[Early changes of testicular tissue following experimental torsion of the spermatic cord (author's transl)].

A bilateral testicular torsion war carried out in 65 mature rats. The timing of testicular tissue changes was investigated. A complete human testicular torsion corresponds to a 270 degrees torsion in the rat. The earliest changes were found in the semineferous tubules. Interstitial edema with vasodilatation and hyperemia already occurred one hour following complete torsion. Degenerative changes in the nuclei of the spermatogonia and spermatocytes were found after one hour. After two to four hours necrosis of the epithelium was found. After six hours these changes appeared irreversible. The Leydig cells appear to be damaged 2--3 hours and the Sertoli cells 4--6 hours later than the spermatogenic epithelium. Chronic experiments should be carried out to determine the reversability of these early changes.