Effects of experimental varicocele on the testosterone level in the serum and testis of rats.
- Author:
Jian-jun LIU
1
;
Qiang DONG
;
Yu-ru YANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Leydig Cells; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Testis; metabolism; Testosterone; blood; metabolism; Varicocele; metabolism
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2007;13(4):335-337
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the effects of experimental varicocele (VC) on the serum testosterone (T) and intratesticular testosterone in adolescent rats.
METHODSA VC rat model was established by partial ligation of the left kidney vein in 20 SD rats, and another 20 were included in a sham operation group as controls. At 4 and 8 weeks, the concentrations of the serum T and intratesticular T were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The testis tissues were homogenized and the extract liquid taken for RIA.
RESULTSCompared with the controls, the level of serum T declined at 4 and 8 weeks in the VC group, but not significantly (P > 0.05), so was that of bilateral intratesticular T at 4 weeks, and with statistical significance at 8 (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONWithin 8 weeks, experimental VC could reduce the level of bilateral intratesticular T, but not that of serum T. Varicocele could damage Leydig cells.
