Analysis of testicular‐internal spermatic vein variation and the recreation of varicocoele in a Sprague‐Dawley rat model

Abstract

SUMMARYMany laboratories tried to recreate the varicocoele model have met with varied success. To recreate a consistent varicocoele model by exploring the anatomic variability of the testicular-spermatic venous system in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Seventy-two sexually mature SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups containing 24 rats per group. Partial ligation of the left renal vein and internal spermatic vein (ISV) communicating branches to common iliac vein and ISV communicating branches ligation (RVISVCB-CIV) or partial ligation of the left renal vein and ISV communicating branches ligation (RVISVCB). The results showed that the mean diameter of the left ISV was significantly increased in the RVISVCBCIV group compared with the control and RVISVCB groups (p < 0.001). Using ISV as the reference, the sensitivity of varicocoele was 71.43%, and the specificity was 80%. In addition, the positive predictive value was 83.33%, and the negative predictive value was 66.67%. Sperm count, motility, Johnsen score and the spermatogenic cell density were lower in the RVISVCBCIV group compared with the control (p < 0.01). The apoptotic index was higher in the RVISVCBCIV group compared with control groups (p < 0.01). The RVISVCBCIV provides a more effective method for establishing a varicocoele-induced model.

Protective effect of MOTILIPERM in varicocele-induced oxidative injury in rat testis by activating phosphorylated inositol requiring kinase 1α (p-IRE1α) and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) pathways

“…Infertility in varicocele is due to reduced semen parameters, testicular size and testosterone levels (Miyaoka and Esteves 2012 ; Zhang et al. 2014 ). In this study, we found that sperm count and sperm motility of the vas deferens and epididymis, testosterone levels and left testis weights were significantly reduced in VC + vehicle group.…”

“…Branches of the left renal vein and the left internal spermatic vein (ISV) that communicate with the common iliac vein were partially ligated, and the communicating branches along the left ISV were fully ligated, as described previously (Zhang et al. 2014 ). In brief, the upper left abdominal quadrant was approached, and the left renal and ISV were located through a midline abdominal incision.…”

“…The detailed histological criteria for scoring are 1: no seminiferous epithelium; 2: no germinal cells (Sertoli cells only); 3: spermatogonia only; 4: no spermatozoa or spermatids, with few spermatocytes; 5: no spermatozoa or spermatids, with many spermatocytes; 6: no spermatozoa, no late spermatids and few early spermatids; 7: no spermatozoa, no late spermatids and many early spermatids; 8: fewer than five spermatozoa per tubule, and few late spermatids; 9: slightly impaired spermatogenesis, many late spermatids, and a disorganized epithelium; and 10: full spermatogenesis (Zhang et al. 2014 ).…”

“…Varicocele is a condition associated with abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus within the spermatic cord (Zhang et al. 2014 ). Reports relating to the presence of varicocele in testis date back to the first century A.D. by Greek physician Celsus (Saypol 1981 ).…”

The effect of the degree of left renal vein constriction on the development of adolescent varicocele in Sprague-Dawley rats

“… 7 first established an ELV model using adult SD rats in 1981, this model has been widely used in different laboratories. 6 8 21 …”