Effects of varicocele on the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in adolescent rats

Objective To observe the effects of varicocele on the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in adolescent rats.Methods Experimental varicocele model was established by partial ligation of left renal vein in adolescent male rats.The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by in situ terminal deoxynucleotityl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL) technique.The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by immunohistochemical method.Results The incidence of apoptosis was increased remarkably in experimental group than in control group,and the number of apoptotic spermatogenic cells of bilateral testes was increased.Bcl-2 expression was decreased in experimental group,but Bax expression increased.Conclusion The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was highly associated with expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in adolescent rats with experimental varicocele,which may lead to male sterility.