M Gökhan-Köse1, Ş R Erdem2, Ç L Peşkircioğlu3, B Çaylak4. 1. Baskent University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Ankara, Turquía. Electronic address: vensyou@gmail.com. 2. Baskent University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Ankara, Turquía. 3. Baskent University School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Ankara, Turquía. 4. Baskent University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Ankara, Turquía.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that varicocele might promote angiogenesis. However, it is not clearly identified how angiogenesis affect testicular morphology or spermatogenic activity. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of spironolactone, as an angiogenesis inhibitor, on the ipsilateral testis morphology in left varicocele-induced rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four adult (12-14 mo), male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6, for each): 1. Control group, 2. Sham-operated group, 3. Experimental left varicocele group and, 4. Spironolactone (20mg/kg/day)-treated experimental left varicocele group. Histopathological findings in rat testis were investigated. RESULTS: Microvessel density increased in varicocele group and spironolactone inhibited angiogenesis neither by antimineralocorticoid, nor by antiandrogenic effect. However, spermatogenesis impaired in spironolactone treated varicocele group. CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis seems to be a protective process in varicocele. Spironolactone treatment, probably by inhibiting angiogenesis, impairs testicular morphology.
INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that varicocele might promote angiogenesis. However, it is not clearly identified how angiogenesis affect testicular morphology or spermatogenic activity. The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of spironolactone, as an angiogenesis inhibitor, on the ipsilateral testis morphology in left varicocele-induced rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four adult (12-14 mo), male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=6, for each): 1. Control group, 2. Sham-operated group, 3. Experimental left varicocele group and, 4. Spironolactone (20mg/kg/day)-treated experimental left varicocele group. Histopathological findings in rat testis were investigated. RESULTS: Microvessel density increased in varicocele group and spironolactone inhibited angiogenesis neither by antimineralocorticoid, nor by antiandrogenic effect. However, spermatogenesis impaired in spironolactone treated varicocele group. CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis seems to be a protective process in varicocele. Spironolactone treatment, probably by inhibiting angiogenesis, impairs testicular morphology.