[Modified technique of testicular autotransplantation in dogs]

To establish dog model of testicular autotransplantation with a modified technique.

Testicular autotransplantations were performed on the right side of 30 male dogs, whose ages ranged from 1.5 to 2.0 years old and weights ranged from 14 to 17 kg. After the spermatic artery with a cuff of abdominal aorta and spermatic vein and with a cuff of inferior vena cava were detached, the testis was perfused and kept at icing temperature. An end-to-side anastomosis of the spermatic vessels to the external iliac vessels was conducted subsequently. The survival conditions of the autografts were assessed by digital subtraction arteriography (DSA). Histological examination and detection on the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotrophic hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) were made at two weeks intervals.

Of the 30 testicular autotransplantations performed, 27 cases were successful. The success rate was 90%. The time of heat ischemia, cold ischemia, anastomosis of spermatic vessels, and total operation was 4.5+/-0.9 minutes, 50.0+/-10.0 minutes, 35.5+/-5.5 minutes, and 3.5+/-0.5 hours respectively. DSA proved that the testis survived well. No morphological abnormality was found at different stages of the spermatogenic cells. The LH level was higher than that before operation, being statistically different (P<0.05); however, the levels of FSH and T did not changed significantly (P>0.05).

A stable and feasible model of testicular autotransplantation is established and it provides a reliable experimental platform for human testicular transplantation.