Search Results (18)

Baboons’ management requires chemical restraint. Three intramuscular sedative protocols in captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) undergoing health-check and male vasectomy were compared. Animals were assigned to TZD_G (n = 17; tiletamine/zolazepam 3 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 20 μg/kg), KDM_G (n = 23; ketamine 6 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 30 μg/kg + methadone 0.2 mg/kg), or MDM_G (n = 9; midazolam 2 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 60 μg/kg + methadone 0.2 mg/kg). Propofol was titrated intravenously for anaesthetic induction and maintenance. Sedation time and quality and cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded. Atipamezole (TZD_G 0.2 mg/kg, KDM_G 0.3 mg/kg, MDM_G 0.6 mg/kg) and flumazenil (MDM_G 0.02 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly post-procedure. Recovery time and quality were recorded. Data were reported as median (interquartile range) or regression coefficient (B). Sedation was deepest in TZD_G (20, 20–20; KDM_G 20, 19–20; MDM_G 19, 15–20; p = 0.017). MDM_G had a significantly higher heart rate (B = 10.27, p = 0.001), respiratory rate (B = 9.09, p < 0.001), and lower end-tidal carbon dioxide (B = −3.00, p = 0.03) than TZD_G, while KDM_G had a lower respiratory rate than TZD_G (B = −3.67, p = 0.02) and a higher temperature (B = 1.66 p = 0.001). TZD_G showed the longest recovery (minutes: 19, 11.5–30; KDM_G: 6, 4–12; MDM_G: 4, 2.5–5; p < 0.001), while MDM_G the best recovery (0, 0–0; TZD_G: 9, 6–12; KDM_G: 0, 0–6; p < 0.001). TZD produced deepest sedation but bad recovery; KDM offered optimal sedation and recovery, and cardiopulmonary stability; MDM provided lighter sedation and excellent recovery. Full article

This study evaluates the health of a captive colony of Hamadryas baboons at Ravenna Zoo Safari (Italy), focusing on oxidative stress markers and biometric data. Forty-eight individuals were assessed during routine veterinary procedures: males underwent vasectomy, and females were checked for pregnancy. Biometric data collected included body weight, body length, and genital measurements in males, while females were evaluated for reproductive status. Oxidative stress was measured using two tests that assess both harmful pro-oxidant levels and the body’s antioxidant defenses. Results showed no significant differences in oxidative stress levels between sexes, although males and females differed in body weight. Pregnant and postpartum females exhibited higher oxidative stress, likely due to the metabolic and hormonal demands of reproduction. This supports the idea that reproductive activity increases the production of reactive oxygen species, requiring stronger antioxidant responses. In males, correlations between body weight and genital measurements suggest these could help estimate age in the absence of birth records. No link was found between oxidative stress and body weight, indicating limited age-related effects on these markers. Overall, the study highlights the importance of monitoring oxidative stress in captive primates to better understand the effects of reproduction and aging, and to improve welfare and management practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Male infertility is a complex, multifactorial condition influenced by infectious, inflammatory, and autoimmune components. Immunological factors, though implicated in reproduction, remain poorly understood. This study aims to deepen the understanding of infections, inflammation, and autoimmune factors in male infertility, with a focus on immune-related disorders affecting the testes and epididymis—immunologically privileged but vulnerable sites. These factors can impair sperm quality through oxidative stress (ROS) and antisperm antibodies (ASA), further compromising fertility. Methods: A narrative review was conducted by analyzing scientific literature from the past 10 years conducted on PubMed using keywords such as “male infertility”, “autoimmunity”, and “inflammatory disease”. Studies focusing on testicular and epididymal disorders, immunological impacts, and therapeutic approaches were included. Results: Our research highlights that conditions like epididymitis, vasectomy, testicular trauma, and previous surgeries can trigger inflammatory responses, leading to ASA formation and oxidative stress. ASA, particularly sperm-immobilizing antibodies, inhibits sperm motility and migration in the female reproductive tract. Infections caused by sexually transmitted bacteria or urinary pathogens frequently induce epididymo-orchitis, a primary contributor to male infertility. While standardized methodologies for ASA testing remain elusive, assisted reproductive treatments such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intrauterine insemination (IUI) show promise in overcoming immune-mediated infertility. Conclusions: This review underscores the critical role of infection, inflammation, and autoimmune responses in male infertility. It highlights the necessity of improving diagnostic methods, understanding immune-pathological mechanisms, and addressing medicolegal issues associated with male infertility. This knowledge could pave the way for innovative therapies, ultimately enhancing fertility outcomes, and mitigating the societal and legal repercussions of infertility. Full article

