Chronic stress (CS) from physical stressors and glucocorticoid administrations has been shown to induce germ cell apoptosis and low sperm quality. Among CS animal models, the effects of dexamethasone induced CS (DexCS) on testicular apoptosis and epididymal sperm parameters have not been fully demonstrated. This study aimed to investigate the changes of male reproductive system after CS induction by Dex. Adult male mice were divided into control and DexCS groups. Control mice were injected with sodium phosphate while DexCS mice were injected with DEX (4 mg/kg BW) for 21 consecutive days. The stress tests (sucrose preference, tail suspension, and forced swimming) were used to confirm CS behaviors. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology, viability, and acrosome status were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) and special staining. Histopathology of testis, epididymis, and penis was observed. Apoptotic protein expressions (Hsp70, caspases 3 and 9) in the testicular lysate were also determined. The results revealed that DexCS mice had significant increase of the immobility periods with decrease of total sucrose intake. DexCS significantly decreased sperm quality parameters particularly progressive motility. Testicular damages and decreased sperm mass in epididymis were obviously found in DexCS group. The expressions of testicular caspases 3 and 9, but not Hsp 70 were significantly increased in DexCS group compared to the control. It was concluded that DEX is a potential drug to induce chronic stress in mouse model, affecting male reproductive system via testicular histopathology and apoptotic pathway. Such effect may cause sperm physiology impairments like low progressive motile patterns.

长期压力（CS）来自物理应激源和糖皮质激素的给药已被证明会诱导生殖细胞凋亡并导致精子质量下降。在各种长期压力动物模型中，地塞米松诱导的慢性压力（DexCS）对睾丸凋亡和附睾精子参数的影响尚未完全阐明。本研究旨在探讨通过地塞米松（DEX）诱发长期压力后雄性生殖系统的改变情况。成年雄性小鼠被分为对照组和DexCS组。对照组小鼠注射了磷酸钠，而DexCS组小鼠连续21天每天注射一次4 mg/kg体重的DEX。使用糖水偏好、尾悬吊和强迫游泳等应激测试来确认长期压力行为。通过计算机辅助精子分析（CASA）和特殊染色技术评估了精子浓度、运动性、形态、活力及顶体状态。观察了睾丸、附睾和阴茎的组织病理学变化。还确定了睾丸裂解物中凋亡蛋白表达（Hsp70，caspase 3和9）的变化情况。结果显示，DexCS小鼠的不动期显著增加而总糖水摄入量减少。DexCS组精子质量参数（特别是前向运动性）显著下降。在DexCS组明显观察到睾丸损伤以及附睾内精子数量减少。与对照组相比，DexCS组中睾丸caspase 3和9的表达水平显著升高，但Hsp70没有变化。结果表明，DEX可能是诱导小鼠模型长期压力的一种潜在药物，并通过影响睾丸组织病理学和凋亡途径来损害雄性生殖系统功能。这种影响可能导致精子生理学损伤，如低前向运动模式。