[Effect of local testicular heating on spermatogenic cell apoptosis in rat].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of testicular local heating on spermatogenic cell apoptosis in rat.


METHODS
Seventy male SD rats were divided into heat treatment group (43 degrees C) and control group (22 degrees C). Each group was further divided into seven sub-groups respectively according to the time of 12 hours and 1 days, 3 days, 6 days, 10 days, 50 days and 80 days after testicular local treatment. The spermatogenic cell apoptosis in all sub-groups was examined by means of electron microscopy, flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP-nick end labeling(TUNEL) method.


RESULTS
In the groups of heat treatment, spermatogenic cell apoptosis was detected by electron microscopy; flow cytometry showed that the percentage of cells with sub-haploid increased(P < 0.01); the percentage of positive TUNEL cells in the heat treatment groups was higher than that in the control group(P < 0.01). Initiation of spermatogenic cell apoptosis after testicular heating was not random but was highly selective.


CONCLUSIONS
Local testicular heating could increase the spermatogenic cell apoptosis. The most sensitive cell is spermatocyte. Spermatid and sperm also display apparent changes. Heating can increase the apoptosis of spermatogonia in a long period.
Xu
Duo
D
Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515031, China.
Qin
Da-Nian
DN
Wang
Yong
Y
Zhuang
Chu-Xiang
CX
Li
Wei-Qiu
WQ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure