title: Application of tension-free hernioplasty with hernia meshes of different materials and the postoperative effects on the reproductive function of male rats.
abstract: This study aimed to compare the effects of polypropylene (PP), lightweight PP (UP) and expanded polytetrafluorethylene (e-PTFE) hernia mesh on the reproductive function of adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats following open tension-free hernioplasty. Forty adult SD rats were obtained and divided into five groups: A sham-operated (FO) group, an e-PTFE mesh group, a PP mesh group, the UP mesh group and a normal control (NC) group (without any surgical manipulation). Ninety days following open tension-free hernioplasty, hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunhistochemistry were used to observe the pathological changes of the testicular tissue and to compare the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF‑1α) in the rat testis, respectively. ELISA was used to analyze the serum concentration of antisperm antibodies (AsAbs) and routine semen testing was conducted to measure the percentage of grade a+b sperm from the epididymis. More than 50% of mesh adherence to the spermatic cord was observed in the PP and UP groups, and mild or no adhesion was observed in the NC, FO and e-PTFE groups. In the UP and PP groups, marked congestion of necrotic tissue was observed in the seminiferous tubule cavity, a significant reduction in the percentage of grade a+b sperm and a significant increase in the expression levels of AsAbs and HIF-α. It was concluded that the e-PTFE mesh exhibited a marginal effect on the reproductive function of rats compared with that of the PP and UP mesh and is more suitable for tension-free hernioplasty. The clinical significance of these results requires further elucidation with a multi-centered prospective study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Xiashan, Zhanjiang 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Xiashan, Zhanjiang 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Xiashan, Zhanjiang 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qianru
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Xiashan, Zhanjiang 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhenlong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Xiashan, Zhanjiang 524001, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhidong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006547:Hernia / Q000628:therapy*; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D051381:Rats; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D000267:Tissue Adhesions