Response of Stem and Progenitor Cells to Testicular Ischemia

Abstract

Stem and progenitor cells were studied on mouse model of testicular ischemia. Testicular ischemia led to a decrease in free testosterone concentration. Hemodynamic changes, interstitial edema, and destruction of spermatogenic epithelium, Leydig, and Sertoli cells were observed in the testicular tissue. Accumulation of degenerative germ cells was accompanied by reduction in the count of spermatogonial stem cells with immunophenotype CD117^–CD29⁺CD90⁺ and CD117⁺CD29⁺CD90⁺. Simultaneously with pathomorphological changes in the testes and suppression of spermatogenesis, ischemia reduced the count of hematopoietic progenitor cells, hematopoietic stem cells with immunophenotype Lin^–CD117⁺Sca-1⁺c-kit⁺CD34⁺ and Lin^–CD117⁺Sca-1⁺c-kit⁺CD34^–, and multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (CD45^–CD31^– CD90⁺CD106⁺) in the testicular tissue. The population of CD45^–CD31⁺-endothelial cells in ischemic testicular tissue increased.