Efficacy of antioxidant treatment in the prevention of testicular atrophy in experimental testicular torsion

Background/PurposeThis study aimed to compare dose schedules of the antioxidant treatment (melatonin and steroid) used as 1 dose and as once a day for 7 days in terms of salvage of the testes in the late period.MethodsSixty prepubertal rats were divided into 6 groups each containing 10 rats: sham (S), torsion-detorsion (TD), 1-dose melatonin (M1), 1-dose steroid (ST1), 7-dose melatonin (M7), and 7-dose steroid (ST7) groups. The left testes were rotated 720° for 6 hours and detorsed for 6 hours thereafter. In the treatment groups, 17 mg/kg melatonin and 1 mg/kg steroid were injected 15 minutes before detorsion. Left orchiectomies were performed to determine testicular weights and Johnsen scores 3 months later.ResultsTesticular weights and Johnsen scores in the M1, ST1, and TD groups were significantly lower compared with those in the S group, and atrophy developed in these groups, whereas they were higher in the M7 and ST7 groups compared with the TD group. Testicular atrophy did not develop in the M7 or ST7 groups.ConclusionsOur results suggested that antioxidant agents used once a day for 7 days prevent testicular atrophy and are effective in terms of salvage of the testes.