Laparoscopic resection of a leiomyoma of the seminal vesicle

We present a case of a leiomyoma of the seminal vesicle that occurred in a 52-year-old man who presented with symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction. Prostate-specific antigen was within normal limit. Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the patient's right seminal vesicle. Laparoscopic excision of the seminal vesicle tumor was performed successfully. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the fourth postoperative day.

Primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma of the seminal vesicle: a case report and literature review

A primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma (EOS) is a rare tumour. An EOS of the seminal vesicle has not been reported in the literature. We describe a case of a seminal vesicle EOS initially detected as a pre-rectal mass on a routine transrectal ultrasound in a 48-year-old man. A computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the tumour to be arising from the left seminal vesicle. A robot-assisted laparoscopic seminal vesiculectomy was performed to avoid neurovascular bundle injury. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen showed a poorly differentiated osteosarcoma originating from the seminal vesicle. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. He is doing well without voiding or erectile dysfunction and he is tumour-free five months after surgery.

Schwannoma, a rare tumor of the seminal vesicle

We present a rare case of a schwannoma of the seminal vesicle that occurred in a 43-year-old male with symptoms of the lower urinary tract. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging documented a solid mass in the patient's left seminal vesicle. A transvesical approach with a transtrigonal midline incision was successfully performed. The microscopic aspect was compatible with schwannoma.

HIV infection of the male genital tract--consequences for sexual transmission and reproduction

Despite semen being the main vector of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dissemination worldwide, the origin of the virus in this bodily fluid remains unclear. It was recently shown that several organs of the male genital tract (MGT) are infected by HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and likely to contribute to semen viral load during the primary and chronic stages of the infection. These findings are important in helping answer the following questions: (i) does the MGT constitute a viral reservoir responsible for the persistence of virus release into the semen of a subset of HIV-infected men under antiretroviral therapy, who otherwise show an undetectable blood viral load? (ii) What is the aetiology of the semen abnormalities observed in asymptomatic HIV-infected men? (iii) What is the exact nature of the interactions between the spermatozoa, their testicular progenitors and HIV, an important issue in the context of assisted reproductive techniques proposed for HIV-seropositive (HIV+) men? Answers to these questions are crucial for the design of new therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating the virus from the genital tract of HIV+ men--thus reducing its sexual transmission--and for improving the care of serodiscordant couples wishing to have children. This review summarizes the most recent literature on HIV infection of the male genital tract, discusses the above issues in light of the latest findings and highlights future directions of research.

Identification of candidate prostate cancer genes through comparative expression-profiling of seminal vesicle

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in the United States. In contrast, cancer of the seminal vesicle is exceedingly rare, despite that the prostate and seminal vesicle share similar histology, secretory function, androgen dependency, blood supply, and (in part) embryonic origin. We hypothesized that gene-expression differences between prostate and seminal vesicle might inform mechanisms underlying the higher incidence of prostate cancer.

METHODS

Whole-genome DNA microarrays were used to profile gene expression of 11 normal prostate and 7 seminal vesicle specimens (including six matched pairs) obtained from radical prostatectomy. Supervised analysis was used to identify genes differentially expressed between normal prostate and seminal vesicle, and this list was then cross-referenced to genes differentially expressed between normal and cancerous prostate. Expression patterns of selected genes were confirmed by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray.

RESULTS

We identified 32 genes that displayed a highly statistically significant expression pattern with highest levels in seminal vesicle, lower levels in normal prostate, and lowest levels in prostate cancer. Among these genes was the known candidate prostate tumor suppressor GSTP1 (involved in xenobiotic detoxification). The expression pattern of GSTP1 and four other genes, ABCG2 (xenobiotic transport), CRABP2 (retinoic acid signaling), GATA3 (lineage-specific transcription), and SLPI (immune response), was confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings identify candidate prostate cancer genes whose reduced expression in prostate (compared to seminal vesicle) may be permissive to prostate cancer initiation. Such genes and their pathways may inform mechanisms of prostate carcinogenesis, and suggest new opportunities for prostate cancer prevention.

