Evaluation of sperm integrin α5ß1 as a potential marker of fertility in humans.

Sperm selection for assisted reproduction techniques is generally based on basic parameters, while key aspects of sperm competence and its journey from the deposition site to the fertilization site are overlooked. Consequently, identifying molecular markers in spermatozoa that can efficiently predict the fertility of a semen sample could be of great interest, particularly in cases of idiopathic male infertility. When spermatozoa reach the female reproductive tract, it provides to them the cellular and molecular microenvironment needed to acquire fertilizing ability. In this sense, considering the role that integrin α5ß1 of spermatozoa plays in reproduction-related events, we investigated the correlation between the subcellular localization of sperm integrin α5ß1 and early embryo development outcome after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in human. Twenty-four semen samples from normozoospermic men and metaphase II (MII) oocytes from healthy women aged under 38 years, from couples who underwent IVF cycles, were used in this work. Sperm α5ß1 localization was evaluated by immunofluorescence assay using an antibody against integrin α5 subunit. Integrin α5ß1 was mainly localized in the sperm acrosomal region (45.33±7.89%) or the equatorial segment (30.12±7.43%). The early embryo development rate (data obtained from the Fertility Center) correlated positively with the localization of α5ß1 in the acrosomal region (number of usable embryos / inseminated oocytes: ρ = 0.75; p<0.01 and number of usable embryos/total number of two pronuclear zygotes: ρ = 0.80; p<0.01). However, this correlation was not significant when the equatorial segment mark was evaluated. In addition, human sperm released from co-culture with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) showed a significant enrichment in the acrosomal localization pattern of α5ß1 compared to those sperm that were not co-cultured with BOEC (85.20±5.35% vs 35.00±17.09%, respectively, p<0.05). In conclusion, the evaluation of sperm integrin α5ß1 immunolocalization could be a useful tool to select sperm with fertilizing ability from human semen samples before IVF procedures.

Reference penile size measurement and correlation with other anthropometric dimensions: a prospective study in 800 men.

Virility and sexual pleasure have long been associated with penile size and this, in turn, has typically been linked to some anthropometric measurements, such as foot size or height, leading to various misconceptions from both men and women. Our intention is to estimate penile size parameters in Argentina and evaluate the correlation between penile size and certain anthropometric measurements. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter, and observational study. Male patients who underwent a urological procedure were included in four hospitals located in different regions of the country. Different anthropometric measurements were obtained: height, weight, penile circumference, flaccid and stretched length, and foot length. A total of 800 patients were evaluated. Mean left foot was 26.4 cm. Mean flaccid penile length was 11.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8-14) cm, and mean penile circumference was 10.1 (95% CI: 8-12) cm. Finally, mean stretched penis was 15.2 (95% CI: 11-18.5) cm. We can confirm that estimates of the average penile measurements in Argentina are flaccid penis length of 11.4 cm, penile circumference of 10.1 cm, and stretching the penis to the maximum in flaccidity of 15.2 cm. Correlations between flaccid penis length, stretched out, penile circumference, height, weight, and length of the left foot were evaluated, finding low or no correlation between those mentioned, except for flaccid and stretched length.

