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Testicular histopathology and phosphorylated protein changes in mice with diabetes induced by multiple-low doses of streptozotocin: An experimental study
Sampannang, Apichakan; Arun, Supatcharee; Burawat, Jaturon; Sukhorum, Wannisa & Iamsaard, Sitthichai
Abstract
Background: The streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic model is widely used to
evaluate the adverse effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on spermatogenesis and
testicular steroidogenesis. However, the actual mechanism of sub/infertility in DM
males needs to be elucidated.
Objective: To conduct a detailed examination of the testicular histopathology,
sperm acrosome reaction (AR) status, and tyrosine-phosphorylated protein
expression in the testis of male mice induced with STZ.
Materials and Methods: Ten ICR mice were divided into two groups (n=5/each):
control and diabetes induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-STZ).
The control mice were intraperitoneally injected with citrate buffer, whereas MLD-STZ
mice were injected with STZ at 40 mg/kg body weight for five consecutive
days. At the end of the experiment (day 40), reproductive parameters, AR status, and
the histopathology of the testis and epididymis were evaluated. The expression of
testicular tyrosine phosphorylated proteins was examined.
Results: Blood glucose levels, AR percentages, and sperm abnormality of STZ
group were significantly higher (p=0.003, 0.001, 0.000), while sperm concentration
was significantly lower (p=0.001) compared to control. Histopathology of the
seminiferous tubule was classified into 7 types. Additionally, abundant round cells
were found in the epididymal lumen of the MLD-STZ mice. Moreover, the
intensities of testicular phosphorylated proteins (170, 70, 36, 30, and 25 kDas) were
markedly higher and a 120 kDa protein band was noticeably lower in the MLD-STZ
mice.
Conclusion: MLD-STZ-induced DM causes many testicular histopathologies,
precocious sperm AR, and increased expression of testicular phosphorylated
proteins. These findings may clarify some mechanisms of sub/infertility in DM
males.
Keywords
Diabetes mellitus; Phosphorylated protein; Streptozotocin; Mice.
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