We have developed a new technique for the orthotopic transplantation of rat testes. This method employs end-to-side anastomoses of a renal artery or a 1-mm aortic patch to the recipient’s aorta. The testicular vein is anastomosed to the vena cava of the recipient. Sixteen to 30 power magnification and 22-µm diameter sutures are employed in these procedures. This report describes the structure and function of 19 testicular isografts and four groups of controls which include intact, hemicastrate, sham-operated (also hemicastrate) and bilateral castrates. Transplanted testes weighed less than those of intact or hemicastrated rats, but were heavier than sham-operated testes subjected to a similar ischemic insult. The weights of the epididymides and seminal vesicles from transplant recipients did not differ significantly from the three groups of controls with testes. Microscopic examination revealed normal-appearing Leydig and Sertoli cells in both transplanted and sham-operated testes. The transplanted testes of animals killed after more than two cycles of the seminiferous epithelium showed normal spermatogenesis in many tubules and sperm in the epididymides. Transplants with shorter ischemic insults survived with less tubular damage. The functional capacity of the transplants was judged by radioimmunoassays of hormones and androgen binding protein (ABP) in weekly blood samples. Serum testosterone (T) and ABP levels were virtually identical in transplant recipients and sham-operated animals followed for 12 weeks or more. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were slightly higher in transplant recipients compared to sham-operated animals but were still within the normal range. Folliclestimulating hormone (FSH) levels rose soon after transplantation and then returned to normal by 8 weeks. A luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulation test elicited identical LH and T responses in control and transplanted animals. In conclusion, we have developed a reliable microsurgical method for creating vascularized testicular isografts. Preservation of Leydig and Sertoli cell structure and function in transplants provides a unique model for studies of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis. As transplanted testes are denervated, these animals may be useful for studying neural control of testicular function.
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Goldstein et al. (1983) studied this question.