Noninvasive analysis of aldose reductase activities in rat testis: 3-FDG NMR spectroscopy and imaging.

Noninvasive investigation of aldose reductase activities in rat testis was performed using 3-fluoro-3-deoxy-D-glucose (3-FDG) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy/imaging. Quantitative determination of testis aldose reductase activities, expressed as the sorbitol index, showed a value similar to that of brain. Sorbitol imaging demonstrated aldose reductase activities in testis to be confined primarily to the central region of this organ. The 3-FDG 19F NMR method appears to have clinical potential in the evaluation of testicular function, especially that of spermatogenesis, noninvasively.