Alterations in Bones of Prepubertal Rats with Testicular Torsion

Abstract

Objective: Testicular torsion is one of the leading causes of hypogonadism among children. We aimed to evaluate the effects of testicular torsion in prepubertal rats using densitometry and a histopathological study in adulthood. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two prepubertal male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. The rats in the SHAM group underwent scrotal incision only. In the torsion group rats, both testes were torsioned 720° in a clockwise direction. In the torsion/ detorsion group, the testes were detorsioned after four days of torsion. The torsion/orchidectomy rats underwent orchidectomy on the fourth day subsequent to bilateral torsion. Three months after surgery, bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) were measured by DXA and bone cortex thickness (BCT) measurements were performed histopathologically. Results: The lowest values of BMD and BMC were in rats with torsion (mean 0.075 g/cm2 and 0.290 g), and highest in the SHAM group (mean 0.142 g/cm2 and 0.488 g). The SHAM group had a mean of 388.52 μm BCT, whereas the torsion group had a mean of only 220.16 μm (p<0.05). Conclusion: Bilateral testicular torsion in prepubertal rats may lead to bone loss in adulthood. Detorsion may prevent the negative effects of torsion on bones in rats.