Early Ultrastructural Findings in Experimentally Produced Varicocele in the Monkey Testis

¹ Department of Urology, Delta Regional Primate Research Center, Tulane University, Covington, Louisiana

Varicocele was produced in adult male macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) by partial occlusion of the left renal vein. Left varicoceie was verified by palpation. An increase in temperature of the left testicle was noted. Bilateral testicular biopsies were obtained at six, nine, and 18-month intervals for morphologic studies. Early morphologic damage was not appreciated with the light microscope, but was found using transmission electron microscopy. The early ultrastructural damage consisted of loss in thickness and lamination of the basal lamina, cellular organelle degeneration, and enlargement of the intercellular spaces between basal cells of the seminiferous tubules. Later, ultrastructural damage was seen in the adiuminal areas. At 18 months, ultrastructural damage had progressed to the right testis. Reflux of adrenal metabolites had no effect on the early ultrastructural damage.

     Key words: varicocele, monkey, testicular morphology, electron microscopy, adrenal metabolites

Submitted on August 25, 1980
Revised on October 10, 1980
Accepted on November 10, 1980