Antenatal Exposure of Cyclophosphamide Affects Cell Proliferation in Seminiferous Tubules (Gonocytes and Sertoli Cells) in Neonatal Rat Testis

The present study demonstrates the changes in the distribution and number of cellular contents of seminiferous tubules (Sertoli cells and gonocytes) in rat testis after exposure to different doses of cyclophosphamide (2, 10 or 20 mg/kg body wt) on day 12, 15 and 18 of gestation. The treatment caused significant decrease of these parameters. Besides, morphological changes such as discontinuity of epithelial lining and basement membrane of seminiferous tubules, and stunting of Sertoli cells and gonocytes were also observed in the pups in a dose-dependent manner. Reduction (p<0.001) in the number of gonocytes was observed on day 15 of gestation and Sertoli cells on day 18. These days of embryonic development / gestation may be considered as "critical periods" for cell proliferation during the differentiation of male gonad. Overall, our data suggest that antenatal exposure to cyclophosphamide may affect the normal process of testicular development.