Özet:

Objective: In the elderly, erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism have become more important due to the extension of human life. The most important morphological changes of the aged testis are associated with vascular deterioration, chronic hypoxia, fibrosis and hormonal changes. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) are directly related to these changes along with sperm motility and viability. The contribution of VEGF and MMP-2 to the structural and functional disturbances in the aged testis is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine VEGF and MMP-2 levels in the elderly testis and their interactions with one another. Method: The testis tissues of aged rats (26-30 months) and adult rats (8-10 months) were analysed using the ELISA method to determine MMP-2 and VEGF levels. Serum total testosterone levels were analyzed using the immunoassay method. The statistical analysis was performed using the Mann Whitney-U test, p<0.05 was considered significant. The results were presented with median and percentile values. Results: In contrast to the adult testis, we observed that VEGF levels were increased [0.18(0.16-0.20) to 0.30(0.28-0.32) g/mg respectively, p=0.009] and MMP-2 levels decreased [3.70 (2.07-4.74) to 1,10 (1,08-1,29) g/mg respectively, p=0.03] in the aged testis. Serum total testosterone levels were lower in the aged group [5.45 (4.04-6.95) and 2.48 (1.93-3.11) ng/ml, p=0.004]. Conclusion: Low levels of MMP-2 are consistent with deficiency of reproductive function but interestingly, VEGF levels were found to be high. MMPs have the potential to regulate the levels and activities of hormones. The absence of physiological effects of VEGF may be associated with MMP-2 deficiency. The therapeutic benefit of induction of MMP-2 activity in testicular hypogonadism is open to research.

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