Urology Journal (Sep 2013)
The Impact of Unilateral Experimental Rat Varicocele Model on Testicular Histopathology, Leydig Cell Counts, and Intratesticular Testosterone Levels of Both Testes
Abstract
Purpose: Varicocele, most treatable pathologic condition in male infertility, exerts unfavorableeffects on testicular ultrastructure via various mechanisms. In this study we aimed to demonstrateadverse effects of varicocele on both testes.Materials and Methods: Twenty one adult male Albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Shamoperation was performed for group 1 (control group), and this group of rats were sacrificed 4 weekslater. Experimental varicocele model was performed for group 2 (varicocele group) and these animalswere sacrificed 4 weeks after the operation. In group 3 the rats were varicocelectomized 4weeks later. This group of rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks postoperatively. The level of testiculardamage was examined, and serum testosterone and intratesticular testosterone levels were measured.Results: Mean (±SD) damage scores of the right testes of the sham, varicocele, and varicocelectomygroups were 0, 1.64 ± 1.3, and 1.21 ± 0.3, respectively. There was no statistically significantdifferences between damage scores of groups 2, and 3 (P = .320), relevant scores of both groupswere determined to be significantly higher than group 1 (P = .009, and P = .001). Mean (±) damagescores of the left testes of the three groups were detected to be 0.43 ± 1.13, 2.29 ± 1.15, and 1.78 ±0.39, respectively. The difference between varicocele, and varicocelectomy groups was not staticallysignificant (P = .112).Conclusion: Unilateral varicocele has deleterious effects on both testes. There was no statisticallysignificant difference as for histopathologic recovery following varicocelectomy.
