MP70-17 RECOVERY OF SPERMATOGENESIS AFTER TESTICULAR DAMAGE VIA COLD ISCHEMIA IN RATS WITH AND WITHOUT VARICOCELES

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Basic Research & Pathophysiology1 Apr 2016MP70-17 RECOVERY OF SPERMATOGENESIS AFTER TESTICULAR DAMAGE VIA COLD ISCHEMIA IN RATS WITH AND WITHOUT VARICOCELES Aaron Bernie, Bobby Najari, Nicholas Hauser, Jennifer Reifsnyder, Brian Robinson, Barry Zirkin, Haolin Chen, Philip Li, Peter Schlegel, and Marc Goldstein Aaron BernieAaron Bernie More articles by this author , Bobby NajariBobby Najari More articles by this author , Nicholas HauserNicholas Hauser More articles by this author , Jennifer ReifsnyderJennifer Reifsnyder More articles by this author , Brian RobinsonBrian Robinson More articles by this author , Barry ZirkinBarry Zirkin More articles by this author , Haolin ChenHaolin Chen More articles by this author , Philip LiPhilip Li More articles by this author , Peter SchlegelPeter Schlegel More articles by this author , and Marc GoldsteinMarc Goldstein More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2016.02.1442AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The pathophysiology of varicoceles and their effect on spermatogenesis is poorly understood. Using a cold ischemia model in rats, spermatogenesis can be temporarily disrupted. The ability to interrupt spermatogenesis and observe its recovery in the presence and absence of a varicocele could give insight into the effects of varicocele on spermatogenesis. We hypothesized that varicoceles would impair the recovery of spermatogenesis after cold ischemia. METHODS We randomly assigned 23 Sprague Dawley rats to 3 groups: sham surgery (sham), cold ischemia alone (cold-ischemia) and microsurgical varicocele creation with cold ischemia (varicocele + cold-ischemia). During the first surgery, baseline characteristics were measured. Rats then underwent sham surgery, cold-ischemia (clamping of testicular vessels, freeze to <4 degrees for 45 minutes) or varicocele + cold-ischemia based on group assignment. All rats were sacrificed at 3 months, and weight, spermatic cord and vein diameters, testicular length and weight, epididymal sperm analysis, Johnsen score, intratesticular and serum testosterone were measured. RESULTS There were no differences in the baseline characteristics between groups (p>0.05). At 3 months, the varicocele + cold-ischemia group had decreased testicular length and weight as well as increased spermatic cord and vein diameter compared to the cold-ischemia and sham groups (p<0.05). On sperm analysis, the varicocele + cold-ischemia group had lower % motility compared to the cold-ischemia and sham groups (34.9% vs 67.3% vs 75.9%, respectively, p<0.05) as well as lower Johnsen scores (4.7 in varicocele + cold-ischemia vs 8.5 in cold-ischemia and 9.5 in sham; p<0.05) on the side of the varicocele, suggesting spermatogenesis was significantly altered in the presence of a varicocele. Total intratesticular testosterone was lower in the varicocele + cold-ischemia group compared to the cold-ischemia and sham groups (104 ng vs 214 ng vs 127 ng, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In a rat model, the presence of a varicocele seems to impair recovery of spermatogenesis and testicular function after a testicular insult. This can be seen at the anatomic level with adverse effects on vessel and testicular measurements, as well as at the histopathologic level with decreased quality of epididymal sperm parameters and lower Johnsen scores. Lower total intratesticular testosterone also suggests a negative effect of the varicocele on the ability of the testis to recover from an insult or injury. © 2016FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 195Issue 4SApril 2016Page: e913 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2016MetricsAuthor Information Aaron Bernie More articles by this author Bobby Najari More articles by this author Nicholas Hauser More articles by this author Jennifer Reifsnyder More articles by this author Brian Robinson More articles by this author Barry Zirkin More articles by this author Haolin Chen More articles by this author Philip Li More articles by this author Peter Schlegel More articles by this author Marc Goldstein More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...