M. Tomaru

RECURRENCE OF URETHRAL STRICTURE AFTER SINGLE INTERNAL URETHROTOMY

Recurrence of urethral stricture after single internal urethrotomy was investigated in 66 patients with special reference to some factors which would influence restricturing. In the present study, recurrence rate was 16.7% (11 patients). Recurrences occurred within an average of 11.9 months. Factors that had no influence on restricturing were age, aetiology, site of the stricture and duration of indwelling catheterization. On the other hand, stricture length appeared to influence the outcome (χ2, p<0.001). Short stricture (≤10 mm) showed only 4.4% recurrence rate, while 42.9% in long stricture (>10 mm). Internal urethrotomy appeared to be effective particularly when the stricture was short, while it seemed difficult to treat long strictures by single internal urethrotomy.

Pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 in infertile men

Reproductive condition was studied in 6 infertile men with pericentric inversion of chromosome 9. Semen analyses revealed one azoospermia, one oligozoospermia, three asthenozoospermias and one normozoospermia. Four cases showed normal levels of plasma gonadotropins and testosterone. The response of plasma testosterone to human chorionic gonadotropin was within the normal range in all cases. However, the administration of LH-RH resulted in abnormal response of plasma gonadotropin in all patients. These results indicate that infertile males with pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 have an abnormality in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.

Hormone Profiles and Contralateral Testicular Histology in Down's Syndrome with Unilateral Testicular Tumor

Hormonal profiles and testicular histology were studied in two patients with Downs syndrome with unilateral testicular tumor. Plasma levels of LH and FSH were elevated above normal ranges in both cases. In case 1, plasma testosterone level was abnormally low, but prolactin level in plasma was within the normal range. Case 2 showed elevated concentration of plasma prolactin and normal level of plasma testosterone. The administration of LH-RH resulted in low response of plasma gonadotropins. The response of plasma testosterone to the administration of HCG was abnormally suppressed in both cases. Testicular histology showed reduction of Johnsen score count and tubular diameter, and an increase in wall thickness. These results indicated that male patients with Downs syndrome have an abnormality in hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Clinical and retrospective evaluation of Eviprostat: a non-hormonal and non-neuropharmacological agent for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Eviprostat has been used as a non-hormonal and non-neuropharmacological treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Japan. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of Eviprostat in patients with symptomatic BPH and the anti-inflammatory effect of this drug was investigated by retrospective evaluation of TUR specimens. Clinically, Eviprostat subjectively relieved obstructive symptoms of BPH. Objective improvements were also demonstrated by ultrasonographic evaluation of prostatic volume and urinary flow rates. Histologically, preoperative administration of Eviprostat improved the degree of prostatic inflammation. This drug probably can have a place in the treatment of patients with mild or moderate symptoms of outflow obstruction.

Skene's duct cyst in adult women: Report of two cases

Skenes duct cysts in the adult are uncommon lesions. Complete urologic examinations are necessary because these lesions simulate other clinically important lesions. Herein we report two cases of Skenes duct cyst in adult women. In these cades we could make differential diagnosis by physical, radiological and endoscopic examinations.

Effect of Hormonal Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women With Chronic Irritative Voiding Symptoms

Hormonal replacement therapy was carried out on 24 postmenopausal women who had chronic irritative lower urinary tract symptoms without definable causes. They all underwent bacteriological, endoscopic and urodynamic evaluations, and were diagnosed as having no abnormalities. Depot estradiol (4 mg i.m.) was administered for 2 months at 2-weekly intervals. Two patients discontinued the study because of genital bleeding. After the treatment subjective symptoms, including urinary frequency, urgency, urge incontinence, sense of incomplete emptying and lower abdominal discomfort, were relieved in more than 80% of the patients. Diurnal frequency and nocturia had significantly decreased. Urodynamic assessment revealed that volume at first sensation and maximum cystometric capacity were increased by estrogen therapy. It appeared that estrogen therapy improved the hypersensitivity of the lower urinary tract and relieved chronic voiding symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 associated with Sertoli-cell-only tubule.

We report a case of pericentric inversion of chromosome 9 associated with Sertoli-cell-only tubule. The literature is reviewed, and the hormonal profile and testicular histology are discussed.

SCHWANNOMA OF THE PENIS : REPORT OF A CASE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

A case of schwannoma located in the penile shaft in a 65-year-old male is described. Special stain using S-100 immunoperoxidase was useful in establishing the diagnosis in this case. We reviewed the literature on penile schwannoma and focussed on the diagnosis of this rare ailment.

Simultaneous injection of round spermatid nuclei from mice and hamster oscillogen can initiate the normal development of mouse embryos.

PURPOSE In the mouse, mature oocytes that have been injected with spermatid nuclei failed to become activated. Additional stimulation is required to trigger activation of the oocytes that leads to embryo development. This study was performed to determine whether simultaneous injection of mouse round spermatids and hamster oscillogen can fertilize oocytes and contribute to normal embryo development. MATERIALS AND METHODS We simultaneously injected mouse oocytes with mouse round spermatid nuclei and a preparation of oocyte-activating protein (oscillogen) from hamster spermatozoa and compared the results with those of injection of testicular spermatozoa. RESULTS The incidence of normal fertilization and embryo development after simultaneous injection of round spermatid nuclei and hamster oscillogen was not significantly different from that after the injection of testicular spermatozoa. Moreover, the rate of development of two-cell embryos to term did not differ very much between the two groups of oocytes. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous injection of round spermatid nuclei and oscillogen appears to be an ideal method for successful activation of oocytes by spermatid nuclei in vitro.

Influence of adenine-induced chronic renal failure on testicular function in the rat

Summary The influence of adenine‐induced chronic renal failure on the male reproductive function was investigated using male Wistar rats. Adenine‐induced chronic renal failure was performed in 22 rats (adenine‐treated) by providing them with an adenine‐excessive diet (150 mg adenine per day) for 10 days. An additional 22 rats were fed without adenine‐excessive diet and served as a control group. On days 30 and 60 after start of treatment, body weight ratio to the testis, serum levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), 17 α hydroxyprogesterone (17 α‐OHP), androstenedione and testosterone were measured. During the experiment, progressive elevation of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen was found in adenine‐treated rats. Body weight ratio of the testes and serum level of LH in adenine‐treated rats were similar to those in the controls. On day 60, the FSH level in adenine‐treated rats was significantly higher than that in the controls (P<0.001). While serum concentrations of 17 α‐OHP and androstenedione in adenine‐treated rats were considerably elevated compared with those in the controls on day 30 (P<0.05). These concentrations did not differ between the two groups at day 60. Serum testosterone level was reduced in adenine‐treated rats (P<0.001). This reduction was progressive with time (P<0.05). These results suggest that adenine itself reduces testosterone synthesis by suppressing 17 β‐hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase at the early stage of adenine‐induced chronic renal failure, but that progressive renal insufficiency causes an elevation of FSH, a reduced synthesis of testosterone and its precursors at the late stage of adenine‐induced chronic renal failure. Thus, hormonal conditions in the male rat with adenine‐induced chronic renal failure change with time after induction.