Prevention of seminal vesicle damage by Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens seed extract in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice.

CONTEXT: Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Fabaceae) or T-MP seed extract has been shown to improve sexual performance and sperm quality. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the preventive effects of T-MP against seminal vesicle damage, apoptotic and Nrf2 protein expression in mice under chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight male ICR mice were divided into four groups: control, CUMS, T-MP300 + CUMS and T-MP600 + CUMS. Mice in control and CUMS groups received distilled water, while those in treated groups were pretreated with T-MP extract (300 or 600 mg/kg BW) for 14 consecutive days. The CMUS and co-treated groups were exposed to one random stressor (of 12 total) each day for 43 days. Components and histopathology of the seminal vesicle were examined, along with localization of androgen receptor (AR) and caspase 3. Expression of seminal AR, tyrosine phosphorylated (TyrPho), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), caspases (3 and 9) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) proteins was investigated. RESULTS: T-MP extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg BW improved seminal epithelial damage and secretion of fluid containing essential substances and proteins in CUMS mice. It also increased the expression of AR and TyrPho proteins. Additionally, T-MP increased expression of Nrf2 and inhibited seminal vesicular apoptosis through the suppression of Hsp70 and caspase expression. CONCLUSION: T-MP seeds have an antiapoptotic property in chronic stress seminal vesicle. It is possible to apply this extract for the enhancement of seminal plasma quality.

Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy After Prior Transurethral Resection of Prostate: An Analysis of Perioperative, Functional, Pathologic, and Oncologic Outcomes.

Background: We performed a retrospective comparison of surgical, oncologic, and functional outcomes after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between patients who have undergone prior transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) to TURP-naive patients. Methods: Past robotic prostatectomy hospital data were scrutinized to form two matched groups of patients: those who have undergone prior TURP and TURP-naive patients. The perioperative and pathologic data along with functional and oncologic outcomes for a period of 3 years were compared between groups. Results: Compared with TURP-naive patients, prior TURP patients experienced longer robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy times (p < 0.001), increased incidence of bladder neck reconstruction (p = 0.03), greater blood loss (p = 0.0001), and lesser nerve sparing (p < 0.01). Complication rates (p = 0.3), positive surgical margin (p = 0.4), extracapsular disease (p = 0.3), or seminal vesicle invasion (p = 0.1) were comparable between groups. Continence (p = 0.5) and potency (p = 0.1) at 1 year were not different between groups. Biochemical recurrence rates were not different at 3 years (p = 0.9). Diabetes slowed recovery of continence in patients with prior TURP compared with TURP-naive patients until 6 months after surgery. Conclusion: Although prior TURP makes subsequent robotic prostatectomy more technically demanding, it can be safely performed by experienced surgeons without compromising long-term functional or oncologic outcomes.

The tumor volume after radical prostatectomy and its clinical impact on the prognosis of patients with localized prostate cancer.

We evaluated the contribution of tumor volume (TV) to localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients' prognosis. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 2394 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized PCa. The effect of TV and tumor prostate ratio (TV/PV) on PCa patients' prognosis was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional analysis. The mean prostate volume for all patients was 36.5 ± 15.4 cc, and the mean TV was 5.9 ± 8.3 cc. A significant positive relationship was observed between the classification by risk group in D' Amico risk classification and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group (P < 0.001). The high TV showed significantly worse pathologic outcomes than the low TV in terms of high rates of extra-capsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and positive surgical margin (P < 0.05). The patients with high TV and TV/PV had significantly shorter biochemical recurrence-free survivals than those with low TV and TV/PV (P < 0.001). Finally, based on multivariate Cox-proportional analyses, TV and TV/PV was an independent predictor to predict shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival as both a TV (HR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.04-1.05, P < 0.001) and TV/PV (HR: 1.42, 95% CI 1.13-1.78, P = 0.003). TV was revealed to be an independent prognostic factor in the postoperative biochemical recurrence. Patients with a high number of positive core and longer tumor length were significantly related to higher TV.

