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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between mycoplasma infection and human infertility, we determined the concordance of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) detection in infertile and fertile couples, and assessed semen parameters in both groups. METHODS: Fifty infertile couples without a female factor attending a fertility clinic and 48 fertile couples were randomly screened for UU and MH. The concordance between partners was compared between the fertile and infertile groups. Semen and endocervical specimens were evaluated using the commercially available Mycofast Evolution2 test. RESULTS: UU was detected in 24 semen specimens (48%) from the infertile men, in 12 specimens from fertile men (25%), in 20 endocervical specimens from infertile women (40%), and 11 from fertile women (22.9%). UU was detected higher in infertile men than in fertile men (P = .022). The concordance of UU was higher in infertile couples (32%) than in fertile couples (12.5%, P = .022). The concordance of MH between male and female partners in the 2 groups did not differ significantly. The mean values of total motility, progressive motility, normal morphology, vitality, and total motile sperm count were significantly lower in sperm from infertile men than from fertile men. Progressive motility and vitality were significantly lower in UU-positive men than in men without UU, and low total motility and total motile sperm count were significantly related to the presence of MH. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider the roles of UU and MH in infertility and routinely screen infertile couples for the presence of these mycoplasma species.
Urology 04/2013; · 2.43 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Klinefelter syndrome is a chromosomal disorder present in 1 out of 400 to 1,000 male newborns in Western populations. Two-thirds of affected newborns show a karyotype of 47,XXY. Few studies have examined the incidence of Klinefelter syndrome in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of Klinefelter syndrome by use of prenatal screening tests.
From January 2001 to December 2010, 18,049 pregnant women who had undergone a chromosomal study for fetal anomalies were included. For fetuses that were diagnosed as having Klinefelter syndrome, the patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Both parents' ages, the reason for the chromosomal studies, and karyotypes were investigated.
We found that 22 of 18,049 (0.12%) fetuses were diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. The incidence of this disorder in male fetuses was 22 of 9,387 (0.23%). Also, 19 of the newborns (86.4%) showed a karyotype of 47,XXY; the other newborns showed karyotypes of 48,XXY,+21; 48,XXY,+12[12]/46,XY[54]; and 47,XXY[6]/45,X[1]/46,XY[95]. The mean age of the mothers was 36.1 years, and 2 women had a past history of a Down syndrome pregnancy. Nine mothers had a normal spontaneous delivery, 9 mothers underwent artificial abortion, and 2 fetuses were spontaneously aborted.
The incidence of Klinefelter syndrome as reported in this study is higher than in previous studies. Further studies with a broader population should be considered to confirm these results.
Korean journal of urology 04/2013; 54(4):263-5.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to investigate the various causes of male infertility using multiple approaches.
Nine-hundred-twenty infertile male patients were analyzed at their first visit with one physician between January 1 and December 31, 2009. All patients were subjected to physical examination, semen analysis and azoospermic patients underwent hormonal testing, chromosomal tests, and testicular biopsy. Semen analysis was based on the definition of the World Health Organization.
Among the 920 patients, 555 patients (60.3%) had semen results within the normal range, 269 patients (29.2%) within the abnormal range, and 96 (10.5%) were diagnosed with azoospermia. Varicoceles were diagnosed in 84 of the 555 normal-range patients (15.1%) and in 113 of the 269 abnormal-range patients (42.0%). Of the 96 patients with azoospermia, 24 patients (25%) were diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia, 68 patients (71%) with non-obstructive azoospermia, and 4 patients (4%) with retrograde ejaculation.
Various causes of male infertility have been reported and diverse treatment methods can be adopted for each cause. In this regard, research must be conducted on a larger number of patients to accurately assess the various causes of infertility in Korean patients and to investigate various infertility treatment methods.
Clinical and experimental reproductive medicine. 12/2012; 39(4):172-5.
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ABSTRACT: Urologic injuries occur frequently during surgery in the pelvic cavity. Inadequate diagnosis and treatment may lead to severe complications and side effects. This investigation examined the clinical features of urologic complications following obstetric and gynecologic surgery.
