ИСТИНА

Introduction. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by the formation of a complex of disorders among which the most characteristic is a combination of abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia. MS can cause impaired spermatogenesis and lower sperm counts. However the details of the effect of MS on spermatogenic cells remain unclear. The aim of this work was to study some spermatogenesis characteristics in rats with an experimental MS. Materials and methods. Eight male rats were divided inti two groups: group I rats received a standart diet, group II received a diet high in glucose and fat for 60 days. Methods of immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy were used. Results. The study of meiosis was carried out in spreading nuclei of I-order spermatocytes (Sp) with antibodies to SCP3 - the protein of the synaptonamal complex (Sc). Significant disturbances of the nuclear architectonics were found in pachyten Sp of rat with MS as well as ring structure and Sc fragmentation. In 50% of Sp defects of the sexual body structure ware observed, which is manifestation of pachitene arrest resulting in apoptosis (Turner et al., 2005). The staining of the crushed cells of the seminiferous tubules with antibodies to LC3B protein, a marker of autophagosomes, as well as ultrastructure research revealed many autophagosomes in Sertoli cells, Sp and spermatids of group II rats. Electron microscopic examination of the Sertoli cells of group II rats, in contrast to group I, revealed lipid drops and numerous phagolysosomes. Conclusion. MS can be the cause of a violation of meiosis at the pachytene stage. It has been hypothesized that the activation of autophagy is an adaptive mechanism that removes of spermatogenic cells remnants selected as a result of MS. Meiosis disorders and the autophagy activation may lead to a decrease in sperm count found by some researchers in experimental MS.