Gradual decrease in spermatogenesis caused by chronic stress

• Published in: Acta histochemica 2017-04, Vol.119 (3), p.284-291
• Main Authors: Juárez-Rojas, Lizbeth, Vigueras-Villaseñor, Rosa María, Casillas, Fahiel, Retana-Márquez, Socorro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Body Weight; Corticosterone; Corticosterone - blood; Germ cells; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seminiferous epithelium; Seminiferous Tubules - physiopathology; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogenesis - physiology; Stress; Stress, Physiological; Testis; Testis - cytology; Testis - physiopathology; Testosterone; Testosterone - blood
• ISSN: 0065-1281; 1618-0372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2017.02.004

•Alterations in the morphology of testicular germ cells caused by different days of chronic stress were assessed.•Seminiferous tubules from stressed males showed degenerative signs.•Testosterone levels decreased and corticosterone concentrations increased due to chronic stress.•Chronic stress causes gradual damage to germ cells, mainly round spermatids and primary spermatocytes. Chronic stress induces decreased sperm motility, viability and concentration in stressed males. Also, stress modifies oxidative status and causes apoptosis in testes, as well as a decrease in the epithelial area of seminiferous tubules. However, there are no studies that analyze the alterations caused by stress in testicular cells. Thus, in this study, alterations in the morphology of testicular germ cells caused by different days of chronic stress were assessed. Adult male rats were exposed to stress by immersion in cold water (ICW) daily for 3, 8, 20 or 50 consecutive days. Plasma testosterone and corticosterone were also assessed. Results showed that chronic stress causes loss of germ cells, and alteration of spermatogenesis. Seminiferous tubules from stressed males showed several degenerative signs, such as vacuoles in the basal epithelium, with picnotic indicia; moderate to severe exfoliation of degenerative germinal cells in the tubule lumen was also observed. These alterations were observed in all days of stress in a gradual way, from day 3–50. Testosterone levels were decreased at all those times, and corticosterone concentrations were increased on the same days. These results show that chronic stress causes severe damage to germ cells, which can account for infertility problems in males. These alterations are related to a decrease in testosterone as well as an increase in corticosterone caused by stress.