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As the number of cancer survivors increases, so does the demand for preserving male fertility after radiation. It is important for healthcare providers to understand the pathophysiology of radiation-induced testicular injury, the techniques of fertility preservation both before and during radiation, and their role in counseling patients on the risks to their fertility and the means of mitigating these risks. Impaired spermatogenesis is a known testicular toxicity of radiation in both the acute and the late settings, as rapidly dividing spermatogonial germ cells are exquisitely sensitive to irradiation. The threshold for spermatogonial injury and subsequent impairment in spermatogenesis is ~ 0.1 Gy and the severity of gonadal injury is highly dose-dependent. Total doses < 4 Gy may allow for recovery of spermatogenesis and fertility potential, but with larger doses, recovery may be protracted or impossible. All patients undergoing gonadotoxic radiation therapy should be counseled on the possibility of future infertility, offered the opportunity for semen cryopreservation, and offered referral to a fertility specialist. In addition to this, every effort should be made to shield the testes (if not expected to contain tumor) during therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted on red foxes to determine the appropriate voltage in electroejaculation for semen collection from stud males, and to confirm whether frozen semen with bovine semen extender can be used for artificial insemination. The proper load voltage for electroejaculation was 3-4 V based on semen collection rates and concentrations of spermatozoa. Frozen semen was prepared according to the known procedure for cows. In frozen-thawed semen, a relatively high conception rate (81.3%) was obtained in vixens, in which the optimum insemination time was detected by vaginal electrical resistance. These findings demonstrate that the restricted condition for semen collection by electroejaculation with cryopreservation of semen using bovine semen extender can be applied to artificial insemination of red foxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most men with spinal cord injury (SCI) ore infertile due to a combination of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and abnormal semen quality. This article addresses issues that should be considered when managing the reproductive health of men with SCI. The authors present recommendations based on their decades of experience in managing the reproductive health of more than 1,000 men with SCI. Men with SCI face obstacles when pursuing sexual activity and/or biologic fatherhood. Hypogonadism and premature symptoms of aging may interfere with sexual function. Erectile dysfunction is prevalent in the SCI population, and treatments for erectile dysfunction in the general population are also effective in the SCI population. Most men with SCI cannot ejaculate with sexual intercourse. The procedures of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) and/or electroejaculation (EEJ) are effective in obtaining an ejaculate from 97% of men with SCI. The ejaculate often contains sufficient total motile sperm to consider the assisted conception procedures of intrauterine insemination or even intravaginal insemination at home. If PVS and/or EEJ fail, sperm may be retrieved surgically from the testis or epididymis. Surgical sperm retrieval typically yields enough motile sperm only for in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The majority of new cases of SCI occur in young men at the peak of their reproductive health. With proper medical management, these men can expect to experience active sexual lives and biologic fatherhood, if these are their goals. Numerous tools are available to physicians for helping these patients reach their goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We collected semen from a male Amur leopard cat using the transrectal electroejaculation method and investigated the semen qualities for about four years. In addition, the influence of the season on the spermatogenic function of the Amur leopard cat was investigated with regard to the semen qualities, testicular volume and serum testosterone level. As a result, we could collect semen with good sperm qualities that would be useable for artificial insemination. Some seasonality was noted in the testicular volume and serum testosterone level. We clarified that the semen qualities were favorable before and during the female breeding season compared with those after the breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To test the hypothesis that epidural administration of lidocaine, xylazine or xylazine plus hyaluronidase provides reduced pain and stress during electroejaculation in bulls, eight 30-month-old Nellore bulls received saline solution (control), 2% lidocaine, 2% xylazine or 2% xylazine plus hyaluronidase injected into the first intercoccygeal (Co1-Co2) epidural space in randomized order. Heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure, analgesia, animal behavior and motor blockade were evaluated before treatment and at predetermined intervals during and after treatment. Pain and stress were scored subjectively, and semen quality was evaluated. The onset of anesthetic action was significantly faster with lidocaine (3.0 ± 1.2 min) than with xylazine or xylazine plus hyaluronidase (8.9 ± 1.5 and 5.5 ± 2.6 min, P=0.021 and P=0.012, respectively), and the onset of anesthesia with xylazine plus hyaluronidase was significantly faster than that with xylazine alone (P=0.032). Treatment with xylazine or xylazine plus hyaluronidase resulted in less discomfort than treatment with lidocaine, as indicated by animal behavior. Changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial pressure were within acceptable limits. Penile protrusion and semen emission occurred in all animals during all four treatments. Our results suggest that xylazine plus hyaluronidase reduced discomfort during electroejaculation more effectively than xylazine or lidocaine alone. Further experiments are necessary to determine whether electroejaculation with xylazine plus hyaluronidase is feasible for obtaining semen from Nellore bulls unaccustomed to being handled or restrained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study regarding the use of electroejaculation (EE) for breeding soundness and genetic diversity of male cheetahs or Acinonyx jubatus. It examines the utilization of anesthesia protocols during the EE in a variety of domestic and nondomestic animals which diagnosed with urine contamination. It cites the safe integration of the anesthesia in the animals without complications.

