Could polypropylene mesh impair male reproductive organs? Experimental study with different methods of implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the vas deferens and testicles of rats submitted to bilateral inguinotomy and polypropylene (PP) mesh placement. METHOD: Sixty Wistar rats were randomized into three groups: Control (inguinotomy only), mesh placement over the vas deferens (Mesh-DD) or under the spermatic funiculus (Mesh-SF). The following analyses were performed: vas deferens morphometry (lumen area and wall thickness), quantification of collagen fibers, spermatogenesis, apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL) and cellular proliferation (Ki67). Quantitative gene expression (qPCR) for apoptosis and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS: In the apoptosis pathway, Mesh-DD showed one upregulated gene (Il10) and three downregulated genes (Fadd, Tnfrsf1b and Xiap). In Mesh-SF, 17 genes were downregulated. In the inflammation pathway (Mesh-DD), one gene was upregulated (Il1r1), and one gene was downregulated (Ccl12). In Mesh-SF, three genes were upregulated (Il1r1, Tnfsf13b and Csf1), and two were downregulated (Ccl12 and Csf2). PP mesh placement preserved spermatogenesis and did not alter the vas deferens or the testicle. In the ductus deferens, there was reduced luminal area (30 days), increased wall thickness (90 days), and increased type III collagen and cell proliferation (30 and 90 days) (p < 0.05). In the testicle, cell proliferation was greater in the Mesh-DD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PP mesh, whether or not in direct contact with spermatic funicular structures, induces changes that were not sufficient to cause damage to the evaluated organs.