Tunica Albuginea Of Testis Research Articles

Detection of carbohydrate distribution in the testis of Aceh bull using periodic acid Schiff staining

Abstract Spermatogenesis that occurred in the seminiferous tubule of the testis requires various substances, one of which is carbohydrates. Data regarding carbohydrates distribution in the testis of Aceh bull is currently not available. The objective of this study is to determine the neutral carbohydrates distribution in the seminiferous tubule and interstitial tissue of Aceh bull testis using histochemical periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining. Five pairs adult testis of Aceh bull were use and fixed in neutral buffered formalin 10% (immersion fixation), and then processed into histological preparation to be stained using PAS staining. A positive reaction on the presence of neutral carbohydrate in the testis indicated by magenta color in the specific cells and other components of testis. According microscopic observation, neutral carbohydrates found in the spermatogonium, spermatocyte, round spermatid, elongated spermatid, basal membrane, myoid peritubular cell, and cytoplasm of Sertoli cell in seminiferous tubule. Furthermore, the specific neutral carbohydrates were observed in the round spermatid with various expression, indicated that carbohydrates (glycoprotein) have an important role for acrosome formation in the round, elongating, and elongated spermatid during spermiogenesis to produce spermatozoa. Additionally, neutral carbohydrates were also found in the interstitial tissue of testis, including Leydig cell, fibrocyte, blood vessels, connective tissue, and tunica albuginea of testis. In conclusion, the presence of neutral carbohydrate in the testis of Aceh bull indicates that this substance is required to maintain spermatogenesis and tissue structure of the testis.

Haemangioma of the Testis: A Review and Update of the Literature

Less than 60 cases of haemangiomas of the testis (HOTs) have been reported sporadically in different parts of the world in diverse age groups including in children and adults even though it has been more commonly reported in individuals who are younger than 20 years. HOTs may present with lump/mass in testis/scrotum, scrotal enlargement with or without associated pain/discomfort. The results of serum germ cell tumour marker levels tend to be normal always. The clinical examination does reveal a discrete lump/mass in the testis which may or may not be tender. Radiology imaging does illustrate a discrete mass which usually tends to be well-demarcated but at times the lesion could be abutting the tunica albuginea testis. Doppler scan would tend to show increased vascularity and blood flow within the lesion which may also contain calcifications and at times radiology imaging could illustrate some degree of mild contrast enhancement and these features at times may suggest the possibility of benign disease but malignancy cannot be excluded. An incidental lesion of HOT was identified incidentally in radiology imaging in the absence of a palpable mass/lump. The ideal treatment for HOT is testis-sparing partial orchidectomy which has been undertaken in about a third of cases of HOT reported and radical orchidectomy has been undertaken in two-thirds of cases of HOT under a provisional diagnosis of malignant testicular tumour and the final diagnosis has been based upon the post-operative pathology reports. Diagnosis of HOT tends to be based upon the histopathology examination findings of small tubules with red blood cells that are lined by mesothelial like cells that have uniform vesicular nuclei but they can have focally infiltrative growth pattern with entrapment of seminiferous tubules. Immunohistochemistry staining studies of HOTs do show positive staining for Factor VIII, CD31, CD34, and FLI1 but negative staining for Pancytokeratin AE1/AE3, Keratin 8 / 18, EMA, placental herpesvirus 8, human chorionic gonadotrophin, c-kit, and p53. No recurrence has been reported following either testis-sparing partial orchidectomy after frozen section pathology examination or after radical orchidectomy. If urologist and radiologists have a high index of suspicion for the disease, and intraoperative frozen section excision biopsies are undertaken in all cases of testicular tumours in all age groups with the knowledge of normal levels of germ cell tumour markers then testis-preserving surgery can be undertaken and unnecessary radical orchidectomy can be avoided.

The Effect of Tunica Albuginea Incision on Testicular Tissue After Detorsion in the Experimental Model of Testicular Torsion.

