Photobiomodulation Therapy Improves Spermatogenesis in Busulfan-Induced Infertile Mouse.

About 50% of infertility is caused by men. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of photobiomodulation on spermatogenesis in a busulfan-induced infertile mouse as a testicular degeneration treatment. Thirty-two adult NMRI male mice were divided into 4 groups: control, busulfan, PBMT 0.03 J/cm2, and laser 0.2 J/cm2. In the study, azoospermia was induced by busulfan as a testicular degeneration, and then, they were treated using photobiomodulation therapy at 0.03 J/cm2 and 0.2 J/cm2 energy densities. Sperm parameters, stereological analysis, serum testosterone levels, together with SDH activity, MDA production oxidized as a marker for lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSSG) and glutathione (GSH), mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and ATP production as well as TUNEL assay were assessed. Photobiomodulation therapy with 0.03 J/cm2 energy densities group revealed a significant increase the testosterone hormone level and spermatogenic cells with the reduction of apoptotic cells and marked increase in GSH, ATP, and SDH levels and decrease the levels of MDA and ROS production in the busulfan-induced mice when compared with the control and sham groups. In conclusion, the photobiomodulation therapy (0.03 J/cm2 energy density) may provide benefits on the spermatogenesis following busulfan injection and might be an alternative treatment to the patients with oligospermia and azoospermia in a dose-dependent manner.

Hyperthermia versus busulfan: Finding the effective method in animal model of azoospermia induction.

Animal models of azoospermia are very applicable when evaluating new treatment methods for research purposes. The present study aimed to compare azoospermia induction in mice using busulfan or hyperthermia. To do this, about 36 adult male mice (28-30 g) were included into three experimental groups randomly (n = 12): control, busulfan (injected by a single dose of 40 mg/kg busulfan intraperitoneally) and hyperthermia (exposure to a temperature of 43°C every other day for 5 weeks). Animals were preserved for 35 and 70 days following interventions and then were sacrificed for further evaluations. After 35 days, busulfan and hyperthermia groups revealed a significant decrease in the sperm count and weight of testis compared to the control group (p < .0001). In addition, after 70 days, sperm count and weight of testis in group busulfan showed a significant increase compared to group hyperthermia (p < .01). No significant difference was observed regarding the mortality of mice between busulfan and hyperthermia groups. In group busulfan, degenerative changes in the germinal epithelium were detected in some tubules, although in group hyperthermia, degenerative changes and complete depletion of all tubules were observed. Continuous hyperthermia is a more effective method in the induction of as animal model of azoospermia compared to the busulfan.