[Effects of met-enkephalin on the testis. II. Histochemical study].
We performed a histochemical study using the Alcian blue-PAS staining method (for mucopolysaccharide), vitamin C, Sudan black (for lipids), and methyl green-pyronine (for nucleic acid). For the study, we utilized 105 male Wistar rats weighing 280-300 gms. Thirty rats comprised the control group, and 75 comprised the study group. Rats in the study group received a single, acute intracardiac dose of met-enkephalin (100 microliters of 50% met-enkephalin solution) and were sacrificed at 15, 30 and 60 minutes following injection, or a chronic intramuscular dose (50 microliters of 40% met-enkephalin solution). We observed that met-enkephalin caused histochemical changes in the rat testis, as evidenced by the accumulation of mucopolysaccharide (early in the study), cytoplasm lipid degeneration, changes in protein synthesis, and a fall in vitamin C stores (in seminal epithelium cell lines, as well as Leydig cells). These changes were more marked in the chronically than in the acutely-treated rats. The foregoing findings demonstrate that enkephalins (endogenous opiates) can cause profound metabolic changes in the rat testis that affect all its metabolic elements [proteins, lipids, polysaccharides and active substances (vitamins...)].
López-Muñiz
A
A
Bengoechea Beeby
M
M
Anitua Miñón
A
A
Pérez-Casas
A
A
D000818:Animals; D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012670:Seminiferous Epithelium / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*
D004744:Enkephalin, Methionine
Efectos de la met-encefalina sobre el testículo. II. Estudio histoquímico.