Experimental model of varicocele.

The purpose of this investigation was to create a varicocele model in animals and to study the subsequent alterations in testicular physiology. The study comprised 22 dogs divided into 2 groups: test and control. In the test group (17 dogs), excision of a longitudinal strip of the fasciomuscular tube of the spermatic cord was done on one side only. In the control group (5 dogs), the spermatic cord was exposed without interference with the tube. Testicular temperature was measured, and biopsies from the 2 testicles and semen specimens were examined. Re-examination for variceal changes was performed in 3 dogs at the 4th postoperative week; in 3 dogs at the 6th, and in 16 dogs (11 test and 5 control) at the 8th postoperative week. Sections from spermatic cord and testicle were examined microscopically. Serum levels of testosterone follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin were assayed preoperatively and at the time of re-examination. Manifest varicocele was detected in 16 of 17 detubated dogs. It was huge in all dogs re-examined after 8 weeks. Semen showed decreased sperm count in all test animals except 1. The animals with induced varicocele had higher testicular temperature than the controls. Microscopically, the detubated spermatic cords have shown variceal changes and the testicle degenerative changes in all the test animals. Similar changes were encountered in the contralateral testicle in the animals re-examined at 8th week. Radioimmunoassay showed a significant decrease of serum testosterone and increase of prolactin postoperatively. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone showed no significant change from the preoperative level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)