An Immunohistochemistry Study of Testis Chromogranin Immunoreactive Cells in Heroin Dependent Rats
［Key words］ chromaffin granules; testis; heroin dependence; immunohistochemistry; rats, sprague-dawley
To explore the possible function of Chromogranin A immunoreactive (CgA-IR) cells in rat testis during heroin dependence.Methods: Immunohistochemical SABC method and imagine analysis were used to study the morphological and functional changes of CgA-IR cells in rat testis during heroin dependence. Results: The CgA-IR cells were located in the interstitial tissue between the seminiferous tubules, and the positive substances were in the cytoplasm. As compared with normal control group and saline control group, in heroin dependent group the number of CgA-IR cells(P<0.05), and the immunohistochemical staining intensity decreased evidently. The result of image analysis showed that the average gray degree of the CgA -IR cells increased during heroin dependence (P<0.05)，especially on the 17th day. Conclusions: The number and the secretion function of testis CgA-IR cells decrease during heroin dependence which might be involved in the physiological regulation of heroin dependence.
