DNA flow cytometric evaluation of spermatogenesis : ecaluation of damaged spermatogenesis and its recovery of rats testis

Flow cytometry (FCM) rapidly and ovjectively distinguishes and quantitates cell populations on the basis of differencs in DNA content. Threrfore, DNA flow cytometry of testicular tissue has been demonstrated to be a quantitative means of assessing spermatogenesis. In this study, spermatogenesis of rat testes was damaged by subcuraneous injectuon with dexorubicin hydrochloride (ADR) 0.25ml/kg three times a week for five weeks, after which the recovery of spermatogenesis was evaluated by means of testicular weight, diameter of the seminiferous tubule, Johnsen's score count (JSC), and FCM. At the same time, rats were adiministered mecobalamin (MBL) six times a week after the injection of ADR, and effect of MBL was evaluated in the same manner. At the 5th week, testicular weight and diameter of the seminiferous tubules was decreased. JSC and DNA distribution of testicular tissu by FCM inducated severe damage of spermatogenesis with the injection of ADR. But at the 20th week, almost fullrecovery of spermatogenesis was observed. In the group treated with 0.1mg/kg of MBL, greater recovery was observed in JSC and FCM compared with the group treated only with ADR at the 15 week. These results suggest the possibility of the assisting of MBL on the recovery of spermatogenesis damaged by ADR. DNA flow cytometry of testicular tissue provides a rapid and quantitative means of assessing spermatogenesis.