[Delayed-type autoimmune reaction following ligation of the testicular vascular plexus].
Repeated ligation of the rat testis vascular fascicle leading to the organ atrophy was followed by peritoneal exudate cell adherence inhibition in the presence of autologous testicular antigens. At weekly intervals between the exposures, pronounced atrophy (over 25%) developed more frequently than at daily exposures. An enhancement of the positive response because of the addition of lymphocytes from the regional node adjacent to the injured testis was observed during the cell adherence inhibition test. The enhancement of the response was seen only in the presence of marked testicular atrophy. The data obtained are considered as evidence in favor of the development of the delayed type response to autoantigens of the testis undergoing atrophy after ligation.