Changes in mouse Leydig cells ultrastructure and testosterone secretion after diethylcarbamazine administration.
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) has been proven to be highly effective against lymphatic filariasis, although its effect on vertebrate cells remains uncertain. Mice Leydig cells after treatment with 200mg/kg of DEC for 12 days showed numerous lipid droplets, degenerated mitochondria, residual bodies and several giant whorl-like smooth endoplasmic reticulum, some of them encircling large lipids droplets. Treatment with lower dosages showed similar alterations on Leydig cells and the morphological effects decreased directly proportional to the drug concentration. Serum testosterone levels were significantly lower only in 200 mg/kg DEC-treated group when compared to the controls. However, no significant changes were observed in the pregnancy rates and offspring number of DEC-treated male-mated female mice in any doses studied. The results obtained in the present study are consistent with the hypothesis that DEC has some effects on mice Leydig cells, although they were not sufficient enough to interfere with the rodent fertility.
Departamento de Biologia Celular e Ultraestrutura, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães (FIOCRUZ), e Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Karina Lidianne Alcântara
KL
Saraiva
Valdemiro Amaro Da
VA
Silva
Dilênia De Oliveira Cipriano
Dde O
Torres
Mariana Aragão Matos
MA
Donato
Newton Gil
NG
Peres
José Roberto Botelho De
JR
Souza
Christina Alves
CA
Peixoto
D000818:Animals; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005369:Filaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011247:Pregnancy; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D005369:Filaricides; D008055:Lipids; D013739:Testosterone; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine