Opioid-mediated Sertoli cells apoptosis is involved in testicular homeostasis and/or reproductive dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES:  The opioid system may exert positive direct and/or indirect effects on spermatogenesis at multiple levels including the levels of the central nervous system and at the testes/sperm levels. However, long term opioid use could be associated with several reproductive complications that place the users at risk of hypogonadism and even infertility. There is little available information regarding the contribution of opioids and their apoptotic effects on testis Sertoli cells. Here, the effects of DAMGO (mu opioid receptor's agonist), DPDPE (delta opioid receptor's agonist) and DYN 1-9 (kappa opioid receptor's agonist) on Sertoli cell viability and apoptosis were investigated. METHODS: Cultured Sertoli cells were exposed to each agonist (0.1-100 µM, for 24 or 48 hours) and their apoptotic effects were investigated. RESULTS: Cell viability was decreased and apoptosis was increased in the cells exposed to DAMGO in a concentration-dependent manner, while in the cells exposed to DPDPE, no significant changes were observed. In cells exposed to DYN 1-9, the viability did not significantly change, however apoptosis increased significantly, following the exposure to the high concentration of DYN 1-9. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that mu and Kappa, but not delta receptors mediated apoptosis in Sertoli cells may be involved, at least in part, in testicular homeostasis and/or reproductive dysfunction (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 52).

Stress during pregnancy affected neonatal outcomes and changed cortisol and leptin levels both in mothers and newborns.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to determine the effect of perceived stress during pregnancy on neonatal outcomes and cortisol and leptin levels in mothers and their newborns. METHODS: This longitudinal study was carried out on 110 pregnant women in Miandoab city, Iran. Mothers, who had singleton pregnancies and gestational age of 24 to 28 weeks, were included in the study. The participants were asked to fill out Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The mothers were then tracked in gestational ages of 28-32 weeks, 32-36 weeks, and the time of delivery. The maternal and umbilical cord blood samples were obtained during labor in order to measure leptin and cortisol levels. RESULTS: Umbilical cortisol level was significantly higher in newborns who had meconium stained amniotic fluid than those who did not. Maternal blood leptin levels at delivery were significantly higher in the mothers whose neonates had respiratory distress, low birth weight, low head circumference, low Apgar score, and were premature than those whose neonates did not have such problems. The level of leptin in umbilical cord blood was significantly higher in neonates who had respiratory distress than those who did not. The results also showed a significant correlation between maternal cortisol levels and PSS during weeks 24-28 and the entire pregnancy. A significant relationship was observed between umbilical leptin and maternal leptin levels. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that stress during pregnancy is accompanied by fetal distress. The probable reason for newborns distress may be related to increased maternal leptin levels.