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Ejaculatory duct obstruction is considered a rare cause of infertility. Two cases are reported of an ejaculatory duct cyst with azoospermia preoperatively diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography. The diagnosis of ejaculatory duct obstruction in one patient was confirmed by vasography with a combined iodinated contrast medium and methylene blue solution for radiological and direct visualization. Transrectal puncture and contrast filling of the cyst under the transrectal ultrasonographic guidance diagnosed the other patient. On the basis of these findings transurethral unroofing of the cyst was performed successfully. Transrectal ultrasonography facilitates evaluation and treatment of azoospermia caused by ejaculatory duct obstruction and may minimize the need for more invasive studies in such cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stimulation of the human spermatozoal fertilizing ability by dibutyryl 3',5'-CAMP (diCAMP) and theophylline in suspected fertile and subfertile semen samples was demonstrated with the zona-free hamster ova penetration test. The penetration rates for the untreated (control) fertile and subfertile samples were 30% and 17%, respectively. DiCAMP increased the penetration rates to 54% and 37% (with 5 mM diCAMP) and to 46% and 36% (with 10 mM diCAMP) in the fertile and subfertile samples, respectively; theophylline increased the penetration rates to 56% and 35% (with 10 mM theophylline) and to 49% and 42% (with 20 mM theophylline) in the fertile and subfertile samples, respectively. These results indicate that diCAMP and theophylline can affect the fertilizing ability of human spermatozoa in vitro.

The effect of (D,L)-propranolol at various concentrations (3.4 X 10(-6) to 3.4 X 10(-3) M) on human spermatozoal motility and zona-free hamster ova penetration was studied in vitro. Propranolol, in 10(-4) M concentration, completely abolished the spermatozoal motility and hamster ova penetration. No significant effect was observed on the spermatozoal motility and the hamster ova penetration efficiency with concentrations of the agent as low as 3.4 X 10(-6) M. The blocking action of propranolol on the in vitro penetration of hamster ova appears to be a direct consequence of the depressive effect of this drug on spermatozoal motility.