The effect of graded unilateral testicular biopsy on the reproductive capacity of male rats

The Effect of Single and Triple Testicular Biopsy Using Biopty Gun on Spermatogenesis in Pubertal Rats

Simple Summary

Nowadays, a punch biopsy is a simple, reliable and inexpensive method for different types of tissue sampling. Equally, it is the method of choice for obtaining testicular tissue samples for pathohistological analysis and sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The results of this study clearly showed that a single biopsy has little effect on the biopsied testis, especially on total fertility. Triple biopsy showed by the same parameters that histological and immunohistochemical consequences were more significant compared to single but without a significant effect on overall fertility. Sperm analysis showed that single and triple biopsies did not have a significant effect on sperm count, motility and morphology. In addition, both single and triple punch biopsies of one testicle did not significantly affect the overall fertility potential of pubertal rats.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare consequences in single and triple testicular biopsy by biopty gun in pubertal rats using histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Methods: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats were used as the experimental model. The rats were randomly divided into three study groups. The rats from the first group (n = 12) received a single-biopsy of upper pole of the left testis, while the rats from the second group (n = 10) received triple-biopsy of upper and lower poles and lateral surface of left testis. The third group (n = 10) was a control group. On the eightieth day after the biopsy in all rats bilateral orchiectomy and funiculectomy were performed to obtain testicular tissue and sperm for analysis. The consequences of the puncture were observed by pathohistology, immunohistochemistry and semen analysis. Results: The results of the study showed lower percentage of sperm count (14.5 mill/mL vs. 16 mill/mL, p = 0.130), sperm motility (24.6% vs. 32.7%, p > 0.05), abnormal sperm (30% vs. 27%, p > 0.05), atrophic tubules (21% vs. 6%, p < 0.001), volume (1.7 mL vs. 2.28 mL, p < 0.01) and apoptotic index (1.56 vs. 1.19, p = 0.650) in the testes with a triple-biopsy compared to the testes with a single-biopsy. Semen analysis showed a borderline significant difference between the group with triple-biopsy where sperm count was lower than it in the control group (14.5 mill/mL vs. 17.5 mill/mL, p = 0.05). A single-biopsy has little effect on the testis, especially on overall fertility. A triple-biopsy showed higher degree of the testicular damage but without a significant impact on overall fertility. Semen analysis showed that single- and triple-biopsies did not have a significant effect on sperm count, motility and morphology. Conclusion: Biopty gun procedure is a cheap, simple and reliable method for testicular biopsy in rats without a significant effect on sperm count, motility and morphology.

Role of serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 in regulating torsion-induced apoptosis in rats

Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase-1 (SGK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that responds to various stimuli and mediates cell survival. Although it is known that testicular torsion leads to testicular damage and male infertility, the role of SGK1 in torsion remains unclear. This study investigated whether torsion-induced apoptosis is associated with changes in phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), SGK1 and forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a expression and/or phosphorylation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham (control), 1, 2 and 4 h of unilateral torsion. Bilateral testes, testicular interstitial fluid (TIF) and blood samples were collected immediately after torsion. Our results revealed that SGK1 protein and mRNA were abundantly present in testes and were induced by 2 h of torsion, but that phosphorylation of SGK1, PDK1 and FOXO3a decreased simultaneously. After 2 h of torsion, the testosterone secretion capacity of the primary Leydig cells and testicular interstitial cells (TICs) was impaired and apoptotic spermatogonia and TICs were observed; in addition, the mean seminiferous tubular diameter was decreased. Torsion increased plasma corticosterone levels, but decreased plasma luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels. However, the testosterone levels of the TIF in the ipsilateral testes were significantly enhanced after 2 h of torsion, but suppressed in the contralateral testes. This animal study suggests that PDK1, SGK1 and FOXO3a are involved in torsion-induced apoptosis and that medical therapy should be performed as early as 2 h after the occurrence of torsion to prevent further damage.

Effect of testicular biopsy in childhood on spermatogenesis, fertility, and paternity in adulthood--a mouse model study

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of testicular biopsy in childhood on spermatogenesis, fertility, and paternity in subsequent adulthood using an animal model. Considerable controversy exists as to whether testicular biopsy should be performed in children.

