Objective: To investigate the change and implication of epididymis sialic acid after 24 hours following 2- or 4-hour torsing/detorsing of testes in rats.
Methods: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion for 2 and 4 hours and then repaired. The ischemic epididymides were collected for detecting the content of sialic acid by spectrophotometry.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the content of epididymis sialic acid after 24 hours following 2-hour torsing/detorsing of testes and that of the sham group, while significant difference was found between the content of epididymis sialic acid after 24 hours following 4-hours torsing/detorsing of testes and that of sham group.
Conclusions: Sialic acidsecreting-function of epididymis can remain normal after one day following 2-hour torsing/detorsing of testes, and be injured after one day following 4-hour torsing/detorsing of testes. The epididymis remains resistant to ischemic damage during testicular ischemia.