Expression of a capsaicin receptor (VR1) in the testes of mice after an application of capsaicin

Abstract

The effects of capsaicin, as a pungent principle element of red hot pepper on the testes of mice. Capsaicin was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight every day for a week to 21, 35, and 50-d-old mice. At the end of the 35(th) 50(th), and 75(th) d of age, the animals were sacrificed using ether anaesthesia. The mean weight of the body and testes of all mice treated with capsaicin was less than that of the untreated ones. Capsaicin receptor (VR1) immunoreactivity decreased significantly in the testes of 50- and 75-d-old mice in the experimental group in comparison with the untreated mice. The decrease in blood testosterone levels was statistically significant in the 50-d-old experimental mice compared with the control group. There were no significant differences between the blood LH levels of both groups. The results obtained indicated that VR1 immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm of the Leydig cells. Capsaicin treatment caused a remarkable reduction in the VR1 immunoreactivity in the testes of the experiment group of mice.