title: Effects of traction on the spermatic cord of rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether tension in the spermatic cord of rats causes lesions in the testis, epididymis or vas deferens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. A traction force of 1.6 Newton (N) in group I and 1 N in group II was applied to the right spermatic cord. Group III was the sham, and group IV served as the control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Testicular lesions occurred on the right side in 66.7% of the rats and on the left side in 46.1% of the rats. The testes showed a decreased number of Sertoli cells, necrosis and a decreased number of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules. Anatomopathological changes in the vas deferens were not identified. There was no decrease in the thickness of the muscle wall of the vas deferens. In the right epididymis, 71.8% of the animals showed a reduction and 5% showed an absence of intraluminal sperm. In the left epididymis, 37.5% of the rats showed a reduction. The volume and the final testicular weight of the right side in group IV was different from those in the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anatomopathological lesions were found in the testis and epididymis.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Salomão
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brêtas
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, UFMG, Minas Gerais, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edson Samesima
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Tatsuo
authors.affiliation: Nossa Senhora da Glória State Children's Hospital, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jane Sant'Ana
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Castello
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009336:Necrosis / Q000209:etiology; D009929:Organ Size; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000473:pathology; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000473:pathology