Seminal Vesicles and Diabetic Neuropathy: Ultrasound Evaluation

Vignera, Sandro La; Condorelli, Rosita A.; Mauro, M. Di; D’Agata, Rosario; Vicari, Enzo; Calogero, Aldo E.

doi:10.2164/jandrol.110.011676

Cited by 22 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The latter parameter was similar in patients in groups A and B. In conclusion, infertile patients with diabetes and neuropathy have seminal vesicle ultrasound features suggestive of functional atony, and the duration of the disease is associated with worse ultrasound findings (La Vignera, 2011b).…”

Section: Mechanisms Of Sperm Damagementioning

confidence: 65%

Diabetes Mellitus and Sperm Parameters

Vignera

Condorelli

Vicari

et al. 2012

Journal of Andrology

Self Cite

256

201

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Because of the paucity of studies and inconsistencies regarding the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on semen quality, this disease is seldom looked for in the infertile patient. Recently, this view has been challenged by findings showing that DM induces subtle molecular changes that are important for sperm quality and function. This brief review shows the main sperm parameters in patients with DM and presents the mechanisms hypothesized to explain the changes observed in these patients. The data available suggest that DM alters conventional sperm parameters. In addition, DM causes histologic damage of the epididymis, with a negative impact on sperm transit. Various mechanisms may explain the sperm damage observed in patients with DM. These include endocrine disorders, neuropathy, and increased oxidative stress. Many authors suggest that DM decreases serum testosterone levels. This is associated with a steroidogenetic defect in Leydig cells. In addition, diabetic neuropathy seems to cause atonia of seminal vesicles, bladder, and urethra. Furthermore, DM is associated with an increased oxidative stress, which damages sperm nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Finally, spermatogenesis derangement and germ cell apoptosis in type 1 DM may relate to a local autoimmune damage, whereas insulin resistance, obesity, and other related comorbidities may impair sperm parameters and decrease testosterone serum levels in patients with type 2 DM.Key words: Fertility, hormone, infertility, semen analysis. J Androl 2012;33:145-153A lthough diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause many systemic complications, male infertility, based on impotence, retrograde ejaculation, and hypogonadism, is not widely recognized to be one of them. Because of the paucity of studies and inconsistencies regarding the impact of DM on semen quality, this disease is seldom looked for in the infertile patient. Recently, this view has been challenged by findings showing that DM induces subtle molecular changes that are important for sperm quality and function . In a retrospective analysis, we found a very high prevalence of subfertility (51%) among patients with diabetes (La Vignera et al, 2009a). Another study carried out in more than 500 male partners of infertile couples showed a prevalence of DM of <1.2% (Delfino et al, 2007). In a recent study, the prevalence of infertility in type 2 DM men was 35.1%. The prevalence of primary (16%) and secondary (19.1%) infertility was significantly higher in patients with diabetes compared with patients without diabetes. In addition, secondary infertility was higher than primary infertility. About half of the infertile men with diabetes were overweight, and 29.1% of them were obese. The smoking habit was more common in infertile men with diabetes (45.6%) than in fertile men with diabetes (33.6%). Statistical analysis confirmed that age, smoking habits, and obesity were the significant major contributors for infertility in men with diabetes. Obesity was the leading contributor for infertility. Other comorbid fa...

show abstract

Section: Mechanisms Of Sperm Damagementioning

confidence: 65%

Diabetes Mellitus and Sperm Parameters

Vignera

Condorelli

Vicari

et al. 2012

Journal of Andrology

Self Cite

256

201

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We also reported differential ultrasound characterizations of the seminal vesicles (SVs) in these patients,2 particularly among those with diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) 3…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male accessory gland inflammation prevalence in type 2 diabetic patients with symptoms possibly reflecting autonomic neuropathy

