Potential role of imaging in assessing harmful effects on spermatogenesis in adult testes with varicocele.

Varicocele is characterized by an abnormal dilatation and retrograde blood flow in the spermatic veins. Varicocele is the leading correctable cause of male infertility. Although it is highly prevalent in infertile men, it is also observed in individuals with normal fertility.

Magnetization transfer imaging of normal and abnormal testis: preliminary results.

Objectives: The aim was to determine the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) of normal testes, possible variations with age and to assess the feasibility of MTR in characterizing various testicular lesions.

Methods: Eighty-six men were included. A three-dimensional gradient-echo MT sequence was performed, with/without an on-resonance binomial prepulse.

Apparent diffusion coefficient values and dynamic contrast enhancement patterns in differentiating seminomas from nonseminomatous testicular neoplasms.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) patterns in differentiating seminomas from nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs).

Materials And Methods: The MRI examinations of the scrotum of 26 men with histologically proven testicular GCTs were reviewed. DWI was performed in all patients, using a single shot, multi-slice spin-echo planar diffusion pulse sequence and b-values of 0 and 900 s/mm(2).

MR imaging of scrotum.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the scrotum has been used as a valuable supplemental diagnostic modality in evaluating scrotal pathology, mostly recommended in cases of inconclusive sonographic findings. Because of the advantages of the technique, MR imaging of the scrotum may provide valuable information in the detection and characterization of various scrotal diseases. The technique may accurately differentiate intratesticular from extratesticular mass lesions and provide important information in the preoperative characterization of the histologic nature of scrotal masses.

Apparent diffusion coefficient values of normal testis and variations with age.

The usefulness of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the evaluation of scrotal pathology has recently been reported. A standard reference of normal testicular apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and their variations with age is necessary when interpreting normal testicular anatomy and pathology. We evaluated 147 normal testes using DWI, including 71 testes from 53 men aged 20-39 years (group 1), 67 testes from 42 men aged 40-69 years (group 2) and nine testes from six men older than 70 years (group 3).

Genetic and epigenetic risks of intracytoplasmic sperm injection method.

Pregnancies achieved by assisted reproduction technologies, particularly by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures, are susceptible to genetic risks inherent to the male population treated with ICSI and additional risks inherent to this innovative procedure. The documented, as well as the theoretical, risks are discussed in the present review study. These risks mainly represent that consequences of the genetic abnormalities underlying male subfertility (or infertility) and might become stimulators for the development of novel approaches and applications in the treatment of infertility.

Preventive effects of cyclohexenonic long-chain fatty alcohol on diabetic cystopathy in the rat.

In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of n-hexacosanol on diabetes-induced bladder dysfunction in the rat. Diabetes was induced in 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats by administering an injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p.