Long term effects of micro-surgical testicular sperm extraction on androgen status in patients with non obstructive azoospermia

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to review the results of microsurgically performed testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and to evaluate its possible long term effects on serum testosterone (T). METHODS: We operated on 48 men (35 +/- 8 years) with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). If no spermatozoa were found following a micro epididymal sperm extraction (Silber et al., 1994) and testicular biopsy, testicular microdissection was performed or multiple microsurgical testicular biopsies were taken. The mean follow-up of the serum T was 2.4 +/- 1.1 years. RESULTS: Sperm was retrieved in 17/48 (35%) of the men. The per couple take home baby rate if sperm was retrieved was 4/17 (24%). Serum T decreased significantly at follow-up (p < 0.05) and 5/31 (16%) de novo androgen deficiencies developed CONCLUSION: In patients with non-obstructive azoospermia in whom no spermatozoa were found following a micro epididymal sperm aspiration and a simple testicular biopsy, we were able to retrieve spermatozoa in 35% of the men. The take home baby rate was 24% among couples with spermatozoa present upon TESE. De novo androgen deficiency occurred in 16% of the male patients following TESE indicating that, in men with NOA, long term hormonal follow up is recommended after TESE

The Relationship of Career Mentoring to Early Career Outcomes

This study examines the relationship of career mentoring to the promotions, compensation and satisfaction of 148 early career managers and professionals in Belgium. The results support the conclusion that career mentoring is particularly related to early career promotion histories, to general work satisfaction and career satisfaction. Career mentoring was unrelated to total compensation. These results occurred even after controlling for a variety of factors identified by Pfeffer (1977) and Whitely et al. (1991). Several reasons are provided for the relationship between career mentoring and these early career outcomes. The results suggest a number of areas for future career mentoring research.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Complete and partial luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome after ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate human menopausal gonadotrophin human chorionic gonadotrophin

A total of 31 clomiphene citrate/human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG)/human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)-stimulated cycles in 28 patients were investigated to determine the fate of each of the matured follicles, A standard stimulation regimen was adhered to, and ultrasound as well as hormonal monitoring was performed, All follicles were measured by vaginal ultrasound at -12, +35 and +45 h relative to HCG administration and at 7 days after HCG administration, Of the 220 follicles, 107 (48.6%) ruptured, The number of ruptured follicles per cycle was correlated with the mid-luteal progesterone concentration (r = 0.63, P = 0.0005), The probability of follicular rupture was related to follicular diameter at 12 h before HCG administration; 6% of follicles <12 mm in diameter ruptured compared with 87% of follicles 18-19 mm, A complete luteinized unruptured follicle (LUF) syndrome was observed in six cycles (20%), In these cycles, follicular growth and oestradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations at 12 h before HCG administration were similar to those in cycles with follicular rupture. However, mid-luteal progesterone concentrations were lower in complete LUF cycles (46.97 +/- 8.95 nmol/l versus 108.74 +/- 12.27 nmol/l; P = 0.02), These data demonstrate that in stimulated cycles many follicles, usually the smaller ones, fail to rupture, even after HCG administration, Complete LUF syndrome, despite a strong exogenous ovulatory signal, and the absence of any difference in peri-ovulatory hormonal parameters, indicates that the defect causing LUF resides in the follicle itself and/or hormonal changes during the follicular phase