The influence of oral antioxidants on men with infertility: a systemic review.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the current evidence regarding the impact of oral antioxidant supplementation on semen parameters of infertile men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, and Cochrane electronic databases, adhering to modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The focus was on studies exploring the effects of antioxidant therapy on infertile men, with an examination of antioxidants in terms of types, doses, rationale for use, and their impact on semen parameters measures. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Out of these, 14 studies reported a significantly positive influence of antioxidant therapy on basic semen parameters and advanced sperm function. These comprised 11 randomized clinical trials and 7 prospective studies. Commonly utilized antioxidants included Vitamin E, Vitamin C, carnitines, co-enzyme Q10, N-acetyl cysteine, zinc, selenium, folic acid, and lycopene. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, antioxidants generally demonstrate a favorable effect on semen parameters of infertile men. However, further research is necessary to pinpoint the optimal antioxidant regimen that can be applied safely and effectively in clinical practice.

Effects of antisperm antibodies post vasectomy reversal on pregnancy rates.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between antisperm antibodies (ASAs), pregnancy rates, and the method of conception following vasectomy reversal. This is particularly relevant as patients undergoing vasectomy reversal often express concerns about the potential inhibitory effects of ASAs on achieving pregnancy. Additionally, the American Urological Association guidelines for vasectomy emphasize the need for further research to address this question. PATIENT AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis involving chart reviews and phone interviews with individuals who underwent vasectomy reversal at our institution between May 2015 and April 2023. Patients who underwent vasectomy reversal for reasons other than fertility, as well as those lacking postoperative semen analysis with ASA data, were excluded. We classified patients based on low (below 50%) or high (50% or above) ASA levels determined by their initial postoperative semen analysis. The primary outcome measured was the pregnancy rate, including details on the method of conception. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were subjected to chart review. The median age at the time of surgery was 43 years, with a median obstruction interval of 7.7 years. The median age of their partners was 29 years. The majority (80%) of patients underwent bilateral vasovasostomy. Among them, 60 patients (41.4%) exhibited low (< 50%) ASA levels, while 85 (58.6%) had high (≥ 50%) ASA levels. Follow-up phone interviews were completed by 48 patients. Among them, the 19 men with low ASA levels, 13 (68.4%) achieved pregnancy, with 6 (31.6%) experiencing spontaneous conception. For the 29 men with high ASA levels, 21 (72.4%) achieved pregnancy, including 11 (38%) through spontaneous conception. The p-value from Fisher's exact test was 0.2. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ASA levels do not show a significant association with either the pregnancy rate or the method of conception following vasectomy reversal.

Acute Effects of Ketamine Infusion on Postoperative Mood Scores in Patients Undergoing Dilation and Curettage: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Emotional and psychological effects following abortion are more common than physical side effects and can range from mild regret to more serious complications such as depression. In the last decade, it has been suggested that low dose of ketamine is a fast-acting antidepressant. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of intraoperative ketamine infusion on postoperative mood score in patients undergoing Dilation and Curettage (D&C) under spinal anesthesia. We hypothesized that a single low-dose administration of ketamine infusion during D&C surgery can improve mood scores in the immediate postoperative period. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. The study included a total of 60 patients, ≥18 years, physical status ASA II, with up to 12-week gestation undergoing elective D&C surgery. Patients were divided randomly into a ketamine group (group K) and a control group (group C). In group K, 0.4 mg/kg ketamine was given as a continuous infusion over 20 min intraoperatively. Main Outcome Measure. Profile of Mood States (POMS) was recorded preoperatively and 2 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no differences in preoperative POMS between the two groups. Mean postoperative POMS of group K was lower than that of group C indicating mood improvement. Ketamine group patients showed higher sedation score and increased, although self-limiting, psychedelic phenomena than the control group. CONCLUSION: Observed data here support an acute effect of ketamine on mood but any further claim will be speculative. Further future studies exploring postoperative mood scores after 24 hours post-infusion are needed. This trial is registered with PACTR201907779292947.

