Bacterial and viral infections of the genital tract may be important aetiological factors for male infertility. Infectious processes may lead to deterioration of spermatogenesis, impairment of sperm function and/or obstruction of the seminal tract. Detection of bacteria in semen does not necessarily signify infection since bacteriospermia may represent contamination, colonization or infection. Reported prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum in human semen varies from 10 to 40%. Enterobacteria can even be found in up to 90% of semen samples depending on the sensitivity of detection methods used. Chlamydia trachomatis is the most frequent sexually transmitted bacterial organism in industrialized countries. It is suggested that its main influence is due to sexual transmission resulting in tubal disease and subsequent infertility in the female partner rather than a direct influence on male reproductive functions. The effect of leukocytospermia on male fertility is controversial. This is probably due to different detection methods, different populations studied and to the fact that leukocyte subtypes in semen may have different functions. In addition to potentially negative effects, leukocytes may even have protective effects on spermatozoa. Only recently have amplification methods been established to detect viruses in semen with high sensitivity and specificity. It is unclear if these infections significantly contribute to male infertility.

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ventriculomegaly diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound and mental development of the children.

During the last 8 years in our department, fetal ventriculomegaly was diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound in 105 cases. Ventriculomegaly was detected at 25+/-6 weeks of gestation. In 96 of 105 cases follow-up examinations have been performed both during pregnancy and after delivery. In 47 cases termination of pregnancy, late spontaneous abortion or intrauterine death occurred. 49 cases resulted in live births. Of these, 28 children could be followed up to the age of 36 months, a few children even longer. Myelomeningocele was the most frequent cause of ventriculomegaly (17 cases = 61%). Insertion of ventricular shunt systems was performed in 26 children at a median of 21 days of life. Analysis of postnatal development was performed by the Kaufmann Assessment Battery for Children, or the Munich Functional Development Test. Correlation analysis was performed between parameters of prenatal findings and postnatal development. It could be shown that results of single prenatal ultrasound examinations did not correlate with postnatal development whereas progression of ventriculomegaly was negatively correlated with mental development.

Cerebral Ventricles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Monthly administration of the LH-RH analogue decapeptyl for long-term treatment of ovarian dysfunctions and estrogen-dependent disorders.

The ovarian function of 11 patients suffering from estrogen-dependent disorders and ovarian dysfunction was suppressed by monthly administrations of an analogue of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH). During the initial 11 to 18 days of treatment, the LH-RH analogue Decapeptyl was subcutaneously injected daily, followed by intramuscular administration of the peptide encapsulated in biodegradable microspheres at 30-day intervals over a 13- to 35-week period. After an initial increase on day 1 of treatment, serum levels of both LH and FSH declined, but did not reach hypogonadotropic values. The pituitary response in the release of both LH and FSH by a LH-RH bolus injection was almost completely suppressed during the treatment course. 17 beta-Estradiol serum levels decreased into the castration range within 9.1 +/- 4 days and remained low in 92% of the values estimated. In one patient, pretreatment mean testosterone levels on the order of 1.9 ng/mL were suppressed to normal within 14 days and remained low under therapy. Seven out of the 11 patients benefited from this therapy. In conclusion, the treatment with Decapeptyl in a slow-release formulation is an effective and suitable approach for the long-term suppression of ovarian function in estrogen-dependent disorders and ovarian dysfunctions.

Bone Neoplasms↗