Effect of dexamethasone on germ cell apoptosis in the contralateral testis after testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on spermatogenesis and germ cell apoptosis in the ipsilateral and contralateral testis after testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in rats.


METHODS
Laboratory study.


METHODS
Medical research laboratory in a university setting.


METHODS
Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-280 g.


METHODS
Testicular IR, treatment with dexamethasone (10 mg per kilogram of body weight).


METHODS
Testicular germ cell apoptosis was assessed by deoxyuridine nick-end labeling immunohistochemical assay.


RESULTS
Testicular ischemia in rats led to histological damage in the ipsilateral testis. In the contralateral testis, minimal damage was observed. Germ cell apoptosis in both the ischemic and the contralateral testis increased significantly after IR. Treatment with dexamethasone did not change germ cell apoptosis in ischemic testis but decreased germ cell apoptosis in the contralateral testis.


CONCLUSIONS
Glucocorticoids may be beneficial for spermatogenesis after testicular IR by decreasing germ cell apoptosis in the contralateral testis.
Mogilner
Jorge G
JG
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. olguer@bezeqint.net
Elenberg
Yigal
Y
Lurie
Michael
M
Shiloni
Eitan
E
Coran
Arnold G
AG
Sukhotnik
Igor
I
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000473:pathology*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D003907:Dexamethasone