Testis torsion is a surgical emergency, and sometimes we cannot sufficiently prevent injury even surgical detorsion of the testis is performed in the appropriate time period due to some reasons such as tissue edema. In this experimental study, we investigated the effect of tunica albuginea incision (TAI) on testicular torsion-detorsion model (TDM). Twenty four male rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into three groups. In Group I, testicular torsion (TT) of 720° was created. After 4 hours of torsion period, the testis was detorsioned. Then three longitudinal incisions were made on tunica albuginea of the testis. In Group II, torsion and detorsion was created by the same way as in Group I, but TAI was not added to the procedure. Group III was Sham group. At the end of the first week, rats in the experimental groups were sacrificed and the testes were harvested for histological, immunohistological examinations and for the assessment of apoptotic activity. In Group I, the procedures led to partial improvement in color of the testes. Modified Johnsen Scores in Groups I, II and III were detected as 7.8, 4.3 and 9.6 respectively (P = .001). In Group I, immunoreactivity of anti-APAF-1 was moderate in 7 rats, and strong in 1 rat. Immunoreactivity of anti-cytochrome C and anti-caspase3 were moderate in 6 rats, and strong in 2 rats. Immunoreactivity of anti-caspase 8 and 9 were moderate in 5 rats, and strong in 3 rats. The differences of immunoreactivity between the groups were statistically significant. TUNEL percentages were detected as 40, 62% in Group I, 60% in Group II and 11,75% in Group III respectively (P = .001). As a result, multiple incisions made on tunica albuginea after detorsion in the TDM in rats, decrease the amount of ischemia- reperfusion injury. This effect might be related with the decrease in testicular edema and free oxygen radicals together with increase in tissue perfusion. Moreover, the decreased apoptotic activity seems to play a role in the decrease in inflammatory response and preservation of tissue parenchyma consequently.

Polysialylation of NCAM characterizes the proliferation period of contractile elements during postnatal development of the epididymis.

Polysialic acid (polySia) attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) regulates inter alia the proliferation and differentiation via the interactions with neurotrophins. Since in postnatal epididymis neurotrophins and their receptors like the Low-Affinity Nerve Growth Factor Receptor p75 and TrK B receptor are expressed, we wanted to analyze if the polysialylation of NCAM is also involved during the development of the epididymis. To this end, we monitored the developmental changes in the expression of the polysialyltransferases and NCAM polysialylation using murine epididymis at different time points during postnatal development. Our results revealed that during postnatal development of the epididymis both polysialyltransferases, ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV, were expressed and that the expression levels dropped with increasing age. In agreement with the expression levels of the polysialyltransferases the highest content of polysialylated NCAM was present during the first 10 days after birth. Interestingly, proliferating smooth muscle cell populations prevalently expressed polysialylated NCAM. Furthermore, we observed that inverse to the decrease in polysialylation of smooth muscle cells a strong up-regulation of collagen takes place suggesting a functional relationship since collagen was recently described to induce the turnover of polysialylated NCAM via an induction of endocytosis in cellulo. The same time course of polySia and collagen synthesis was also observed in other regions of the male reproductive system e.g. vas deferens and tunica albuginea (testis). Together, we identified a spatio-temporal expression pattern of polySia-NCAM characterized by high proliferation rate of smooth muscle cells and low collagen content.

Granular Cell Tumor of the Testicular Tunica Albuginea

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is exceedingly rare in the genitourinary tract. We report a case of GCT arising in the tunica albuginea of the testis. A 42-year-old male presented with a painless left testicular mass. Scrotal ultrasound studies showed an intratesticular mass that was suspicious for a testicular malignancy; a left orchiectomy was subsequently performed. Grossly, there was a well-circumscribed tumor mass in the periphery of the testis abutting the tunica albuginea. Microscopically, the tumor was poorly delimited and located in the tunica albuginea with minimal infiltration to the underlying testicular parenchyma. The lesion consisted of clusters and sheets of large polygonal cells dissected by fibrous septa. The tumor cells had indistinct cellular borders, abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, and small nuclei with indistinct nucleoli. No cytologic atypia or increased mitotic activity was seen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for S-100, inhibin-α, and CD68 and negative for calretinin, Melan-A, and WT-1. Ki-67 showed a low proliferation index (<1%). The morphology, in conjunction with immunohistochemical profile, led to a diagnosis of GCT of the tunica albuginea. Although GCT can occur in almost any location of the body, it has not been described to involve the human testis.

