Abstract
The change in testicular volume can indicate decreased male fertility and is useful for comparing spermatogenesis before and after experiments in animals, or before and after treatment of especially valuable breeding domestic animals with pharmaceuticals affecting spermatogenesis, such as antitumor drugs. Various formulas can be used to calculate living males testes’ volume. This study examined suitability of four testicular volume calculation formulas for male Wistar rats of different ages (2-months, 1-year, and 2-year-old) and the changes of testicular volume during 90-days observation. The calculated volume after ultrasound examination of testes size was compared with water displacement volume. In 2-months-old rats, the Solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation formula and the Prolate ellipsoid formula were most suitable for calculation of testes volume, and the volume of both testes increased very significantly during 90-days observation. In 1-year-old rats, the Solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation formula was optimal, and the volume of both testes increased insignificantly. For 2-year-old rats, Solid ellipsoid triaxial body calculation and Prolate ellipsoid formulas or their average was recommended, and the volume of both testes decreased slightly during 90-days observation.