Evaluation of the Effects of Acute Cisplatin Administration on Testicular and Ovarian Tissue in Rats

Abstract

Aim: Cisplatin, one of the effective chemotherapeutics in cancer treatment, has the potential to affect the testis and ovary, leading to permanent or temporary infertility. This study aimed to determine the acute effects of cisplatin on testis and ovary histology and to investigate whether it induces any changes in immunohistochemical cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NFκB-p65), and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels. Material and Methods: The study was planned as four groups: male control, male cisplatin, female control, and female cisplatin. The cisplatin group rats were adminestered with 7 mg/kg cisplatin, and all rats were sacrificed 24 hours later. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome stains were applied to testis and ovary tissues to examine their histopathological structure, and an immunohistochemistry staining protocol was applied to determine immunostaining intensity of COX2, NFκB-p65, and HSP70. Results: In the cisplatin group, a decrease in seminiferous tubule epithelium, an elevation in fibrotic response in the interstitial area, and a notable reduction in Johnson testicular biopsy score (p<0.001) were seen in the testis. In the ovary, atretic follicles (p=0.006) and luteal structures within the cortex, as well as vascular congestion (p=0.001), edema (p=0.001), and fibrotic areas within the medulla, were evident. These alterations resulted in a statistically significant increase in ovarian histoscores, except for leukocyte infiltration (p=0.322). In both tissues, cisplatin significantly increased the immunostaining intensity of COX2, NFκB-p65, and HSP70 compared to the control group. Conclusion: Acute cisplatin administration can induce tissue damage and pro-inflammatory response in the testis and ovary.