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The effect of cryptorchidism and subsequent orchidopexy on testicular function in adult rats

Summary. Cryptorchidism for 28 or 10 days resulted in a severe disruption of spermatogenesis (assessed histologically or by fertility tests), Sertoli cell function (assessed by seminiferous tubule fluid production after efferent duct ligation, ABP levels, binding of ¹²⁵I-labelled FSH to testis homogenates and serum FSH levels) and Leydig cell function (assessed by serum LH and testosterone levels, in-vitro testosterone production, binding of ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG). Orchidopexy after 28 days of cryptorchidism resulted in a poor recovery of spermatogenesis since the majority of tubules were lined by Sertoli cells and a few spermatogonia. No recovery occurred in the indicators of Sertoli and Leydig cell function.

Orchidopexy after 10 days of cryptorchidism also resulted in a poor recovery of spermatogenesis, with a few animals showing partial recovery after 6 months. No recovery occurred in seminiferous tubule fluid production but partial recovery occurred in ABP content and production rate. Serum FSH, LH levels and in-vitro testosterone production by the testis remained elevated and did not change from the values found during cryptorchidism.

Fertility testing at 6 months revealed a small number of rats in which fertility was restored although the number of embryos was lower than in controls. In this group of animals there was a significant improvement in a number of indicators of Sertoli cell and Leydig cell function. These data provide further evidence to link the changes in Sertoli cell and Leydig cell function to the germ cell complement present in the testis.

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