Figure 2.

Reproductive dysfunction is associated with PS-induced β-EP elevation. (A) Elevated serum β-EP concentration in PS rats vs. controls as measured by ELISA. (B) Elevated β-EP in extracellular region in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules (black arrow) in testicular tissue of PS rats as measured by immunohistochemistry. Testicular tissue sections and partially magnify were displayed. Bar = 50 μm. The H-score demonstrated that β-EP was significantly higher in the stress group vs. the control group. (C–E) Reduced body, testicular, and epididymis weights of rats injected with β-EP. (F) Reduced serum GnRH level in β-EP-injected rats. (G) Temporary slide microscopy showing reduced sperm count in cauda epididymis of β-EP-injected rats. Bar = 50 μm. (H,I) Reduced sperm motility and density in β-EP-injected rats. All effects were reversed by naloxone.