This work aimed to assess the possible association between the presence of seminal mast cells and asthenozoospermia. One hundred and seventy-six male subjects were investigated: group (Gr)1 (n=46) normozoospermic fertile controls, Gr2 (n=62) idiopathic asthenozoospermia, Gr3 (n=32) asthenozoospermia with scrotal varicocele and Gr4 (n=36) asthenozoospermia with leucocytospermia. Four smear slides were prepared for each semen sample to be stained with toluidine blue-pyronin to detect mast cells. A significant increase was shown in mast cell-positive samples among varicocele-associated and idiopathic asthenozoospermic patients in comparison with fertile controls. Seminal mast cells were also detected at higher frequency among smokers and in age group over 40 years. It is concluded that mast cells and their products may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia, possibly proposing a new goal for medical treatment of infertile males to pursue. In addition, this concept may in a way detain smoking as a cause of male infertility considering the clear abundance of mast cells in semen samples of smokers.

Introduction Heavy metals constitute significant potential threats to human health in both occupational and environmental settings. Research examining the etiology of lead toxicity-induced hypertension reveals that the free radical production and lowering of inherent antioxidant reserves resulting from lead toxicity are directly related to vasoconstriction underlying lead-induced hypertension. A similar mechanism would affect smooth muscle relaxation in the cavernous tissue leading to erectile dysfunction (ED). Aim Is to study the possible hazardous effect of chronic lead exposure on the erectile function, and to document the deposition of lead in the cavernous tissue. Methods The study group consisted of 34 men with ED, consecutively scheduled for penile implant insertion at Cairo University Hospital, as well as 15 controls. We determined the blood lead level for the two groups by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Sixteen of the 34 patients, and none of the 15 controls, had elevated lead serum levels (above 25 [g/dL]). Main Outcome Measures We estimated the levels of two reactive oxygen species (ROS) and four antioxidants in peripheral blood for the two groups. At the time of penile implant insertion, we prepared cavernous tissue paraffin sections stained with Mallory–Parker stain to study lead deposition. We also prepared ultrathin sections for electron microscopy. We estimated cavernous tissue lead level. Results The ED group had significantly higher blood lead level when compared with the control group. A significant positive correlation was found between the blood lead level and cavernous tissue lead level of the ED group. Individuals with high blood lead had significantly higher levels of serum ROS and significantly lower levels of serum antioxidants, compared with those having low blood lead. Histological sections from patients with high blood lead showed deposition of grayish lead granules in the cavernous tissue. Conclusions Chronic lead exposure may be associated with ED.

Peripheral blood (PB), spermatic vein (Sp. V.), and semen samples were collected from 31 subfertile men with varicocele. Levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were determined in the three biological fluid compartments using RIA. Remarkable increases in both testosterone and estradiol in the spermatic vein samples, as compared to either peripheral blood or semen, were evident. Correlation coefficient indicated significant positive correlation between PB FSH and each of PB LH, Sp. V. FSH, and Sp. V. LH. Significant positive correlation existed between PB LH and each of Sp. V. FSH, LH, and testosterone. Significant positive correlations were found between PB testosterone and each of Sp. V. testosterone and semen testosterone, as well as between PB estradiol and each of Sp. V. FSH and progesterone. Significant positive correlations between Sp. V. FSH and Sp. V. testicular progesterone was significantly correlated with seminal estradiol.

This work is aimed at evaluating the effect of repeated intracavernosal injection (ICI) self-injection on the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and the diameter of cavernosal arteries. Sixty erectile dysfunction (ED) patients who were positive responders for ICI therapy were studied. Pharmacopenile duplex ultrasonography (PPDU) was carried out before starting ICI and after 10 doses of home therapy in an open-label uncontrolled study. There was significant increase in the cavernosal artery diameter and their PSV before and after injection. Cavernosal arteries diameter before injection in both right and left sides was 0.6470.13 and 0.6370.12 mm at the start and became 0.8170.22 and 0.7970.22 mm respectively at the end with significant differences (Po0.001). Cavernosal arteries diameter after injection in both right and left sides was 1.1070.18 and 1.0970.19 mm at the start and became 1.3470.39 and 1.2770.33 mm respectively at the end with significant differences (Po0.001). PSV at the start was 33.77713.26 and 32.3378.09 cm/s on both right and left sides and became 44.471.19 and 46.175.86 cm/s respectively at the end with significant differences (Po0.001). It is concluded that repeated ICI improves arterial erectile response with associated increase in PSV and cavernosal artery diameters.

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