title: The comparison of two experimental rat varicocele models and their effect on sperm quality.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a modified rat varicocele model.
  
  
  METHODS
  300 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected. In 82 rats (classic group, CG), this was achieved by dissecting the left renal vein and ligating it using a 0.8-mm metal clip and 3-0 silk suture proximal to the inferior vena cava, followed by removal of the bar. In 118 rats (modified group, MG), in addition to the partial ligation of the left renal vein, the communicating branch was fully ligated. In 100 rats (sham operation group, SG), the left renal vein and communicating branches were dissected, but not ligated. The seminal fluid was aspirated and the diameters of the left spermatic veins were analyzed. Three months later, the examination was performed again.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diameters were 0.16 ± 0.1 mm and 1.88 ± 0.1 mm before and after operation, respectively, in the CG (p < 0.01), and 0.15 ± 0.05 mm and 2.0 ± 0.1 mm in the MG (p < 0.01). Postsurgical diameters in the CG and MG were 1.88 ± 0.1 mm and 2.0 ± 0.1 mm (p > 0.5), and 0.16 ± 0.1 mm and 0.16 ± 0.11 mm in the SG (p > 0.5). Semen parameters in the CG had significant differences before and after the operation (p < 0.01), were significantly lower in the MG (p < 0.01), and had no significant differences in the SG (p > 0.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simple partial ligation of the renal vein combined with ligation of the communicating branch leads to acceptable models for varicocele.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China. yujj917@163.com
authors.forename: Jian-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yue Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009038:Motion; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000473:pathology; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000601:surgery; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000601:surgery*