We accumulated 47,318 obstetric and gynecologic surgery cases from 2007 to 2011. Ninety-seven patients with urological complications were enrolled. This study assessed the causative disease and surgical approach, type, and treatment method of the urologic injury.
Of these 97 patients, 69 had bladder injury, 23 had ureteral injury, 2 had vesicovaginal fistula, 2 had ureterovaginal fistula, and 1 had renal injury. With respect to injury rate by specific surgery, laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy was the highest with 3 of 98 cases, followed by radical abdominal hysterectomy with 15 of 539 cases. All 69 cases of bladder injury underwent primary suturing during surgery without complications. Of 14 cases with an early diagnosis of ureteral injury, 7 had a ureteral catheter inserted, 5 underwent ureteroureterostomy, and 2 underwent ureteroneocystostomy. Of nine cases with a delayed diagnosis of ureteral injury, ureteral catheter insertion was carried out in three cases, four cases underwent ureteroureterostomy, and two cases underwent ureteroneocystostomy.
Bladder injury was the most common urological injury during obstetric and gynecologic surgery, followed by ureteral injury. The variety of injured states, difficulty of diagnosis, and time to complete cure were much greater among patients with ureteral injuries. Early diagnosis and urologic intervention is important for better outcomes.
Korean journal of urology 11/2012; 53(11):795-9.
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ABSTRACT: A male factor is the only cause of infertility in 30% to 40% of couples. Most causes of male infertility are treatable, and the goal of many treatments is to restore the ability to conceive naturally. Varicoceles are present in 15% of the normal male population and in approximately 40% of men with infertility. Varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility that can be corrected surgically. In males with azoospermia, the most common cause is post-vasectomy status. Approximately 6% of males who undergo vasectomy eventually seek reversal surgery. Success of vasectomy reversal decreases with the number of years between vasectomy and vasovasostomy. Other causes of obstructive azoospermia include epididymal, vasal or ejaculatory duct abnormalities. Epididymal obstruction is the most common cause of obstructive azoospermia. Patients with epididymal obstruction without other anatomical abnormalities can be considered as candidates for vasoepididymostomy. With microsurgical techniques, success of patency restoration can reach 70~90%. In case of surgically uncorrectable obstructive azoospermia, sperm extraction or aspiration for in vitro fertilization is needed. Nonobstructive azoospermia is the most challenging type of male infertility. However, microsurgical testicular sperm extraction may be an effective method for nonobstructive azoospermia patients.
The world journal of men's health. 08/2012; 30(2):108-13.
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ABSTRACT: ObjectiveDespite growing interest in overactive bladder (OAB), urinary incontinence (UI), and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS),
there is no epidemiologic study on the prevalence in general population of Korea. This survey was aimed at estimating the
prevalence of OAB, UI, and other LUTS among Korean men and women.
MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted between May and September 2006 using questionnaire regarding
demographics and the prevalence. A geographically stratified random sample of men and women aged≥18years were selected.
Current International Continence Society definitions were used for individual LUTS and OAB.
ResultsOf a total of 9,067 individuals contacted, 2,000 (888 men, 1,112 women) agreed to participate. Overall prevalence of LUTS
was 61.4% (53.7% of men, 68.9% of women) and the prevalence increased with age. Storage LUTS was more prevalent than voiding
or post-micturition LUTS in both men (storage; 44.6%, voiding; 28.5%, post-micturition; 15.9%) and women (storage; 64.4%,
voiding; 25.9%, post-micturition; 13.9%). Nocturia was the most frequently reported symptom (36.6% of men, 48.2% of women).
Overall prevalence of OAB was 12.2% (10.0% of men, 14.3% of women). UI was reported by 2.9% of men and 28.4% of women. The
most prevalent type was other UI in men and stress urinary incontinence in women.
ConclusionsLower urinary tract symptoms and OAB are prevalent among Korean men and women and the prevalence increases with age. Storage
LUTS is more prevalent than voiding or post-micturition LUTS and nocturia is the most common symptom.
KeywordsEpidemiologic study–Lower urinary tract symptoms–Overactive bladder–Urinary incontinence
World Journal of Urology 04/2012; 29(2):185-190. · 2.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was performed to evaluate testicular sperm chromatin condensation using aniline blue-eosin (AB-E) staining and its effects on IVF-ET.
