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Conduit C, Hutchinson AD, Leonard M, O 'Haire S, Moody M, Thomas B, Sim I, Hong W, Ahmad G, Lawrentschuk N, Lewin J, Tran B, Dhillon HM. An exploration of testicular cancer survivors' experience of ejaculatory dysfunction following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection-a sub-study of the PREPARE clinical trial. J Cancer Surviv 2023:10.1007/s11764-023-01489-9. [PMID: 37981616 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01489-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ejaculatory dysfunction secondary to retrograde ejaculation or anejaculation is a complication of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for survivors of testicular cancer. We explored survivors' experiences of ejaculatory dysfunction following RPLND. METHODS In a sub-study of a single-arm phase 2 clinical trial (ACTRN12622000537752/12622000542796), participants reporting ejaculatory dysfunction ≥ 6 months following RPLND were invited to complete semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used. Interviews continued until thematic saturation occurred, and codebook thematic analysis of interviews was performed. RESULTS Of 58 individuals recruited to the trial, 33 (57%) reported ejaculatory dysfunction. Of these, 32 (97%) agreed to interview and 15 participated. Participants interviewed had median age 34 years (range 24-66), 12 (80%) in a long-term relationship with median time from surgery 36 months (range 11-112). Three overarching themes were identified. The first reflected the value of RPLND despite ejaculatory dysfunction. The second illuminated the impact(s) of ejaculatory dysfunction closely mapped to life stage, with flow-on impacts to fertility, sex, psychological wellbeing and communication. The third reflected information needs. Fertility was a substantial source of concern for some participants. Ejaculatory dysfunction had no effect on sex for some, whilst for others, sex was less pleasurable. Some reported benefits. Few reported ejaculatory dysfunction challenged masculinity, confidence, or self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS Future research should examine interventions to reduce distress related to fertility, challenged masculinity and body image. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Whilst most participants considered ejaculatory dysfunction to have little impact on their sexual function and relationships, some reported significant difficulties varying by life stage and relationship status.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Conduit
- Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, 305 Grattan St., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Personalised Oncology, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - A D Hutchinson
- Justice & Society, Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre, University of South Australia, Magill, Australia
| | - M Leonard
- The Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate (ANZUP) Cancer Trials Group, Camperdown, Australia
| | - S O 'Haire
- Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Personalised Oncology, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - M Moody
- Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Personalised Oncology, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - B Thomas
- Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - I Sim
- Endocrinology, Monash Health and Eastern Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - W Hong
- Personalised Oncology, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - G Ahmad
- Andrology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - N Lawrentschuk
- Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Urology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - J Lewin
- Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, 305 Grattan St., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- ONTrac at Peter Mac, Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - B Tran
- Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Medical Oncology, University of Melbourne, 305 Grattan St., Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Personalised Oncology, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - H M Dhillon
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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2
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Trager RJ, Baumann A. Improvement of Anorgasmia and Anejaculation After Spinal Manipulation in an Older Man With Lumbar Stenosis: A Case Report. Cureus 2023; 15:e34719. [PMID: 36909050 PMCID: PMC9996673 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A 72-year-old man with cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety presented to a chiropractor with a six-year history of anorgasmia, anejaculation, and erectile dysfunction as well as chronic, episodic low back pain. He previously saw a neurologist, two urologists, and had extensive and expensive testing, including brain, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic imaging and electrodiagnostic testing. The patient had a disc bulge at L5/S1 causing moderate spinal canal stenosis while other testing was relatively normal. He had previously tried discontinuing a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, trialing psychological counseling, and administering penile injections, all without any improvement in sexual function. The chiropractor identified lower extremity weakness, sensory, reflex, and balance deficits and initiated a one-month trial of care, applying lumbar mobilizations and thrust manipulation at L1/2. The patient reported resolution of anorgasmia and anejaculation the first week, which was maintained over a total three months' follow-up. Low back pain also did not return. The current case report highlights the apparent success of lumbar spinal manipulation in improving anorgasmia and anejaculation in an older man. This response may be explained in that the sympathetic (T10-L2) and somatic (S2-4) innervation required for male orgasm and ejaculation is derived from the lumbosacral region. Further research is needed to determine if these findings are reproducible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Trager
- Chiropractic, Connor Whole Health, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.,College of Chiropractic, Logan University, Chesterfield, USA
| | - Anthony Baumann
- Rehabilitation Services, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.,Medical School, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, USA
