Streptozotocin-induced diabetic effects on spermatogenesis with proliferative cell nuclear antigen immunostaining of adult rat testis.

Objective: To examine the histopathological effects of diabetes on spermatogenesis and to detect the proliferation of germ cells with proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

Design: Controlled experimental study.

Setting: The animal laboratory of the Experimental Surgery Center of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.

Animal(s): Ten nondiabetic (control) and 20 diabetic adult male albino rats.

Intervention(s): The rats were IP injected with 40 mg/kg streptozotocin for 5 days to create a diabetic condition that was confirmed by testing blood glucose levels 5-7 days after the first injection.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Mean testicular diameter, mean semniferous tubuli diameter (MSTD), and PCNA index.

Result(s): Six weeks after the streptozotocin injection, both the mean testicular and the seminiferous tubuli diameters were significantly decreased in diabetic rats compared with the control group.

Conclusion(s): The effects of diabetes on spermatogenesis can be clearly detected as a decrease in testicular diameter, MSTD, and PCNA index.