title: Short-term buserelin administration induces apoptosis and morphological changes in adult rat testes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of buserelin on gonadal structure and function in adult male rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four adult Wistar male rats were divided into three groups: two treated groups and controls. The first and second treated groups received 300 (low dose) and 500 (high dose) µg/kg buserelin, respectively, and the control group received normal saline. All groups were treated subcutaneously for five days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seminiferous tubular epithelial thickness was significant decreased in the treated groups compared with those in the control. There was a significant increase in apoptotic cell death in high dose treated group compared with low dose treated and control groups. No significant difference in serum testosterone level was observed after one month in the three groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Buserelin induces apoptotic cell death and decreased diameter and epithelium thickness of seminiferous tubules in the adult rat testes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Behnaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Khadivi
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Tahmineh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peirouvi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Masumeh Zirak
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: JavanmardI
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Yousef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rasmi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002064:Buserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005303:Fertility Agents, Male / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005303:Fertility Agents, Male; D013739:Testosterone; D002064:Buserelin