Abstract
Objective To investigate the pathologic changes and expressions of SCF and c-kit in the contralateral testes in rat model of unilateral cryptorchidism. Methods Thirty male SD rats were maintained under controlled temperature and constant photoperiodic conditions with access to food and water. The rats were randomly assaigned to the control group and the experimental unilateral cryptorchidism group. The left testis of the rats in the unilateral cryptorchidism group was placed into the abdominal cavity. The control group rats were subjected to sham surgery. Three months later, the rats were sacrificed and their right testes were harvested. The pathological changes were observed under microscope. The mRNA and protein expression of SCF and c-kit were also investigated using quantitative Real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Apoptotic germ cells were detected by TUNEL staining. Results All rats survived to the endpoints. The right testes of rats of the unilateral cryptorichid group were smaller than those of the control group. Normal testes of the control group rats manifested active spermatogenesis and orderly arrangement of germ cells.However, disordered and sloughed germinal cells with less distinct seminiferous tubule borders were observed in the contralateral testes of rats with experimental unilateral cryptorichid under the microscope. Cmpared with the control testes, the mRNA and protein expression of SCF and c-kit of the contralateral testes of rats with experimental unilateral cryptorichid was decreased (P＜0.05). The apoptotic germ cells were increased (19.7±3.83 vs 5. 4 ± 1.02, P＜0. 05). The SCF/c-kit expression was positively correlated with the germ cell apoptosis (P＜0. 01 ). Conclusions The decreased expression of SCF and c-kit and increased germ cell apoptosis are found in the contralateral testes, which may contribute to thc infertility in the rat model of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. Key words: Unilateral cryptorchidism; Contralateral testis; Stem cell factor; Receptors
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