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Abstract #4851

Imaging Seminiferous Tubules in a Mouse Model at 9.4 T – Feasibility for In Vivo Fertility Research

Mari Herigstad1, Sofia Granados Aparici2, Rachel Rodham3, Allan Pacey2, Martyn Paley1, and Steven Reynolds1

1Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, 2Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, 3Biological Services Unit, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

Damage to gonads, including the seminiferous tubules or epididymis, can diminish male fertility. Fertility research often employs mouse models, yet biopsy procedures may sometimes be incompatible with longitudinal studies. A viable non-invasive alternative may be MR. We scanned 8 mice at 9.4T, showing that internal testicular structure can be clearly observed, accurate measurements of seminiferous tubules (volume, diameter) obtained, extra-testicular tissues (e.g. epididymis) identified and spectroscopy peaks spatially localized across different tissues. This indicates that MRI/MRS could be useful in mouse models of fertility and possibly extended to human fertility studies in the future.

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