Testicular blood flow measured with a laser Doppler flowmeter: acute effects of catecholamines

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Abstract
Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to continuously measure testicular blood flow in rats. The method was applicable on surgically exposed testes. Regular oscillations in blood flow, with a periodicity of 8.6 .+-. 0.7 cycles per min (mean .+-. SD), were observed in recordings from 22 of 23 rats. Clamping of the testicular artery reduced the blood flow signal to background values. Effects of catecholamines administered into the tail artery on testicular blood flow together with systemic effects on mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Noradrenaline [norepinephrine] as well as adrenaline [epinephrine] caused a significant decrease in blood flow when 10 .mu.g was injected. Only noradrenaline decreased the blood flow when 1 .mu.g was given. The large oscillations detected in the blood flow recordings disappeared quickly when 10 or 1 .mu.g of both hormones was administered. Evidently, catecholamines can exert rapid effects on testicular blood flow.