The detrimental effects of diabetes on pluripotency determined by KLF4, SOX2, C-MYC and OCT4 immunoreactivity in rat testes.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multisystem disorder. Type 1 DM can be experimentally induced in rats with streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetic conditions result in testicular oxidative stress and suppressed male reproductive activity as well as decreases in both testicular organ weights and subject weights.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate immunohistochemical differences in testicular tissue due to STZ induced diabetes regarding pluripotency via transcription factors like Klf4, Sox2, c-Myc and Oct4, and to determine weight changes in both the subjects and the testes during the experiment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Diabetes was induced in male adult rats for this study. A healthy control group and a diabetic group were observed for one month. Blood glucose levels over 250 mg/dL were considered diabetic.

RESULTS

On days 0, 3, 15 and 30, the subjects' weights and testicular organ weights were determined and analyzed. The results revealed statistically significant decreases (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Semiquantitative immunohistochemical analyses of Klf4, Sox2, c-Myc and Oct4 were studied in testes paraffin sections via light microscopy. Decreased immunoreactivity of Klf4 was observed in the diabetic group in comparison to the controls. Spermatogonial cells and Sertoli cells showed increased immunostaining for Sox2 and c-Myc, while decreased immunoreactivity of Oct4 was noted for both spermatogenic and Sertoli cells compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study clearly demonstrated that Klf4, Sox2 and Oct4 immunopositive cells in adult male rat testes manifested sustainable pluripotency and that diabetes has dramatically detrimental effects on this trait.