Testis morphology in rats chronically treated with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the long-term treatment of rats with letrozole on the testis morphology. The pharmacologically induced estrogen deficiency caused statistically significant decreases of both intratesticular and serum levels of estradiol, and morphological cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Folia histochemica et cytobiologica 2011-01, Vol.49 (4), p.677-684
Main Authors: Kondarewicz, Anna, Kolasa, Agnieszka, Zawiślak, Bartosz, Baranowska-Bosiacka, Irena, Marchlewicz, Mariola, Wenda-Różewicka, Lidia, Wiszniewska, Barbara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
17β-Estradiol
Aging
Animals
Aromatase
Aromatase - metabolism
Aromatase Inhibitors - pharmacology
Cytoplasm
Epithelium
Estrogens
Germ cells
Giant cells
Invaginations
Lamina propria
Leydig cells
Leydig Cells - metabolism
Male
Morphology
Nitriles - pharmacology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Seminiferous Epithelium - metabolism
Serum levels
Sex hormones
Statistical analysis
Testes
Testis - anatomy & histology
Testis - enzymology
Testis - metabolism
Tissues
Triazoles - pharmacology
Tubular basement membrane
Tubules
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Summary:The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the long-term treatment of rats with letrozole on the testis morphology. The pharmacologically induced estrogen deficiency caused statistically significant decreases of both intratesticular and serum levels of estradiol, and morphological changes in the seminiferous epithelium and in the interstitial tissue of the testes. Six months of treatment resulted in the sloughing of premature germ cells of the seminiferous epithelium into the tubular lumen and in intraepithelial vacuolization. Multinucleated giant cells composed of premature germ cells, conglomerates of various cell nuclei and cell debris as well as irregularities and infoldings of the tubular basement membrane were also seen. Moreover, deep invaginations of the lamina propria with myoid cells were observed. Cells in the interstitial tissue showed changes similar to that observed in aging processes. The cytoplasm of LH-R-positive Leydig cells was loaded with lipofuscin granules. The number of lipofuscin-loaded cells was significantly increased in the interstitial tissue of testis in letrozole-treated rats. The results indicate the direct influence of estrogens on seminiferous tubules and the interstitial tissue morphology.
ISSN:0239-8508
1897-5631
DOI:10.5603/FHC.2011.0091