Experimental testicular ischaemia: time course of the effect on rat spermatogenesis

Protection of the spermatogenic cells against anticancer drugs can be performed by temporarily interrupting testicular blood flow during drug administration. In our study we investigated the effect of ischaemia on spermatogenesis, using mature male Sprague-Dawley rats. Eight and 16 weeks after a 1 h period of left testicular ischaemia, left testicular weights significantly decreased compared with the controls (both, p < 0.05). The decreased testicular weights returned to almost normal values at 24 weeks. Sperm counts in the left cauda epididymis were significantly reduced 8, 16 and 24 weeks after ischaemia (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Sperm motility also decreased 8 and 16 weeks after the procedure (both, p < 0.01). These parameters returned to normal at 48 weeks. The diameter of seminiferous tubules in the left testis was diminished 8 and 16 weeks after testicular ischaemia, and increased tubular wall thickness on the left side was demonstrated 8 weeks after ischaemia (each, p < 0.05). No changes in the parameters at any interval after ischaemia were observed in the right testis. The serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone showed no alteration throughout the experiment. The present study reveals that testicular damage induced by ischaemia up to 1 h is completely reversible and no contralateral orchiopathy is produced by this procedure.