Streptozotocin-induced diabetic effects on spermatogenesis with proliferative cell nuclear antigen immunostaining of adult rat testis

Objective: To examine the histopathological effects of diabetes on spermatogenesis and to detect the proliferation of germ cells with proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Design: Controlled experimental study. Setting: The animal laboratory of the Experimental Surgery Center of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey. Animal(s): Ten nondiabetic (control) and 20 diabetic adult male albino rats. Intervention(s): The rats were IP injected with 40 mg/kg streptozotocin for 5 days to create a diabetic condition that was confirmed by testing blood glucose levels 5-7 days after the first injection. Main Outcome Measure(s): Mean testicular diameter, mean semniferous tubuli diameter (MSTD), and PCNA index. Result(s): Six weeks after the streptozotocin injection, both the mean testicular and the semniferous tubuli diameters were significantly decreased in diabetic rats compared with the control group. Conclusion(s): The effects of diabetes on spermatogenesis can be clearly detected as a decrease in testicular diameter, MSTD, and PCNA index. (C) 2003 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.