Seminal Vesicle Urinary Reflux After TURP Mimicking Vesicular Invasion From Prostate Cancer on 18F-Choline PET/CT.

Seminal vesicles are paired secretory glands located posterior to the bladder in men that produce seminal fluid to maintain sperm. Seminal vesicle reflux into the prostatic ducts may be associated with prostatitis in older patients or may represent a very rare complication of transurethral prostate resection in patients with prostatic cancer. This condition is frequently accidentally diagnosed on excretory urography and/or retrograde urethrogram. Clinical presentation includes pain, fever, recurrent epididymitis-prostatitis, and post void dribbling.

Dr. Answer AI for prostate cancer: Clinical outcome prediction model and service.

OBJECTIVES: The importance of clinical outcome prediction models using artificial intelligence (AI) is being emphasized owing to the increasing necessity of developing a clinical decision support system (CDSS) employing AI. Therefore, in this study, we proposed a "Dr. Answer" AI software based on the clinical outcome prediction model for prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy. METHODS: The Dr. Answer AI was developed based on a clinical outcome prediction model, with a user-friendly interface. We used 7,128 clinical data of prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy from three hospitals. An outcome prediction model was developed to calculate the probability of occurrence of 1) tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) staging, 2) extracapsular extension, 3) seminal vesicle invasion, and 4) lymph node metastasis. Random forest and k-nearest neighbors algorithms were used, and the proposed system was compared with previous algorithms. RESULTS: Random forest exhibited good performance for TNM staging (recall value: 76.98%), while k-nearest neighbors exhibited good performance for extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and lymph node metastasis (80.24%, 98.67%, and 95.45%, respectively). The Dr. Answer AI software consisted of three primary service structures: 1) patient information, 2) clinical outcome prediction, and outcomes according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline. CONCLUSION: The proposed clinical outcome prediction model could function as an effective CDSS, supporting the decisions of the physicians, while enabling the patients to understand their treatment outcomes. The Dr. Answer AI software for prostate cancer helps the doctors to explain the treatment outcomes to the patients, allowing the patients to be more confident about their treatment plans.

Ecotoxicological effects of petroleum-contaminated soil on the earthworm Eisenia fetida.

Petroleum is an important industrial raw material that enters the soil during production and use and is harmful to soil organisms. To evaluate the toxicity of petroleum-contaminated soil, earthworms (Eisenia fetida) were used as model organisms for soil ecotoxicity studies. We found that earthworm weight and cocoon production decreased significantly after exposure to petroleum-contaminated soil. In addition, soil contaminated with high concentrations of petroleum can cause damage to the DNA within earthworm seminal vesicles. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and peroxidase activities were significantly inhibited when earthworms were exposed to petroleum-contaminated soil, indicating that oxidative stress was induced by petroleum pollutants. The mRNA levels of annetocin precursor, a reproduction-related gene, was significantly inhibited after petroleum exposure. The mRNA levels of translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) and SOD exhibited a concentration-dependent relationship, and their relative expression increased with petroleum concentration.

Effects of Diets Enriched in Linseed and Fish Oil on the Expression Pattern of Toll-Like Receptors 4 and Proinflammatory Cytokines on Gonadal Axis and Reproductive Organs in Rabbit Buck.

