Spermatic granulomata are experimentally induced in epididymides of mice receiving high-dose testosterone implants. I. A light-microscopical study.

It is known that a spermatic granuloma is induced by the inflammatory reaction following leakage of spermatozoa outside the germ cell ducts and is the main clinical complication of vasectomy. In the present study, we found that spermatic granulomata were experimentally induced in the epididymides of mice treated with high-dose testosterone. Testosterone powder (0.02, 0.2, or 2 mg per gram body weight) was implanted into ICR male mice, which were then killed from 7 to 63 days after the treatment for histological examination at the light-microscopic level. The results showed that the testis exhibited little or no degenerative change; however, the epididymides were frequently affected by spermatic granulomata after day 35 in mice implanted with high-dose testosterone (2 but not 0.2 or 0.02 mg per gram body weight). Observation of the early histological changes revealed that the ductal epithelium of the epididymides became vacuolated around day 25. Thereafter, the basement membrane of the epididymal ducts was ruptured after day 30, followed by leakage of spermatozoa into the adjacent interstitial tissue. The extravasated spermatozoa were then surrounded by macrophages (= epithelioid cells) and lymphocytes, resulting in the formation of a spermatic granuloma. In contrast, other mice treated with the same dose of deoxycorticosterone or estradiol did not show the induction of spermatic granulomata. Therefore, this study demonstrated that a spermatic granuloma is specifically formed in the epididymis by testosterone and that the lesion is started by vacuolation of the epididymal duct epithelium.     

Obstruction of the tubuli recti and ductuli efferentes by dilated veins in the testes of men with varicocele and its possible role in causing atrophy of the seminiferous tubules

Hormone measurements, spermiograms and testicular biopsies studies were performed in young with varicocele. In addition, the testes and epididymides of 27 adults with varicocele were obtained from autopsies. Light and electron microscopic examination of biopsy and autopsy specimens revealed two types of lesions in testes with varicocele: 1) a diffuse lesion consisting of abnormal spermatozoa and spermatid morphology and sloughing of immature spermatozoa and spermatid; 2) focal lesion, distributed irregularly throughout the testicular parenchyma, affecting several small groups of seminiferous tubules. Each of these groups corresponded to a testicular lobule and showed different degrees of tubular atrophy, so that the focal lesions were distributed in a mosaic pattern. The testicular interstitium showed dilated veins and venules, and progressive collagenization. Some testes showed dilated veins in the rete testis, which compressed several tubuli recti and caused tubular atrophy in the seminiferous tubules opening into these tubuli recti. Other testes showed dilated young veins among the ductuli efferentes, and the rete testis channels appeared to be dilated. Among the different etiological mechanisms which have been suggested to for testicular lesions in varicocele, tubular obstruction at the level of either the tubuli recti or the ductuli efferentes might be responsible for lesions leading to testicular atrophy.     

Diagnostic value of differential quantification of spermatids in obstructive azoospermia

Testicular biopsies from 80 azoospermic young men were revised and the average numbers per cross-sectioned tubule of each germ cell type were calculated and compared with those of control normal testes. In 53 patients, azoospermia had an obstructive cause, and in 22 of those 53 patients more adult spermatids were found by testicular biopsy than young spermatids (over 100% in some testes), in one or both testes. However, in normal testes fewer mature spermatids than young spermatids (23.3%) were found. In the 22 patients, the causes of azoospermia were: vasectomy (7 patients), bilateral agenesis of the vas deferens (3 patients), Young syndrome (3 patients), bilateral cysts in the caput epididymidis (1 patient), bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy (1 patient), left varicocele (1 patient), and unknown causes (6 patients). Biopsies were bilateral except for 3 cases (a vasectomized patient, a patient with Young syndrome, and a patient with obstruction due to an unknown cause). Hormonal levels were normal in the 22 patients. In addition, testicular biopsies of 3 twisted testes from 3 young adult men showing a number of adult spermatids higher than that of young spermatids were also included in the study. All testicular biopsies-including those of the twisted testes-showed an obstructive histologic pattern, consisting of a mosaic distribution of testicular lesions: mainly tubular ectasis and germ cell sloughing into the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules. The increase in the number of adult spermatids was bilateral in 1 of the 6 vasectomized men who underwent bilateral biopsy, and in 7 of the 11 bilaterally biopsied patients with obstructive azoospermia due to other causes. The most probable explanation for the increased number of adult spermatids is stagnation of testicular fluid, caused by sperm excretory duct obstruction. The unilateral increase in the number of adult spermatids in vasectomized men might be related to the occurrence of a spermatic granuloma (a frequent finding in vasectomy) in the proximal end of the sectioned ductus deferens ipsilateral to the testis with nonincreased adult spermatid numbers, and the absence of spermatic granuloma in the ductus deferens ipsilateral to the testis with increased adult spermatid numbers. This granuloma would produce, in addition to spermatozoon destruction, reabsorption of the testicular and epididymal fluids. The higher rate of bilateral increase, in the number of young spermatids observed in the patients with congenital lesions of the ductus deferens or the ductus epididymidis, might be related to the absence of spermatic granulomas in congenital obstructions.     