Study of the prevalence and patterns of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use among sexually active Egyptian males: A National Cross-sectional Survey.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Egypt from November 2015 to June 2016. Sexually active adult men were interviewed by a questionnaire designed by the authors. All the participants were evaluated by the abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). A total of 3,000 sexually active Egyptian males participated in this study, 946 (31.53%) reported using PDE5Is at least once, and 2054 (68.47%) have never used them. The majority of those who used PDE5Is obtained them for recreational purposes mainly for pleasure (58.35%) and to increase duration/frequency of the intercourse (15.6%). Only 26.05% used PDE5Is to treat ED. The main source of obtaining PDE5Is was friends, relatives and colleagues (62.79%); 25.16% of users obtained the drug by themselves, and 6.66% were prescribed the drug by a pharmacist. Only 5.39% of users obtained the drug after a specialist physician consultation. Sildenafil was the most commonly used PDE5I (90.6%), and most of the users (88.05%) used them in an occasional manner even in the presence of erectile dysfunction, while 11.95% used the drug in a regular manner for every intercourse. PDE5Is are frequently used by the Egyptian male population, and most of them seemed to take them as recreational medications.

Serum Arginase II level can be a novel indicator for erectile dysfunction in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare serum level of Arginase II in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) versus healthy controls and to assess if its level is affected by severity of ED. METHODS: This is a prospective study that compared Arginase II in 40 patients with ED versus 40 healthy controls. Patients were excluded if they had any pelvic trauma or pelvic surgery, hormonal disorders, Peyronie's disease, smoking, drug addiction or systemic illnesses. ED was evaluated by the validated Arabic version of the abbreviated five-item form of the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5). Serum arginase II level was assayed using ELIZA. Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation were used as appropriate and confirmed by logistic regression model. RESULTS: 22 (55%) patients had DM. 15 (37.5%), 7 (17%), 6 (15%) and 12 (30%) patients suffered from severe, moderate, mild to moderate and mild ED, respectively. The level of serum Arginase II was significantly higher in patients than controls (p < 0.001) and confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. It also correlated significantly with age (r2 = 0.22; p < 0.001) and IIEF-5 score (r2 = 0.8; p < 0.001). Serum Arginase II increased significantly with more severe ED (p < 0.001). Arginase II was also significantly higher in diabetic patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum level of Arginase II is significantly higher in patients with vasculogenic ED compared to healthy controls. It correlates significantly with age and IIEF-5 and was significantly affected by the severity of ED.

Individual indicators of appropriate hypnotic level during propofol anesthesia: highest alpha power and effect-site concentrations of propofol at loss of response.

BACKGROUND: Electroencephalogram (EEG) waveforms vary widely among individuals, this decreases the usefulness of BIS™ monitors for assessing the effects of propofol. Practically, anesthesia is only seen as too deep when evidence of burst-suppression is seen. We designed an experiment to help towards better assessment of individual anesthetic needs. First, to mark the Ce (effect-site concentration) of propofol at loss of response to calling name and gently shaking shoulders (LOR), we defined Ce-LOR. To mark the transient power increase in the alpha range (9-14 Hz), common to all patients, when propofol concentration gradually increases, we defined Ce-alpha as the highest recorded alpha power for Ce. We also defined Ce-OBS as the Ce of propofol at initial observation of burst-suppression. Then we tried to predict Ce-LOR and Ce-alpha from Ce-OBS, vice versa, and considered the significance of these parameters. METHODS: We enrolled 26 female patients (age 33-65) who were undergoing scheduled mastectomy. During anesthesia, we recorded all raw EEG packets as well as EEG-derived parameters on a computer from BIS-XP™ monitor. Propofol was infused using a TCI pump. Target concentration was adjusted so that Ce of propofol was gradually increased. RESULTS: We obtained the following regression equation; Ce-alpha or Ce-OBS = Ce-LOR × 0.87 + 1.06 + dummy × 0.83 (for Ce-alpha dummy = 0, and for Ce-OBS = 1; adjusted r = 0.90, p < 2.2e-16) by ANCOVA. At Ce-alpha, BIS was 50.2 ± 7.7. CONCLUSION: Ce-alpha and Ce-OBS could be estimated from Ce-LOR. Based on Ce-LOR it is possible to manage the hypnotic level of individual patients.