METHODS

Four-week-old male ICR mice were subjected to unilateral testicular biopsy (group 1), bilateral biopsy (group 2), or a sham operation (group 3). At 8 weeks of age, the testicular weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, and manifestation of apoptosis were examined. The motility of sperm obtained from the epididymides of the same testes was also examined. Fertility and paternity was assessed in each mouse by housing it with 2 age-matched females for 2 weeks.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in the testicular weight, mean seminiferous tubular diameter, or number of apoptotic germ cells between the biopsied and unbiopsied side in group 1 or between groups 2 and 3. No significant differences were noted in the average sperm motility rate between the biopsied (30.5% +/- 14.5%) and unbiopsied side (35.8% +/- 19.2%) in group 1, or between groups 2 (37.6% +/- 18.0%) and 3 (39.3% +/- 10.0%). All females who coupled with the male mice in all groups became pregnant. The average number of offspring from the 2 female mice was not significantly different among the three groups (group 1, 13.1 +/- 2.3; group 2, 12.3 +/- 2.0; and group 3, 11.3 +/- 3.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The spermatogenesis, fertility, and paternity of mature mice were unaffected by testicular biopsy in childhood.

Testicular biopsy during orchidopexy procedure: does it have an adverse effect on fertility?

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the gonadal biopsy procedure on fertility and histology of the experimentally created undescended testis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty Wistar-Albino rat litters were divided into three groups. In the first two groups, undescended testes were obtained by dividing the right gubernaculum in the first 48 h and the third group constituted the sham group. When the rats were 30 days old, orchidopexy was performed in the first group (O), whereas orchidopexy and testicular biopsy were performed in the second group (OB). After the fertility study all rats were sacrificed at week 11 and testicular weights, mean seminiferous tubular diameters (MSTD) and mean testicular biopsy scores (MTBS) were measured.

RESULTS

One testis in the O group and three testes in the OB group were atrophied and these rats were excluded from the study. Testicular weights, MSTD and MTBS values of the operated side in the O and OB groups were lower than those in the sham group. There was a statistically significant difference between the MSTD values of the ipsilateral testes in the OB group and sham group (p<0.05). MTBS values of the ipsilateral testes in the O and OB groups were <8. There was no difference in all parameters in the contralateral testes between all groups (p>0.05). All the evaluated rats were fertile. While there was no difference in number of fetuses and fertility scores between the O and OB group, however, the differences were significant between each of these groups and the sham group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Testicular biopsy in the unilateral undescended testis model results in limited histological changes without affecting the fertility.

How Harmful is Contralateral Testicular Biopsy?—An Analysis of Serial Imaging Studies and a Prospective Evaluation of Surgical Complications

OBJECTIVE

Testicular biopsy has recently gained a role in early detection of testicular cancer. However, its use is still limited mainly because of the fear of untoward consequences. There is a paucity of data regarding unfavourable effects of testicular biopsy. Therefore, we systematically looked to the consequences of the procedure by using clinical observational methods and by modern imaging techniques, respectively.

PATIENTS, METHODS

1874 patients with testicular cancer enrolled in a nation-wide contralateral biopsy study were prospectively analyzed in regard to surgical complications. Serial scrotal imaging was performed by scrotal sonography (7.5 Mhz) in 55 patients and by magnetic resonance tomography (1.5 Tesla machine, surface coil, contrast media) in 60 patients, respectively. Imaging examinations were done preoperatively and again at 1 week, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months respectively. Imaging results were tabulated according to an abnormality score and analyzed by descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

52 patients (2.78%; 95% confidence intervals 2.05-3.60) experienced surgical complications. Forty minor complications were managed conservatively. Twelve patients (0.64%) required repeat surgery; 1 testicle was ultimately lost following a sequence of unfortunate events. No pre-existing clinical parameter was associated with complications. One week after surgery, abnormalities were detected in 33% by sonography and in 45% by MRI, respectively. Importantly, the abnormalities resolved in 96% of the cases, as found in both of the imaging modalities in the serial scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Testicular biopsy is associated with a low burden of clinically significant complications. However, scrotal imaging discloses intratesticular abnormalities in a high proportion of cases one week after the biopsy. These changes represent focal haematoma, oedema or circumscript injury to vascular supply. Most of these lesions resolve with time and are thus not significant, clinically. Evidently, testicular biopsy is a safe procedure provided the vascular anatomy of the testis is respected upon surgery.

