High-resolution sonography of the normal extrapelvic vas deferens.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of sonographic visualization of the normal extrapelvic vas deferens and to analyze its appearance and dimensions.

Methods: Scans of the scrotum and spermatic cords were obtained in 25 fertile volunteers. Identification of the vas deferens was attempted bilaterally in the scrotal, suprascrotal, and prepubic segments in all volunteers.

Prevalence and predictors of sexual problems, relationship stress, and depression in female partners of infertile couples.

Introduction: Infertility has been associated with anxiety, stress, and sexual problems in both men and women.

Aim: To assess quality of life, sexual health, and depression in the female partner of infertile couples.

Methods: Couples presenting for the evaluation of infertility at two tertiary care medical centers were invited to participate in a survey study.

Sexual function and quality of life in the male partner of infertile couples: prevalence and correlates of dysfunction.

Purpose: We prospectively collected data on mental and physical health related quality of life as well as sexual and relationship function in couples presenting for the treatment of infertility.

Materials And Methods: Infertile couples were invited to complete a demographic survey, the Short Form 36 and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Inventory. Male partners completed the International Index of Erectile Function and the Self-Esteem and Relationship Quality scale.

Premature ejaculation in infertile couples: prevalence and correlates.

Introduction: The incidence of premature ejaculation (PE) and other sexual problems in infertile couples is unknown.

Aims: We attempted to determine the prevalence of PE in infertile couples.

Methods: Infertile couples presenting for evaluation at our institutions were invited to participate in our study.

Does the number and size of veins ligated at left-sided microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy affect semen analysis outcomes?

Objectives: To determine whether the preoperative and intraoperative findings at unilateral microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy are predictive of semen analysis changes postoperatively.

Methods: We identified 42 men who had undergone left-sided microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy at our institution and had at least one semen analysis before and after surgery. The preoperative varicocele grade and number and size of spermatic cord veins ligated were recorded.

Tslc1 (nectin-like molecule-2) is essential for spermatozoa motility and male fertility.

The nectin-like molecule-2 (TSLC1) is a cell-cell adhesion molecule expressed in testicular germ cells. To directly examine the role of Tslc1 in male fertility, we generated Tslc1+/- mice that have greater than 90% reduction in Tslc1 expression. Tslc1+/- males exhibited reduced fertility and rarely transmitted the Tslc1 mutant allele, whereas Tslc1+/- females were consistently able to transmit the mutant allele.

Glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor-mediated RET signaling regulates spermatogonial stem cell fate.

Normal spermatogenesis is essential for reproduction and depends on proper spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) function. Genes and signaling pathways that regulate SSC function have not been well defined. We report that glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) signaling through the RET tyrosine kinase/GFRA1 receptor complex is required for spermatogonial self-renewal in mice.

Status of women in urology: based on a report to the Society of University Urologists.

Purpose: Written responses from American trained women in urological surgery were obtained to evaluate practice patterns, career choices and workplace satisfaction.

Materials And Methods: A 3-page unblinded questionnaire was mailed in March 2003 to American trained women in urological surgery available through the databases of the Society of Women in Urology with subsequent statistical analysis.

Results: The response rate was 60% but inclusive of all women in current academic practice in the United States.

Increased seminal reactive oxygen species levels in patients with varicoceles correlate with varicocele grade but not with testis size.

Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with clinical varicoceles; however, its correlation with varicocele grade and testis size is unknown. In our study, seminal ROS levels showed significant correlation with left varicocele grade and significantly elevated seminal ROS levels were seen in men with left varicocele grade 2 and 3 compared to grade 1.

Mice expressing a dominant-negative Ret mutation phenocopy human Hirschsprung disease and delineate a direct role of Ret in spermatogenesis.

The Ret receptor tyrosine kinase mediates physiological signals of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands (GFLs) and is essential for postnatal survival in mice. It is implicated in a number of human diseases and developmental abnormalities. Here, we describe our analyses of mice expressing a Ret mutant (RetDN) with diminished kinase activity that inhibits wild-type Ret activity, including its activation of AKT.

Does varicocele grade predict vein number and size at microsurgical subinguinal repair?

Objectives: To correlate the varicocele grade on physical examination with the number and size of the veins present and ligated during surgery. Varicoceles are correctable causes of male factor infertility. No prior anatomic studies have correlated the preoperative clinical grade of a varicocele with the number of veins discovered and ligated during microsurgical subinguinal repair.

The use of URYX for reversible vasectomy in a rabbit model.

URYX is a biocompatible polymer of ethylene vinyl alcohol dissolved in a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) carrier to allow injection of a very low-viscosity fluid into tissue. Once the material comes into contact with body tissue or fluid, the DMSO rapidly dissipates from the polymer, which results in a precipitate of a coherent solid mass. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether URYX can effectively occlude the vas deferens and whether patency can be restored by redissolving the URYX in vivo using the solvent DMSO.

Development of an inexpensive artificial vagina for semen collection from rabbits.

The rabbit is well suited for infertility research because of the animal's size, relatively low cost, and accessibility of the genitalia. There are several studies reporting sperm count and motility in rabbits; however, no easily reproducible or inexpensive device for semen collection has been reported. Herein, we report the construction of an inexpensive, effective artificial vagina assembled from easily obtainable products that may be used to collect rabbit ejaculates.

Optimizing laboratory use of human vas deferens specimens for microsurgical practice.

Objectives: To determine whether freezing harvested human vas deferens would preserve the tissue for later microsurgical practice. Learning and maintaining microsurgical skills requires laboratory practice. The proper preservation of the human vas deferens is important if harvested specimens are to be used for laboratory vasovasostomy.

Conditional loss of Nkx3.1 in adult mice induces prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

The homeodomain-containing transcription factor NKX3.1 is a putative prostate tumor suppressor that is expressed in a largely prostate-specific and androgen-regulated manner. Loss of NKX3.