Infections of the genital tract can perturb the fertility in humans and animals. Pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity onset through the pattern recognition receptor activation, such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators. TLR4 is expressed both on leukocytes and nonimmune cells. Rabbit TLR4 shows great similarity to its human counterpart. Moreover, the TLR4 signalling pathway could be modulated by long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the expression levels of TLR4 and proinflammatory cytokines in the reproductive hypothalamic-gonadal axis of the male rabbit and (ii) to evaluate if the n-3 PUFA-enriched diets can modify their expression levels in the tissues and LC-PUFA profiles in seminal plasma. Fifteen rabbit bucks (n = 5/experimental group) were fed with different diets: commercial standard (group C), rich in extruded linseed (10%, group L), and in fish oil (3%, group FO) for 110 days. TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1ß mRNA were ubiquitously expressed throughout the hypothalamic-gonadal axis. However, TLR4 mRNA expression was lower in the hypothalamus than the epididymis (P < 0.01), seminal vesicles (P < 0.01), and pituitary gland (P < 0.05). Dietary enrichment in PUFA did not modify the gene expression profile nor the histological characteristics of the tissues. Conversely in seminal plasma, rabbits fed with L and FO had lower n-6 (P < 0.05), LC-PUFA n-6 (P < 0.05), and n-6/n-3 ratio (P < 0.05) but higher n-3 (P < 0.001) and LC-PUFA n-3 (P < 0.01) compared to the control group. Our study builds a map of the gene expression of TRL4 and proinflammatory cytokines in the reproductive hypothalamic-gonadal axis of the male rabbit, fundamental step for understanding the immune defence mechanisms. Diets enriched in LC-PUFA did not affect basal gene expression but modulated sperm fatty acid composition. Finally, rabbit may be an excellent animal model to study the relationship between inflammation and infertility, and the nutritional modulation of immune functions.

Mimosine increases the expressions of tyrosine phosphorylated protein in mouse seminal vesicles / La mimosina aumenta la expresión de la proteína tirosina fosforilada en las vesículas seminales del ratón

Acute effect of purified mimosine (MiMo) extracted from Leucaena leucocephala on testicular histopathology has been documented with seminal vesicle (SV) atrophy. Since protein phosphorylation and seminal secretions play important roles in sperm physiology, this study aimed to study the alteration of substances including tyrosine phosphorylated (TyrPho) proteins in seminal vesicle treated with MiMo. Male mice were divided into a control and experimental groups treated with purified MiMo at 3 doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/KgBW, respectively for 35 consecutive days. The morphology and weights of SV were compared among groups. The levels of magnesium and fructosamine in SV fluid were assayed. The profiles of equally SV total proteins were compared using SDS-PAGE. The expression of seminal TyrPho proteins was detected by western blotting. Recent results showed the decreased weights of SV in MiMo treated mice compared to control. However MiMo in all doses did not affect the levels of magnesium and fructosamine in SV fluid. The SV protein expression of 130 and 55 kDas was obviously decreased in a high dose MiMo. In dose-dependent response, the expressions of 72 and 55 kDas TyrPho proteins of SV were increased. In conclusion, MiMo could affect SV morphological size and protein secretions especially TyrPho proteins.

El efecto agudo de la mimosina purificada (MiMo) extraída de Leucaena leucocephala en la histopatología testicular se ha documentado con atrofia de vesícula seminal (VS). Debido a que la fosforilación de proteínas y las secreciones seminales tienen un papel importante en la fisiología de los espermatozoides, este estudio tuvo como objetivo estudiar la alteración de sustancias como la proteína tirosina fosforilada (TyrPho) en vesículas seminales tratadas con MiMo. Los ratones se dividieron en un grupo control y un grupo experimental y se trataron con MiMo purificado en 3 dosis de 15, 30 y 60 mg / KgBW, respectivamente, durante 35 días seguidos. La morfología y los pesos de VS se compararon entre los grupos. Fueron analizados los niveles de magnesio y fructosamina en el fluido VS. Los perfiles de las proteínas totales de VS se compararon utilizando SDS-PAGE. La expresión de la proteína TyrPho en las vesículas seminales se detectó mediante transferencia de Western blot. Los resultados recientes muestran la disminución del peso de las VS en ratones tratados con MiMo, en comparación con el grupo control. Sin embargo, en ninguna de las dosis se vieron afectados por mimosina purificada los niveles de magnesio y fructosamina en el líquido de las VS. La expresión de la proteína en VS de 130 y 55 kDas disminuyó notablemente en una dosis alta de MiMo. En la respuesta dependiente de la dosis, aumentaron las expresiones de 72 y 55 kDas de las proteínas TyrPho en las VS. En conclusión, la mimosina purificada podría afectar el tamaño morfológico de las VS y la expresión de proteínas, especialmente las proteínas TyrPho.

