Ultrastructure of the Rat Testes in Experimental Cryptorchidism

Koh, Sung Kun

Abstract

Since 1786 by Hunter the cryptorchidism was described, many investigators observed the cryptorchism clinically and experimentally. Recently pediatric urologists have interest especially because it is high incidence as a congenital anomaly in children and sterility and frequent probability of testicular carcinoma in adult. Unilateral (right side) and bilateral artificial cryptorchidism was performed on groups of 20 days old SPF SD rats. Testes from these groups were excised at intervals 30 and 90 days after above procedures and 50 days-old as a control group. The excised testes were examined by light and electron microscopy. The control testes were all well differentiated and active spermatogenesis. There was not observed any sperm in 50 days of age of the unilateral cryptorchidism, although scanty sperms were seen in 110 days of age of the unilateral cryptorchidism. So it was suspected that the cryptorchidism has some influence to the spermiogenesis as a regeneration. Bilateral cryptorchid testes were showed poorer development of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermiogenesis than in unilateral groups, and no sperm was seen with severe atrophy of seminiferous tubules.