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Sertoli Cell Morphological Alterations in Albino Rats Treated with Etoposide during Prepubertal Phase

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2008

Taiza Stumpp ,
Edna Freymuller  and
Sandra M. Miraglia
Taiza Stumpp*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, 740 Botucatu, Ed. Leitao da Cunha, Sao Paulo – SP 04023-900, Brazil
Edna Freymuller
Affiliation:
Centre of Electron Microscopy, Federal University of Sao Paulo, 862 Botucatu, Ed. De Ciencias Biomedicas, Sao Paulo – SP 04023-062, Brazil
Sandra M. Miraglia
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, 740 Botucatu, Ed. Leitao da Cunha, Sao Paulo – SP 04023-900, Brazil
*
Corresponding author. E-mail: taiza.stumpp@gmail.com
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Abstract

Sertoli cells are very important to spermatogenesis homeostasis because they control germ cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Damages to Sertoli cells cause germ cell death and affect fertility. Etoposide is a potent chemotherapeutic drug largely used against a variety of cancers. However, this drug also kills normal cells, especially those undergoing rapid proliferation. In the testis, etoposide acts predominantly on intermediate and type B spermatogonia. Etoposide was shown to permanently alter Sertoli cell function when administered to prepubertal rats. Based on this, we decided to investigate whether etoposide can affect Sertoli cell morphology. For this, 25-day-old rats were treated with etoposide during 8 consecutive days and killed at 32, 45, 64, 127, and 180 days old. Testes were fixed in Bouin's liquid or in a mixture of 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 2% formaldehyde for analysis under light and electron microscopes, respectively. Sertoli cells showed morphological alterations such as the presence of chromatin clumps close to the nuclear membrane, nucleus displacement, and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Some Sertoli cells also showed nuclear and cytoplasmic degenerative characteristics, suggesting that etoposide causes severe damages to Sertoli cell.

Keywords

testisSertoli celletoposidespermatogenesiselectron microscopy
Type
Biological Applications
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , June 2008 , pp. 225 - 235
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2008

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