DIABETES-MEDIATED CHANGES IN RAT TYPE I COLLAGEN AND SPERMATOGENESIS INDICES

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of diabetes on the reproductive system and extracellular matrix proteins of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino male rats, body weight (BW) 160–200 g, were divided into two groups: I – streptozoticin diabetes, II – normal non-diabetic animals. The content of amino acids in rat type I collagen was determined using an amino acid analyzer. Morphological analyses of gonadic structures were carried out by an optic microscope. Results: The study of the effects of diabetes on type I collagen amino acid content, testis cells morphologic and morphometric parameters and spermatogenesis demonstrated the presence of diabetes-mediated quantitative and qualitative changes in male rat reproductive organs, spermatogenetic epithelial cells and extracellular matrix proteins in comparison with normal. Conclusions: Observed collagen molecules changes could hence affect the properties and correct functioning of spermatogenetic epithelium and of other tissues of reproductive organs. They could be caused by diabetes via deficiency of insulin which is involved in collagen synthesis regulation at different stages of this process, cytochrome P450-2E1 induction and reactive oxygen species effects on protein biosynthesis processes.