A model for estimation of testicular volume in different age male rats - suitability of various testicular volume calculation formulas for living animals.
K Lasiene, R Kleina, A Dabuzinskiene, D Gasiliunas, N Juodziukyniene, B Zilaitiene, R Dirziuviene
Author Information
K Lasiene: Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
R Kleina: Rīga Stradiņš University, 16, Dzirciema str., LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
A Dabuzinskiene: Institute of Anatomy, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
D Gasiliunas: Kaunas Division of State Forensic Medicine Service, Baltijos str. 120, LT-47116 Kaunas, Lithuania.
N Juodziukyniene: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str.18, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania.
B Zilaitiene: Department of Endocrinology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 2, LT-50009 Kaunas, Lithuania.
R Dirziuviene: Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickeviciaus str. 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania.
A change in testicular volume can indicate decreased male fertility and is useful for comparing spermatogenesis before and after experiments in animals, or before and after treatment of especially valuable domestic breeding animals with pharmaceuticals affecting spermatogenesis, such as antitumor drugs. Various formulae can be used to calculate the volume of living males' testes. This study examined the suitability of four testicular volume calculation formulas for male Wistar rats of different ages (2-months, 1-year, and 2-years-old) and the changes in testicular volume during 90 days of observation. In 2-months-old rats, the solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation formula and the prolate ellipsoid formula were most suitable for the calculation of testes' volume, and the volume of both testes increased very significantly during the 90 days of observation. In 1-year-old rats, the solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation formula was optimal, and the volume of both testes increased insignificantly. For 2-years-old rats, the solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation and prolate ellipsoid formulas or their average was recommended, and the volume of both testes decreased slightly during 90 days of observation.
