Testicular blood flow measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter: acute effects of catecholamines

Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to continuously measure testicular blood flow in rats. The method was found applicable on surgically exposed testes. Regular oscillations in blood flow, with a periodicity of 8.6 +/- 0.7 cycles per minute (mean +/- SD), were observed in recordings from 22 to 23 rats. Clamping of the testicular artery reduced the blood flow signal to background values. Effects of catecholamines administered into the tail artery on testicular blood flow together with systemic effects on mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured. It was found that noradrenaline as well as adrenaline caused a significant decrease in blood flow when 10 micrograms was injected. Only noradrenaline decreased the blood flow when 1 microgram was given. The large oscillations detected in the blood flow recordings disappeared quickly when 10 or 1 micrograms of both hormones was administered. It was concluded that catecholamines can exert rapid effects on testicular blood flow.