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This experiment was planned to answer the question of how the elimination of ipsilateral spermatogenetic material, which is necessary for contralateral testicular damage caused by an autoimmune response, affects contralateral testicular blood flow and fertility potential in unilateral spermatic cord torsion (USCT). Thirty-four male and 68 female adult albino rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 rats underwent a control operation, group 2 rats underwent subepididymal orchiectomy to eliminate spermatogenetic material, and group 3 rats underwent USCT after subepididymal orchiectomy. Testicular blood flows of the rats were measured by (133)Xe clearance technique. Additionally, to determine fertility potential, each male rat was housed with two female rats. Numbers of impregnated and delivered rats were recorded. Both mean testicular blood flow and fecundity of group 3 were significantly lower than those of groups 1 and 2. When compared with groups 1 and 2, fertility and mean number of the impregnated rats of group 3 were lower but the differences were not significant. These findings suggest that absence of spermatogenetic material in USCT reduces contralateral blood flow and fertility potential. Therefore, contralateral testicular damage originating from blood flow alterations rather than autoimmune mechanism should be considered to explain fertility problems encountered following USCT.

The effects of chemical sympathectomy on contralateral testicular histology, fertility and fecundity following unilateral testicular torsion were evaluated in rats. Four groups, placebo plus sham operation, 6-OH-dopamine plus sham operation, placebo plus torsion, and 6-OH-dopamine plus torsion, were established. When the placebo plus sham operation and placebo plus torsion groups were compared, it was found that contralateral testicular damage following unilateral testicular torsion occurred with significantly decreased values for mean seminiferous tubular diameter (MSTD), mean testicular biopsy score (MTBS) and fertility. The relatively normal values for MSTD, MTBS and fertility in the 6-OH-dopamine plus sham operation and 6-OH-dopamine plus torsion groups indicate the preventive role of chemical sympathectomy on contralateral testicular damage. Since chemical sympathectomy prevents contralateral histologic deterioration and preserves fertility in unilateral testicular torsion, the decreased blood flow in the reflex-activating sympathetic system may play a role in contralateral testicular damage.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chemical sympathectomy on lactic acid and hypoxanthine concentrations in both testes during unilateral testicular torsion in a rat experimental model., Materials and Methods: Four groups, comprising 10 rats each, were studied. Group I was the control group, Group II rats received a placebo and underwent unilateral testicular torsion, Groups III and IV received guanethidine monosulphate and 6-OH-dopamine hydrobromide respectively, and underwent unilateral testicular torsion. The levels of lactic acid and hypoxanthine in both testes were measured., Results: In rats in Group II the levels of lactic acid and hypoxanthine in both testes were significantly elevated when compared to the control group. In the groups of rats that had undergone chemical sympathectomy, the levels of lactic acid and hypoxanthine were significantly decreased in the contralateral testes compared to rats in Groups I and II., Conclusion: Chemical sympathectomy prevents the elevation of lactic acid and hypoxanthine levels in the contralateral testis of rats with unilateral testicular torsion. Therefore, we conclude that contralateral testicular damage during unilateral testicular torsion may result through a reflex activating sympathetic system.

Although deteriorating effects of unilateral spermatic cord torsion are generally accepted, the mechanism remains controversial. An experimental study was performed to evaluate the necessity of testicular and spermatogenetic material for contralateral testicular deterioration following unilateral spermatic cord torsion in rats. The animals were allocated to four groups: control, spermatic cord torsion, subepididymal orchiectomy, and spermatic cord torsion 14 days after subepididymal orchiectomy. The testes were removed on the 14th days and mean seminiferous tubular diameters and mean testicular biopsy scores were determined. Although contralateral testicular deterioration was more pronounced in the presence of testicular tissue, the absence of testicular tissue and/or spermatogenetic material did not prevent its occurrence. This is highly suggestive that autoimmune mechanism does not play a role in contralateral testicular damage following unilateral spermatic cord torsion.