Cold Ischemia Time Influences Spermatogenesis in a Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Model

Objective

To evaluate the influence of cold ischemia time on spermatogenesis in a rabbit model of testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Material and Methods

The testicular I/R model was established in 24 male white rabbits. The left testes were preserved using HC-A solution at 0°C to 4°C. Cold ischemia time was 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. The right testes without vascular occlusion were used as autologous controls. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, the animals were sacrificed, and samples were obtained at bilateral orchiectomy. Another 8 normal testes were used as normal controls. Testicular tissue Johnsen score, malondialdehyde concentration, and apoptosis index were used to evaluate spermatogenesis.

Results

The Johnsen score decreased and the apoptosis index increased with the duration of cold ischemia time in the I/R groups. The malondialdehyde concentration in the I/R groups was significantly higher than the sham and normal groups, and was highest at 4 hours of cold ischemia time.

Conclusion

Testicular I/R injury is highly related to cold ischemia time. In rabbit models, testis transplantation is best performed within 4 hours of cold ischemia with traditional hypothermic protection.     

The Improvement of Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Erythropoetin Is Not Mediated Through Bone Marrow Cell Recruitment In Rats

Background

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of acute renal failure in kidney transplantation; however, the mechanisms of kidney damage and repair are not yet clear. So far no treatment has been effective to prevent I/R injury. In the present study we evaluated the effect of erythropoetin (EPO) in I/R injury in rats. We investigated the role of bone marrow cells (BMC) in kidney repair and the effect of EPO on BMC recruitment.

Materials and Methods

Female Sprague Dawley rats transplanted with male BMCs underwent I/R injury. In the treatment group rats received 5000 IU of EPO 30 minutes before renal ischemia. At 2 and 4 weeks after I/R, rats were humanely killed and we measured creatinine clearance (glomerular filtration rate [GFR]), proteinuria, and body weight (BW). Renal tissue was harvested for histologic and molecular analysis. Fluorescein in situ hybridization (FISH) and TUNEL were used to determined the presence of male cell chimerism and apoptosis in renal tissue.

Results

At 4 weeks after I/R, EPO significantly improved GFR (1.8 ± 0.2 vs 1.2 ± 0.14 mL/min; P < .05). No significant differences between EPO and control rats were observed in proteinuria, BW, and hemoglobin levels at 2 and 4 weeks. After death, the kidney showed only minimal tubulointerstitial changes, which were more marked in control rats. FISH analysis demonstrated a low degree of microchimerism, not significantly different between EPO and control rats. Apoptosis decreased between 2 and 4 weeks after I/R, in both EPO and control groups.

Conclusion

EPO improved GFR and injury at 4 weeks after I/R; however, it did not enhance the recruitment of BMC.     

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Pretreatment Attenuates Heart Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Suppressing the Systemic Inflammatory Response

Background

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury may influence graft function after transplantation. Erythropoietin (EPO) attenuates I/R injury in various animal organs such as intestine, brain, and kidney.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of pretreatment with recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) on I/R-induced heart injury.

Materials and Methods

A rat model of I/R injury was established by ligating the left descending coronary artery for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion for 4 hours. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: sham operation; I/R; I/R+rhEPO, 100 U/kg; I/R+rhEPO, 1000 U/kg; and I/R+rhEPO, 5000 U/kg. Electrocardiograms were assessed continuously to note arrhythmia caused by reperfusion. Serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured at 2 and 4 hours after reperfusion.

Results

The rhEPO-treated animals exhibited dosage-dependent significant reduction in the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia caused by reperfusion, and markedly decreased serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < .05) compared with the I/R group (P < .05).

Conclusion

The rhEPO attenuates myocardial I/R injury in rats, at least in part related to inhibition of the system inflammatory response.     

Beneficial effects of melatonin compared with allopurinol in experimental testicular torsion

Background/purpose

Several antioxidant agents such as allopurinol have been used to prevent ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury-induced tissue damage after experimental testicular torsion so far. The current study was designed to determine the effect of melatonin, which is a potent antioxidant agent, in preventing testicular damage following torsion.

