To establish a rat model of inguinal hernia repair and compare the effects of different types of hernia meshes on the reproductive function of rats.

Thirty adult male SD (Sprague Dawley) rats were selected, with a weekly age of (8.5±0.3) weeks and a body weight of (230±35) g. They were randomly divided into 5 groups, each group has 6 rats, which were normal control group (NC group), sham operation group (SO group), light-weight polypropylene mesh group (LWPP group), heavy-weight polypropylene mesh group (HWPP group) and composite mesh group (CM group). The NC group only underwent abdominal anesthesia for lower abdomen hair removal. The SO group only separated the incision in the right inguinal region and then sutured the incision layer by layer. The latter three groups were operated on the right inguinal region to separate the vas deferens and then it wrapped with the corresponding patches. Specimens were taken at 3 months after surgery and pathological sections were made to observe the effects of the patches on reproductive function in rat testis, sperm and vas deferens.

The CM group was slightly adherent to the surrounding tissues and spermatic cords. The damage to the testicular and vas deferens was small, and the quality of germ cells was not significantly decreased. The polypropylene patch group adhered to the surrounding tissue more seriously, the damage to the testicular and vas deferens was very serious, the germ cell quality was significantly reduced, and the reproductive function was significantly affected. In the polypropylene mesh with the same material, the light mesh had a significant influence less than the heavy mesh. The sperm motility and a+b grade sperm rate of the 5 groups were significantly different (all P<0.05). Compared with NC group, sperm motility and a+b grade sperm of SO group, CM group, LWPP group and HWPP group were significantly different (P<0.05); Compared with the SO group, the sperm motility and the a+b grade sperm of the LWPP group and the HWPP group were significantly different (P<0.05); the difference was also statistically significant between LWPP group and the HWPP group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the total number of sperm in the 5 groups (P>0.05); the difference in sperm density, linear speed, curve speed and whiplash frequency in the 5 groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the NC group, the sperm density of SO group, CM group, LWPP group and HWPP group were statistically different (P<0.05); compared with SO group, the difference of sperm density of LWPP group and HWPP group was statistically significant (P<0.05); the difference in sperm density between LWPP group and HWPP group was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in the grading scores of changes in the vas deferens wall of the 5 groups (P<0.05); the comparison of the number of folds in the vas deferens of the 5 groups at 3 months after the operation was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Different types of hernia meshes have different effects on reproductive function in rats. The light-weight mesh has less impact on the reproductive function than the heavy-weight mesh. Composite meshes have less effect than the light-weight and heavy-weight polypropylene meshes on reproductive function and cause less damage. It is recommended that in the future, it is more appropriate to use a composite mesh for patients who require inguinal hernia repair and have fertility requirements.