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Male accessory gland inflammation or infection (MAGI) is a potentially underdiagnosed complication of type 2 diabetes (DM2); specifically, we reported in a recent study that the frequency of MAGI was 43% among DM2 patients. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) is associated with a peculiar ultrasound characterization of the seminal vesicles (SVs) in DM2 patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of MAGI in two different categories of DM2 patients (i.e. patients with and without symptoms that possibly reflect DAN) and the respective ultrasound characterizations. Sixty DM2 patients with a mean (± s.e.m.) age of 42.0 ± 6.0 years (range: 34–47 years) were classified according to the presence or the absence of symptoms that could possibly reflect DAN (group A: DM2 with symptoms possibly reflecting DAN, n = 28 patients and group B: DM2 without symptoms possibly reflecting DAN, n = 32 patients). The patients in Group A exhibited a significantly higher frequency of MAGI compared with those in group B patients (P < 0.05); moreover, the Group A patients exhibited a significantly higher frequency of ultrasound signs suggestive of vesiculitis (P < 0.05). Finally, the concentrations of lymphocytes but not the concentrations of the leukocytes in the semen were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group A compared with group B.

show abstract

“…These characteristics are associated with clinical criteria attributable to the presence of autonomic neuropathy, suggesting the possible use of TRUS in the early diagnosis of this complication [10,[28][29][30].…”

Section: Endocinologici Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urinary Tract Infection Profile at the Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at Fann University Hospital, Dakar, Senegal

La¹

2018

J Antimicrob Agents

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Short CommunicationMAGI (Male Accessory Gland Infection) represent a main cause of male infertility. The use of ultrasound evaluation in this condition is very controversial. This article summarizes the possible clinical interpretations (mainly obtained in our clinical experience) related to ultrasound images of these patients with repercussions in different specialist areas: laboratory, microbiology, endocrinology, urology, sexology, internal medicine. The US (Ultrasound) characterization of patients with MAGI (Male Accessory Gland Infection) is routinely performed through evaluation of epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles (the last two preferably with transrectal scan). In the clinical practice the usefulness of US is controversial. The use of US is widespread, however, the specificity and sensitivity of this diagnostic tool is not considered very high for these specific conditions [1]. AIUM (American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine) suggests use of TRUS (Transrectal Ultrasound) for evaluation of prostate-vesicular tract in all infertile patients. Other indications are represented by: a. echo-guided biopsy for prostatic suspicious nodules (with the digital rectal examination), or for elevated values of PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) and/or suspect magnetic resonance imaging; b. calculation of the prostate volume before surgical procedures and/or radiotherapy, and for calculation of PSA density; c. a guide for positioning of the needles in the course of radiotherapy; d. evaluation of functional disorders associated with LUTS (Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms); e. study of morph structural congenital anomalies; f. hemospermia; g. recurrent disease in patients with previous prostatectomy [2]. The guidelines of the EAU (European Association of Urology) admit the use of TRUS only for patients with suspected obstructive azoospermia. In particular, these guidelines suggest to identify azoospermic patients with lowvolume of ejaculate. US evaluation of epididymal tract should be limited to patients with suspicious signs of obstruction: dilation of the rete testis, cystic dilation of the cephalic tract, suspected absence of the vas deferens [3]. In particular, a recent study of Pezzella et al. [4] showed that the detection of a longitudinal diameter >10.85 mm of the cephalic tract combined with serum FSH levels <7.8 IU/ml it is suggestive of obstructive azoospermia (sensitivity=58.8%; specificity=91.4%). A recent systematic review of the scientific literature, carried out by the Florence University, showed that the US evaluation of epididymal and of the prostate-vesicular tract (transrectal scan) is useful in the clinical evaluation of patients with chronic inflammation of these anatomical sites, favoring the ability to detect US criteria associated with inflammation, and therefore suggesting the use of this diagnostic tool in various inflammatory steps that characterize the course of MAGI [5]. This interpretation is more consistent with the clinical practice; in fact, MAGI represent a nosographic category respons...

show abstract

Seminal Vesicles and Diabetic Neuropathy: Ultrasound Evaluation

Cited by 22 publications

References 19 publications

Diabetes Mellitus and Sperm Parameters

Diabetes Mellitus and Sperm Parameters

Male accessory gland inflammation prevalence in type 2 diabetic patients with symptoms possibly reflecting autonomic neuropathy

Urinary Tract Infection Profile at the Clinic of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at Fann University Hospital, Dakar, Senegal

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About