Methods

Sixty prepubertal male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 5 groups: control (C), torsion (T), torsion plus detorsion (TD), torsion plus allopurinol (200 mg/kg) plus detorsion (A), and torsion plus melatonin (50 mg/kg) plus detorsion (M). Left testes were rotated 720° for 6 hours. The torsed testes were detorsed. Detorsion time was 6 hours. In all groups, left orchiectomies were performed to determine the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and histopathologic changes. Blood samples were taken to measure serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. The results were analyzed statistically.

Results

Serum CPK levels of groups A and M were found to be significantly lower than groups T and TD (P < .05). Tissue MDA levels in group M were statistically different from groups T and TD (P < .05). However, in groups A and T, MDA levels were similar (P > .05). The highest histologic grade was determined in group TD (3.8 ± 0.5). Histologic grade of group M was significantly lower than group TD (P < .001), but there was no histologic difference between testes of groups A and TD (P > .05).

Conclusions

These results have shown that melatonin treatment prevents I/R injury both biochemically and histopathologically, whereas allopurinol treatment prevents it only biochemically in experimental testicular torsion. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant agent more effective than allopurinol in preventing testicular I/R injury.     

Effects of grade 1 varicocele detected in the pediatric age-group on testicular development

Purpose

A number of reports have indicated the effectiveness of varicocelectomy on large varicoceles in adolescents. We carried out a 5-year follow-up study to examine the effect of grade 1 varicocele on testicular development.

Methods

Of 31 boys with left grade 1 varicocele (mean age, 12.6 years), 10 underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy and 21 were conservatively observed and evaluated for testicular volume and varicocele grade. The control group consisted of 20 healthy age-matched boys without a varicocele. The mean relative left testicular volume was compared with the right testis and the absolute bilateral testicular volumes among the boys in all groups.

Results

Of 21 boys who were observed, 13 (62%) continued to have grade 1 varicocele, 4 (19%) developed grade 2 varicocele, and the other 4 boys (19%) showed spontaneous resolution. Twelve testes (57%) developed in parallel with the right testis, and 1 boy (5%) who experienced spontaneous resolution of the varicocele had catch-up testicular growth, whereas 8 boys (38%) had left testicular growth delay with or without an increasing grade of varicocele. Varicocelectomy, but not observation, improved the previously noted testicular growth delay. Furthermore, right testicular growth delay was also noted during observation.

Conclusions

More than half of the total number of boys with grade 1 varicocele showed normal development, whereas many boys presented with growth delay in both testes. Thus, we still need to define reliable predictors that will permit selection of the best candidates for varicocelectomy.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment attenuates reperfusion injury after testicular torsion and detorsion in rats

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, and histopathologic changes in both testes after unilateral testicular torsion and detorsion.

Methods

Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6 for each group): sham operation, torsion/detorsion (T/D), T/D + vehicle, and T/D + DHEA. Three hours before detorsion, 50 mg/kg DHEA was given intraperitoneally to the T/D + DHEA group. Testicular ischemia was achieved by twisting the left testis 720° clockwise for 3 hours, and reperfusion was allowed for 24 hours after detorsion. In all groups, bilateral orchiectomies to determine the testicular tissue catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and histopathologic examination were performed.

Results

Compared with those from the sham group, CAT activities in the ipsilateral testis obtained from the T/D group were significantly lower and MDA levels were significantly higher (P < .05 for all).Administration of DHEA prevented increases in MDA levels and decreases in CAT and superoxide dismutase activities when compared to the T/D group. Specimens from the T/D and the T/D + vehicle groups had a significantly greater histologic injury than the specimens from the sham and the T/D + DHEA groups had (P < .01 for both).

Conclusions

The results suggest that DHEA may be a protective agent for preventing biochemical and histopathologic changes related to oxidative stress in testicular injury caused by testis torsion.     