Transurethral ablation of a prostatic utricle cyst with the use of a holmium laser.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a safe and effective approach to the treatment of obstructing midline prostate utricle cyst with the use of a holmium laser. DESIGN: Video presentation. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): A 33-year-old man presented with chronic pelvic pain, pain with ejaculation, and infertility. Semen analysis demonstrated oligoasthenospermia with poor viability and computerized tomographic scan identified the presence of a midline 2-3-cm prostatic cyst with dilated seminal vesicles bilaterally. Transrectal ultrasound in the office confirmed the diagnosis of midline obstructing prostatic utricle cyst and estimated the distance from the urethra. INTERVENTION(S): Transurethral ablation of a midline prostate utricle cyst with the use of a holmium laser. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Intraoperative technique highlighting the main steps for a transurethral ablation of a midline prostate utricle cyst with the use of a holmium laser. RESULT(S): This video highlights the technique for transurethral ablation of a midline prostate utricle cyst with the use of a holmium laser to unroof the cyst. Retrograde vesiculography was performed to confirm patency of the ejaculatory ducts. Outpatient surgery was tolerated well and the patient was discharged. After surgery at 4 weeks, his symptoms had abated and semen analysis revealed normozoospermia. CONCLUSION(S): We demonstrate safe and effective transurethral ablation of a midline prostate utricle cyst with the use of a holmium laser. Preoperative transrectal ultrasound or cross-sectional imaging can be useful for operative planning. When the orifices of the ejaculatory ducts can be identified, vesiculography can be performed to confirm patency of the ducts and seminal vesicles after relief of the obstructing cyst.

[Lipoic acid protects spermatogenesis in male rats with ornidazole-induced oligoasthenozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) on the spermatogenic function of the male rats with oligoasthenozoospermia induced by ornidazole (ORN). METHODS: Seventy male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control: 1 ml 0.5% CMC-Na + 1 ml olive oil), B (low-dose ORN model: 400 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), C (low-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), D (low-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), E (high-dose ORN model: 800 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), F (high-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), and G (high-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), and treated respectively for 20 successive days. Then all the rats were sacrificed and the weights of the body, testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle obtained, followed by calculation of the organ index, determination of epididymal sperm concentration and motility, and observation of the histomorphological changes in the testis and epididymis by HE staining. RESULTS: Compared with group A, group E showed significantly decreased body weight (ï¼»117.67 ± 11.53ï¼½ vs ï¼»88.11 ± 12.65ï¼½ g, P < 0.01) and indexes of the testis (ï¼»1.06 ± 0.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.65 ± 0.13ï¼½ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (ï¼»0.21 ± 0.03ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.17 ± 0.01ï¼½ %, P < 0.01). In comparison with group E, group F exhibited remarkable increases in the epididymal index (ï¼»0.17 ± 0.01ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.20 ± 0.02ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), and so did group G in the body weight (ï¼»88.11 ± 12.65ï¼½ vs ï¼»102.70 ± 16.10ï¼½ g, P < 0.05) and the indexes of the testis (ï¼»0.65 ± 0.13ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.95 ± 0.06ï¼½ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (ï¼»0.17 ± 0.01ï¼½ vs ï¼»0.19 ± 0.02ï¼½ %, P < 0.05), but no obvious difference was observed in the index of seminal vesicle among different groups. Compared with group A, group B manifested significant decreases in sperm motility (ï¼»74.12 ± 8.73ï¼½ vs ï¼»40.25 ± 6.08ï¼½ %, P < 0.01), and so did group E in sperm count (ï¼»38.59 ± 6.40ï¼½ vs ï¼»18.67 ± 4.59ï¼½ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.01) and sperm motility (ï¼»74.12 ± 8.73ï¼½ vs ï¼»27.58 ± 8.43ï¼½ %, P < 0.01). Sperm motility was significantly lower in group B than in C and D (ï¼»40.25 ± 6.08ï¼½ vs ï¼»58.13 ± 7.62ï¼½ and ï¼»76.04 ± 8.44ï¼½%, P < 0.01), and so were sperm count and motility in group E than in F and G (ï¼»18.67 ± 4.59ï¼½ vs ï¼»25.63 ± 9.66ï¼½ and ï¼»29.92 ± 4.15ï¼½ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; ï¼»27.58 ± 8.43ï¼½ vs ï¼»36.56 ± 11.08ï¼½ and ï¼»45.05 ± 9.59ï¼½ %, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There were no obvious changes in the histomorphology of the testis and epididymis in groups A, B, C and D. Compared with group A, group E showed necrotic and exfoliated spermatogenic cells with unclear layers and disorderly arrangement in the seminiferous tubules and remarkably reduced sperm count with lots of noncellular components in the epididymal cavity, while groups F and G exhibited increased sperm count in the seminiferous tubules and epididymis lumen, also with exfoliation, unclear layers and disorderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, but significantly better than in group E. CONCLUSIONS: LA can reduce ORN-induced damage to the spermatogenetic function of rats, improve sperm quality, and protect the reproductive system.

