L-carnitine attenuates testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

Introduction: Testicular torsion might affect adolescent boys and adults and is considered one of the causes of reduced fertility.Purpose: This study was carried out to describe late structural and ultrastructural changes in the rat testis following torsion/detorsion and to shed light on the possible protective effect of L-carnitine.Materials and methods: Under general anesthesia, torsion was conducted by rotating the left testis 720º in a clockwise direction for 5 h followed by detorsion. The rats were divided into 3 equal groups: group I: Sham-operated control. Group II; torsion and detorsion were conducted as described. Group III; L-carnitine was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg, 1 h before detorsion. Seven days after detorsion, paraffin sections were obtained from the left testes of all groups and stained with hematoxylene and eosin and eendothelial nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity. Fine specimens were processed to be examined with transmission electron microscope.Results: Marked degenerative changes were seen in the seminiferous tubule manifested as irregularity of the basement membrane and cellular disarray. In addition, there were numerous apoptotic cells. An associated increase in eNOS immunoreactivity was detected. Ultrastructurally, spermatogonia appeared irregular and swollen with condensed nuclei. Spermatocytes showed relatively condensed nuclei and vacuoles that were variable in size and electron density. Sertoli cells appeared irregular with swollen mitochondria. In contrast, L-carnitine-treated animals exhibited less degenerative features and an unremarkable change in eendothelial nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity.Conclusion: L-carnitine might be of benefit in treatment of testicular dysfunction resulting from torsion.