Quantitative analysis of epithelial cells in urine from men with and without urethritis: implications for studying epithelial: pathogen interactions in vivo.

Background: Epithelial cells in first catch urine (FCU) specimens from 87 men with and without urethritis were quantified. Epithelial cells were broadly categorised into transitional and squamous populations using morphological characteristics and immunostaining with anti-pan leukocyte and anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies.

Findings: The majority (77/87 = 89%) of samples contained both transitional (76/87 = 87%; range 1 x 10(4) - 6 x 10(5), median 6 x 10(4)) and squamous (57/87 = 66%; range 1 x 10(4) - 8 x 10(5), median 2 x 10(4)) epithelial cells.

The trends in prostate specific antigen usage amongst United Kingdom urologists--a questionnaire based study.

Background: Worldwide, the use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing as a screen for prostate cancer is contentious. Whilst there is no National UK Screening programme, many men undergo opportunistic screening. This study investigates UK urologist's usage of PSA and the awareness surrounding the Department of Health (DoH) PSA guidelines.

Oxytocin and the human prostate in health and disease.

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone produced by the neurohypophysis. The discovery that the peptide is produced locally within the male and female reproductive tracts has raised the possibility that oxytocin may have paracrine and autocrine actions outside of the nervous system. Oxytocin and its receptor have been identified in the human prostate.

The effect of oxytocin on cell proliferation in the human prostate is modulated by gonadal steroids: implications for benign prostatic hyperplasia and carcinoma of the prostate.

Background: Oxytocin (OT) is implicated in regulating prostate growth. OT concentrations are increased in benign, and decreased in malignant prostate disease. This study investigated whether the altered concentrations of OT present in prostate disease affect the proliferation of malignant and non-malignant human prostate cells.

Oxytocin--its role in male reproduction and new potential therapeutic uses.

Oxytocin (OT) is traditionally thought of as a "female" neurohypophysis hormone due to its role in parturition and milk ejection. However, OT is recognized as having endocrine and paracrine roles in male reproduction. At ejaculation, a burst of OT is released from the neurohypophysis into the systemic circulation and stimulates contractions of the reproductive tract aiding sperm release.

Lack of compliance by UK andrology laboratories with World Health Organization recommendations for sperm morphology assessment.

Background: Sperm morphology is known to correlate with the probability of conception both in vitro and in vivo, but the assessment of sperm morphology in the laboratory remains problematic. The 4th edition (1999) of the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Manual has attempted to improve matters by giving rigorous recommendations regarding sperm morphology assessment. However, it is unknown how well these recommendations have been implemented in practice.

Oxytocin, oxytocin-associated neurophysin and the oxytocin receptor in the human prostate.

Oxytocin has been implicated in the regulation of prostate growth. However, the cellular localisation of oxytocin in the normal and diseased human prostate is not known. Oxytocin, oxytocin-associated neurophysin and oxytocin receptor were detected by immunohistochemistry in tissues from patients undergoing routine prostatectomy and in normal human prostate epithelial and stromal cell lines.

Can the Internet widen participation in reproductive medicine education for professionals?

Background: Traditional campus-based models of education are unsuitable to many, particularly if in full-time employment supporting families, whereas the Internet now permits new models of education. Following an iterative process of development and evaluation in 2001, the University of Bristol launched a masters programme covering reproduction and development delivered principally over the Internet.

Methods: Students attend short biannual residential workshops and the rest of the course is delivered online.