Karpe B, Fredricsson B, Svensson J, Ritzén E M
Int J Androl. 1982 Dec;5(6):549-56. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.1982.tb00288.x.
The testosterone level in fluid contained in the tunica vaginalis has been determined in 25 adult men referred for infertility and in 20 boys aged 0-10.5 years operated on for hydrocele. The median concentrations of testosterone were found to be 392 nmole/1 (range 78-957) and 1.1 nmole/1 (range 0.16-182), respectively. The median value for adult men was 20 times the concentration of testosterone found in the peripheral blood of that group while the median value for the boys was 4 times that found in their peripheral blood. It is concluded, firstly, that the high level of testosterone in the peritesticular space of adult men strongly indicates that diffusion of testosterone through the testicular capsule does take place. Secondly, testosterone levels in fluid from the peritesticular space which significantly exceeds those in peripheral blood in prepubertal boys furnishes evidence of testicular secretion of testosterone in that age group. Consequently, the peritesticular tissues such as the epididymis, gubernaculum and scrotum are exposed to quantities of testosterone far exceeding those brought by the general circulation.
对25名因不育前来就诊的成年男性以及20名年龄在0至10.5岁因鞘膜积液接受手术的男孩，测定了鞘膜腔内液体中的睾酮水平。发现成年男性睾酮的中位浓度为392纳摩尔/升（范围78 - 957），男孩为1.1纳摩尔/升（范围0.16 - 182）。成年男性的中位值是该组外周血中睾酮浓度的20倍，而男孩的中位值是其外周血中睾酮浓度的4倍。首先得出的结论是，成年男性睾丸周围间隙中高水平的睾酮有力地表明睾酮确实通过睾丸包膜发生扩散。其次，青春期前男孩睾丸周围间隙液体中的睾酮水平显著超过外周血中的水平，这为该年龄组睾丸分泌睾酮提供了证据。因此，睾丸周围组织如附睾、睾丸引带和阴囊所接触到的睾酮量远远超过体循环所带来的量。
