The effects of cyclosporin A on testes of rats

Lee, Choong Hyun; Chai, Soo Eung

Abstract

The goals of the immunosuppressive agent are the development of simple, reproducible means of effecting donor-specific recipient tolerance. For these purposes, cyclosporin A has proved to be effective in supporting engraftment of kidney. heart liver. and bone marrow transplantation. But it has some side effects. Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity are among the more common side effects. Others are the endocrinological side effects, such as hirsutism, gynecomastia, infertility and impotence. This gonadal dysfunction may be 1 the result of defects in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis ;2 caused by the direct cytotoxic effects on testis ,or secondary to uremic state. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cyclosporin A on testes of rats, and to study for pathogenesis of gonadal dysfunction by exogenous testosterone administration for the supplement of defected testosterone. 1. In comparison to the control group, body weight was decreased significantly in the other groups. The degree of weight loss in group VII was not significant when compared to group IV 2. The sperm head count was significantly reduced with cyclosporin A administration in all experimental groups that compared with the control group (p<0.014). But the sperm head count in group VII had no statistical significance compared with group IV (p>0.05). 3. The repopulation index was significantly reduced with cyclosporin A administration in all experimental groups as compared with the control group. The repopulation index in group VII was significant as compared with group W (p<0.05). 4. The LDH-X activities in cytosol of testes were decreased significantly with the administration or cyclosporin A. The activity of LDH-X in group VII did not decrease as much as group IV(p<0.05). The exogenous supplement of testosterone could reduce the toxic effects of cyclosporin A on testes. The results of this experiment suggest that harmful effects of cyclosporin A on testes of rats are due to a defect of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.