Long-term effect of pentoxifylline and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on testicular function in spermatic artery ligation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate long-term testicular function in pentoxifylline- and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-treated rats prior to spermatic artery ligation by assessing serum inhibin B concentration, a reliable endocrine marker of spermatogenesis.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Forty prepubertal rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Right orchiectomy was performed in all rats. Intraperitoneal pentoxifylline and L-NAME were administered to Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Rats in Group 3 did not receive any medication. The spermatic arteries of the left testes were ligated in all groups with the exception of the sham controls (Group 4). One month postoperatively, a histopathologic evaluation was performed and serum inhibin B concentrations were assessed in all groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in testis size or serum inhibin B concentration between Groups 1, 2 and 3. However, the testes were significantly smaller (p(1)=0.01, p(2)=0.01, p(3)=0.01) and serum inhibin B levels were significantly decreased (p(1)=0.01, p(2)=0.01, p(3)=0.01) when Groups 1-3 were compared with Group 4. Histopathological evaluations revealed necrosis and calcification in all specimens with the exception of the sham-operated group.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term outcomes of spermatic artery ligation were poor and testicular atrophy developed in rat testes in all study groups. Testicular atrophy could not be reversed by preoperative administration of pentoxifylline and L-NAME.