Glucocorticoid hormone can suppress apoptosis of rat testicular germ cellsinduced by testicular ischemia

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone, a potent synthetic gluc ocorticoid hormone, on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and vascular neut rophil adhesion after repair of testicular torsion in rats. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Department of Urology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yam agata, Japan. Animal(s): Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intervention(s): Dexamethasone, 10 mg/kg of body weight. Main Outcome Measure(s): Testicular germ-cell apoptosis (percentages of apo ptotic tubules and apoptotic cells) and vascular neutrophil adhesion were a ssessed by using DNA nick-end labeling and the endothelial-neutrophil adhes ion score, respectively. Result(s): Intravenous administration of dexamethasone: at repair of 90-min ute testicular torsion significantly inhibited testicular germ-cell apoptos is and vascular neutrophil adhesion. This inhibition was suppressed by intr avenous injection of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist. Conclusion(s): Glucocorticoids can be administered for torsion in addition to conventional torsion repair. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;75:980-5. (C) 2001 b y American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).