title: [Relationship between decreased expression of inhibin B and spermatogenesis dysfunction in rats testis].
abstract: Objective:To explore the effects of varicocele on the expressions of inhibin B in rat testes and the relationship between expression of inhibin B and spermatogenesis dysfunction.Methods:Twenty specific-pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into two groups with random number table: 4-week control group (C4) and 4-week experimental group(V4). Experimental varicocele was created by partial ligation of left renal vein in the V4 group; vein isolation without ligation was performed in the C4 group.Spermatogenetic function in the two groups were assessed. The expression of inhibin B in the rat testis was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, the expressions of inhibin B, Fas and Fas ligand(FasL)mRNA measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), and the inhibin B protein expression by Western blot.Results:In comparison of spermatogenetic function in left rat testes, the Johnsen scores in the V4 group were significantly lower than those in the C4 group (9.79±0.05 vs 9.97±0.02,P=0.023), the seminiferous epithelium in the V4 group was significantly thinner than that in the C4 group [(48.35±0.99)μm vs (57.58±1.98)μm,P=0.000], and the number of sperms in the left epididymis was significantly lower than in the right one in the V4 group [(933±161)×106/(ml·g) vs(1 552±184)×106/(ml·g),P=0.017]. Both Western blot and immunohistochemical assay showed that the expression of inhibin B in the rat testes was significantly lower in the V4 group than in the C4 group(0.407±0.053 vs 0.608±0.076,P=0.038; 0.161±0.004 vs 0.183±0.005,P=0.008). RT-PCR also detected reduced expression of inhibin B mRNA in the V4 group compared with the C4 group(0.522±0.050 vs 1.106±0.210,P=0.003. Compared to the C4 group, the expression of Fas mRNA in the V4 group was significantly lower, while the expression of FasL mRNA in the V4 group was significantly higher(P=0.019, 0.015).Conclusions:Varicocele can lead to decreased expressions of inhibin B in rat testes and cause spermatogenesis dysfunction. There may be a close correlation between down-regulation ofinhibin B expression and spermatogenesis dysfunction.Inhibin B may play a significant rolein the mechanisms underlying male infertility due to varicocele.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: Q T
authors.initials: QT
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 201399, China.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004822:Epididymis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007265:Inhibins; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis; D014646:Varicocele
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins