Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research is to analyze the effect of paclitaxel on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in spermatogenic cells. METHODS: In the study, spermatogonium (GC1) and spermatocyte (GC2) cell lines were used. The IC50 dose of paclitaxel was calculated using an MTT assay. Each cell line was separated into two different groups: control (GC1-C, GC2-C) and paclitaxel-treated (GC1-P, GC2-P). The control cells were incubated under standard culture conditions. The paclitaxel group cells were incubated in culture medium containing the paclitaxel IC50 dose for 24 h. After the experiments, all groups were stained with GRP78, p-PERK, and p-eIF2α antibodies using semi-quantitative immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Paclitaxel showed cytotoxicity. In the experimental model of the paclitaxel-treated cells, all the markers showed elevated levels of immunoreactivity, indicating ER stress. CONCLUSIONS: Paclitaxel administration triggered ER stress in spermatogenic cells. Studies of ER-related stress mechanisms in spermatogenic cells with further advanced molecular analyses will be important for therapeutic strategies.