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3
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Soni KK, Jeong HS, Jang S. Neurons for Ejaculation and Factors Affecting Ejaculation. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050686. [PMID: 35625414 PMCID: PMC9138817 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Sexual dysfunctions are rarely discussed in our current society. Males experience different sexual dysfunctions, including erectile, infertility, and ejaculatory dysfunctions. In this review only the ejaculatory dysfunction will be discussed. Ejaculation is defined as the ejection of contents collectively from the vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate and Cowper’s glands. It is completely controlled by a population of neurons present in the lumbar spinal cord. The presence of lesion in these neurons ceases the ejaculatory behavior in males. This population of neurons was first identified in rats; however, recently it was confirmed that these neurons are present in human males as well. The issues are known as ejaculatory dysfunction. The following are the different types of ejaculatory dysfunctions: early ejaculation, ejaculation into the urinary bladder, late ejaculation and no ejaculation. Abstract Ejaculation is a reflex and the last stage of intercourse in male mammals. It consists of two coordinated phases, emission and expulsion. The emission phase consists of secretions from the vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate, and Cowper’s gland. Once these contents reach the posterior urethra, movement of the contents becomes inevitable, followed by the expulsion phase. The urogenital organs are synchronized during this complete event. The L3–L4 (lumbar) segment, the spinal cord region responsible for ejaculation, nerve cell bodies, also called lumbar spinothalamic (LSt) cells, which are denoted as spinal ejaculation generators or lumbar spinothalamic cells [Lst]. Lst cells activation causes ejaculation. These Lst cells coordinate with [autonomic] parasympathetic and sympathetic assistance in ejaculation. The presence of a spinal ejaculatory generator has recently been confirmed in humans. Different types of ejaculatory dysfunction in humans include premature ejaculation (PE), retrograde ejaculation (RE), delayed ejaculation (DE), and anejaculation (AE). The most common form of ejaculatory dysfunction studied is premature ejaculation. The least common forms of ejaculation studied are delayed ejaculation and anejaculation. Despite the confirmation of Lst in humans, there is insufficient research on animals mimicking human ejaculatory dysfunction.
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4
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Minic Z, O’Leary DS, Reynolds CA. Spinal Reflex Control of Arterial Blood Pressure: The Role of TRP Channels and Their Endogenous Eicosanoid Modulators. Front Physiol 2022; 13:838175. [PMID: 35283783 PMCID: PMC8904930 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.838175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The spinal cord is an important integrative center for blood pressure control. Spinal sensory fibers send projections to sympathetic preganglionic neurons of the thoracic spinal cord and drive sympathetically-mediated increases in blood pressure. While these reflexes responses occur in able-bodied individuals, they are exaggerated following interruption of descending control - such as occurs following spinal cord injury. Similar reflex control of blood pressure may exist in disease states, other than spinal cord injury, where there is altered input to sympathetic preganglionic neurons. This review primarily focuses on mechanisms wherein visceral afferent information traveling via spinal nerves influences sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure. There is an abundance of evidence for the widespread presence of this spinal reflex arch originating from virtually every visceral organ and thus having a substantial role in blood pressure control. Additionally, this review highlights specific endogenous eicosanoid species, which modulate the activity of afferent fibers involved in this reflex, through their interactions with transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeljka Minic
- Department of Emergency Medicine Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Donal S. O’Leary
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Christian A. Reynolds
- Department of Emergency Medicine Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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5
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Zafar MI, Yu J, Li H. Implications of RNA Viruses in the Male Reproductive Tract: An Outlook on SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:783963. [PMID: 35003013 PMCID: PMC8739959 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.783963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging viral infections continuously pose a threat to human wellbeing. Several RNA viruses have managed to establish access to the male reproductive tract and persist in human semen. The sexual transmission of the virus is of critical public concern. The epidemiological inferences are essential to understand its complexity, particularly the probability of viral transmission from asymptomatic patients or those in the incubation period or from the patient who was previously infected and now fully recovered. From the clinical perspective, negative impacts in the male reproductive tract associated with RNA virus infection have been described, including orchitis, epididymitis, impaired spermatogenesis, and a decrease in sperm quality, which can affect male fertility at different time intervals. The disruption of anatomical barriers due to inflammatory responses might enable the viral invasion into the testis, and the immune privilege status of testes might facilitate a sustained persistence of the virus in the semen. In this review, the current knowledge about other RNA viruses that affect male reproductive health provides the framework to discuss the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The molecular mechanisms, sexual transmission, and viral impacts for mumps, HIV, Zika, and Ebola viruses are explored. We discuss the currently available information on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and its sequelae in the male reproductive tract, particularly regarding presence in semen, its impact on sexual organs, and sperm quality. To date, no sexual transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported, whereas the identification of viral particles in semen remains conflicting. In the purview of the earlier conducted analyses, it is essential to investigate further the long-term health impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ishraq Zafar
