Testicular blood flow and plasma testosterone concentrations in anesthetized rats previously exposed to air at 6 ATA.

Testicular blood flow and peripheral testosterone levels were measured in sodium pentobarbitone anesthetized adult rats within 3 h of exposure to air at 6 ATA for 24 h. The animals appeared clinically healthy and showed no signs of dehydration. The treated rats showed a small but significant reduction in arterial blood pressure, and blood flow to the testis, epididymis, ventral prostate, and kidneys was also reduced. Calculations of regional vascular resistance revealed a vasoconstriction in all organs studied. The plasma testosterone concentrations were also significantly reduced after hyperbaric exposure. It is suggested that this may be due partly to the reduction in testicular perfusion.