Abstract
Aim:
The mechanism by which unilateral testicular torsion leads to injury of the contralateral
testis is still controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate immunohistopathological
changes in the contralateral testis of rats after acute testicular torsion.
Methods:
40 pubertal rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n=10) functioned as
controls. Group 2 rats (n=10) underwent a sham operation, and Group 3 (n=20) underwent
720° torsion of the left spermatic cord (3 h) followed by detorsion (24 h). Immunofluorescence
tests were done to investigate contralateral lesions in half of the animals in Group
3. Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) was injected in both testes to identify the presence
of oxygen-derived free radicals. 24 h after reperfusion, bilateral samples of the
testes were obtained for histological analysis. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical
analysis with p-values < 0.05 considered significant.
Results:
Immunofluorescence tests were positive for the contralateral (right) testis but with
a lower intensity than that of the testis submitted to torsion. NBT reaction was intense
all over the left testis while a minor reaction was visible in the right testis. In
Group 3 the left distorted testicle showed diffuse edema with cell elimination and
extensive necrosis of the seminiferous tubules. Histological lesions were moderate
to mild in the contralateral testis.
Conclusion:
An autoimmune IgG-mediated mechanism deposited on the basement membrane of seminiferous
tubules seems to be involved in the genesis of contralateral testis injury.
Key words
testis - spermatic cord torsion - autoimmune response - animal experiment
