effects of association of ultrasound with testosterone treatment on sperm parameters and mouse testis structure

ABSTRACT

GnRH agonists and antagonists can affect testicular function which testosterone is one of them. In spite of the broad use of ultrasound in medicine, its potential to induce cell surface changes is questionable. In the present study, administration of testosterone in association with ultrasound was studied. The adult male balb/c mice were divided into the following groups 1] control injection of distilled water with the same volume as testosterone. 2] exp. 1 treatment with 25 mg/mouse testosterone. 3] exp. 2 exposure to 0.5 W/cm [2] for 2 min. 4] exp. 3 association of treatment with testosterone [25 mg/mouse] with exposure to 0.5 W/cm [2] for 2 min. The experimental period was six weeks and after finishing the experiments, the mice were killed by cervical dislocation, left testis and epididymis were removed. Sperm count survival and motility rates were assessed. The structure of testis was evaluated after preparation. Morphometric data was analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc [TUKEY] tests. The results showed that treatment with testosterone could induce azospermia and the number of sperm, viability and motility rates in the exp.1 reduced significantly comparing with the control group [P<0.05]. Ultrasound irradiation didn't have significant effects on sperm parameters and testicular structure. Association of testosterone treatment with ultrasound irradiation caused some changes as exp.1 group, but there were significant differences with exp. 2 [which received exposure to 0.5 W/cm [2] ultrasound for 2 min]. It is concluded that the effects of ultrasound were mechanical and thermal such as compression of tubules and its association with testosterone treatment didn't show synergism effects