Histological Study on the Protective Effect of Endogenous Stem Cell Mobilization in Busulfan-Induced Testicular Injury in Albino Rats

BACKGROUND: Testicular damage is one of the most hazardous effects of chemotherapy as it is frequently associated with oligozoospermia and azoospermia. AIM OF THE WORK: This study aimed at evaluating the protective effect of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in a rat model of busulfan-induced testicular injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult albino rats were divided into four groups: group I, the control, Group II: rats received two doses of busulfan (each 15 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (IP) with 14 days interval, Group III: rats received busulfan and left untreated, and Group IV received busulfan IP then G-CSF (70 μg/kg/day) subcutaneously for 5 consecutive days. Testicular sections were stained with H and E and immunohistochemically for CD34, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3, and semithin sections were stained with toluidine blue. RESULTS: Groups II and III showed loss of the normal histological architecture of the testis and spermatogenic cells, with increased apoptosis confirmed by significantly increased caspase-3 and significantly decreased PCNA immunoexpression. While Group IV revealed improved testicular histology, decreased apoptosis, and increased proliferative capacity of spermatogenic cells. This was confirmed by significantly decreased caspase-3 immunoexpression and increased PCNA immunoreaction. CONCLUSION: Mobilization of stem cells with G-CSF was found to improve the testicular histology following busulfan chemotherapy in albino rats.