Role of cAMP-responsive element modulator-τ (CREMτ) in ipsilateral testicular injury after unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of cAMP-responsive element modulator-τ (CREMτ), an essential transcription factor for spermatogenesis, in ipsilateral testicular injury after unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion.DesignControlled experimental study using rats.SettingResearch laboratory.Animal(s)Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.Intervention(s)Ten rats in the control group underwent a sham operation of the left testes. Ten rats in the torsion-detorsion group received 1 hour of left testicular torsion. Orchiectomy was performed on all rats 3 months after detorsion.Main Outcome Measure(s)Testicular spermatogenesis was evaluated by measuring testicular weight, mean seminiferous tubular diameter, number of germ cell layers, and mean testicular biopsy score. The expressions of CREMτ mRNA and protein in testes were detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively.Result(s)Unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion caused significant spermatogenic damage in the ipsilateral testes, including reductions in testicular weight, mean seminiferous tubular diameter, number of germ cell layers, and mean testicular biopsy score. In ipsilateral testes with spermatogenic damage, the expressions of CREMτ mRNA and protein were also significantly reduced.Conclusion(s)Reduction in testicular CREMτ expression may be one of the mechanisms responsible for impairment of spermatogenesis in ipsilateral testes after unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion.