Protecting spermatogenesis from damage induced by doxorubicin using the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist leuprorelin: an image analysis study of a rat experimental model.
BACKGROUND
This study was performed to investigate the protective effect of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, leuprorelin, against spermatogenetic damage caused by doxorubicin in rats.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) a control group, (2) a group given LHRH agonist (subcutaneous injections, total dose 9 mg/kg), (3) a group given doxorubicin (intraperitoneal injections, total dose 7.5 mg/kg), and (4) a group given both LHRH agonist (subcutaneous injections, total dose 9 mg/ kg) and doxorubicin (intraperitoneal injections, total dose 7.5 mg/kg). Evaluations were made by measuring body and testicular weights, determining Johnsen's score, and conducting DNA image analysis consisting of DNA content measurement (%1C, %2C, and %4C) by image cytometry.


RESULTS
In the group given doxorubicin, the testicular weight was 1.47 +/- 0.24 mg, Johnsen's score was 4.4 +/- 1.2, and image analysis revealed %1C: 33.8 +/- 9.2, %2C: 43.9 +/- 16.3, and %4C: 5.0 +/- 4.4. In the group given both LHRH agonist and doxorubicin, the testicular weight was 1.32 + 0.23, Johnsen's score was 5.90 + 1.6, and image analysis revealed %1C: 46.9 +/- 15.0, %2C: 28.4 +/- 13.3, and %4C: 8.8 +/- 3.5.


CONCLUSIONS
The significant prophylactic effect (P < 0.05) of the LHRH agonist against doxorubicin-induced spermatogenetic damage was demonstrated by Johnsen's score and image analysis (%1C, %2C, and %4C).
Manabe
F
F
Department of Urology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
Takeshima
H
H
Akaza
H
H
D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004317:Doxorubicin; D016729:Leuprolide