Very rare congenital malformation: single seminal vesicle, associated with unilateral kidney agenesis: first case report

INTRODUCTION

The authors present the first case of a patient with single cystic seminal vesicle accompanied by left kidney agenesis, referring for diagnosis and treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is the case of a 22-year-old patient presented for chronic pelvic pain.

INVESTIGATIONS

abdominal and transrectal ultrasound as well as the computer tomography showed a cystic pelvic tumor with a diameter of around 8.5/6 cm, and left kidney agenesis. The treatment for this condition varies from watchful waiting for asymptomatic cysts, to excision. We performed a plasty of the unique seminal vesicle.

RESULTS

The postoperative evolution was uneventful with pain remission and improvement of ejaculatory function.

CONCLUSIONS

Single seminal vesicle has a very low incidence. For this pathology, partial vesiculectomy represents a viable therapeutic option in order to preserve sexual function in the case of a young patient.

The semenogelins: proteins with functions beyond reproduction?

The coagulum proteins of human semen, semenogelins I and II, are secreted in abundance by the seminal vesicles. Their function in reproduction is poorly understood as they are rapidly degraded in ejaculated semen. However, more recent results indicate that it is time to put the semenogelins in a broader physiological perspective that goes beyond reproduction and fertility.

Age-related changes in purinergic and adrenergic components of sympathetic neurotransmission in guinea-pig seminal vesicles

1. Purinergic and adrenergic components of sympathetic neurotransmission and contractile responses to exogenous alpha,beta-methylene ATP and noradrenaline have been investigated in the seminal vesicles of 1-day (new-born), 2-weeks (young), 12-weeks (adult) and 2-years old (aged) guinea-pigs. 2. In seminal vesicles of new-born guinea-pigs electrical field stimulation (EFS; 80 V, 0.5 ms for 30 s, 2-32 Hz) evoked tonic frequency-related contractions. In 2-weeks old guinea-pigs the tonic contraction masked an initial phasic component of the neurogenic responses, whereas in 12-weeks and 2-years old guinea-pigs, neurogenic responses were biphasic, a phasic response being followed by a tonic contraction. In all experimental groups, prazosin (10(-6) M) blocked the tonic contraction while desensitization of P2X receptors by alpha,beta-methylene ATP (10(-4) M) abolished the phasic responses. 3. The phasic purinergic component of the neurogenic response was significantly higher in 12-weeks and 2-years old animals, compared with 2-weeks old guinea-pigs. At 32 Hz phasic contractions were (mN mg(-1) tissue): 0.047+/-0.012, 0.018+/-0.040 and 0.147+/-0.026 in 2-weeks, 12-weeks and 2-years old guinea-pigs, respectively. In contrast, the tonic adrenergic component of the neurogenic contraction significantly declined at 12-weeks and 2-years compared with 2-weeks old guinea-pigs. 4. Contractile responses (mN mg(-1) tissue) to the highest concentration of alpha,beta-methylene ATP tested were significantly higher in 2-weeks (0.248+/-0.022) than in 1-day old animals (0.113+/-0.012) and decreased in 12-weeks (0.163+/-0.016) and 2-years old guinea-pigs (0.200+/-0.008). The pD2 values for the purinoceptor agonist were also significantly lower in adult (4.74+/-0.20) and aged guinea-pigs (5.22+/-0.08) compared with 2-weeks old animals (5.91+/-0.27). Conversely, responses to the highest concentration of noradrenaline gradually decreased with age, without significant changes in the pD2 values. Contractile responses to KCl (240 mM) did not differ significantly between the experimental groups. 5. These results demonstrate age-related changes in purinergic and adrenergic components of sympathetic neurotransmission in the guinea-pig seminal vesicles. The purinergic component is absent in new-born animals and it appears fully developed in adult and old guinea-pigs, while the adrenergic component decreases with age. Pre- and postjunctional mechanisms contributing to the age-related changes of sympathetic neurotransmission are discussed.