Comparison between sperm retrieval techniques in testicles showing supression of spermatogenesis

Abstract

Objectives: Using cryptorchidic surgical induced rats, we assessed the suppression of spermatogenesis and the results obtained from TESE (testicular sperm extraction) and TESA (testicular sperm aspiration). Design: Experimental study. Material and Methods: Forty adult rats (Wistar) were used in the study. First of all, 8 rats underwent a bilateral induced cryptorquidia to induce spermatogenesis disorders in different time interval (2 rats/7 days of cryptorchidism; 2 rats/10 days; 2 rats/15 days and 2 rats/30 days). After histological analysis in each interval, a 15-day period was chosen. From the remaining animals 25 underwent a bilateral induced cryptorquidia and 7 were used as sham-operated control. Tissue samples were obtained under stereoscopic microscopy from both testicles in the control group and 15 days after cryptorchidia induced. Firstly, all 32 right testicles underwent a TESA procedure through two points of needle entrance, but searching for spermatozoa in all testis extension, and afterwards TESE in 3 different poles of the testicles (superior, middle, and inferior). In the same way, 32 left testis underwent a TESA procedure in order to search for spermatozoa in 3 different poles (superior, middle, and inferior), and afterwards, TESE in a similar way described for the left testis. Samples were processed according to usual procedure for TESE and TESA in humans. According to the number of spermatozoon retrieved from the testis, 4 scores were created: 0 (absent, no sperm), 1 (few sperm, 1 to 3 x 106 sperm/ml), 2 (fairly, 3 to 15 x 106 sperm/ml), and 3 (good, more than 3 x 106 sperm/ml and lots of sperm outside the reticule grid of the Makler chamber). Afterwards, testicles were extracted, weighted and a morphological analysis at conventional light microscopy level was done. Results: The weight of the left testis in the cryptorchidic rats was significantly lower compared to the left testis of the control rats (p=0.0002). Although no significant different, a trend was seen in the right testis of the cryptorchidic rats to have lower weight compared to the control rats (p=0.09). A histological study of the testicles showed that experimental cryptorchidism was induced in adults rats and caused a severe failure in a spermatogenesis process. Significant differences were seen between the cryptorchidic and control rats in the scores (p=0.012). When we compared the scores seen in the left and right testis employing the TESA technique, no differences were observed (p= 0.58). Also, there were no differences in the scores obtained from the left and right testis with the TESE technique. Comparing the TESE and the TESA, no differences were seen in the number of spermatozoa retrieved (p>0.05). No differences were seen in the superior, middle and inferior poles of the testis, irrespective the type of biopsy technique employed. Conclusions: It seems that 15-day period cryptorchidia is enough to induce spermatogenesis disorders. No differences were seen in the scores obtained in the right and left testicles, irrespective the testicular pole. Furthermore and more important, no differences in the score levels were seen in the two techniques.