CORRESPONDENCE

Answers given by:
Associate Univ. Professor Vasile NITESCU
Medical Centre for Obstetrics-Gynaecology and Sexology, Romania

Question No.1: Dr. C.M.-France: Can stress influence man’s potency?
A: In man also, as in women (see stress amenorrhea), stress may cause hypothalamic, hypogonadotropic testicular failure by redu- cing testosterone secretion, which causes se- xual dysfunction.
Usually, sexual dysfunctions determined by stress set in suddenly and become mani- fest, at the beginning, through erectile dys- function, in which, by decreasing erectile tone, the penetration of vaginal introit beco- mes difficult, selective and intermittent. In general, nocturnal and morning erections are maintained, as is ejaculation before the vagi- nal introit penetration or intravaginal ejacu- lation.
Serum testosterone may be below 100 ng/ ml, although gonadotropins may have normal values, as may TRH (between 5-25 μUI/ml). The presence of hyperprolactinemia determi- nes sexual libido dysfunction.

Question No.2: . Dr.D.R.-Spain: How does pelvic tumors surgery, especially recto- sigmoidectomy and prostatectomy, modi- fies the composition of spermatic liquid, necessary for human procreation?
A: Sperm liquid is a complex fluid consisting of sperms and seminal plas- ma (Treaty of Clinical Sexology- Vasile Nițescu).
The seminal plasma, which is white- yellow and has a specific, penetrating odor, is secreted by the bulbo-urethral glands, located under the prostate. Tubulo-acinous secretion is part of the spermatic fluid, an important element for human procreation.
To this is added the secretion of the epi- didymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and prostate, a context in which they may disa- ppear postoperatively.
Testicular secretions that ensure the sur- vival and motility of sperms, qualities ne- cessary for the fertilization process, may also be implied.
These secretions contain protein, lipids, carbohydrates, enzymes, hormones, citric acid, fructose, carnitine and minerals (Na, Ca, K, Mg, Zn), each with its defined role and value. To all these above mentioned,