Chromatin condensation was analyzed using AB-E staining in 27 cases of testicular sperm extraction. There were 19 cases of obstructive azoospermia (OA) and 8 cases of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in IVF-ET. Mature sperm heads were stained red-pink whereas immature sperm heads were stained dark blue. The percentage of sperm chromatin condensation was calculated from the ratio of the number of red-pink sperm to the total number of sperm analyzed.
The overall percentages of chromatin condensation in OA and NOA were 31.1±11.2% and 26.3±14.4%, respectively. The fertilization rate was significant higher in OA than NOA (p<0.05); however, the rates of good embryos and clinical pregnancy did not show statistical differences. In OA and NOA, statistical differences were not observed in the rate of chromatin condensation, fertilization, good embryos, and clinical pregnancy between the pregnant group and non-pregnant group.
Chromatin condensation is less stable than OA and showed a low fertilization rate in NOA. While there were no significant differences in chromatin condensation results between NOA and OA, we propose that a pattern of decreased chromatin condensation in NOA is one of the factors of low fertilization results requiring further study.
Clinical and experimental reproductive medicine. 09/2011; 38(3):142-7.
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ABSTRACT: Some women choose to undergo posterior colporrhaphy (PC) concurrently with procedures for SUI to regain sexual confidence and improve sexual function. We determine the effect of PC on sexual function in women requiring a midurethral sling for SUI.
A total of 119 women were retrospectively reviewed 81 women had the midurethral sling alone (Group A), and 38 women voluntarily had PC concurrently with the midurethral sling (Group B). Sexual function was evaluated using the FSFI before and after surgery.
THE POSTOPERATIVE COMPOSITE SCORES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED IN BOTH GROUPS (GROUP A: p=0.02; Group B: p=0.04), and significant increases were observed in 'desire,' 'arousal' and 'satisfaction'. However, there were no significant differences in the composite score or six domainscores between the two groups.
PC performed concurrently with midurethral sling for treatment of SUI does not provide any additional benefits towards improving the sexual function.
International neurourology journal 10/2010; 14(3):177-81.
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ABSTRACT: We compared the efficacy and safety of two minimally invasive sling procedures used to treat female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) SECUR(R) and CureMesh(R), and assessed the 1-year surgical outcomes.
Sixty women with SUI were assigned to undergo either the TVT SECUR (n=38) or CureMesh (n=22) procedures between April 2007 and June 2008. Patients were monitored via outpatient visits at 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery. The efficacy of these procedures was evaluated by the cough test or by a urodynamic study. At these postoperative visits, the patients also completed several questionnaires, including incontinence quality of life, patient's perception of urgency severity, the scored form of the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, visual analog scale, and questions about perceived benefit, satisfaction, and willingness to undergo the same operation again. The objective cure rate was defined as no leakage during the cough test with a full bladder. The subjective cure rate was evaluated by self-assessment of goal achievement performed 1 year postoperatively.
The two groups were similar in preoperative characteristics and urodynamic parameters. The objective cure rates were similar between TVT SECUR and CureMesh (68.4% vs. 77.3%). All respondents reported improvement after surgery. There were no intra-operative complications.
Our results showed that the TVT SECUR and CureMesh procedures are both safe and simple to perform and have no significant differences in efficacy. Comparative studies with long-term follow-up are warranted to determine the true efficacy of these procedures.
Korean journal of urology 05/2010; 51(5):337-43.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the outcome and efficacy of transobturator adjustable (TOA) tape sling operations on women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and/or detrusor underactivity (DU) combined with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
This retrospective analysis comprised 60 TOA patients. 30 patients hadDU (Qmax < 15ml/s) and/or ISD (Valsalva leak point pressure;VLPP < 60cmH(2)0) on the preoperative UDS and the rest only had SUI. I-QoL, visual analog scale (VAS), Patient's Perception of Urgency Severity (PPUS), and Self-Assessment/Sandvik Questions were performed before and 1 year after surgery. The mesh tension was controlled at 1 day after surgery. The objective cure rate was defined as no leakage using the cough test with a full bladder.
PATIENTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS: Group A:SUI with ISD and/or DU, n=30; Group B:only SUI without ISD and DU, n=30. The two groups showed a difference in Qmax and VLPP preoperatively. Objective success rates were 18 (60.0%) completely cured, 10 (33.3%) improved in Group A, and 23 (76.7%) completely cured, 7 (23.3%) improved in Group B. Three cases needed tape-tension adjustment due to urinary leakage one-day after surgery (2 in Group A, 1 in Group B). There was no postoperative urinary retention.
After TOA for SUI with ISD and/or DU, 3 cases were needed tension adjustment after surgery. TOA procedures seem to be effective and safe, more clinical studies with long-term follow up are required for a definite conclusion.
International neurourology journal 04/2010; 14(1):20-5.
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the tension-free placement of a monofilament polypropylene mesh for the repair of an anterior vaginal wall prolapse (AVWP).
Women aged ≥ 30 years with an AVWP stage of II or greater were included. Forty-nine women underwent trans-vaginal repair using a Gynemesh™ PS. Forty-six women who had symptomatic stress urinary incontinence received a midurethral sling (MUS). At the 12-month follow-up, evaluations were made for changes in the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) stage and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory. Cure was defined as a POP-Q stage of 0 and improvement as a stage of I. Complications were also evaluated.
The cure rate was 71.4%, and the improvement rate was 18.4%. Obstructive/discomfort, irritative, and stress subscale scores of the Urinary Distress Inventory anterior and posterior subscale scores of the POP Distress Inventory and the obstructive subscale score of the Colo-Rectal-Anal Distress Inventory were significantly improved. Thirty-two of the 46 women (69.6%) who received MUS procedures reported no leakage after surgery. Complications were 2 cases of increased intraoperative bleeding and 1 case of vaginal erosion.
Trans-vaginal repair using a Gynemesh™ PS is a feasible and effective procedure for the treatment of AVWP with no significant complications.
International neurourology journal 04/2010; 14(1):34-42.
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Du Geon Moon,
Min Gu Park,
Sung Won Lee,
Kwangsung Park,
Jong Kwan Park,
Sae Woong Kim,
Nam Cheol Park,
Tai Young Ahn,
Jae Seung Paick, Ju Tae Seo,
Dae Yul Yang,
June Young Lee,
Je Jong Kim
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ABSTRACT: Long-acting injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU, Nebido(®)), a new parenteral testosterone preparation, has recently been introduced to avoid frequent injections of the conventional injectable esters.
To assess the efficacy and safety of long-acting injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU, Nebido(®)) in Korean patients with testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS).
One hundred thirty-three patients who complain of erectile dysfunction with serum testosterone level less than 3.5 ng/mL were injected with 1,000 mg of TU (4 mL/ample) on day 1, followed by another injection after 6 weeks and 18 weeks. For the safety profiles, serum hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), glucose, lipid profile, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured.
Body mass index (BMI) was measured at the time of the first visit and after 12, 24 weeks. Primary efficacy was evaluated according to changes in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) from the initial visit to the final visit (24 weeks) and from the initial visit to each visit. Secondary efficacy was assessed with changes of the Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) Scale and the Global Efficacy Question (GEQ) for improvement of erectile function.
Mean age of patients was 54 ± 9.6 years. Compared with pretreatment, no significant improvement in BMI was observed. Serum total testosterone and free testosterone were significantly increased at 12 weeks and were maintained until 24 weeks (P < 0.001). TU significantly decreased cholesterol (P < 0.0001). TU significantly improved total IIEF, all five domain scores of IIEF (P < 0.0001) and total AMS, all three domain scores of AMS (P < 0.0001). On GEQ, TU improved erectile function in 76.9% of subjects. On safety profile, TU significantly elevated Hb, Hct, and PSA at 24 weeks but within normal range. No serious adverse reactions were observed. Drop-out rate was 15.0%.
In this prospective multicenter study, TU was effective, safe, and tolerable until 24 weeks in Korean TDS patients. Further well-controlled, long-term study should follow.