Potential Impact of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT on the Planning of Definitive Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer.

Standard-of-care imaging for initial staging of prostate cancer (PCa) underestimates disease burden. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT detects PCa metastasis with superior accuracy, having a potential impact on the planning of definitive radiation therapy (RT) for nonmetastatic PCa. Our objectives were to determine how often definitive RT planning based on standard target volumes covers 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT-defined disease and to assess the potential impact of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT on definitive RT planning. Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of an intention-to-treat population of 73 patients with localized PCa without prior local therapy who underwent 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for initial staging as part of an investigational new drug trial. Eleven of the 73 were intermediate-risk (15%), 33 were high-risk (45%), 22 were very-high-risk (30%), and 7 were N1 (9.5%). Clinical target volumes (CTVs), which included the prostate, seminal vesicles, and (in accord with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group consensus guidelines) pelvic lymph nodes (LNs), were contoured on the CT portion of the PET/CT images by a radiation oncologist masked to the PET findings. 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images were analyzed by a nuclear medicine physician. 68Ga-PSMA-11-positive lesions not covered by planning volumes based on the CTVs were considered to have a major potential impact on treatment planning. Results: All patients had one or more 68Ga-PSMA-11-positive primary prostate lesions. Twenty-five (34%) and 7 (9.5%) of the 73 patients had 68Ga-PSMA-11-positive pelvic LN and distant metastases, respectively. The sites of LN metastases in decreasing order of frequency were external iliac (20.5%), common iliac (13.5%), internal iliac (12.5%) obturator (12.5%), perirectal (4%), abdominal (4%), upper diaphragm (4%), and presacral (1.5%). The median size of the LN lesions was 6 mm (range, 4-24 mm). RT planning based on the CTVs covered 69 (94.5%) of the 73 primary lesions and 20 (80%) of the 25 pelvic LN lesions, on a per-patient analysis. Conclusion:68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT had a major impact on intended definitive RT planning for PCa in 12 (16.5%) of the 73 patients whose RT fields covered the prostate, seminal vesicles, and pelvic LNs and in 25 (37%) of the 66 patients whose RT fields covered the prostate and seminal vesicles but not the pelvic LNs.

Comparison of Pathological and Oncologic Outcomes of Favorable Risk Gleason Score 3 + 4 and Low Risk Gleason Score 6 Prostate Cancer: Considerations for Active Surveillance.

