Ultrastructure and intercellular vacuolization of isolated perfused and control rat testes

Isolated rat testes perfused in closed circuit with albuminated Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer were examined by light and electron microscopic techniques in order to assess the structural integrity of the model. The extent of intercellular vacuolization in perfused testes was similar to that of control testes that had been prepared for electron microscopy by routine methods of perfusion fixation. The isolated perfused testes exhibit excellent preservation at the light and electron microscope level. The results indicate that albuminated Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer is an excellent perfusate for in vitro studies of the isolated rat testis. This model of perfused testis can be used to study the early pathology of the effects of toxic compounds on the microscopic anatomy of the male gonad.