Effects of propylthiouracil on testicular tissue in undescended testes of newborn rats.
OBJECTIVE
The most important goal in the treatment of cryptorchidism is to preserve the potential for fertility. This experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of propylthiouracil (PTU) on the undescended testes (UTs) of newborn rats.


METHODS
The experimental cryptorchidism model in newborn male rats consisted of 4 groups. The groups A (control) and B (PTU) underwent no surgical intervention, whereas in groups C (UT only) and D (treatment) UTs were produced by dissecting and suturing the future right scrotal area. In groups D and B, 0.1% (w/v) PTU was added to the drinking water of mother rats between 2 and 24 days. At the end of the 90th day rat body weights, testicular weights, Johnsen tubular biopsy scores (JTBSs), seminiferous tubule diameters (STDs), testosterone, and thyroid hormone levels were measured. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Mean testicular weight was similar between groups A, B and D, and statistically lowest in group C. Mean body weight was statistically higher in groups A and C compared with groups B and D. Mean testosterone levels showed no statistical difference between the groups. Mean JTBSs were statistically higher in groups A and B compared with groups C and D. The value in treatment group D was statistically higher compared to group C (p<0.05). Mean STDs were statistically lowest in group C compared to other groups (p<0.05). No difference was found between groups A, B, and D (p>0.05). Both the mean free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine values between groups A and C and between groups B and D were similar. The values in groups A and C were statistically higher than those of groups B and D (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
PTU-induced transient hypothyroidism in the newborn rat UT model shows protective effects on testicular growth parameters.
Karabulut
Ramazan
R
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey. karabulutr@yahoo.com
Türkyilmaz
Zafer
Z
Sönmez
Kaan
K
Demiroğullari
Billur
B
Ozen
I Onur
IO
Poyraz
Aylar
A
Başaklar
A Can
AC
Kale
Nuri
N
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000963:Antimetabolites; D013739:Testosterone; D011441:Propylthiouracil