[Effect of removal of superior spermatic nerve on spermatogenesis].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of superior spermatic nerve in the regulation of spermatogenesis.

METHODS

Mature SD rats (350-375 g) received bilateral surgical removal of the superior spermatic nerve(SSN). The animals were killed 1 and 2 months after operation and were studied in comparison with the SD rats of the sham operation group. H. E. staining was employed in observing spermatogenesis, and transmission electron microscopy and terminal deoxynuleotidyl tansferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) were used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTS

No pathological changes were observed 1 month after operation. Two months after SSN denervation, spermatogenesis arrest was seen in the seminiferous tubules in which only Sertoli cells or Sertoli cells and a few spermatogonia remained. Chromosome condensation and breakage in germ cells were observed under transmission electron microscope in denervated testes. TUNEL showed that SSN denervation induced apoptosis of spermatogonia and Leydig cells significantly.

CONCLUSION

The superior spermatic nerve seems to be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis. Further study is worth doing to clarify the possible mechanism of action.