The prevalence, postnatal descent, and complications of undescended testes among children who underwent neonatal circumcision in Benin City, Nigeria

Background/Purpose

The prevalence, age at postnatal descent, and age at which complications set in and, therefore, prevented by orchidopexy in undescended testes are controversial. This study sought to determine the prevalence, age at postnatal descent, and age at which complications occurred in undescended testes.

Methods

A prospective study was done on children who underwent neonatal circumcision at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, and Leadeks Medical Centre, both in Edo state, Nigeria, between January 2002 and December 2007. Those diagnosed with undescended testes were recruited for the study and followed up at the surgical outpatient clinic for 2 years; findings were documented on a structured proforma.

Results

A total of 178 neonates aged between 5 and 28 days (mean, 7.6 ± 4.2 days) and mean weight 3.9 ± 1.8 kg among 6180 children circumcised had 186 undescended testes. On follow-up, 65 (34.9%) testes mainly among preterm neonates (P = .2450) fully descended within 7 months with no testicular descent recorded thereafter. Prevalence rates of 2.9% in neonates and 1.8% at 2 years old were recorded. Reduction in testicular volume, epididymoorchitis, and testicular torsion were recorded in 52 (28%) undescended testes between 12 and 24 months on follow-up.

Conclusion

Neonates with undescended testis should be observed for postnatal descent at least 7 months but may be offered orchidopexy before 1 year.     

Protective effects of clarithromycin in rats with hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced intestinal injury

Background

This study was designed to determine the role of oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione-related antioxidant enzymes in rat pups with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced bowel injury and to evaluate the potential benefits of prophylactic clarithromycin.

Methods

One-day-old Wistar albino rat pups (N = 21) were randomly divided into 3 groups: group I (control), group II (exposed to H/R), and group III (clarithromycin + H/R). Clarithromycin was administered (40 mg/kg) subcutaneously to group III for 3 days. On the fourth day, all rats except controls were exposed to H/R and were killed at 6 hours after H/R. Histopathologic injury scores (HIS), malonyldialdehyde, glutathione (GSH), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and NO levels were measured on intestinal samples.

Results

Whereas there was no difference for malonyldialdehyde levels among groups, HIS and NO levels were higher in group II than groups I and III (P < .05). However, GSH and GSH-Px activities were lower in group II than groups I and III (P < .05). Clarithromycin significantly increased GSH and GSH-Px activities and reduced HIS and NO levels in group III.

Conclusion

This study showed that oxidative stress and NO contributed to the pathogenesis of H/R-induced bowel injury and that clarithromycin had a protective effect on bowel injury owing to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.     

Efficacy of antioxidant treatment in the prevention of testicular atrophy in experimental testicular torsion

Background/Purpose

This study aimed to compare dose schedules of the antioxidant treatment (melatonin and steroid) used as 1 dose and as once a day for 7 days in terms of salvage of the testes in the late period.

Methods

Sixty prepubertal rats were divided into 6 groups each containing 10 rats: sham (S), torsion-detorsion (TD), 1-dose melatonin (M¹), 1-dose steroid (ST¹), 7-dose melatonin (M⁷), and 7-dose steroid (ST⁷) groups. The left testes were rotated 720° for 6 hours and detorsed for 6 hours thereafter. In the treatment groups, 17 mg/kg melatonin and 1 mg/kg steroid were injected 15 minutes before detorsion. Left orchiectomies were performed to determine testicular weights and Johnsen scores 3 months later.

Results

Testicular weights and Johnsen scores in the M¹, ST¹, and TD groups were significantly lower compared with those in the S group, and atrophy developed in these groups, whereas they were higher in the M⁷ and ST⁷ groups compared with the TD group. Testicular atrophy did not develop in the M⁷ or ST⁷ groups.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that antioxidant agents used once a day for 7 days prevent testicular atrophy and are effective in terms of salvage of the testes.     

