[Apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 protein in germ cells of varicocele rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between the expression of caspase-3 in testicular germ cells of rats with experimental left varicocele (ELV) and apoptosis of germ cells.


METHODS
Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with eight animals each: sham-operation group (SOG), 30-day post-operation group (PG1) and 60-day psot-operation group (PG2). ELV model was established by the partial ligation of the left renal vein. To detect apoptosis of germ cells and expression of caspase-3, TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry (SABC) were used respectively.


RESULTS
The number of caspase-3 positive germ cells per tubular cross section in left and right testes of rats in SOG, PG1, PG2 were 0.1175 +/- 0.0129, 0.2463 +/- 0.0421, 0.2938 +/- 0.0511 and 0.1650 +/- 0.0192, 0.2538 +/- 0.0219, 0.2775 +/- 0.0343, respectively. Compared with SOG, the expression of caspase-3 in bilateral testes of rats in PG1 and PG2 were increased, and the differences were statistically significant(P = 0.0115 and P = 0.0144).


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of caspase-3 protein increased in germ cells of rats with ELV, which may be one of the molecular mechanisms related to excessive testicular germ cell apoptosis.
Pan
Lian-jun
LJ
Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College, Weifang, Shandong 261042, China.
Gao
Dian-jun
DJ
Zhang
He-peng
HP
Wang
Xi-you
XY
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014646:Varicocele / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery
D053148:Caspase 3