Evaluation of histopathological and histomorphometerical changes of testicular tissue following consumption of busulfan in cat

In order to successfully transplant spermatogonial cells need to be defined a suitable model for producing azoospermia animals. Several methods are available for made azoospermic animals, include systemic injection of busulfan, radiation, cold ischemia and increased testicular temperature. The aim of the study is development of a method for producing azoospermic cats in order to prepare them for spermatogonial stem cells transplantation. In this study, 15 domestic short hair cats at the age of 3 to 5 month were divided in 3 groups. After first injection, at 5, 9, 13 and 17 weeks, doses of zero, four and ten mg/kg of busulfan intravenously were injected to the control and treatment groups, respectively. Two months after the injections testicles surgically removed and evaluated. The mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium thickness was calculated. Sertoli and leydig cells were also evaluated. Histological evaluation of treating groups with 4 and 10 mg/kg busulfan shows different degrees of degradation of seminiferous tubules. The thickness of germinal epithelium significantly decreased. Busulfan through its effect on germ cells and somatic cells can disrupt spermatogenesis and induced azoospermia.