The article compares the efficacy and physiologic parameters of protocols by using carfentanil citrate and thiafentanil oxalate opioids in captive gaur. Electroejaculation and immobilization of the animals using medetomidine (TM) and xylazine (CX) protocols were both required a small volume of drug for a large ungulate, provide smooth induction, and adequate anesthesia. It was found that animals on TM had better muscle relaxation and smoother recoveries compared those on CX. Both protocols can be used for fertility examination and assisted reproduction.

The article presents an analysis of the use of ketamine and xylazine to improve the preliminary electroejaculation technique developed for semen collection from the agouti Neotropical rodent. According to the authors, a modified procedure that is based on the animals' response is required in electroejaculation practice since stimulations required for ejaculation are affected by the animal's anesthetic plane. Details related to the application of various dosages and treatments of ketamine and xylazine to produce the best ejaculation time are also presented. Based on the study, xylazine treatments were able to produce better ejaculation procedure and more spermatozoa-positive samples, however, weaker dosages of xylazine is necessary to achieve complete anesthesia for electroejaculation.

Résumé: Objectif: Cet article décrit les modes d’évaluation et de traitement de la fonction éjaculatoire et orgasmique chez l’homme blessé médullaire. Inspirée d’un modèle neurophysiologique, la prise en charge de la capacité éjaculatoire et orgasmique est fonction du niveau de la lésion et du mode de stimulation utilisé. Méthode: Une revue de la documentation scientifique sur Pubmed a servi de base à cette recherche, de même que l’expérience clinique et nos propres recherches sur la fonction sexuelle des patients traumatisés médullaires. Résultats: L’expérience clinique montre que l’évaluation de la fonction sexuelle post-traumatique doit être réalisée en milieu hospitalier pour encourager l’autonomie des patients et la recherche de stimulations, réflexes ou psychogènes, capables de provoquer une réponse éjaculatoire ou orgasmique. Cette évaluation peut comporter une étape d’éducation sexuelle sur le potentiel résiduel et des exercices à domicile et des conseils pratiques (e.g., replier les membres inférieurs, les croiser, varier la stimulation psychogène). En cas d’échec, le vibromassage est proposé, et toujours en cas d’échec, couplé au midodrine. Si l’érection est insuffisante, une injection intracaverneuse ou un inhibiteur de la phosphodiestérase est proposé avant le vibromassage. L’électroéjaculation (EEJ) n’est offerte qu’en dernier recours et peut être couplée au midodrine. Chez le patient atteint d’une lésion basse, présentant souvent des éjaculations précoces et baveuses, des antidépresseurs sont offerts. Tout traitement confondu, les résultats d’études scientifiques montrent que pratiquement 100 % des hommes traumatisés médullaires obtiennent des éjaculations. Nos études montrent que le succès éjaculatoire est favorisé chez les hommes ayant des lésions hautes ou incomplètes, préservant un contrôle mictionnel ou anorectal, ou ayant de la spasticité. Les études sur la procréation montrent que le vibromassage permet une insémination intravaginale sans assistance médicale, l’électroéjacuation, une insémination intra-utérine médicalement assistée ou par fécondation in vitro (FIV) et la ponction épididymodéférentielle, voire testiculaire, une injection intracytoplasmique (ICSI). Discussion: Si la perte de réactions sexuelles chez l’homme est vécue comme une des conséquences les plus marquantes du traumatisme médullaire, l’évolution des modes de prise en charge permet de pallier la majorité des difficultés et permet à la majorité des hommes traumatisés médullaires de vivre une sexualité riche et satisfaisante malgré leur lésion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: This article describes the clinical assessment and treatment of ejaculation and orgasmic