Effects of SNP and L-NAME on spermatogenesis in rats / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of nitric oxide(NO) on the DNA ploidy of germ cells and to evaluate the role of NO in modulating spermatogenesis by using SNP, a donor of NO and N-nitro-l-arginine-mythel-ester(L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthese(NOS) in rats physically in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty adult male, Sprague-Dawley rats (60-70 days) were divided into four groups, and injected ultraperitoneally with one of the following agents (once a day, for 12 days) SNP, L-NAME and SNP + L-NAME with normal saline. Two hours after the last injection the rats were sacrificed. The sera were collected and stored at -70 degrees C for subsequent hormone assay. The concentration of serum testosterone was measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum NOx- (nitrite/nitrate) concentration was measured by Greiss method. DNA of spermatogenic cells was detected by flow cytometry(FCM), and the percentage of 1c, 2c and 4c germ cells calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the SNP treatment group, the serum concentration of NOx- was higher, testosterone concentration was lower and the number of 1c cells was smaller compared with the control group. However, in rats treated with L-NAME, the concentration of NOx- was significantly lower, testosterone concentration was higher and the number of 1c cells was larger compared with the control group(P < 0.01). No changes were observed in the SNP + L-NAME group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Enhancing ectogenous NO will suppress spermatogenesis while inhibiting NO productive pathway will promote it.</p>