Effect of DES on the Number of Mast Cells in the Testis of Immature Xiang Pig

To determine the effects of diethylstilbestrol(DES) exposure on mast cell number of immature Guizhou Xiang pigs,20 male Xiang pigs(20-25 days old) were divided into four groups,one control group and three test groups,with 5 pigs in each.The test groups were intraperitoneally injected with DES at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg,0.3 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg,respectively,for 9 successive days.Then the left testis was removed and fixed in Carlo's solution for 20 h and paraffin-embedded.Five-micron-thick sections were cut for mast cell detection with modified toluidine blue staining(MTB).The results showed that compared with the control group,all DES treatments increased mast cell number in the testis and the epididymis,the effect being dose dependent.Moreover,the same dose of DES had different effects on the mast cell number in testicular tunica albuginea and testicular interstial tissue,and the head,body and tail of epididymis,thus suggesting that DES has different effects on mast cell number in different tissues and the dose of DES should be taken into account.