The effect of oxidized dextran on the morphology of Wistar rat testes under acute toxic effects

The study of the viability of the spermatogenic epithelium in case of toxic lesions and their correction in experiment is a key factor for understanding the possibilities of restoring reproductive function in conditions of increasing technogenic pollution. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the level of pathomorphological changes in the testes of Wistar rats and the intensity of steroidogenesis upon administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin and subsequent correction of intoxication by administration of oxidized dextran. Material and methods. Three groups of Wistar rats were formed, intraperitoneal administration: 2 ml of 0.9 % NaCl solution (n = 5, control); E. coli LPS at a dose of 50 μg/kg body weight (n = 5); E. coli LPS at the same dose, followed by the introduction of 2 ml of a 2 % solution of oxidized dextran (OD) (n = 5). The content of testosterone in the blood serum and pathomorphological changes in the testes were assessed. Results and discussion. The administration of LPS led to moderate hypotrophy of the spermatogenic epithelium due to a decrease in the numerical density of spermatocytes and spermatogonia (by 22.4 and 26.6 %, respectively); a decrease in the numerical density of Leydig cells by 14.5 % and testosterone levels by 2.3 times (in 80 % of animals, testosterone levels ranged from 4.3 to 2.0 nmol/l). The injection of OD after LPS caused an increase in seminiferous tubule diameter and the spermatogenic epithelium height (by 2,9 и 3,3 %, respectively), in numerical density of spermatocytes and spermatogonia (by 16.8 and 14.6 %, respectively) compared to LPS; increase in the ratio of the number of spermatocytes to spermatogonia (by 6.8 %) compared to the control. The numerical density of Leydig cells increased by 4 %, the testosterone level increased by 1.7 times (in 60 % of animals the testosterone level varied from 12.7 to 37.3 nmol/l) compared to LPS. Conclusions. A single administration of OD after acute exposure to E. coli LPS endotoxin initiated the onset of restoration of the histological structure of the spermatogenic epithelium of the seminiferous tubules.

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