Effect of ultrasound on testicular electrolytes (sodium and potassium)

The testes of 50 rats were placed in a cup filled with water and received 1 W/cm2 of ultrasound for 15 min. Fluid was collected from the seminiferous tubules and rete testis of the treated and control groups at 1, 8, 12, and 24 hr intervals. Ultrasound increased the sodium concentration in the fluid of the seminiferous tubules, decreased the sodium concentration in the fluid of the rete testis, increased the potassium concentration in the fluid of the rete testis, and decreased the potassium concentration in the fluid of the seminiferous tubules. Fourteen, slightly sedated, monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were treated with 1/2 W/cm2 of ultrasound for 30 min. Water was used as the coupling agent for seven monkeys and 3% NaCl was used as the coupling agent for the other seven monkeys. The efficacy of ultrasound treatment in reducing sperm count to zero and achieving zero motility was increased when 3% NaCl was used. Sperm count was at the level of presonication after 20 weeks when water was used as a coupling agent.