Background: Spermatogenesis is the process of male germ cell development to generate spermatozoon. Spermatogonial stem cells are the origin of premeiotic, meiotic and post meiotic cells. Cytotoxic therapy may lead to male infertility. Busulfan is most harmful nitrogen mustard derivate drug used in cancer therapy.
Aim: To estimate the influence of busulfan on spermatogenesis in immature mice.
Methods: 6-8 days-old mice were divided into control (CT) and busulfan (BU) groups. Mice were injected (intra-peritoneally) with a single dose of BU (45 mg/kg) or DMSO dissolved with distilled water as CT. Mice were sacrificed every week (0.5-4 weeks) and every 2 weeks (4-12 weeks). Body and testes were weighted. Testicular tissue was stored for RNA analysis by qPCR or Bouin fixed for histological evaluation by immunohistochemical staining (IHC).
Results: A gradual increase, with time, was observed for body and testes weight when the BU was significantly lower compared to CT for 8 weeks. Seminiferous tubule (ST) damage was significantly increased in parallel to testicular weight decrease. A complete recovery was observed after 10 weeks. BU significantly decreased the number of VASA cells/tubule (IHC) for 3 weeks and RNA expression for 6 weeks; and thereafter they recovered. However, the number of SALL4 cells/tubule was significantly lower after 1 week and 2 weeks for RNA in BU compared to CT. Recovery of cells and RNA was observed after 2 and 3 weeks respectively.
Discussion: Busulfan reduced body/testes weight and increased STs damage. Premeiotc cells were significantly reduced by BU. This effect was recovered.
