Assessment of fertility after testicular torsion: An experimental study

Abstract

The spermatic cord was ligated in Charles River adult rats producing viable reversible and non viable damaged testes. Weight of the rats, weight of the testes, weight of the epididymis, sperm motility, sperm concentration and fertility were the different parameters assessed. The results showed that there is a high percentage of subsequent atrophy in the ligated testes, and that there is a definite correlation between the length of the occlusion and the amount of testicular injury sustained. Leaving a ligated testis in situ for three months provoked a severe reduction in fertility and some lesser reduction in the sperm motility in the contralateral testis. This damage was not observed in the rats where the ligated testes were removed.

Effect of Testicular Torsion on Contralateral Testis and Fertility in Mature Rats

“…Nagler and White [7], Nagler et al [8], and Merimsky et al [6] reported that unilateral testicular torsion in mature rats results in contralateral testicular damage consisting of distorted tubular architecture, decreased seminiferous tubular diameter, and no sperm cells within the tubular lumen [7,81. These authors and others [3] believe that this phenomenon appears to be immunologically mediated and can be prevented by early orchiectomy of the infarcted testis or by splenectomy plus antilymphocytic globulin.…”

Histological Study in Contralateral Testis of Prepubertal Children following Unilateral Testicular Torsion

“…groups studied, even in the control study, although in a lower degree. Merimsky et al [4] found that 4 rats in their study already had antibodies before the experimental study was performed. For some authors [17,18], includ ing those who support this hypothesis, the mere manipu lation of the testicle even with no ischemia is enough to result in an immunological response.…”

Determination of testicular function after torsion by DNA flow cytometry of serial fine‐needle aspirates

“…It has been reported that testicular torsion affects the contralateral testis, as reflected by reduced DNA flow cytometric evaluation is obtained in about 80% of gonads aspirated [13]. Testicular tissue is suitable contralateral testicular blood flow, significant morphological changes, impaired fertility and sperm motility, as for analysis by DNA flow cytometry because it is composed of several cell populations at various stages of well as by alterations in the DNA histograms obtained by DNA flow cytometry [2][3][4][5][6]. Other authors argue that development, with distinctly different quantities of DNA.…”