title: Effects of electromagnetic pulse irradiation on the mouse blood-testicle barrier.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of electromagnetic pulse irradiation on the mouse blood-testicle barrier (BTB) and spermatogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  After whole body irradiation with 400 kV/m electromagnetic pulse irradiation, the mouse testicles and BTB permeability were observed using hematoxylin-eosin, Evans blue, and lanthanum nitrate as tracers. The expression of the BTB tight junction protein occludin was examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 1, 7, and 14 days after irradiation, the BTB structure was damaged, the BTB permeability was significantly increased, numerous apoptotic or necrotic spermatogenic cells were found in the lumen, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of occludin were markedly decreased. The BTB structure and occludin expression levels had gradually recovered by 21 and 28 days after irradiation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electromagnetic pulse irradiation damaged the structure and function of mouse BTB, resulting in apoptosis or necrosis of the spermatogenic cells.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, China.
authors: Wu-Gang
authors: WG
authors: Hou
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Zhao
authors: Zhen
authors: Z
authors: Li
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Li
authors: Teng
authors: T
authors: Li
authors: Li-Ze
authors: LZ
authors: Xiong
authors: Yuan-Qiang
authors: YQ
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001814:Blood-Testis Barrier / Q000528:radiation effects*; D060733:Electromagnetic Radiation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects*