The Association between Interpersonal Relationship and Erectile Dysfunction of Middle-Aged and Elderly Men in a Rural Area of Zhejiang,China

Objective:To explore the association between interpersonal relationship and erectile dysfunction(ED)of middle-aged and elderly men.Methods:A population-based cross-sectional research was conducted in the rural area of Jiashan County,Zhejiang Province,in 2016.Middle-aged and elderly men(aged 40-80)were selected as study participants.The face-to-face questionnaire was collected,including basic information,lifestyles,interpersonal relationship,and sexual function.The interpersonal relationship was evaluated based on marital relationship,neighborhood relationship,and relatives/friends relationship.According to the International index of erectile function,the study participants were divided into ED group(mild ED,moderate-to-severe ED),and non-ED group.Correlations were evaluated between interpersonal relationship indices and the prevalence or the severity of ED.Potential confounders were adjusted by the logistical regression model.Results:There were 674 study participants with average age of 60.4±8.5 years,and 489 ED patients with prevalence of 72.6%.With age increasing,the prevalence and the severity of ED increased significantly.The men who could get help from spouse when an emergency occurred or who were more cared about by their neighbors had lower ED risk,and odds ratios(ORs)(95%confidence intervals[CIs])were 0.23(0.13-0.42)and 0.58(0.46-0.75),respectively.After the adjustment of the covariates(age,education degree,household income,smoking,and drinking),the ORs(95%CIs)were 0.29(0.14-0.60)and 0.54(0.39-0.74),respectively.Good marital relationship and good neighborhood relationship were associated with a less severity of ED.

Effects of Cryopreservation on Human Sperm Glycocalyx

Background:To study the effects of cryopreservation on human sperm glycocalyx.Methods:The lectin binding profilings of sperm after freeze-thaw were compared by lectin microarray.Results:CryoSperm^(TM) and direct fumigation were confirmed to be the optimized cryoprotectant and method by comparing the sperm recovery rate.In 91 lectins,33 lectins were significantly changed after sperm cryopreservation.Among them,9 lectins greatly decreased and 24 lectins mainly increased.The binding signals of MAA,PSA,ABA,and AIA were verified by FACS,and the results were consistent with that of lectin microarray.Conclusions:Sperm glycocalyx had significant changes after cryopreservation.The sialic acid,playing an important role in protecting sperm,was greatly lost,which exposed the inner carbohydrates.Thus,the glycocalyx damage due to the cryopreservation might be one of the reasons for low sperm fertility.