Histopathological examination of both ipsilateral and contralateral testes with different obstructive models in prepubertal and adult rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the histopathological changes in both the ipsilateral and contralateral testes of prepubertal and adult male rats 60 days after creating different obstructive models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six prepubertal and 32 adult albino male rats were examined in three different obstructive models of the right testis. In group 1 the spermatic cord was ligated, in group 2 the ligation was between the caput epididymis and testis, and in group 3 the vas deferens was ligated. Sixty days after ligation both testes were removed and evaluated for testis diameter, mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD), and degenerative, obstructive and inflammatory changes. RESULTS: The diameter of the obstructed right testis and MSTD were significantly greater in prepubertal rats but there was no apparent difference in adult rats. For obstructive changes, sloughing of germ cells in the prepubertal rats and germ cell absence in adult rats were significantly more common in group 3. The contralateral testis diameter and MSTD of group 3 was significantly greater only in prepubertal rats. Statistically significant values of obstructive change, e.g. sloughing of germ cells and apical vacuolation in Sertoli cells, were apparent in prepubertal rats, but tubular ectasis was the only statistically significant criterion of obstruction in adult rats. CONCLUSION: The testes are more susceptible to obstruction of the vas deferens in prepubertal than in adults rats, resulting in increased hydrostatic pressure and oedema of both the ipsilateral and contralateral testes, which might be caused by collateral circulation and rat testicular microcirculation, with a rhythmic pattern of arteriolar dilatation and constriction (vasomotion). Although the presence of oedema and high hydrostatic pressure was not prominent in adults, formation of spermatic granulomas and absence or sloughing of germ cells in the obstructed and contralateral testes reflect the early effects of vas ligation on spermatogenesis in adulthood.     

Antispermatogenic/antiandrogenic properties of solasodine (C27H43O2N) obtained from solanum xanthocarpum berries on the male genital tract of dog (Canis-familiaris). A Histophysiological approach

Chronic administration of solasodine (20 mg/kg alt. day for 30 days) caused testicular lesions resulting in a severe impairment of spermatogenic elements. The epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa. Total protein, sialic acid and glycogen contents of the testis and epididymis were reduced significantly whereas the testicular cholesterol was elevated. Acid Phosphatase enzyme activity of the testes was low after solasodine treatment. Serum enzymes (SGPT, alkaline phosphatase) serum protein, triglycerides, non esterified fatty acid levels were in normal range when compared with their own controls. Cholesterol and phospholipid levels were elevated after solasodine treatment to intact dogs. Reduced androgen production was reflected in low levels of sialic acid in the testes and epididymides and reduced Leydig cell nuclei. Castration alone brought about reduction in size of the epididymis. Castration followed by solasodine treatment caused epididymal degeneration. Simultaneous administration of TP to solasodine treated castrated dogs failed to stimulate the epididymal growth. Antispermatogenic/antiandrogenic activity of the compound solasodine is discussed. Solasodine administration in dogs definitely rendered the male infertile as evidenced by the absence of sperms in the cauda epididymis and ductus deferens.     