Fonctions testiculaires du sujet âgé

The morphological and histological changes related to testicular aging are: volume decrease, arteriolar sclerosis, degeneration of Leydig cells and Sertoli, depletion of germ cells and thickening of the tunica albuginea testis. The participation in testicular androgen decline in aging is related to the decrease in the number of Leydig cells associated with alterations in the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis Sperm volume, concentration and total number, motility and morphology of sperm decrease with aging male. The interindividual variability of sperm parameters, the variability of methodologies for data collection and selection of patients must be careful in interpreting the published results. Overall, the quality of sperm decreases progressively with age, without any age limit that can be individualized. Alterations of spermatogenesis do not seem significantly compromising fertility in the elderly. The clinical impact of testicular aging implies androgen production decrease and diseases associated with aging.

030 Fresh and frozen ovary Transplants: Over 7 years of ovarian function with 14 babies from 12 transplants, a robust technique

The aim of this lecture is to summarize the state-of-the-art of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation. This clinical experience will then be applied to understanding (1) the mechanism for initiation of primordial follicle development, (2) controversially why cancer cells metastases do not severely limit the transplantation of frozen ovary tissue back to cancer patients, and (3) what we can learn from comparing ovarian embryology to testis embryology. First, all nine fresh ovary transplants were between identical twins all ovulating and menstruating, resulting in eleven healthy babies in seven of the nine recipients. Recipients always reinitiated ovulatory menstrual cycles and normal Day 3 serum FSH levels by 4-1/2 months. Most conceived naturally (three of them twice or three times from the same graft). Duration of function of fresh ovarian grafts, contrary to initial expectation, indicated a very acceptable or minimal oocyte loss from ischemia time. Grafts of just modest portions of ovarian tissue have lasted more than 7 years. The same surgical techniques were then applied to 4 frozen ovary tissue transplants, up to 14 years after the ovary had been frozen, all resulting in normal ovulation and in 3 more healthy babies. Around the world, the number of healthy babies from ovary grafts has now risen to over 30, with more than 20 from frozen grafts. Although ovary freezing and transplantation has been referred to as “experimental” for preserving fertility in cancer patients, it should be noted that virtually all of the babies born from fertility preservation for cancer patients, have resulted thus far from ovary tissue freezing, rather than from egg freezing. As to the efficiency of ovarian tissue freezing compared to the use of fresh tissue, slow freeze has resulted in only a 60% loss of oocytes, and vitrification has resulted in no observable loss. For practical purposes therefore both techniques are reliable. However, in vitro studies in humans, and in vivo studies in bovine, show that vitrification of ovarian tissue, may nonetheless be an improvement over slow freeze. The basic science concept of vitrification is to completely avoid any ice crystal formation by using a very high concentration of cryoprotectant and a very rapid rate (virtually “instant”) of cooling. This is quite different from classic slow freeze cooling which relies on a partial and very gradual removal of water from the cell by encouraging ice crystal formation preferentially on the outside of the cell, drawing the water out. A comparison has to be made between vitrification for ovarian tissue versus vitrification of mature eggs and embryos. For mature eggs and embryos, there is first an equilibration in 7.5% EG and 7.5% Me 2 SO followed by a final solution of 15% EG and 15% Me 2 SO with 0.5 molar sucrose. It is very important to allow enough time for full absorption of this more concentrated cryoprotectant solution usually more than one minute, as these solutions, contrary to myth, are not toxic. However, for ovarian tissue, there must be a longer incubation in 7.5% EG and 7.5% Me 2 SO, and then a later incubation in a denser 20% EG and 20% Me 2 SO with 0.5% sucrose, to make certain there is full absorption of cryoprotectant. In all cases, the eggs or embryos or ovarian tissue must not be frozen in a droplet (even a tiny microdroplet) as this would slow the rate of freeze and thaw. The ovarian tissue must have fully absorbed the cryoprotectant, but be “dry” on the outside. Just as thawed ovarian tissue works as well as fresh, thawed embryos have just as good a success rate as fresh embryos. With vitrification, embryos can be frozen with impunity, whereas with slow freeze (like with ovarian tissue) there is some viability loss. A comparison of the embryology and anatomy of the ovary and the testis is very instructive for two issues, (1) the initiation of follicle development, and (2) the low risk of neoplastic metastasis to the ovary cortex and, therefore, the safety of ovarian cortical cryopreservation and transplantation in cancer patients. The ovarian cortex is actually identical to the tunica albuginea of the testis, except that in the male the germ cell cords to not invade the testes of boys and men with leukemia, but uncommonly the tunica albuginea of the testis. This phenomenon explains both of these issues. It is clearly possible to preserve and restore fertility, using ovary and egg or embryo freezing in young women with cancer who are undergoing otherwise sterilizing chemotherapy and radiation. But this approach can also be used for any woman who wishes to prolong her reproductive lifespan. It may thus eventually obviate the growing worldwide epidemic of female age-related decline in fertility, and even could eliminate menopause. Source of funding: None declared. Conflict of interest: None declared. silber@infertile.com