PURPOSE: Recent NCCN® (National Comprehensive Cancer Network®) Guidelines® show that patients with biopsy Gleason score 3 + 4/Grade Group 2 but otherwise favorable features are active surveillance candidates. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes compared to that in men in the low risk Gleason score 6/Grade Group 1 group. We sought to clarify the risk of adverse features and oncologic outcomes in surgically treated, favorable Grade Group 2 vs 1 cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried our prospectively maintained radical prostatectomy database for all 8,095 patients with biopsy Grade Group 1 or 2 prostate cancer who otherwise fulfilled the NCCN low risk definition of prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml and cT2a or less, and who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1987 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier methods were used to compare pathological and oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: Organ confined disease was present in 93.9% and 82.6% of Grade Group 1 and favorable intermediate risk Grade Group 2 cases while seminal vesicle invasion was noted in 1.7% and 4.7%, and nodal disease was noted in 0.3% and 1.8%, respectively (all p <0.0001). On multivariable logistic regression biopsy proven Grade Group 2 disease was associated with a threefold greater risk of nonorgan confined disease (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.7-5.7, p <0.001). The incidence of late treatment (more than 90 days from surgery) in Grade Group 1 vs 2 was 3.1% vs 8.5% for hormonal therapy and 6.0% vs 12.2% for radiation (p <0.001). In the Grade Group 1 vs 2 cohorts the 10-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rate was 88.9% vs 81.2% and the 10-year systemic progression-free survival rate was 99% vs 96.5% (each p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Men at favorable risk with Grade Group 2 disease who are considering active surveillance should be informed of the risks of harboring adverse pathological features which impact secondary therapies and an increased risk of cancer progression.

Lipoic acid protects spermatogenesis in male rats with ornidazole-induced oligoasthenozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To study the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) on the spermatogenic function of the male rats with oligoasthenozoospermia induced by ornidazole (ORN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control: 1 ml 0.5% CMC-Na + 1 ml olive oil), B (low-dose ORN model: 400 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), C (low-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), D (low-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), E (high-dose ORN model: 800 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), F (high-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), and G (high-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), and treated respectively for 20 successive days. Then all the rats were sacrificed and the weights of the body, testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle obtained, followed by calculation of the organ index, determination of epididymal sperm concentration and motility, and observation of the histomorphological changes in the testis and epididymis by HE staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group A, group E showed significantly decreased body weight (［117.67 ± 11.53］ vs ［88.11 ± 12.65］ g, P < 0.01) and indexes of the testis (［1.06 ± 0.12］ vs ［0.65 ± 0.13］ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (［0.21 ± 0.03］ vs ［0.17 ± 0.01］ %, P < 0.01). In comparison with group E, group F exhibited remarkable increases in the epididymal index (［0.17 ± 0.01］ vs ［0.20 ± 0.02］ %, P < 0.01), and so did group G in the body weight (［88.11 ± 12.65］ vs ［102.70 ± 16.10］ g, P < 0.05) and the indexes of the testis (［0.65 ± 0.13］ vs ［0.95 ± 0.06］ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (［0.17 ± 0.01］ vs ［0.19 ± 0.02］ %, P < 0.05), but no obvious difference was observed in the index of seminal vesicle among different groups. Compared with group A, group B manifested significant decreases in sperm motility (［74.12 ± 8.73］ vs ［40.25 ± 6.08］ %, P < 0.01), and so did group E in sperm count (［38.59 ± 6.40］ vs ［18.67 ± 4.59］ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.01) and sperm motility (［74.12 ± 8.73］ vs ［27.58 ± 8.43］ %, P < 0.01). Sperm motility was significantly lower in group B than in C and D (［40.25 ± 6.08］ vs ［58.13 ± 7.62］ and ［76.04 ± 8.44］%, P < 0.01), and so were sperm count and motility in group E than in F and G (［18.67 ± 4.59］ vs ［25.63 ± 9.66］ and ［29.92 ± 4.15］ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; ［27.58 ± 8.43］ vs ［36.56 ± 11.08］ and ［45.05 ± 9.59］ %, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There were no obvious changes in the histomorphology of the testis and epididymis in groups A, B, C and D. Compared with group A, group E showed necrotic and exfoliated spermatogenic cells with unclear layers and disorderly arrangement in the seminiferous tubules and remarkably reduced sperm count with lots of noncellular components in the epididymal cavity, while groups F and G exhibited increased sperm count in the seminiferous tubules and epididymis lumen, also with exfoliation, unclear layers and disorderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, but significantly better than in group E.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LA can reduce ORN-induced damage to the spermatogenetic function of rats, improve sperm quality, and protect the reproductive system.</p>

Differential response patterns of kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide to photoperiod and sex steroid feedback in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).