Testicular biopsy in patients with obstructive azoospermia

The present report studies the testicular biopsy lesions (histologic and semiquantitative) in a series of 48 patients with obstructive azoospermia of known etiology (vasectomy, congenital absence of vas deferens, herniorrhaphy, hydrocelectomy, Young's syndrome, and ejaculatory duct obstruction) in order to establish objective testicular data that permit the pathologist to diagnose an obstructive process, which should not be mistaken with a primary testicular lesion. The semiquantitative study included determinations of the average numbers of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, young spermatids (Sa + Sb), and differentiated spermatids (Sc + Sd). According to this study, the testes were classified into the following groups: (1) normal testes whose germ cell numbers were within normal limits (27 testes); (2) testes with lesions in the adluminal compartment; these lesions comprise two subgroups: (2a) late sloughing of primary spermatocytes (both spermatid types were greatly reduced in number while the other germ cell types were in normal numbers) (45 testes); and (2b) early sloughing of primary spermatocytes (normal spermatogonial number, reduced number of spermatocytes, and scanty spermatids) (9 testes); and (3) lesions in the basal compartment; these lesions comprise two subgroups: (3a) pure hypospermatogenesis (a proportionate decrease in the numbers of all germ cell types) (8 testes); and (3b) hypospermatogenesis associated with sloughing of primary spermatocytes (decreased numbers of all germ cell types with a very scanty number spermatids) (4 testes). Two testes appeared hyalinized and one testis was removed owing to cryptorchidism. The most frequent testicular lesion observed (alteration in the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules) seems to be related to the increase in hydrostatic pressure in the tight compartment formed by seminiferous tubules, rete testis, efferent ducts, the epididymal duct, and the initial portion of the vas deferens. The severity of the lesions is probably related to the cause and span of the obstruction. In addition, two azoospermic men without obstructive azoospermia and whose testicular biopsy study revealed meiotic anomalies (with the subsequent bad prognosis) were also studied for comparison. The semiquantitative study of these patients permitted the differential diagnosis between two lesion types. Testes with meiotic anomalies had a disproportionately elevated number of primary spermatocytes, and an extremely low number of young spermatids.     

【原创论文】小鼠杀菌渗透增强性蛋白起源于睾丸及附睾表达并定位于精子中

杀菌渗透增强性蛋白（BPI）是具有抗革兰氏阴性菌活性的内源性杀菌蛋白。在本研究中,我们通过自行制备的多克隆抗体,检测了BPI蛋白在小鼠出生后睾丸及附睾组织中的表达,以及在附睾精子头部的亚细胞定位。实验结果表明,睾丸和附睾均独立表达BPI基因。在附睾中,自起始段至尾部,BPI蛋白的表达水平递减,并逐步特异性富集于亮细胞的胞质中。在顶体反应前的顶体基质内可见BPI蛋白,应起源于睾丸表达;顶体反应后,可见BPI蛋白分布于整个精子头部质膜表面,尤其是赤道板区域,可能有睾丸或附睾表达的两种起源。我们的研究结果提示,BPI蛋白可能参与顶体反应前后精子质膜结构的调控,并参与后续的精卵融合过程。     

Investigations of arterio-venous anastomoses in the spermatic cords and blood supply, oxygen consumption and testosterone production of scrotal and abdominal testes in the pig

This study has investigated blood flow from the testicular artery to the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord of pigs. Testosterone levels, oxygen tension and the degree of acidity were measured in arterial and venous blood vessels of scrotally and abdominally located testes. Haemoglobin oxygen saturation was derived from the oxygen dissociation curve. Blood flow to abdominal and scrotal testes and epididymides was measured using the radioactive microsphere technique. Average blood flow to the scrotal testes and epididymides was 21 and 8 ml/min, respectively, in normal pigs. In unilaterally cryptorchid pigs average blood flow to the scrotal testis and epididymis was 23 and 6 ml/min, respectively, and to the abdominal testis and epididymis 4.2 and 1 ml/min. In pigs with bilateral scrotal testes oxygen consumption was 16 mumol O2/min/100 g. In unilaterally cryptorchid pigs oxygen consumption by the scrotal testis was 18 mumol O2/min/100 g, compared with 10 mumol O2/min/100 g by cryptorchid testes. From the percentage oxygen saturation in the various blood vessels it was calculated that 29-42% of testicular arterial blood was flowing through arteriovenous anastomoses between the testicular artery and the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord, thus bypassing the capillary net of the abdominal testes of unilaterally and bilaterally cryptorchid pigs. These results were supported by the testosterone measurements. In the spermatic cord of scrotal testes no blood bypassed the capillary net of the testes.     

