Regulatory identification of BPA as an endocrine disruptor: Context and methodology.

BPA is one of the most investigated substances for its endocrine disruptor (ED) properties and it is at the same time in the center of many ED-related controversies. The analysis on how BPA fits to the regulatory identification as an ED is a challenge in terms of methodology. It is also a great opportunity to test the regulatory framework with a uniquely data-rich substance and learn valuable lessons for future cases.

Sperm cryopreservation in adolescents and young adults with cancer: results of the French national sperm banking network (CECOS).

Objective: To determine the feasibility of fertility preservation in adolescent males with cancer.

Design: Large multicenter retrospective study of male patients ≤20 years from 23 centers of a national network of sperm banks over a 34-year period.

Setting: Sperm banks.

Treatment discontinuation in couples consulting for male infertility after failing to conceive.

Objective: To evaluate rates and reasons for treatment discontinuation in couples with male factor infertility and who failed to conceive.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Male Sterility Center, University Hospital.

Cumulative parenthood rates in 1735 couples: impact of male factor infertility.

Background: Most studies assessing the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have reported live birth rates in couples by taking mainly the female factor into account. However, infertility is a couple's concern, and the majority of publications do not take into consideration the true impact of male infertility on having the desired number of children.

Methods: We carried out a follow-up study to evaluate the probability of having a child during treatments at the Toulouse Male Sterility Centre and after discontinuation from 2000 through 2008.

Reduced maternal mortality in Tunisia and voluntary commitment to gender-related concerns.

Objective: To estimate the number and causes of maternal deaths in Tunisia from 1999 to 2007, and compare the results with the last report (1993-1994).

Methods: Data on all deaths of women of reproductive age in the public (1999-2007) and private (2006 only) health sectors were collected and assessed for whether the death was due to pregnancy. Number of live births was provided by the National Institute of Statistics.

Ejaculatory function after permanent 125I prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer.

Purpose: Ejaculatory function is an underreported aspect of male sexuality in men treated for prostate cancer. We conducted the first detailed analysis of ejaculatory function in patients treated with permanent (125)I prostate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer.

Patients And Methods: Of 270 sexually active men with localized prostate cancer treated with permanent (125)I prostate brachytherapy, 241 (89%), with a mean age of 65 years (range, 43-80), responded to a mailed questionnaire derived from the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire regarding ejaculatory function.

Doubling of testicular cancer incidence rate over the last 20 years in southern France.

In recent decades, testicular cancer incidence has considerably increased in a majority of industrialized countries. In France, short reports suggested that the testicular cancer incidence rate has also risen, especially in north-eastern regions. In Europe, geographical variation of incidence rates has been observed in Baltic countries and a clear birth cohort effect has been revealed.

Contraceptive efficacy of intrauterine devices.

To compare the contraceptive efficacy of various types of intrauterine devices (IUD; copper devices, Nova-T, intrauterine contraceptive systems, levonorgestrel-releasing devices), we reviewed all relevant publications on this subject that have been published over the last 2 decades. The first point to be highlighted by this review is the excellent effectiveness of IUDs, with a global cumulative pregnancy rate <2% at 5 years, whatever the type of device used. We observed a large variation in efficacy rate according to the type of IUD and also according to study design.

Polyorchidism: presentation of 2 cases, review of the literature and a new management strategy.

Objectives: To present 2 cases with polyorchidism, to review the literature about polyorchidism, and to propose a rational therapeutic algorithm.

Methods: In our institution, we encountered 2 patients with polyorchidism: The 1st patient had bilateral double testis with testicular torsion, and the 2nd patient presented with an indolent scrotal mass. We also performed a literature search (PubMed) for other reports of polyorchidism.

Sperm deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation as assessed by the sperm chromatin dispersion test in assisted reproductive technology programs: results of a large prospective multicenter study.

Objective: To assess the value of sperm DNA fragmentation, measured by the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, in predicting fertilization rate, embryo quality, and pregnancy outcome.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Four French infertility centers, from January to August 2005.

Environmental, occupational and familial risks for testicular cancer: a hospital-based case-control study.

Testicular cancer (TC) risk factors remain largely unknown, except for personal history of cryptorchidism and familial history of TC. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study on familial, environmental and occupational conditions in which we compared 229 cases and 800 controls. TC was correlated with cryptorchidism (OR = 3.

[Fertility before and after treatment of patients with Leydig cell tumour].

