Williamson R C, Thomas W E
Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1984 Jul;66(4):264-6.
Subfertility has recently been shown to follow unilateral torsion of the spermatic cord in more than half the patients studied. Since the anatomical anomaly that predisposes to torsion (a high investment of the tunica vaginalis) is commonly bilateral, there could be an associated congenital defect in spermatogenesis on each side. Alternatively, autoantigens escaping from the ischaemic or 'exciting' testis could trigger an immunological response which damages the contralateral or 'sympathising' testis. Demonstration of an autoallergic (sympathetic) orchidopathia, analogous to sympathetic ophthalmia, would fundamentally alter the management of testicular torsion.
最近的研究表明，超过半数接受研究的患者在精索发生单侧扭转后会出现生育力低下的情况。由于易引发扭转的解剖学异常（睾丸鞘膜的高位附着）通常是双侧的，因此两侧可能都存在相关的先天性生精缺陷。另外，从缺血或“兴奋”的睾丸中逸出的自身抗原可能引发免疫反应，从而损害对侧或“交感”睾丸。证实存在类似于交感性眼炎的自身过敏性（交感）睾丸炎，将从根本上改变睾丸扭转的治疗方法。
