Vasectomy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vasectomy, including details on procedure, risks, statistics, contraception, reversal.

A novel application of 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy: non-invasive identification of spermatogenesis in men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Aaronson DS, Iman R, Walsh TJ, Kurhanewicz J, Turek PJ

Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA.

BACKGROUND About 10% of infertile men have no sperm in their ejaculate due to poor or absent spermatogenesis, also known as non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Testis (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) is a non-invasive imaging tool that can potentially identify and localize spermatogenesis in the testis. This study sought to identify metabolic signatures associated with various histological states of spermatogenesis in infertile men. METHODS Quantitative high resolution magic angle spinning spectroscopy was performed on snap frozen testicular tissue from 27 men with three classic histological patterns: (i) normal spermatogenesis (men with prior paternity undergoing vasectomy reversal), (ii) maturation arrest (early or late, MA) or (iii) Sertoli-cell only (SCO). Concentrations of 19 tissue metabolites were acquired from each biopsy specimen. One-way ANOVA analysis was used to determine inter-group differences in metabolite concentrations among the three histologic groups. RESULTS Phosphocholine (PC) and taurine tissue concentrations were significantly different between normal and SCO tissue. Mean PC concentrations were three times higher in normal testes compared with SCO (5.4 +/- 1.4 versus 1.5 +/- 0.3 mmol/kg; P = 0.01). No differences in metabolite concentrations were observed between normal and MA testes or between SCO and MA testes. Further histologic stratification of MA testes into subsets of those with (early) and without (late) spermatids or mature sperm, identified differences in PC concentrations. A predictive model for sperm presence with (1)H-MRS was developed based upon PC tissue concentrations. CONCLUSIONS PC concentrations are significantly higher in testes with spermatogenesis. This suggests that a unique metabolic signature for spermatogenesis is possible using (1)H-MRS which could aid in the non-invasive diagnosis of sperm in men with NOA.

Published 3 February 2010 in Hum Reprod.
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Articles on Vasectomy published 28 January 2010:

Increased sperm DNA fragmentation in patients with vasectomy reversal has no prognostic value for pregnancy rate.   J Urol, 183(2): 662-5.

PURPOSE: We evaluated sperm DNA fragmentation in patients with vasectomy reversal and its prognostic value to determine spontaneous and assisted reproductive technique pregnancy rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively assessed DNA fragmentation with the sperm chromatin structure assay in postoperative semen samples of 70 patients with vasectomy reversal. At a median +/- SD followup of 4.3 +/- 0.5 years pregnancy rates were recorded. RESULTS: DNA fragmentation in patients with vasectomy ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 27 January 2010:

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Articles on Vasectomy published 22 January 2010:

Genetic vasectomy-Overexpression of Prm1-EGFP fusion protein in elongating spermatids causes dominant male sterility in mice.   Genesis.

Transgenic mice are vital tools in both basic and applied research. Unfortunately, the transgenesis process as well as many other assisted reproductive techniques involving embryo transfer rely on vasectomized males to induce pseudopregnancy in surrogate mothers. Vasectomy is a surgical procedure associated with moderate pain and must be carried out under full anaesthesia by qualified personnel. Eliminating the need for vasectomy would be beneficial from the economic and animal welfare point of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 21 January 2010:

Medical history, body size, and cigarette smoking in relation to fatal prostate cancer.   Cancer Causes Control, 21(1): 117-25.

OBJECTIVES: Prostate cancer has few known risk factors. As part of a population-based case-control study conducted in four health maintenance organizations, the authors examined the associations between fatal prostate cancer and several medical and behavioral characteristics. METHODS: Cases were 768 health plan members who died of prostate adenocarcinoma during the period 1997-2001. We randomly selected controls (929) from the health plan membership and matched them to cases on health plan, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 15 January 2010:

Vas deferens - A model used to establish sympathetic cotransmission.   Trends Pharmacol Sci.

The vas deferens has been used as a model for many diverse studies of different aspects of autonomic neurotransmission since its introduction including, in particular, sympathetic cotransmission involving release of ATP and neuropeptide Y together with noradrenaline and prejunctional and postjunctional neuromodulation. It has also been used to study sympathetic reinnervation following vasectomy and castration, as well as the deleterious effects of diabetes, hypertension and chronic alcohol. [Abstract] [Full-text]

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Articles on Vasectomy published 8 January 2010:

A community-based vasectomy service in Leicestershire and Rutland - The patients' perspective.   Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care.

Objectives To evaluate the community-based vasectomy service from the patients' perspective and consider service provision in terms of access, process, quality and outcome. Method A prospective questionnaire was handed to 150 consecutive men attending for vasectomy from February to June 2007, for completion two weeks after surgery. Postal reminders were sent at four and eight weeks. Results The response rate was 73%, with 93% (n = 102) of the respondents considering the vasectomy unit to be of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 16 December 2009:

Urethro-ejaculatory duct reflux in children: an updated review.   Eur J Pediatr Surg, 19(6): 374-6.

AIM: Reflux of urine into the ejaculatory ducts of children may result in recurrent orchitis and sterility. Urethro-ejaculatory duct reflux (UER) is an uncommonly reported condition in children. The diagnosis of this condition can be made using a micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) to demonstrate the reflux of contrast into any of the ejaculatory ducts. The aim of this study was to look at the incidence of UER in the broader pediatric population and review the management options. METHODS: A ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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