Ejaculatory Duct Epithelium On Prostate Biopsies Predicts Deterioration Of Semen Parameters After Biopsy

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology;  Fertility
Article Date: 27 Jun 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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ORLANDO, FL (UroToday.com) - These authors previously reported that transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate may have a negative impact on semen parameters. Possible mechanisms for the observed semen changes include: 1. direct injury to the ejaculatory duct or 2. peri-ejaculatory duct fibrosis. Of 12 men that underwent prostate biopsy, 5 subjects had evidence of ejaculatory duct within the specimen. All 5 subjects had short term a decrease in ejaculate volume and sperm count. Prostate biopsy appears to have a negative effect on semen parameters in the immediate post biopsy period. This may be the result of injury to the ejaculatory duct. Most patients had their semen parameters return to baseline, perhaps due to re-epithelialization of the ejaculatory duct.

Editorial Comment: Interestingly there is a biphasic change in semen parameters. Those with immediate deterioration have direct injury. Those with "late" decrease semen parameters may be experiencing peri-ejaculatory duct fibrosis?

Presented by Andrew D Smith, MD, Nebras Zeizafoun, MD, Ather Naseemuddin, MD, and Harris M Nagler, MD at the Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) - May 17 - 22, 2008. Orange County Convention Center - Orlando, Florida, USA.

Reported by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Harris M. Nagler, MD

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