Protecting spermatogenesis from damage induced by doxorubicin using the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist leuprorelin: an image analysis study of a rat experimental model.

BACKGROUND. This study was performed to investigate the protective effect of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, leuprorelin, against spermatogenetic damage caused by doxorubicin in rats. METHODS. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: (1) a control group, (2) a group given LHRH agonist (subcutaneous injections, total dose 9 mg/kg), (3) a group given doxorubicin (intraperitoneal injections, total dose 7.5 mg/kg), and (4) a group given both LHRH agonist (subcutaneous injections, total dose 9 mg/ kg) and doxorubicin (intraperitoneal injections, total dose 7.5 mg/kg). Evaluations were made by measuring body and testicular weights, determining Johnsen's score, and conducting DNA image analysis consisting of DNA content measurement (%1C, %2C, and %4C) by image cytometry. RESULTS. In the group given doxorubicin, the testicular weight was 1.47 ± 0.24 mg, Johnsen's score was 4.4 ± 1.2, and image analysis revealed %1C: 33.8 ± 9.2, %2C: 43.9 ± 16.3, and %4C: 5.0 ± 4.4. In the group given both LHRH agonist and doxorubicin, the testicular weight was 1.32 ± 0.23, Johnsen's score was 5.90 ± 1.6, and image analysis revealed %1C: 46.9 ± 15.0, %2C: 28.4 ± 13.3, and %4C: 8.8 ± 3.5. CONCLUSIONS. The significant prophylactic effect (P < 0.05) of the I.HRH agonist against doxorubicin-induced spermatogenetic damage was demonstrated by Johnsen's score and image analysis (%1C, %2C, and %4C).