Structure of the testes of preterm born rats

Oxidative stress, metabolic disturbances, and sex hormone imbalances resulting from preterm birth are risk factors for impaired spermatogenesis. The aim of the study was to investigate the structure of the testes of preterm, adult rats. Material and methods . The experiment involved full-term ( n = 5) and preterm ( n = 5) male Wistar rats at 6 months of postnatal development. Full-term rats were obtained through natural birth; their intrauterine development lasted 22 days. Preterm rats were obtained as a result of mifepristone induction of preterm labor; the duration of their intrauterine development period was 21 days. The structure of rat testes was examined by histological (hematoxylin and eosin staining) and immunohistochemical (detection of activated caspase 3) methods. Results . The testes of preterm and full-term 6-month-old rats have common features, however, in the first a decrease in the diameter of the convoluted seminiferous tubules, an increase in the number of convoluted seminiferous tubules with desquamated spermatogenic cells, as well as an increase in the number of caspase 3-positive interstitial endocrine cells were found compared with similar parameters in full-term rats. The spermatogenesis index, the number of interstitial endocrinocytes and the number of caspase 3-positive spermatogenic cells in the testes of preterm and full-term rats do not differ. Conclusions . The observed structural changes of the testes of adult preterm born rats may likely limit the adaptive potential of the testes in the postnatal period of ontogenesis.