Differential and restricted expression of novel collagen VI chains in mouse

Recently, three novel collagen VI chains, α4, α5 and α6, were identified. These are thought to substitute for the collagen VI α3 chain, probably forming α1α2α4, α1α2α5 or α1α2α6 heterotrimers. The expression pattern of the novel chains is so far largely unknown. In the present study, we compared the tissue distribution of the novel collagen VI chains in mouse with that of the α3 chain by immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy and immunoblots. In contrast to the widely expressed α3 chain, the novel chains show a highly differential, restricted and often complementary expression. The α4 chain is strongly expressed in the intestinal smooth muscle, surrounding the follicles in ovary, and in testis. The α5 chain is present in perimysium and at the neuromuscular junctions in skeletal muscle, in skin, in the kidney glomerulus, in the interfollicular stroma in ovary and in the tunica albuginea of testis. The α6 chain is most abundant in the endomysium and perimysium of skeletal muscle and in myocard. Immunoelectron microscopy of skeletal muscle localized the α6 chain to the reticular lamina of muscle fibers. The highly differential and restricted expression points to the possibility of tissue-specific roles of the novel chains in collagen VI assembly and function.

多精巣症の１例

A 28-year-old male presented with a small painless lump in his left hemiscrotum. A physical examination revealed a non-tender mass that was palpable on the tail of left epididymis, and the testis and spermatic cord were normal. Ultrasonography showed an isoechoic round shaped tumor, 16 mm in diameter. An exploration of the scrotum was performed, based on a preoperative diagnosis of a left epididymal tumor. The tumor was located below the tail of epididymis, and had a whitish capsule, which looked similar to tunica albuginea testis. A frozen section revealed testicular tissue without any malignant change, and therefore polyorchidism was diagnosed. The accessory testis was resected because there was no connection with the epididymis and vas deferens. Polyorchidism is a rare congenital anomaly with 24 cases reported in the Japanese literature. The indications for the resection of an accessory testis are controversial. Patients with intrascrotal polyorchidism might be recommended to undergo a resection of the accessory testes if there are signs of dysplasia during an intraoperative biopsy. Patients must be followed up with regular clinical and ultrasonic examinations when accessory testes are preserved. However, extrascrotal supernumerary testes should be managed by an orchiectomy because of the increased risk of malignancy.

