Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Andrological Reproductology

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
RAD_011
Branch of Science
Clinical medicine
ECTS
27.00
Target Audience
Medicine
LQF
Level 8

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor

Residency Speciality

Speciality
Supervisor of Medical Speciality
Contacts

-

About Study Course

Objective

To ensure acquisition and improvement of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in andrological reproductology in accordance with the requirements of the specialty of physician-andrologist in order to prepare the doctor for certification in the additional specialty of andrologist.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Has good knowledge of the epidemiology of infertility, physiology of fertilisation; Explains the physiology of testicular function, orients in the diagnosis of male infertility; Orients in the classification of andrological pathologies. Outlines diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland related to andrological pathologies. Evaluates and classifies pathologies at the testicular level. Knows gonadal dysgenesis syndrome, classifies testicular tumours. Recognises diseases of the vas deferens, obstructions of the vas deferens. Explains epispadias, hypospadias, classification thereof. Describes ejaculation disorders: anejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, premature ejaculation; Explains androgen target organ pathologies, androgen insensitivity syndrome, etc. Explains gynecomastia: causes, examination, treatment; Lists the indications for sperm cryopreservation; Evaluates functional hypogonadism and other types of hypogonadism, hormone replacement therapy. Identifies male genital and pelvic inflammatory diseases; diagnosis, treatment thereof; Differentiates between sperm tests, classification and performance thereof: spermogram, sperm functional tests, DNA integrity tests, etc.

Skills

1.Performing spermograms according to the WHO guidelines; Performance of sperm functional tests (sperm DNA integrity test, HBA test, MAR test, seminal fluid oxidative level test); Performing biochemical tests of seminal fluid (glycosidase, fructose level determination); Physical and instrumental examination of infertile male patients (Tanner scale, Prader orchidometer, ultrasonographic examination); Uses vibrostimulation for patients with spinal injuries and other patients with anejaculation.

Competences

1.Performs diagnosis of male infertility: physical and instrumental examination, evaluation of hormonal tests, evaluation of spermograms according to the WHO guidelines, evaluation of sperm functional tests; Interprets results of spermograms and sperm functional tests, interprets seminal fluid tests; Determines the indications for the relevant type of male infertility treatment and applies the treatment (antibacterial, hormonal, surgical, medical fertilisation); Determines the indications and applies the necessary hormonal treatment (anti-oestrogens, gonadotropic hormones, chorionic gonadotropins); Diagnoses and treats diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that affect male reproductive health; Diagnoses late-onset hypogonadism, determines indications for medicinal treatment thereof, carries out hormonal treatment and patient monitoring during therapy; Diagnoses and treats male genital and pelvic inflammatory diseases; Diagnoses and treats the most common male genetic pathologies related to reproductive health (Klinefelter syndrome); Diagnoses gynecomastia and causes thereof, applies appropriate treatment; Diagnoses and treats primary and secondary premature ejaculation; Treatment of anejaculation: uses vibrostimulation for patients with spinal injuries and other patients and orients in other types of treatment of anejaculation (electroejaculation, TESE/TESA/PESA).

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
Getting acquainted with the recommended reading. Preparation of a presentation on the novelties of diagnosis and treatment of a current andrological pathology in reproductology.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
Practical work – 90% (diagnosis and treatment of andrological patients with reproductive diseases). Final examination: oral exam (analysis of 3 clinical cases) – 10%.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Epidemiology of infertility, reproductive strategies, sex ratio at birth, social factors
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Gamete maturation and physiology of fertilisation. Male infertility: physiology of testicular function, functional organisation of the testis, hormonal control of testicular function, testicular immunology, androgens
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Diagnosis of male infertility: physical examination, instrumental auxiliary methods (ultrasonography, etc.), spermogram, sperm functional tests, hormonal tests, testicular biopsy
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Seminal fluid tests (inflammatory markers, bacteriological tests). Treatment of male infertility: empiric; pathogenetic; hormonal; surgical; medical fertilisation
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Classification of andrological pathologies. Diseases of the hypothalamus and hypophysis. Different types of hypogonadism. Prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment. Pathologies at the testicle level: anorchia, polyorchidism, cryptorchidism, varicocele
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Aplasia of germ cells. Spermatogenesis arrest. Structural defects of spermatozoa. Structural chromosomal abnormalities (Y-chromosome microdeletions). Gonadal dysgenesis, testicular tumours. Noonan syndrome. Prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment. Klinefelter syndrome, diagnosis, treatment
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Diseases of the vas deferens: infections of the vas deferens, obstruction of the vas deferens. Cystic fibrosis. Congenital aplasia of the vas deferens. Young syndrome. Prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Ejaculation disorders: anejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, premature ejaculation (primary, secondary). Prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Androgen target organ pathologies: androgen insensitivity syndrome (complete, partial); androgen metabolism disorders (5 α-reductase defect); oestrogen resistance. Prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Gynecomastia: physiological puberty, pathological. The most common causes, examination, surgical and non-surgical treatment
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Sperm cryopreservation (freezing): principles, indications
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Male ageing process and late-onset hypogonadism: endocrine changes and effects thereof on bone / connective tissue, cardiovascular system, etc. Chromosomal pathologies; sexuality
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Hormone replacement therapy in case of functional and other hypogonadism (indications, contraindications, observation during control)
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Inflammatory diseases of the male genital organs and pelvis (orchitis, epididymitis, vesiculitis, prostatitis). Pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment
  1. Seminar

Modality
Location
-
-

Topics

Sperm tests: spermograms, sperm functional tests (sperm DNA integrity test, HBA test, MAR test, oxidative level test). Biochemical tests of seminal fluid (glucosidase, fructose)
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
27.00
Number of Residency Seminars:
15
Length (weeks):
20
Final Examination:
Residency exam (Theory and practice)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Silber, S. 2018. Fundamentals of Male Infertility. Springer- Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

2.

Nieschlag, E., Behre H.M., Nieschlag, S. 2010. Andrology. Male Reproductive Health and Dysfunction. 3rd edition. Springer- Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Additional Reading

1.

European Academy of Andrology. Clinical Guidelines

2.

European Association of Urology. Sexual and Reproductive Health. Guidelines

3.

Geldners I., Ērenpreiss J. 2003. Ārsta piezīmes vīrietim. Rīga. Nacionālais Apgāds

Other Information Sources

1.

Andrology

2.

Fertility and Sterility

3.

Human Reproduction

4.

The Aging Male