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

Utility of Laparoscopic Approach of Orchiopexy for Palpable Cryptorchidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…After that period, the possibility of spontaneous testicular descent is extremely low. Recent recommendations suggest that optimal timing for orchiopexy, to avoid infertility and testicular cancer is between 6 and 18 months of age [1][2][3][4][5]26]. Although there are many controversies regarding hormonal therapy in boys with non-palpable cryptorchidism, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis showed that hormonal therapy can be effective in some cases and increase the success rate of complete testicular descent [27].…”

“…The most recent study demonstrated that despite on-time orchiopexy, up to 25% of the children with UDT have an increased risk for infertility [4]. To identify the cases at high risk for infertility and who will require further treatment, blood sampling and testicular biopsy are required [4,5]. In addition to male infertility, as the most important consequence of cryptorchidism, boys with UDT are at a significantly higher risk of developing testicular tumors or testicular torsion, and are also more susceptible to testicular trauma compared to boys with normally positioned testicles [1,[5][6][7][8].…”

“…To identify the cases at high risk for infertility and who will require further treatment, blood sampling and testicular biopsy are required [4,5]. In addition to male infertility, as the most important consequence of cryptorchidism, boys with UDT are at a significantly higher risk of developing testicular tumors or testicular torsion, and are also more susceptible to testicular trauma compared to boys with normally positioned testicles [1,[5][6][7][8]. Taking all the above-mentioned points into account, the question of the optimal time when to do orchiopexy arises.…”