Evaluation of Prolidase Activity, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels in Testicular and Penile Tissues after Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Treatment in Rats by Predicting Infertility and Erectile Dysfunction

Objectives: Prolidase plays a vital role in collagen turnover, matrix remodeling and cell growth. We aimed to evaluate the association between treatment with chorionic gonadotropin and infertility and erectile dysfunction, by investigating tissue prolidase activity, oxidative stress and levels of antioxidant enzymes. Materials and Methods: Sixteen (16) male Wistar albino rats used in this study were randomly divided into two groups: rats treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and control rats (n = 8 in each group). The rats in the hCG group were subcutaneously injected with 50 IU hCG daily for 15 days while the rats in the control group were subcutaneously injected isotonic saline. All the rats were sacrificed by a lethal overdose of sodium pentobarbital at the first month after hCG administration. Prolidase activity and levels of malonyl aldehyde (MDA), glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) were estimated in the testicular and penile tissue. The testicles and penis were transversely dissected and placed in formalin. Results: Levels of prolidase and MDA in the testicular and penile tissues were significantly higher in the hCG group than in the control group (p
Source: Medical Principles and Practice - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: research