title: Effects of varicocele on testosterone, apoptosis and expression of StAR mRNA in rat Leydig cells.
abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of varicocele on the morphology and function of Leydig cells in the rat testis. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the experimental group underwent surgery to create a left varicocele (VC), and the control group underwent a sham operation. Serum testosterone and intratesticular testosterone levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay after 4 and 8 weeks of operation. Leydig cells were studied for apoptosis and expression of steroidogenetic acute regulatory (StAR) protein mRNA levels. Serum testosterone levels declined after 4 and 8 weeks of operation but were not significant (P>0.05). However, the intratesticular testosterone levels after 8 weeks were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.01). The mean apoptosis index of Leydig cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group after 4 or 8 weeks (P<0.01). StAR mRNA levels in the Leydig cells of the experimental group were significantly lower compared to those of the control group (P<0.01). Our data show that varicocele did impair Leydig cell function by increasing apoptosis and suppressing the expression of the StAR protein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: De-Yi
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jian-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yu-Ru
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001483:Base Sequence; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015870:Gene Expression; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D013739:Testosterone