The effect of methamphetamine on the blood-testis barrier
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Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Introduction
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is formed by tight junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells. The barrier formed by these tight junction helps to create a specialized environment for spermatogenesis and provide an immunological barrier to protect developing germ cells. Methamphetamine (Meth) is known as neurotoxin however, its effects on the male reproductive system, especially on Sertoli cells and, the BTB are not well established. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of Meth on the TM4 mouse testis Sertoli cell line and on the integrity of the BTB permeability.
Materials and Methods
This study investigated the effect of selected concentrations of Meth (0.1 μM, 1 μM, 10 μM, 20 μM and 100 μM) on TM4 mouse testis Sertoli cell line for 24 until 96 hours, using two treatments: an “acute” study (24 hrs exposure) and a “chronic” study, where treatment occurred on a daily basis over 96 hrs. The following parameters were investigated: viability, cell proliferation, mitochondrial activity, monolayer permeability.
Description
>Magister Scientiae - MSc
Keywords
Blood-testis barrier (BTB), Methamphetamine, Male reproductive system, Sertoli cells, Cell viability