Germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats.
- Author:
Zi-Ming LIU
1
;
Xin-Min ZHENG
;
Shi-Wen LI
;
Zhi-Wei YANG
;
Li-Quan HU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Apoptosis; Gene Expression; Germ Cells; pathology; Male; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; biosynthesis; genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; biosynthesis; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spermatic Cord Torsion; metabolism; pathology; bcl-2-Associated X Protein
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2003;9(1):40-68
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVESTo investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental torsed/detorsed testes of the adult male rats.
METHODSThirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into torsion group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15) randomly. Animals were submitted to unilateral 720 testicular torsion, then detorsion were done in two hours. Three days later, the evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method.
RESULTSIn the torsed testes, the apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01) while Bcl-2 expression obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pechytene spermatocytes and round spermatides.
CONCLUSIONSThe germ cell apoptosis is highly associated with expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental testicular torsion. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.
