The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on spermatogenesis and apoptosis in experimentally varicocele-induced adolescent rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection into the testes on spermatogenesis and apoptosis in a varicocele-induced adolescent rat model.


METHODS
University hospital urology research laboratory.


METHODS
Six-week-old male Wistar rats (n = 32).


METHODS
The rats were divided into six groups: control group (n = 6), sham operated group (n = 6), left varicocele-induced group (n = 6), varicocele + varicocelectomy group (n = 6), varicocele + VEGF-injected group (n = 4), and varicocele + varicocelectomy + VEGF-injected group (n = 4).


METHODS
Johnsen's score and apoptotic cells.


RESULTS
The mean Johnsen's score was lower in the varicocele group compared with in the control and sham groups. The mean apoptotic index was significantly higher in the varicocele group compared with in the control and sham groups. Compared with the varicocele group, the mean apoptotic index was significantly lower in the varicocele + varicocelectomy, varicocele + VEGF, and varicocele + varicocelectomy + VEGF groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Varicocele may cause a decrease in spermatogenesis and an increase in the apoptotic index. VEGF may play a positive role in improving testicular damage and may also play a significant role in decreasing apoptosis in a varicocele-induced adolescent rat model.
Tek
Mesut
M
Department of Urology, University of Mersin School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey.
Cayan
Selahittin
S
Yilmaz
Nejat
N
Oğuz
Izzet
I
Erdem
Erkan
E
Akbay
Erdem
E
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004210:Dissection; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000601:surgery; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A