Ultrasonographic evaluation of the rete testis thickness: a promising approach to differentiate obstructive from nonobstructive azoospermia / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of rete testis thickness (RTT) and testicular shear wave elastography (SWE) to differentiate obstructive azoospermia (OA) from nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). We assessed 290 testes of 145 infertile males with azoospermia and 94 testes of 47 healthy volunteers at Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai, China) between August 2019 and October 2021. The testicular volume (TV), SWE, and RTT were compared among patients with OA and NOA and healthy controls. The diagnostic performances of the three variables were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The TV, SWE, and RTT in OA differed significantly from those in NOA (all P ≤ 0.001) but were similar to those in healthy controls. Males with OA and NOA were similar at TVs of 9-11 cm 3 ( P = 0.838), with sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, and area under the curve of 50.0%, 84.2%, 0.34, and 0.662 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.502-0.799), respectively, for SWE cut-off of 3.1 kPa; and 94.1%, 79.2%, 0.74, and 0.904 (95% CI: 0.811-0.996), respectively, for RTT cut-off of 1.6 mm. The results showed that RTT performed significantly better than SWE in differentiating OA from NOA in the TV overlap range. In conclusion, ultrasonographic RTT evaluation proved a promising diagnostic approach to differentiate OA from NOA, particularly in the TV overlap range.

Relationship between ectasia of the rete testis and the volume of seminal vesicle cyst in the epididymal head: an ultrasonographic study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the correlation between ectasia of the rete testis (ERT) and the volume of seminal vesicle cyst (SVC) in the epididymal head by ultrasonography.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 36 cases of ERT diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasonography and complicated with SVC in the epididymal head (case group), and another 44 SVC cases without ERT (control group), all confirmed by surgery or fine-needle aspiration. We analyzed the differences in nationality, age, volume of SVC and resistance index of the afferent artery in the diseased testis between the two groups of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No statistically significant differences were observed between Chinese Uighurs and Hans (P > 0.05), nor in the mean age between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the mean volume of SVC between the case and control groups ([2.081 +/- 1.147] cm3 vs [1.009 +/- 0.848 ] cm3, P < 0.01), but not in the resistance index of the afferent artery in the diseased testis (0.644 +/- 0.099 vs 0.608 +/- 0.116, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The volume of seminal vesicle cyst in the epididymal head plays a significant role in the formation of ectasia of the rete testis.</p>

Primary Adenocarcinoma of the Rete Testis With Preceding Detection of Unilateral Hydronephrosis

Primary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis is a rare malignant testicular tumor with a poor prognosis. Here we report the case of a 54-year-old man with right hydronephrosis that was detected before the diagnosis of the primary testicular lesion. During the evaluation of the right hydronephrosis by use of abdominopelvic computed tomography, a painless, hard, solid lesion was found on the right testis. The patient underwent radical orchiectomy, and the pathologic examination revealed an adenocarcinoma of the rete testis. Multiple metastases were present at the time of diagnosis. The patient received combined chemotherapy after the surgery but lived only 8 months after the initial diagnosis.

Primary Adenocarcinoma of the Rete Testis With Preceding Detection of Unilateral Hydronephrosis

Primary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis is a rare malignant testicular tumor with a poor prognosis. Here we report the case of a 54-year-old man with right hydronephrosis that was detected before the diagnosis of the primary testicular lesion. During the evaluation of the right hydronephrosis by use of abdominopelvic computed tomography, a painless, hard, solid lesion was found on the right testis. The patient underwent radical orchiectomy, and the pathologic examination revealed an adenocarcinoma of the rete testis. Multiple metastases were present at the time of diagnosis. The patient received combined chemotherapy after the surgery but lived only 8 months after the initial diagnosis.

A Case of Cystic Ectasia of the Rete Testis / 대한남성과학회지

The seminiferous tubules merge and connect with the tubuli recti that form the spaces known as the rete testis. Cystic ectasia of the rete testis is a rare benign testicular lesion. We report the cystic ectasia of the rete testis in a 66-year-old man.

Location of Dctn1 in the mouse testis and sperm and its role in spermiogenesis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of dynactin 1 (Dctn1) in the process of mouse spermiogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence were used to analyze the expression and location of Dctn1 in the mouse testis and spermatozoa. The highest efficiency of small interference RNA (siRNA) was verified by GC2-spd cell line in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. Dctn1 siRNA mixed with the indicator (0.4% trypan blue) was injected into the seminiferous tubules of 3-week-old ICR mice through rete testis microinjection, and negative control siRNA injected into the control testes. The normal group included 3-week-old ICR mice that did not receive any treatment. Spermatozoa were collected from the cauda epididymis 3 weeks after siRNA injection for morphological analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Dctn1 was mainly localized in the tail of spermatozoa. After interference, the sperm tail abnormality in the Dctn1 siRNA group was (23.57 +/- 0.55)%, significantly higher than (12.35 +/- 2.29)% in the control (P < 0.01, n = 3), and it was (3.37 +/- 0.69)% in the normal group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dctn1 plays an important role in mouse spermiogenesis, and mainly affects the formation of the tail of spermatozoa.</p>

Cystic Dysplasia of the Rete Testis Accompanying an Inguinal Hernia: A 63-Year-Old Man

Cystic dysplasia of the rete testis (CDT) is a very rare congenital benign testicular tumor that is often associated with ipsilateral genitourinary anomalies. It is usually found in the pediatric population and must be differentially diagnosed from a malignant lesion. Here we report the case of a 63-year-old man with a left inguinal hernia who visited our urologic outpatient clinic. Scrotal ultrasonography showed a left direct inguinal hernia in the inguinal area and a well-circumscribed cystic lesion containing multiple minute cysts with echogenic foci occupying almost one-third of the left testicular parenchyma. Testicular tumor markers were within the normal range and a computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed no genitourinary abnormalities. We presumed that the left testicular lesion was malignant, and the patient underwent radical orchiectomy. However, the pathologic examination revealed a CDT. Here we present this case of a 63-year-old man with an inguinal hernia accompanied by multiple cystic lesions on the left testis.

Observações morfológicas no epitélio de revestimento da rede testicular (RT) de codorna (Coturnix coturnix) da variedade italiana / Morphological features on the surface epithelium of the rete testis (RT) of quail (Cotunix coturnix) from the italian variety

A rede testicular (RT) de codorna é predominantemente do tipo intra-albugínica e constituída por canais tortuosos, revestidos por células epiteliais, estendendo-se pela túnica albugínea do testículo e a seguir penetram na estrutura microscópica da região epididimária (RE), pelo seu tecido matricial. Os canais da RT são contínuos com os ductos eferentes proximais da RE. A ultraestrutura do epitélio de revestimento da RT mostra diferenças marcantes na primavera - a fase proliferativa do ciclo reprodutivo, e em meados do outono - a fase quiescente do ciclo reprodutivo nesta ave. As características ultraestruturais marcantes dos epiteliócitos da RT, nestas duas fases, foram a baixa eletrodensidade citoplasmática e ocorrência de poucas vesículas e lisossomos no outono, que aparecem com maior freqüência na RT primaveril. Aspectos degenerativos de organelas, e presença de extrusões citoplasmáticas apicais, apareceram em número expressivo no outono, não se observando aspectos ultraestruturais marcantes nas estações de inverno e verão, relativamente às observações de primavera.

The RT of domestic quail from Italian variety showed mainly an albuginic pattern being represented by tortuous channels lined predominately by a simple cubic epithelium. RT channels extended along the testicular albuginea and penetrates into the epididymal region (ER) through its myoconnective matrix. Passageways were continuous to proximal efferent ducts of the ER. Epithelium lining ultrastructure of RT passageways showed some differences between the spring and the inactive phase at middle fall, concerning the quail testicular reproductive cycle. The features observed in RT epitheliocytes in fall were the low cytoplasmic electrodensity, paucity of supranuclear vesicles, which were abundant and variable in form and shape in spring, and some degenerative aspects of cell organelles mainly in ER lamellae. Moreover, presence of apical cytoplasmic extrusions were verified in the fall. No marked features were seen in the RT ultrastructure during the winter and summer comparatively to the active phase of spring.

Variabilidade sazonal no ducto epididimário de codorna doméstica: observações morfológicas / Seasonal variability in epididymal duct of the domestic quail: morphologic features

O ducto epididimário (DE) de codorna doméstica mostrou, ao longo do ano, variabilidade pequena, porém muito expressiva no outono, o qual corresponde à fase quiescente do ciclo testicular anual. A morfologia do DE na primavera foi, em termos, similar à verificada no verão e inverno. Nestas fases notaram-se aumento significante do calibre tubular do DE; estocagem intraluminal de espermatozóides e ocorrência de mitocôndrias, lamelas do RE, vesículas variáveis quanto à forma, dimensões e conteúdos e presença de alguns lisossomos localizados, principalmente, no citoplasma apical das células principais (P), no epitélio epididimário. Estas características ultra-estruturais das células P parecem ser indicativas da ocorrência de processos ativos de endocitose e de secreção micromerócrina. A quiescência outonal foi caracterizada pelo aspecto anfractuoso do DE; ausência de espermatozóides e pouco material intraluminal, observados à microscopia de luz. Características ultra-estruturais degenerativas foram verificadas ao nível do citoplasma supranuclear das células P epididimárias no outono.

Small but expressive variability was noted on the epididymidis duct (ED) of domestic quail along the year, with more evidence in autumn of the quiescent phase of the annual testis cycle in this species. Spring features of ED had a general similar pattern in summer and winter. They were characterized by enlargement of epididymis tubule, storage of spermatozoa into the luminal compartment and presence of mitochondria, ER lamellae, several variable vesicles, and lysosomes localized mainly on the apical cytoplasm of principal cells (P) of the epididymal epithelium. These P cells features indicated a process of endocytosis and perhaps protein secretion. Autumn quiescence was marked by a convolute pattern of the epididymis tubule, lacking of spermatozoa and small amount of exfoliate heterogeneous material inside the luminal compartment at light microscopy. Ultrastructural degenerative features mainly apical cytoplasmic debris were seen in the supranuclear cytoplasm of lining P cells.

Serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis: unusual ultrasonography and pathological findings.

We report a case of serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the rete testis in a 22-year-old man. Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis is highly resistant to radiotherapy and any known chemotherapeutic regimen. We recommend radical orchiectomy At last follow up, the patient was well, without any evidence of recurrence, ten years after surgery.

Diagnosis of tubular ectasia of the rete testis with color flow Doppler imaging / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To diagnose tubular ectasia of the rete testis with color flow Doppler imaging.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sonographic, CDFI and pulse wave Doppler appearance in tubular ectasia of the rete testis was described.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The characteristic ultrasound appearance with no associated soft-tissue abnormality and no flow on color flow Doppler imaging was seen.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Color Doppler ultrasound imaging is the first choice for the diagnosis of tubular ectasia of the rete testis.</p>

Cystic Dysplasia of the Testis Associated with Ipsilateral Hypoplastic Type of Renal Dysplasia and Ureterovesical Junction Obstruction / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Cystic dysplasia of the testis is a rare benign congenital lesion of the rete testis that is often associated with renal and ureteral abnormalities. Herein, a case of cystic dysplasia of the testis, associated with an ipsilateral hypoplastic type of renal dysplasia and an ureterovesical junction obstruction, is reported in a 7-year-old boy.

A case of carcinoma rete testis: histomorphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings and review of literature.

