Protective Effect of Oxytocin on Quantitative and Qualitative Spermatogenesis Parameters in Rat's Testis Under Ischemia-Reperfusion

Oxytocin is a nonpeptide hormone affecting the level of cell stresses. The aim of this study was to investigate protective effect of exogenous oxytocin on quantitative and qualitative spermatogenesis parameters in rat’s testis under ischemia-reperfusion. In this experimental study,twenty-eight adult wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: 1: controls 2: Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR) 3: oxytocin (OT) 4: oxytocin during induction of Ischemia (OTD+IR). 5: oxytocin after induction of IR (OTA+IR). Testicular ischemia was achieved by torsion of the left testis 720º clockwise for 2 hours. Two hours after ischemia, torsion was removed and reperfusion was performed. Oxytocin was administered in a dose of 0.03µg/kg intraperitoneally. Oxytocin was administered in groups under treatment. Three hours after surgery left testis was removed and evaluations were made by Jhonson’s score, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and histomorphometry for quantitative and qualitative study of spermatogenesis and sex hormones. Induction of ischemia-reperfusion in group2 induced marked degeneration of germ cells, edema and blood vessels congestion in testis. The height of germinal epithelium and jhonson’s score and pachyten spermatocyte numbers were reduced significantly (p<0.01). However, serum levels of sex hormones were not affected. OT in both groups of OTA+IR and OTD+IR ameliorated quantitative and qualitative parameters (p<0.05). The present study showed administration of 0.03µg/kg oxitocin has protective effects on both qualitative and quantitative parameters of spermatogenesis in testis under or after occurrence of ischemia. These effects probably are through reduction of cell stresses without any effect on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.