Effect of P/E-selectin blockage on antisperm antibody development and histopathological alterations in experimental...

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of P/E-selectin blockage on antisperm antibody (ASA) development and histopathological alterations in experimental orchitis.

Thirty-six Wistar albino-type male rats weighing 100-150 g were included in the study. Rats were allocated into six groups (n = 6) including control (CG), sham (SG), orchitis (OG), antimicrobial treatment (AG), P/E-selectin blockage (PESG), and both antimicrobial and P/E-selectin treatment (TG) groups. In CG, serum samples were taken from the tail vein prior to the procedure and followed by extraction of both testes. In SG, 1 ml of saline solution was injected in testicular parenchyma. OG was obtained by injecting 0.1 ml 106 cfu/ml Escherichia coli (0:6 strain) and 1 ml saline solution into the right testes. AG received ciprofloxacin (50 mg/kg/day) twice a day through gastrogavage 24 hours after generating orchitis. In PESG, P/E-selectin antibody (100 μg) was administered intravenously via the tail vein 24 hours after the induction of orchitis. Finally, both ciprofloxacin and P/E-selectin antibody were administered in TG 24 hours after the induction of orchitis for 14 days. At the end of treatment, 1 ml of serum sample was obtained to evaluate the ASA, P-selectin and E-selectin levels. In order to evaluate spermatogenesis (Johnsen score) and testicular injury (Cosentino score), both testes were extracted at the end of the 14th day.

In orchitis-induced groups (OG, ATG, PSEG, TG), ASA levels were significantly increased at the 14th day when compared to SG (p < 0.05). In TG, ASA levels were decreased when compared to AG. However, similar alteration in ASA levels was not detected in PSEG (p > 0.05). In OG and AG, P-selectin levels were decreased at the 14th day when compared to levels observed on 0 day (p < 0.05). E-selectin levels on 0 day showed that each group had higher levels of E-selectin when compared to CG (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference regarding E-selectin when compared to CG (p > 0.05). No significant differences regarding E-selectin levels were detected on the 0th and 14th days between AG and CG (p > 0.05). When the Cosentino and Johnsen scores were compared among groups, TG and PSEG has decreased scores of Cosentino than OG on the right testicle (p < 0.05). In contrast, an increased Johnsen score was detected in TG and PSEG when compared to OG (p < 0/05). No significant difference was detected for both Cosentino and Johnsen scores on the left testicle (p > 0.05). There was no difference with regard to the right and left testicular injury in TG. In P/E-blocked groups, decreased histopathological alterations were observed in the contralateral testis.

P/E-selectin blockage may reduce ASA production after orchitis when combined with antimicrobial treatment. P/E-selectin blockage not only has a protective effect on blood-testis barrier but also decreases the histopathological alterations in both the affected and contralateral testis. Histopathological parameters of spermatogenesis may also be prevented by P/E-selectin blockage in experimental orchitis.