Degenerative action on mice and rat testes of polyspermine and itscomplexes with RNase A

A significant aspermatogenic activity, ascertained by microscopic studies of seminiferous tubules andinterstitial tissue, and by the observation of the entrance of immunity and fibrocytic cells in mice injectedwith polyspermine (PS) or polyspermine conjugated to monomeric or dimeric RNase A (PS-RNase A orPS-dimeric RNase A, respectively), was found either in mice injected or in non-injected testes.Polyspermine and its complexes with RNase A destroyed all spermatogenic and intertestitial tissue,including Leydic cells, as well as their ability to secrete testosterone. The total loss of spermatogenicactivity in injected testes is irreversible because spermatogonia cells also were destroyed. The injection ofPS into both mice testes determined the total degeneration of testicle tissue in 50% of injected testes. Thesecond half of testes was also partly degenerated, and if they were re-injected, almost all testes were fullydestroyed. PS-dimeric RNase A injected once into both testicles produced a stronger degeneration andalso the interruption of testosterone secretion in comparison with the effects due to injection of mice withPS or PS-RNase A. In all mice treated with these substances, as well as in rats in which PS was injectedtwice into their testes, we detected polymorfonucleates, monocytes, plasma cells, lymphocytes andfibrocytic cells. Antibodies against PS, PS-RNase A or PS-dimeric RNase A did not influence theaspermatogenic activity. Animals in which a repeated intra-peritoneal injection was carried out did notlose body mass and remained in good condition, with the exception of mice injected with spermine.