Restraint Stress is Biomedically Important in Male Reproductive Failure

Studies show that restraint stress influences male reproductive system. The main purpose of this study was to study the effects of restraint stress on serum LH, FSH or testosterone level and testes tissue in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, acutely or chronically immobilized animals of 5 in each group. In chronically or acutely immobilized groups, animals were immobilized for 2h/day or 8h/day for a period of 3 weeks or one week, respectively. Blood samples were collected using cardiac puncture method. Following serum collection, LH, FSH and testosterone level was measured by radioimmunoassay method. Testes tissue was also examined histologicaly using HE staining method. Data were statistically analyzed and compared between groups using ANOVA. Results: The results indicated that serum LH and testosterone level was significantly decreased in acutely or chronically immobilized rats compared with control animals (P<0.01), however serum FSH was not changed in immobilized rats compared with control rats. Deformed seminiferous tubules, reduced cellular concentration, decreased number of spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozons was observed in restrained rats compared to control animals. Conclusion: Our findings show that restraint stress has inhibitory effects on male reproductive system may lead to male reproductive failure. KeywordsFSH, LH, Restraint Stress, Rats, Testosterone.