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A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
Spinal cord contusion impairs sperm motility in the rat without disrupting spermatogenesis
Hosea F S Huang1, Ming-Tang Li, Shulun Wang
1Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, UMD-New Jersey Medical School Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA. huanghf@umdnj.edu
Abstract:
Our previous studies demonstrated various abnormalities in spermatogenesis after spinal cord injury (SCI) in cord-transected rats. In this study, we examined whether abnormalities in spermatogenesis in SCI rats were related to the degree of SCI. We used spinal cord-contused (SCC) rats as a model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to various degrees of cord contusion caused by the weight of a rod dropped from different heights (12.5, 25, 50, and 75 mm) using a New York University IMPACTOR. Testicular histology revealed persistent complete spermatogenesis in all SCC rats 4, 8, or 14 weeks after cord contusion regardless of the extent of SCI. Northern blot complementary DNA (cDNA) hybridization revealed transient but significant decreases in the levels of Sertoli cell-specific transcripts in SCC rats. In addition, levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts for germ cell-specific transition protein-2 and protamine-1 were consistently decreased in these rats. Such effects were related to the height of the weight drop and were associated with reduced levels of mRNA for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element modulator (CREM). These results demonstrated specific effects of SCI on spermiogenesis and were consistent with altered cAMP signaling in testicular cells after SCI. Sperm motility was also significantly decreased in SCC rats and was related to the height of weight drop. Normal sperm motility recovered only in those rats injured by weight drop from 12.5- and 25-mm heights. In summary, current results demonstrate persistent abnormalities in spermiogenesis and sperm motility in rats that suffered spinal cord contusion by weight drop. Such effects were related to the height of the weight drop and thus to the extent of SCI.
Insights
Spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats causes lasting damage to sperm production and movement, with severity linked to the extent of the injury. This impacts spermiogenesis and sperm motility, affecting reproductive health after trauma.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) is known to cause abnormalities in spermatogenesis.
- Previous studies focused on cord-transected rats, but the impact of varying injury severity was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the degree of spinal cord contusion (SCC) and abnormalities in spermatogenesis and sperm motility in rats.
- To determine if the extent of SCI correlates with specific molecular changes in testicular cells.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent spinal cord contusion using the NYU IMPACTOR with varying weight drop heights (12.5-75 mm).
- Testicular histology, Northern blot cDNA hybridization, and mRNA analysis were performed at 4, 8, and 14 weeks post-injury.
- Sperm motility was assessed and correlated with injury severity.
Main Results:
- Despite varying injury degrees, complete spermatogenesis persisted in all SCC rats.
- Significant, transient decreases in Sertoli cell-specific transcripts and consistent decreases in germ cell-specific transcripts (transition protein-2, protamine-1) were observed.
- Reduced cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element modulator (CREM) mRNA levels correlated with injury severity.
- Sperm motility was significantly reduced, with recovery only in rats with lower-impact injuries (12.5- and 25-mm drops).
Conclusions:
- Spinal cord contusion leads to persistent abnormalities in spermiogenesis and sperm motility in rats.
- The severity of these reproductive abnormalities is directly related to the extent of the spinal cord injury.
- Altered cAMP signaling pathways in testicular cells are implicated in the observed effects of SCI on male fertility.
