Effect of experimental varicocele in rats on testicular oxidative stress status

The present experiments were undertaken to determine the levels of MDA, SOD and catalase in the testis of adolescent rats with experimental left varicoceles. Male Wistar rats, 7 weeks old and weighing 160-170 g, were randomly allocated into three groups. The first group of rats underwent partial ligation of the left renal vein (n =15). The second group of rats underwent a sham operation (n =7) and the third group acted as controls (n =7). Animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after surgery and dilatation of the internal spermatic veins was observed. Levels of MDA, SOD and catalase activity were measured in testis. The experimental left varicocele group showed severe testicular changes compared to other groups. The mean MDA (SEM) levels in right and left testicular tissues of varicocele bearing rats, sham-operated rats, and control rats were 0.48 +/- 0.24 and 0.31 +/- 0.11, 0.22 +/- 0.02 and 0.35 +/- 0.12, 0.62 +/- 0.29 and 0.13 +/- 0.05, respectively (P > 0.05). The mean SOD (SEM) levels in right and left testicular tissues of varicocele bearing rats, sham-operated rats, and control rats were 7790 +/- 606 and 6974 +/- 574, 7475 +/- 1517 and 7020 +/- 1106, 8727 +/- 1188 and 9019 +/- 1129, respectively (P > 0.05). The mean catalase (SEM) levels in right andleft testicular tissues of varicocele bearing rats,sham-operated rats, and control rats were 75.77 +/- 11.5 and 53.82 +/- 10.1, 91.94 +/- 14 and 94.90 +/- 32, 65.40 +/- 5.7 and 90.93 +/- 16.4, respectively (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that oxidative status, which reflects a relative balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated and ROS scavenged, may not be responsible for the testicular dysfunction associated with experimentally induced varicocele during adolescence in rats.