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Purpose Infertile men possess substantially more sperm DNA damage than do fertile men, damage that may impact negatively on reproductive outcomes. In this era of assisted reproductive technologies there is mounting concern regarding the safety of utilizing DNA-damaged spermatozoa in this setting. Therefore, it is important to identify strategies that may reduce sperm DNA damage. The purpose of this review is to discuss the rationale for antioxidant therapy in men with sperm DNA damage and to evaluate the data on the efficacy of dietary and in vitro antioxidant preparations on sperm DNA damage. Methods We reviewed the literature on antioxidants and sperm DNA damage. Results To date, the data suggest that dietary antioxidants may be beneficial in reducing sperm DNA damage, particularly, in men with high levels of DNA fragmentation. However, the mechanism of action of dietary antioxidants has not been established and most of the clinical studies are small. A beneficial effect of in vitro antioxidant supplements in protecting sperm DNA from exogenous oxidants has been demonstrated, however, the effect of these antioxidants in protecting sperm from endogenous ROS, gentle sperm processing and cryopreservation has not been established.

There is evidence from retrospective studies that varicocelectomy can improve sperm DNA damage in infertile men with a clinical varicocele. The objective of this prospective study was to examine further the effect of varicocelectomy on sperm chromatin and DNA integrity. We evaluated a consecutive series of infertile men (n = 25) who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy for treatment of clinical varicocele. We examined conventional sperm parameters and sperm chromatin structure assay parameters (percentage DFI--DNA fragmentation index and percentage HDS--high DNA stainability, an index of chromatin compaction) before and 4 and 6 months after microsurgical varicocelectomy. Sperm DNA integrity improved significantly after surgery (percentage DFI decreased from 18 ± 11% before surgery to 10 ± 5%, and 7 ± 3%, at 4 and 6 months after surgery respectively). Sperm chromatin compaction also improved significantly after surgery (percentage HDS decreased from 11 ± 7% before surgery to 8 ± 6%, and 7 ± 5%, at 4 and 6 months after surgery, respectively). Sperm concentration and progressive motility improved after surgery, although the differences were not statistically significant when compared with that before surgery. The data show that varicocelectomy is associated with an improvement in sperm DNA integrity and chromatin compaction. These findings support the concept that correction of a varicocele can improve spermatogenesis, particularly spermiogenesis (the stage in spermatogenesis where compaction and stability of the sperm DNA and chromatin occur).

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Holmium laser enucleation and photoselective vaporization are effective for lower urinary tract symptoms due to a large prostatic adenoma. Early subjective functional results (maximum flow rate and post-void residual urine) of holmium laser enucleation appear to be superior to those of photoselective vaporization. In our hands cases intended to be treated with photoselective vaporization were at 22% risk of conversion to another modality. This could reflect our determination to vaporize to the capsule in all vaporization cases.

Introduction This article explores the evolution and current delivery of undergraduate medical education in human sexuality. Aim To make recommendations regarding future educational needs, principles of curricular development, and how the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) should address the need to enhance and promote human sexuality education around the world. Methods The existing literature was reviewed for sexuality education, curriculum development, learning strategies, educational formats, evaluation of programs, evaluation of students, and faculty development. Main Outcome Measures The prevailing theme of most publications in this vein is that sexuality education in undergraduate medical education is currently not adequate to prepare students for future practice. Results We identified components of the principles of attitudes, knowledge, and skills that should be contained in a comprehensive curriculum for undergraduate medical education in human sexuality. Management of sexual dysfunction; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender health care; sexuality across genders and lifespan; understanding of non-normative sexual practices; sexually transmitted infections and HIV, contraception; abortion; sexual coercion and violence; and legal aspects were identified as topics meriting particular attention. Conclusion Curricula should be integrated throughout medical school and based on principles of adult learning. Methods of teaching should be multimodal and evaluations of student performance are critical. To realize much of what needs to be done, faculty development is critical. Thus, the ISSM can play a key role in the provision and dissemination of learning opportunities and materials, it can promote educational programs around the world, and it can articulate a universal curriculum with modules that can be adopted. The ISSM can create chapters, review documents, slide decks, small group and roleplay topics, and video-recorded materials and make all this material easily available. An expert consensus conference would be needed to realize these recommendations and fulfill them.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common male urological disorders. The surgical management of BPH is evolving at a rapid rate, with several new procedures available that challenge transurethral resection of the prostate as the standard treatment in the surgical management of small to medium sized glands. The new procedures aim to achieve results comparable to transurethral resection of the prostate while minimizing morbidity and cost. In this Review, we discuss some of the current surgical options for the treatment of BPH that seem popular in the literature.

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