Potential Parameters in Assessment of Testicular Toxicity
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 3
Abstract
Testicular toxicity accounts for about 50 % of infertility cases in men. Though, there are several approaches to detect the testicular toxicity, the histopathological study of alterations occurred in the seminiferous tubules appear to be most accepted, sensitive and direct marker of toxicity. However, an appropriate understanding of the process of spermatogenesis and its hormonal regulation is necessary to employ the histopathological techniques for the evaluation of testicular toxicity. Further, for most accurate evaluation of testicular toxicity, other key reproductive endpoints must also be considered to know the underlying cause and nature of suppression of spermatogenesis. The present article reviews the conventional histopathological and recent biochemical and molecular techniques available as biomarkers to assess the testicular toxicity. Testicular toxicity accounts for about 50 % of infertility cases in men [1]. The critical factors responsible for testicular toxicity include hormonal, environmental, behavioral and nutritional imbalances [2]. Therapeutic drugs can often adversely affect male fertility by injuring testicular germ cells or disturbing hormonal levels leading to decreased semen quality. Though, there are several approaches to detect the testicular toxicity, the histopathological study of alterations occurred in the seminiferous tubules appear to be most accepted, sensitive and direct marker of toxicity. However, this conventional approach includes certain quantitative analyses which are tedious, and in absence expertise, may produce defective figures. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore quick and efficient techniques to detect and explain the cause and nature of testicular toxicity. The present article tries to critically review the conventional histopathological and recent biochemical and molecular techniques as biomarkers to assess the testicular toxicity. Spermatogenesis and Hormonal Regulations Before we discuss the techniques available for the detection of testicular toxicity, it is essential to understand the basics of spermatogenesis and its hormonal regulation in testis. Testis performs two highly organized and tightly controlled events, called spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis respectively. Spermatogenesis in testis is a highly complicated, dynamic and synchronized process of germ cell proliferation and differentiation that occurs in the seminiferous tubules under the structural and nutritive support of somatic Sertoli cells [3]. Sertoli cells are primarily involved in the formation of blood-testis barrier (BTB), secretion of testicular fluid, phagocytosis of abnormal germ cells, and production of a variety of binding proteins (particularly androgen-binding protein, ABP), hormones (inhibin and activin) and many of the growth factors. Leydig cells in the interstitial compartment of the testis are engaged in testosterone production [4]. The spermatogenesis in testis is under the control of hormones secreted from the hypothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal axis. Biosynthesis and secretion of gonadotropins viz. luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland is under control of gonadotropins releasing hormones (GnRH) from the hypothalamus [5].
Authors and Affiliations
Gupta PC, Verma A
Keywords
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- EP ID EP592769
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.07.001504
- Views 156
- Downloads 0
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