The effects of artery-ligating and artery-preserving varicocelectomy on the ipsilateral testes in rats.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of artery-ligating varicocelectomy (ALV) and artery-preserving varicocelectomy (APV) on the ipsilateral testes in experimental varicocele (EV) rats.

Methods: Fifty adolescent male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old, weighing 170 +/- 10 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: EV without treatment group (EV group), EV with ALV group (EV+ALV group), EV with APV group (EV+APV group), and a control group. EV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein to an external diameter of 50% of its original at the position of medialis to both the adrenal and internal spermatic veins. ALV was performed by total ligation of the dilated left internal spermatic vein, along with the internal spermatic artery. APV was performed by ligation of the dilated left internal spermatic vein only. Johnsen's score, ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules, and intratesticular testosterone concentration (ITC) of the left testes were measured.

Results: ITC and Johnsen's score in the control group were significantly higher than those in the EV group (P < .05) and markedly higher than those in the EV+ALV group (P < .01), and no statistical difference compared with those in the EV+APV group (P > .05). Ultrastructural abnormalities of seminiferous tubules were observed in the EV group, especially in the EV+ALV group.

Conclusions: APV was able to repair the varicocele-induced lesions of ipsilateral testes; whereas, the ALV caused further lesions.