Introduction: The suppressing effects of chronic stress on sexual desire have long been noted. Yet the biological mechanisms underlying such effects, especially at the level of cellular biology of testicular cells, have not been fully investigated.
Aim: In the present study, we used a chronic unpredictable mild stress model to examine the association between chronic stress and structural alterations in the male reproductive system.
Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were the structural changes in sperm cells and Leydig cells of male rats. We used Agmo and Ellingsen's procedure to study partner preference behavior and observed the morphology of Leydig cells and germ cells in the control and stress groups.
Methods: Our methods included histology, electron microscopy, and animal behavior tests.
Results: The results showed that after 5 weeks of chronic stress exposure, partner preference behavior was impaired, the total surface area of Leydig cells and the number and diameter of seminiferous tubules decreased significantly, and the number and size of Leydig cells, as well as the number and the short-axis diameter of spermatogenic cells, also decreased. At the ultrastructural level, transmission electron microscopy revealed that the basement membranes of seminiferous tubules in stressed rats was far thinner, had a low density, and was uneven in thickness compared with the normal group, with enhanced apoptosis in germ cells.
Conclusion: We conclude that chronic stress can trigger organic damage to testicular cells in male rats.
Keywords: Chronic Stress; Electron Microscopy; Preference Behavior; Sexual Motivation; Testicular Cells; Testis; Ultrastructure.
© 2013 International Society for Sexual Medicine.