Spermatic Cord Torsion: Effects of Cyclosporine and Prednisone on Fertility and the Contralateral Testis in the Rat

Abstract

Unilateral spermatic cord torsion results in contralateral degeneration and reduced fertility in the prepubertal male rat. This study was conducted to investigate the use of immunosuppression with cyclosporine and prednisone to prevent these untoward effects. Thirty‐five‐day‐old male rats were subjected to 720° unilateral spermatic cord torsion of 9 hours duration. At the time of detorsion, animals were given a subcutaneous injection of i) cyclosporine, ii) prednisone, or iii) cyclosporine combined with prednisone. Control groups included: i) animals undergoing orchiectomy of the ipsilateral testis following the torsion period, ii) hemicastration in the absence of torsion and iii) sham surgery. Orchiectomy at the end of the torsion period prevented the torsion induced reduction of fertility, contralateral seminiferous tubule diameter and testis weight. Treatment with cyclosporine combined with prednisone significantly increased these parameters above detorsion alone. These data indicate that short term immunosuppression with cyclosporine alone or in combination with prednisone limits the adverse effects of unilateral spermatic cord torsion as does removal of the damaged organ at the end of the torsion period.

In Celebration of Women in Molecular and Cellular Reproduction

“…The use of permeable peptides not only provides a new avenue for studying oocyte physiology but also offers potential applications in developing new therapies and a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate oocyte in vitro maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development. rats) (Nagler and White, 1982;Cerasaro et al, 1984;Chakraborty et al, 1986;Pakyz et al, 1990;Vigueras and Reyes, 2004) whereas human data are more limited (Chakarborty et al, 1980;Laor et al, 1990). Rodriguez et al, 2006, analyzing the contralateral testis of adult male rats subjected to unilateral spermatic cord torsion showed, 30 days after torsion, focal damage of seminiferous tubules associated with inflammation characterized by a significant increase in the number of resident and inflammatory macrophages, T lymphocytes, and mast cells localized in the testicular interstitium.…”

“…An early orchiectomy following TCT prevents the release of spermatic antigens, the formation of antibodies, and damage to the contralateral testis (Nagler and White, 1982). Antilymphocyte IgG and splenectomy or corticoids before detorsion also prevent damaging of the contralateral testis (Nagler and White, 1982;Pakyz et al, 1990;Mogilner et al, 2006). However, Jacobsen et al (2020) suggest that contralateral testis damage results from multifactorial processes that also include pre-existing congenital testicular dysgenesis (a maldeveloped male urogenital tract) that may predispose to TCT (Laor et al, 1990;Osemlak et al, 2021) and/or contralateral hypoxia following ipsilateral torsion.…”

Varicocele and testicular cord torsion: immune testicular microenvironment imbalance

“…An early orchiectomy following TCT prevents the release of spermatic antigens, the formation of antibodies, and damage to the contralateral testis ( Nagler and White, 1982 ). Anti-lymphocyte IgG and splenectomy or corticoids before detorsion also prevent damaging of the contralateral testis ( Nagler and White, 1982 ; Pakyz et al, 1990 ; Mogilner et al, 2006 ). However, Jacobsen et al (2020) suggest that contralateral testis damage results from multifactorial processes that also include pre-existing congenital testicular dysgenesis (a maldeveloped male urogenital tract) that may predispose to TCT ( Laor et al, 1990 ; Osemlak et al, 2021 ) and/or contralateral hypoxia following ipsilateral torsion.…”

“…Alterations of testis histopathology and function of the contralateral testis in TCT have been demonstrated by several authors in experimental TCT models (guinea pig, rabbits, and rats) ( Nagler and White, 1982 ; Cerasaro et al, 1984 ; Chakraborty et al, 1986 ; Pakyz et al, 1990 ; Vigueras and Reyes, 2004 ) whereas human data are more limited ( Chakarborty et al, 1980 ; Laor et al, 1990 ).…”