Abstract
Background and Objectives: Glutathione (GSH) is the main interacellular anti-oxidant which act as a front line defensive mechanism against free radicals. Reduction of glutathione level, result in an oxidative stress state and gametogenesis and embryonic development.
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of oxidative stress produced by injection of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) on semen parameters and histology of testis in newborn and adult mice.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 adult female mice and 20 adult male mice are used. The mice divided into 4 groups (10 in each group), including newborn and adult experimental and newborn and adult control. From the 2nd day of pregnancy the mice in experimental group received 2mMol/Kg BSO as ip for 15 days.
Testis of the half of the newborns were studied on the 3rd day after delivery. The other half kept to become adult, spermatogenesis and semen parameter were studied in them.
Results: In newborn mice the diameter of seminiferous tubules in experimental group were reduced in comparison to control group. In adult mice the number of sertoli cells and population of spermatogonic cells in experimental group were reduced in comparison to control group (P<0.05). In case of semen parameters, the number of sperms with quick motility were less than the control group but the number of sperms with slow motility and or abnormal morphology were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The diameter of seminiferous tubules in experimental group was also decreased.
Conclusion: fetal exposure to oxidative stress induced by buthionine sulfoximine could affect fertility in adulthood.