Effects of Unilateral Torsion of the Spermatic Cord on the Contralateral Testis in Human and Guinea Pig

Abstract

The fine structure of the contralateral, so-called unaffected, testis of two of three patients with unilateral testicular torsion revealed varying degrees of abnormalities, apparently related to the time course of the condition. In one patient (H-87) with unilateral torsion of 16 days duration, the contralateral testis revealed various morphological abnormalities. These included abnormal nuclear condensation in spermatids, disappearance of the inner component of the basal lamina, degeneration of the germinal epithelium, and "intermixing" of germinal epithelial cells with peritubular components. In the other patient (H-109) with severe atrophy of one testis as a result of torsion, the contralateral testis revealed abnormalities which included spermatids with degenerating heads and tails within the Sertoli cell cytoplasm near the basal lamina and peritubular thickening accompanied by a greater than usual number of Leydig cells. In guinea pigs with experimentally induced unilateral torsion, abnormal spermatid development was seen in the contralateral testis of those animals in which the affected testis was severely damaged. Moreover, the Sertoli cells exhibited a high degree of phagocytic activity. Fewer abnormal spermatids in the spermatogonial compartment were found in the contralateral testis of the animals which had only moderately altered histology of the affected testis. No fine structural change was noted in the contralateral testis of control or sham operated animals or in those which displayed only minimal damage in the affected testis. This study suggests that unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord resulting in moderate to severe damage to the affected testis may be associated with morphological abnormalities in the contralateral testis.

The Effect of Unilateral Experimental Testicular Torsion on Spermatogenesis and Fertility

“…In addition, the fact that animals with no ipsilateral sperm output were uniformly fertile testifies to the competence of contralateral spermatogenesis. These findings were surprising, as the purpose of the study was to see if the recently proven immunological stimulation following experimental torsion (Ryan and Fitzpatrick, 1986) was the key to pathogenesis of previously described induced contralateral damage (Chakraborty et al, 1980;Passia etal., 1980;Nagler and deVere White, 1982;Cerasaro et al, 1984;Cosentino et al, 1985;York and Drago, 1985). However, consistently normal findings in the present study over 5 separate parameters (gross, testicular score, epididymal score, vas deferens count, copulation studies) left little room for doubt that contralateral testicular exocrine function is normal following unilateral torsion in this experimental model.…”

“…It is possible that autoimmune testicular injury might be initiated by testicular antigens liberated following detorsion and revascularisation. Previously suggested effects of a unilateral testicular injury on the contralateral undamaged organ (Chakraborty et al, 1980;Passia et al, 1980;Nagler and deVere White, 1982;Wallace et a]., 1982;Cerasaro er al., 1984;Cosentino et al, 1985;York and Drago, 1985) might then be explained by an immunological mechanism.…”

Immunological and Clinical Study in Patients after Spermatic Cord Torsion

“…This can be true in some cases, but it must be ascertained whether or not this is most frequent pathogenic mechanism. Chakraborty et al (1980) examined the histology of the controlateral testis in cases of torsion but unfortunately the study cannot be conclusive because it regards only t h e e patients, one of which moreover, had a history of bilateral torsion. In the only case in which surgery and biopsy were performed few hours after the torsion the controlateral testis was histologically normal.…”

“…hormonal levels; 2) production of a toxic substance by an atrophic testis, and 3) abnormalities of both testes. Chakraborty et al (1980) believe in a possible autoimmune hypothesis, but they have not carried out any autoantibodies study. Dondero et al (1980) found the presence of antispermatozoal antibodies by complete immunological study, but they considered only patients with atrophic testis.…”

Der Einfluß des torquierten Hodens auf den kontralateralen Hoden nach experimenteller Hodentorsion bei Ratten

“…Ludwig und andere (20,21,8,24) haben zwar keinen derartigen Einfluß auf den kontralateralen Hoden beobachtet, hielten es jedoch rur zweckmäßig, weitere Untersuchungen in dieser Richtung durchzuführen.…”