The effect of finasteride on spermatogenesis of Mesocricetus auratus

Dimas José Araújo Vidigal,Alcino Lázaro Da Silva,Dilermando Fazito De Resende,Anilton Cesar Vasconcelos,Felipe Eduardo Costa Vidigal,Luiz Mauro Andrade Da Fonseca

doi:10.1590/s0102-86502008000300012

Dimas José Araújo Vidigal, Alcino Lázaro Da Silva + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-86502008000300012

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Abstract

To study the effect of finasteride on the spermatogenesis of adult Mesocricetus auratus. Twenty adult hamsters were evaluated. The animals were one year-older, and were randomly divided in 2 different groups: control group with ten animals (n=10) and experimental group also with ten animals (n=10). The animals in the experimental group were shot 7.14 ng/mL (0.5mL) of finasteride by 100mg/Kg, subcutaneously in the dorsal region three times per week during 90 days. This dose corresponds to 5mg of the drug used in adult men for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). After three months, the animals were anesthetized through association of 200mg/kg ketamine chloridrate and 2.5 mg/kg of diazepan and were dead through hypovolemia.. The testis removed along with the whole genitourinary apparel were fixed with 10% formalin and submitted to histological analysis by optical microscopy. The hematoxilin-eosin (HE) method was used to stain the slides. The mean weight of animals in the control group before death was 129.0+/-18.8gr. The mean weight of animals in experimental group was 145.0+/-15.25gr. The mean age of animals in control group before death was 15.2+/-1.13 months. The mean age of animals in experimental group before death was 17.16+/-0.82 months. The mean difference in weight between both groups was not statistical significant (p=0.0514). The totality of animals in control group (100%) presented no tubular alterations and showed no disturbancy in the spermatogenesis stages. Four animals (40%) in the experimental group showed hypotrophy of the seminiferous tubules and six (60%) showed normal spermatogenesis, however reduced compared to control group. There was statistically significant difference (p=0.043) between the control and experimental group related to testicular alterations. The animals that were administered finasteride showed significant tubules atrophy and spermatogenesis reduction compared to control group.

Highlights

MethodsFinasteride is a synthetic inhibitor of 5-α-reductase, an enzyme that changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
It was found that values of mean weight after death for the animals in the control group was 129.0±18.8g and for the animals in the experimental group was 145.0±15.25g
The animals in the control group had a mean age of 15.2±1.13 months at the death, while this value was 17.6±0.82 months for the experimental group

Summary

Introduction

MethodsFinasteride is a synthetic inhibitor of 5-α-reductase, an enzyme that changes testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The amount of testosterone is larger than the second hormone, so that testosterone can be considered as the only significant hormone responsible for the effects caused by male hormones. In the testis, both hormones are produced by the insterstitial cells of Leydig, which are located in the interstitial space between the seminiferous tubules[1]. The share of testosterone fixed on the tissues is converted, inside the cells; into DHT by the 5-α-reductase[1]. This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into DHT. As DHT, testosterone acts inside the cells[1,2], it is assumed that DHT, after connecting with a plasmatic receptor, is transferred to the cellular nucleus, causing increased activity of the polymerase ribonucleic acid (polymerase RNA) and an increased synthesis of RNA and specific proteins[2]

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