Effect of Aging on Testis Structure, GLUT2, MTOR Expression and Testosterone Level in Spermatogenesis of The Rats

Abstract

Background: Male ageing has been previously associated with declining sperm parameters, disrupted hormone secretion and increased time to pregnancy. Aging is a natural ongoing process characterized by morphological and structural degeneration and like other organs. Glucose is essential for testicular function; the uptake of carbohydrate-derived glucose by cells is mediated by glucose transporters (GLUTs). MTOR is also involved in the maintenance and restructuring of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a key event in the seminiferous epithelium cycle Aim of the work: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between aging and the expression of GLUT2 and MTOR in the testis, the quality of the spermatogenesis process as well as the testosterone level.Materials and methods: Eighteen rats were classified into the following experimental age groups, premature, mature and aged the rats were weighed and sacrificed by decapitation under a mild dose of anesthetic ether testicular tissue was existed for histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and molecular techniques.Results: In the aged group, Hematoxylin and Eosin stain, showed a decreased number of sperms that were observed in the lumen of seminiferous tubules, weak PAS reaction in basement membranes moderate immunohistochemical reaction for GLUT2 and MTOR antibodies, also decreased level of testosterone hormone was observed.Conclusion: spermatogenesis process is affected badly by aging that was clear histologically in testicular tissue and the decreased level of testosterone hormone.