[Testicular microlithiasis and Leydig cell proliferation in Wistar rats underwent Fowler-Stephens procedure]. / Microlitiasi testicolare e proliferazione delle cellule Leydig nei ratti Wistar sottoposti a procedure tipo Fowler-Stephens.

OBJECTIVES: The present study investigates the outcome of Fowler-Stephens operation in prepubertal Wistar rats focused on microlithiasis and Leydig cell hyperplasia development. METHODS: Thirty-eight (38) animals underwent laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens operation on the right testis (8 of them formed the control group) and 6 of them additional contra-lateral orchectomy. The testes were examined histological 9,30,70 and 90 days later, while ultrasound study was perfomed a day earlier. RESULTS: Initially, atrophic signs were visible as early as 9 days after the operation. Signs of intratubular calcification were obvious 30 days after the operation, in severe atrophic testes. Another important point was that in the animals that underwent orchectomy, testicular microlithiasis co-existed with lesions of Leydig cell hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Microlithiasis and Leydig cell hyperplasia seem to have causative relation in operated undescended testis and present serious postoperative complications, with a review in the literature.