Effect of stress induced by fear on reproduction correlated parameters of in male rats

Objective To observe the fear-induced variation of body weight,weight of testis and epididymis,the spermatozoon number and 3 beta-hydroysteroid dehydrogenase(3β-HSD)expression at the different time in stressed Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat.Methods Establishment of the model of stressed SD rat was induced by fear.The testis and epididymis of SD rat in acute stress group and chronic stress group were taken respectively.The weight of testis and epididymis was measured and the number of spermatozoon from the caudal epididymis was countered.HE dyeing,immunohistochemistry and western blotting were utilized for observing the structure and the change of 3β-HSD expression in rat testis.Results Comparing with the control group,body weight,weigh of testis and epididymis,number of spermatozoon of the rats in acute stress group did not change significantly(P0.05)and the structure of testicle did not changed too.The express of 3β-HSD in testis of acute stress rat reduced 7 percent.In chronic stress group,comparing with the control group body weight,weigh of testis and epididymis and number of spermatozoon of the rats were remarkable decreased(P0.05),and the structure of somniferous tubule became thin,the cells in lumina for spermatogenesis became less and 3β-HSD expressed in rat testis reduced 19.8%.Conclusion Owing to the adjustment ability for homeostasis,the effect of acute stress on reproduction only showed functional change,such as 3β-HSD expression reduced and no significant change happed in testicular structure.On the other hand,the chronic stress not only affected the function of testis but also affected testicular structure.These data demonstrated that stress is the one of important reason to affect reproductive function in male rat.