Impairment of spermatogenesis and enhancement of testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by exogenous all-trans-retinoic acid in adult lizard Podarcis sicula.

In mammals, retinoic acid is involved in the regulation of testicular function by interaction with two families of nuclear receptors, retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR). Among RAR isoforms, the testicular cells of the lizard were found to express only RARalpha (3.7 kb) and RARbeta (3.4 kb) mRNAs, as reported here. In this study, the effects of exogenous all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) on spermatogenesis of a non-mammalian seasonal reproducer were investigated. Daily intraperitoneal injections of atRA or atRA plus testosterone (atRA+T) were given for 2 weeks to adult males of the lizard Podarcis sicula. In animals treated with atRA, the seminiferous tubules were markedly reduced in cross-area. The seminiferous epithelium collapse was responsible for a sensible reduction in the number of germ cells and disruption in normal epithelial organization. In comparison, in atRA+T-treated lizards the loss of germinal cells was significantly less. The loss of germ cells observed in both experimental groups results from an induction of apoptotic process, as revealed by TUNEL analysis. Although low in number, apoptotic germ cells were also observed in the control groups (saline- and T-treated lizard), where the main germ cells undergoing apoptosis are primary spermatocytes (most frequently) and some spermatogonia. In conclusion, it is shown here that retinoic acid has deleterious effects on lizard spermatogenesis, causing a severe depletion of seminiferous epithelium, probably via induction of apoptotic processes. These effects are not completely inhibited by simultaneous administration of testosterone, although this hormone, once injected, is able to stimulate spermatogenesis and protect germinal cells from apoptotic cell death.