A 72-year-old man presenting with a secondary hydrocoel underwent orchidectomy. Gross examination revealed a tumor arising in the region of the rete testis, which on histopathology proved to be a papillary adenocarcinoma. The patient did not have evidence of any other neoplasia elsewhere in the body. The lesion fulfilled the anatomic criteria elucidated by Nochomovitz et al to be labelled as adenocarcinoma of Rete testis. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic nuclear infoldings and microtubules with two different arrangements. The tubules were either seen to form concentric circles or were in irregular groups with filaments interspersed. The lesion on immunohistochemistry was negative for germ cell markers AFP and HCG, and was positive for cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. A review of literature is also presented.

Estudio histoquímico de la red testicular del conejillo de indias cavia porcellus / Histochemical study of the rete testis of guinea pig cavia porcellus

Las observaciones de la red testicular (RT) del desl conejillo de indias en los estudios de microscopía de luz y MEB mostraron que la RT es cavitaria, axial y laberíntica y su revestimiento epitelial está compuesto por células cúbicas, pavimentosas y cilíndricas. Se observan estructuras tales como cordones epiteliales que le dan un aspecto de egmentos cordonales llamados de chordae retis. También puede ser visto un segmento extratesticular, llamado red extratesticular (RED). Segmentos de la RT "ricos en glicógeno" fueron observados en el conejillo de indias, cuyo papel podría estar relacionados con las actividades metabólicas en los túbulos rectos y en la RT o con producción y liberación de fructosa seminal

Exophytic Adenocarcinoma of the Rete Testis Mimicking Paratesticular Mass: A Case Report

Adenocarcinoma of the rete testis arising in the mediastinum testis is a rare, highly malignant neoplasm. Wedescribe one such case in a 25-year-old male who presented with a palpable right scrotal mass which metasta-sizedto the right inguinal lymph node eight months later. Ultrasonography of this tumor showed a complex cystic andsolid mass in the swollen right scrotum, which was separate from the right testis. Ultrasonographic and clinicalfindings suggested that the mass was, indeed, paratesticular. Surgical pathology following right radicalorchiectomy and hemiscrotectomy, however, confirmed the presence of an exophytic adenocarcinoma of the retetestis. A pelvic CT performed to evaluate a right inguinal mass, which was palpated eight months later, revealed amainly cystic mass in the right inguinal area. Metastasis was confirmed by biopsy.

Les obstructions congenitales ou acquises de l'epididyme humain: Consequences et diagnostic etiologique

In this study, concerning 86 patients submitted to surgical exploration for sterility, has been achieved with a double objective to determines the precise histological nature of the lesions of the sperm ducts mainly of the epididymis and determine the etiological diagnosis of the epididymal obstruction. We've showen that whatever the level of the acquired obstruction of the epididymis, it will lead to the formation of an inflammatory home and to a situation combining the lessening of light, stase and massive arrival of spermiophage of destroying almost completely the spermatozoa. The simultaneous consideration of the 2 values of the <-glucosidase and the plasma FSH permit of reducing the mistakes in interpreting the origin of azoospermia. However we have produced evidence of diagnostic traps corresponding to a fibrose of rete testis where all the biological parameters are normal. W've showen that, there is a correlation between the presence of epididymal pathology and a drop in epididymal markers which can be found in severe oligospermia [which can be epididymal in origin and not testicular], also when there is non abnormalities in the spermogramm. This last situation can occur in " invisible" abnormalities of sperm maturation in the epididymis

A rede testicular na cobaia: observaçöes morfológicas e histoquímicas / The rete testis in guinea pig: a morphological and histochemical examination

A rede testicular (RT) da cobaia tem características morfológicas de um tipo intermediário de RT. Esta rede foi caracterizada com cavitária, labiríntica e axial relativamente à disposiçäo de seus canais epiteliais interconectados. Morfologicamente consiste, predominantemente, de câmaras epiteliais interligadas que penetram no parênquima testicular, por uma pequena distância. Os canais e câmaras de todas as partes da rede säo revestidos por epitélio cúbico simples. Reatividades histoenzimáticas fortes foram observadas, predominantemente, na matriz da RT às enzimas fosfatases alcalina e ácida e m-ATPase. Ambas as fosfatases mostraram reatividades médias no epitélio da RT de cobaia, no qual a reatividade da m-ATPase foi fraca. Por outro lado, a NADH-d mostrou reatividade média, porém homogênea, na matriz e no epitélio da RT.

