Effects of primary testicular damage on sperm DNA oxidative status and embryonic and foetal development.

We evaluated the development of embryos generated from the fertilisation of oocytes with spermatozoa isolated from animals with primary testicular damage (PTD). Embryos derived in vivo or in vitro from oocytes fertilised with spermatozoa produced by PTD rats that had undergone surgical treatment for the PTD (group A1), or PTD rats (group A2), or control rats (group B) were cultured and transferred to recipients. At the end of the experimental period, the fertilisation potential of each rat was assessed in vitro (IVF trials).

Efforts to create an artificial testis: culture systems of male germ cells under biochemical conditions resembling the seminiferous tubular biochemical environment.

Induction of meiotic and post-meiotic alterations of male germ cells in vitro has been the target of several research efforts since 1960. However, to date, the establishment of an ideal culture system in which spermatogonial stem cells can be maintained and directed to proliferate and undergo meiosis and complete spermiogenesis does not exist. This is attributed to the difficulties concerning the isolation and purification of defined subpopulations of germ cells and the establishment of male germ cell lines.

Pre-decondensed sperm head injections into female pronuclei result in chromosomal mingling, zygotic cleavage, and adequate embryonic and fetal development up to delivery of healthy offspring: a novel method of assisted syngamy.

Investigation of the developmental potential post-injection of a pre-decondensed or non-pre-decondensed sperm head into the female pronucleus of a pre-activated oocyte. Rat pre-activated oocytes were treated with intrapronuclear pre-decondensed sperm head injections (IPSHI) (n = 133) or intrapronuclear non-pre-decondensed sperm head injections (INPSHI) (n = 138). All injected oocytes were transferred to pseudopregnant female recipients.

[Urinary retention due to acquired closure of labia minor in a female with Sjögren syndrome].

A case of a 70 year old woman with acute urinary retention and primary Sjögren-Syndrome is presented. On clinical examination a total closure of labia minor was diagnosed. Surgical detachment of labia minor was performed and full recovery was achieved.

[Ureteropelvic stenosis, agenesia of the contralateral kidney and sinistral inferior vena cava].

Introduction: Ureteropelvic stenosis occurs as a result of intraluminal or extraluminal alterations at the ureteropelvic junction. It is the most common cause of upper urinary tract obstruction.

Case Report: We report about a rare case of a man with ureteropelvic junction obstruction and a renal pelvic stone accompanied by other congenital anomalies, including a sinistral inferior vena cava and agenesis of the opposite kidney.

Role of testicular tissue telomerase assay for the prediction of the presence of testicular spermatozoa in azoospermic men with varicoceles, pre- and post-varicocelectomy.

We evaluated the reproductive potential of frozen/thawed testicular spermatozoa of azoospermic men with left varicocele. The role of testicular tissue telomerase assay (TTA) in the prediction of the presence of testicular spermatozoa pre- and post-varicocelectomy was investigated, as well. Therapeutic testicular biopsy and TTA were performed in 82 nonobstructed azoospermic (NOA) men with varicoceles.

Effects of paternal cigarette smoking on testicular function, sperm fertilizing capacity, embryonic development, and blastocyst capacity for implantation in rats.

We evaluated the effects of paternal smoking on testicular function, sperm fertilizing capacity, embryonic development, and blastocyst capacity for implantation. Rats of group A were exposed to cigarette smoke for 10 weeks. Rats of group B were exposed to the smoke of incense sticks for 10 weeks.

The role of ultrasonographically guided puncture of the human rete testis in the therapeutic management of nonobstructive azoospermia.

We attempted to characterize the cells collected from the rete testis via ultrasonographically guided puncture. Unilateral puncture of the rete testis was performed in nine men with obstructive azoospermia and 51 men with nonobstructive azoospermia. All the aspirated samples from the rete testis were observed via confocal scanning laser microscope and some of them after fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques.