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Afonso J, Lima AO, de Sousa MAP, de Athayde FRF, Fortes MRS. Transcription factors and miRNA act as contrary regulators of gene expression in the testis and epididymis of Bos indicus animals. Gene 2024; 899:148133. [PMID: 38181930 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is highly conserved among mammalians, but its gene expression and regulatory profile are not entirely known. As transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs are crucial for gene expression regulation, identifying genes negatively regulated by miRNAs and positively regulated by TFs in the testis and epididymis can provide a deeper understanding of gene expression and regulatory patterns. To do this, we used expression data coming from RNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq experiments made with biopsies from testicular parenchyma, head of the epididymis, and tail of the epididymis of four Brahman bulls. We identified miRNA differentially expressed (DE) by comparing the three distinct tissues. A co-expression analysis combined with a regulatory impact factor approach identified miRNAs and TFs with regulatory impact over gene expression regulation in the Bos indicus tissues studied. We identified 116 DE miRNAs, 206 miRNAs and 237 TFs with a significant regulatory impact on mRNA patterns in the tissues' comparisons. bta-miR-196b was the only DE miRNA for all tissue comparisons and it may be a regulator of spermatogenesis through its links with adipogenesis and insulin biosynthesis. DE genes and TFs involved in contrary regulations between the epididymis head and testis parenchyma were associated with spermatogenesis, sexual reproduction, and sperm motility. Our results provide possible mechanisms, governed by the contrary effect of miRNA and TF, leading to the differential expression between the studied tissues. We have demonstrated that our predictions of miRNAs and TFs co-regulations over target DE genes can retrieve known regulatory mechanisms and predict new ones that merit further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Afonso
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil; School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Andressa Oliveira Lima
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Genome Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marco Antonio Perpétuo de Sousa
- Departamento de Produção e Saúde Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Flávia Regina Florêncio de Athayde
- Departamento de Produção e Saúde Animal, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" (UNESP), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Araçatuba, Brazil
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Pawlicki P, Yurdakok-Dikmen B, Tworzydlo W, Kotula-Balak M. Toward understanding the role of the interstitial tissue architects: Possible functions of telocytes in the male gonad. Theriogenology 2024; 217:25-36. [PMID: 38241912 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Telocytes represent a relatively recently discovered population of interstitial cells with a unique morphological structure that distinguishes them from other neighboring cells. Through their long protrusions extending from the cell body, telocytes create microenvironments via tissue compartmentalization and create homo- and hetero-cellular junctions. These establish a three-dimensional network enabling the maintenance of interstitial compartment homeostasis through regulation of extracellular matrix organization and activity, structural support, paracrine and juxtracrine communication, immunomodulation, immune surveillance, cell survival, and apoptosis. The presence of telocytes has also been confirmed in testicular interstitial tissue of many species of animals. The objective of this review is to summarize recent findings on telocytes in the male gonad, on which conclusions have been deduced that indicate the involvement of telocytes in maintaining the cytoarchitecture of the testicular interstitial tissue, in the processes of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, and photoperiod-mediated changes in the testes in seasonally reproductive animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Pawlicki
- Center of Experimental and Innovative Medicine, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Redzina 1c, 30-248, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Begum Yurdakok-Dikmen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara, 06110, Dışkapı, Turkey.
| | - Waclaw Tworzydlo
- Department of Developmental Biology and Invertebrate Morphology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 9, 30-385, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Malgorzata Kotula-Balak
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Preclinical Sciences, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059, Krakow, Poland.
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Wang P, Liu Z, Zhang X, Huo H, Wang L, Dai H, Yang F, Zhao G, Huo J. Integrated analysis of lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA expression profiles reveals regulatory pathways associated with pig testis function. Genomics 2024; 116:110819. [PMID: 38432498 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) are known to play pivotal roles in mammalian testicular function and spermatogenesis. However, their impact on porcine male reproduction has yet to be well unraveled. Here, we sequenced and identified lncRNA and miRNA expressed in the testes of Chinese indigenous Banna mini-pig inbred line (BMI) and introduced Western Duroc (DU) and Large White (LW) pigs. By pairwise comparison (BMI vs DU, BMI vs LW, and DU vs LW), we found the gene expression differences in the testes between Chinese local pigs and introduced Western commercial breeds were more striking than those between introduced commercial breeds. Furthermore, we found 1622 co-differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs), 122 co-differentially expressed lncRNAs (co-DELs), 39 co-differentially expressed miRNAs (co-DEMs) in BMI vs introduced commercial breeds (DU and LW). Functional analysis revealed that these co-DEGs and co-DELs/co-DEMs target genes were enriched in male sexual function pathways, including MAPK, AMPK, TGF-β/Smad, Hippo, NF-kappa B, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Additionally, we established 10,536 lncRNA-mRNA, 11,248 miRNA-mRNA pairs, and 62 ceRNA (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA) networks. The ssc-miR-1343 had the most interactive factors in the ceRNA network, including 20 mRNAs and 3 lncRNAs, consisting of 56 ceRNA pairs. These factors played extremely important roles in the regulation of testis function as key nodes in the interactive regulatory network. Our results provide insight into the functional roles of lncRNAs and miRNAs in porcine testis and offer a valuable resource for understanding the differences between Chinese indigenous and introduced Western pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Zhipeng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- College of Life Science, Lyuliang University, Lvliang 033001, China
| | - Hailong Huo
- Yunnan Open University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Lina Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Hongmei Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Fuhua Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Guiying Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
| | - Jinlong Huo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China.
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Baghel K, Azam Z, Srivastava R. Dietary restriction-induced alterations on estrogen receptor alpha expression in regulating fertility in male Coturnix coturnix japonica: Relevance of Withania somnifera in modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in testis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2024; 91:e13816. [PMID: 38414306 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Reproductive performance of animals gets affected by nutritional restrictions which act as potential stressors leading to hormonal imbalance and testicular inflammation, the major causes of infertility. Withania somnifera (WS), well-known traditional medicinal plant, has been used as antistress and infertility treatment. Therefore, the present study looks into the ameliorative effects of WS on the reproductive and immune system of male Coturnix coturnix japonica in stressed conditions like water and food restriction focussing on the modulation in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). METHOD OF STUDY Biochemical estimations for oxidative stress, histological alterations, immuno-fluorescent localization of ERα, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in testicular cells were performed. RESULTS Nutritional restriction declines endogenous estradiol, ERα in testicular cells while it elevates corticosterone leading to oxidative stress in testis thereby reducing fertility by decrease in sperm. Results indicate significant reversal in all the parameters after the administration of WS by improving testicular cell morphology, increased superoxide and catalase activity thus reducing oxidative stress. WS increases spermatogenesis and enhances expression of ERα in testicular cells in quail. Further, WS increases IL-4, decreases IL-1β and IFN-γ expression in testis, thereby improving immune profile contrary to stressed conditions. CONCLUSION WS stimulates HPG-axis even after stress resulting in increased endogenous estradiol which stimulates the expression of ERα in testis; increases sperm count and immunity thereby improving the reproductive performance. WS may be the best therapy against nutritional-restriction stress induced reproductive toxicity by reducing oxidative stress mediated inflammatory response via increased testicular expression of ERα in quail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana Baghel
- Department of Zoology, Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Zaffar Azam
- Department of Zoology, Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Rashmi Srivastava
- Department of Zoology, University of Allahabad, (A Central University), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Liu J, Tu F, Liu M, Wang J, Zhang Z. Antifertility effects of EP-1 (quinestrol and levonorgestrel) on Pacific rats (Rattus exulans). Integr Zool 2024; 19:127-142. [PMID: 37884475 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Pest rodents pose a serious threat to island biodiversity. Fertility control could be an alternative approach to control the impact of rodents on these islands. In this study, we examined the antifertility effects of EP-1 baits containing quinestrol (E) and levonorgestrel (P) using a dose of 50 ppm E and P at three different ratios (E:P ratio = 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) on Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) in the Xisha Islands, Hainan, China. Compared to the control group, all animals in EP-1 treatment groups showed significantly decreased food intake and body weight. In treated males, there were obvious abnormalities in testis structure and a significant decrease of relative seminal vesicle weight, but no significant effect on relative uterine and ovarian weights (g kg-1 body weight), or ovarian structure in females. Adding 8% sucrose to the original 50-ppm baits (E:P ratio = 1:1) significantly increased bait palatability for males and females. This dose induced uterine edema and abnormalities of ovarian structure in females but had no significant negative effect on the relative testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicle weights (g kg-1 body weight) or sperm density in males. In summary, 50-ppm EP-1 (1:1) baits have the potential to disrupt the fertility of females, and 8% sucrose addition to the EP-1 baits (E:P ratio = 1:1) could improve bait palatability. This dose disrupted the testis structure in males. Future studies are needed to improve bait acceptance and assess the antifertility effects of EP-1 (1:1) on Pacific rats in captive breeding trials and under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Feiyun Tu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Secretariat Office, International Society of Zoological Science and Society and Journal Office, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jichao Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, Hainan, China
| | - Zhibin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Zufferey F, Buitrago E, Rahban R, Senn A, Stettler E, Rudaz S, Nef S, Donzé N, Thomas A, Rossier MF. Gonadotropin axis and semen quality in young Swiss men after cannabis consumption: Effect of chronicity and modulation by cannabidiol. Andrology 2024; 12:56-67. [PMID: 37042163 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While cannabis is the most widely used recreational drug in the world, the effects of phytocannabinoids on semen parameters and reproductive hormones remain controversial. Cannabinoid receptors are activated by these compounds at each level of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadotropic axis. OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of the consumption of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on semen parameters, as well as on male reproductive hormone and endocannabinoid levels, in a cohort of young Swiss men. MATERIALS AND METHODS The individuals in a Swiss cohort were divided according to their cannabis consumption. In the cannabis user group, we determined the delay between the last intake of cannabis and sample collection, the chronicity of use and the presence of cannabidiol in the consumed product. Urinary Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol metabolites were