Vol 47, No 2 (2009)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2009-12-10
Dexamethasone effects on Bax expression in the mouse testicular germ cells.
Hashemitabar Mahmoud, Orazizadeh Mahmoud, Khorsandi Layasadat, Albughobeish Naeim
DOI: 10.2478/v10042-009-0041-z
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Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2009;47(2):237-241.
Vol 47, No 2 (2009)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2009-12-10
Abstract
Exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) leads to numerous changes in various biological systems including the reproductive system. The aim of the present study was to find out whether dexamethasone (Dex), a widely used GC, would influence the apoptosis and expression of Bax, an important proapoptotic protein, in the mouse testicular germ cells. Experimental groups of 8 male NMRI mice received one of the following treatments daily for 7 days: 4, 7 and 10 mg/kg Dex. Control groups were treated with equivalent volumes of saline. Experimental and control animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last injection. Immunohistochemical procedure was used to evaluation of Bax expression and the deoxyuridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was applied to assessment of the apoptotic germ cells. Bax expression was upregulated mainly at stages VII-VIII of spermatogenic cycle (p<0.05) in experimental groups. Apoptotic index was significantly increased in 7 and 10 mg/kg Dex treated mice (p<0.05). It appears that GCs such as Dex could induce apoptosis through the expression of proapoptotic proteins.
Abstract
Exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) leads to numerous changes in various biological systems including the reproductive system. The aim of the present study was to find out whether dexamethasone (Dex), a widely used GC, would influence the apoptosis and expression of Bax, an important proapoptotic protein, in the mouse testicular germ cells. Experimental groups of 8 male NMRI mice received one of the following treatments daily for 7 days: 4, 7 and 10 mg/kg Dex. Control groups were treated with equivalent volumes of saline. Experimental and control animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last injection. Immunohistochemical procedure was used to evaluation of Bax expression and the deoxyuridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was applied to assessment of the apoptotic germ cells. Bax expression was upregulated mainly at stages VII-VIII of spermatogenic cycle (p<0.05) in experimental groups. Apoptotic index was significantly increased in 7 and 10 mg/kg Dex treated mice (p<0.05). It appears that GCs such as Dex could induce apoptosis through the expression of proapoptotic proteins.
Title
Dexamethasone effects on Bax expression in the mouse testicular germ cells.
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Vol 47, No 2 (2009)
Article type
Original paper
Pages
237-241
Published online
2009-12-10
Page views
2184
Article views/downloads
2343
DOI
10.2478/v10042-009-0041-z
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2009;47(2):237-241.
Authors
Hashemitabar Mahmoud
Orazizadeh Mahmoud
Khorsandi Layasadat
Albughobeish Naeim
About this article