EFFECTS OF CISPLATIN ON TESTICULAR TISSUE AND THE LEYDIG CELL-PITUITARY AXIS

The mechanisms responsible for the rapid increases in levels of gonado tropin and steroid hormones upon administration of cisplatin to rats a re not clearly understood. In the present study, the morphologic effec ts of cisplatin on the testis and the relationship of these changes to serum hormone levels were studied in adult rats. Upon administration of a single dose (5 mg/kg) of cisplatin, the levels of testosterone in the peripheral blood decreased and the level of luteinizing hormone ( LH) increased. After 3 days, significant damage to the germinal epithe lium became detectable by morphologic examination. In Leydig and Serto li cells, dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum, structural changes in mitochondria and an increase in the numbers of inclusion bodies wer e detected. Although blood-testis barriers between Sertoli cells were normal, the relationship between germinal cells and the relationship b etween germinal cells and Sertoli cells were distorted. It is conclude d that damage to Leydig cells and withdrawal of the controlling effect s of the germinal epithelium on the LH-Leydig cell axis could explain the changes in serum hormone levels.