Effect of removal of submandibular gland on weight of testis and epididymis,sperm numbers and level of 3β-HSD expression in rat testis

Objective To investigate the changes of the weight of testis and epididymis,sperm numbers in cauda of epididymis,the structure of testis and the expression of 3β-HSD in rat testis after removing submandibular gland in rats.Methods On the day 14,28 and 42 after the operation,the testis and the epididymis were weighed and the epididymis sperm were counted.The changes of the testis were showed by HE stain.The changes of 3β-HSD expression were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Results On the day 28 and 42 after the operation,the weight of body,testis and epididymis decreased markedly(P0.05).The organic coefficient of testis did not change on the day 14 and 42(P0.05),but increased apparently on the day 28(P0.05)after operation.The organic coefficient of epididymis did not change compared with that of the control groups.The sperm numbers in the cauda of epididymis decreased slightly on the day 14 and reduced significantly on the day 28 and 42 compared with that of the control groups(P0.05).HE stain showed seminiferous tubules were thinner than that in control groups and the sperm number in the tubules decreased apparently on the day 28 and 42 after operation.Immunohistochemistry showed that the level of 3β-HSD expression reduced significantly compared with that in the control groups.Conclusions Removing submandibular gland could affect the bioactivity of reproductive system in male rats and this effect may be modulated by the hormones secreted from the submandibular gland,but the detail mechanism should be still explored.