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Vol 49, No 4 (2011)
Original paper
Submitted: 2012-01-16
Published online: 2012-01-16
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Testis morphology in rats chronically treated with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor

Anna Kondarewicz, Agnieszka Kolasa, Bartosz Zawiślak, Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka, Mariola Marchlewicz, Lidia Wenda-Różewicka, Barbara Wiszniewska
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0091
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(4):677-684.

open access

Vol 49, No 4 (2011)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2012-01-16
Published online: 2012-01-16

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)

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)

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Keywords

letrozole; cytochrome P450; aromatase; testis; rat

About this article
Title

Testis morphology in rats chronically treated with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 49, No 4 (2011)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

677-684

Published online

2012-01-16

Page views

2170

Article views/downloads

3183

DOI

10.5603/FHC.2011.0091

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(4):677-684.

Keywords

letrozole
cytochrome P450
aromatase
testis
rat

Authors

Anna Kondarewicz
Agnieszka Kolasa
Bartosz Zawiślak
Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
Mariola Marchlewicz
Lidia Wenda-Różewicka
Barbara Wiszniewska

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