The Levels of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Rats as a Response to Different Techniques of Testicular Biopsy

Some biopsy techniques may cause oxidative stress. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the possible role of testicular biopsy-induced damage on production of reactive oxygen species using quantitative and biochemical methods. Adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups. Group 1 (sham) (n = 6) was sham operated. Group 2 (n = 7) underwent fine-needle aspiration testicular biopsy. Group 3 (n = 6) underwent microscopic testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Open testicular biopsy was performed to rats in group 4 (macro-TESE) (n = 8). Group 5 (n = 7) underwent Tru-cut biopsy. Six weeks after the initial operations, orchiectomies were performed. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in biopsy samples were measured as spectrophotometric. Compared with group I, SOD and CAT activities, and MDA levels were elevated significantly in the fine-needle aspiration group, in the macro-TESE group and in the Tru-cut biopsy group (groups II, IV, and V), (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between group I and group III (p > 0.05). These data suggest that micro-TESE biopsy is the best technique among all others. All of the biopsy techniques except micro-TESE may cause the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. We consider that the increased antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD) may reflect the cellular response against oxidative stress in these groups.