Cold Ischemia Time Influences Spermatogenesis in a Testicular Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Model

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of cold ischemia time on spermatogenesis in a rabbit model of testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.Material and MethodsThe testicular I/R model was established in 24 male white rabbits. The left testes were preserved using HC-A solution at 0°C to 4°C. Cold ischemia time was 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. The right testes without vascular occlusion were used as autologous controls. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, the animals were sacrificed, and samples were obtained at bilateral orchiectomy. Another 8 normal testes were used as normal controls. Testicular tissue Johnsen score, malondialdehyde concentration, and apoptosis index were used to evaluate spermatogenesis.ResultsThe Johnsen score decreased and the apoptosis index increased with the duration of cold ischemia time in the I/R groups. The malondialdehyde concentration in the I/R groups was significantly higher than the sham and normal groups, and was highest at 4 hours of cold ischemia time.ConclusionTesticular I/R injury is highly related to cold ischemia time. In rabbit models, testis transplantation is best performed within 4 hours of cold ischemia with traditional hypothermic protection.