Rhythmical oscillations in rat testicular microcirculation as recorded by laser Doppler flowmetry

We have earlier reported that local testicular blood flow, recorded by laser Doppler flowmetry, shows large oscillations with a frequency of 5-10 min-1. In the present study it is proposed that the recorded oscillations represent mainly local microvascular blood flow variations rather than variations in total testicular blood flow or tissue movements. The reasons for this are: (a) Blood flow simultaneously measured at two separate sites showed oscillations with different frequencies. (b) A local subcapsular injection of room-tempered saline under one probe site eradicated oscillations under that probe but not under another adjacent probe. (c) When the testicular capsule was split open, recordings of blood flow continued to show oscillations. (d) The amplitude of the oscillations was rather large (peak to peak value about 50% of mean flow value). No movements of the testicular surface were seen. A 20 min continuous infusion of 0.4 microgram/min noradrenaline did induce a decrease in plasma testosterone concentration, but did not change the mean blood flow. However, the oscillations nearly completely disappeared during the infusion period. The present study also shows that laser Doppler flowmetry is a versatile method and the rat testis provides a suitable organ in the study of the origin and functional importance of these oscillations.