The effects of chemical sympathectomy on contralateral testicular histology, fertility and fecundity in unilateral abdominal testes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of abdominal testis on ipsilateral and contralateral testicular histology, fertility and fecundity in rats which were chemically sympathectomized neonatally.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 60 male albino rats, 30 receiving a placebo and 30 a chemical sympathectomic agent neonatally. When 21 days old, the two groups of 30 rats were each divided into three groups and underwent a control operation or abdominal fixation of one or both testes. After they were 8 weeks old, each male rat was housed with two fertile female rats for 25 days, after which their testes were harvested. Females were observed for an additional 25 days and any pregnancies and the number of offspring were recorded. Mean seminiferous tubular diameters and mean testicular biopsy scores were determined for each testis.

RESULTS

Although fertility and fecundity rates and mean testicular biopsy scores were not significantly different, chemical sympathectomy prevented the decrease in mean seminiferous tubular diameters which occurred in the contralateral testis.

CONCLUSION

Chemical sympathectomy protected contralateral testicular histology to some degree. Therefore, the sympathetic system may play a role in contralateral testicular deterioration.