ABSTRACT
Infertility represents a major medical, economic, and psychological problem. Stem cells therapy
for infertility has a great interest nowadays especially for cancer survivors at pre-reproductive and
reproductive age.
Thirty-two adult male albino rats were used, divided equally into four groups; Group I (Control
group) received isotonic saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) as vehicle. Group II (Cisplatin-treated group)
received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, and then were sacrificed after 5 days. Group III
(Stem-cell-treated group) received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, then after 5 days
received adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) (1 × 106). Cells were injected in the
rete testis, then after 60 days, the animals were sacrificed. Group IV (Auto healing group) received
Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, and then left for 65 days then the animals were
sacrificed. Cisplatin administration resulted in degenerative changes in the testicular architecture
in the form of thickened irregular BM of seminiferous tubules. The germinal epithelium showed
disorganization and marked reduction in the thickness, associated with Sertoli cells preservation.
Features of apoptosis assured by elevated caspase-3 expression were noticed. The interstitium
showed cellular infiltration and distorted Leydig cells. Injection of (ADMSCs) resulted in great
improvement of testicular architecture and increase in the testosterone level associated with
strong immune reaction of the CD-44. ADMSCs are recommended as a new treatment modality
for male infertility.
Abbreviation: i.p.: intraperitoneally; BM: basement membrane; ADMSCs: adipose-derived
mesenchymal stem cells; WHO: World Health Organization; MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells;
DMEM: Dulbecco modified eagles media; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; FACS: fluorescence-
activated cell sorting; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CP: Cisplatin;
ROS: reactive oxygen species; CAT: catalase; SOD: superoxide dismutase; OS: oxidative
stress; SSCs: spermatogonia stem cells; GCs: germ cells; UCMSCs: umblical cord mesenchymal
stem cells; TGFb1: transforming growth factor beta-1; BMP4: Bone morphogenic protein
4; BMP8b: bone morphogenic protein 8b.