The Effects of Experimental Left Varicocele on the Epididymis

Figures & data

FIGURE 1 The comparison of the mean epididymal weights of the groups. The difference between right epididymal weights of groups 1A, 1B and 1C was statistically significant (p=0.007). The difference between left epididymal weights of groups 1A, 1B and 1C was statistically significant (p=0.006). The difference between right epididymal weights of groups 2A, 2B and 2C was statistically significant (p=0.009). The difference between left epididymal weights of groups 2A, 2B and 2C was statistically significant (p=0.003). The difference between right and left epididymal weights of group 2A was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

The Comparison of the Mean Tubular Diameters of the Epididymides (μm)

	Group 1A	Group 1B	Group 1C	Group 2A	Group 2B	Group 2C
Segments	(n:9)	(n:6)	(n:6)	(n:10)	(n:6)	(n:6)
Caput
Left	108.62±7.26	106.13±9.38	139.89±9.38	93.72±7.26*	138.18±9.38	157.90±9.38
Right	104.72±7.26	129.02±9.38	124.59±9.38	104.50±7.2*	157.25±9.38	150.02±9.38
Corpus
Left	213.24±7.2*	285.38±9.38	281.83±9.38	223.10±7.3*	274.12±9.38	276.18±9.38
Right	223.75±7.2*	277.18±9.38	291.59±9.38	254.38±7.2*	294.96±9.38	315.50±9.38
Cauda
Left	261.32±7.2*	334.11±9.38	429.96±9.38	262.83±7.26*^♣	406.83±9.38	414.57±9.38
Right	257.78±7.2*	343.23±9.38	372.57±9.38	304.98±7.26*	423.39±9.38	372.38±9.38

Data shown as the mean ± standard error.

*By the end of the first month the mean tubular diameters of the bilateral corpus and cauda epididymides in varicocele group (group 1A) were lower than those of the sham (group 1B) and control (group 1C) groups (p < 0.001). By the end of the second month, the mean tubular diameters of all segments of the right and left epididymides in varicocele group (group 2A) were lower than those of the sham (group 2B) and control (group 2C) groups (p < 0.001).

^♣At the end of second month the mean tubular diameter of the left cauda of the epididymis was lower than that of the right cauda of the epididymis in varicocele group (group 2A; p < 0.001).

FIGURE 2 Apoptotic epididymal principal cell stained with TUNEL method. Black arrow shows apoptotic principal cell. Magnification (×400).

FIGURE 3 Apoptotic cells in the epididymal epithelium. A. caput, B. corpus and C. cauda epididymis. Magnification (×200).

TUNEL-Positive Cell Distribution in the Epididymal Epithelium. [0 is (−), 0.1–0.5 is (+), 0.51–1.0 is (++) and 1.0 < is (+++)]

	Group 1A	Group 1B	Group 1C	Group 2A	Group 2B	Group 2C
Segments	(n:9)	(n:6)	(n:6)	(n:10)	(n:6)	(n:6)
Caput
Left	++	−	−	+++	+	+
Right	++	+	+	+	+	−
Corpus
Left	+	−	−	+	−	−
Right	+	+	−	++	−	+
Cauda
Left	+	+	−	+	−	−
Right	+	−	−	+	+	−