[The effect of nitric oxide and total antioxide capacity on the germ cell apoptosis in the rat cryptorchid].

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxide capacity (T-AOC) on the germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchidism rat. METHODS: Immature rats (22 day-olds Sprague Dawley) were selected to make the model of unilateral cryptorchid. Germ cell apoptosis was examined by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Biochemical parameters (NO, T-AOC) were evaluated with spectrophotometric determination. RESULTS: At the seventh day after the operation, as compared to the normal side testis, the number of apoptotic germ cells increased significantly in the undescended testis (P < 0.01), but the testes weight decreased predominantly; the NO level in the undescended testis was significantly higher than that in the normal side testis, and the T-AOC level was predominantly lower (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Experimentally-induced cryptorchidism can lead to the increase of grem cell apoptosis in rat. The results is closely related to the increase of No level and the decrease of T-AOC.