Abstract

ACUTE EFFECTS OF GEMCITABINE ON SEMINIFEROUS TUBULAR HISTOMORPHOMETRY IN MICE MODEL

Viveka. S*, Ajay Udyavar, Balakrishna Shetty, Santhosh Kuriakose, Sudha. M. J.

ABSTRACT

Chemotherapeutic agents have adverse effects on spermatogenesis. The gonadotoxic effects of these agents are of significance in young cancer patients undergoing chemptherapy. Gemcitabine is a novel antimetabolic anticancer drug used frequently in treatment of many cancers. This study was designed to evaluate the acute effects of gemcitabine on spermatogenesis in mice model. Gemcitabine in high and low doses (80 and 40 mg kg-1) injected intraperitoneally to inbred Swiss albino mice. Gross testicular features and seminiferous tubular histomorphometry was studies at the end of 7th, 14th day. Sperm shape abnormalities studied. We noted that seminiferous tubular morphology was altered significantly, showing reduction in height, perimeter and area in a dose dependent manner. Sertoli cell number decreased. Basement membrane had reduced thickness. Intertubular spaces has reduced. Sperms had abnormal shapes with banana heading, decapitation. It was concluded that gemcitabine affects the process of spermatogenesis adversely in a dose dependable manner.

Keywords: Swiss albino mice, spermatogenesis, Gemcitabine, seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells