Background: Male infertility is considered a major cause of couple infertility as it represents 25-50% of infertility cases. In addition, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents 10% of all infertile men. There is no definite curable treatment for such cases.
Aim of the work: To evaluate the therapeutic role of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) in the treatment of CaCl2 castration model in adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Forty five adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I (control group), Group II (CaCl2 group), Group III (stem cell treated group), Group IV (recovery group). Testes were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Sperm count and testosterone hormonal assay were done. Morphometric and statistical analysis were performed.
Results: Histological examination of the testes of both groups II and IV revealed severe degeneration of seminiferous tubules with sloughing of spermatogenic cells. Inflammatory cells and multinucleated giant cells were obvious in group II while macrophages were detected more clearly in group IV. Collagen fibers deposition was detected in the interstitium and inside seminiferous tubules in group IV. Sperm count and serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased in both groups comparable with that of the control group. Intratesticular injection of ADMSCs in group III resulted in improvement of the histological architecture of testicular tissue which was documented by non significant changes in sperm count and serum testosterone when compared to that of the control group.
Conclusions: Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) could be considered an effective treatment in NOA.