Oxytocin promotes spermiation and sperm transfer in the mouse

Spermatogenesis is a complex process during which developing germ cells move from the base of the seminiferous tubule towards the lumen where they are shed. Studies in the rat suggest that seminiferous tubule contraction, induced by exogenous oxytocin, promotes spermiation. This study examines the role of testicular oxytocin in development of the testes, spermatogenesis and spermiation in the mouse. Groups of wild-type (WT) mice, oxytocin knockout mice (OTKO) deficient in testicular oxytocin and mice containing an oxytocin transgene (bOT4.2) that over express testicular oxytocin were killed between days 5 and 45 post partum. The testes and epididymides were removed weighed and prepared either for histological and morphometric study by light microscopy, for sperm counts (epididymis), or extracted for determination of oxytocin content (testis - day 45 only). Testicular oxytocin concentrations were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in bOT4.2 mice than in WT or OTKO mice. No differences in testicular and epididymal weight, or in diameter and area of seminiferous tubules between the mice genotypes were found at any given time. Germ cell development was similar in all genotypes and was comparable with previous studies. The timing of spermiation between the groups was significantly different (p < 0.001) with bOT4.2 < WT < OTKO and the appearance of epididymal sperm was significantly different (p < 0.05) with bOT4.2 < WT < OTKO. There were significant correlations between the percentage of tubules containing residual bodies and epididymal sperm count (p < 0.05) and between the percentage of animals containing residual bodies and the percentage of animals containing epididymal sperm (p < 0.01). These data suggest that in the mouse oxytocin, whilst not involved in germ cell development, is important in the process of spermiation and sperm transfer in the mouse.     

Age-related epididymis-like intratesticular structures: benign lesions of Wolffian origin that can be misdiagnosed as testicular tumors

This study aims to characterize the epididymis-like intratesticular structures (ELITSs), a rare lesion found in elderly men. ELITSs were identified in 6 patients from a review of 1442 autopsies and 271 surgical specimens of adult men. Bilateral lesions were seen in 5 cases. The lesion was located in the proximity of the mediastinal rete testis (6 testes) and at the testicular periphery (4 testes), and at both central and peripheral locations in 1 case. The lesion is characterized by a pseudostratified cylindrical epithelium, with a robust pankeratin and 8, 18, and 19 keratin expression, focal vimentin expression, and apical CD 10 expression, similar to what is proper of the normal human epididymidis. The epithelial layer of ELITSs was surrounded by a thin layer of smooth-muscle cells. The adjacent testicular parenchyma was atrophied and the rete testis showed some associated degenerative lesions related to arteriosclerosis. The ELITSs are distinct from atrophic seminiferous tubules with a Sertoli cell-only pattern and from the benign glandular teratomatous component of an involution of a malignant testicular germ cell tumor, the so-called burn-out germ cell tumor. Clinical and histopathological data suggest that this lesion represents a late Wolffian differentiation similar to the initial segment of the epididymal duct, which represents an unusual manifestation of the aging process.     

恒河猴两种节育术后睾丸附睾的组织学及超微结构观察

本文介绍了12只恒河猴输精管结扎术及输精管内过滤装置节育术术后睾丸、附睾和输精管的组织学及超微结构观察结果。术后两年内,两组动物睾丸的组织学及超微结构均无异常改变。术后9月,结扎猴的尾部附睾管及近睾端输精管管腔显著扩张、上皮变薄、腔内充满大量变性、坏死精子,出现附睾郁积。附睾主细胞出现微绒毛疏短、排列紊乱等超微结构变化;而行过滤装置节育的动物附睾管及输精管的组织学及超微结构均未见异常改变。提示两种节育术对睾丸形态结构均无影响;但输精管结扎木可导致附睾郁积及其上皮的萎缩性变化,而过滤装置节育术后无此改变,值得进一步探讨。     

Acute and long-term effects of a single dose of the fungicide carbendazim (methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate) on the male reproductive system in the rat.

