Abstract
To quantify, through stereological and morphometric analysis, spermatogenesis in rats undergoing the natural aging process. Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups according to age at the time of killing: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. All the rats were subjected orchiectomy and collection of testicular parenchymal fragments for histological and morphometric analysis. The numerical density of spermatids was calculated using a stereological study, and morphometric analysis was conducted to measure the height of the germinal epithelium and the area of the seminiferous tubules. We found that the 18 and 24 months groups showed a significant reduction in the number of round spermatids. However, the height of the germinal epithelium was not significantly different between the groups. The area of seminiferous tubules was also significantly reduced in the elderly rats compared to that in the young ones. Aging of rats showed a significant reduction in the number of round spermatids and the area of the seminiferous tubules, more pronounced in the rats at 18 and 24 months of life.
Highlights
The human population has experienced a sustained increase in life span, especially in recent decades; this increase occurred first in developed countries and, subsequently, in developing countries
Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and by using posthoc Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD)
The numerical density of round spermatids was slightly lower in the 6 months group than in the 3 months group
Summary
The human population has experienced a sustained increase in life span, especially in recent decades; this increase occurred first in developed countries and, subsequently, in developing countries. Spermatogenesis continues throughout life, the quantity and quality of this process in elderly men is lower than that in young men[2,3,4]; it is difficult to determine the exact moment when this decline becomes more pronounced. Besides spermatogenesis, another important role played by the testes is in the production of the male hormone, testosterone. Since all testicular functions are related to each other, infertile men have an increased risk of hypogonadism[5]. The decrease in semen quality in elderly men may result, in addition to infertility, in an increase in the possibility of complications during pregnancy and certain diseases such as autism, schizophrenia, bipolarity, and achondroplasia[8]
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