Utilización de pentoxifilina en fase aguda de enfermedad de La Peyronie / Use of Pentoxifylline in the acute phase of Peyronie's disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: existe una gran variedad de tratamientos orales para la Enfermedad de La Peyronie (EP), pero ninguno demostró ser efectivo. En los últimos años se ha propuesto a la Pentoxifilina (PTX) como un potencial agente para su tratamiento. OBJETIVO: evaluar la evolución clínica de los pacientes que recibieron PTX al menos 3 meses durante la fase aguda de la EP. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo y observacional. Los datos se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas de pacientes con diagnóstico de EP entre enero y octubre de 2017. Para la evaluación objetiva, se utilizaron autofotografías y técnica de Kelami. RESULTADOS: 93 hombres cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. El tiempo medio de tratamiento con PTX fue de 7,9 meses, y el de seguimiento, 10,8 meses. El 59,1% de los pacientes no tuvo modificaciones en su curvatura, el 9,7% mejoró, mientras que el 31,2% empeoró. De 49 pacientes que penetraban sin dificultad, 34 (69,4%) no tuvieron cambios, 12 (24,5%) pasaron a tener dificultad y 3 (6,1%) se convirtieron en no penetradores (p 0,0001). De los 41 pacientes que tenían dificultad en la penetración, 13 (31,7%) pudieron penetrar sin dificultad, 7 (17,1%) pasaron a no poder hacerlo, mientras que el resto (21 pacientes) se mantuvo sin cambios (p 0,0001). La correlación entre la curvatura inicial y la curvatura luego del tratamiento medido en todos los pacientes fue significativa (p 0,028). CONCLUSIÓN: la PTX podría tener un efecto positivo en estabilizar la enfermedad, y los hombres con EP en fase aguda podrían beneficiarse con el tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: There is a wide variety of oral treatments for Peyronie's Disease (PD) but none proved to be effective. In recent years, Pentoxifylline (PTX) has been proposed as a potential agent for the treatment. Objective: To evaluate the clinical evolution of patients who received PTX at least 3 months during the acute phase of PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and observational cohort study. The data were obtained from the clinical records of patients diagnosed with PE between January 2007 and October 2017. For their objective evaluation, autographs and the Kelami technique were used. RESULTS: 93 men met the inclusion criteria. The mean time of treatment with PTX was 7.9 months and the follow-up time was 10.8 months. 59.1% of patients had no changes in their curvature, 9.7% improved, while 31.2% worsened. Of 49 patients who entered without difficulty in penetrating, 34 (69.4%) had no changes, 12 (24.4%) had difficulty and 3 (6.1%) became non-penetrators (p 0.0001). Of the 41 patients who had difficulty in penetrating, 13 (31.7%) could penetrate without difficulty, 7 (17.1%) were unable to do so, while the rest (21 patients) remained unchanged (p. 0.0001). The correlation between initial curvature and curvature after treatment measured in all patients was significant (p 0.028). CONCLUSION: PTX could have a positive effect in stabilizing the disease and men with acute phase PE could benefit with treatment.

Ondas de choque de baja intensidad como alternativa terapéutica de la disfunción eréctil: experiencia inicial en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires y revisión de la bibliografía / Low Intensity Shock Waves as a Therapeutic Alternative for Erectile Dysfunction: Initial Experience at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires and Review of The Literature

Objetivos: los inhibidores de fosfodiesterasa revolucionaron el tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil. Las ondas de choque de baja intensidad emergen como una alternativa terapéutica no invasiva. Materiales y métodos: estudio de cohorte prospectiva y observacional, en el que se evaluó la respuesta de 17 pacientes sexualmente activos al tratamiento con ondas de choque de baja intensidad a los 3 y 6 meses, mediante el Indice Internacional de Función Eréctil (IIEF-6), las preguntas 2 y 3 del Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP-2 y SEP-3), y el Erection Hardness Score (EHS) para evaluar la rigidez peneana, así como una evaluación de satisfacción global con el tratamiento (GAQ) y de recomendación del mismo. Resultados: 6 pacientes presentaban disfunción eréctil leve y 11 disfunción eréctil moderada-severa. Ambos grupos mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el IIEF-6, SEP-2, SEP-3 y EHS, a los 3 y 6 meses. Sin embargo, no todos los pacientes se mostraron satisfechos o recomendarían el tratamiento, sobre todo en aquellos con disfunción eréctil moderada-severa previo al tratamiento. Conclusión: las ondas de choque de baja intensidad son un tratamiento emergente para la disfunción eréctil, aunque aun sin evidencia clara de su eficacia e indicaciones. Los dispares resultados de los grupos se han debido probablemente a la heterogeneidad de las condiciones basales de los pacientes.(AU)