The effects of carbendazim (methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate) on the testis, efferent ductules, and sperm were determined in the adult rat after a single oral dose. Two experimental trials were performed: a time response between 2 hours and 32 days after exposure using 0 and 400 mg/kg, and a dose response at 2 and 70 days after exposure using 0 to 800 mg/kg doses. In experiment 1, effects were seen throughout the 32-day period, beginning 8 hours after exposure; the effects included first an increase in testis weight, then decreases in testicular spermatid numbers and in the percentage of morphologically normal cauda sperm. In experiment 2, significant testicular and efferent ductal alterations occurred in animals treated with doses of 100 mg/kg or greater. A dose-dependent increase in testicular weight 2 days after treatment was accompanied by increases in seminiferous tubular diameter and excessive loss of immature germ cells in a stage-dependent manner. There was also a dose-dependent increased incidence of occlusions in the efferent ductules. The occluded ductules were characterized by severe inflammation and exhibited disorganization of the epithelium. At 70 days, there were dose-dependent decreases in mean testis weight and mean seminiferous tubular diameter; however, only minimal long-term effects were seen at 50 mg/kg. In testes exhibiting seminiferous tubular atrophy of greater than 25% (100 mg/kg or greater doses), all of the testes were associated with efferent ductules containing occlusions. Caput sperm numbers were significantly reduced in these testes. Occlusions, abnormal ductules, fibrosis, spermatic granulomas, and mineralization were observed in the ductuli efferents. Long-term effects of carbendazim on the testis were induced primarily by ductal occlusions. Results show that carbendazim produces more severe short- and long-term effects on the male reproductive system than the fungicide benomyl.     

Effects of tripchlorolide on the epididymides and testes of rats

Aim: To further evaluate the antifertility effects of tripchorolide, a derivative of triptolide produced at the extraction pro-cedure of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., in male rats and to investigate its sites and possible mechanisms of action.Methods: In male rats, tripchlorolide was given by oral garage at a dose of 50 ug.kg～(-l).d～(-1) for 5 weeks, fertility wasassessed by mating tests, and biochemical indices and light microscopic observation of the epididymides and testes werealso performed. Results: Administration of tripchlorolide at 50 ugg.kg～(-l)-d～(-1) for 3 weeks did not influence the fertilityof male rats, but 5-week treatment rendered the rats infertile. The density and motility of spermatozoa collected fromcauda epididymides were reduced significantly. The epididymal weights, as well as the L-carnitine concentration and α-glucosidase content in the epididymal fluid were decreasd. There were no significant differences in α-glucosidase andacid phosphatase (ACP) in caput epididymal ho     

二甲磺酸乙烷致间质细胞破坏所引起的成年大鼠睾丸和附睾的组织学变化:形态定量研究

目的:定量研究睾酮分泌剧烈减少所致睾丸和附睾的组织学变化。方法:14只成年 SD 大鼠腹腔内注射二甲磺酸乙烷(EDS,75mg/kg),14只注射生理盐水作为对照。7天后处死各组中的一半动物,过5天后处死另一半。取睾丸和附睾组织块,甲基丙烯酸树脂包埋。用体视学的光学体视框技术估计睾丸内的细胞数,并用其它形态定量研究方法获取另外一些参数。结果:EDS 注射使睾丸内的间质细胞几乎完全消失,但对支持细胞总数没有影响。EDS 注射7天后,生精上皮内可见许多长形精子细胞滞留,附睾管内可见许多圆形精子细胞。EDS 注射12天后,精子细胞和精母细胞的排列明显变疏松,生精细胞之间出现明显的裂隙,裂隙近似放射状朝向生精小管腔;睾丸内的非 B 型精原细胞总数和精母细胞总数与对照组相似,但 B 型精原细胞总数增加59%,而早期(圆形)、中期和晚期(长形)精子细胞总数分别减少37%、72%和52%。结论:EDS 所致精子发生损害主要是(1)精子释放障碍,(2)精子细胞、精母细胞分离并伴有精子形成和成熟分裂障碍。     

Histological changes of the testis and epididymis in adult rats as a result of Leydig cell destruction after ethane dimethane sulfonate treatment： a morphometric study

