Stereological and morphological analysis of the effects of aging on spermatogenesis in rat testis

Abstract

To quantify, through stereological and morphometric analysis, spermatogenesis in rats undergoing the natural aging process. Methods: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups according to age at the time of killing: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. All the rats were subjected orchiectomy and collection of testicular parenchymal fragments for histological and morphometric analysis. The numerical density of spermatids was calculated using a stereological study, and morphometric analysis was conducted to measure the height of the germinal epithelium and the area of the seminiferous tubules. Results: We found that the 18 and 24 months groups showed a significant reduction in the number of round spermatids. However, the height of the germinal epithelium was not significantly different between the groups. The area of seminiferous tubules was also significantly reduced in the elderly rats compared to that in the young ones. Conclusion: Aging of rats showed a significant reduction in the number of round spermatids and the area of the seminiferous tubules, more pronounced in the rats at 18 and 24 months of life.

Comparative Study of the Steroidogenic Effects of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Thieno[2,3-D]pyrimidine-Based Allosteric Agonist of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor in Young Adult, Aging and Diabetic Male Rats

“…We demonstrated a decrease in the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium and the number of the germ and dividing cells in the seminiferous tubules of the diabetic and aging rats, which is supported by numerous experimental and clinical data of other authors [ 29 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ]. In male patients with T1DM and in older men, along with an androgen deficiency, there are impaired spermatogenesis and sperm deterioration [ 29 , 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”

“…In male patients with T1DM and in older men, along with an androgen deficiency, there are impaired spermatogenesis and sperm deterioration [ 29 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. Abnormalities in the morphology of the seminiferous tubules were detected in rodents with streptozotocin diabetes and in aging animals, including thinning of the thickness of the germinal epithelium and a decrease in the number of the reproductive and dividing cells [ 72 , 73 , 76 , 77 , 78 ]. In our work, it was shown that TP4/2 restores the number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the seminiferous tubules of the diabetic and aging rats and increases the number of pachytene spermatocytes in young animals above the control level.…”

Transgenerational Inheritance of Reproductive and Metabolic Phenotypes in PCOS Rats

“…The left epididymis tails of F1 and F2 male rats were placed in 2 ml of 37 • C normal saline (pre-warm required), chopped, and placed for two minutes. Next, 100 µL of sperm suspension was added into 1.0 ml of modified HTF medium (Human Tubal Fluid, Irvine Scientific) and incubated at 37 • C for two minutes, 10 µl of which was applied to the preheated blood cell counting plate for sperm quality analysis (25).…”

Effect of Age on Histological Changes of Urogenital Tract in Albino Rats

“…Morphological studies showed by (24) revealed that Leydig cells were more abundant in the testis interstitium at 6 and 24 months when compared to 3 months. Other changes that have been reported by others investigators include narrowing of tubular diameter, thickening of the basement membrane, reduced in the number of sertoli and spermatogenic cells, and the appearance of multinucleated giant cells (25,26). An important role of basement membrane is maintaining the integrity of tissues (26).…”

“…Other changes that have been reported by others investigators include narrowing of tubular diameter, thickening of the basement membrane, reduced in the number of sertoli and spermatogenic cells, and the appearance of multinucleated giant cells (25,26). An important role of basement membrane is maintaining the integrity of tissues (26). Therefore, alteration of basement membrane structure has been associated with severe functional impairment of the testis in several conditions, including vasectomy, autoimmune orchitis, cryptorchidism and following xirradiation (27).…”