Published date:Feb 18 2024

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 22, Issue No. 1

Pages:17 - 30

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v22i1.15238

Fakhroddin AghajanpourDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Reza SoltaniDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Azar AfsharDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Hojjat-Allah AbbaszadehDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Fatemeh Fadaei FathabadiDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Nafiseh MoeinianDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abbas AliaghaeiDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Ali Dehghani NejadDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.

Reza Mastery FarahaniDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Mohsen NorouzianDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Mohammad-Amin AbdollahifarDepartment of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: An increase in the temperature of the testis is associated with damage to the epithelium of seminiferous tubules and disruption of sperm production.

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the effect of the Sertoli cell-conditioned medium (SCCM) on the blood-testis-barrier associated genes and spermatogenesis process following scrotal hyperthermia.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult NMRI mice (8 wk, 25–30 gr) were allocated into 4 groups: I) control, II) DMEM (10 μl Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium), III) scrotal hyperthermia, and IV) scrotal hyperthermia+SCCM (10 μl SCCM). Hyperthermia was induced by placing the mice scrotum in water at 43°C for 20 min every other day for 10 days. Mice were treated every other day for 5 wk. Then the animals were euthanized, and the tails of epididymis were removed to analyze sperm parameters, testis were taken for stereological assessment, reactive oxygen spices and glutathione levels, and the expression of Ocln, Gja1, Cdh2, and Itgb1.

Results: The results of sperm analysis indicated that SCCM-treated mice significantly increased sperm count and motility and reduced DNA fragmentation. In addition, histological and molecular findings showed that the volume of testicular tissue, the number of germ cells, the glutathione level, and the expression of Ocln, Gja1, Cdh2, and Itgb1 genes were significantly increased in the SCCM-treated mice.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that growth factors of SCCM stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of germ cells through paracrine effects and upregulate the blood-testis-barrier-associated genes in mice subjected to scrotal hyperthermia.

Key words: Testis, Sertoli cells, Culture media, Hyperthermia, Spermatogenesis.

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