In vitro investigation of the effect of PRP on sperm functions by ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Testicular torsion is one of the real emergencies of urology, which develops suddenly and requires immediate intervention when diagnosed. Despite the timely detorsion treatment, testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage occurs. In recent years, studies with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in I/R injury are promising. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of PRP on sperm functions in testicular I/R damage in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12-week-old fifty Wistar Albino male rats; randomized control(Sham), Sham+PRP administration(Sham+PRP), ischemia(I), PRP administration after 4 hours of ischemia(I+PRP), torsion/detorsion(I/R) and PRP administration after torsion/detorsion(I/R+PRP) groups. 2 male rats were used for PRP preparation and 12 female rats were used for oocyte retrieval. Torsion was applied to the right testis at 720 degrees. After a 4-hour torsion period, intratesticular 20 µl PRP injection was performed. After 28 days, all rats were sacrificed, sperm samples were collected and testicles were taken for histopathological examination. Oocytes were collected from female rats with controlled ovarian stimulation and oestrus synchronization and cultured after insemination. Samples cultured for up to 5 days were examined for the number of fertilized oocytes and the number of divided oocytes. RESULTS: The most significant reduction in testicular weight was in the I and I/R groups. The Johnsen testicular biopsy score was the lowest in the I/R group and the difference between the I/R+PRP group was significant. (p<0.05). No difference was observed between Sham and Sham+PRP groups (p<0.05). While semen parameters did not differ between Sham and Sham+PRP groups, they were good in all parameters in the I/R+PRP group compared to the I/R group (p<0.05). The number of fertilized oocytes did not differ in the Sham and Sham+PRP groups (p>0.05), but it was higher in the I/R+PRP group than in the I/R group (p<0.05). Considering the number of dividing oocytes, no significant difference was found between the groups that were administered PRP and their controls (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: 20 µl PRP application may protects the testis against reperfusion injury without causing testicular damage, and although it has a positive effect on sperm parameters and histopathologically against reperfusion damage, its effect on clinical fertility results is limited.