The effect of L-arginine on contralateral testes following 7200 Torsion - Detorsion of the Ipsilateral testes.

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of torsion-detorsion on ipsilateral testes at 720⁰ and at time intervals, on the histology of contralateral testes. 20 male rats (130-200g) were involved in the study and allowed to acclimatize for three weeks. They were fed with commercial livestock feeds and tap water ad-libitum, and grouped into seven groups (A-G) of three rats each. In groups A-F, unilateral testicular torsion lasting for 15, 30, and 45 minutes was created. Alternate groups (A, C, and E) were treated intraperitoneally with 150mg/kg/body weight of  Larginine for 1 hour after detorsion, while the remaining groups (B,D,F) were untreated with L-arginine but still allowed to undergo 1 hour detorsion. Group G served as the control. The results showed that group A presented normal seminiferous tubules with intact sertoli cells, and germ cells at various stages of development. The untreated group B presented atrophic seminiferous tubules with loss of germs cells and no luminal spermatozoon, while group D presented normal features except for interstitial hemorrhage. Normal features were observed for groups E (treated) and F (untreated). Thus, L-arginine tends to reduce oxidative stress in the contralateral testes thereby preventing interstitial oedema and preserving the spermatogenic series.

Keywords: Torsion-detorsion, Ipsilateral, Contralateral, L-arginine, Ischemia, Reperfusion.