Membrane fluidity and lipid composition of rat testicles in experimental cryptorchidism

Membrane fluidity and lipid composition of rat testis in experimental bilateral cryptorchidism were studied. Membrane fluidity measured by fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene decreased on the 3rd day of intraabdominal fixation, at an early stage of cryptorchidism. Lipid composition of testicular membrane was changed drastically by the treatment, and time-dependent changes were observed during the course of the experiment. Cholesterol content increased significantly, but phospholipid content was not affected by the treatment. The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids increased significantly. Fatty acid moieties of phospholipids varied during the course of the experiment. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased on the 3rd day. These changes indicated a different physical state of cryptorchid membranes from normals, and the changes may be involved in the pathophysiology of cryptorchidism.