Objectives: Iphosphodiesterase inhibitors revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Low intensity shockwave therapy emerge as a non-invasive therapeutic alternative. Materials and methods: this was a prospective and observational study, in which 17 sexually active patients were evaluated 3 and 6 months after treatment with low intensity shockwave therapy, using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-6), questions 2 and 3 of the Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP-2 and SEP-3), and the Erection Hardness Score (EHS) to assess penile rigidity, as well as a global satisfaction evaluation with the treatment (GAQ) and if they would recommend it to others. Results: 6 patients showed mild erectile dysfunction and 11 moderatesevere erectile dysfunction. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in IIEF-6, SEP-2, SEP-3 and EHS, after 3 and 6 months. However, not all of them were satisfied with the treatment or would recommend it to others, especially those with moderate-severe basal erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: low intensity shockwave therapy is an emergent treatment for erectile dysfunction, although there is no sufficient evidence of its efficacy and indications. The differences between groups were due probably to the heterogeneity of the basal conditions of the patients.(AU)

Infección genital masculina por virus de papiloma humano / Male genital infection by human papiloma virus

El virus del papiloma humano (VPH) es una de las enfermedades de transmisión sexual más comunes. Puede afectar tanto el aparato genital masculino y femenino, como también el área perianal, ano, y diversas áreas de cabeza y cuello y otorrinolaringológicas, ya sea como lesiones benignas o como promotor de lesiones malignas. Las lesiones benignas por VPH en genitales masculinos se caracterizan fundamentalmente por la aparición de lesiones verrugosas, aunque también puede manifestarse mediante lesiones planas atípicas. En algunos casos hay ausencia de lesiones macroscópicamente visibles que pueden hacerse evidentes con la prueba de ácido acético. La biopsia de la lesión, su evaluación anatomopatológica y, sobre todo, la determinación de la existencia y el tipo de virus involucrado mediante PCR (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa) permiten confirmar el diagnóstico. En algunas ocasiones es necesario realizar una cistoscopia para diagnosticar lesiones intrauretrales y vesicales. Los tratamientos propuestos son muy variados y de eficacia dispar, desde las topicaciones y la electrocirugía o la criocirugía, hasta el empleo de la tecnología láser. La prevención con el uso de protección durante el acto sexual así como la educación sexual son fundamentales. En los últimos 10 años se ha implementado el uso de la vacuna para el VPH en niñas con el fin de disminuir la incidencia de lesiones de alto grado y de cáncer de cuello uterino, pero su indicación en varones es menos clara y aún no ha sido consensuada. (AU)

Human papiloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common sexual transmitted diseases. It can affect the male genitalia, as well as the perianal and anal regions and multiple areas of the head and neck and otorhinolaryngological structures, as benign lesiones or as a promoter of malignant lesions. Benign male genitalia lesions are characterized mainly by verrucous lesions, although flat atypical lesions can be found, as well as the abscence of macroscopic visible lesions that in some cases can become evident using the acetic acid test. Lesion biopsy, its histological evaluation, and the determination of the existence and type of virus using PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) can confirm the diagnosis. In some cases is necessary to do a cistoscopy to diagnose intraurethral and vesical lesions. Proposed treatments are varied and with a wide range of efficacy, from topications to electro or cryosurgery, and the use of laser technology. Sexual education and the use of sexual protection are essential in prevention. In the last 10 years the use of VPH vaccine in girls was widely spread, in order to decrease the incidence of high grade lesions and cervix cancer. Its indication in male patients is less clear and not yet consented among specialists. (AU)