Journal of Sexual Medicine 03/2010; 7(6):2253-60. · 3.55 Impact Factor
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Kyu-Sung Lee,
Young-Suk Lee, Ju Tae Seo,
Yong Gil Na,
Myung-Soo Choo,
Joon Chul Kim,
Jun Hyoung Seo,
Jong Min Yoon,
Jeong Gu Lee,
Duk Yoon Kim,
Eun Sang Yoo,
Kweon Sik Min,
Jae Yup Hong,
Jeong Zoo Lee
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ABSTRACT: No studies have been published comparing the U- and H-type methods of the TVT SECUR (TVT-S) procedure.
Our aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of the two types of TVT-S for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Women with urodynamic SUI were enrolled in this 12-mo multicenter randomized study.
Subjects were randomly allocated to either the U- or H-type method of TVT-S.
Pre- and postoperative evaluations included a standing stress test, the Sandvik questionnaire, the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire, and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-FLUTS). Patients' satisfaction and complications were evaluated. Objective and subjective cures were defined as no leakage on the stress test and responses on the Sandvik questionnaire, respectively. We compared the surgical outcomes between the two methods.
Of 285 women, 144 had the U-type method and 141 had the H-type method. Objective cure rates were 87.5% for the U-type method and 80.1% for the H-type method (p=0.091). Subjective cure rates were 77.1% for the U-type method and 75.7% for the H-type method (p=0.786). Improvement in I-QOL and domain scores of the ICIQ-FLUTS (filling and incontinence sum, QOL score), and patients' satisfaction favored the U-type method. There were three cases of intraoperative vaginal wall perforation, one case of increased bleeding, and three cases of temporary postoperative retention. A power calculation was not performed, and some baseline characteristics were not balanced between the two methods.
Both methods of TVT-S provided comparable cure rates for female SUI. However, QOL and treatment satisfaction favored the U-type method.
The protocol of this study was not registered.
European urology 02/2010; 57(6):973-9. · 7.67 Impact Factor
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Kyu-Sung Lee,
Hye Won Lee,
Myung-Soo Choo,
Jae-Seung Paick,
Jeong Gu Lee, Ju Tae Seo,
Jeong Zoo Lee,
Young-Suk Lee,
Hana Yoon,
Choal Hee Park,
Yong-Gil Na,
Young Beom Jeong,
Jong Bouk Lee,
Won Hee Park
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the effects of a daily regimen of propiverine 20 mg in patients with an overactive bladder (OAB), focused on improving urgency, as the clinical efficacy of treatment for OAB should be measured in terms of urgency, the cornerstone symptom of OAB.
Eligible patients aged > or = 18 years with symptoms of OAB were enrolled in this multicentre, prospective, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Of 264 patients (mean age 52.2 years), 221 who had efficacy data available from baseline and at least one on-treatment visit with >75% compliance with medication were analysed (142 in the propiverine group and 79 in the placebo group). All patients were randomized to receive a placebo or 20 mg propiverine once daily in a 12-week study. They completed a 3-day voiding diary before visits during the study period, including the severity of urgency associated with every voiding, using the Indevus Urgency Severity Scale and the Urgency Perception Score. The patients' overall self-evaluation of treatment benefits at the end of the study, and safety data, were also collected.
The daily urgency episodes reduced significantly from baseline to 12 weeks on propiverine treatment, compared with placebo (-46.0% vs -31.3%, P = 0.005). Secondary endpoints, including sum of urgency severity per 24 h, urgency severity per void, and daytime voiding frequency, were also improved significantly in the propiverine group. Overall, of those patients treated with propiverine, 38.7% rated their treatment as providing 'much benefit', compared with 15.2% of the placebo group (P = 0.025). Adverse events reported by 32 (22.5%) and 10 (12.7%) patients in the propiverine and placebo group were all tolerable. However, this is a short-term study using only one fixed regimen.
Propiverine 20 mg once-daily could be an effective treatment for patients with OAB, by improving urgency.
BJU International 11/2009; 105(11):1565-70. · 2.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: DAZ is a male infertility gene located at the AZFc region of the Y chromosome. There are four copies of the DAZ gene that share a strong homology but are not identical to one another. In the present study, we carried out cDNA cloning and immunoblot analyses to determine whether all of the DAZ genes are actively expressed in the human testis.
AZFc deletion was detected by sequence-tagged site polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of genomic DNA isolated from blood samples. DAZ cDNAs were cloned with RT-PCR followed by sequence analysis. The expression of DAZ proteins in human testis was determined by immunoblot and compared with DAZ cDNA expression.
Immunoblot analysis revealed four DAZ protein bands in testis samples that showed no deletions in the AZFc region. No specific bands were observed in samples from AZFc deletion patients. Testis samples from individuals with the partial AZFc deletion, gr/gr, showed two DAZ-specific bands. Interestingly, the sizes of DAZ-specific bands varied among individuals. Analysis of DAZ transcripts in testis samples revealed that the DAZ proteins were translated from the largest of the multiple transcripts originating from each single DAZ gene.
All four DAZ genes are expressed in the human testis, and their products are highly polymorphic among men.
Human Reproduction 03/2009; 24(6):1507-15. · 4.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To assess the improvement of seminal characteristics and pregnancy rates after microsurgical varicocelectomy in men with subclinical varicocele.
Retrospective study.
University infertility clinic.
One hundred forty-three patients with a subclinical left-sided varicocele.
Patients who agreed to microsurgical varicocelectomy (n = 25, surgery group), medical treatment with L-carnitine (n = 93 drug group), and those who did not agree to any treatment (n = 25, observation group) were enrolled.
Semen characteristics were reevaluated twice 6 months after treatment. The natural pregnancy rates were estimated by telephone interview between 1 and 2 years after treatment.
In the surgery group, sperm counts improved significantly after microsurgical varicocelectomy. In the drug group, however, sperm parameters did not significantly improve after treatment. Natural pregnancy rates were 60.0% in the surgery group, 34.5% in the drug group, and 18.7% in the observation group. The natural pregnancy rate of the surgery group was higher than the other groups, and there were statistically significant differences among the three groups.
Surgical treatment is the best option for management of subclinical varicocele.
Fertility and sterility 03/2009; 93(6):1907-10. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The hypothesis of this study is that the air conditioning temperature and thickness of the chair cushion affect a man's scrotal, and consequently testicular, temperature. Ten healthy male subjects volunteered for the study (age: 23.4 +/- 2.4 years; height: 173.8 +/- 5.09 cm; weight: 71.6 +/- 9.7 kg; body fat ratio: 18.6 +/- 4.1%). The air conditioning temperature was controlled at 18 degrees C to represent the heating season, and at 26 degrees C to represent the cooling season. The thickness of the chair cushions was varied from 0 to 8 cm at 2 cm intervals. The changes in the scrotal surface temperature (SST) and buttock skin temperature were measured for 120 min. At the ambient temperatures (t(a)) of 18 and 26 degrees C, the average SST were 33.76 +/- 1.28 and 35.02 +/- 0.54 degrees C for the chair cushion thickness (C(thk)) of 0 cm, 33.87 +/- 1.07 and 34.96 +/- 0.75 degrees C for C(thk) 2 cm, 33.91 +/- 0.84 and 35.03 +/- 0.85 degrees C for C(thk) 4 cm, 34.42 +/- 0.89 and 35.02 +/- 0.63 degrees C for C(thk) 6 cm, and 34.65 +/- 1.21 and 34.99 +/- 0.62 degrees C for C(thk) 8 cm respectively. SST was significantly affected by the air conditioning temperature (p < 0.001), but was not statistically correlated with the chair cushion thickness.
International Journal of Andrology 08/2008; 31(4):418-26. · 3.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the occurrence of classical azoospermia factor (AZF) deletions of the Y chromosome as a routine examination in azoospermic subjects with Klinefelter syndrome (KS).
Blood samples were collected from 95 azoospermic subjects with KS (91 subjects had a 47,XXY karyotype and four subjects had a mosaic 47,XXY/46,XY karyotype) and a control group of 93 fertile men. The values of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured. To determine the presence of Y chromosome microdeletions, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of five sequence-tagged site primers (sY84, sY129, sY134, sY254, sY255) spanning the AZF region, was performed on isolated genomic DNA.
