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Biomedical subjects

R L Urry

Publications and source records attributed to R L Urry.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The Young-Dees operation for the correction of retrograde ejaculation.

Retrograde ejaculation can be a significant problem when it interferes with fertility. Sympathomimetic drugs and sperm retrieval from the urine with insemination of the wife are the common methods of treatment. When these methods have not been successful we have used the Young-Dees type of bladder neck reconstruction to convert retrograde ejaculation into normal or antegrade ejaculation. The operation has been successful in 4 of 5 patients.

Adolescent↗

Modern concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

The use of modern techniques to manipulate sperm has assisted many couples in their effort to achieve pregnancy. Use of the techniques is dependent upon adequate and complete diagnostic data to determine if the techniques would be beneficial for a particular couple. The participation of a urologist in these techniques can take many forms but should be active to assure the best treatment for the male patient with fertility difficulties and to prepare the sperm with the available techniques prior to use for insemination or in-vitro fertilization. The future looks exciting and is sure to bring many more new developments that will benefit couples with fertility problems.

Animals↗

Testicular histology after prolonged treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue.

Bilateral orchiectomy was performed as secondary endocrine treatment in 12 patients with prostatic cancer who were treated initially with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue. Compared to a control group of prostatic cancer patients undergoing orchiectomy as primary therapy, the testes in the hormonally treated group showed marked spermatogenic suppression, peritubular membrane thickening and decreased numbers of Leydig cells. The degree of fibrosis and the damage seen in these testes imply that the spermatogenic suppression seen after prolonged gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue administration may not be as reversible as previously suggested.

Aged↗

Laboratory diagnosis of male infertility.

Male infertility is best tested by determining the ability of sperm to reach the site of fertilization by semen analysis and by mucus-sperm interaction tests, and by determining the ability of the sperm to enter the egg by the hamster egg-human sperm penetration assay. If conducted in a careful fashion, the tests provide useful information for preparing a treatment plan.

Acid Phosphatase↗

An overview of male reproductive physiology.

We have seen that the process of hormone and sperm production in the male is a highly complex process necessitating several pathways to occur normally. Environmental factors may interact at several levels of the pathway to alter male reproductive function.

Androgens↗

Penetration of zona-free hamster ova and bovine cervical mucus by fresh and frozen human spermatozoa.

Semen samples from 25 fertile donors and 34 infertility patients were analyzed and evaluated both fresh and frozen with the zona-free hamster egg penetration test (EPT) and the bovine cervical mucus penetration test (MPT). Cryopreserved sperm penetrated 47.2% (average) of the hamster eggs, and fresh sperm penetrated 55.9%. Frozen sperm retained 86% of the fresh EPT values (P, not significant), but only 38% of the fresh MPT values (P less than 0.001). Cryopreserved sperm yielded the same fertility classification as fresh sperm in 94% of the cases with the EPT but only 43% with the MPT. The use of cryopreserved sperm simplifies the procedure and should enable more laboratories to utilize the EPT, but the poor results with the MPT preclude utilization of cryopreserved sperm for routine fertility evaluation with the MPT.

Animals↗

The effect of single-density bovine serum albumin columns on sperm concentration, motility, and morphology.

Experiments were conducted to determine whether single-density albumin columns could be used to improve sperm motility and morphology. Semen samples from 92 men seen at a fertility evaluation clinic were analyzed for count, motility, and morphology and centrifuged. An aliquot of the resuspended sample was then layered on top of 1 ml of a 7.5% solution of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Another aliquot was layered on top of a 10% BSA column. After 60 minutes, the sperm penetrating the bottom two thirds of the albumin layer were isolated and analyzed for count, motility, and morphology. The sperm count after exposure to both 7.5% and 10% BSA columns decreased to approximately 60% of the preisolation counts. Sperm motility was not altered by column separation at either albumin concentration, but sperm morphology significantly improved with both columns. The single-density albumin separation technique therefore improved morphology and had no effect on motility, and a reasonable number of sperm were retained after separation. Albumin separation techniques could be utilized to improve samples with morphology defects before use with artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization. It is uncertain whether this procedure would result in a higher pregnancy rate.

Adult↗

Vasovasostomy and semen quality.

During a recent 8-year 4-month period 205 men underwent bilateral vasovasostomy. Of those patients for whom followup information was available 43 per cent have produced a pregnancy. Semen analyses after vasovasostomy revealed good sperm counts for the most part but generally reduced sperm motility and viability. Efforts are underway to evaluate whether the defect may be the result of abnormal epididymal function or of sperm agglutinating or immobilizing antibodies.

Adult↗

Alteration of semen quality in dogs after creation of varicocele.

A left vein varicocele was created in male dogs by partially obstructing the left renal vein medial to the entrance of the left internal spermatic vein. Eight dogs had semen parameters determined preoperatively (2 times/week for five weeks) and postoperatively (2 times/week for twelve weeks). Semen quality was altered by the experimental varicocele. A significant decrease in sperm count, motility, per cent viable, and per cent oval sperm were noted. Semen volume was not affected. The possible chemical influence of serotonin is mentioned. Testosterone levels were unchanged by the varicocele. Histologic findings in the left and right testicles are mentioned before and after creation of the varicocele.

Animals↗

The varicocele and semen characteristics.

Our results indicate that the physical presence of a varicicele is not always associated with an alteration in sperm cell concentration and that a reduction of semen characteristics is more likely in men with reduced sperm counts. Our study also indicates that a higher pregnancy rate after varicocele ligation occurred in wives of patients in the lower sperm count groups. Other forms of therapy also were found to be associated with pregnancy in wives of men with varicoceles. The post-surgical pregnancy rate was 25 per cent compared to 12 per cent in the non-surgical group.

