Spermatogenesis After 1-Stage Fowler-Stephens Orchiopexy in Experimental Cryptorchid Rat Model

Abstract

To evaluate the validity of 1-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy, we performed this procedure for intra-abdominal testes in an experimental cryptorchid rat model and assessed postoperative spermatogenesis. Cryptorchidism in rats was induced by injecting flutamide into the abdomen of pregnant Sprague Dawley rats for 7 days (days 14 to 20 of gestation). Four-week-old cryptorchid rats were divided into the 4 groups of sham operation (group 1, 7 rats), orchiopexy only (group 2, 7), spermatic vessel ligation only (group 3, 7), and spermatic vessel ligation and orchiopexy (1-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy, group 4, 7). The testes were removed 12 weeks after birth in all groups, and testicular weight, testicular histopathological findings and presence of sperm in the epididymis were examined. All operated testes had reticulated vessels on the tunica albuginea. There were no statistically significant differences in the testicular weight between groups 1 (mean +/- SD 0.47 +/- 0.04 gm) and 4 (0.30 +/- 0.19), suggesting that Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy did not induce significant testicular atrophy. However, seminiferous tubule diameters in group 4 were significantly smaller than in group 1 (p <0.001), and no sperm was observed in the epididymis of group 4 rats, suggesting that Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy reduced seminiferous tubule diameters and did not improve spermatogenesis. Although Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy is a good procedure to maintain testicular size and correct cosmetic deformity of an absent scrotum, it may not significantly contribute to the improvement of spermatogenesis.