AIMTo investigate the relationship between germ cell degeneration and apoptosis in cryptorchid rats.

METHODSThirteen 21-day-old Wistar rats were made unilaterally cryptorchid by closing the left inguinal canal. At day 30 (Group 1, n=6) and day 60 (Group 2, n=7) after operation, the testes were removed for histopathological examination. The controls (n=8) were sham operated and were sacrificed at day 60. Germ cell apoptosis was assessed by means of the TUNEL method.

RESULTSSpermatogenesis was arrested and the testicular and seminiferous tubular diameters were significantly reduced In the unilateral undescended testes (UUTs) compared with the contralateral descended testes (CDTs) and the control rats. However, atrophic changes, pathological calcification, necrosis of seminiferous tubule, and absence or sloughing of germ cells were not found in all the animals. The spermatocytes were the main type of germ cells undergoing apoptosis in all the groups. In the UUTs, there was a significant and time-dependent increase in the mean apoptotic index. By 60 days after surgery, increased apoptosis in germ cells was also observed in the CDTs.

CONCLUSIONApoptosis is the predominant mechanism of germ cell death rather than atrophy and necrosis in cryptorchidism.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cryptorchidism ; pathology ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatocytes ; pathology

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit for the treatment of otomycosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 40 patients who were referred to our clinic with complaints of ear itching, pain, and fullness, and were diagnosed with unilateral otomycosis. After cleaning the mycotic hyphae from the external auditory meatus, the ear canal was filled with 1% clotrimazole, using an intravenous catheter and syringe. The patients received follow-up examinations on post-treatment days 7, 15, and 45. RESULTS: The follow-up otomicroscopic examinations revealed that 95% of the ear canals were entirely clean and that all symptoms had resolved. The post-treatment scores of pain, aural fullness and itching were significantly lower than the pre-treatment scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit is an easy, efficient, and cost-effective treatment for otomycosis. Additionally, high patient compliance makes this treatment superior to long-term topical therapy.
Catheters ; Clotrimazole ; Ear ; Ear Canal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Otomycosis ; Patient Compliance ; Prospective Studies ; Pruritus ; Syringes