Immunological and Clinical Study in Patients after Spermatic Cord Torsion

Abstract

Bartsch et al. (1980) state that three possible pathogenic causes exist: 1) alterations of Material and Methods lateral spermatic cord torsion within the last seven years. The torsion was right sided in 15 and left sided in 10. AU patients were affected after puberty.Twenty-five patients, ranging from 16 to 26 years of age were studied. They hadmono-

Effect of melatonin on epididymal sperm quality after testicular ischemia/reperfusion in rats

“…Testicular torsion results in decreased sperm concentration and motility (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). In previous investigations of experimental torsion, sham treatment had no effect on ipsilateral testis weight or cauda epididymal sperm concentrations at several time periods after repair of torsion (20,21), but increasing the time of ischemia to 1, 2, and 4 hours caused an almost total loss of spermatogenesis at both 30 and 60 days after ischemia.…”

Histological Study of the Removed Testes of Patients After Acute Monolateral Spermatic Cord Torsion

“…In fact these authors found a significant correlation between the presence of spermimmobilizing antibodies and infertility. In this disease, in addition to antisperm antibodies, we found (Zanchetta et al -1982) anti-Leydig and anti-germ cells antibodies. Furthermore Harrison et al (1 98 1) described characteristic histological alterations in controlateral testis in rats after monolateral experimental spermatic cord torsion and demonstrated an increase in cytotoxicity against spermatozoa of host serum.…”

“…Some authors (Mastrogiacomo et al -1982) in a recent study reported that infertility is more frequent when the testis is left in situ and becomes atrophic after spermatic cord torsion. Infertility in these patients seems to be correlated with an autoimmune mechanism because segregated antigens enter the bloodstream.…”

“…From these preliminary data Mastrogiacomo et al (1982) proposed the surgical remov-Materials and Methods studied. In 3 patients (T.Gl.…”

Immunologically Mediated Male and Female Reproductive Failure

“…Vasectomy is associated with autoimmunity to spermatozoa in 60-70% of men (Alexander and Anderson, 1979), perhaps mediated through the absorption of an increased amount of sperm antigens that cannot be balanced by immunosuppressive factors. Testicular trauma (Haensch, 1973), torsion (Mastrogiacomo et al, 1982), biopsy (Hjort et al, 1974), and tumors (Guazziero et al, 1985) have also been associated with the production of ASAs. Witkin and Toth (1983) have presented evidence that genital tract infections, which can act as adjuvants for immune activation, are associated with anti-sperm antibody production.…”