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Protection of spermatogenesis against gamma ray‐induced damage by granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor in mice
Author(s) -
Kim J.,
Lee S.,
Jeon B.,
Jang W.,
Moon C.,
Kim S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.01023.x
Subject(s) - spermatogenesis , sperm , granulocyte colony stimulating factor , andrology , epididymis , apoptosis , medicine , endocrinology , biology , chemotherapy , biochemistry
Summary The radioprotective effects of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (GCSF) were further investigated with respect to the testicular system. Recombinant human GCSF (100 μg kg −1 body weight/day) was administrated to male C3H/HeN mice by subcutaneous injection for three consecutive days before pelvic irradiation (5 Gy) and histopathological parameters were assessed at 12 h and 21 days post‐irradiation (pi). The GCSF protected the germ cells from radiation induced‐ apoptosis ( P < 0.01 vs . irradiated group at 12 h pi). GCSF remarkably attenuated radiation‐induced reduction in testis weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, seminiferous epithelial depth and sperm head count in the testes ( P < 0.05 versus irradiated group at 21 days pi). Repopulation index and stem cell survival index of the seminiferous tubules were increased in the GCSF‐treated group when compared with the radiation group ( P < 0.01). The frequency of abnormal sperm in the GCSF group was lower than that in the irradiated group at 21 days pi ( P < 0.01). The decrease in the sperm count and in sperm liability in the epididymis caused by irradiation was counteracted by GCSF. The present study suggests that GCSF protects from radiation‐induced testicular dysfunction via an anti‐apoptotic effect and recovery of spermatogenesis.