RESUMEN
Introduction: Minocycline is a tetracycline with promising protective effects on different organs which are completely distinct from its antibacterial effects. Methods: To evaluate the effects of chronic administration of this agent on histological structure and sperm parameters of testes, forty adult male rats were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups I: control animals and II: treated animal that received 25mg/kg/day minocycline, orally. After 90 days of treatment, serum level of testosterone was assessed as well as sperm count, motility and morphology. Moreover, histological and histomorphometric evaluation of testes was performed including determination of height of the seminiferous germinal epithelium and perpendicular diameter of seminiferous tubules. Numbers of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli and Leydig cells were counted. Johnsen's scoring method was also performed. Results: Sperm parameters significantly improved in minocycline-treated animals. Moreover, number of germ cells in different stages of development significantly increased in treatment group as compared to control. This finding was associated with better Johnsen's score and thicker epithelium in seminiferous tubules. However, serum testosterone levels, Leydig and Sertoli cell count as well as tubular diameter did not show significant changes (p>0.05). Discussion: Chronic administration of minocycline is associated with improved spermatogenesis and sperm characteristics without affecting steroidogenesis in rats. (AU)
Introducción: La minociclina es una tetraciclina con efectos protectores prometedores en diferentes órganos que son completamente distintos de sus efectos antibacterianos. Métodos: Para evaluar los efectos de la administración crónica de este agente sobre la estructura histológica y los parámetros espermáticos de los testículos, se asignaron al azar 40 ratas macho adultas en 2 grupos iguales: I, animales control; y II, animal tratado que recibió 25mg/kg/día de minociclina, por vía oral. Después de 90 días de tratamiento, se evaluó el nivel sérico de testosterona, así como el recuento, la motilidad y la morfología de los espermatozoides. Además, se realizó una evaluación histológica e histomorfométrica de los testículos, incluida la determinación de la altura del epitelio germinal seminífero y el diámetro perpendicular de los túbulos seminíferos. Se contó el número de espermatogonias, espermatocitos primarios, espermátidas, células de Sertoli y Leydig. También se realizó el método de puntuación de Johnsen. Resultados: Los parámetros de los espermatozoides mejoraron significativamente en los animales tratados con minociclina. Además, el número de células germinales en diferentes etapas de desarrollo aumentó significativamente en el grupo de tratamiento en comparación con el control. Este hallazgo se asoció con una mejor puntuación de Johnsen y un epitelio más grueso en los túbulos seminíferos. Sin embargo, los niveles séricos de testosterona, el recuento de células de Leydig y Sertoli y el diámetro tubular no mostraron cambios significativos (p>0,05). Discusión: La administración crónica de minociclina se asocia con una mejor espermatogénesis y características de los espermatozoides sin afectar la esteroidogénesis en ratas. (AU)
Asunto(s)
Animales , Ratas , Semen , Minociclina/farmacología , Espermatogénesis , Testículo , TestosteronaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Minocycline is a tetracycline with promising protective effects on different organs which are completely distinct from its antibacterial effects. METHODS: To evaluate the effects of chronic administration of this agent on histological structure and sperm parameters of testes, forty adult male rats were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups I: control animals and II: treated animal that received 25mg/kg/day minocycline, orally. After 90 days of treatment, serum level of testosterone was assessed as well as sperm count, motility and morphology. Moreover, histological and histomorphometric evaluation of testes was performed including determination of height of the seminiferous germinal epithelium and perpendicular diameter of seminiferous tubules. Numbers of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, Sertoli and Leydig cells were counted. Johnsen's scoring method was also performed. RESULTS: Sperm parameters significantly improved in minocycline-treated animals. Moreover, number of germ cells in different stages of development significantly increased in treatment group as compared to control. This finding was associated with better Johnsen's score and thicker epithelium in seminiferous tubules. However, serum testosterone levels, Leydig and Sertoli cell count as well as tubular diameter did not show significant changes (p>0.05). DISCUSSION: Chronic administration of minocycline is associated with improved spermatogenesis and sperm characteristics without affecting steroidogenesis in rats.