A pathologic study of seminiferous tubulesto acute immobilization stress in mice

Stress is known to induce alterations in various physiologic responses, even leading to pathologic states. Immobilization stress one of them which it can be reduces plasma testosterone and increases serum corticosterone. In order to biochemical changes, testis tissue may be damaged. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate whether acute immobilization stress could have pathologic influences on seminiferous tubules in mice. Animals were divided into 3 groups (n = 10): 1, control group; 2, under immobilization stress(2 hours) during 7 days; 3, under immobilization stress (2 hours) during 7 days. All rats were killed after the experiment. After dissection, the testis were excised and processed for histopathologic study. There was significantly disturbed in seminiferous tubule to groups 2 and 3 (P <.05), and there was significant difference in lumen diameter, thickness of epithelium, and number of cell layer in seminiferous tubules. With respect to groups 2 and 3, the changes in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 (P <.05). Furthermore, the number of spermatid is higher than in the control group and other general pathologic changes were found such as necrosis, atrophy, and testicular degeneration in cells. This study shows that immobilization stress may damage testis tissue, especially seminiferous tubules.