Torsion and the Contralateral Testicle

Abstract

The histologic effect of unilateral torsion on the contralateral testicle in adult Noble rats was examined. Utilizing detorsion or orchiectomy at 3 hours and 24 hours after torsion, the effect of early and late treatment of these changes was reviewed. The histologic changes consisted of loss of tubular spermatozoa, clumping of chromatin within the spermatocytes, the presence of Sertoli-only cells, evacuolization of Sertoli cytoplasm and germinal epithelial sloughing. Depression of spermatogenesis and decrease in the mean seminiferous tubular size was seen in the "normal" testicle after unilateral torsion. This effect was negated by early treatment with either orchiectomy or detorsion. Late detorsion does not negate these effects and late orchiectomy only partially negates them. Despite the depressed tubular function, the presence of early spermatogenic elements seen in the majority of the tubules in the "normal" testicle implies the possible reversibility of these changes.

Long-term study of the immuno-pathological consequences of sympathetic orchiopathia in the rat

“…This finding has been reported by other workers (Wallace et ai, 1982;Cosentino et ai, 1985;York & Drago, 1985). The degree of suppression noted in this study was not as great as that reported in other investigations in which disruption of tubular architecture, oedema, decreased diameter of seminiferous tubules, spermatocyte and spermatid degeneration, loss of spermatogenesis and sloughing of Sertoli cell cytoplasm have been reported (Cosentino et ai, 1985;York & Drago, 1985). An (Bandhauer & Marberger, 1966;Hendry, 1983;Hjort, 1983 , might, unless the testis is completely infarcted, be unnecessary.…”

“…Previous work has shown that unilateral testicular ischaemia in the rat achieved either by twisting or ligation and division of the blood supply, causes contralateral testicular damage. This has been demonstrated at both light and electron microscopic levels after variable periods of ipsilateral testicular infarction, ranging from 7 days to 8 weeks (Lewis-Jones et ai, 1982;Wallace et ai, 1982;Nagler & White, 1982;Williamson & Thomas, 1984;Cosentino et ai, 1985;York & Drago, 1985). The phenomenon has been named sympathetic orchiopathia and, because no inflammatory reaction in the contralateral testis has been demonstrated, an autoimmune aetiology has been suggested (Wallace et ai, 1982).…”

“…Unlike the rat, no significant antisperm antibody production was observed when compared to controls, but the method used for detection of antibody was an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay not used in other investigations. (Nagler & White, 1982;Thomas et ai, 1984;Cosentino et ai, 1985;Kearney & Lewis-Jones, 1985;York & Drago, 1985). Group rats were also anaesthetized with ether and the abdominal cavity opened.…”

Long-Term Influence of Prepubertal Testicular Torsion on Spermatogenesis

“…Even though the testes could survive after detorsion, prepubertal testicular torsion induces low fertility in adults. Besides the I/R in- jury, an immunological mechanism should attribute to the further injury [18,19] . Antioxidant treatments have been used successfully to decrease reperfusion injury in multiple organ systems such as heart [20] , bowel [21] and liver [22] .…”

Immunologic Aspect of Testicular Torsion: Detection of Antisperm Antibodies in Contralateral Testicle

“…Controversy persists regarding the role of immunologic reactions in posttorsion subfertility in humans [6, 14, 15]. It has long been suggested that the testis is capable of stimulating an immunological reaction that severely damages spermatogenetic function.…”