Effects of L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) on the post-injury recovery of mouse spermatogenesis monitored by flow cytometry. 1. Recovery after X-irradiation.
L-acetylcarnitine plays a key role in sperm metabolism and in the whole spermatogenetic process. In the present work, the influence of L-acetylcarnitine, administered i.p. (100 mg/kg body weight), on the recovery processes of mouse spermatogenesis after local acute irradiation with 10 Gy X-rays has been investigated. The effects were monitored 28, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 days after irradiation by flow cytometric analysis of cellular DNA content. In the LAC-treated animals, the fraction of tetraploid cells is higher at 28 (p less than 0.05) and 45 days (p less than 0.02). Corresponding with the timing of the stages of murine spermatogenesis, the round spermatid fraction is higher at 45 days (p less than 0.1) and the elongated spermatid fraction is higher at 50 days (p less than 0.1) after irradiation. In addition, the LAC-treated animals show a faster recovery throughout the maturation process, from tetraploid to round and elongated spermatids. These results indicate that the presence of exogenous LAC could enhance the recovery of spermatogonial cells.
Amendola
R
R
Division of Physics and Biomedical Sciences, ENEA Casaccia, Rome, Italy.
Bartoleschi
C
C
Cordelli
E
E
Mauro
F
F
Uccelli
R
R
Spanò
M
M
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D004247:DNA; D002331:Carnitine