[Experimental studies on evaluation of rat testicular function by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy]

To evaluate the efficacy of 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) as a diagnostic method for abnormal testicular function, we examined three conditions using rat testes, ischemia, irradiation, and hormone manipulation. 1) Ischemia: Immediately after clamping of the feeding vessels, ATP signals began to fall and disappeared within 60 minutes. With the release of blood supply after 3 hours of ischemia, ATP appeared within 2 hours. However, after more than 4 hours of ischemia, ATP did not recover within 2 hours and the testis became necrotic after 1 week. 2) Irradiation: 31P MRS of the testis 2 weeks after irradiation with 10 Gy., 9 MeV showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the PME/beta-ATP ratio from 1.30 +/- 0.11 (control level) to 1.11 +/- 0.12 and a decrease in PME/PDE ratio from 1.43 +/- 0.17 to 1.13 +/- 0.20. However 3 weeks later, the PME/beta-ATP ratio recovered to a control level. 3) Hormone manipulation: In the testes 5 weeks after weekly intramuscular injections of estradiol benzoate and testosterone enanthate, PDE/beta-ATP ratio significantly increased (P < 0.01) from 0.83 +/- 0.09 (control level) to 1.03 +/- 0.19. 31P MRS is a non-invasive method for evaluation of various testicular abnormalities, and ATP signals may be useful to evaluate an acute ischemic change for example testicular torstion and the changes of PME, PDE signals may be useful parameters in the assessment of the status of spermatogenesis.