Light and electron microscope study of albino rat testis at different ages

Forty male albino rats were used to study the histological picture of testis at different age groups. They were classified into three groups; prepubertal [20 rats divided equally into two subgroups: A [7 days], and B [21 days]], adult [10 rats, 3-4 months] and senile [10 rats, 16-18 months]. After anesthesia, small pieces of testes were dissected and processed for light and electron microscope study. In rats aged 7 days, the testis showed seminiferous cords lined by spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. Large rounded, pale-stained gonocytes occupied their centers. The cords were surrounded by more than one layer of myoid cells. Leydig cells were small and found in clusters. Their cytoplasm showed many lipid droplets and mitochondria with disrupted cristae. At 21 days of postnatal life, most cords turned into tubules lined by spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Sertoli cells, whereas, apoptotic gonocytes appeared towards the adluminal side. Tight junctions began to appear on cell membrane of Sertoli cells. In the adult group, the seminiferous tubules were lined by stratified germinal epithelium with spermatids at different stages of development and surrounded by a single layer of flattened myoid cells. Inter-Sertoli tight junctions divided the tubules into basal and adluminal compartments. Leydig cells had oval nuclei and their cytoplasm showed sER. mitochondria, few lipid droplets of variable sizes. In old aged rats, there were wide interstitial spaces. Some tubules showed wide lumina and reduced epithelial lining. They were surrounded by thickened irregular basement membrane. Germ cells of such tubules showed pyknotic nuclei and wide intercellular spaces. Sperms had highly attenuated darkly stained head, and malformed tail. Sertoli cells showed large lysosomes and vacuoles. Leydig cells appeared with irregular nuclei and their cytoplasm showed many lipid droplets and vacuoles. It could be concluded that the two extremities of age have adverse effects on fertility in males. Giving birth at senility for good generations is in doubt

Evaluation of testicular histology and micronucleus test in mice treated by bromocryptine mesylate and dothipen hydrochloride

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the genotoxicity and morphological changes in mouse testis after short term chronic administration of either BCM or DPH. They were administered by daily oral doses [1/10 LD 50] for 4 weeks, then the treatment was stopped for another 4 weeks to study the effects of the drugs. 100 male mice were used and classified into 3 groups, a control group and 2 groups for testing the effects of BCM and DPH. The seminiferous tubules showed disorganization, hypospermtogenesis and spermatogenic arrest. Their lumina contained desquamated spermatogenic cells or necrotic tissue. The inter-tubular spaces contained dilated blood vessels and an exudate. In DPH treated group the nuclei of germ cells appeared pyknotic at the 4th week. There were marked improvement in testicular structure after cessation of BCM treatment. While the DPH-treated group needed longer period to attain its original architecture. The micronucleated PCEs were significantly increased at the 3rd and 4th weeks of BCM treatment and their numbers declined when the treatment was stopped for another 4 weeks

Morphological and genotoxic effects of cadmium chloride on the testis of albino rat

A light microscopic and cytogenetic study of the possible changes which may occur after cadmium chloride treatment was made in an effort to identify the site of action of cadmium. Cadmium chloride was administered orally five times a week [for Sand 10 weeks] with 1/10 of the lethal dose [3.75 mg/kg] to male adult albino rats. Its effects were investigated on the histological status of the testis, the morphology of spermatozoa and the cytogenetic effect on the bone marrow cells. Then the treatment was stopped for 10 weeks. Thirty-two adult male rats were used and classified into 4 equal groups: A control group. two groups for testing the effects of cadmium chloride and a follow-up group. After cadmium chloride treatment the seminiferous tubules showed a mixed pattern of incomplete spermatogenic arrest and different grades from mild to severe hypospermatogenic activity. Disorganization and sloughing of spermatogenic cells into the lumen of the tubules were also seen. The interstitial tissue showed engorgement of the blood vessels and pyknotic Leydig cells specially after 10 weeks. There was an increased incidence of morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa in the treated rats. In addition, there was a significant increase in the number of bone marrow cells showing neuploidy. Ten weeks later, after cessation of treatment no significant difference as compared with the control, was found in the treated groups. Similarly, there were little residual effects of cadmium chloride on the histological picture of the testis and on the sperms