Neovascularization of the testicle through spermatic vessels by omental pedicle flap: a new experimental model

Testicular histology after intestinal pedicle flap (cecum) apposition in rats

PURPOSE

Histological study of vascularization between a cecal pedicle flap and the testicle of Wistar rats.

METHODS

Fifty-three rats were studied. G1: submitted to celiotomy (a), mobilization of the right testicle (RT) to the abdomen (b), cecal flap suture to the RT (d) and cavity closure. G1: procedures a, b and d and fixation of RT into abdomen. G3: procedures a, b and d, exposition of RT to air and reposition into scrotum. G4: not operated. Euthanasia and histology was done after 20 days. Histometry and lesions score classification was done. Testicular vascularization was studied with comparison between G1 and G3. A p < .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The G1 RT diameters were not different to G2 RT and all have decreased size in comparison with RT of G3 and G4. The lesions score in the RT was 5.83 in G1 and 3.3 in G2 without statistical difference. The vascularization's average in G1 was 16.9 vessels in 400X field in the RT. In the G3 this average was 0.96 to the RT and 0.92 to left testicles. The weight's average in G1 was similar with G2 but different of G3 and G4.

CONCLUSION

A significant increase of vascularization was observed between the intestinal flap and the rat testicle.

Testicular morphological damage in young rats after inguinotomy with vascular trauma

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Operations for the treatment of inguinal diseases are the most frequent in childhood. Bleeding owing to trauma to the spermatic vessels is frequent and can cause testicular atrophy. The goal of this work was to determine the effects of the trauma to the spermatic vessels in the prepubertal and postpubertal histopathologic alterations in an experimental model in Wistar rats.

METHODS

Eighty albino Wistar rats were divided in 4 groups for the histopathologic analysis. In group A, they were submitted to digital compression of the spermatic vessels for 45 seconds; in group B, the spermatic vessels were clamped with hemostats for 5 seconds; in group C, the spermatic vessels were cauterized for 2 seconds. Group D was the control group, in which the animals were submitted to inguinotomy solely.

RESULTS

The prepubertal histopathologic alterations were significantly decreased in group A for testicular weight (0.97 +/- 0.10); in group B, for testicular weight (0.81 +/- 0.24), testicular volume (0.522 +/- 0.192), and mean testicular biopsy score (7.2 +/- 2.7); and in group C, for the 5 parameters studied, testicular weight (0.69 +/- 0.28), testicular weight per 100 g of body weight (0.498 +/- 0.188), testicular volume (0.765 +/- 0.308), mean seminiferous tubular diameter (236.6 +/- 62.5), and mean testicular biopsy score (6.9 +/- 3.1). The postpubertal histopathologic alterations were not significant for any of the 5 parameters studied, in the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The prepubertal histopathologic alterations were more intense in the group submitted to cauterization of the spermatic vessels, intermediate in the group submitted to clamping of the spermatic vessels with hemostats, and less severe in the rats submitted to digital compression of the spermatic vessels. The postpubertal histopathologic alterations demonstrated the capability of the young testicle to recuperate from a vascular trauma.

Autorevascularization of the testicle and spermatic vessels by bladder pedicle flap: an experimental study

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to investigate revascularization of the testicle through its own tissue and spermatic vessels by a bladder pedicle flap in rabbits.

METHODS

Thirty male rabbits were used in the study. In 10 animals, the Fowler-Stephens (FS) procedure was applied to the right testicles (FS group). The FS procedure and revascularization of the testicle by a bladder pedicle flap were applied to the right testicles in 10 animals (FSO group). No surgical procedure was performed in the control group. Scintigraphic study was performed 3 weeks after the high ligation procedure in the FS and FSO groups. Both testicles were evaluated by radionuclide scintigraphy in all the animals. Macroscopic testicle weights were evaluated. Testicular biopsy scores and mean seminiferous tubule diameters were determined in the histopathologic study.

RESULTS

The testicular blood flow of the FSO group was better than the FS group (P < .05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the FSO and the control groups (P > .01). Testicle weights, testicular biopsy scores, and seminiferous tubule diameters in the FSO group were detected, and there was a statistically significant difference when compared with the FS group (P < .05) but not with the control group (P > .01).

CONCLUSION

We suppose that the surgical model of revascularization of the testicle through its own tissue and spermatic vessels by a bladder pedicle flap can be an alternative to the FS procedure in abdominal and high canalicular undescended testicles.

The effects of local and sustained release of fibroblast growth factor on testicular blood flow and morphology in spermatic artery--and vein-ligated rats

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of local and sustained release of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on testicular blood flow and morphology in spermatic artery--and vein-ligated rats.

METHODS

Forty male Wistar albino rats weighting 300 +/- 20 g were allocated randomly into 5 groups consisting of 8 in each as follows: G-S (sham); G-C (control); and G-T0.85, G-T1.70, G-T2.55. After the ligation of the left spermatic artery and vein, 1 cm2 of unloaded and 0.85 microg, 1.70 microg, and 2.55 microg of FGF-loaded gelatin films were sutured on the left epididymis in G-C, G-T0.85, G-T1.70, and G-T2.55, respectively. After 30 days, bilateral capsular (CBF) and intratesticular (IBF) blood flows were evaluated by colored Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and testicular blood flow (TBF) by 133Xe clearance technique. Tunica albuginea and intertubular tissues were studied for the increase of peritesticular and intratesticular vessels. Mean intertubular vascular structure counts, seminiferous tubular diameters, testicular biopsy scores, and Leyding cell scores of each group were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

CBF was present in all animals of G-S, G-T0.85, G-T1.70, and G-T2.55 groups in CDUS, and it was detected in 62% of the G-C rats (P < .05). However, IBF was present in only 25% of the G-C rats, and this percentage was increased from 50% up to 87.5% for treatment groups, and 100% for G-S rats, respectively. 133Xe clearance showed that TBF was significantly decreased in G-C compared with G-S (P < .05). In G-T2.55, TBF was significantly increased, but still could not reach the level of G-S. Although mean testicular weights were significantly decreased for controls (G-C), G-T0.85, and G-T1.70, almost no difference was observed between G-T2.55 and G-S. Although a slight increase in the vascular structures of tunica albuginea was present in G-C rats, a significant increase was observed in treatment groups. The mean number of intertubular vascular structures was significantly increased in treatment groups when compared with G-S and G-C (P < .05). Mean seminiferous tubular diameters and Leydig cell scores were decreased in G-C but significantly increased in treatment groups (P < .05). Mean testicular biopsy scores were increased in treatment groups compared with G-C but could not reach to sham levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligation of the spermatic artery and vein has detrimental effects on the ipsilateral testicular blood flow and morphology. These effects may be reversed by local application of FGF.