| Literature DB >> 21076439 |
De-Yi Luo1, Gang Yang, Jian-Jun Liu, Yu-Ru Yang, Qiang Dong.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the effects of varicocele on the morphology and function of Leydig cells in the rat testis. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the experimental group underwent surgery to create a left varicocele (VC), and the control group underwent a sham operation. Serum testosterone and intratesticular testosterone levels were measured using a radioimmunoassay after 4 and 8 weeks of operation. Leydig cells were studied for apoptosis and expression of steroidogenetic acute regulatory (StAR) protein mRNA levels. Serum testosterone levels declined after 4 and 8 weeks of operation but were not significant (P>0.05). However, the intratesticular testosterone levels after 8 weeks were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.01). The mean apoptosis index of Leydig cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group after 4 or 8 weeks (P<0.01). StAR mRNA levels in the Leydig cells of the experimental group were significantly lower compared to those of the control group (P<0.01). Our data show that varicocele did impair Leydig cell function by increasing apoptosis and suppressing the expression of the StAR protein.Entities:
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Year: 2010 PMID： 21076439 PMCID： PMC3739182 DOI： 10.1038/aja.2010.111
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Asian J Androl ISSN： 1008-682X Impact factor: 3.285