Morphofunctional state of the endocrine apparatus of rat testicles after anti-tumor chemotherapy

I n t r o d u c t i o n. Improvements in the quality of diagnosis and early treatment of malignant neoplasms have led to a decrease in the mortality rate. However, chemotherapy-induced toxicity can cause late and long-term side effects, one of which is infertility. At the moment, the mechanisms of damage caused by the toxic effect of drugs designated for the treatment of hematologic malignancies have not been sufficiently studied.

A i m. To study the morphofunctional state of the endocrine apparatus of rat testicles after the administration of chemotherapeutic agents.

M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s. A case-control study on 50 Wistar rats aged 3 months weighing 270–300 g was performed. The control group (n = 10) consisted of rats which did not receive drugs for the treatment of hematologic malignancies, the experimental group (n = 40) comprised rats which were intraperitoneally administered cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone (СНОР regimen). Testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in rats were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The weight of rat testicles was measured, and the testicular mass index was calculated, as well as morphometry of Leydig cells was performed.

R e s u l t s. After a twofold administration of chemotherapeutic drugs (СНОР regimen), on the 14th day, the rats of the experimental group showed a decrease in the weight and mass index of the testicles. Results of morphometry indicated a decrease in the number of endocrine cells, number of medium- and large-size Leydig cells, and an increase in the number of small forms of these cells. Concentration of testosterone in blood plasma decreased. By the 35th day, the studied parameters in the rats of the experimental group corresponded to the controls.

C o n c l u s i o n. A twofold administration of chemotherapeutic drugs (СНОР regimen) on 7th and 14th days in rats was accompanied by a decrease in testicular weight, degenerative and atrophic changes in islets of interstitial (Leydig) cells, and a decrease in testosterone concentration in blood plasma. By the 35th day of the experiment, compensatory and adaptive responses were developing, characterized by the restoration of testicular weight, an increase in the number of medium- and large-size endocrine cells and testosterone level in blood plasma.

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