Conditioned medium of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improves sperm parameters and reduces histological alteration in rat testicular ischaemia/reperfusion model

Abstract

Testis ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) plays a vital role in male infertility. Recent studies have demonstrated that paracrine factors of mesenchymal stem cells exert the transplanted cells' reparative effects. The present experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of conditioned medium (CM) of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). In this study, 21 rats were separated into three groups of 7 animals: sham, I/R and I/R plus CM. Sperm parameters were measured at the end of this study. Moreover, histological parameters were examined. 2-Deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay was done to assess the apoptotic cells. The count of adhered neutrophils was measured in subtunical venules. Testicular I/R led to a significant reduction in the viability and concentration of sperm and resulted in a significant elevation in the rate of abnormal sperms in comparison with sham. The CM-treated group demonstrated a significant reduction in the rate of abnormal sperm and a significant elevation in the viability and concentration of sperm compared with the I/R group. Based on the morphometric analysis, in the I/R group, epithelial thickness and seminiferous tubule diameter significantly decreased in comparison with sham. A significant reduction was seen between the I/R and sham groups regarding the mean testicular biopsy score (MTBS) value. However, an improvement was observed in the I/R + CM group MTBS value in comparison with the I/R group. TUNEL assay showed that the apoptotic cells in the seminiferous tubules belonging to the I/R group were significantly higher compared with the control. Nevertheless, apoptotic cells were reduced in the I/R + CM group compared with the I/R group. Results of the present study showed that CM of BMMSCs exerts protective effects on the testicular I/R damages.

The antiapoptotic effects of conditioned medium from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal stem cells on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular damage in rat: An experimental study

“…The protective effects of CM on busulfan-induced testicular damage were investigated and immediately after busulfan injection, CM was injected directly into the testis, which is different from our study where we administered CM through the efferent ducts 2 wk after CP injection (10). Sharifian et al injected CM in animals undergoing ischemia/reperfusion which involves a different pathogenesis (35). BM-MSCs are considered to be a promising source for treating testicular cells, since they produce the necessary growth factors required for restoring fertility (5).…”

“…In this technique, the soluble components of CM can initiate regenerative signaling pathways without the assistance of cells (7). Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of CM derived from mesenchymal stem cells in alleviating apoptosis and histological abnormalities in ischemic/reperfusion animal models (35) and busulfan-treated mice (10). The protective effects of CM on busulfan-induced testicular damage were investigated and immediately after busulfan injection, CM was injected directly into the testis, which is different from our study where we administered CM through the efferent ducts 2 wk after CP injection (10).…”