Özet:

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF Beta-1) is one of the paracrine or autocrine regulators of testicular function. In this study, we investigated the effect of Capsaicin (CAP) on the localization of TGF Beta-1 in the testis of mice treated with CAP during postnatal development. In the study, 60 Swiss albino male mice were used. The 21-day-old mice (n:30) in the experimental group were injected with CAP at 1 mg/kg subcutaneously daily for 75 days. Ten animals, each from the experimental and control groups, were divided into groups representing the 35th day (puberty), 50th day (post-puberty), and 75th day (adult). After weighing the testis, a routine histological procedure was performed. The body weights of the control and experimental group animals were measured daily during the study period. The mean body weights of all experimental groups were higher than the control groups, and we determined statistical significance at p<0.05 level between the groups. The mean testicular weights of the 35th and 50th experimental groups were higher than the 35th and 50th experimental groups, except for the 75th experimental group. No statistical significance was found between the groups. TGF Beta-1 immunoreaction was observed in Leydig cells and round spermatids at different intensities in all experimental and control groups. In contrast, no immunoreaction was observed in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and elongated spermatids. The staining intensity in round spermatids was almost similar in both groups. Still, the staining intensity increased with age in the control groups, while this increase in the 75th experimental groups was not observed. The staining intensity in Leydig cells increased with age in the experimental groups, while different staining intensities were found in the control groups. In conclusion, CAP increased TGF beta-1 immunoreaction by binding to its receptor in Leydig cells during spermatogenesis.