CHANGES IN SPERMATOGENESIS AFTER SIMULATED INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR IN EXPERIMENT

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Innovation
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• The Lichtenstein method for inguinal hernia repair, while effective, is associated with potential complications impacting male reproductive health.
• These complications include fibrous changes, deejaculation, obstructive azoospermia, and oligospermia.
• Isolation methods for hernia repair are gaining relevance due to their potential to avoid spermatogenesis disruption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the sperm morphological parameters before and after hernia surgery.
• To evaluate the impact of Lichtenstein hernioplasty versus spermatic cord isolation (Gvenetadze method) on spermatogenesis.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 16 male rabbits (12 months ± 3 months, 3.5 ± 0.5 kg).
• Rabbits were divided into two groups: 8 underwent Lichtenstein hernioplasty, and 8 underwent Gvenetadze's method with spermatic cord isolation.
• Sperm samples were collected and analyzed 2 days before surgery, and 3 and 6 months post-surgery, using an artificial vagina for semen collection.

Main Results:

• The study assessed various sperm parameters including volume, count, motility, morphology, and presence of leukocytes, erythrocytes, and microorganisms.
• Analysis of sperm parameters before and after surgery in both groups was conducted.
• Results indicated that inguinal hernia repair utilizing spermatic cord isolation did not adversely affect spermatogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Spermatic cord isolation during inguinal hernia repair is a viable alternative to the Lichtenstein method.
• This isolation technique appears to preserve normal spermatogenesis, mitigating risks of reproductive complications.
• Further research may validate these findings in human clinical trials.