Cell Count↗

Simultaneous determination of human sperm morphology and viability: simple office technique.

Determinations of sperm morphology and viability are useful techniques for assessment of semen quality. In this report eosin-nigrosin is compared with hematoxylin-eosin for effectiveness in characterizing spermatozoa. The results indicate that eosin-nigrosin and hematoxylineosin give comparable results in differentiating spermatozoa. In addition, eosin-nigrosin allows the determination of the per cent of viable cells in each morphologic category. The eosin-nigrosin staining technique is a simple, rapid method which may give additional information in the assessment of male infertility.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Effect of amylase on sperm motility and viability.

The effect of increasing concentrations of amylase on the percentage of active spermatozoa, the quality of their motility and the percentage of viable cells was studied in semen samples in vitro. The amount of amylase needed to liquefy viscous semen samples in vitro also was determined. The percentage of active spermatozoa and viable cells, and the quality of sperm motility were altered in relationship to the amylase levels. Significant decreases in these parameters compared to control values were seen at the higher concentrations of amylase. The lowest level of amylase did not alter these parameters significantly and was sufficient to liquefy 80 per cent of the viscous semen samples. Amylase appears to be effective at low concentrations for use in liquefying viscous semen samples, thus making them easier to analyze during routine semen examination. The level of amylase used and the interval between addition and analysis must be controlled carefully.

Amylases↗

Elevated urinary levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and its relationship among levels of plasma follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and testicular pathology in patients with severe oligospermia and/or azoospermia.

Plasma follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and urine 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels were measured in 300 patients seen at an andrology clinic. Testicular biopsies were obtained from many of the severely oligospermic or azoospermic patients. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone concentrations were related inversely to sperm cell concentration, while plasma testosterone concentrations were depressed as the sperm count decreased to 5 times 10(6) per ml. The urine levels of 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid followed the same pattern as follicle stimulating hormone and were elevated in the group of individuals with sperm counts less than 10 times 10(6) per ml. Elevations in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid often were associated with abnormalities in the testicular biopsy. Only 30 per cent of the patients who had elevated 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid also had elevated follicle stimulating hormone or depressed testosterone levels. The factors responsible for the elevation in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels as the sperm count declines remain unclear.

Biopsy↗

Supravital staining of spermatozoa: relationship of eosin concentration to the percentage of cells staining live.

Supravital staining of human spermatozoa is a useful technique to assess semen quality. We compared 3 concentrations of eosin (1, 2.5 and 5 per cent) for their effectiveness to differentiate viable and non-viable spermatozoa. The percentage of viable cells determined by each concentration was compared as well as the percentage of cells estimated to be active. The results indicate that the percentage of spermatozoa determined to be viable with the supravital stains can be altered by changing the percentage of eosin in the stains. Use of 1 per cent eosin gave values that were significantly higher than the percentage of cells determined to be viable with 5 per cent eosin and the percentage of cells estimated to be active. Better quality slides were produced with 5 per cent eosin, which provided values that correlated favorably with motility estimations.

Aniline Compounds↗

Vasectomy and vasovasostomy. I. Timing of histologic changes in immature and mature dog testis after vasectomy.

The effects of vasectomy on the development and maintenance of spermatogenesis was studied using immature and mature dog testes. Bilateral vasectomy in immature dogs delayed the development of advanced spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa for about 3 months postsurgery. Spermatogenesis appeared to be recovered to control levels by 4 months postvasectomy. Spermatogenesis in mature dogs was also altered after bilateral vasectomy. Decreased numbers of advanced spermatocytes as well as maturation arrest was observed by 3 weeks postvasectomy. Seminiferous tubule cell layers quickly decreased to one to three layers as the lumina became occluded with sloughed cells by 3 to 6 weeks postvasectomy. Recovery in terms of the numbers of spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa was evident by 13 weeks postvasectomy, although occasional dog testes did not recover and appeared to be more sensitive to vasectomy-induced damage. It thus appears that vasectomy temporarily inhibits both the development and maintenance of spermatogenesis in immature as well as mature dog testes. Spermatogenesis does recover but may be maintained at somewhat lower levels after vasectomy. Changes are rapid in onset and take several weeks to be reversed. Some dog testes appear to be more sensitive to the damage and it may be irreversible in these testes.

Animals↗

Vasectomy and vasovasostomy. II. A comparison of two methods of vasovasostomy: silastic versus chromic stents.

Twelve adult, bilaterally vasectomized dogs were used to compare two different procedures for reuniting the severed vas deferens. Approximately 5 months postvasectomy six dogs had vasovasostomies utilizing Silastic stents and the vasa deferentia of six additional dogs were rejoined with intravasal chromic stents. Ejaculates were subsequently obtained at 2-week intervals and evaluated for sperm count, motility, viability, and seminal ion concentrations. All of the dogs in which Silastic had been utilized as the stent had sperm reappear in the ejaculate, whereas only 40% of the dogs in which chromic catgut had been utilized had reappearance of spermatozoa. The over-all quality of the ejaculate was also better in the animals in which Silastic had been utilized. Testicular and epididymal histology was normal in most dogs of both groups, but three of the dogs with chromic stents in which the anastomosis had not been a success had abnormal histology, with reduced numbers of spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa. The data suggest that Silastic stents are better than chromic stents for vas reanastomosis. They also suggest that some dog testes react negatively to vasectomy and do not recover by 1 year postvasectomy when vas patency is not reversed.

Animals↗