Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025. Vol. 70. № 3

DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-3-16-21

V.P. Mamina

Protective Effect of Dimethylsulphoxide in Combination with Gluthathione and Cysteamine Against the Damaging Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Spermatogenesis 

Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ekaterinburg, Russia

Contact person: Vera Pavlovna Mamina, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищен от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.

 

Abstract 

Purpose: Experimental assessment of the radioprotective effect of dimethylsulfoxide in combination with glutathione and cysteamine on spermatogenesis in BALB/c mice under acute γ-irradiation.

Material and мethods:A single external γ-irradiation of male mice at a dose of 6 Gy was carried out on an IGUR installation (137Cs, dose rate 0.85 Gy/min).The timing of death of mice was recorded within 1 month. Animals 20 minutes before irradiation received an intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (4.5 g/kg), reduced glutathione (500 mg/kg) and cysteamine (150 mg/kg).The disturbance of spermatogenesis and its correction with a mixture of radioprotectors was assessed by quantitative indicators of spermatogenic cells and the morphofunctional state of sperm.

Results: In mice, on the 8th day after irradiation, the number of spermatogonia decreases (6 % of the control), on the 24th day – the number of spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa – to 3.5 %, 6 % and 4.5 % of the control, respectively. The mixture of radioprotectors contributed to an increase in the number of spermatogonia up to 33 %, spermatocytes – up to 7 %, spermatids – up to 25 %, spermatozoa – up to 27 %.The viability coefficient (QC) of spermatogenic cells decreases on the 8th day after irradiation from 11.6 in the control to 8.0, on the 16th day – to 7.0, on the 24th day – to 6.0, on 32 1st and 62nd days – up to 5.0. When using radioprotectors, QoL on the 8th day corresponded to 10.0 and in subsequent periods was kept within 9.0.The number of epididymal spermatozoa decreases on the 24th day after irradiation to 80 %, on the 32nd day – to 60%, on the 62nd day – to 45 %. The mixture of radioprotectors contributed to an increase in the number of sperm to 95 % and 60 %, respectively).The number of live sperm decreases on the 32nd and 62nd days after irradiation and amounts to 35 % and 18 %, respectively, when using radioprotectors – 45 % and 30 %, respectively. On the 24th, 32nd and 62nd days after irradiation, the number of sperm with an abnormal head increases by 2 times. Radioprotectors reduce the number of sperm with an abnormal head by 1.5 times.

Conclusion: The data obtained indicate the protective effect of this mixture of radioprotectors on spermatogenesis and its possible use for the correction of spermatogenesis disorders when exposed to ionizing radiation. The mixture of protectors provides protection for 95 % of mice, with 65 % death in irradiated controls.

Keywords: external acute γ-irradiation, spermatogenesis, spermatozoa, DMSO, glutathione, cysteamine, mice 

For citation: Mamina VP. Protective Effect of Dimethylsulphoxide in Combination with Gluthathione and Cysteamine Against the Damaging Effect of Ionizing Radiation on Spermatogenesis. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2025;70(3):16–21. (In Russian). DOI:10.33266/1024-6177-2025-70-3-16-21

 

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Conflict of interest. The author declare no conflict of interest.

Financing. The study was carried out within the framework of state budget financing (No. 122 021000085-1).

Contribution. The article was prepared with the sole participation of the author.

Article received: 20.02.2025. Accepted for publication: 25.03.2025.