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MR Spectra of Normal Adult Testes and Variations with Age: Preliminary Observations

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim was to determine the proton MR (1H-MR) spectra of normal adult testes and variations with age.

Methods

Forty-one MR spectra of normal testes, including 16 testes from men aged 20–39 years (group I) and 25 testes from men aged 40–69 years (group II), were analyzed. A single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy sequence (PRESS), with TR/TE: 2000/25 ms was used. The volume of interest was placed to include the majority of normal testicular parenchyma. Association between normalized metabolite concentrations, defined as ratios of the calculated metabolite concentrations relative to creatine concentration, and age was assessed.

Results

Quantified metabolites of the spectra were choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), myo-inositol (mI), scyllo-inositol, taurine, lactate, GLx compound, glucose, lipids, and macromolecules resonating at 0.9 ppm (LM09), around 20 ppm (LM20), and at 13 ppm (LM13). Most prominent peaks were Cho, Cr, mI, and lipids. A weak negative correlation between mI and age (P = 0.015) was observed. Higher normalized concentrations of Cho (P = 0.03), mI (P = 0.08), and LM13 (P = 0.05) were found in group I than in group II.

Conclusions

1H-MR spectra of a normal adult testis showed several metabolite peaks. A decrease of levels of Cho, mI, and LM13 was observed with advancing age.

Key Points

• Single-voxel PRESS MRS of a normal testis is feasible.

• 1H-MR spectra of a normal testis showed several metabolite peaks.

• Most prominent peaks were Cho, Cr, mI, and lipids.

• A decrease of Cho, mI, and LM13 was seen with advancing age.

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Abbreviations

1H-MRS:

proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

PRESS:

point-resolved spectroscopy sequence

VOI:

volume of interest

FOV:

field of view

HRMAS:

high resolution magic angle spinning

Ppm:

parts per million

Cho:

choline

Cr:

creatine

Glc:

glucose

mI:

myo-inositol

Lac:

lactate

Scyllo:

scyllo-inositol

Tau:

taurine

Glx:

glutamine and glutamate

LM09 LM13, LM20:

lipids and macromolecules resonating at 0.9, 1.3 ppm, and 2.0 ppm, respectively

NOA:

non-obstructive azoospermia

SCO:

Sertoli-cell only

MA:

maturation arrest

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Acknowledgments

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Dr. Athina C. Tsili.

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

Loukas Astrakas kindly provided statistical advice for this manuscript and is one of the authors of this paper.

Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to the examinations, which were previously approved by the local ethics committee.

Methodology: prospective, diagnostic or prognostic study, performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Radiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Athina C. Tsili, Alexandra Ntorkou & Maria I. Argyropoulou

  2. Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Loukas G. Astrakas

  3. Department of Urology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Dimitrios Giannakis & Nikolaos Sofikitis

  4. Department of Urology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Leoforos S. Niarchou, 45500, Ioannina, Greece

    Sotirios Stavrou

  5. Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Leoforos S. Niarchou, 45500, Ioannina, Greece

    Vasilios Maliakas

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  1. Athina C. Tsili
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Tsili, A.C., Astrakas, L.G., Ntorkou, A. et al. MR Spectra of Normal Adult Testes and Variations with Age: Preliminary Observations. Eur Radiol 26, 2261–2267 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4055-y

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