Aim： To quantitatively study the histological changes of the testis and epididymis as a result of a drastic reduction of testosterone secretion. Methods： Fourteen adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally with ethane dimethane sulfonate （EDS, 75 mg/kg） and the same number of animals were injected with normal saline as a control. At days 7 and 12 （after treatment）, respectively, half of the animals from each group were killed. The testes and epididymides were removed and tissue blocks embedded in methacrylate resin. The cell number per testis was estimated using the stereological optical disector and some other parameters were obtained using other morphometric methods. Results： The EDS treatment resulted in an almost complete elimination of Leydig cells but had no effect on the numbers of Sertoli cells per testis. At day 7 after EDS treatment, many elongated spermatids were retained in the seminiferous epithelium and many round spermatids could be seen in the epididymal ducts. At day 12, a looser arrangement of spermatids and spermatocytes became evident, with apparent narrow empty spaces being formed between germ cells in an approximately radial direction towards the tubule lumen; the numbers （per testis） of non-type B spermatogonia and spermatocytes were similar to controls, whereas that of type B spermatogonia increased by 59%, and that of early round, elongating and late elongated spermatids decreased by 37%, 72% and 52%, respectively. Conclusion： The primary spermatogenic lesions following EDS administration were （i） spermiation failure and （ii） detachment of spermatids and spermatocytes associated with impairment in spermiogenesis and meiosis.     

L-肉碱在奥硝唑所致大鼠睾丸和附睾损伤中的保护作用

目的:探讨L-肉碱(LC)在奥硝唑(ORN)所致大鼠附睾和睾丸损伤中的的保护作用。方法:40只雄性SD大鼠(200～230g)随机均分为5组:①A组:给予0.5%的羧甲基纤维素钠(溶剂)灌胃;②B组:每天给予400mg/kgORN灌胃;③C组:每天给予800mg/kgORN灌胃;④D组:每天给予[ORN(400mg/kg)+LC(100mg/kg)]灌胃;⑤E组:每天给予[ORN(800mg/kg)+LC(100mg/kg)]灌胃。上述各组均连续灌胃20d,末次给药24h后,所有大鼠麻醉后处死,分别取睾丸、附睾,进行称重和HE染色,计算睾丸、附睾系数并观察睾丸和附睾病理组织学改变。结果:①与A组相比,B组睾丸、附睾系数明显降低(P<0.05);而C组睾丸、附睾系数为极显著性降低(P<0.01);D组与A组相比无差异,E组与A组相比有极显著性差异(P<0.01);②HE染色显示,与A组相比,B组睾丸生精小管内各级生精细胞排列基本整齐,部分生精小管管腔内有脱落的生精细胞,附睾管腔中精子数目下降,有时可见散在的生精细胞;C组大鼠睾丸生精小管管腔内均可见坏死脱落的生精细胞,附睾管腔中精子数目明显减少,且有较多的非精子细胞成分。D组睾丸生精小管无明显改变,附睾管腔中精子数目也未见明显下降;E组睾丸生精小管管腔内精子数目减少,可见坏死脱落的生精细胞,附睾腔中精子数目明显减少,并伴有较多的非精子细胞成分。结论:奥硝唑(ORN)可导致雄性大鼠附睾和睾丸病理组织学改变,LC对ORN引起大鼠附睾和睾丸损伤具有一定的保护作用。     

Germ cell degeneration in the contralateral testis of the guinea pig with unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord. Quantitative and ultrastructural studies

This study evaluated the long term effects of unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord on the contralateral testis of guinea pigs, employing both fine structural and quantitative studies. Young, adult Hartley strain guinea pigs were divided into six experimental groups (12 animals per group). The first three groups consisted of 36 animals in which unilateral torsion was surgically induced. In group I (torsion maintained), unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord was maintained until the day of sacrifice; in group II (torsion and untwist), torsion of the spermatic cord was maintained for 8 to 12 hours, then the spermatic cord was untwisted and the testis was retained until the day of sacrifice. In group III (torsion and orchiectomy), testes were removed after 8 to 12 hours of spermatic cord torsion. The second three groups consisted of 36 animals: group IV (unilateral orchiectomy), group V (unilateral sham operation), and group VI (pentobarbital injection alone), which served as controls. One half of the animals from each group were killed after 4 months and the other half were killed after 8 months. The most frequently observed histologic changes in the contralateral testes of the experimental animals were focal disorganization and exfoliation of immature germ cells into the lumen. Severe damage, with almost complete absence of germ cells, was noted only in an occasional tubule. Quantitative evaluation of the germ cells of the contralateral testis revealed significant loss of germ cells in groups I, II, and III after 4 months, and in groups I and II after 8 months.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bilateral epididymal sarcoidosis presenting without radiographic evidence of intrathoracic lesion: Review of sarcoidosis involving the male reproductive tract

