Assessment of Aging in the Testis of Chinese Hamster (Cricetrus griseus) by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Abstract

By using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), the aged testis of Chinese hamster was studied by measuring relaxation times of tissue water protons. Spin-spin relaxation time (T₂) was significantly prolonged compared to young testis when edema was apparent in the interstitial space of the aged testis. When edema was experimentally induced in the young testis by ligation of a subcapsular vein, T₂ was prolonged to the similar extent as in the aged testis. Spin-lattice relaxation time (T₁) and water content of the tissue were essentially the same in the testes of the young and aged animals. It is concluded that T₂ can serve as a sensitive parameter for assessing the age-dependent histological changes in the testis of Chinese hamster.