The current study has been designed to explore expressions of endothelin (ET) receptors and ETs in the canine prostate and the effect of ETs on canine prostatic epithelial cells. ET receptors were characterized by biotinylated ET-1 binding in frozen sections of the prostate. Canine prostatic epithelial cells in primary culture were used for demonstration of ET-1 expression by reverse-phase HPLC coupled with radioimmunoassay and Northern blotting and were subjected to growth assay. Biotinylated ET-1 binding was localized in the epithelial component, and the binding was also blocked with an antagonist specific for ET(B) subtype receptors. ET-1 and ET-3 stimulated canine prostatic epithelial cell growth in vitro. The effect was also reversed in the presence of an antagonist specific for ET(B) subtype receptors. Elution profile of epithelial cell culture medium revealed two peaks, corresponding to ET-1 and big ET-1. Epithelial cells in culture expressed pre-pro-ET-1 mRNA. Canine prostatic epithelial cells expressed ET(B) receptors and ET-1. It appears most likely that the expressed ET-1 acts as an autocrine/paracrine proliferative factor on canine prostatic epithelial cells via ET(B) receptors.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Predictive indicators of successful varicocele repair in men with infertility.

OBJECTIVE: We sought predictive indicators of functionally successful repair in 168 infertile Japanese males who underwent high ligation of a varicocele via a retroperitoneal approach. METHODS: Possible indicators evaluated included age at marriage, duration of infertility, testicular volume, varicocele grade, seminal analysis findings, and serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and testosterone. All patients had palpable or visible unilateral left varicoceles. Success in conception was evaluated in all subjects 1 year after varicocele repair. RESULTS: No associations were observed between outcome and mean age at marriage, infertility duration, varicocele grade, seminal volume, or serum PRL and testosterone concentrations, but testicular volume, sperm count, percentage of motile sperm, and serum FSH and LH concentrations were significantly associated with outcome. Multiple regression analysis of dependence of outcome revealed testicular volume and serum FSH concentrations to be independent predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocele repair is likely to accomplish fertility in patients with a combined testicular volume of at least 30 mL or serum FSH concentrations lower than 11.7 mIU/mL.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship of testicular volume to semen profiles and serum hormone concentrations in infertile Japanese males.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the relationship between testicular volume and semen quality and also between testicular volume and seminiferous tubular or Leydig cell function in infertile Japanese males. METHODS: The testicular volumes of 486 infertile Japanese males were measured by an orchidometer. Semen samples were analyzed according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. The subjects were divided into 10 groups according to testicular volume, and the variables from each group were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Testicular volume had the strongest positive correlation with sperm density, followed in decreasing order by total sperm count per ejaculate, total motile sperm count per ejaculate, and percentage of motile sperm. Testicular volume had the strongest negative correlation with serum FSH concentrations, followed by serum LH concentrations. In contrast, no significant correlations were found between testicular volume and semen volume or serum testosterone concentrations. Multiple regression analysis of dependence of testicular volume on semen profiles and serum hormone concentrations revealed that the only significant factor was serum FSH concentration. Sperm density was under the limit of normal in patients with a testicular volume of less than 30 mL. In these patients, serum FSH concentrations were abnormally increased. Patients with a testicular volume of less than 10 mL were azoospermic, while volumes of less than 20 mL were associated with severe oligozoospermia. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular volume has a direct correlation with semen profiles, and the critical testicular volume indicating normal testicular function is approximately 30 mL. The measurement of testicular volume can be helpful for rapidly assessing fertility at the initial physical examination.

Adult↗