An evaluation of the integrity of the blood‐testis barrier by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract
This present investigation was initiated to noninvasively evaluate the usefulness of intravenous gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-PTDM) -enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in assessing the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). The intensity of different image slices was measured in pre-and post-Gd-PTDM images in rats receiving cytochalasin D or alcohol treatment. It was found that MRI can be used to assess the integrity of the BTB and may be a useful tool in the evaluation of potentially toxic agents that affect the testis, particularly those that affect the BTB. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.