Study of the potential spermatogonial stem cell compartment in dogfish testis, Scyliorhinus canicula L.

In the lesser-spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula), spermatogenesis takes place within spermatocysts made up of Sertoli cells associated with stage-synchronized germ cells. As shown in testicular cross sections, cysts radiate in maturational order from the germinative area, where they are formed, to the opposite margin of the testis, where spermiation occurs. In the germinative zone, which is located in a specific area between the tunica albuginea of the testis and the dorsal testicular vessel, individual large spermatogonia are surrounded by elongated somatic cells. The aim of this study has been to define whether these spermatogonia share characteristics with spermatogonial stem cells described in vertebrate and non-vertebrate species. We have studied their ultrastructure and their mitotic activity by 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunodetection. Additionally, immunodetection of c-Kit receptor, a marker of differentiating spermatogonia in rodents, and of alpha- and beta-spectrins, as constituents of the spectrosome and the fusome, has been performed. Ultrastructurally, nuclei of stage I spermatogonia present the same mottled aspect in dogfish as undifferentiated spermatogonia nuclei in rodents. Moreover, intercellular bridges are not observed in dogfish spermatogonia, although they are present in stage II spermatogonia. BrdU and PCNA immunodetection underlines their low mitotic activity. The presence of a spectrosome-like structure, a cytological marker of the germline stem cells in Drosophila, has been observed. Our results constitute the first step in the study of spermatogonial stem cells and their niche in the dogfish.

Cavernous hemangioma of tunica albuginea testis manifesting as testicular pain

Cavernous hemangioma of the tunica albuginea of the testis is very rare; only 2 cases have been reported in published studies. Both cases presented as testicular masses. We report what we believe to be the third case of cavernous hemangioma of the tunica albuginea that manifested as pain without any mass.

The Effect of Cyanoacrylic Glue on Rat Testis, Urethra and Spongiosal Tissue: An Experimental Study

We examined the effect of Glubran2 on the rat urethra and spongiosal tissue as well as the histopathological effect. We also investigated its clinical use. Eight control and 12 study group male Wistar rats were used in our study. The corpus spongiosum tissues, including the urethra and the tunica albuginea of the testis, were cut 0.5 and 0.2 cm long, respectively. Incision areas in the control group were sutured. In the study group Glubran2 was dripped on the area. Three weeks later all rats were sacrificed. The penile and testicular tissues were histopathologically investigated. One-way ANOVA and the t test were applied for statistical analysis. When the study group was compared with the control group, the difference in urethral healing (p = 0.001), urethral lumen irregularity (p = 0.036), spongiosal tissue healing (p = 0.001), inflammation (p = 0.000), hyperemia-bleeding (p = 0.036) and total healing (p = 0.001) were statistically significant. When the study and control groups were compared, the difference in inflammation (p = 0.000), necrotic areas (p = 0.002), tunica albuginea irregularity (p = 0.005), Sertoli's and Leydig cell destruction (p = 0.005), and testicular spermatogenesis (p = 0.005) were statistically significant. While perfect healing in the urethral and spongiosal tissues supports the clinical application, damage to the seminiferous tubules, decreased spermatogenesis at the operated site, tunica albuginea irregularity in a fourth of the testes and calcification in 1 testis were observed.

Allotransplantation of pituitary cells to rat testicle.

Fifty-three transplantations of pituitary tissue (intact and minced with scissors) under the tunica albuginea testis were carried out. In both series pituitary cells retained viability for up to 6 months. Transplantation of cell suspension was not accompanied by the formation of necrotic zone in the transplant; the adjacent testicular tubules and the entire testicular structure remained unchanged, while transplantation of large fragments of the pituitary tissue impaired of spermatogenesis in the adjacent testicular tubules, although most of them remained unchanged. Hence, cell suspension is preferable for transplantation of pituitary tissue into the testicle.

