The effect of cyclophosphamide on the testis and epididymis of rat

Objective To investigate the toxic effect of cyclophosphamide (CP) on the testis and epididymis of rat. Methods Sixteen 15 weeks male SD rats were randomly divided into control and experimental group,. The rats of experimental group were injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide of 20 mg·kg -1·d -1. After two months of administration of cyclophosphamide, the histological changes were examined by light microscopy, the spermatogenic cell apoptosis was visualized by TUNEL. Results The weight of testis and epididymis was significantly reduced (P0.01), the average diameter and area of seminiferous tubule and cell number of spermatogenic epithelium in experimental groups were lower than those in controls (P 0.01). the spermatozoon was not found in the seminiferous tubule and epididymal duct, the apoptosis was significantly increased (P0.01). Conclusion After two months of administration of cyclophosphamide, the toxic effect of cyclophosphamide on testis and epididymis of rat is obvious, the spermatogenic cell apoptosis was significantly increased.