Tehran University Medical Journal (Mar 2014)
Changes in IL-6 and interferon gamma levels in induced varicocele in premature rats
Abstract
Background: Varicocele is a dilated vein of the pampiniform plexus that cause to det-rimental time-dependent effects so this study describes the effect of varicocele on the level of IL-6 and interferon gamma in serum and testis tissue, number of sertoli and spermatogonia cells, seminiferous tubules diameter and sperm activity in immature rats. Methods: Thirty six immature rats, 5-6 weeks aged were investigated in this study. The sham groups underwent sham operation and varicocele groups underwent partial liga-tion of the renal vein. Serum, testis and sperm samples were collected at 9, 11, and 13 weeks after induction of varicocele or sham operation to evaluate histological parame-ters (seminiferous tubules diameter, number of sertoli and spermatogonia cells), per-centage of sperm motility and viability and levels of cytokines. Testicular morphology was evaluated. Results: Varicocele significantly caused an increase in serum and testis IL-6 and inter-feron gamma, compared to related sham groups and previous varicocele groups (P<0.05). Varicocele significantly caused decreases in sertoli cells and spermatogonia cells number with increasing varicocele time, compared to related sham groups and previous varicocele groups (P<0.05). In the evaluation of seminiferous tubules diameter external, internal and epithelium diameter were decreased compared to sham related groups and previous varicocele groups. In all varicocele groups, all kind of sperm motility and viability decreased compared to the related sham-operated groups (P<0.05). Varicocele had deteriorating effects on testis tissue because our observations in varicocele groups demonstrated that the external, internal and germinal epithelium height was reduced by the time and in the evaluation of testicular cells, sertoli and spermatogonia cells number were decreased by the time compared to sham related groups and previous varicocele groups. Conclusion: This study suggests varicocele had a detrimental time-dependent effect on cytokines levels and decrease in sertoli and spermatogonia cells number, seminiferous tubules diameter and sperm indices.
