Effects of 3, 4-Dihydroxyflavone on Cryopreserved Testicular Tissue of Neonatal Mouse

Abstract

Background and Aim: Infertility is a side effect of cancer treatment because of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Cryopreservation of testicular tissue or spermatogonial stem cells before cancer treatment and their transplantation may preserve the natural fertility. Cryopreservation is a damaging process due to free radicals and toxic effect of frozen solution. The purpose of this paper is to study the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone on the structure of frozen-thawed testicular tissue of neonatal mouse. Materials and Methods: Testes of 6-day-old NMRI mice (N = 20) were isolated. Testicles were randomly divided into four groups: two groups as control groups for quick and slow freezing-melting process, and two others as treatment groups that underwent quick and slow freezing-melting with addition of 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone (10µM) in frozen solution. For the assessment of structural changes and apoptosis in the frozen-thawed testes, the hematoxylin-eosin staining and tunnel pod kits were used respectively. In order to analyze the data, we used Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test. The statistical analysis was entirely done by SPSS software. Results: Histopathological changes and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased after thawing in both treatment groups in comparison with control groups. Conclusion: Adding 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone (10µM) to freezing-melting environment and the use of quick freezing-melting method can reduce the histopathological and apoptotic changes.