Metformin decreases the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: In assisted reproduction cycles, gonadotropins are administered to obtain a greater number of oocytes. A majority of patients do not have an adverse response; however, approximately 3-6% develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Metformin reduces the risk of OHSS but little is known about the possible effects and mechanisms of action involved. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether metformin attenuates some of the ovarian adverse effects caused by OHSS and to study the mechanisms involved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A rat OHSS model was used to investigate the effects of metformin administration. Ovarian histology and follicle counting were performed in ovarian sections stained with Masson trichrome. Vascular permeability was measured by the release of intravenously injected Evans Blue dye (EB). VEGF levels were measured by commercially immunosorbent assay kit. COX-2 protein expression was evaluated by western blot and NOS levels were analyses by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Animals of the OHSS group showed similar physiopathology characteristics to the human syndrome: increased body weight, elevated progesterone and estradiol levels (P<0.001), increased number of corpora lutea (P<0.001), higher ovarian VEGF levels and vascular permeability (P<0.001 and P<0.01); and treatment with metformin prevented this effect (OHSS+M group; P<0.05). The vasoactive factors: COX-2 and NOS were increased in the ovaries of the OHSS group (P<0.05 and P<0.01) and metformin normalized their expression (P<0.05); suggesting that metformin has a role preventing the increased in vascular permeability caused by the syndrome. CONCLUSION: Metformin has a beneficial effect preventing OHSS by reducing the increase in: body weight, circulating progesterone and estradiol and vascular permeability. These effects of metformin are mediated by inhibiting the increased of the vasoactive molecules: VEGF, COX-2 and partially NOS. Molecules that are increased in OHSS and are responsible for a variety of the symptoms related to OHSS.

Addition of metformin to sildenafil treatment for erectile dysfunction in eugonadal nondiabetic men with insulin resistance. A prospective, randomized, double-blind pilot study.

Erection depends largely on the release of nitric oxide (NO) by vascular endothelial cells. Insulin resistance (IR) is a metabolic abnormality that produces endothelial dysfunction characterized by decreased synthesis and release of NO. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of treatment with metformin on the response to sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and IR enrolled in a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind placebo study. We included 30 male patients with ED, IR, and poor response to sildenafil. Exclusion criteria included pharmacologic, anatomic, or endocrine ED; diabetes; prostatic surgery; or chronic illnesses. Erectile function was rated according to the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5); IR was measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA; IR = HOMA ≥ 3). Patients were randomized to receive metformin (n = 17) or placebo (n = 13). After treatment with metformin, patients with ED showed a significant increase in IIEF-5 score and a significant decrease in HOMA, both occurring at month 2 (IIEF-5: 17.0 ± 6.0 vs 14.3 ± 3.9, P = .01; HOMA: 3.9 ± 1.6 vs 5.5 ± 2.4, P = .01) to 4 of treatment (IIEF-5: 19.8 ± 3.8 vs 14.3 ± 3.9, P = .005; HOMA: 4.5 ± 1.9 vs 5.5 ± 2.4, P = .04), with no changes in these parameters in patients with ED receiving placebo. Patients treated with metformin had more adverse events than those who received placebo: 61.5% compared with 7.7%, P = .03, respectively. Adverse events were mild, mainly gastrointestinal, and did not cause discontinuation of treatment. Treatment with metformin in patients with ED and poor response to sildenafil reduced the IR and improved erectile function.

El dilema de la andropausia y el reemplazo hormonal en el hombre mayor / The dilemma of andropause and hormone replacement in the aged man

Los niveles de testosterona plasmática disminuyen con el correr de los años, calculándose que en un 20-30 por ciento de los hombres mayores de 60 años tiene valores por debajo de lo normal. Este estado de déficit ha sido denominado PADAM (déficit parcial de andrógenos en hombres de edad, por sus siglas en inglés). Los andrógenos en el adulto actúan sobre varias estructuras, como el hueso, el músculo, la hematopoyesis y la función sexual. La terapia de reemplazo hormonal puede realizarse con medicación oral o inyectable, debiendo valorarse los riesgos potenciales, especialmente sobre la próstata, lo que requiere un estricto monitoreo

El dilema de la andropausia y el reemplazo hormonal en el hombre mayor / The dilemma of andropause and hormone replacement in the aged man

Los niveles de testosterona plasmática disminuyen con el correr de los años, calculándose que en un 20-30 por ciento de los hombres mayores de 60 años tiene valores por debajo de lo normal. Este estado de déficit ha sido denominado PADAM (déficit parcial de andrógenos en hombres de edad, por sus siglas en inglés). Los andrógenos en el adulto actúan sobre varias estructuras, como el hueso, el músculo, la hematopoyesis y la función sexual. La terapia de reemplazo hormonal puede realizarse con medicación oral o inyectable, debiendo valorarse los riesgos potenciales, especialmente sobre la próstata, lo que requiere un estricto monitoreo