Blood-testis barrier after transplantation of pituitary cell into dystopic testicle.

A total of 87 allotransplantations of the pituitary were carried out: into intact testicle with or without subsequent transposition into the abdominal cavity and on a previously created model of unilateral cryptorchidism. Histological study showed that pituitary cells retained viability for up to 3 months in all three series. The main structures of the blood-testis barrier (membranes of testicular tubules, tunica albuginea testis, vascular walls, and interstitial tissue) were not damaged, which determined advantages of dystopic testicle in pituitary cell allotransplantation.

Malignant lymphoma of the testis.

showed a well-defined. spherical. hypoechoic mass in the upper pole of the testis (Fig. 1A). The mass measured 3. 1 cm in size and had internal echoes. After orchiectomy, gross pathologic examination of the testis revealed a wellcircumscribed nodule that abutted and could not be separated from the tunica albuginea testis (Fig. IB). Microscopy showed invasion of the seminiferous tubules and blood vessels (Fig. IC) and focal extension through the tunica albuginea testis. The epididymis and spermatic cord were not involved. Six years earlier, the patient had received chemotherapy for nonHodgkin’s lymphoma involving the mediastinum. The immunophenotype of the testicular lesion was identical to that of the earlier disease, and the final pathologic diagnosis was recurrent diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’ s lymphomas. especially B-cell lymphomas, represent the most common secondary neoplasms of the testis and the most common testicular malignancy in men more than 60 years old [ 1 1. The testis is often the first site of recurrence after an initial response to chemotherapy, and most cases occur in the setting of widespread disease. The most common presenting symptom is a painless testicular mass. Bilateral involvement is also common. The normal glandular structure of the testis is composed of convoluted seminiferous tubules arranged in hundreds of lobules separated by fibrous septa that extend between the mediastinum testis and the tunica albuginea testis. This entire structure is highly echogenic and results in a uniformly hyperechoic appearance on sonography. Infiltration of this tissue by lymphoma reduces its echogenicity, leading to the sonographic appearances of a focal hypoechoic mass without a definable capsule or diffuse enlargement and decreased echogenicity of the entire testis [2, 3]. Extension into the epididymis and spermatic cord often occurs, but invasion of the tunica albuginea testis is relatively rare [1]. These sonographic findings are not sufficiently specific to differentiate lymphoma from other neoplasms. The treatment of testicular lymphoma includes orchiectomy and chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Immunocytochemical and quantitative study of the tunica albuginea testis in young and ageing men.

A light and electron microscope immunohistochemical study of the tunica albuginea from both young and elderly men was carried out to determine the distribution of the cells that contain actin, vimentin and/or desmin, and to evaluate the possible variations with ageing by means of quantitative studies. Testicular volume and testicular parenchyma volume decreased significantly with age whereas the tunica albuginea volume remained unchanged. These results agree with the scanty quantitative changes observed in the testicular connective tissue with age, and the notion that age-related changes in testicular volume are principally restricted to the seminiferous tubules. Three connective tissue layers could be distinguished in the tunica albuginea in both young and elderly men. The middle and inner layers increased in width with age while the width of the outer layer decreased. The average width of the tunica albuginea increased significantly with ageing. The tunica albuginea of young men and elderly men presented two types of fusiform cells: (1) fibroblast-like cells, which immunoreacted to actin and vimentin, but not to desmin; and (2) myoid cells, which immunoreacted to actin, vimentin and desmin. In both young men and elderly men, the total number of desmin-positive cells (myoid cells) was significantly lower than that of fibroblasts. However, the total number of desmin-positive cells was significantly increased in ageing men. In young testes, desmin-positive cells were more abundant in the outer layer of the tunica albuginea, whereas in elderly men these cells predominated in the middle layer. The increased desmin immunoexpression in the tunica albuginea of ageing men contrasts with the decrease in desmin immunoreaction in other myoid cells of the testis, the peritubular myoid cells, but only in seminiferous tubules that showed severe germ cell depletion. This suggests that changes in intermediate filament immunoexpression in peritubular cells are focalised, and thus, under local control, whereas changes in the tunica albuginea cells are generalised and possibly related to factors also affecting the connective tissue in other organs.