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiangyu Yu
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Reproductive Medicine, Central Theater Command General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, China
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6
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Lloyd P, Hong A, Furrer MA, Lee EWY, Dev HS, Coret MH, Adshead JM, Baldwin P, Knight R, Shamash J, Alifrangis C, Stoneham S, Mazhar D, Wong H, Warren A, Tran B, Lawrentschuk N, Neal DE, Thomas BC. A comparative study of peri-operative outcomes for 100 consecutive post-chemotherapy and primary robot-assisted and open retroperitoneal lymph node dissections. World J Urol 2022; 40:119-126. [PMID: 34599350 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-021-03832-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe and compare differences in peri-operative outcomes of robot-assisted (RA-RPLND) and open (O-RPLND) retroperitoneal lymph node dissection performed by a single surgeon where chemotherapy is the standard initial treatment for Stage 2 or greater non-seminomatous germ cell tumour. METHODS Review of a prospective database of all RA-RPLNDs (28 patients) and O-RPLNDs (72 patients) performed by a single surgeon from 2014 to 2020. Peri-operative outcomes were compared for patients having RA-RPLND to all O-RPLNDs and a matched cohort of patients having O-RPLND (20 patients). Further comparison was performed between all patients in the RA-RPLND group (21 patients) and matched O-RPLND group (18 patients) who had previous chemotherapy. RA-RPLND was performed for patients suitable for a unilateral template dissection. O-RPLND was performed prior to the introduction of RA-RPLND and for patients not suitable for RA-RPLND after its introduction. RESULTS RA-RPLND showed improved peri-operative outcomes compared to the matched cohort of O-RPLND-median blood loss (50 versus 400 ml, p < 0.00001), operative duration (150 versus 195 min, p = 0.023) length-of-stay (1 versus 5 days, p < 0.00001) and anejaculation (0 versus 4, p = 0.0249). There was no statistical difference in complication rates. RA-RPLND had lower median lymph node yields although not significant (9 versus 13, p = 0.070). These improved peri-operative outcomes were also seen in the post-chemotherapy RA-RPLND versus O-RPLND analysis. There were no tumour recurrences seen in either group with median follow-up of 36 months and 60 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Post-chemotherapy RA-RPLND may have decreased blood loss, operative duration, hospital length-of-stay and anejaculation rates in selected cases and should, therefore, be considered in selected patients. Differences in oncological outcomes require longer term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lloyd
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne Hong
- Department of Urology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marc A Furrer
- Department of Urology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Urology, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,The Australian Medical Robotics Academy, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elaine W Y Lee
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Harveer S Dev
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maurice H Coret
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Peter Baldwin
- Department of Gynae-Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard Knight
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Sara Stoneham
- Department of Oncology, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Danish Mazhar
- Department of Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Han Wong
- Department of Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne Warren
- Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ben Tran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nathan Lawrentschuk
- Department of Urology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - David E Neal
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Benjamin C Thomas
- Department of Urology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK. .,Department of Urology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. .,The Australian Medical Robotics Academy, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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7
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Halpern JA, Das A, Faw CA, Brannigan RE. Oncofertility in adult and pediatric populations: options and barriers. Transl Androl Urol 2020; 9:S227-S238. [PMID: 32257863 PMCID: PMC7108982 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2019.09.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer and its treatments can affect fertility in a variety of ways, and recent advances in cancer detection and treatment have led to an increasing number of cancer survivors for whom future fertility is a primary concern. Oncofertility is the study of interactions between cancer, anti-cancer therapy, fertility, and reproductive health. Fertility preservation aims to optimize fertility potential before initiation of gonadotoxic therapies. Sperm cryopreservation from an ejaculated sample is the gold standard for adults and post-pubertal adolescents, though added maneuvers such as medical therapy, penile vibratory stimulation, and electroejaculation can be employed when appropriate. When all these approaches fail, testicular sperm extraction can be used to obtain and cryopreserve testicular sperm from the azoospermic patient. Fertility preservation in the pre-pubertal pediatric patient is still experimental, but recent scientific breakthroughs with use of spermatogonial stem cells and testicular tissue transplantation offer great promise for the future. While there may be several practical, cultural, religious, and other barriers to fertility preservation, the establishment of a dedicated fertility preservation team can help to overcome these obstacles and optimize the utilization of fertility preservation in cancer patients of all ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua A Halpern
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Arighno Das
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Cory A Faw
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert E Brannigan
- Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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8
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Roughley M, Lyall M. Retrograde ejaculation associated with quetiapine and treatment with low-dose imipramine. BMJ Case Rep 2019; 12:12/8/e228539. [PMID: 31383672 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual side-effects are common among those using antipsychotic medication and may result in poor compliance and reduced quality of life. Retrograde ejaculation (RE) has been described occurring with a number of antipsychotic medications (thioridazine, risperidone, iloperidone and clozapine) but there are no guidelines regarding management of antipsychotic-associated RE. Imipramine has been suggested as a treatment for antipsychotic-associated RE in one small study of patients prescribed thioridazine and a case series of patients prescribed iloperidone. Quetiapine is a commonly used antipsychotic and is thought to be associated with less sexual side-effects relative to other antipsychotic medications. This case report describes a 25-year-old man with first episode psychosis who developed RE during treatment with quetiapine which improved with low-dose imipramine. This is the first description of RE occurring with quetiapine and successful treatment of quetiapine-associated RE with imipramine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Roughley
- City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health, East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Marc Lyall
- John Howard Centre, East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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9
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Stassen L, Armitage CW, van der Heide DJ, Beagley KW, Frentiu FD. Zika Virus in the Male Reproductive Tract. Viruses 2018; 10:v10040198. [PMID: 29659541 PMCID: PMC5923492 DOI: 10.3390/v10040198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are resurging across the globe. Zika virus (ZIKV) has caused significant concern in recent years because it can lead to congenital malformations in babies and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. Unlike other arboviruses, ZIKV can be sexually transmitted and may persist in the male reproductive tract. There is limited information regarding the impact of ZIKV on male reproductive health and fertility. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie persistent ZIKV infections in men is critical to developing effective vaccines and therapies. Mouse and macaque models have begun to unravel the pathogenesis of ZIKV infection in the male reproductive tract, with the testes and prostate gland implicated as potential reservoirs for persistent ZIKV infection. Here, we summarize current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of ZIKV in the male reproductive tract, the development of animal models to study ZIKV infection at this site, and prospects for vaccines and therapeutics against persistent ZIKV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesel Stassen
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Charles W Armitage
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia.
| | - David J van der Heide
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Francesca D Frentiu
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4006, Queensland, Australia.
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10
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Abstract
Infertility affects up to 12% of all men, and sexual dysfunction occurs frequently in men of reproductive age, causing infertility in some instances. In infertile men, hypoactive sexual desire and lack of sexual satisfaction are the most prevalent types of sexual dysfunction, ranging from 8.9% to 68.7%. Erectile dysfunction and/or premature ejaculation, evaluated with validated tools, have a prevalence of one in six infertile men, and orgasmic dysfunction has a prevalence of one in ten infertile men. In addition, infertile men can experience a heavy psychological burden. Infertility and its associated psychological concerns can underlie sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, general health perturbations can lead to male infertility and/or sexual dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction and male infertility are considered proxies for general health, the former underlying cardiovascular disorders and the latter cancerous and noncancerous conditions. The concept that erectile dysfunction in infertile men might be an early marker of poor general health is emerging. Finally, medications used for general health problems can cause sperm abnormalities and sexual dysfunction. The treatment of some causes of male infertility might improve semen quality and reverse infertility-related sexual dysfunction. In infertile men, an investigation of sexual, general, and psychological health status is advisable to improve reproductive problems and general health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Lotti
- Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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11
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Abstract
Glycans are chains of carbohydrates attached to proteins (glycoproteins and proteoglycans) or lipids (glycolipids). Glycosylation is a posttranslational modification and glycans have a wide range of functions in a human body including involvement in oncological diseases. Change in a glycan structure cannot only indicate presence of a pathological process, but more importantly in some cases also its stage. Thus, a glycan analysis has a potential to be an effective and reliable tool in cancer diagnostics. Lectins are proteins responsible for natural biorecognition of glycans, even carbohydrate moieties still attached to proteins or whole cells can be recognized by lectins, what makes them an ideal candidate for designing label-free biosensors for glycan analysis. In this review we would like to summarize evidence that glycoprofiling of biomarkers by lectin-based biosensors can be really helpful in detecting prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Štefan Belický
- Department of Glycobiotechnology, Center for Glycomics, Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava, SK - 845 38, Slovakia
| | - Jan Tkac
- Department of Glycobiotechnology, Center for Glycomics, Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, Bratislava, SK - 845 38, Slovakia
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