Effect of L-Arginine on testicular histology following 720⁰ torsion - detorsion

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect L- arginine on testicular histology following 720⁰ torsion-detorsion at different time intervals. Twenty male rats (130- 200g) were used. They were grouped into seven groups of three rats each (A-G) with group G as control. With an atraumatic silk suture through the tunica albuginea, unilateral testicular torsion was created in groups A-F by rotating the left testicles in the clockwise direction along the longitudinal axis for 15, 30, and 45 minutes respectively. Alternate groups (A,C,E) were treated intraperitoneally with 150mg/kg body weight of L- arginine for 1 hour after detorsion, while the remaining groups (B,D,F) were untreated. The results showed that the control tissue sections presented normal features while group B (untreated) presented atrophic seminiferous tubules with no luminal spermatozoon. Similarly, group C (treated) presented severe oedema, atrophic seminiferous tubules with hyperplasia of germ cells, and reduction in size and thickness of lining cells of the seminiferous tubules. The untreated group E however, showed mild oedema but normal seminiferous tubules with luminal spermatozoa and germ cells in various stages of development, while group F showed severe interstitial oedema as well as loss of germ cells. Comparatively therefore, there was an improvement in the treated group E as compared with that of the untreated group F. Our results suggest therefore, that L- arginine tends to reduce oxidative stress in torsioned  testes and helps maintain the seminiferous epithelium, thereby preserving the cells of the spermatogenic series

Key words: Testicular torsion, L-arginine, Ischemia-reperfusion, Rotation, Spermatic cord