Concentrations of cadmium in ovary, oviductus, uterus, testis and tunica albuginea of testis in cattle

Summary In this study, the concentrations of cadmium in ovaries, oviducts, uteri, testes, and tunica albuginea of testes of cattle (6 cows, 10 bulls) are reported. The detecting limit of the cadmium concentration was 0.01 mg.kg‐1 of wet tissue. The cadmium content in ovaries was in the range from <0.01 to 0.02 mg.kg‐1. In three cases, the concentration was under 0.01 mg.kg‐1. The highest levels were observed in oviducts (0.02 ‐ 0.07 mg.kg‐1). Concentrations of cadmium in the uteri were from <0.01 (two cases) to 0.05 mg.kg‐1. In male reproductive organs, the cadmium content was lower than in the female reproductive organs. In all samples of testes, the concentration was under the detecting limit 0.01 mg.kg‐1. The level of cadmium in the tunica albuginea was only in one case 0.01 mg.kg‐1 and in the others the concentration was under this limit.

モルモットの精巣摘出法の比較

The results of orchiectomy conducted by the abdominal and scrotum routes were compared in guinea pigs. The operation time, surgical complication and incision healing were evaluated. About operation time, there was no distinct difference between two routes. In the abdominal route, the prognosis of this case was favorable. Also the healing of an incised wound was uneventful one week after the operation. While in the scrotum route, the tunica albuginea testis and the visceral vaginal tunic are thin, so that the risks of injuring the testis and/or scattering the contents of testis seem to be high. Inflammation of the scrotum was observed in 4 out of 5 guinea pigs, that were operated by scrotum route. From these results, the abdominal route method is highly recommended in the orchiectomy of guinea pigs.

Orchiectomy only for clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testis tumors: Comparison with pathologic stage I disease

Twenty-three men with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors confined within the tunica albuginea of the testis and negative metastatic evaluation were placed on surveillance after radical orchiectomy. Metastatic disease developed in 3 for a relapse rate of 13 percent. During the same period, 17 men with pathologic Stage I disease were followed up in the same manner, and metastatic disease developed in 3 for a relapse rate of 18 percent. All six men were treated with either combination chemotherapy or retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, and all are alive without disease for at least two years from end of therapy. If strict criteria are followed, surveillance has a place in the management of carefully selected young men with clinical Stage I disease.

Use of Biopty Gun for Transcutaneous Testicular Biopsies

Needle biopsies are being performed commonly as a substitute for open biopsy in certain patients in whom a tissue diagnosis is necessary to determine therapy. During the last few years the Biopty††Bard Urological, Murray Hill, New Jersey. gun and its through-cut needle have evolved as a satisfactory method to perform prostate biopsy in a rapid and painless manner. To determine whether the Biopty gun could be used to perform testicular biopsies 7 patients underwent this procedure in an outpatient setting. The patients received cutaneous lidocaine and the special through-cut needle (already inserted in the gun) was inserted painlessly through this cutaneous wheal towards the tunica albuginea of the testis. The gun was fired and in less than a fraction of a second a biopsy was obtained. The needle was removed and the tissue was placed in Bouin’s solution. In some patients more than 1 biopsy was performed.None of the biopsies took more than 5minutes, none of the patients required postoperative analgesia and none felt untoward discomfort during the biopsy. All biopsies obtained adequate tissue to diagnose the presence of sperm.These results demonstrate that needle biopsy of the testis with the Biopty gun system is a cost-effective, rapid, safe, relatively harmless and effective way to obtain a testicular biopsy to identify the presence of sperm. With time this percutaneous method may supercede other open and percutaneous methods of testicular biopsy. (J. Urol., 142: 1021–1022, 1989)