Evolving techniques to evaluate ejaculatory function

The Role of Testosterone in the Elderly: What Do We Know?

Testosterone is the most important hormone in male health. Aging is characterized by testosterone deficiency due to decreasing testosterone levels associated with low testicular production, genetic factors, adiposity, and illness. Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction), reduced skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular risk and alterations of the glycometabolic profile. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) shows several therapeutic effects while maintaining a good safety profile in hypogonadal men. TRT restores normal levels of serum testosterone in men, increasing libido and energy level and producing beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscle as well as yielding cardioprotective effects. Nevertheless, TRT could be contraindicated in men with untreated prostate cancer, although poor findings are reported in the literature. In addition, different potential side effects, such as polycythemia, cardiac events and obstructive sleep apnea, should be monitored. The aim of our review is to provide an updated background regarding the pros and cons of TRT, evaluating its role and its clinical applicability in different domains.

The Role of Testosterone in the Elderly: What Do We Know?

Testosterone is the most important hormone in male health. Aging is characterized by testosterone deficiency due to decreasing testosterone levels associated with low testicular production, genetic factors, adiposity, and illness. Low testosterone levels in men are associated with sexual dysfunction (low sexual desire, erectile dysfunction), reduced skeletal muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular risk and alterations of the glycometabolic profile. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) shows several therapeutic effects while maintaining a good safety profile in hypogonadal men. TRT restores normal levels of serum testosterone in men, increasing libido and energy level and producing beneficial effects on bone density, strength and muscle as well as yielding cardioprotective effects. Nevertheless, TRT could be contraindicated in men with untreated prostate cancer, although poor findings are reported in the literature. In addition, different potential side effects, such as polycythemia, cardiac events and obstructive sleep apnea, should be monitored. The aim of our review is to provide an updated background regarding the pros and cons of TRT, evaluating its role and its clinical applicability in different domains.

Utility of dynamic MRA in the evaluation of male erectile dysfunction

PURPOSE

To assess the efficacy of time-resolved MR angiography (MRA) in evaluating penile vasculature in patients with clinically suspected vascular anomalies contributing to their erectile dysfunction correlating with penile doppler ultrasound (PDUS) findings and clinical outcomes after surgical intervention.

METHODS

Men (n = 26) with signs of early vascular shunting on PDUS underwent time-resolved, contrast-enhanced (0.1 mMol/kg gadobutrol at 1 ml/s followed by saline flush) 3-dimensional spoiled gradient echo T1-weighted MRA sequence performed over 3 min with 4.6 s frame rate after intracavernosal injection of an erectogenic agent. Additional T1- and T2-weighted sequences were performed for anatomic co-localization and tissue characterization. MRA images were evaluated for early filling of draining veins as well as arteriovenous malformations and fistulas and correlated with findings at surgery.

RESULTS

29 MRA examinations on 26 patients (mean age 39 years) demonstrated abnormal early venous drainage (n = 22) as well as diminutive/delayed cavernosal enhancement (n = 3), incomplete tumescence (n = 2), and combined arterial inflow/venous outflow disease (n = 1). The MRA had a concordance of 85.2% at determining the presence, or lack thereof of a shunt/AVM when compared to PDUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Time-resolved MRA allows for both temporal and spatial resolution with visualization of both arterial and venous abnormalities which may be suggested with a screening PDUS examination. This technique allows us to provide detailed anatomic information prior to any surgical intervention.

Longitudinal muscular column in the prostatic urethral wall: Its form, shape, and possible function based on mathematical simulation in ejaculation

BACKGROUND

The shape and function of the longitudinal muscular column (LMC) of the prostate have not been established in detail. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the roles of the LMC of the posterior wall of the prostatic urethra (PSU) in the emission phase of ejaculation by investigating the form and muscular arrangement of the LMC.

METHODS

Prostates and urinary bladders were obtained from 14 Korean adult cadavers. Nine specimens were histologically analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Verhoeff-van Gieson staining. Two specimens were scanned using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), and all scanned images were reconstructed into a three-dimensional model.

RESULTS

At the proximal level of the prostate, the ejaculatory ducts (EDs) and prostatic utricle (PU) together were surrounded by circular smooth-muscle fibers. However, at the seminal colliculus (SC) where the EDs and PU opened, they were mainly surrounded by an abundance of longitudinal fibers. The longitudinal fibers posterior to the EDs and PU formed a distinctive LMC in the posterior urethral wall. In histologic sections and micro-CT images, the LMC extended distally from the level of the SC to the level of the membranous urethra (MBU). We simulated a potential mechanism of LMC using a mathematical model of its movements.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive analyses based on in-depth assessment of histologic characteristics and micro-CT images demonstrated extension of the LMC from the level of the SC to the level of the MBU, enabling a better understanding of ejaculation physiology involving the LMC. These results suggest that the LMC in the posterior wall of the PSU is a critical component of ejaculation by facilitating the ejection of seminal vesicle fluid into the PSU via well-coordinated contractions.

Delayed Ejaculation and Associated Complaints: Relationship to Ejaculation Times and Serum Testosterone Levels

BACKGROUND

Although delayed ejaculation (DE) is typically characterized as a persistently longer than anticipated or desired time to ejaculation (or orgasm) during sexual activity, a timing-based definition of DE and its association with serum testosterone has not been established in a large cohort.

AIM

To examine in an observational study estimated intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and masturbatory ejaculation latency time (MELT) in men self-reporting DE, assess the association of IELT and MELT with serum testosterone levels, and determine whether correlation with demographic and sexual parameters exist.