Y chromosome microdeletions were not found in any of the 95 azoospermic subjects with KS. In addition, using similar conditions of PCR, no microdeletions were observed in the 93 fertile men evaluated. The level of FSH in KS subjects was higher than that in fertile men (38.2 +/- 10.3 mIU/mL vs. 5.4 +/- 2.9 mIU/mL, P < 0.001) and the testosterone level was lower than that in the control group (1.7 +/- 0.3 ng/mL vs. 4.3 +/- 1.3 ng/mL, P < 0.001).
Our data and review of the published literature suggest that classical AZF deletions might not play a role in predisposing genetic background for the phenotype of azoospermic KS subjects with a 47,XXY karyotype. In addition, routine screening for the classical AZF deletions might not be required for these subjects. Further studies including partial AZFc deletions (e.g. gr/gr or b2/b3) are necessary to establish other mechanism underlying severe spermatogenesis impairment in KS.
Asian Journal of Andrology 12/2007; 9(6):815-20. · 1.52 Impact Factor
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Myung-Soo Choo,
Ja Hyeon Ku,
Seung-June Oh,
Kyu-Sung Lee,
Jae-Seung Paick, Ju Tae Seo,
Duk Yoon Kim,
Jeong Ju Lee,
Jeong Gu Lee,
Yong Gil Na,
Dong Deuk Kwon,
Won-Hee Park
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a Korean national community sample of female adults aged 30-79 years. During April 2003, a national Korea telephone survey using quota sampling methods was conducted. The clinically validated computer-assisted telephone interview approach was used in the survey. Of the 1,500 subjects contacted, 1,303 were successfully interviewed (response rate 86.9%). Overall, UI was reported by 40.8%, and 22.9, 3.1, and 14.9% reported pure stress, urge, and mixed UI, respectively. The prevalence of stress, urge, and mixed UI generally did not increase with age. Urge and mixed UI had a greater impact than stress UI on daily tasks (P < 0.001), social life (P < 0.001), depression or anxiety due to UI (P < 0.001), worry about UI (P < 0.001), sex life (P < 0.001), wear protection due to UI (P = 0.011), and quality of life (P < 0.001). In subjects with pure stress UI, 28.3% reported impaired quality of life compared with 43.9% and 43.8% of subjects with urge and mixed UI. Of those individuals with stress, urge, and mixed UI, 19.1, 20.0, and 25.8% had the willingness to seek medical consultation. This study is the first to examine the prevalence of UI in Korean women. The present study revealed that there was a high prevalence of UI in this population. Our descriptive research provides a valuable insight into the need for tailored education to this population about UI.
International Urogynecology Journal 12/2007; 18(11):1309-15. · 1.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To provide evidence that the Fas-mediated apoptotic process may participate in developing hypospermatogenesis, such as maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCO).
Prospective clinical and descriptive study.
Hospital-based infertility research laboratory and university laboratory.
Twenty-two testicular biopsy specimens were obtained for routine clinical purposes from 12 men with nonobstructive azoospermia and from 10 men with obstructive azoospermia.
In situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used for detection of apoptosis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analyses were used for detection of testicular expressions of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), and caspase-3.
Apoptotic indices and testicular expressions of apoptosis regulators.
Increased apoptosis of germ cells and Sertoli cells was observed in MA and SCO compared with normal spermatogenesis. In testes with MA, increased immunostaining for FasL was observed in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, while intense immunostaining of Fas was observed in primary degenerating spermatocytes. Active caspase-3 immunostaining was detected in the cytoplasm of both Sertoli cells and germ cells. In cases of SCO, expression of Fas, FasL, and active caspase-3 was detected both in Sertoli cells and in hyperplastic interstitial cells.
The current study demonstrates that the expression of FasL is upregulated in the testes of patients with SCO and MA, which suggests that it may be associated with apoptotic elimination or altered maturation of Fas-expressing germ cells through the activation of caspase-3.
Fertility and sterility 04/2007; 87(3):547-53. · 3.97 Impact Factor
