Influence of aoustic contrast agent with diagnostic ultrasound on rabbits' spermatogenic cell

Abstract

Objective To study the impact of ultrasound contrast agent with different doses or imaging modes on rabbit spermatogenic cell in the diagnosis of radiation dose.Methods Thirty-three New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups.In group Ⅰ ,three minutes gray scale ultrasound radiation was performed for three rabbits.In group Ⅱ, SonoVue was bolus injected from ear vein for eighteen rabbits.The rabbits in this group were divided into 6 sub-group according to different doses and different sampling times, the single injections of SonoVue with dosage of 0.1 ml/kg(A1, A2) or 1 ml/kg (C1 ,C2) and repeated injections with dosage of 0.1 ml/kg interval 15 min (B1 ,B2) were taken.In group Ⅲ ,twelve rabbits were bolus injected with SonoVue and then the agent bubbles were blasted when the SonoVue suffused the whole testis.The rabbits in this group were divided into 4 sub-groups according to different doses and different sampling times, and the dosages of SonoVue were 0.1 ml/kg(D1, D2) and 1 ml/kg(E1,E2).Testis were drew immediately or 24 hours later for the observation under light microscope and transmission electron microscope.Results Apoptotic cells in group Ⅲ were more than those in group Ⅰ and Ⅱ ( P ＜0.05) ,while no significant difference of the total number of apoptotic cells between group Ⅰ and Ⅱ ( P ＞0.05).The appearances of focal ultra-structural damage were observed by transmission electron microscope in group C1, such as intercellular space widening and mitochondria swelling, and no distinct damage were observed in the other groups.The appearances of intercellular space widening, mitochondria swelling and cellular edema were observed by transmission electron microscope in group Ⅲ, and spotty necrosisetc was also observed in group D1 and E1.Conclusions Large dose of contrast agent could cause germ cells slight instantaneous effects, while conventional dose had no effect.Contrast agent blasting may cause germ cells unrecoverable damage. Key words: Ultrasonography; Microbubbles; Spermatids; Apoptosis