Sleep restriction during peripuberty unbalances sexual hormones and testicular cytokines in rats†

Spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis are not fully established during puberty. Especially during this period, children and adolescents may be chronically sleep deprived due to early school hours and constant exposure to artificial light and interactive activities. We have previously shown that sleep restriction (SR) during peripuberty impairs sperm motility and has consequences on epididymal development in rats. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of SR during peripuberty on sexual hormones and its impact on testicular tissue. Rats were subjected to 18 h of SR per day for 21 days or were maintained as controls (C) in the same room. The circulating luteinizing hormone levels were decreased in SR rats without changes in the follicle stimulating hormone levels. Plasma and intratesticular testosterone and corticosterone in the SR group were increased in relation to C group. These alterations impair testicular tissue, with decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα levels in the testis and diminished seminiferous epithelium height and Sertoli cell number. SR also increased testicular lipid peroxidation with no alteration in antioxidant profiles. There were no significant changes in sperm parameters, seminiferous tubule diameter, histopathology, spermatogenesis kinetics, neutrophil and macrophage recruitment, and IL-10 concentration. Our results show that SR unbalances sexual hormones and testicular cytokines at a critical period of sexual maturation. These changes lead to lipid peroxidation in the testes and negatively influence the testicular tissue, as evidenced by diminished seminiferous epithelium height—with apoptosis of germinative cell—and Sertoli cell number.