[Experimental varicocele affects the ipsilateral testis in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of experimental varicocele (EV) on the ipsilateral testis in rats.


METHODS
EV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in male SD rats, the control rats subjected to sham operation, and the testes of the EV models and controls were extirpated 6, 12, and 18 weeks later. Johnson's score, ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules, intratesticular testosterone concentration (ITC) and germ cell apoptotic index (AI) of each left testis were evaluated.


RESULTS
Johnson's scores were (6.92 +/- 0.52), (4.83 +/- 0.41) and (2.95 +/- 0.26), ITCswere (6.32 +/- 0.85), (5.17 +/- 0.76) and (4.11 +/- 0.69) and AIs were (5.32 +/- 1.23), (15.21 +/- 0.97) and (21.13 +/- 1.12) respectively in the 6 w , 12 w and 18 w EV groups, significantly lower than in the corresponding control groups, (9.56 +/- 0.35, 9.63 +/- 0.31, 9.39 +/- 0.46), (9.64 +/- 1.23, 9.38 +/- 0.69, 9.73 +/- 0.49) and (3.21 +/- 1.15, 3.43 +/- 1.21, 3.61 +/- 1. 15) (P < 0.05), the former two showing a gradual decline while the latter a significant elevation with the increasing duration of varicocele. The damage to the ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules was aggravated with the prolonging of varicocele.


CONCLUSIONS
EV can cause a progressive decline of ITC, dyszoospermia and increased AI of germ cells.
Zheng
Yi-Qun
YQ
Department of Urology, Renmin Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China. yiqunzheng70@yahoo.com.cn
Zhang
Xiao-Bin
XB
Cheng
Fan
F
Zhou
Ben-Zheng
BZ
Rao
Ting
T
Fei
An-Hua
AH
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D013739:Testosterone