Cellular effects of diagnostic Doppler ultrasound on murine spermatogenic cells monitored by flow cytometry

A study has been carried out to investigate the possible effects caused by Doppler diagnostic ultrasound on murine spermatogenesis. The frequency of the different types of cells has been analyzed using flow cytometry. Exposure to ultrasound was carried out using a commercial device used in diagnostic conditions. Male hybrid mice were exposed to ultrasound for 30 min and observed from 7 to 35 days after treatment. Flow cytometrical analysis showed changes in the relative frequency of the elongated spermatids and this was used as an end-point. A statistically significant decrease in the frequency of this cell type was observed after 7 and 35 days with both pulsed and continuous ultrasound. With the former, a decrease was also seen in this compartment after 14 and 21 days. Our results have shown that diagnostic ultrasound used in the Doppler technique induces effects on specific cell types of murine spermatogenesis.