Ejaculation in men: a dynamic endorectal ultrasonographical study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the ejaculatory mechanisms in men using a dynamic endorectal ultrasonographical approach.


METHODS
Seven recordings were made of a young healthy volunteer during ejaculation, scanning the longitudinal plane from the bladder neck to the bulbous urethra.


RESULTS
The study demonstrated the existence of a pre-ejaculatory phase characterized by a notable decrease in echogenicity of the inner prostate gland, due to the contraction of the pre-prostatic sphincter 13-25 s before ejaculation. Several stages were recorded including an ejaculatory stage with an initial prostatic emission phase lasting 2-20 s and a posterior emission phase through the ejaculatory ducts lasting 3-14 s, with a seminal stoppage of 3-8 s, and finally a urethro-vesical reflux of a minimal fraction of the ejaculate over 5-9 s. The bladder neck and inner gland returned to their resting configuration between 10 and 90 s after ejaculation.


CONCLUSIONS
Endorectal ultrasonographical imaging during ejaculation, a recently developed diagnostic procedure, may provide a new approach to ejaculation-related problems.
Gil-Vernet
J M
JM
Sant Josep Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.
Alvarez-Vijande
R
R
Gil-Vernet
A
A
Gil-Vernet
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology; D011467:Prostate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*