METHODS

Men who resided in the United States, Canada, and Mexico were enrolled from 2011 to 2013. Self-estimated IELT and MELT were captured using an Ejaculatory Function Screening Questionnaire in a sample of 988 men screened for possible inclusion in a randomized clinical trial assessing testosterone replacement therapy for ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and who self-reported the presence or absence of DE and symptoms of hypogonadism. Additional comorbid EjDs (ie, anejaculation, perceived decrease in ejaculate volume, and decreased force of ejaculation) were recorded. Men with premature ejaculation were excluded from this analysis. IELT and MELT were compared between men self-reporting DE and men without DE. The associations of IELT and MELT with serum testosterone were measured.

OUTCOMES

IELT, MELT, and total testosterone levels.

RESULTS

Sixty-two percent of screened men self-reported DE with or without comorbid EjDs; 38% did not report DE but did report at least one of the other EjDs. Estimated median IELTs were 20.0 minutes for DE vs 15 minutes for no DE (P < .001). Estimated median MELTs were 15.0 minutes for DE vs 8.0 minutes for no DE (P < .001). Ejaculation time was not associated with serum testosterone levels. Younger men and those with less severe erectile dysfunction had longer IELTs and MELTs.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Estimated ejaculation times during vaginal intercourse and/or masturbation were not associated with serum testosterone levels in this study; thus, routine androgen evaluation is not indicated in these men.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

This large systematic analysis attempted to objectively assess the ejaculation latency in men with self-reported DE. Limitations were that ejaculation time estimates were self-reported and were queried only once; the questionnaire did not distinguish between failure to achieve orgasm and ejaculation; and assessment of DE was limited to heterosexual vaginal intercourse and masturbation.

CONCLUSION

IELT and MELT were longer in men with DE, and there was no association of ejaculation times with serum testosterone levels in this study population. Morgentaler A, Polzer P, Althof S, et al. Delayed Ejaculation and Associated Complaints: Relationship to Ejaculation Times and Serum Testosterone Levels. J Sex Med 2017;14:1116-1124.

Ejaculatory physiology and pathophysiology: assessment and treatment in male infertility

Azoospermia is a heterogeneous condition with multiple etiologies and a variety of treatments. In this chapter we present a summary of retrograde ejaculation and anejaculation, both of which are characterized by an absence of antegrade semen propulsion through the male reproductive tract. Each of these affects fertility, but is pathophysiologically distinct disorders with differing evaluation and treatment. Retrograde ejaculation has a myriad of well-characterized causes, from pharmacologic disruption to interference of neural mechanisms by surgical intervention for a variety of diseases. Medication is the mainstay of treatment, although only a minority responds and develops antegrade ejaculation. For the men who are not responders to medical therapy, but still have fertility goals, there are a variety of sperm retrieval techniques to assist their reproductive abilities. Failure of emission is characterized by an absence of the emission phase and no antegrade or retrograde expulsion of ejaculatory products. If fertility is desired, these men must rely on assisted ejaculatory procedures, and treatment choice is guided by etiology and response. Ultimately, retrograde ejaculation and failure of emission are in a spectrum of ejaculatory disorders which impair male fertility.

Factors associated with ejaculatory and orgasmic dysfunction in men with erectile dysfunction: analysis of clinical trials involving the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor tadalafil

OBJECTIVE

To determine frequencies of, and risk factors for, ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and orgasmic dysfunction (OD) in men with different degrees of erectile dysfunction (ED).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Baseline data from 28 ED trials were integrated and analysed. The International Index of Erectile Function Question 9 (IIEF-Q9; 'When you had sexual stimulation or intercourse, how often did you ejaculate?') and IIEF-Q10 ('How often did you have the feeling of orgasm with or without ejaculation?') were used to evaluate ejaculatory and orgasmic functions. Responses of 'almost never or never' or 'a few times (much less than half the time)' were taken as evidence of EjD or OD, respectively, whereas responses of 'almost always or always' or 'most times (much more than half the time)' were taken as evidence of normal function. Estimates of the relative risks (RRs) of EjD or OD were determined for multiple patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Among 12,130 study participants with available data, only 5117 (42.2%) reported normal ejaculatory function, and 4321 (35.6%) normal orgasm, regardless of ED severity. Among subjects with poor ejaculatory function, 16.7% had mild ED, and among subjects with poor sensation of orgasm, 21.9% had mild ED. Frequencies of EjD and OD increased with increasing ED severity. Of the 5117 individuals with normal ejaculatory function, 796 (15.6%) had poor sensation of orgasm. Of the 4321 subjects with normal orgasm, 226 (5.2%) had poor ejaculatory function. Men with (vs without) EjD or OD tended to be younger: 53.7 vs 56.9 years and 54.2 vs 56.2 years, respectively. Factors associated with increased RRs of EjD and OD included cardiomyopathy (RR for EjD 1.74; RR for OD 1.59); cardiac failure (RR 1.40; 1.22); and baseline use (or history of use) of antipsychotics (RR 1.45; 1.30), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (RR 1.31; 1.27), and tricyclic antidepressants (RR 1.34; 1.28).

CONCLUSIONS

EjD and OD occurred at baseline in more than one in three men enrolled in tadalafil trials. Even men with mild ED reported EjD or OD. Further studies are warranted to better understand the impacts of EjD and OD on male sexuality and quality of life.