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Therapeutic effect of spermatogonial stem cell on testicular damage caused by lead in rats
Heba F Pasha1, Noha A Rezk1, Sally A Selim2
1Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Objective:
To investigate the possible therapeutic effect of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) on lead-induced apoptosis and consequently infertility in adult male rats.
Materials And Methods:
Sixty-six Sprague Dawley adult male rats were divided into three groups: control group, lead (Pb) acetate exposed group received (20mg Pb/kg) for 3weeks, and SSCs treated group. Each group included twenty-two rats. Serum testosterone level, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) genes expression by RT-PCR, caspase 3 expression by immunohistochemistry and testicular histological findings were tested.
Results:
Pb acetate exposed rats showed a significant decrease in the epididymal sperm count, motility, viability, serum testosterone level and testicular expression of 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD and PCNA compared to the control group, while treatment with SSCs attenuated Pb acetate induced decrease for these variables. Moreover, the increasing apoptosis of germinal cells as well as the high expression of caspase-3 induced by Pb acetate was reduced by SSCs treatment.
Conclusion:
SSCs exhibited therapeutic effect on reproductive system by inhibiting Pb-induced excessive cell apoptosis.
Insights
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) show therapeutic potential by reducing lead acetate-induced apoptosis and improving reproductive parameters in male rats. This research highlights SSCs as a promising treatment for lead-induced infertility.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
- Stem Cell Therapy
Background:
- Lead acetate exposure is a known cause of male infertility.
- Lead toxicity induces germinal cell apoptosis and reduces testosterone levels.
- Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are crucial for spermatogenesis and maintaining male fertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of SSCs in mitigating lead acetate-induced testicular damage and infertility.
- To investigate the impact of SSCs on apoptosis, testosterone levels, and sperm parameters in lead-exposed rats.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, lead acetate-exposed, and SSC-treated groups.
- Assessment included serum testosterone, key enzyme expression (3β-HSD, 17β-HSD), PCNA gene expression via RT-PCR, and caspase-3 via immunohistochemistry.
- Testicular histology and sperm parameters (count, motility, viability) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Lead acetate exposure significantly reduced sperm count, motility, viability, and serum testosterone.
- Lead acetate exposure decreased testicular expression of 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD, and PCNA.
- SSCs treatment counteracted lead acetate's negative effects, reducing germinal cell apoptosis and caspase-3 expression.
Conclusions:
- SSCs demonstrate a significant therapeutic effect on the male reproductive system.
- SSCs inhibit lead-induced excessive germinal cell apoptosis, offering a potential treatment for lead-induced infertility.