The effect of sustained and local administration of epidermal growth factor on improving bilateral testicular tissue after torsion

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) modulates Leydig cell proliferation, steroidogenesis, spermiogenesis, and Sertoli cell activity. It plays an important role in repairing ischemia-reperfusion injury in different tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sustained and local administration of EGF on improving bilateral testicular tissue after torsion. A total of 57 Wistar albino rats were used. For the EGF transport system, 1x2 cm gelatin films containing 2 microg EGF were used. Torsion was created by rotating the right testis 720 degrees in a clockwise direction for 4 h in all groups except the control group. Then, in the torsion group, bilateral orchiectomy was performed. After returning the torsioned ipsilateral testes to their normal state, the bilateral testes were wrapped by 1x2 cm unloaded gelatin films in the gelatin (G7 and G21) groups and, by 2 microg EGF loaded gelatin films in the EGF 7 and EGF 21 groups. The testes were removed on the seventh and 21st days, respectively, for biochemical and histological examination. Histologically, Johnsen's spermatogenesis criteria and mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD) measurements were used. The EGF7 group did not show significant loss of Sertoli cells, while in the G7 group the number of these cells decreased. The ipsilateral ischemic testis of the EGF21 group showed Leydig cell hyperplasia, and the contralateral non-ischemic testes in this group were similar to the control group. In the G21 group, the bilateral testes showed Sertoli cell only syndrome in some sections, and most of the cells were undergoing apoptosis. The mean spermatogenesis scores and MSTD in the EGF7 and EGF21 groups were higher than in the G7 and G21 groups ( P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the EGF groups than in the G groups ( P<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in the G21 group were significantly higher than in the EGF21 group. Our study shows that local and sustained EGF release after testicular torsion improves bilateral testicular injury. EGF administration may be a new treatment choice for bilaterally injured testis after detorsion without removing the twisted testis.

Pyrimethamine: an approach to the development of a male contraceptive

With the human population of the world currently more than 5.2 billion and growing at an explosive rate, the need for additional forms of readily available contraception appears paramount. To date, contraception techniques in the male have been very limited. The present study demonstrates the ability of pyrimethamine (PYR) to cause spermatogenic arrest and male infertility in mice in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, upon cessation of drug administration all animals returned to normal fertility status. It is also suggested that the action of PYR is due to its antifolate action. Thus, PYR represents another approach toward development of a male contraceptive.

Continent urinary diversion and bladder augmentation in children: the Mainz pouch procedure

The formation of a bowel reservoir of large capacity at low pressure by using small and large bowel (ileocaecal segment) has proved reliable for achieving continent urinary diversion (n = 80), for bladder augmentation (n = 42) as well as for total bladder replacement (n = 24). Encouraged by the results we obtained in our adult patients, we have used this technique during the last 3.5 years in 29 children. Indications for urinary diversions in children have been: neurogenic bladder with diplegia (n = 8), bladder exstrophy (n = 2), traumatic loss of the bladder (n = 1), urogenital sinus (n = 1) and rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate or bladder (n = 2). Bladder augmentation was indicated in 6 children with iatrogenic bladder loss, in 5 children with neurogenic bladder without diplegia and in 4 boys with incontinent epispadias or exstrophy. In children with bladder exstrophy or incontinent epispadias, continence was achieved using a modified Young-Dees technique with formation of a long intra-abdominal muscular tube made out of the bladder plate or the low-capacity bladder. The capacity of the urinary reservoir was guaranteed by bladder augmentation or bladder replacement with an ileocaecal pouch. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months (bladder augmentation) and 21 months (continent diversion) there was only one postoperative complication (intussusception ileus) which required operative revision. Two children had to undergo reoperation because of nipple problems. Follow-up, with monitoring of biochemical and metabolic parameters, is necessary to show whether this technique will provide a long-term successful solution for these problems.