- Biomedical Research (2011) Volume 22, Issue 2

Effects of longstanding inguinal hernia on the microstructure of testis and spermatic tract system

Scrotal position of testes in man is believed to be a homeothermic specialization. Maldescent of testis is known to be associated with male infertility. Contents of longstanding hernia coming in close contact with the spermatic tract system are expected to disturb the thermo-regulatory process of testis and hence likely to affect the spermatogenesis. In the present study a 50-year-old male had a long-standing right inguinal hernia. He was operated and. large defect necessitated ligation and excision of spermatic cord along with herniorrhaphy. Tissues thus obtained (Testis, Epididymis, Vas deferens and associated blood vessels) were fixed in 10% formalin and processed for paraffin sections. Observations were made on H & E and Weigert stained slides under light microscope. In the testis the tubular basement membrane appeared thickened, all stages of spermatogenic cells were scanty and tubular lumen was completely devoid of sperms. The interstitial cells of Leydig appeared hyperplas-tic and hypertrophied. Duct of epididymis was appeared normal with preservation of char-acteristic stereocilia. However, the part of the duct located relatively deep in the body of epididymis showed degenerative changes. The ductus deferens had normal microstructure. Testicular artery lumen was full of blood and its all tunics revealed features of both hyper-plasia and hypertrophy to the extent that overall thickness of its tunics matched with that of the ductus deferens. Vein also revealed congestion. It was concluded that long standing in-guinal hernia even in the absence of varicocele has harmful effect on the spermatogenesis and hence warrants early treatment.

Author(s): M. Tariq. Zaidi and Aijaz. A. Khan

Abstract PDF