PurposeThe monitor of organ microcirculation is significant in the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhagic shock (HS). We established an HS experimental model and evaluated it by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), which aimed to evaluate the value of CEUS and time-intensity curve (TIC) in quantitative analysis of renal cortical microcirculation.Materials and Methods The experimental models of HS were established in 30 healthy New Zealand white rabbits by controlled exsanguinations and were divided into four groups according to the shock grade: normal (100% MAP), mild (70% MAP), moderate (50% MAP) and severe (40% MAP). The right kidneys of the experimental model were examined by CEUS. The corresponding parameters of the TIC such as arrival time (AT), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI) and area under the curve (AUC) were measured with the TIC analysis software package when the region of interest was set in superficial of renal cortex.Results The model of HS were successfully established with 30 healthy New Zealand rabbits. Twenty-seven healthy New Zealand rabbits were alive at the end of the experiment, and three died of severe shock. The TIC rose steeply and reached the peak quickly, and then declined slowly to the baseline, which reflected the transition of microbubble in the region of interest. As the hemorrhagic shock model progressed from normal to mild, PI and AUC gradually decreased and the differences were significant (P<0.05); no significant changes were found in AT and TTP (P>0.05). AT and TTP gradually prolonged compared with normal and mild shock groups, and the differences were significant (P<0.05).Conclusion CEUS and TIC can quickly and accurately assess the renal perfusion changes of acute hemorrhagic shock model of animals in a quantitative way. It can be used as a new noninvasive monitoring tool in quantitative analysis of renal cortical microcirculation.

Purpose To study the effects of different doses of ultrasound contrast agent SonoVue upon contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the kidney of healthy rabbits, and to seek the optimal dose of SonoVue. Materials and Methods CEUS was performed in 10 healthy rabbits with GE LOGIQ-E9 by using 8 different doses of SonoVue (ranging from 0.02 ml/kg to 0.16 ml/kg). The quantitative parameters of the time-intensity curve (TIC) were measured and statistically compared. Results The TICs showed that the peak intensity (PI) and the area under curve (AUC) increased with dose when the doses ranged from 0.02 ml/kg to 0.10 ml/kg (r=0.962 and 0.965, P<0.05); when the dose further increased, AUC had little change but PI decreased reversely. The arrival time (AT) shortened along with the increase of the SonoVue dose (r= - 0.917, P<0.05). The dose had a positive correlation with time to peak (r=0.49, P<0.05). Conclusion The parameters of TIC are influenced intensely by different doses of SonoVue. It is important to realize the relationship between SonoVue doses and its effects upon contrast-enhancement ultrasound in microcirculatory quantification. The dose of 0.10 ml/kg appears to be the optimal dose for CEUS in examining kidney of healthy rabbit.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical reliability of quantitative evaluation by seminiferous tubule scores on spermatogenesis dysfunction, using the testis tissues of azoospermia patients for analysis of histological changes.

METHODSOne hundred and twelve Chinese patients with azoospermia underwent open testicular biopsy and their testicular biopsy specimens were evaluated by 10-score (on testicular biopsy) and 5-Grade (on seminiferous tubule spermatogenesis) scale. The 112 patient, 22 to 46 years old [(29.0 +/- 4.4) years old] included 105 cases of obstructive and 7 cases non-obstructive azoospermia. Of the total number, there were 96 primary infertile cases and 16 secondary infertile cases with infertile marriage of 2-12 years [(4.0 +/- 2.8) years]. Various seminiferous tubule characteristics were categorized by 10-score as follows: [1] degenerating Sertoli cells and no germinal epithelium; [2] no germ cells and only Sertoli cells; [3] no spermatids and primary spermatocytes and only spermatogonia; [4] no spermatids and few primary spermatocytes; [5] no spermatids and numerous primary spermatocytes; [6] no mature spermatids and few round immature spermatids; [7] no mature spermatids and numerous round immature spermatids; [8] < 20 mature spermatids/tubules, germinal epithelium height < 80 microns and spermiation absent; [9] > 20 mature spermatids/tubules, germinal epithelium height < 80 microns and spermiation rarely < 80 microns; [10] > 20 mature spermatids/tubule and germinal epithelium height 80 microns and spermiation common. Seminiferous tubule spermatogenesis was catagorized by 5-Grade scale as follows: [1] tubular sclerosis; [2] sertoli cell only; [3] arrested spermatogenesis; [4] reduced spermatogenesis; [5] intact spermatogenesis.

RESULTSIn terms of the 10-score scale on testicular biopsy, scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 corresponded with total patient numbers of 5 (4.5%), 38(33.9%), 2(1.8%), 6(5.4%), 2(1.8%), 17(15.2%), 6(5.4%), 19(17%), 10(8.9%) and 7(6.3%), respectively. According to the 5-Grade scale on the seminiferous tubule spermatogenesis, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 corresponded with 5(4.5%), 38(33.9%), 33(29.5%), 29(25.9%) and 7 (6.3%), respectively. Tubular diameter, the thickness of the lamina propria, the height of the germinal epithelium and serum FSH correlated with the average seminiferous tubule scores (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe seminiferous tubule scores obtained through testicular biopsy may provide important quantitative information concerning the etiology and pathogenesis and of azoospermia may serve as a helpful guide to the fundamental, clinical and therapeutical study of element, clinic and therapy.

Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; physiopathology ; Seminiferous Tubules ; physiopathology ; Spermatogenesis