Abstract
This study was done to ascertain whether hyperbaric oxygenation really affects testicular activity in rats. We evaluated serum testosterone concentration, testicular content of connective tissue protein and histological analysis of testes in each rat treated with 2 or 3 atmospheric pressures associated with oxygen saturation, together or singly for 90 minutes daily for 58 days.
There were no significant differences in serum testosterone concentrations between the examined groups. The amounts of collagen, non-collagenous protein or elastin in testis were similar in all groups except one set of determinations. In addition, no prominent histological differences were noted in the testes of the animals.
Thus, the pressure environment of this study, which can be regarded as almost the same as that of the hyperbaric oxygenation chamber in clinical use, appears to be nontoxic to rat testes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cunningham, G. R.: Testicular and post-testicular causes of male infertility. In: White, R. de V. (ed.): Aspects of Male Infertility. Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore-London 1982, p. 116.
Davis, W. B., Rennard, S. I., Bitterman, P. B., Crystal, R. G.: Pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Early reversible changes in human alveolar structures induced by hyperoxia.N. Engl. J. Med., 13, 878 (1983).
Fischer, B. H., Marks, M., Reich, T.: Hyperbaric-oxygen treatment of multiple sclerosis.N. Engl. J. Med., 308, 181 (1983).
Fitch, S. M., Harkness, M. L. R., Harkness, R. D.: Extraction of collagen from tissues.Nature (London),176, 163 (1955).
Fujii, T.: Roles of age and androgen in the regulation of sex accessory organs. In: Thomas, J. A., Singhal, R. L. (eds): Regulatory Mechanism Affecting Gonadal Hormone Action. Advances in Sex Hormone Research, Vol. 3, University Press, Baltimore-London-Tokyo 1977, p. 103.
Herrera, J., Montalvo, I., González-Garza, M. T., Sotelo, A., Bermúdez, J. A.: Cottonseed flour effects on androgen testicular content and serum levels in rats.Arch. Andrology, 11, 161 (1983).
Jaiswal, A., Joshi, P., Kumar, M. V., Panda, J. N., Singh, L. N.: Angiotensin converting enzyme in the testis and epididymis of mammals.Andrologia, 16, 410 (1984).
Lowry, O. H., Rosenbrough, N. J., Farr, A. L., Randall, R. J.: Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent.J. Biol. Chem., 193, 265 (1951).
Nakada, T., Ota, K., Saegusa, T., Saito, H.: The influence of hyperbaric oxygenation on rat testes.Invest. Urol., 14, 93 (1976).
Nakada, T., Lovenberg, W.: Lysine incorporation in vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats: effects of adrenergic drugs.Eur. J. Pharmacol., 48, 87 (1978).
Nakada, T., Yamori, Y.: The role of vascular protein and renin in chronic two-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertension.Clin. Exp. Hypertention, A4 (3), 477 (1982).
Nakada, T., Shigematsu, H., Lovenberg, W.: Testicular tissue injury of the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat associated with increased protein synthesis in the testicular arteries.Jap. J. Fert. Steril., 27, 148 (1982).
Nakada, T.: Enhanced protein synthesis in the renal arteries of genetically hypertensive rats: its possible role in causing hypertension.Int. Urol. Nephrol., 17, 71 (1985).
Nevo, A. C.: Dependence of sperm motility and respiration on oxygen concentration.J. Reprod. Fertil., 9, 103 (1965).
Poser, C. M.: Exacerbations, activity and progressions in multiple sclerosis.Arch. Neurol., 37, 471 (1980).
Saito, H., Ota, K., Saegusa, T., Chikenji, M., Oka, Y., Higuch, M., Nakada, T., Ogata, H., Matsuya, H., Shibata, C., Yoshihara, I., Noguchi, T., Okui, K.: Clinical and experimental studies of OHP treatment on postoperative ileus. In: Smith, G. (ed.). Aberdeen University Press, Great Britain, 1979, p. 333.
Skosey, J. L., Zak, R., Martin, A. F., Aschenbrenner, V., Rabinowitz, M.: Biochemical correlates of cardiac hypertrophy. V. Labeling of collagen, myosin and nuclear DNA during experimental myocardial hypertrophy in the rat.Circ. Res., 31, 145 (1972).
Ulvedal, F.: Observations on testicular functions in roosters exposed to increased partial pressure of oxygen.Aerospace Med., 39, 975 (1968).
Utsunomiya, T., Yamaguchi, M., Kubota, T.: Fundamental evaluation of122I-testosterone radioimmunoassay kit “EIKEN”.Hormone to Rinsho, 29, 1413 (1981) (in Japanese).
Wolinsky, H.: Response of the rat aortic media to hypertension: morphological and chemical studies.Circ. Res., 26, 507 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nakada, T., Saito, H., Ota, K. et al. Serum testosterone, testicular connective tissue protein and testicular histology in rats treated with hyperbaric oxygen. International Urology and Nephrology 18, 439–447 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02084116
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02084116