Methamphetamine induces apoptosis in seminiferous tubules in male mice testis.

We investigated whether methamphetamine (MAMP) induces apoptosis in seminiferous tubules in 10-week-old male ICR mice. Methamphetamine was dissolved in saline and injected ip at four doses (1, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg). TUNEL-positive cells were detected in the seminiferous tubules in animals 24 h after a single treatment with 5, 10, or 15 mg/kg MAMP. The percentage of seminiferous tubules containing more than three TUNEL-positive cells (apoptotic tubules) was considered a reliable indicator for apoptotic changes. After a single treatment with 10 mg/kg MAMP, the percentage of apoptotic tubules increased with time, and it became significant at 24 h, at which time vacuolar changes in spermatogonia also peaked. Although the percentage of apoptotic tubules increased dose dependently from 5 to 15 mg/kg MAMP, the DNA ladder was detected in the testis of 15 mg/kg MAMP-treated mice. Thus, we have demonstrated that MAMP induces apoptosis in seminiferous tubules in male mice testis.