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 ...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 thatconsequences 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. In addition, risks with a polygenic background appearing at birth as congenital anomalies and other theoretical or stochastic risks are discussed. Recent data suggest that assisted reproductive technology might also affect epigenetic characteristics of the male gamete, the female gamete, or might have an impact on early embryogenesis. It might be also associated with an increased risk for genomic imprinting abnormalities.展开更多
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...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 20-39years （group 1）, 67 testes from 42 men aged 40-69 years （group 2） and nine testes from six men older than 70years （group 3）. DWI was performed along the axial plane, using a single shot, multislice spin-echo planar diffusion pulse sequence and b-values of 0 and 900 s mm-2. The mean and standard deviation of the ADC values of normal testicular parenchyma were calculated for each age group separately. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） followed by post hoc analysis （Dunnett T3） was used for statistical purposes. The ADC values （x 10-3 mm2s-1） of normal testicular tissue were different among age groups （group 1：1.08 ± 0.13; group 2：1.15 ±0.15 and group 3：1.31± 0.22）. ANOVA revealed differences in mean ADC among age groups （F= 11.391, P〈 0.001）. Post hoc analysis showed differences between groups 1 and 2 （P= 0.008） and between groups 1 and 3 （P= 0.043）, but not between groups 2 and 3 （P= 0.197）. Our findings suggest that ADC values of normal testicular tissue increase with advancing age.展开更多
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...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. Determining which men are negatively affected by varicocele would enable clinicians to better select those men who will benefit from treatment. To assess the functional status of the testes in men with varicocele, color Doppler sonographic parameters were evaluated. Testicular arterial blood flow was significantly reduced in men with varicocele, reflecting an impairment of spermatogenesis. An improvement in the testicular blood supply was found after varicocelectomy on spectral Doppler analysis. Testicular contrast harmonic imaging and elastography might improve our knowledge about the influence of varicocele on intratesticular microcirculation and tissue stiffness, respectively, providing possible information on the early damage of testicular structure by varicocele. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), with measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient has been used to assess the degree of testicular dysfunction and to evaluate the effectiveness of varicocele repair. Large prospective studies are needed to validate the possible role of functional sonography and MRI in the assessment of early defects of spermatogenesis in testes with varicocele.展开更多
文摘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 thatconsequences 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. In addition, risks with a polygenic background appearing at birth as congenital anomalies and other theoretical or stochastic risks are discussed. Recent data suggest that assisted reproductive technology might also affect epigenetic characteristics of the male gamete, the female gamete, or might have an impact on early embryogenesis. It might be also associated with an increased risk for genomic imprinting abnormalities.
文摘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 20-39years （group 1）, 67 testes from 42 men aged 40-69 years （group 2） and nine testes from six men older than 70years （group 3）. DWI was performed along the axial plane, using a single shot, multislice spin-echo planar diffusion pulse sequence and b-values of 0 and 900 s mm-2. The mean and standard deviation of the ADC values of normal testicular parenchyma were calculated for each age group separately. Analysis of variance （ANOVA） followed by post hoc analysis （Dunnett T3） was used for statistical purposes. The ADC values （x 10-3 mm2s-1） of normal testicular tissue were different among age groups （group 1：1.08 ± 0.13; group 2：1.15 ±0.15 and group 3：1.31± 0.22）. ANOVA revealed differences in mean ADC among age groups （F= 11.391, P〈 0.001）. Post hoc analysis showed differences between groups 1 and 2 （P= 0.008） and between groups 1 and 3 （P= 0.043）, but not between groups 2 and 3 （P= 0.197）. Our findings suggest that ADC values of normal testicular tissue increase with advancing age.
文摘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. Determining which men are negatively affected by varicocele would enable clinicians to better select those men who will benefit from treatment. To assess the functional status of the testes in men with varicocele, color Doppler sonographic parameters were evaluated. Testicular arterial blood flow was significantly reduced in men with varicocele, reflecting an impairment of spermatogenesis. An improvement in the testicular blood supply was found after varicocelectomy on spectral Doppler analysis. Testicular contrast harmonic imaging and elastography might improve our knowledge about the influence of varicocele on intratesticular microcirculation and tissue stiffness, respectively, providing possible information on the early damage of testicular structure by varicocele. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), with measurement of apparent diffusion coefficient has been used to assess the degree of testicular dysfunction and to evaluate the effectiveness of varicocele repair. Large prospective studies are needed to validate the possible role of functional sonography and MRI in the assessment of early defects of spermatogenesis in testes with varicocele.