Mo Yan’s 2009 novel Frog (Wā 蛙) traces the dramatic career of a rural obstetrician who saves lives through modern medicine, forces vasectomies and abortions through her implementation of the one-child policy, supports her nephew’s black market surrogacy scheme, and finally ends up withdrawing into a spiritual state of atonement for her previous deeds. This article examines the relationship between human and animal in the novel, suggesting that the conceptual separation of these categories is intimately related to the various problems the novel depicts throughout Chinese modernity. By focusing on the critical possibilities offered by the novel’s title, Wā 蛙, as a homophone with both “baby” (wá 娃) and the “wa” of the mythical female progenitor Nüwa (娲wā), I suggest that Mo Yan offers a new concept of life, best referred to simply as wa, in response to certain crises of modernity. As an ambiguously generative reconceptualization of life, wa denies conventional and simplistic distinctions between human and animal while incorporating elements of spirituality and unknowability into an otherwise overly rationalized and monetized idea of the human. Full article

Background/Objectives: The American Urological Association (AUA) vasectomy guidelines’ current recommendation to obtain the first post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) from 8 weeks to 16 weeks post-vasectomy is based predominantly on azoospermia rates. However, non-compliance with semen analysis after vasectomy is a known problem in this patient population. An approach that optimizes clearance and compliance is essential when adopting appropriate post-vasectomy care guidelines, specifically the scheduling of the first PVSA. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing compliance and clearance to determine the optimal time of first PVSA. Methods: Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, POPLINE) were searched for studies that contained the following: rate of azoospermia and rare nonmotile sperm (RNMS), compliance, recanalization, persistent RNMS, pregnancies, and incidence of repeat vasectomy. Results: A total of 28 studies were included in this review. The patient compliance was 47–100% and trended downward with increasing time to first PVSA. There was a positive trend in azoospermia rate as post-vasectomy time increased, but this plateaued at 8 weeks. Compliance and post-vasectomy semen analysis clearance (PVSAC) converged at 5.7 weeks, with rates of 74.5% and 74.6%, respectively. A proportion of 1.5% of patients exhibited persistent RNMS. Recanalization events had an incidence rate of 1.5%. Repeat vasectomies were performed in 1.6% of patients. Conclusions: Based on our study optimizing post-vasectomy semen clearance with follow-up compliance, we recommend initial PVSA between 6 to 18 weeks post-vasectomy, as this offers improved compliance over current AUA guidelines which recommend PVSA at 8 to 16 weeks and allows for the identification of instances of “subclinical recanalization” that may be missed at later time points. Full article

Vasectomy is a reliable male contraceptive method with a success rate exceeding 98%. Despite its efficacy, vasectomy is not foolproof, with potential early and late failures requiring careful postoperative monitoring via post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). Published guidelines emphasize the necessity of conducting PVSA to ensure clinical sterility. Despite these clear guidelines, discrepancies in adherence and interpretation persist, with significant mismatches between guidelines and actual practice. Recent shifts in societal attitudes toward reproductive autonomy, spurred by significant political events and socioeconomic factors, have increased vasectomy rates, particularly among younger, childless men. This demographic change calls for enhanced PVSA compliance and clear communication about the non-immediate contraceptive effect of vasectomy. Home test kits have emerged as a convenient, though not always reliable, method for conducting PVSAs, which may require reevaluation in clinical practice. Given the variations across clinical guidelines and the challenges in achieving consistent PVSA outcomes, further research is needed to harmonize PVSA protocols across different health systems. PVSA is typically conducted between 8 and 16 weeks post-vasectomy, depending on the surgeon’s preference. Success is confirmed when a fresh, uncentrifuged sample exhibits either azoospermia, rare non-motile sperm (RNMS), or fewer than 100,000 non-motile sperm per milliliter. This effort will ensure that both patients and practitioners can rely on vasectomy as a safe and effective form of contraception. Effective patient counseling and strategic follow-up are crucial when it comes to managing expectations and ensuring compliance with post-vasectomy protocols, thereby minimizing the risk of unintended pregnancies post-procedure. Full article

Background: Male contraceptive approaches besides tubal sterilization involve vasectomy and represent the method of choice among midlife men in developing countries thanks to many advantages. However, the subsidiary consequences of this intervention are insufficiently explored since the involved mechanisms may offer insight into a much more complex picture. Methods: Thus, in this manuscript, we aimed to reunite all available data by searching three separate academic database(s) (PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus) published in the past two decades by covering the interval 2000–2023 and using a predefined set of keywords and strings involving “oxidative stress” (OS), “inflammation”, and “semen microbiota” in combination with “humans”, “rats”, and “mice”. Results: By following all evidence that fits in the pre-, post-, and vasectomy reversal (VR) stages, we identified a total of n = 210 studies from which only n = 21 were finally included following two procedures of eligibility evaluation. Conclusions: The topic surrounding this intricate landscape has created debate since the current evidence is contradictory, limited, or does not exist. Starting from this consideration, we argue that further research is mandatory to decipher how a vasectomy might disturb homeostasis. Full article