Contribuiçäo ao estudo do funículo espermático no morcego (Phyllostomus hastatus) / Contribution to the study of spermatic cord in bat (Phyllostomus hastatus)

Neste trabalho sao descritas observaçoes anatômicas sobre o suprimento arterial e drenagem venosa testiculares no morcego Phyllostomus hastatus que tem hábito alimentar misto (frutas, insetos e pequenos vertebrados). As disposiçoes e comportamento anatômico dos vasos testiculares arteriais e venosos, incluindo aspectos histológicos, na intimidade do funículo espermático sao comparadas com descriçoes em outras espécies de mamíferos.

The Study of Diversity of Carbohydrate Specificities on Rat Genital Tract and Spermatogenesis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

The nature of carbohydrate in the male genital tract of the rat was studied through the carbohydrate-binding specificities of lectins. Lectins used in this study were BS-I, DBA, SBA, WGA, PNA, Cona and RCA. The results were as follows : 1. Secondary spermatocyte showed positive reactions to RCA, spermatid to PNA and RCA and sperm to WGA, PNA and ConA. The sperm in rete testis were positive to DBA, SBA, PNA, ConA and RCA while in epididymis the reactions to SBA, WGA and PNA were positive in all part and the reactions to ConA and RCA were positive only partly. 2. Cell membrane at luminal side of epithelial cell in rat genital tract showed positive reactions to DBA, WGA, and ConA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reactions to WGA and ConA were only partly positive; in vas deferens, the reactions to PNA and ConA were positive in all part and the reactions to DBA and WGA were only partly positive. 3. Cytoplasm of epithelial cell in rat genital tract showed positive reactions to DBA, WGA and ConA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reaction to WGA was positive in all part and the reaction to SBA was only partly positive; in vas deferens, the reaction to ConA was positive in all part and the reactions to BS-I and DBA were positive in some part. 4. Basal side of epithelial cell in rat genital tract showed positive reactions to DBA, WGA and ConA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reaction to WGA was positive in part and in seminal vesicle, the reaction to BS-I was partly positive. 5. Lamina propria of rat genital tract showed positive reactions to BS-I, WGA, ConA and RCA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reaction to WGA was positive in all part and the reaction to SBA was positive in some part; in seminal vesicle, the reaction to BS-I was positive. 6. Muscle layer of rat genital tract showed positive reaction to WGA in epididymis; in seminal vesicle, the reactions to BS-I and DBA were positive. 7. Adventitia of rat genital tract showed positive reaction to WGA in rete testis; in epididymis, the reactions to SBA, PNA, ConA and RCA were positive; in vas deferens, the reactions to BS-I and PNA were positive; in seminal vesicle, the reactions to BS-I and PNA were positive. In conclusion, variable lectin binding properties in the uroepithelia and the cells in the process of spermatogenesis, which were demonstrated in this study, offer the basic data for carbohydrate research in the male genital system.

A Case of Primary Carcinoid Tumor of the Rete Testis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Testicular carcinoid tumor is uncommon and most of these tumors occur in fourth decade' of life. A 33-year-old man presented with intrascrotal painless mass, which was initially misdiagnosed as epididymal tumor. Epididymectomy including the mass was performed and pathologic examination revealed a carcinoid tumor confined to the rete testis. There was no evidence of carcinoid syndrome. The 24 hour urinary 5-HIAA level was normal. Abdominal CT scan and GI contrast study showed no evidence of carcinoid in other organ including the gut. Radical orchiectomy and hemiscrotectomy were undergone as a curative therapy. He has been well for 40 months without recurrence.