ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN TESTICULAR CELLS OF MALE ALBINO RATS AFTER 28 DAYS OF HIGH-DOSE PREDNISOLONE TREATMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/1811-2471.2026.v.i1.15869Keywords:
testes, Leydig cells, glucocorticosteroids, testicular parenchyma, spermatogenesisAbstract
SUMMARY. Recent studies indicate that male infertility remains a significant clinical and biomedical problem. In most cases, this condition is associated with impaired spermatogenesis, manifested by a reduced sperm count, motility, or abnormal sperm morphology. Potential causes of impaired normal function of male germ cells include endocrine disorders related to various diseases, as well as the irrational or prolonged use of hormone therapy.
The aim – to determine the characteristics of ultrastructural changes in the cellular elements of the testicular parenchyma in adult outbred male rats following 28-day administration of high doses of prednisolone.
Material and Methods. The experiments were conducted on sexually mature outbred white male rats. Prednisolone was administered intramuscularly once daily for 28 days at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg. Testicular tissue samples for ultrastructural analysis were collected on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after prednisolone administration. Ultrastructural examination was performed using a PEM-125K transmission electron microscope. Intact animals served as the control group.
Results. After 28 days of high-dose prednisolone administration, activation of spermatogenesis was observed, predominantly due to an increased proportion of immature germ cell formation, accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in the relative number of mature spermatozoa. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a range of ultrastructural alterations in spermatogenic epithelial cells and Leydig cells, including disorganization of the cytoplasmic membrane, nuclear pyknosis, formation of nuclear envelope invaginations, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and extrusion of cytoplasmic fragments. These ultrastructural changes indicate activation of apoptotic processes and impairment of cellular secretory function.
Conclusions. The observed ultrastructural changes in the testicular parenchyma are consistent with current concepts regarding the effects of glucocorticosteroids on the male reproductive system and may result from the direct negative impact of prednisolone. The identified alterations can be interpreted as the consequence of a potentiating yet simultaneously competing interaction between prednisolone and the hormonal function of interstitial endocrinocytes.
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Accepted 2026-04-08
Published 2026-04-22
