Vol 49, No 4 (2011)
Original paper
Published online: 2012-01-16
Testis morphology in rats chronically treated with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0091
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(4):677-684.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the long-term treatment of rats with letrozole
on the testis morphology. The pharmacologically induced estrogen deficiency caused statistically significant
decreases of both intratesticular and serum levels of estradiol, and morphological changes in the seminiferous
epithelium and in the interstitial tissue of the testes. Six months of treatment resulted in the sloughing of premature
germ cells of the seminiferous epithelium into the tubular lumen and in intraepithelial vacuolization. Multinucleated
giant cells composed of premature germ cells, conglomerates of various cell nuclei and cell debris as
well as irregularities and infoldings of the tubular basement membrane were also seen. Moreover, deep invaginations
of the lamina propria with myoid cells were observed. Cells in the interstitial tissue showed changes
similar to that observed in aging processes. The cytoplasm of LH-R-positive Leydig cells was loaded with lipofuscin
granules. The number of lipofuscin-loaded cells was significantly increased in the interstitial tissue of
testis in letrozole-treated rats. The results indicate the direct influence of estrogens on seminiferous tubules and
the interstitial tissue morphology. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 677–684)
Keywords: letrozolecytochrome P450aromatasetestisrat
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