Left adrenalectomy in varicocelized rats does not inhibit the development of varicocele-related physiologic alterations.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the importance of retrograde adrenal metabolite flow for testicular function in a varicocelized animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Partial occlusion of the left renal vein and ligation of the collateral vein between the left testicular and left common iliac veins was carried out on 14 Wistar rats (group A); same procedure plus adrenalectomy on 14 others (group B); seven sham operated (C) and seven with adrenalectomy alone (D). RESULTS: Groups A and B showed significant reduction in fertility, and also bilaterally in difference between testicular and abdominal temperatures, epididymal spermatozoal content and motility, and testicular weight at 12 weeks post-surgery. All values were nearly identical in groups A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Since left adrenalectomy did not ameliorate the effects of varicocele, it appears that retrograde flow of adrenal metabolite(s) may not be responsible for the harmful effect of (left) varicocele on fertility.