The Functional Value of Collateral Testicular Vascularisation: An Experimental Study

Summary— The functional value of the collateral testicular vascularisation has been studied in the rat. In some cases the spermatic artery was sectioned at different levels and in others the vasal artery was sectioned. Hormonal, pathological and anatomical parameters were investigated. The results support the concept that the vasal artery is the most important collateral artery and that the cremasteric artery plays little, if any, part. They also support the view that following proximal section of the testicular artery, the collateral testicular blood supply is variable and the effects of this division are unpredictable and inconsistent.