Protective effects of analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone against x-radiation-induced testicular damage in rats

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.84.3.851· OSTI ID:6121263

Schally, A V; Paz-Bouza, J I; Schlosser, J V; Karashima, T; Debeljuk, L; Gandle, B; Sampson, M

Possible protective effects of the agonist (D-Trp/sup 6/)LH-RH and antagonist N-Ac(D-Phe(pCl)/sup 1,2/,D-Trp/sup 3/,D-Arg/sup 6/,D-Ala/sup 10/)LH-RH against testicular damage caused by x-radiation were investigated in rats. Three months after being subjected to x-irradiation of the testes with 415 or 622 rads, control rats showed marked reduction in the weights of the testes and elevated levels of LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), indicating tubular damage. Histological studies demonstrated that, in testes of rats given 415 rads, most seminiferous tubules had only Sertoli cells and no germinal cells, and, in the group give 622 rads, the depression of spermatogenesis was even more marked. Rats pretreated for 50 days with LH-RH antagonist showed a complete recovery of testicular weights and spermatogenesis 3 months after 415 rads and showed partial recovery after 622 rads, and LH and FSH levels returned to normal in both of these groups. Three experiments were also carried out in which the rats were pretreated for 1-2 months with long-acting microcapsules of the agonist (D-Trp/sup 6/)LH-RH. Some rats were then subjected to gonadal irradiation with 415 or 622 rads and allowed a recovery period of 2-4 months. On the basis of testicular weights, histology, and gonadotropin levels, it could be concluded that the agonist (D-Trp/sup 6/)LH-RH did not protect the rat testes exposed to 622 rads and, at most, only partially protected against 415 rads. These results suggest that pretreatment with LH-RH antagonists and possibly agonists, might decrease the testicular damage caused by radiation and accelerate the recovery of reproductive functions.

• Research Organization: Tulane Univ. School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
• OSTI ID: 6121263
• Journal Information: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States), Journal Name: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.; (United States) Vol. 84:3; ISSN PNASA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FSH
GONADOTROPINS
GONADS
HISTOLOGY
HORMONES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LH
LH-RH
LIBERINS
MALE GENITALS
MALES
MAMMALS
ORGANS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PITUITARY HORMONES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
RADIOSENSITIVITY EFFECTS
RATS
RODENTS
TESTES
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT
X RADIATION