The Effect of Acute Spinal Cord Contusion Injury on Blood Testis Barrier and Blood Epididymal Barrier in Adult Albino Rats: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study.

Background:Traumatic spinal cord injury is one of the most crucial causes of male infertility worldwide. Present study investigated the impact of acute spinal cord contusion injury on the structure and function of both blood testis barrier and blood epididymal barrier and highlighting the role of both inflammatory and autoimmune responses in post-traumatic possible infertility. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into Sham group: laminectomy was performed to 15 male rats but without spinal cord injury. Experimental group: laminectomy was performed to another 15 male rats. A contusion injury of spinal cord was performed by 8 gm weight drop with one second dwell.Animals were sacrificed; testis and epididymis samples were prepared for histological and immunohistochemical examination. Results: Histopathological results revealed profound change in both testicular and epididymal epithelium, evident gaps were detected between basal and adluminal compartments of seminefrous tubules; apoptotic changes appeared in Sertoli cells with loss of ectoplasmic specialization inside their cytoplasm.The lining principal cells appeared vacuolated with pyknotic neuclei and evident loss to their sterocillia and tight junction. Immunohistochemical results revealed an increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL1β in the experimental group. Moreover, disrupted integrity of both blood testis barrier and blood epididymal barriers was confirmed by decreased expression of occludin protein at the lateral borders and apices of lining epithelial cells. Autoimmune response was detected by increased expression of the green fluorescent labeled IgG immune complexes in experimental group. Conclusion: Acute spinal cord contusion injury affects the process of spermatogenesis via disruption of both blood testis barrier and blood epididymal barrier.