title: Orchidopexy restores morphometric-stereologic changes in the caput epididymis and daily sperm production in cryptorchidic mice, although sperm transit time and fertility parameters remain impaired.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the changes in the caput epididymis following cryptorchidism and orchidopexy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study in a research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive biology research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immature male and mature female mice (C57BL/6).
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental cryptorchidism and orchidopexy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Morphometric-stereologic analyses, serum testosterone dosage, immunohistochemical staining of the antigen TRA54 (testicular germ cells immunized to a rat monoclonal antibody), smooth muscle α-actin (SM α-actin) and SM myosin heavy chain, sperm transit time, and fertility parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction in the morphometric-stereologic parameters in the cryptorchidic mice. These parameters demonstrated significant recovery following orchidopexy. Staining for an androgen-dependent antigen, TRA54, was observed in all groups. SM α-actin and SM myosin heavy chain staining was significantly increased in the cryptorchidism group but stable in the orchidopexy group. Despite the recovery of daily sperm production in the testes, the sperm transit time in the epididymis and fertility parameters remained significantly reduced in the orchidopexy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In cryptorchidic animals, there was an acceleration of sperm passage through the epididymal duct. Orchidopexy did not restore the normal passage time. Accordingly, there was a significant reduction in the fertility parameters in the cryptorchidic group that were not fully recovered following orchidopexy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrick Vianna
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Kélen Fabiola
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Arrotéia
authors.forename: Paulo Pinto
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Joazeiro
authors.forename: Suzana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Fátima Paccola Mesquita
authors.forename: Wilma
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: de Grava Kempinas
authors.forename: Luis Antonio Violin
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D056126:Orchiopexy; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome