Testicular torsion and its effects on contralateral testicle.

Twenty-six male adult Noble (Nb) rats underwent unilateral left testicular torsion of 720 degrees. The testicles of the 6 control animals were immediately detorsed. The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups according to the surgical approach (abdominal vs. scrotal) and location where the torsed testicle was placed (abdomen vs. scrotum). After six hours all torsed testicles in the experimental groups were detorsed. One month later all animals were sacrificed, and the contralateral testicles were examined for spermatogenesis and mean seminiferous tubular diameter. All groups displayed decreased spermatogenesis with smaller mean seminiferous tubular diameter as compared with the control group.