A method for testicular denervation in rats

A successful method for microsurgical denervation of the testes in rats is described. Testes were unilaterally denervated in 15 animals. Thirteen untreated and two sham-operated rats served as controls. With the animal under ether anesthesia, the spermatic vessels on either side were exposed with the aid of microsurgical technique and an operating microscope. The area was then dyed with two to three drops of 1% Toluidine blue. With utmost precaution the nerves were separated from the vessels and resected. A biopsy specimen from the epididymal fat pad of each side was removed and assayed for norepinephrine content. The denervation procedure was considered successful if the norepinephrine content of the denervated fat pad was less than 11% of that of the contralateral fat pad. The denervation procedure was successful in 13 of 15 animals. No recognizable side effects from the use of Toluidine blue were observed.