Ethyl pyruvate reduces germ cell-specific apoptosis and oxidative stress in rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion

Purpose

Testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) results in enhanced formation of free radical metabolites, which contributes to the pathophysiology of tissue damage. We investigated the protective effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) against testis tissue damage in an experimental model of testicular torsion.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups. In those animals that underwent T/D, right testes were rotated 720° for 1 hour. Group 1 control rats underwent sham operation. In group 2, the rats underwent T/D. The EP was prepared and injected in the form of Ringer's ethyl pyruvate solution. The rats in group 3, 4, and 5 received 2 doses of 20, 50, and 100 mg/kg EP (30 minutes before and after detorsion), respectively. The right testes of 6 animals from each group were excised 4 hours after detorsion for the measurement of lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and antioxidant enzymes activities. Germ cell apoptosis was determined in right testes of 8 animals per group 24 hours after detorsion. The epididymal sperm concentration and motility were evaluated 1 month after treatments.

Results

Germ cell apoptosis indices were significantly higher in group 2 compared with control group. The level of lipid peroxidation and MPO activity increased, whereas antioxidant enzymes activities decreased after T/D. Sperm count and motility were also reduced 1 month after T/D in group 2 rats. However, EP treatment at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly decreased the early apoptotic damage and improved long-term sperm count and motility. In the same dosing groups, we observed normalization of oxidant/antioxidant balance and decrement of MPO activity. However, administration of 20 mg/kg of EP conferred no protective effect.

Conclusions

Administration of Ringer's ethyl pyruvate solution (in appropriate doses) is protective against apoptotic tissue damage following testicular torsion and improves long-term testicular function. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of EP seem responsible for the protective effects. Our findings suggest this resuscitation solution as a possible substitute for fluid and electrolyte maintenance during surgical detorsion.     

The effects of short-interval postconditioning in preventing testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Aim

Testicular torsion can lead to testicular damage. During reperfusion, tissue damage is more severe. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of short-interval postconditioning and determine the optimal time of reperfusion for postconditioning.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-five adult male rats were divided into 5 subgroups: Sh (sham operated), TD (torsion + detorsion), PC5 (torsion + postconditioning 5 seconds), PC10 (torsion + postconditioning-10 seconds), PC20 (torsion + postconditioning 20 seconds). Torsion was created by rotating the left testis counterclockwise 1080° and the testis fixed to the scrotum with 3 sutures. Torsion was maintained for 4 hours. The testicular artery was visualized, and before detorsion of the testis, an atraumatic vessel clamp was applied to prevent reperfusion in all study groups. Then, detorsion of the testis was performed. In the TD group, the clamp was released just after detorsion; in the PC5 group, the clamp was released for 5 seconds and closed for 10 seconds (10 times); in the PC10 group, the clamp was released for 10 seconds and closed for 10 seconds (10 times); and in the PC20 group, the clamp was released for 20 seconds and closed for 10 seconds (10 times). Then, all testes were reperfused for a 1-hour period in all study groups. After this period, the rats were sacrificed, and the left testes were removed and evaluated histopathologically and biochemically. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analyses.

Results

Tissue malondialdehyde levels were 79.3 ± 10.6, 231.7 ± 102.3, 71.3 ± 12.6, 73.8 ± 13.7, and 124.3 ± 48.0 nmol/g tissue in the Sh, TD, PC5, PC10, and PC20 groups, respectively. Tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the PC5 and PC10 groups (P < .05) compared to the other groups. However, mean histopathologic grade was lower in all postconditioning groups compared to the control group, but the difference was significant only in the PC5 group (P < .05).

Conclusion

We conclude that short-interval postconditioning can reduce reperfusion injury in ischemic tissue and the optimal mode of short-interval postconditioning is 5 seconds × 10 times. This technique seems easily applicable, and a similar technique may be used during testicular surgery.     

Protective effect of estrogen on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in pubertal rats

Purpose

This study investigated the role of 17β-estradiol (E₂) in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and its possible mechanism.