The nutria (Myocastor coypus), an invasive alien species, is widely spread in Europe. Pursuant to regulation (EU) no. 1143/2014, the nutria is subject to management programs to reduce its spread. Surgical fertility control is considered an acceptable method, particularly in urban circumstances, avoiding euthanasia. To maintain the hormonal patterns and the social and behavioral dynamics, surgical infertilization preserving the gonads (i.e., salpingectomy and vasectomy) is recommended. Mini-invasive surgery is an eligible choice when dealing with wildlife, allowing reduced captivation time. For these reasons, 77 free-ranging nutrias, captured in urban nuclei in Italy, underwent infertilization under general anesthesia; laparoscopic salpingectomy and vasectomy were performed on 32 animals and traditional surgery on the remainder, leaving the gonads in place. A three-port technique was used, with two paramedian trocars (5 mm) for the instruments and a median one for the telescope. Ablation was obtained through Onemytis^® plasma device, allowing a rapid surgical time with no need to place visceral sutures; the skin was surgically closed. After recovery, the animals were released, and no overt complications were noted. No modification of the behavioral patterns was noted, and the population decreased during the following months. Full article

This study evaluated the extent to which married Idoma (Benue State) and Igala people (Kogi State) in North-Central Nigeria were exposed to the 2017 National Family Planning Communication Campaigns. The study also examined their level of knowledge, the extent to which they adopted the campaign messages, and how Alekwu/Ibegwu and other socio-cultural factors influenced their level of adoption of the campaign messages. The study adopted a quantitative (questionnaire survey) research method. The data were subjected to a descriptive analysis, correlation, ANOVA, Pearson Product Movement Correlation (PPMC), and Binary Logistics Regression. The findings showed that the majority of the people were exposed to information on condoms, implants, and Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) (Cuppar T) in the course of the campaign; however, most of them were not exposed to information on Oral Pills, Vasectomies, Tubal ligation and Injections. Findings also revealed that knowledge of modern family planning in the study areas (51.2%) was below the 85.8% national family planning knowledge threshold and far below the expected 95% target of the 2017–2020 family planning communication campaign goal. Findings equally showed poor adoption of the campaign messages due to their cultural beliefs. The study concluded that family planning was often accepted among people whose ways of life have been significantly altered in favour of the idea. Full article

Male infertility has increased in the last decade. Pathophysiologic mechanisms behind extreme oligospermia (EO) are not yet fully understood. In new “omics” approaches, metabolomic can offer new information and help elucidate these mechanisms. We performed a metabolomics study of the seminal fluid (SF) in order to understand the mechanisms implicated in EO. We realized a targeted quantitative analysis using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to compare the SF metabolomic profile of 19 men with EO with that of 22 men with a history of vasectomy (V) and 20 men with normal semen parameters (C). A total of 114 metabolites were identified. We obtained a multivariate OPLS-DA model discriminating the three groups. Signatures show significantly higher levels of amino acids and polyamines in C group. The sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids and free carnitine progressively decrease between the three groups (C > EO > V) and sphingomyelins are significantly lower in V group. Our signature characterizing EO includes metabolites already linked to infertility in previous studies. The similarities between the signatures of the EO and V groups are clear evidence of epididymal dysfunction in the case of testicular damage. This study shows the complexity of the metabolomic dysfunction occurring in the SF of EO men and underlines the importance of metabolomics in understanding male infertility. Full article

Exposure to bisphenols is related to negative effects on male reproduction. The bisphenols exposure is associated with several modes of action including negative impact on the blood–testis barrier (BTB) in testes or direct effect on spermatozoa. Bisphenols have been detected in human seminal plasma, but the possible mechanism of seminal transfer of bisphenols is not clear. Some authors consider the transfer through the blood–testis barrier to be crucial. Therefore, in this work, we compared normozoospermic men and men after vasectomy who have interrupted vas deferens and their ejaculate does not contain testicular products. We measured the concentration of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) in the urine and seminal plasma of these men using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MSMS). We found that the ratio of urinary and seminal plasma content of bisphenols did not differ in normozoospermic men or men after vasectomy. From the obtained data, it can be concluded that the pathways of transport of bisphenols into seminal plasma are not primarily through the testicular tissue, but this pathway is applied similarly to other routes of transmission by a corresponding ejaculate volume ratio. To a much greater extent than through testicular tissue, bisphenols enter the seminal plasma mainly as part of the secretions of the accessory glands. Full article

