Cellular Bioenergetics Effects of Sirolimus on the Gonads of BALB/c Mice

Abstract

Background Sirolimus, an immunosuppressive drug widely used in organ transplantation, inhibits the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), decreases cellular respiration, stops cell cycle progression and causes apoptosis. It has been linked to cytotoxicity in the gonads, but the cause is unknown.

Aims To understand the effects of sirolimus on the gonads by measuring cellular respiration and ATP as indicators of cellular damage, and examining histological changes.