A comparison of the histopathological findings after open and percutaneous needle testicular biopsy in adult male rats.

OBJECTIVE: To define the histopathological changes occurring as a result of open and percutaneous needle testicular biopsy in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous needle and open testicular biopsies were taken from 35 male albino rats (120-140 days old). Nine of the rats were killed 10 days after the biopsy, eight after 30 days and the other eight 60 days after the biopsy. A control group of six rats underwent orchidectomy with no preceding testicular biopsy. RESULTS: Significant tubulitis and obstructive findings were detected 10 days after needle biopsy (P < 0.05); epididymo-orchitis was frequent after open biopsy during this period. At 10-30 days after needle biopsy the mean seminiferous tubule diameters were significantly greater than in either the control group or after open biopsy (P < 0.05). The histopathological damage recovered 60 days after open and needle biopsy. CONCLUSION: Although percutaneous, a needle biopsy (as an alternative to open biopsy) causes tubulitis and frequent obstructive findings in the early period; therefore, repeat testicular procedures should be planned after these changes have resolved.