Abstract
This study was performed to examine the cytotoxic effects of nicotine on the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells in mice testis. A different amount of nicotine (2～15 mg/kg, for two weeks, one dose of 100 mg/kg) were administered to four-month male mice, and then the optical microscopic findings of its effect on testis of the mice are as follows: 1. The group that 2 mg/kg of nicotine was administered showed normal findings that nucleus and cytoplasm of Leydig cells are distinct, while the other group that 5 mg/kg of nicotine was given to showed nucleus and cytoplasm are swollen and thickened a little, and slightly dyed. 2. The group that 10 mg/kg of nicotine was given had irregular arrangement of spermatogenesis inside seminiferous tubules so it was impossible to distinguish phages of seminiferous tubules. It was also impossible to observe cells due to fusion of their nucleuses, and distinct cytoplasm. 3. The group that 15 mg/kg of nicotine was administered showed destruction of nucleuses and cytoplasm of spermatocytes and sperms and a fill of fibered connective tissues so that it is impossible to observe rumens of seminiferous tubules.
Nicotine(2~15mg/kg 2주간, 100mg/kg 회 투여)을 생후 4개월령 수컷 생쥐에 투여한 후, 고환에 미치는 광학현미경적 소견은 다음과 같다. 1. Nicotine 2mg/kg 투여군에서는 정세관과 정세관 주위의 Leydig 세포도 핵과 세포질이 뚜렷한 정상적인 소견을 나타내었으나, 5 mg/kg 투여군에서는 Leydig 세포의 핵과 세포질이 다소 비후되었으며, 염색정도가 약하였다. 2. 10 mg/kg 투여군은 대부분 정세관내의 정자발생의 배열이 불규칙적으로 존재하여, 정세관의 단계를 구분할 수 없었고, Leydig 세포도 핵이 융해되어 관찰되지 않았고, 세포질 역시 불명확하게 나타났다. 3. 15 mg/kg 투여군에서는 정모세포 및 정자세포의 핵과 세포질이 파괴되었으며, 정세관의 내강이 관찰되지 않을 정도로 섬유화된 결합조직이 채워져 있었다.
