[Effects of inguinal hernioplasty mesh implant on reproductive function]

In vivo experiment involved 95 white breedless male rats of pubertal age. The animals were divided in three groups: 1st group had unilateral hernioplasty with mesh implant; 2nd group had bilateral mesh implantation and 3rd group had animals with hernioplasty with lavsan thread. The results were assessed with the use of morphological method, the state of reproductive organs - with the use of biological method and compared with the control (intact) group. Stable progressive increase of thickness of epithelium and spermatic duct wall during the whole observation time was registered after hernioplasty with mesh implantation. In the group after hernioplasty with lavsan thread the above mentioned changes returned to normal values by the end of the first month after the operation. Disorders of the reproductive system in animals after bilateral mesh implantation turned out to be essential and resulted in sterility within the whole time of the observation. Mildly decreased or average fertility was observed among animals after unilateral mesh implantation and hernioplasty. Notably, that after hernioplasty with lavsan thread, fertility was sufficient. The study demonstrated the negative influence of mesh implant on spermatic duct structure, which may cause infertility.