To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

This study investigated the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components on prostate volume (PV) in the general Chinese population. In total, 43 455 participants in The First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (Beijing, China) from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2022, undergoing health examinations were included in the study. Participants were categorized into four groups according to PV quartiles: Q1 (PV ≤24.94 ml), Q2 (PV >24.94 ml and ≤28.78 ml), Q3 (PV >28.78 ml and ≤34.07 ml), and Q4 (PV >34.07 ml), with Q1 serving as the reference group. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between MetS and PV, with subgroup analyses conducted by age. Among the participants, 18 787 (43.2%) were diagnosed with MetS. In the multivariate analysis model, a significant correlation between MetS and PV was observed, with odds ratios (ORs) increasing as PV increased (Q2, OR = 1.203, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.139-1.271; Q3, OR = 1.300, 95% CI: 1.230-1.373; and Q4, OR = 1.556, 95% CI: 1.469-1.648). Analysis of MetS components revealed that all components were positively associated with PV, with abdominal obesity showing the most significant effect. The number of MetS components was identified as a dose-dependent risk factor for elevated PV. The impact of MetS, its components, and component count on PV exhibited a decreasing trend with advancing age. Overall, the influence of MetS, its components, and component count on PV was predominantly observed in the age groups of 40-49 years and 50-59 years. Early intervention targeting MetS can significantly alleviate the increase in PV, particularly benefiting individuals aged 40-59 years who have abdominal obesity.
Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged ; Prostate/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Organ Size ; China/epidemiology* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors

The aim of this study was to investigate the trend in testicular volume changes after orchiopexy in children with cryptorchidism. The clinical data of 854 children with cryptorchidism who underwent orchiopexy between January 2013 and December 2016 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital (Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 2.8 (2.5) years, and the duration of follow-up ranged from 1 year to 5 years. Ultrasonography was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively. The variables analyzed included age at the time of surgery, type of surgical procedure, laterality, preoperative testicular position, preoperative and postoperative testicular volumes, and the testicular volume ratio of them. The average testicular volumes preoperatively and at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively were 0.27 ml, 0.38 ml, 0.53 ml, 0.87 ml, and 1.00 ml, respectively ( P < 0.001). The corresponding testicular volume ratios were 0.67, 0.76, 0.80, 0.83, and 0.84 ( P < 0.001). The mean volume of the undescended testes was significantly smaller than the mean normative value ( P < 0.001, lower than the 10 th percentile). The postoperative testicular volumes in children with cryptorchidism were generally lower than those in healthy boys but were still greater than the 10 th percentile and exhibited an increasing trend. The older the child is at the time of surgery, the larger the gap in volume between the affected and normal testes. Although testicular volume tends to gradually increase after orchiopexy for cryptorchidism, it could not normalizes. Earlier surgery results in affected testicular volumes closer to those of healthy boys.
Humans ; Male ; Cryptorchidism/diagnostic imaging* ; Orchiopexy ; Child, Preschool ; Testis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Ultrasonography ; Infant ; Child ; Postoperative Period ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 61 girls diagnosed with ICPP who visited the pediatric growth and development clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2022 and September 2024, designated as the ICPP group, and 61 normally developing girls as the control group. The differences in insulin resistance index (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR), uterine volume, and other indicators between the two groups were compared, and the relationship between insulin resistance and uterine volume in these girls was analyzed. RESULTS: The uterine volume and HOMA-IR level in the ICPP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR level and uterine volume in the ICPP group (r_s=0.643, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that as HOMA-IR increased,uterine volume in the girls tended to increase (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is an association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with ICPP, and as HOMA-IR increases, uterine volume in the girls also increases.
Humans ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Puberty, Precocious/metabolism* ; Uterus/pathology* ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Linear Models

Animals ; Caffeine/adverse effects* ; Central Nervous System Stimulants/adverse effects* ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation/chemically induced* ; Immune System Diseases/chemically induced* ; Male ; Organ Size/drug effects* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/immunology* ; Rats ; Spleen/growth & development*

Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the subchronic oral toxicity of sodium dehydroacetate (DHA-Na) and to determine the point of departure (POD), which is a critical factor in the establishment of an acceptable dietary intake. Methods: DHA-Na was administered once daily by gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats at dose levels of 0.0, 31.0, 62.0, and 124.0 mg/kg BW per day for 90 days, followed by a recovery period of 4 weeks in the control and 124.0 mg/kg BW per day groups. The outcome parameters were mortality, clinical observations, body weights, food consumption, hematology and clinical biochemistry, endocrine hormone levels, and ophthalmic, urinary, and histopathologic indicators. The benchmark dose (BMD) approach was applied to estimate the POD. Results: Significant decreases were found in the 62.0 and 124.0 mg/kg BW groups in terms of the body weight and food utilization rate, whereas a significant increase was found in the thyroid stimulating hormone levels of the 124.0 mg/kg BW group. Importantly, the 95% lower confidence limit on the BMD of 51.7 mg/kg BW was modeled for a reduction in body weight. Conclusion The repeated-dose study indicated the slight systemic toxicity of DHA-Na at certain levels (62.0 and 124.0 mg/kg BW) after a 90-day oral exposure.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Organ Size ; Pyrones ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Varicocele is a common finding in men. Varicocele correction has been advocated for young patients with testicular hypotrophy, but there is a lack of morphofunctional follow-up data. We assessed whether percutaneous treatment of left varicocele is associated with testicular "catch-up growth" in the following 12 months by retrospectively reviewing data from an electronic database of 10 656 patients followed up in our clinic between 2006 and 2016. We selected all young adults (<35 years) with left varicocele who underwent percutaneous treatment, had a minimum of 12 months' ultrasound imaging follow-up, and had no other conditions affecting testicular volume. One hundred and fourteen men (mean±standard deviation [s.d.] of age: 22.8 ± 5.4 years) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Left testicular hypotrophy (LTH), defined as a ≥20% difference between left and right testicular volume at baseline, was observed in 26 (22.8%) men. Participants with LTH (mean±s.d.: 14.5 ± 2.7 ml) had lower baseline testicular volume compared to those without LTH (mean±s.d.: 15.7 ± 3.8 ml; P = 0.032). Repeated measures mixed models showed a significant interaction between LTH and time posttreatment when correcting for baseline left testicular volume (β = 0.114, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.018-0.210, P = 0.020), resulting in a catch-up growth of up to 1.37 ml per year (95% CI: 0.221-2.516). Age at intervention was also associated with reduced testicular volume (-0.072 ml per year, 95% CI: -0.135--0.009; P = 0.024). Percutaneous treatment of left varicocele in young adults with LTH can result in catch-up growth over 1 year of follow-up. The reproductive and psychological implications of these findings need to be confirmed in longer and larger prospective studies.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Organ Size/physiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; Varicocele/surgery* ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the differences of heart mass and lung mass in forensic autopsy cases and to explore their application value in forensic identification. Methods The data from 1 614 autopsy cases accepted by center of Medico-legal Investigation of China Medical University between 2007 to 2016 were collected. The correlation of heart and lung mass with age, height, body weight, and body mass index （BMI）, as well as differences in different causes of death were analyzed by GraphPad Prism 6.0 software. Results The heart mass and lung mass of males were higher than those of females （P<0.05）. The heart mass of males and females was positively correlated with age, height, body weight and body mass index （BMI） （P<0.05）. The heart mass of patients dying from sudden cardiac death （SCD） was significantly higher than those dying from other causes of death. The lung mass of patients dying from drowning and delayed treatment was higher than those dying from other causes of death （P<0.05）. Conclusion In forensic practice, measurement of the heart mass and lung mass has certain significance for differential diagnosis and diagnosis of different causes of death.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; China ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Female ; Forensic Pathology ; Heart/anatomy & histology* ; Humans ; Lung/anatomy & histology* ; Male ; Organ Size

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of second generation endometrial ablation (NovaSure) combined with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) in the treatment of adenomyosis. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with adenomyosis admitted in Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among 66 patients, 44 received Mirena placement only (control group) and 22 received Mirena placement and NovaSure treatment (study group). The menstruation blood loss, dysmenorrhea score, uterine size, expulsion rate of Mirena and the patients' satisfaction rate were assessed in two groups. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in menstruation blood loss (<0.05) and significant improvement in dysmenorrhea (<0.05) after the treatment in both groups. The patients in study group had more marked improvement in menstruation blood loss than those in control group (<0.05). The patients' satisfaction was higher and the expulsion rate of Mirena was lower in study group than that in control group (all <0.05). The score of dysmenorrhea and the size of uterine had no significant difference between two groups (all >0.05). CONCLUSIONS NovaSure can improve the efficacy of Mirena in treatment of adenomyosis.
Adenomyosis ; therapy ; Dysmenorrhea ; Endometrial Ablation Techniques ; Female ; Humans ; Levonorgestrel ; administration & dosage ; Organ Size ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterus ; anatomy & histology

The skeletal muscle mass accounts for more than 40% of the body weight of healthy adults. The skeletal muscle not only plays an important role in physical activities but also affects the function of other organs as a secretory organ secreting multiple muscle factors. Therefore, it is important to maintain the normal quantity and function of skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle mass is the basis of skeletal muscle function and is often affected by many factors such as exercise and disease. Resistance exercise training induces increased protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells, while limb disuse, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, cachexia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and many other pathological conditions lead to decreased protein synthesis or enhanced protein degradation of skeletal muscle cells. The process of skeletal muscle hypertrophy involves changes in multiple signaling pathways, such as IGF-1/PI3K/Akt, myostatin and G protein. On the other hand, activations of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, IGF-1/Akt/FoxO, autophagy-lysosomal pathway, NF-κB, and the glucocorticoid-mediated signaling pathways play important roles in regulating muscle atrophy. These signaling pathways regulate skeletal muscle mass and are modulated by some different conditions. This review briefly summarizes the signaling pathways of skeletal muscle mass control.
Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology ; Muscular Atrophy ; Organ Size ; Signal Transduction