Testicular torsion: temporal considerations.

Unilateral testicular torsion may result in contralateral testicular alterations which appear immunologically mediated and avoidable by immunosuppression or orchiectomy of the twisted testicle within 24 hours. This study was instituted to assess three temporal aspects of these observations: (1) The effect of prepubertal torsion was studied. It was found that after prepubertal torsion, the contralateral testicle underwent normal development. (2) The duration of torsion necessary to result in contralateral testicular alterations in adult rats was studied. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) histograms were utilized to assess disturbed spermatogenesis. After greater than 8 hours of torsion, detorsion offered no protection to the contralateral testicle. Marked alterations occurred in DNA histograms of 60% to 80% of the animals. (3) The duration and significance of these alterations were assessed. The alterations persisted in the contralateral testis 6 months, and the fertility rates were significantly lower than for control animals.