Mechanisms of Stress-Induced Spermatogenesis Impairment in Male Rats Following Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress (uCMS).

ABSTRACT: The negative association between psychological stress and male fertility has been known for many years. This study was aimed at (i) identifying spermatogenesis impairment induced by psychological stress in rats and (ii) exploring the role of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling in these adverse effects (if they exist). Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a six-week period of unpredictable chronic mild stress (uCMS) along with cotreatment of GR antagonist RU486 (1 mg/kg/day). Testicular damage was assessed by testicular pathological evaluation, epididymal sperm concentration, serum testosterone levels, testicular apoptotic cell measurements, and cell cycle progression analyses. Rats in the uCMS group had decreased levels of serum testosterone and decreased epididymal sperm concentrat

SUBMITTER: Zou P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6770920 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature