Protective effect of minocycline on dexamethasone induced testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice

M. Orazizadeh, M. Hashemitabar, L. Khorsandi

Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Ahwaz Jundi-Shapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz (Iran)

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• Pharmacology

Background: Apoptosis involves in testicular germ cell loss in animals and humans, and plays an important role in male fertility. Previous studies have reported neuroprotective and antiapoptotic effects of minocycline.

Aim: In this study the protective effect of Minocycline on testicular germ cell apoptosis arising from dexamethasone (Dex) has been evaluated. Dex is a widely used as a glucocorticoid (GC) agent that its apoptotic effect has been shown.

Materials and Methods: Experimental groups of 8 male mice received one of the following treatments daily for 7 days: 100 mg/kg Minocycline, 7 mg/kg Dex and 7 mg/kg Dex +100 mg/kg Minocycline. Control group was treated with 0.5 ml saline given orally for a week. Then the mice were sacrificed, and their testes processed for assessment of germ cell apoptosis (TUNEL method), the quality of spermatogenesis (Johnsen score system) and testicular sperm counts.

Results: Germ cell apoptosis were significantly increased in Dex treated mice compared with control (P Conclusion: The application of Minocycline may serve as a beneficial medication to protect germ cells against apoptosis.

Corresponding Author: Khorsandi Layasadat, MD; e-mail: layasadat@yahoo.com