Serum inhibin B levels reflect contralateral testicular damage following unilateral testicular trauma.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate contralateral testicular damage (CTD) following unilateral blunt testicular trauma (BTT) and testicular capsule laceration (TCL) by the serum inhibin B level which is an accepted marker of spermatogenesis.

METHODS

Fifty peripubertal male Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups each containing 10 rats. Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 was the BTT group in which the right testicle was placed on a firm surface and a metal rod weighing 215 g was dropped onto the testicle from a height of 5.5 cm. Group 3 was the TCL group in which right testicular tunica albuginea was lacerated using the needle of 4/0 silk suture. Group 4 had right orchiectomy initially. Group 5 was the sham group. In all groups, 3-ml blood samples were taken and bilateral orchiectomies were performed 6 weeks after initial manipulations.

RESULTS

Groups 2 and 3 had decreased inhibin B levels (p < 0.001), although the orchiectomy group had normal levels. Histological analyses showed lower Johnsen scores for both trauma groups in the ipsilateral and contralateral testes (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum inhibin B levels decrease following unilateral testicular trauma reflecting CTD.