Mast cell induction to the mouse testicular interstitium

Abstract

No toluidine blue reactive mast cells are found in the testicular interstitium of neonatal, prepuberal and adult mice, while the cells are present in the testicular interstitium of the human. Using ddY mice, mast cell induction to the testicular interstitium was tried as a model to clarify the cause of idiopathic hypospermatogenesis in male infertility. Transperitoneal left testicular torsion at 360 degrees was carried out to 14 weeks-old ddY mice under ether anesthesia. Mast cell invasion to the contralateral testis was demonstrated 4 weeks after the operation and reached plateau 8-24 weeks postoperatively. These mast cells were round in shape in contrast to those in the epididymis and tunica albuginea which were irregular. Right intact testicular weights were on the same levels as those of control mice and no histological changes including tubular atrophy, Leydig cell degeneration and lymphocyte infiltration were found microscopically. The mechanism of mast cell induction to the contralateral testicular interstitium in this study remained unclear. However, it is suggested that induction of mast cells for a long period within the mouse testicular interstitium could be utilized to pursue the mechanism of idiopathic hypospermatogenesis.