P-8: Testosterone Enanthate Protects Seminal Vesicles from Damage Induced by Chemotherapy

Background: Chemotherapy or irradiation is associated with impaired fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of testosterone enanthate (TE) on the proliferative activity, plasma testosterone level and morphometry of epithelial cells of seminal vesicles in busulfan-induced spermiotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Sprague- Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: the control group received vehicle (cottonseed oil) subcutaneously; group 2 received A single doses of busulfan (15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. group 3 was administered two doses of (TE) 8mg/kg subcutaneously, 21 days apart. Group 4 received both (TE) and busulfan. Following 52 days after treatment, evaluations were made by histological observations, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling assay and measurement of serum testosterone levels. Results: Busulfan-treated rats, showed a significant decrease in the percentage of BrdU positive cells (p<0.01). Administration of (TE) in-group 4, significantly increased BrdU labeling index in all animals, compared to group 2. A significant decrease in serum testosterone level was observed in the busulfan alone treated group p<0.05). Administration of (TE) to group 4 significantly increased the levels of testosterone compared with busulfan alone (p<0.01). A significant decrease in epithelial cell&#039;s height, were observed in seminal vesicle in Group 2, however administration of (TE) to group 4 significantly increased the height of epithelial cell&#039;s (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although the mechanism is not clear, these results indicated that Testosterone enanthate may have a chemoprotective effect against busulfan-induced seminal vesicular damage, partly by increasing of proliferative activity of epithelial lining cells.