Effect of dexamethasone on germ cell apoptosis in the contralateral testis after testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone on spermatogenesis and germ cell apoptosis in the ipsilateral and contralateral testis after testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) in rats.

Design: Laboratory study.

Setting: Medical research laboratory in a university setting.

Animal(s): Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250-280 g.

Intervention(s): Testicular IR, treatment with dexamethasone (10 mg per kilogram of body weight).

Main Outcome Measure(s): Testicular germ cell apoptosis was assessed by deoxyuridine nick-end labeling immunohistochemical assay.

Result(s): Testicular ischemia in rats led to histological damage in the ipsilateral testis. In the contralateral testis, minimal damage was observed. Germ cell apoptosis in both the ischemic and the contralateral testis increased significantly after IR. Treatment with dexamethasone did not change germ cell apoptosis in ischemic testis but decreased germ cell apoptosis in the contralateral testis.

Conclusion(s): Glucocorticoids may be beneficial for spermatogenesis after testicular IR by decreasing germ cell apoptosis in the contralateral testis.