The effect of cyclophosphamide on spermatogenic functions in rats

Objective To evaluate the effect of cyclophosphamide on spermatogenic function in rats. Methods Ninty-six male adult SD rats (8 weeks old) were equally divided into 6 groups. Different in A-E groups. The last group served as control. 14-28 days after the administration of the drug via the gas-tric tube, the rats were sacrificed, and their sperms taken from the epididymis were examimined with the techniques of CASA. The structural changes in the convoluted seminiferous tubules of their testis were pathologically studied by HE staining, and apoptosis of the cells of these tubules was detected by the TUNEL method. The sexual hormone levels in the serum of these animals were also tested. Results After sperms were reduced by (29.36±8.64) x 106/ml, sperm viability was decreased by(22.25±2.03)%, the testis germ cells were obviously damaged and degenerated, and levels of sexual hormone was declined to (0. 149±0.020) μg/L. All these changes were negatively correlated with the does and time of cyclo-phosphamide(P < 0. 05 ). Conclusion Models of oligoazoospermia/azoospermia could successfully estab-hshed in rats following the administration of cyclophosphamide. Key words: Cyclophosphamide;  Apoptosis;  Oligoazoospermia/azoospermia