[Functional changes and structural features of the testis in patients after acute parotid orchitis]

Structural changes and functional features of the testes were studied in 20 patients who had had parotid orchitis (PO) 6 months to 1.5 years before the study. The examination including ultrasonography of the testes, investigation of ejaculate, radioimmunoassay for serum testosterone, FSH, LH brought out a significant reduction of the mean volume and echogenicity of the affected testicles by 44.7 and 50%, respectively, in 15 patients; a 58.2% decrease in the number of spermatozoa in ml; a 71.2% rise in FSH level in 6 patients. Morphometry of biopsy specimen of the testicles on the affected side has shown that mean sectional area of the tubules has diminished by 40%, the spermatogenesis index--by 77.1% while the volume of the intertubular connective tissue increased by 47.7%. Thus, after acute PO, the patients develop atrophic changes in the testes and a decline in spermatogenic function up to secretory infertility.