Sperm retrieval techniques in rats with suppressed spermatogenesis by experimental cryptorchidism
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Published on: May 17, 2020
Lia Mara Rossi1, Luís A V Pereira, Luciana de Santis
1Medical School at Jundiaí, and Fertility Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. lia@fertility.com.br
Objective:
Our aim was to assess the suppression of spermatogenesis and sperm retrieval rate after testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) in adult rats with surgically induced cryptorchidism.
Methods:
Adult rats were submitted to TESE and TESA procedures after 15 days of induced cryptorchidism. After spermatozoa retrieval, the testicles were extracted, weighed and a morphological analysis by conventional light microscopy was done. The numbers of spermatozoa retrieved in both TESA and TESE were rated and compared.
Results:
Histological analysis of the testicles revealed Sertoli cell-only syndrome in 60% of the testicles, and maturation arrest in the remaining cryptorchid testicles. Significant differences were seen in the number of spermatozoa retrieved (P < 0.05) between cryptorchidic and control rats. When sperm retrieval techniques were compared, no differences were detected in the number of spermatozoa obtained (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
It seems that a 15 day period of cryptorchidism is enough to induce spermatogenesis disorders. No differences were detected in the number of spermatozoa retrieved in the right or left testicles, irrespective of the testicular pole. Furthermore, and even more importantly, no differences in the retrieval rate were seen between the two techniques.
Insights
A 15-day period of cryptorchidism in rats significantly impairs spermatogenesis. However, both testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) yield comparable sperm retrieval rates in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Andrology
- Spermatogenesis research
Background:
- Cryptorchidism, the failure of testes to descend, is a known risk factor for impaired fertility.
- Understanding the impact of induced cryptorchidism on sperm retrieval is crucial for assisted reproductive technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of surgically induced cryptorchidism on spermatogenesis in adult rats.
- To compare the efficacy of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) for sperm retrieval in cryptorchid rat models.
Main Methods:
- Adult rats underwent 15 days of surgically induced cryptorchidism.
- Spermatozoa were retrieved using either TESE or TESA.
- Testicular histology and sperm counts were analyzed and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Histological analysis revealed Sertoli cell-only syndrome in 60% and maturation arrest in remaining testes.
- A significant reduction in retrieved spermatozoa was observed in cryptorchid rats compared to controls (P < 0.05).
- No significant difference in sperm retrieval numbers was found between TESE and TESA techniques (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Fifteen days of induced cryptorchidism is sufficient to cause significant spermatogenic dysfunction.
- Both TESE and TESA demonstrate similar sperm retrieval efficiency in this rat model.
- The findings suggest that the duration of cryptorchidism, rather than the retrieval technique, is a primary determinant of sperm yield.
