 ± 7) in low dose of leuprorelin group, which was significantly higher than (27 ± 9) in high dose of leuprorelin group and (28 ± 7) in diphereline group (P < 0.05). The level of LH was (2.7 ± 1.6) U/L in low dose of leuprorelin group and (2.2 ± 1.0) U/L in diphereline group before Gn administration, which reached statistical difference (P < 0.05). The cancel cycles were 5 in low dose of leuprorelin group, 4 in high dose of leuprorelin group and 7 in diphereline group. The number of ovum was (14 ± 7) low dose of leuprorelin group, (13 ± 6) in high dose of leuprorelin group, (14 ± 6) in diphereline group. The rates of fertilization was 66.26% (758/1144) in low dose of leuprorelin group, 67.01% (589/879) in high dose of leuprorelin group and 68.54% (1111/1621) in diphereline group, the rates of good-quality embryos was 64.22% (472/735) in low dose of leuprorelin group, 60.50% (340/562) in high dose of leuprorelin group and 59.59% (640/1074) in diphereline group, clinical pregnancy was 49% (38/78) in low dose of leuprorelin group, 42% (27/64) in high dose of leuprorelin group and 50% (55/110) in diphereline group, early miscarriage was 18% (7/38) in low dose of leuprorelin group, 15% (4/27) in high dose of leuprorelin group and 15% (8/55) in diphereline group, which did not show significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both 1.25 mg and 1.88 mg leuprorelin acetate could obtain good down-regulation effect and clinical outcomes. 1.25 mg leuprorelin acetate could decrease patient's costs by reducing Gn dose and duration.

A prospective clinical study of interventional ultrasound sclerotherapy on women with hydrosalpinx before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

In this prospective clinical study, ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration and sclerotherapy with 98% ethanol was performed before the IVF cycle in 33 patients with hydrosalpinx. The results showed that ultrasound aspiration and sclerotherapy could improve the endometrial receptivity and outcomes of IVF, with no recurring sign of the hydrosalpinx and no adverse effect on ovarian reserve or responsiveness during the IVF procedure.

[The strategy and process of out-hospital emergency care of acute cardiovascular events].

OBJECTIVE: To study the strategy and process of out-hospital emergency care of acute cardiovascular events. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-three patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College were prospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to the different ways of out-hospital care, one group consisted of patients who received first-aid care after calling "120" (94 cases), another was self-aid group consisting of patients sent to hospital by relatives (89 cases). The proportion of persons with higher than high school education and better knowledge for emergency care of patients with heart disease in first-aid group was higher than self-aid group (50.0% vs. 29.2%, 83.0% vs. 60.7%, both P<0.05). When the patients were brought to the emergency room, they were all treated according to our standard procedure and then registered. All patients were followed up at the end of first and third month after illness. RESULTS: Cardiovascular events were mainly myocardial infarction (61.7%) among 183 patients. There were statistically significant differences between two groups in self-aid response time, first disposal time and out-hospital rescuing time [(32.3+/-5.6) minutes vs. (89.6+/- 8.4) minutes, (47.3+/-7.3) minutes vs. (149.8+/-13.5) minutes, (61.7+/-8.3) minutes vs. [(149.8+/- 13.5) minutes, all P<0.01], but no difference was found in in-hospital rescuing time [(29.9+/-5.3) minutes vs. (31.1+/-4.5) minutes, P>0.05]. Morbidity rate was lower in first-aid group than self-aid group in 1st and 3rd month, respectively (2.1% vs. 9.0%, 4.2% vs. 12.4%, both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Excellent emergency system and procedure can shorten initial disposal time and out-hospital rescuing time, thus improve patients' prognosis. The education level and health knowledge of patients and their relatives directly affect their mode of arriving hospital and prognosis.

Epididymal obstruction results in isolated sperm heads in post-vasectomy rats.

The aim of this study was to determine if, following vasectomy, epididymal obstruction resulted in changes in vasal stump fluid using a rat vasectomy model. One hundred and twenty-two mature male rats underwent bilateral surgical vasectomy and subsequent unilateral epididymal obstruction. Animals were randomly assigned to one of the five cohorts, which determined the time to kill and vasal fluid assessment. Numbers of whole sperm and sperm heads were compared between the obstructed and non-obstructed sides. Parametric analysis of microscopic vasal fluid findings was performed using a paired t-test. Whole sperm and sperm heads were detected bilaterally among the initial five cohorts. On the obstructed epididymis side, percentage of whole sperm dropped from 36.9% to less than 1% and sperm heads increased from 63.2 to 99.7% at 12 weeks post-obstruction (p < 0.05 at each time interval). On the unobstructed side, percentage of whole sperm rose from 66.3 to 89.5% and sperm heads dropped from 33.7 to 10.5% (p < 0.05 at each time interval). At 12 weeks, the difference between the obstructed and non-obstructed sides for both percentage and quantity of whole sperm and heads was significant with a p value of <0.001. In this rat model, following vasectomy and subsequent epididymal obstruction, testicular vasal stump fluid will contain progressively diminishing numbers of whole sperm and increases in the percentage and absolute numbers of sperm heads.