Application of tension-free hernioplasty with hernia meshes of different materials and the postoperative effects on the reproductive function of male rats

Xu,Hao; Chen,Ming; Xu,Qianru; Wang,Zhenlong; Qiu,Zhidong

doi:10.3892/mmr.2014.2014

Application of tension-free hernioplasty with hernia meshes of different materials and the postoperative effects on the reproductive function of male rats

Authors:
- Hao Xu
- Ming Chen
- Qianru Xu
- Zhenlong Wang
- Zhidong Qiu
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Affiliations: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Xiashan, Zhanjiang 524001, P.R. China
Published online on: March 6, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.2014
Pages: 1968-1974

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Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of polypropylene (PP), lightweight PP (UP) and expanded polytetrafluorethylene (e-PTFE) hernia mesh on the reproductive function of adult male Sprague‑Dawley (SD) rats following open tension‑free hernioplasty. Forty adult SD rats were obtained and divided into five groups: A sham‑operated (FO) group, an e-PTFE mesh group, a PP mesh group, the UP mesh group and a normal control (NC) group (without any surgical manipulation). Ninety days following open tension-free hernioplasty, hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunhistochemistry were used to observe the pathological changes of the testicular tissue and to compare the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF‑1α) in the rat testis, respectively. ELISA was used to analyze the serum concentration of antisperm antibodies (AsAbs) and routine semen testing was conducted to measure the percentage of grade a+b sperm from the epididymis. More than 50% of mesh adherence to the spermatic cord was observed in the PP and UP groups, and mild or no adhesion was observed in the NC, FO and e-PTFE groups. In the UP and PP groups, marked congestion of necrotic tissue was observed in the seminiferous tubule cavity, a significant reduction in the percentage of grade a+b sperm and a significant increase in the expression levels of AsAbs and HIF-α. It was concluded that the e-PTFE mesh exhibited a marginal effect on the reproductive function of rats compared with that of the PP and UP mesh and is more suitable for tension-free hernioplasty. The clinical significance of these results requires further elucidation with a multi-centered prospective study.

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