Testicular exocrine malfunction after torsion.
The exocrine and endocrine functions of the testis were assessed in 67 patients a median of 4.0 years after unilateral torsion (range 3 months-12 years). Of 54 patients who underwent orchidopexy, some atrophy of the affected testis developed in 46; the degree of atrophy was significantly correlated with the duration of torsion (r = -0.56, p less than 0.001). The remaining 13 patients had undergone orchidectomy after a mean duration of torsion of 71 h. Seminal analysis was abnormal in 44 of 51 patients tested (86%), and the low total motile sperm count correlated with the duration of torsion (r = -0.53, p less than 0.001). Sperm counts were much lower in men with torsion for longer than 8 h than those with a shorter period of torsion (median 7.2 X 10(6) v 83.5 X 10(6); p less than 0.00003). Serum levels of luteinising hormone, prolactin, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were generally within normal limits. An acute ischaemic episode affecting only one testis causes bilateral loss of exocrine function in most patients, while endocrine function is preserved.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002648:Child; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D013739:Testosterone