Carnitine, an important compound in the beta-oxidative process of mitochondrial fatty acid, plays a significant role in the cardiovascular, nervous, and reproductive system. Recently, carnitine has been used as a therapeutic in the treatment of male infertility, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, etc. Accordingly, the objective of this review is to summarize the progress in researches on carnitine as a clinical therapy in andrology.
Carnitine ; therapeutic use ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; drug therapy ; Male

Since Nature published the first report in 2002 on using immunodeficient mice as recipients and allogeneous or heterogeneous testes as donor tissues to study the ectopic development of spermatogenic cells, the technique has been widely applied in various species (including human). In comparison with other in vitro maturation methods for male germ cells, testicular allografting or xenografting technique has such advantages as similar environment for the development of germ cells in physiological conditions, and better reproducibility. Up to now, sperm has been successfully produced by this technique from the testicular tisues of the immature mouse, hamster, cat, rabbit, pig, goat, bovine and rhesus monkey, and their offspring have even been generated by ICSI technique using the mouse and rabbit sperm derived from testis grafts. This article comprehensively reviews the development of the technique by discussing the influencing factors on the germ cell development in grafts including the variety and age of donors, the sex, integrity and immunity of recipients, the graft location and grafting time. And the applications of the technique and the existing problems are discussed as well.
Animals ; Cats ; Cattle ; Cricetinae ; Goats ; Humans ; Macaca mulatta ; Male ; Mice ; Rabbits ; Swine ; Testis ; transplantation ; Transplantation Immunology ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Transplantation, Heterotopic ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo construct a function model that can be used in the diagnosis bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia, and to develop a diagram allowing the judgement of bladder outlet for patients with different detrusor contractility, especially with impaired one.

METHODSUrodynamic and clinical data of 131 men were analyzed retrospectively. By Logistic analysis, a function model was constructed. Based on the model, a diagram allowing the evaluation of bladder outlet was drawn. The cutoff point for diagnosing BOO with the function model and the curve was confirmed by ROC curve analysis.

RESULTSThe function model (BOOI) was obtained by the formula 5.03 x residual fraction + 0.04 x PdetatQmax - 0.20 x Qmax - 0.91 + alpha (alpha = 0 for those with low pressure-low flow on P-FS, alpha = 1.42 for high pressure-low flow, alpha = -7.30 for high pressure-high flow). The cutoff point for BOOI diagnosing BOO was 0.36. When validated, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 85.7%, 91.7%, 96.0% and 73.3% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe BOOI, with an easy calculation mode, could predict the probability of BOO. The sensitivity and specificity of the criterion for the diagnosis of BOO were satisfactory. The curve we drew could help to differentiate the obstructed men with low pressure-low flow and thus benefit them by surgical relief of their obstruction.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; complications ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVETo preliminarily study the effect of prepubertal exposure of male SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats to diethylstilbestrol (DES) on the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells after sexual maturation and its mechanism.

METHODSThirty 21-day-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups, DES 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 microg/(kg x d) and 1 control group. The experimental groups were injected (s.c.) with different doses of DES (dissolved in corn oil) during prepuberty [from postnatal day (PND) 22 to PND 35] and the control group with medium only. The apoptosis and related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax expressions of testicular spermatogenic cells were studied with TUNEL and immunohistochemistry after the rats sexual maturation (at PND 64).

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the apoptosis of testicular spermatogenic cells in the DES 0.01 microg/kg group had no difference, but significantly increased in the DES 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 microg/kg groups and the apoptosis increased with the increase of DES dose. In the control and DES 0.01 microg/kg groups, Bax protein expressed weakly but Bcl-2 protein strongly in spermatogenic cells. With the increase of DES exposure, Bax protein expression in spermatogenic cells increased but Bcl-2 protein expression decreased.

CONCLUSIONPrepubertal exposure of SD rats to inappropriate dose of DES can make the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells increase after sexual maturation. Bax and Bcl-2 proteins participate in the apoptotic course caused by prepubertal DES exposure.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Diethylstilbestrol ; toxicity ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sexual Maturation ; Spermatids ; drug effects ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo discuss the factors that affect the clinical application of sex therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSUrological researchers recommended free sex therapy to ED patients and their partners in the outpatient department and studied the factors affecting the patients of Medicaid their partnersology, acceptance of sex therapy by interview and observation.

RESULTSMany patients refused sex therapy. Only 11 pairs of volunteers underwent it, of whom 5 pairs gave up halfway, 1 pair were stopped by the therapist due to the breakup of their marriage, and merely 5 pairs accomplished the whole course. Among the 5 pairs of quitters, 2 pairs thought of their problem as organic and turned to drug therapy, 1 pair withdrew because the patient's girlfriend broke up with him, 1 pair gave up because they lived in another city too far away from the clinic, and the other pair discontinued because they could not spare the time from their work.

CONCLUSIONSMany factors affect the clinical application of sex therapy for ED in China. Apart from the shortage of qualified professional sex therapists, some factors from the patients and their partners are at work, such as stress of work, lack of time, home location, education background, relationship between the patient and his partner, attitude to sex therapy, and so on.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Marital Therapy ; methods ; Sex Counseling ; methods ; Sexual Partners

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Prostate in combination with an antibiotic for the treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.

