[The apoptosis in damaged testicular tissue caused by varicocele].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of experimental varicocele on apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in rats.


METHODS
Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in Wistar rat. Apoptosis cells were detected by in situ terminal deoxynucleotityl transferase-mediated dTUP nick end labeling(TUNEL) technique.


RESULTS
There was certain proportion of apoptosis cells in spermatogenic cells in control group rats. The incidence of apoptosis increased remarkably in experimental group, the testicular growth was slower than that in control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells caused by varicocele may play an important role in leading to subfertility.
Xia
Qiang
Q
Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China.
Zhang
Xiao-Bin
XB
Zhang
Jie
J
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*