Effects of experimental varicocele on mitochondria calcium and cytochrome C of the epididymis in adolescent rats / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of experimental varicocele on mitochondria calcium and cytochrome C of the epididymal cells in adolescent rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups randomly varicocele group (VG) and sham operation group (SOG) by partial ligation or exposure of the left renal vein. Bilateral epididymides were removed after ten</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The content of mitochondria weeks. Mitochondria calcium and cytochrome C levels of the epididymal cells were detected. calcium decreased (P < 0.001 ) while that of cytochrome C increased (P < 0.05) markedly in the experimental group compared with SOG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Calcium dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial damage of the epididymal cells caused by varicocele may play an important role in leading to subfertility.</p>