METHODSA double-blind, parallel contrasted, multi-central method was applied in the study. After the Stamey test and expressed prostate secretion (EPS) examination, 160 patients with prostatitis were recruited and randomized into a trial group (80 cases with 1 case missing) and a control group (80 cases). In the trial group, the patients used the levofloxacin and Prostate during the first 4 weeks and Prostate only during the following 4 weeks. In the control group, the patients used the levofloxacin and placebo during the first 4 weeks, and placebo only during the following 4 weeks. Before and 4 and 8 weeks after the treatment, the patients were visited and evaluated by the national institute health-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI), EPS, and asked about the side.

RESULTSAfter 4-week and 8-week treatment, the pain index dropped by 3.34 +/- 2.45 and 4.06 +/- 3.03 in the trial group, and effects. 2.28 +/- 2.42 and 3.30 +/- 3.29 in the control; the voiding index dropped by 2.22 +/- 1.79 and 2.77 +/- 2.04 in the trial group, and 1.24 +/- 1.67 and 1.83 +/- 2.25 in the control respectively. There was significant difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment in both the two groups (P < 0.01), while the difference was not significant between 4-week and 8-week post-treatment (P > 0.05). And there was significant difference between the two groups in the pain index and voiding index (P < 0.01), but not in the white blood cell count and lipid in the EPS (P > 0.05). No serious side effects were recorded, and the tolerance to Prostate and placebo showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONProstate in combination with an antibiotic can effectively relieve the pain and voiding symptoms and improve the life quality of the patients with nonbacterial prostatitis and well deserves to be recommended in clinical practice.

Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Pollen ; Prostatitis ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and clinical significance of detecting sperm mitochondrial function by using Rh123/PI dual fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis, and to explore the relationship between the results of Rh123/PI dual fluorescent staining and seminal parameters.

METHODSSixty-three semen samples were classified as normal (n=31) and abnormal (n=32) according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Rh123/PI dual fluorescent staining was then carried out to evaluate sperm mitochondrial function by flow cytometry analysis.

RESULTSSignificant differences in Rh123+ PI-, Rh123- /PI+ and Rh123- /PI- were detected between the normal and abnormal semen samples (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the Rh123+ PI- sperm and sperm motility and a significant inverse correlation between Rh123+ PI- and immotile sperm. But the Rh123- PI+ sperm showed a contrary relationship with Rh123+ PI-. A significant inverse correlation was also observed between the Rhl23- /PI- sperm and sperm concentration in the abnormal group.

CONCLUSIONRh123/PI dual fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis can readily and quickly detect sperm mitochondrial function and be used to evaluate semen quality.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Rhodamine 123 ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Staining and Labeling ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess an integrated method of operation + Chinese medicine + dexamethasone + vitamin E in treating varicocele.

METHODSNinety-six patients with varicocele were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental group (Group A, n=47) treated with the integrated method, the control group (Group B, n=49) treated with Chinese medicine, dexamethasone and vitamin E.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the sperm density and motility and pregnancy rate were higher (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the sperm deformity rate was lower in the experiment group than in the control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe integrated method works better than either operation or Chinese medicine applied alone in the treatment of varicocele.

Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Count ; Varicocele ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Vitamin E ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of erectile dysfunction (ED) in old males with lacunar infarction.

METHODSA total of 38 old patients ages from 60 to 70 years were involved. The questionnaire of international index of erectile function 5 (IIEF -5) was used to determine the status and severity of ED. According to the focus of infarction on MRI, the patients were divided into two groups, Group I with lacunar infarction and minor neurological deficits, and Group II with none. The total IIEF-5 scores were compared between the two groups and repeatedly evaluated six months after discharge.

RESULTSAccording to the total scores of IIEF-5, the prevalence of ED in Group II (95%) was higher, and the incidence of severe ED was significantly increased (60.0% vs. 44.4%, P < 0.05) as compared with Group II. In both the two groups, severe ED was more often seen in diabetic patients. At six months after discharge, the total scores of IIEF-5 were significantly increased (11.2 +/- 3.2 vs. 15.6 +/- 2.2, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONED is significantly increased in old males with lacunar infarction, and it is more severe in diabetic patients. Post-stroke rehabilitation care helps to improve ED.

Aged ; Brain Infarction ; complications ; rehabilitation ; Diabetes Complications ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo clone and express Cox7a2, one mitochondrial respiratory chain related gene, and to identify its recombinant protein.

METHODSThe coding region of Cox7a2 was amplified from primary cultured mouse Leydig cells by RT-PCR. The PCR product was cloned into pGEX4T-1 vector by BamH I and EcoR I sites, and confirmed by DNA sequencing. The recombinant fusion protein vector was transformed and expressed into BL21. The recombinant fusion protein was identified by Western blotting.

RESULTSThe entire coding region of Cox7a2 was cloned and expressed. The fusion protein was identified by anti-GST monoclonal antibody using Western blotting.

CONCLUSIONThe cloning of Cox7a2 and the expression of the recombinant protein would help to study the detailed function of Cox7a2, one respiratory chain related and highly differently expressed gene in the tissues of aging testes.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genetic Vectors ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mitochondria ; physiology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction