Influence of various exposure time of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble ultrasound contrast agent on normal testicular tissue in rabbits

Objective To investigate various exposure time of diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble ultrasound contrast agent on normal testicular tissue in rabbits. Methods Twelve New Zealand male rabbits underwent exposure to diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble ultrasound contrast agent,and these rabbits were divided into control group,5 min group,10 min group and 15 min group (n=3,each) according to the exposure time. The rabbits underwent exposure once at the time of 0 h,12 h and 24 h. Thereafter the rabbits were sacrificed,and the two testis were examined for pathological changes,assessing the Johnsen score and apoptosis index (AI) of spermatogonia,measuring the biochemical parameters NO,MDA,NOS and SOD activity of testicular tissue. Results ① AI of the 5 min and 10 min groups did not differ significantly from that of control group,but that of the 15 min group increased significantly (P0.01). ② Johnsen score had no significant differences among different groups (P0.05). ③ No significant differences of NO,NOS,MDA and SOD were seen between the 5 min group and control group. However,NO,NOS of the 10 min group increased significantly (P0.05) and MDA decreased significantly when compared with control group (P0.05). ④ NO,NOS and MDA of the 15 min group increased significantly (P 0.05),but SOD decreased significantly when compared with control group (P 0.05). Conclusions Exposure to diagnostic ultrasound and microbubble ultrasound contrast agent can exert multiple biological influences on testicular tissue,and exposure for 10 min only cause minimal testicular cell injury and has better ultrasonic biological effects.