Assessment of Exogenous Effects on Spermatogenesis in Rats Based on the Level of Middle Molecules

In experimental and clinical studies, a most important task is to detect the development of oxidative stress. In the process of free radical oxidation of lipids and proteins, a number of intermediate products are formed, which, according to their characteristics, belong to the category of so-called middle molecules. There is a direct relationship between changes in the level of middle molecules and the functional state of organs. In this regard, determining the content of middle molecules in tissues will allow us to characterize their functional state. The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between the functional changes in spermatogenesis under exogenous exposures and the levels of intermediate metabolites (middle molecules) in the homogenates of rat testes and epididymides. Materials and methods. The research involved 50 outbred sexually mature male Wistar rats weighing 210 ± 10 g, divided into the control group and 4 experimental groups (exposure to microwave radiation, exposure to hydrogen sulphide-containing gas, administration of ginger extracts, and exposure to microwave radiation with administration of ginger extracts). Index of the nature of the effect was determined in rat testis and epididymis homogenates based on the levels of middle molecules using a patented method. Results. Under exposure (microwave radiation, hydrogen sulphide-containing gas), the concentration of middle molecules significantly increased compared to the control (p < 0.001). Oral administration of ginger extracts caused an increase in the level of peptide components, accompanied by a 33.3 % decrease in polyene compounds (p < 0.001). Additionally, the study showed a strong direct correlation between the malonic dialdehyde levels in the homogenates of testicular and epididymal tissues and the total content of middle molecules, which was evidenced by a high correlation coefficient (r = +0.932; p < 0.01). The identified patterns were confirmed by the evaluation of the morphofunctional state of testicular tissue. Thus, changes in the levels of middle molecules in rat testis and epididymis homogenates allow us to assess the nature of exogenous effects (positive, negative or neutral) on spermatogenesis.