Résumé
PURPOSE: The extent of ESWL(Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy), a treatment for urinary calculus, shows gradual development and the treatment has become generally known as a noninvasive, safe, and efficacious method. Although the testicular effects are not within the vicinity of shock waves in carrying ESWL as a treatment for urinary calculus, research was initiated to examine effects which shock waves might cause on the testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After applying shock waves at intensity 4 for 1,000 times to the testis of Sprague Dawley immature rat, the histopathologic changes within the tissue of testis were observed after 1, 7, 14, 28 days, respectively. RESULTS: In the case of the experimental group having shock waves on the testis, destruction of seminiferous tubules, necrosis, and hemorrhage were found out a%or a day. One week later the atrophy of seminiferous tubules, interstitial fibrosis, and a small portion of chronic inflammatory cell appeared The capillary proliferation near the testis capsule also appeared. Two weeks later somewhat atrophied seminiferous tubules and proliferation of Leydig cells appeared. Diversely atrophied seminiferous tubules, diffusion of Leydig cell proliferation, calcified tubules, and foreignbody reaction were discovered after 4 weeks. As times went on, the tendency of recovery appeared. CONCLUSIONS: Noxious influences such as testicular atrophy and disturbance of spermatogenesis occurred in inflicting immediate shock wave on the testis. Therefore the need of more researches concerning long-term sequelae and the influences on the human body should be taken into consideration.