Objective: To determine the long-term fertility status of patients treated for Leydig cell testicular tumour.

Material And Methods: [corrected] In a series of 506 testicular tumours observed in the Midi-Pyrenées region between 1980 and 1998, 17 were Leydig cell tumours (3.3%) and constituted the study population.

Impact of diagnostic delay in testis cancer: results of a large population-based study.

Objective: Testis cancer is the most common cancer in young men, and its incidence continues to rise. Even if prognosis is considered as good, a group with bad prognosis still remains. Diagnostic delay (DD), defined as the time elapsing from the onset of tumour symptoms to the day of diagnosis, is a way to evaluate the rapidity of diagnosis.

Ten-year variation in semen parameters and sperm deoxyribonucleic acid integrity in a healthy fertile man.

Objective: To report parameters in semen samples and sperm DNA integrity in a healthy fertile volunteer over a 10-year period.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University-affiliated teaching hospital.

Testicular cancer variations in time and space in Europe.

Objectives: Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy in young men. A review of all published articles on TC incidence revealed an increased incidence in Northern and Central Europe. We extended the analysis to the whole of Europe by using all data available, notably from registries.

Risk factors for IUD failure: results of a large multicentre case-control study.

Background: This study was conducted to identify the risk factors for intrauterine device (IUD) failure.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was carried out between 1999 and 2002. Cases (women with an IUD and a confirmed pregnancy) and controls (women with an IUD and who were not pregnant) were recruited by gynaecologists.

Fathers over 40 and increased failure to conceive: the lessons of in vitro fertilization in France.

Objective: To investigate paternal age effect mediated by biological modifications with use of data from assisted reproductive technologies.

Design: National IVF registry.

Setting: Fifty nine French IVF centers.

Misoprostol use for labor induction in developing countries: a prospective study in Guinea.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy, side effects and cost of misoprostol regimens in various obstetrical situations frequently occurring in developing countries.

Study Design: One hundred and four parturient women with indications for labor induction received different regimens of misoprostol in the range of 50-800 microg according to their gestational age. Misoprostol was administered by the vaginal route, every 6h without exceeding four doses.

Conservative management of small testicular tumors relative to carcinoma in situ prevalence.

Purpose: We evaluated the prevalence of carcinoma in situ (CIS) in orchiectomy specimens performed for germ cell tumors smaller than 40 mm in diameter to propose an appropriate conservative approach to bilateral tumors or tumor of a solitary testis.

Materials And Methods: Of 127 patients treated with orchiectomy between 1990 and 2002, 41 who presented with a tumor of less than 40 mm in diameter were selected for histological analysis of testicular parenchyma. The morphological items assessed were CIS, spermatogenesis and Leydig cell hyperplasia.

Determinants of maternal deaths in induced abortion complications in Ivory Coast.

Persistently high levels of maternal mortality have been reported in Abidjan, the capital of Ivory Coast, with a high prevalence of deaths related to complications of induced abortion. In order to assess the determinants of maternal deaths in induced-abortion complications, this study investigated women admitted to the gynecological departments of four reference hospitals throughout Ivory Coast. Information concerning abortion events was collected by means of a questionnaire during a confidential, face-to-face interview.

Distribution of causes of maternal mortality during delivery and post-partum: results of an African multicentre hospital-based study.

Objective: To assess the maternal mortality ratio in maternity units of reference hospitals in large west African cities, and to describe the distribution of complications and causes of maternal deaths.

Study Design: Prospective descriptive study in twelve reference maternities located in three African countries (Benin, Ivory Coast, Senegal). Data (clinical findings at hospital entry, medical history, complications, type of surgery, vital status of the women at discharge) were collected from obstetrical and surgical files and from admission hospital registers.

Ectopic pregnancy in Africa: a population-based study.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon (Central Africa).

Methods: In 2000, all women admitted for an ectopic pregnancy to health facilities in the city of Yaounde were systematically enrolled. Sociodemographic information on the women and their reproductive history was collected by questionnaire during a face-to-face interview.

Fertility after testicular cancer treatments: results of a large multicenter study.

Background: Patients with testicular cancer have an excellent survival rate, and fertility is one of the main concerns of survivors. The authors investigated fertility status after treatment for testis cancer in long-term survivors.

Methods: Four hundred fifty-one consecutive patients with testicular cancer (1979-1999) from health facilities in the French Midi-Pyrenees region were enrolled.