1 We have characterized the prostanoid receptors involved in the regulation of human penile arterial and trabecular smooth muscle tone. 2 Arachidonic acid induced relaxation of human corpus cavernosum strips (HCCS) that was blocked by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and augmented by the thromboxane receptor (TP) antagonist, SQ29548, suggesting that endogenous production of prostanoids regulates penile smooth muscle tone. 3 TP-receptors mediate contraction of HCCS and penile resistance arteries (HPRA), since the agonist of these receptors, U46619, potently contracted HCCS (EC 50 8.3+2.8 nM) and HPRA (EC 50 6.2+2.2 nM), and the contractions produced by prostaglandin F 2a at high concentrations (EC 50 6460+3220 nM in HCCS and 8900+6700 nM in HPRA) were inhibited by the selective TP-receptor antagonist, SQ29548 (0.02 mM). 4 EP-receptors are responsible for prostanoid-induced relaxant e ects in HCCS because only prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ), prostaglandin E 2 and the EP 2 /EP 4 -receptor agonist, butaprost, produced consistent relaxation of this tissue (EC 50 93.8+31.5, 16.3+3.8 and 1820+1284 nM, respectively). In HPRA, both prostacyclin and PGE 1 (EC 50 60.1+18.4 and 109.0+30.9 nM, respectively) as well as the selective IP receptor agonist, cicaprost, and butaprost (EC 50 25.2+15.2 and 7050+6020 nM, respectively) caused relaxation, suggesting co-existence of IP-and EP-receptors (EP 2 and/or EP 4 ).

Varicocele is a common problem among infertile men. Varicocele repair (VR) is frequently performed to improve semen parameters and the chances of pregnancy. However, there is a lack of consensus about the diagnosis, indications for VR and its outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore global practice patterns on the management of varicocele in the context of male infertility. Materials and Methods: Materials and Methods: Sixty practicing urologists/andrologists from 23 countries contributed 382 multiple-choice-questions pertaining to varicocele management. These were condensed into an online questionnaire that was forwarded to clinicians involved in male infertility management through direct invitation. The results were analyzed for disagreement and agreement in practice patterns and, compared with the latest guidelines of international professional societies (American Urological Association [AUA], American Society for Reproductive Medicine [ASRM], and European Association of Urology [EAU]), and with evidence emerging from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Additionally, an expert opinion on each topic was provided based on the consensus of 16 experts in the field. Results: Results: The questionnaire was answered by 574 clinicians from 59 countries. The majority of respondents were urologists/ uro-andrologists. A wide diversity of opinion was seen in every aspect of varicocele diagnosis, indications for repair, choice of technique, management of sub-clinical varicocele and the role of VR in azoospermia. A significant proportion of the responses were at odds with the recommendations of AUA, ASRM, and EAU. A large number of clinical situations were identified where no guidelines are available. Conclusions: Conclusions: This study is the largest global survey performed to date on the clinical management of varicocele for male infertility. It demonstrates: 1) a wide disagreement in the approach to varicocele management, 2) large gaps in the clinical practice guidelines from professional societies, and 3) the need for further studies on several aspects of varicocele management in infertile men.

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Apomorphine hydrochloride is the first central action erection inducing drug. Its use is encouraged by high tolerability, low rate of adverse effects and virtually nonexistent interaction with other drugs usually administered to patients with erectile dysfunction.

Purpose The success of vasectomy is determined by the outcome of a post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). This article describes a step-by-step procedure to perform PVSA accurately, report data from patients who underwent post vasectomy semen analysis between 2015 and 2021 experience, along with results from an international online survey on clinical practice. Materials and Methods We present a detailed step-by-step protocol for performing and interpretating PVSA testing, along with recommendations for proficiency testing, competency assessment for performing PVSA, and clinical and laboratory scenarios. Moreover, we conducted an analysis of 1,114 PVSA performed at the Cleveland Clinic’s Andrology Laboratory and an online survey to understand clinician responses to the PVSA results in various countries. Results Results from our clinical experience showed that 92.1% of patients passed PVSA, with 7.9% being further tested. A total of 78 experts from 19 countries participated in the survey, and the majority reported to use time from vasectomy rather than the number of ejaculations as criterion to request PVSA. A high percentage of responders reported permitting unprotected intercourse only if PVSA samples show azoospermia while, in the presence of few non-motile sperm, the majority of responders suggested using alternative contraception, followed by another PVSA. In the presence of motile sperm, the majority of participants asked for further PVSA testing. Repeat vasectomy was mainly recommended if motile sperm were observed after multiple PVSA’s. A large percentage reported to recommend a second PVSA due to the possibility of legal actions. Conclusions Our results highlighted varying clinical practices around the globe, with controversy over the significance of non-motile sperm in the PVSA sample. Our data suggest that less stringent AUA guidelines would help improve test compliance. A large longitudinal multi-center study would clarify various doubts related to timing and interpretation of PVSA and would also help us to understand, and perhaps predict, recanalization and the potential for future failure of a vasectomy.