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder that rarely involves the genitourinary tract. To date, only 59 cases of histologically proven sarcoidosis involving the male reproductive tract have been reported in the literature. We present here a case of bilateral epididymal sarcoidosis without radiographic evidence of intrathoracic lesion. A 46-year-old man presented with a one-week history of painless bilateral scrotal swellings. Physical examination detected multiple elastic firm nodules on both sides of the scrotum which showed no tenderness. The nodules seemed to involve the entire bilateral epididymides. Some irregularly shaped hypoechoic masses in the bilateral epididymides were identified on gray scale ultrasonography. On magnetic resonance images, the bilateral epididymides were seen to be enlarged, heterogeneous and nodular without any signs of testicular involvement. The lesion showed a slightly high signal intensity on the T2-weighted image. Pathological evaluation following bilateral epididymectomy found non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas with giant cells in epididymal tissue, thus confirming a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Gallium-67 scanning showed additional small hot spots in the anterior chest wall and extremities. Open biopsy of a superficial papular lesion in the dermis of the right upper arm was performed and pathological findings indicated sarcoid granulomas. This report also includes a review of the literature pertaining to sarcoidosis of the male reproductive tract.     

Stagnation of blood in the microvasculature of the affected and contralateral testes of men with short-term torsion of the spermatic cord

Bilateral testicular biopsies from four men with a short duration (3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes) of unilateral spermatic cord torsion and testicular biopsies from six men with irreversible brain death were used for the present investigation. Extensive light and electron microscopic studies and quantitative analyses of all biopsy materials were performed. The torsioned testes revealed variable degrees of damage to the seminiferous tubules, including germ cell disorganization and sloughing of immature germ cells. Ninety-five percent of the blood vessels from the biopsied tissue specimens were clogged with blood cells. The seminiferous tubules of the contralateral testis had normal germ cell arrangements and counts. However, 88% of the microvessels from the tissue biopsied from the contralateral testes were packed with blood cells, whereas only 10% of the blood vessels in the control biopsy specimen were clogged with blood cells. At the electron microscopic level, fewer tight junctions and enlarged pores were found between the endothelial cells of the affected vessels, and microvilli were completely absent from these endothelial cells. The clogging caused by blood cells in the affected vessels was so severe that no space was found between the membrane of the endothelial cell and the membrane of the blood cells. It has been suggested that local clogging by blood is responsible for the initiation of degenerative changes in the testes of men with unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord.     

Evidence suggesting that germ cells influence the bidirectional secretion of androgen binding protein by the seminiferous epithelium demonstrated by selective impairment of spermatogenesis with busulphan

Androgen binding protein (ABP) was measured in the serum, testes and epididymides of adult rats up to 105 days after the induction of reversible impairment of spermatogenesis by a single injection of busulphan. This treatment decreased testicular and epididymal weights within 7-21 days after treatment, reaching a minimum at 63 days with partial recovery by 105 days. The testicular and epididymal content of sperm was unchanged up to 42 days after busulphan administration, was reduced considerably at 63 days and thereafter increased towards control values. The serum and testicular concentrations of testosterone were normal at all times after treatment, even though serum LH levels were increased at 42 and 63 days. Serum levels of FSH were also increased at 43 and 63 days after treatment. A biphasic pattern in the serum levels of ABP was observed. Concentrations were low up to 43 days post treatment when only the early germ cell types were depleted from the seminiferous epithelium and when the testicular and epididymal contents of ABP were normal. Serum levels of ABP increased as the more mature germ cells were depleted in numbers and the testicular and epididymal contents of ABP declined. It is concluded that bidirectional secretion of ABP into the interstitium (serum) and into the seminiferous tubular lumen by Sertoli cells is influenced considerably by the population of germ cells that are present in the seminiferous epithelium.