BACKGROUND

The number of cases of male infertility is steadily growing every year, and therefore it is necessary to develop new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. It is known that plasma enriched with platelets, the α-granules of which contain growth factors, possesses high regenerative activity; therefore, we can expect positive results from its use for the restoration of spermatogenic epithelium.

OBJECTIVE

Morphological assessment of spermatogenesis after local β-irradiation with a dose of 8 Gy and the introduction of growth factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Wistar rats (n=135) were divided into groups: I — Control, II — 8IR, III — 8IR+LP-PRP+IGF, IV — 8IR+LP-PRP, and V — LP-PRP. Spermatogenesis in animals of groups II, III, and IV was inhibited by a single local irradiation with 8 Gy electrons. Then, for 11 weeks, LP-PRP was injected intraperitoneally to rats III and IV, and in group III — additionally IGF-1. The testes were examined by light microscopy, computer morphometry, micro-CT, and Western blotting.

RESULTS

After irradiation, a decrease in spermatogenic epithelium and the number of germ cells was observed up to sub- and total germinal aplasia, fibrosis and an increase in the expression of caspase-3. Against the background of LP-PRP+IGF administration, the decrease in the proportion of germ cells (hypospermatogenesis) was less pronounced.

CONCLUSION

The introduction of growth factors and other biologically active substances released from the α-granules of LP-PRP platelets leads to a delayed decrease in the quantitative and qualitative indicators of spermatogenesis, and the additional administration of IGF-1 enhances the regenerative processes that counteract the development of the effects of electron irradiation with a dose of 8 Gy.