Donors Older Than 75 Years Do Not Influence the Appearance of Biliary Complications After Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, several studies have shown that the age of the donor may be related to an increase in the occurrence of biliary complications (BCs), which remain the main cause of morbidity after liver transplantation. This study analyzed the type and management of these BCs, the impact of BCs on graft and patient survival rates, and the influence of some characteristics of donors and recipients on BC appearance in patients transplanted with donors 75 years of age or older. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2003 to 2016, 100 liver transplantations with donors 75 years of age or older (15.6%) were performed in our hospital. The data were compared with a control group of 400 patients with younger donors (case-control 1:4 per chronology). RESULTS: The BC rate in the group of patients transplanted with organs from elderly donors was 18%, compared to 21.5% in the control group. Specifically, in the immediate post-transplantation period, 14% of the elderly donor group and 13.8% of the control group presented some BCs, with no statistically significant differences in the incidence, type, and treatment of BCs between the two groups. The occurrence of BCs was not a factor associated with graft and patient survival rates. In the global population, donor death by cerebral vascular accident and male donors have influenced the occurrence of BCs. CONCLUSIONS: The advanced age of the donor has not influenced BC rates after transplantation.

Mediterranean and western dietary patterns are related to markers of testicular function among healthy men.

STUDY QUESTION: Are there any associations of dietary patterns with semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and testicular volume, as markers of testicular function? SUMMARY ANSWER: These results suggest that traditional Mediterranean diets may have a positive impact on male reproductive potential. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The Mediterranean diet has been related to lower risk of multiple chronic diseases, but its effects on reproduction potential are unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Cross-sectional sample of 215 male university students recruited from October 2010 to November 2011 in Murcia Region (Spain). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Two hundred and nine healthy men aged 18-23 years were finally included in this analysis. Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between diet patterns with semen quality parameters, reproductive hormone levels and testicular volume adjusting for potential confounders. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We identified two dietary patterns: a Mediterranean (characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits and seafood) and a Western pattern (characterized by high intakes of processed meats, French fries and snacks). The Mediterranean pattern was positively associated with total sperm count (P, trend = 0.04). The Western pattern was positively related to the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P, trend = 0.008). We found an inverse association between adherence to the Western pattern and sperm concentration among overweight or obese men (P, trend = 0.04). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: As with all cross-sectional studies, causal inference is limited. However, participants were blinded to the study outcomes thus reducing the potential influenced their report of diet. Although we adjusted for a large number of known and suspected confounders, we cannot exclude the possibility of residual confounding or chance findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study was carried out on healthy and young men, so it is difficult to predict whether and how the observed differences in semen quality translate into reproductive success for men in couples trying to conceive. These results suggest that traditional Mediterranean diets may have a positive impact on male reproductive potential.

Longer anogenital distance is associated with higher testosterone levels in women: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Animal models have suggested that anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen levels during in utero development and predicts adult AGD. A recent study showed an association between perineal length and androgen levels in men, suggesting that serum testosterone levels in adulthood will depend on factors involved during the fetal period. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between AGD measures and reproductive hormone levels in women. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted between February and November 2011. SETTING: University-affiliated fertility clinics. POPULATION: 100 young college students. METHODS: Physical and gynaecological examinations were conducted on university students. All participants provided a blood sample for determination of reproductive hormones and completed an epidemiological questionnaire on lifestyles and gynaecological history. We used multiple linear regression analysis to examine the associations between perineal length measurements [anus-fourchette (AGDAF ) and anus-clitoris (AGDAC )] and reproductive hormone levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anogenital distance measurements and reproductive hormone levels. RESULTS: In the multiple linear regression analyses, AGDAF was positively associated with serum testosterone levels. Serum testosterone increased 0.06 ng/ml (95%CI 0.01, 0.10; P = 0.02) for each 1-cm increase in AGDAF . None of the measurements was associated with other reproductive hormones. CONCLUSIONS: Anogenital distance may predict normal reproductive development in women, and may be a new tool of potential clinical interest to evaluate ovarian function. Our results suggest that serum testosterone levels in adulthood may depend on factors operating in the prenatal period.