Acute Experimental Testicular Torsion: No Effect on the Contralateral Testis

Abstract

Other investigators have shown that chronic unilateral testicular torsion produces negative effects on the contralateral testis in experimental animals. In the present study, bilateral testicular weight and histology, and concentrations and motility of spermatozoa from the cauda epididymidis were studied after 0 to 4 hours of acute unilateral testicular torsion in the rat. The obstruction of blood flow by torsion was documented, as well as the presence or absence of return blood flow after the relief of torsion. The above mentioned parameters of testicular function were studied at 7, 30, and 60 days after relief of torsion. Ipsilateral testis weights and epididymal sperm concentrations and motility were significantly reduced by 1, 2, and 4 hours of torsion. The histology of torsioned testes was also severely altered, and no seminiferous epithelial repair was evident 60 days after torsion. Contralateral testicles were not affected by ipsilateral torsion of 1, 2, or 4 hours duration, despite the fact that the ipsilateral testis function was completely compromised by 2 and 4 hours of torsion. These results indicate that there would be no clinical benefit in removing the acutely torsioned testis of Sprague–Dawley rats since it poses no threat to the contralateral testis.

Alteration of spermatogenesis following spermatogonial stem cells transplantation in testicular torsion-detorsion mice

“…We demonstrated that SSCs transplantation could increase relative expression of pre-/post-meiotic genes and improve sperm parameters and testis structure in the ischemic (torsion) condition. The main and immediate outcome of testicular torsion is ischemia [35,36]; therefore, a delay in presentation or failure of diagnosis and/or mismanagement of the condition leads to the loss of the testicle on the affected side. In our study, severe seminiferous epithelium disruption occurred during the ischemia or upon reperfusion.…”

Long-term effects of the testicular torsion on the spermatogenesis of the contralateral testis and the preventive value of the twisted testis orchiepididymectomy

“…There are few experimental studies in the literature in regard to the long-term effects of testicular torsion on the spermatogenesis of the contralateral testis, and the value of the orchiepididymectomy of the twisted testis to prevent them [10][11][12][13][14][15] . Using unilateral testicular torsion of 720 degrees in adult rats for one, two or four hours, Turner 10 observed no injury to the contralateral spermatogenesis testis after seven, 30 and 60 days, evaluating its testis weight, spermatogenesis status only subjectively classified as normal or abnormal and the concentration and motility of the spermatozoids in the tail of the epididymis.…”

“…Using unilateral testicular torsion of 720 degrees in adult rats for one, two or four hours, Turner 10 observed no injury to the contralateral spermatogenesis testis after seven, 30 and 60 days, evaluating its testis weight, spermatogenesis status only subjectively classified as normal or abnormal and the concentration and motility of the spermatozoids in the tail of the epididymis.…”

“…However, there are few and conflicting results in the literature as to whether the testicular torsion causes permanent damage (long-term effects) to the spermatogenesis of the contralateral testis, and whether the orchiepididymectomy of the twisted testis could prevent this damage [10][11][12][13][14][15] . Many theories have been suggested to explain the contralateral injuries to the spermatogenesis, such as auto-immunization induced by the necrotic haploid germ cells of the twisted testis 16 , production of reactive oxygen species 11,14 and contralateral sympathetic reflex 13 .…”

Testicular Torsion-Detorsion- Histological and Biochemical Changes in Rat Testis

“…The results, however, have been conflicting. With 720-degree of torsion, several studies have reported reduction in testicular blood flow varying from 61.7% to 100 % [5,[9][10][11], with ischemic injury after periods of time as diverse as 1 hour and 8 hours of torsion [10][11][12][13][14]. In a rat model of testicular torsion, permanent loss of spermatogenesis is observed after torsion repair despite the return of blood flow [11].…”