Methods

Rats of pubertal age were ovariectomized and injected subcutaneously with vehicle (vehicle group) or E₂ (100 or 500 μg/kg/every other day, E₂ or 5E₂ group) for 4 weeks. Other rats of the same age underwent sham ovariectomy as a control group. The rats in each group (n = 15) were subjected to superior mesenteric artery occlusion followed by 1 hour (n = 5), 6 hours (n = 5), or 24 hours (n = 5) reperfusion. Intestine specimens then were obtained for the determination of histopathologic score, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression, and iNOS activity.

Results

In vehicle, control, E₂, and 5E₂ groups, the histopathologic scores were 3.31 ± 0.12, 3.00 ± 0.09, 2.57 ± 0.12, and 2.98 ± 0.08, respectively. The expression levels of iNOS mRNA were 3.85 ± 0.42, 4.86 ± 0.76, 5.17 ± 0.34, and 4.25 ± 0.41 log copies, respectively. Lower histopathologic score but higher iNOS mRNA expression were found in E₂ group than in the other groups (P < .01). The level of iNOS activity paralleled the expression of iNOS mRNA.

Conclusions

Estrogen may exert a protective effect on intestinal I/R injury in pubertal rats, probably by enhancing iNOS expression.     

The effect of haematoma aspiration on intra-articular pressure and pain relief following Mason I radial head fractures

Background

The aspiration of the accompanying haematoma by Mason type I radial head fractures is advocated by several authors to achieve an analgesic effect. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of haematoma aspiration on intra-articular pressure and on pain relief after Mason I radial head fractures.

Materials and methods

A total of 16 patients (10 men and six women, age 23-47 years) with an isolated Mason I radial head fracture were subjected to haematoma paracentesis. Initially, intra-articular pressure was measured by using the Stryker Intra-Compartmental Pressure Monitor System. After haematoma aspiration, a new pressure measurement without moving the needle was performed. Pain before and after haematoma aspiration was evaluated by using an analogue 10-point pain scale.

Results

Intra-articular elbow pressure prior to haematoma aspiration varied from 49 to 120 mmHg (median, 76.5 mmHg), while following aspiration, it ranged from 9 to 25 mmHg (median, 17 mmHg). The median quantity of the aspired blood was 2.75 ml (range, 0.5-8.5 ml). Patients reported a decrease in the visual analogue score (VAS) for pain from 5.5 (4-8) before to 2.5 (1-4) after aspiration. Decrease for both pressure and pain was statistically significant (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

The formation of an intra-articular haematoma in the elbow joint following an undisplaced Mason I radial head fracture leads to a pronounced increase of the intra-articular pressure accompanied by intense pain for the patient. The aspiration of the haematoma results in an acute pressure decrease and an immediate patient relief.     

Age-specific effect of phthalate ester on testicular development in rats

Purpose

Phthalate esters have been shown to induce testicular damage in both adult and immature rats; however, there have been, so far, few reports describing the age-specific effects of phthalate esters on testicular function. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate the age-specific effects of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP) on the testes in both prepubertal and mature adult rats.

Materials and methods

Both prepubertal male rats and adult mature male rats were fed special rat chow containing 1% MBP for 10 days. Control prepubertal and adult rats were fed standard commercial rat chow during the same period as the MBP-treated rats. After 10 days of feeding, all rats were killed, and the testes were removed. The weight of the testis was measured, and histological examination of the testis was performed. In addition, the frequency of an apoptotic cell appearance in the seminiferous tubules was determined in both MBP-treated and control groups.

Results

In the prepubertal rats, the mean weight of the testes was significantly lower in the MBP-treated rats than in the control rats. A histological examination of the MBP-treated testes showed a decreased seminiferous tubular diameter and an inhibited maturation of germ cells in comparison to those of the control testes. Furthermore, apoptotic cells appeared more frequently in the MBP-treated testes than in the control testes. Although in adult mature rats, no significant difference was observed in either the testicular weight or the histological findings between the MBP-treated and control rats.

Conclusions

The oral administration of MBP to male rats was observed to produce more pronounced testicular damage in prepubertal rats than in adult mature rats. Immature testes may thus be more sensitive to MBP, which induces the germ cell apoptosis in seminiferous tubules and testicular atrophy in prepubertal young rats.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Background/Purpose

Recent advances including prenatal diagnosis, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, and nitric oxide inhalation therapy have gradually improved the survival of high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia. However, the factors affecting the long-term outcome of these patients have not been well established.

Methods

Thirty-three children with ages 4.1 ± 2.5 years underwent clinical examination including growth measurements, echocardiography, ventilation, and perfusion scintigraphy.

Results

No late death was observed. Common complications were frequent respiratory tract infection (13 patients) and bowel obstruction (5 patients underwent surgery). Although frequent respiratory tract infection decreased with increasing age, patients with frequent respiratory tract infection had a decreased uptake of lung ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy on the affected side and had a decreased height for age and weight for height. No significant difference in lung ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy was observed between patients treated with and without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, those requiring oxygen more than 1 month, and between those with and without prenatal diagnosis. Patients with a patch repair had decreased uptake on lung perfusion scintigraphy. Although frequent respiratory tract infection may be owing to hypoplasia of the ipsilateral lung, it may impair recovery of the hypoplastic lung.

Conclusion

These results indicate that monitoring for respiratory tract infection in addition to nutritional assessment should be required in the follow-up of patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia at high risk.     

Effects of compression/stretching of the spermatic cord and blunt dissection on testicular growth and fertility

Purpose

This study was performed to investigate whether compression/stretching of the spermatic cord or blunt dissection influences testicular development and fertility. In addition, the authors evaluated whether the extents of testicular damage differ between these 2 surgical manipulations.

Methods

Forty-four prepubertal male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (Harlan Sprague-Dawley Inc, Indianapolis, Ind) were divided into 3 groups: (1) the control group (CG) animals underwent a sham operation in the right groin, (2) the experimental group 1 (EG1) underwent compression/stretching of the right spermatic cord, and (3) the experimental group 2 (EG2) underwent dissection around the right spermatic cord structures. Testicular volumes, weights, mean seminiferous tubular diameters (MSTDs), mean testicular biopsy scores, and numbers of offspring and of pregnant females were evaluated.

Results

Right (operative) and left (nonoperative) testicular volumes were smaller in the EG2 group than in the CG or EG1 groups. Left MSTDs in the EG1 and EG2 groups increased more than in the CG group. Numbers of Sertoli cells in left testes differed in the 3 groups, in the order EG1 < CG < EG2. Mean testicular biopsy scores, offspring numbers, and pregnant female numbers were no different in the 3 groups.

Conclusions

Both surgical manipulations influenced testicular growth, but they did not compromise spermatogenesis or fertility in SD rats.     

Protective effect of tadalafil on ischemia/reperfusion injury of rat ovary

Background/Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of tadalafil (TDF) on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovaries.

Methods

Thirty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 7): sham (S), I/R1, I/R2, TDF1, and TDF2. In the I/R1 and TDF1 groups, 3-hour ischemia was followed by 12-hour reperfusion; and in the I/R2 and TDF2 groups, 3-hour ischemia was followed by 24-hour reperfusion. In the TDF groups, 30 minutes before reperfusion, a single dose of 5 mg/kg TDF was administered intraperitoneally. The ovarian tissue levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (NO), and the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured biochemically. Tissue damage to ovarian tissue was scored by histopathologic examination.

Results

The tissue malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher and the catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly lower in the I/R groups compared with the S and TDF groups (P < .05). The NO levels were significantly higher in the TDF1 group than the S and I/R1 groups (P < .05). Although the NO levels were increased in the TDF2 group compared with the I/R2 group, the difference was not significant. Ovarian tissue damage scores of the I/R groups were significantly higher than those of the S group (P < .05). Treatment with TDF significantly decreased the ovarian tissue damage scores in the TDF groups compared with the I/R groups (P < .05).

Conclusions

Tadalafil is effective in preventing tissue damage induced by I/R in rat ovaries.