Histopathological examination of both ipsilateral and contralateral testes with different obstructive models in prepubertal and adult rats.

Abstract

To determine the histopathological changes in both the ipsilateral and contralateral testes of prepubertal and adult male rats 60 days after creating different obstructive models. Thirty-six prepubertal and 32 adult albino male rats were examined in three different obstructive models of the right testis. In group 1 the spermatic cord was ligated, in group 2 the ligation was between the caput epididymis and testis, and in group 3 the vas deferens was ligated. Sixty days after ligation both testes were removed and evaluated for testis diameter, mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD), and degenerative, obstructive and inflammatory changes. The diameter of the obstructed right testis and MSTD were significantly greater in prepubertal rats but there was no apparent difference in adult rats. For obstructive changes, sloughing of germ cells in the prepubertal rats and germ cell absence in adult rats were significantly more common in group 3. The contralateral testis diameter and MSTD of group 3 was significantly greater only in prepubertal rats. Statistically significant values of obstructive change, e.g. sloughing of germ cells and apical vacuolation in Sertoli cells, were apparent in prepubertal rats, but tubular ectasis was the only statistically significant criterion of obstruction in adult rats. The testes are more susceptible to obstruction of the vas deferens in prepubertal than in adults rats, resulting in increased hydrostatic pressure and oedema of both the ipsilateral and contralateral testes, which might be caused by collateral circulation and rat testicular microcirculation, with a rhythmic pattern of arteriolar dilatation and constriction (vasomotion). Although the presence of oedema and high hydrostatic pressure was not prominent in adults, formation of spermatic granulomas and absence or sloughing of germ cells in the obstructed and contralateral testes reflect the early effects of vas ligation on spermatogenesis in adulthood.