Histopathological changes in testes of rats exposed to phototherapy and effects of vitamin E administration on these changes

INTRODUCTIONIndirect hyperbilirubinemia is present very often in the neonatal period. Phototherapy is the most common method for treatment. Although it is widely used it has many side effects. However, there are only a few studies associated with the side effects of phototherapy on the testes. In these studies, no protective substance was used to protect the testes.The aim of this study was to determine the histopathological changes in rat testes after and exposure to phototherapy and evaluate the effects of Vitamin E on testes which is one of the important antioxidants.MATERIAL AND METHODSThe study was started with providing fifteen pregnant Wistar albino rats. After birth, rats were separated into three groups. The groups were determined as control (n:28), phototherapy (n = 23) and vitamin E + phototherapy (n:34). Experimental study was performed 12 hours after the birth. Phototherapy was applied to phototherapy group and Vitamin E + phototherapy group for 72 continuous hours. IM Vitamin E (30 mg/kg) was injected to Vitamin E + phototherapy group just before the application of phototherapy. At the end of the second month, genders were separated. Then, 10 male rats per each group were observed until all rats reached the age of 24 weeks. At the age of 24 weeks, all the rats were operated on and the left testicles were removed. Specimens were evaluated histopathologically with hematoxylene-eosine staining, seminiferous tubule diameters ,Johnsen spermatogenesis scoring and apoptosis detected with TUNEL method. Statistical analysis of seminiferous tubule diameters and spermatogenesis scores were performed but semi-quantitative evaluation was done for apopitosis.RESULTSThere was no statistically significant difference in seminiferous tubule diameters between groups (p > 0.05). There was statistically significant decrease in spermatogenesis at the phototherapy group compared to other groups (p< 0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant difference in spermatogenesis between control and vitamin E groups (p> 0.05). According to results of apoptosis, apoptosis significantly increased at the group of phototherapy when compared with group of control. However, apoptosis significantly decreased at the group of group of vitamin E when compared with other groups.CONCLUSIONIn conclusion, it was shown that in rat testes exposed to phototherapy spermatogenesis was decreased and apoptosis was increased. Vitamin E was protective against the adverse effects of phototherapy on testes.