P-4: Adverse Effects Associated with PersistentStimulation of Leydig Cells with hCG In vitro

Background: The detrimental effects of persistent stimulation with hCG were investigated in rat Leydig cells in vitro. Materials and Methods: Oxidative stress parameters such as lipid peroxidation, Reactive oxygen species(ROS), Total antioxidant capcity (TAC) and activities of antioxidant enzymes were assessed in the treated cells. Apoptosis amongest the trearted cells were detected by in situ end labeling (ISEL) assay. The increase in cell apoptosis was corroborated with the data on apoptotic markers such as caspase 3 activity, PARP cleavage, Fas, FasL, caspase 8, Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase 9. Results: Significant rise in lipid peroxidation and ROS with concomitant attenuation in the activities of antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-s-transferase was observed. Transcripts for catalase and superoxide dismutase were also found depleted. Subsequent to each hCG challenge, the total antioxidant capacity in the target cells also declined significantly (p