Many animals synchronise their reproductive activity with the seasons to optimise the survival of their offspring. This synchronisation involves switching on and off their gonadotrophic axis. Ever since their discovery as key regulators of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones, the hypothalamic RF-amide peptides kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide (RFRP) have been a major focus of research on the seasonal regulation of the gonadotrophic axis. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of both neuropeptides in the Djungarian hamster, a major animal model for the study of seasonal reproduction. During the long-day breeding period, kisspeptin neurones in the anteroventral periventricular area are solely controlled by a positive sex steroid feedback and, in the arcuate nucleus, they are subject to a very strong negative sex steroid feedback associated with a minor photoperiodic effect. During short-day sexual quiescence, the disappearance of this hormonal feedback leads to high levels of kisspeptin in arcuate neurones. Notably, chronic central administration of kisspeptin is able to over-ride the photoperiodic inhibition of the gonadotrophic axis and reactivate the reproductive function. Therefore, our data suggest that kisspeptin secretion by arcuate neurones during sexual quiescence is inhibited by mechanisms upstream of kisspeptin neurones. RFRP expression is solely controlled by photoperiod, being strongly reduced in short days independently of the sex steroid feedback. Thus, kisspeptin and RFRP display contrasting patterns of expression and regulation. Upstream mechanisms controlling these neurones should be the focus of further studies on the roles of these RFamide neuropeptides in the seasonal control of reproduction.

Sperm collection by transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands is less stressful than electroejaculation without altering sperm characteristics in conscious goat bucks.

In anesthetized non-domestic ruminants transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands (TUMASG) is an alternative method to collect semen slightly less stressful than electroejaculation (EE). However, some sperm characteristics are better when semen is collected with EE than with TUMASG. As anesthesia reduces the response to stressors, the advantages of TUMASG may be reduced in anesthetized animals, and thus, TUMASG may be even more advantageous in conscious animals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the stress response and the characteristics of the sperm collected with TUMASG and EE in conscious goat bucks. Semen was collected in 10 bucks with both procedures. During each procedure, the time required for ejaculation, the number of electric pulses applied and the number of vocalizations were recorded. Rectal temperature, heart rate, serum cortisol concentration, biochemical and hematological parameters were measured before and after each procedure. Sperm characteristics [ejaculated volume, sperm concentration, sperm mass motility (scale 0-5), sperm vigor (scale 0-5), the percentages of motile and progressive motile sperm, of sperm vitality, of sperm with plasma membrane integrity, and with acrosome damage and morphological abnormalities] were also determined. Electroejaculation required more electric pulses than TUMASG (P < 0.0001), but TUMASG took more time than EE (P < 0.0001). The EE provoked more vocalizations (P = 0.02) and a greater increase of cortisol concentrations than TUMASG (P = 0.04). Heart rate also tended to be greater with EE than with TUMASG (P = 0.07). The sperm characteristics did not differ between TUMASG and EE. In conclusion, TUMASG was less stressful and probably less painful than EE without affecting the semen quality. Thus, although it required more time, TUMASG is an alternative procedure to decrease the welfare concerns raised by EE in conscious goat bucks.

Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 Score Does Not Predict for Adverse Pathologic Features at Radical Prostatectomy or for Progression-free Survival in Clinically Localized, Intermediate- and High-risk Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether preoperative urinary prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) scores predict for adverse pathologic features (APFs) or progression-free survival (PFS) in men with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred nine men with intermediate- (n = 52) or high-risk (n = 57) PCa who underwent RP were retrospectively identified. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of PCA3 score with various APFs (eg, extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, etc.). Among 78 men with ≥1 year of follow-up, the association between PCA3 score and PFS was assessed using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: At RP, 52% of patients had at least 1 APF, and with median follow-up of 2.3 years, overall 3-year PFS was 70%. PCA3 was not a significant predictor of any APF on multivariate analysis (MVA), whereas canonical predictors (eg, biopsy Gleason score and initial prostate-specific antigen) remained predictive of various APFs. No significant predictors for PFS were found on MVA, although certain canonical predictors (eg, National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk group) were significant predictors of PFS on univariate analysis (UVA). PCA3 score was not a significant predictor of PFS on either UVA or MVA. CONCLUSION: Unlike in lower risk cohorts, increasing PCA3 score was not associated with any APF in this higher risk cohort, despite enrichment for APFs, nor was it associated with PFS. Notably, multiple known preoperative predictors for APFs were significant on MVA, and multiple predictors were associated with PFS on UVA. Therefore, PCA3 may not be a useful adjunct predictive marker in men with intermediate- or high-risk PCa.

A shortened tamoxifen induction scheme to induce CreER recombinase without side effects on the male mouse skeleton.

The selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen exerts estrogen agonistic or antagonistic actions on several tissues, including bone. The off-target effects of tamoxifen are one of the most widely recognized pitfalls of tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinases (CreERs), potentially confounding the phenotypic findings. Still, the validation of tamoxifen induction schemes that minimize the side effects of the drug has not been addressed. Here, we compared the side effects on the skeleton and other androgen-responsive targets of a shortened tamoxifen regimen (2 doses of 190 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage) to a standard protocol (4 doses) and determined their efficiency in inducing CreER-mediated gene deletion. In addition, both a vehicle- and a 10-dose group, which served as a positive control for tamoxifen side effects, were also included. For this purpose, we generated male mice with a floxed androgen receptor (AR) and a neuron-specifically expressed CreER. Treatment with two doses of tamoxifen was the only regimen that did not diminish androgenic bioactivity, as assessed by both seminal vesicles and levator ani/bulbocavernosus muscle weights and serum testosterone concentrations. Similarly, trabecular and cortical femoral bone structure were dramatically altered by both the standard and high-dose protocols but not by the shortened version. Serum osteocalcin and bone-gene expression analyses confirmed the absence of effects on bone by 2 doses of tamoxifen. This protocol decreased AR mRNA levels efficiently and specifically in the nervous system. Thus, we optimized a protocol for tamoxifen-induced CreER gene deletion in mice without off-target effects on bone and male reproductive organs.

Impact of titanium dioxide on androgen receptors, seminal vesicles and thyroid hormones of male rats: possible protective trial with aged garlic extract.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ), a widely produced and consumed pigment in various food products, on the post-natal development of male albino rat seminal vesicle and thyroid hormones, as well as to evaluate the ameliorative effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) on TiO2 -induced alterations. Forty male rat pups (3 weeks old) were divided into four equal groups. The 1st group received distilled water orally (control group), 2nd group was given 2 ml kg-1 AGE, 3rd group was administered TiO2 (5 g kg-1 BW) day after day for 65 days, and the 4th group administered AGE 6 hr prior to TiO2 gavage. TiO2 -exposed rats showed nonsignificant changes in the serum testosterone, TSH, T3 and T4 , while serum glucose showed a significant decrease. Androgen receptor (AR) mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated and weak signal of AR immune labelling. Histopathologically, the epithelium cell lining of seminal vesicles showed focal areas of necrosis and fibrous tissue with the prominent fibrous stroma of the atrophied glands. Meanwhile, AGE supplementation ameliorated the deleterious effects of TiO2 intoxication through protecting the tissues from oxidative stress caused by TiO2 . In summary, oral administration of TiO2 resulted in abnormal developmental events in male rat seminal vesicle and AGE able to reduce TiO2 toxicity.