This work aimed to determine the contribution of the testis and epididymis and the effect of the photoperiodic regimen on ram seminal plasma (SP). Semen was collected from 15 mature rams located in an equatorial (Colombian Creole and Romney Marsh, eight intact and two vasectomized) or a temperate climate (Rasa Aragonesa, three intact and two vasectomized). SP proteins were analyzed by Bradford, SDS-PAGE and difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE). Melatonin and testosterone concentrations were quantified by ELISA, and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRD), and catalase by enzymatic assays. Vasectomy increased protein concentration and the intensity of high molecular weight bands (p < 0.001), with no differences between breeds. DIGE revealed the absence of six proteins in vasectomized rams: angiotensin-converting enzyme, lactotransferrin, phosphoglycerate kinase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase and epididymal secretory protein E1. Vasectomy also decreased melatonin concentrations in seasonal rams, and testosterone in all of them (p < 0.001), but did not affect antioxidant enzyme activity. Equatorial rams showed lower melatonin and testosterone concentration (p < 0.01) and catalase, but higher GPx activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, vasectomy modifies the protein profile and hormonal content of ram seminal plasma, whereas the exposure to a constant photoperiod affects hormonal concentration and antioxidant enzymes activity. Full article

Some observational studies have implied a link between vasectomy and an elevated risk of prostate cancer. We investigated the impact of vasectomy on prostate cancer outgrowth, mainly using preclinical models. Neoplastic changes in the prostate were compared in transgenic TRAMP mice that underwent vasectomy vs. sham surgery performed at 4 weeks of age. One of the molecules identified by DNA microarray (i.e., ZKSCAN3) was then assessed in radical prostatectomy specimens and human prostate cancer lines. At 24 weeks, gross tumor (p = 0.089) and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (p = 0.036) occurred more often in vasectomized mice. Vasectomy significantly induced ZKSCAN3 expression in prostate tissues from C57BL/6 mice and prostate cancers from TRAMP mice. Immunohistochemistry showed increased ZKSCAN3 expression in adenocarcinoma vs. prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), PIN vs. non-neoplastic prostate, Grade Group ≥3 vs. ≤2 tumors, pT3 vs. pT2 tumors, pN1 vs. pN0 tumors, and prostate cancer from patients with a history of vasectomy. Additionally, strong (2+/3+) ZKSCAN3 expression (p = 0.002), as an independent prognosticator, or vasectomy (p = 0.072) was associated with the risk of tumor recurrence. In prostate cancer lines, ZKSCAN3 silencing resulted in significant decreases in cell proliferation/migration/invasion. These findings suggest that there might be an association between vasectomy and the development and progression of prostate cancer, with up-regulation of ZKSCAN3 expression as a potential underlying mechanism. Full article

This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain incidences of post-vasectomy pain following traditional scalpel, or non-scalpel vasectomy. Electronic databases PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO were searched up to 1 July 2019 for peer-reviewed articles recording post-vasectomy pain. We identified 733 publications, screened 559 after removal of duplicates and excluded 533. Of the remaining 26 full-text articles, 8 were excluded with reasons, leaving 18 for detailed analyses. Meta-analysis was performed on 25 separate datasets (11 scalpel, 11 non-scalpel, 3 other/combined). Study follow-up ranged from 2 weeks to 37 years and sample sizes from 12 to 723 patients. The overall incidence of post-vasectomy pain was 15% (95% CI 9% to 25%). The incidences of post-vasectomy pain following scalpel and non-scalpel techniques were 24% (95% CI 15% to 36%) and 7% (95% CI 4% to 13%), respectively. Post-vasectomy pain syndrome occurred in 5% (95% CI 3% to 8%) of subjects, with similar estimates for both techniques. We conclude that the overall incidence of post-vasectomy pain is greater than previously reported, with three-fold higher rates of pain following traditional scalpel, compared to non-scalpel vasectomy, whereas the incidence of post-vasectomy pain syndrome is similar. Full article

The uptake of vasectomy in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa is low. In Eswatini, a kingdom with strong patriarchal norms, the use of vasectomy is at 0.3%. This is despite great efforts to introduce vasectomy and involve men in reproductive health. This study explored the views of men about the acceptability of vasectomy and their willingness to adopt vasectomy as a family planning option. Focus group discussions were conducted with adult men recruited from health facilities located in rural, semi urban, and urban areas in two of the regions of Eswatini. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. The acceptability of and intention to use vasectomy as a family planning option was very low. Cultural beliefs, societal norms, lack of knowledge about the procedure for vasectomy, and misconceptions influenced the acceptability of vasectomy greatly. The participants could not grasp the concept of a family planning method that is as permanent as vasectomy. However, the decisions to accept or reject vasectomy were influenced by their misconceptions and fears about vasectomy and were not based on facts. To address the need to involve men in reproductive health and improve the acceptability and adoption of vasectomy, planning should be conducted with them and informed by their understanding of their needs. Full article