dysfunctions in spinal cord injured men. Based on a neurophysiological model, the assessment suggests that posttraumatic ejaculation and orgasm are a function of the lesion level and stimulation mode used to trigger the response. Method: A review of the literature from Pubmed served this research, as well as clinical experience and our own studies on sexual function following spinal cord injury (SCI). Results: Clincical experience suggests that the assessment should be performed in the rehabilitation setting to encourage autonomy and to investigate the best stimulation mode, reflexogenic or psychogenic, that may trigger ejaculation. The assessment may be accompanied with sex education on posttraumatic potential and home exercises accompanied with advices such as folding the legs or crossing them to increase tension and spasticity or to modulate psychogenic arousal. Upon failure, vibrator stimulation (VS) is offered and may be combined with oral midodrine. If erection is insufficient, intracavernous injections or phosphodiesterase inhibitors may be offered prior to VS. Electroejaculation (EEJ) is proposed last and may be combined with midodrine. Patients with lower lesions, often showing premature and dribbling ejaculations, are offered antidepressive drugs to postpone ejaculation. Considering these options, researches show that up to 100% of spinal cord injured men can obtain ejaculation. Our studies suggest that ejaculation is maximised in men with higher or incomplete lesions, in those preserving bladder or bowel control and in those showing spasticity. Findings on reproduction show that VS may be combined with intravaginal insemination performed without medical assistance, EEJ combined with intrauterine insemination, and vasal aspiration or MESA or TESE associated with fresh or cryopreserved specimen from the SCI patient or donor. Discussion: As the loss of sexual function is perceived as the most severe consequence of a SCI, the evolution of research and clinical practice in rehabilitation now helps the majority of SCI men to experience a rich and satisfactory sexual life. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sloths (Bradypus sp.) are extremely sensitive animals that suffer with the destruction and fragmentation of forests. They present a low population growth rate and need to be further studied for the preservation of the specie. Thus, the aim of this study was to establish an efficient semen collection protocol as well as characterize sperm concentration, motility and morphology in order to contribute with information about the reproductive traits of this specie, which has never been described in the literature before. For that, nine Bradypus tridactylus males were captured during the wet season and six during the dry season, in Manaus (AM), located in the north region of Brazil, semen was collected by electroejaculation with shocks given in sequences of progressive intensities (minimum 20mA and maximum 60mA). All animals ejaculated small volumes of semen and in some of them, the volume ejaculated was not enough for a complete spermiogram. Physical characteristics observed on the collections of the wet season were different from those seen in the specimen collected in the dry season. Motility an vigor was very low and did not show forward progression, only oscillatory movement. After Spermac stain, spermatozoa presented a wide variety of defects; however, the differences in morphology were not significant between seasons. The morphology assessed by scanning electron microscopy shows that the head in both groups could be elongated, short or could have a base narrower than the apex and the midpiece narrowed abruptly, forming a nip in its transition to the tail. Although further studies are necessary to verify our preliminary findings concerning seasonal variation in sperm quality, these results demonstrate that semen can be safely collected from sloths by electroejaculation and provide the first reports of semen characteristics in this species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]