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Visualization of seminiferous tubules in rat testes in normal and diseased conditions by high‐resolution MRI
Author(s) -
Yamaguchi Masayuki,
Mitsumori Fumiyuki,
Watanabe Hidehiro,
Takaya Nobuhiro,
Minami Manabu
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.22064
Subject(s) - seminiferous tubule , high resolution , diethylstilbestrol , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , anatomy , biology , estrogen , sertoli cell , spermatogenesis , radiology , remote sensing , geology
Abstract Rat seminiferous tubules were visualized for the first time using high‐spatial‐resolution MRI and their MRI features were investigated under normal and various kinds of pathological conditions. All testes images were obtained at 4.7 T with a dedicated quadrature surface coil. T 2 ‐ and T 2 * ‐weighted images with in‐plane resolution of 66 × 66 μm 2 demonstrated numerous tubular structures with low‐signal‐intensity walls and high‐signal‐intensity lumens tightly packed throughout the entire testicle. The tubular structures were attributed to the seminiferous tubules in the histological specimens. In testicular ischemia, T 2 * ‐weighted images demonstrated prominent low‐signal‐intensity bands along the radiate veins and normal‐appearing seminiferous tubules. As the ischemic condition persisted, the contour of the seminiferous tubules became less visible on both T 2 ‐ and T 2 * ‐weighted images, reflecting the disorganization of the seminiferous epithelia and severe interstitial edema. Changes in the images of testes treated with glycerol or diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen hormone, were also investigated. In the chronic spermatogenic impairment caused by these substances, extensive shrinkage of the seminiferous tubules was demonstrated. High‐resolution MRI aids in noninvasive evaluation of seminiferous tubules, and therefore has potential as a diagnostic test for human testes. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.