PURPOSE:To compare the measurement of the testicular volume of Wistar rats using a caliper and ultrasonography. METHODS:Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups. A tensile force of 1.6 Newton (N) and 1.0 N was applied to the right spermatic cord in group I and group II, respectively. Group III was the sham group, and group IV served as a control. The initial and final testicular volumes were measured using a caliper and ultrasonography and compared. A significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS:The Kappa coefficient was equal to 0.292 (p = 0.006). The Pearson correlation coefficient obtained for the percent reduction in the right testicular volume using ultrasonography and a caliper was equal to 0.696 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION:There was reasonable agreement and a significant positive correlation between the percent reduction in the right testicular volume using ultrasonography and a caliper.

PURPOSE:To determine whether tension in the spermatic cord of rats causes lesions in the testis, epididymis or vas deferens. METHODS:Forty Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. A traction force of 1.6 Newton (N) in group I and 1 N in group II was applied to the right spermatic cord. Group III was the sham, and group IV served as the control. RESULTS:Testicular lesions occurred on the right side in 66.7% of the rats and on the left side in 46.1% of the rats. The testes showed a decreased number of Sertoli cells, necrosis and a decreased number of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules. Anatomopathological changes in the vas deferens were not identified. There was no decrease in the thickness of the muscle wall of the vas deferens. In the right epididymis, 71.8% of the animals showed a reduction and 5% showed an absence of intraluminal sperm. In the left epididymis, 37.5% of the rats showed a reduction. The volume and the final testicular weight of the right side in group IV was different from those in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS:Anatomopathological lesions were found in the testis and epididymis.