quantified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Blood phytocannabinoids, endocannabinoids and male steroids were determined via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry, and other hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadotropic axis hormones were determined via immunoassays. Semen parameters such as sperm concentration and motility were recorded using computer-assisted sperm analysis. RESULTS Anandamide, N-palmitoyl ethanolamide, androgens, estradiol and sex hormone binding globulin levels were all higher in cannabis users, particularly in chronic, recent and cannabidiol-positive consumers. Gonadotropin levels were not significantly different in these user subpopulations, whereas prolactin and albumin concentrations were lower. In addition, cannabis users had a more basic semen pH and a higher percentage of spermatozoa with progressive motility. However, the two latter observations seem to be related to a shorter period of sexual abstinence in this group rather than to the use of cannabis. CONCLUSIONS Because both cannabidiol and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol are frequently used by men of reproductive age, it is highly relevant to elucidate the potential effects they may have on human reproductive health. This study demonstrates that the mode of cannabis consumption must be considered when evaluating the effect of cannabis on semen quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Zufferey
- Service of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, Central Institute of Hospitals, Hospital of Valais, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Elina Buitrago
- Service of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, Central Institute of Hospitals, Hospital of Valais, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Rita Rahban
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alfred Senn
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Stettler
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Rudaz
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universities of Geneva and Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Donzé
- Service of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, Central Institute of Hospitals, Hospital of Valais, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Thomas
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Unit, CURML, Lausanne University Hospital, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty Unit of Toxicology, CURML, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel F Rossier
- Service of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology, Central Institute of Hospitals, Hospital of Valais, Sion, Switzerland
- Department of Internal Medicine, Geneva University Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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Heydari SR, Dastaran S, Farzinpour A, Vaziry A, Rostamzadeh J, Sobhani K. Genital stones: Radiological, histopathological, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis in rooster. Theriogenology 2023; 212:73-82. [PMID: 37708817 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Epididymal lithiasis, characterized by the formation of stones in the epididymis, has been associated with a decline in fertility in roosters. This study aimed to investigate the reproductive performance, ultrastructural characteristics, and expression of aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19) and aquaporin 9 (AQP9) in aged broiler breeder roosters affected by epididymal lithiasis. X-ray analysis confirmed the presence of genital stones in both the epididymis and testicular tissue regions. While there was a significant decrease in sperm concentration in the affected roosters compared to non-affected roosters, no significant differences were observed in total and progressive sperm motility between the two groups. Furthermore, the affected roosters exhibited significant abnormalities in semen parameters, except for sperm concentration and morphology. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the depletion and deciliation of ciliated cells in the distal efferent ductules of the epididymis in affected roosters. Additionally, the expression of CYP19 and AQP9 was found to be increased in the epididymal region of affected roosters. Notably, we report the presence of testicular stones for the first time in this study, in addition to epididymal stones. Considering the male reproductive tract lesions observed, we propose the term "genital stones" to describe these conditions. Moreover, our findings suggest that the overexpression of AQP9, which is associated with a high copy number of the CYP19 gene in the epididymal region of affected aged roosters, may contribute to the formation of genital stones by promoting increased reabsorption of fluids in the epididymis. The condensation of epididymal duct contents and reduction in the population of ciliated cells further impairs semen movement and can lead to the blockage of extra-testicular ducts, resulting in the low fertility syndrome observed in aged roosters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyede Rozhan Heydari
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Sajad Dastaran
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Amjad Farzinpour
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran.
| | - Asaad Vaziry
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Jalal Rostamzadeh
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Keyvan Sobhani
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 416, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
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Fernini M, Menad R, Belhocine M, Lakabi L, Smaï S, Gernigon-Spychalowicz T, Khammar F, Bonnet X, Exbrayat JM, Moudilou E. Seasonal variations of testis anatomy and of G-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 expression in Gerbillus gerbillus. Anat Histol Embryol 2023; 52:1016-1028. [PMID: 37661709 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
The gerbil, Gerbillus gerbillus, a nocturnal desert rodent of northern Africa, exhibits a seasonal reproductive cycle with marked anatomical and behavioural shifts between breeding season and resting season. The aim of this study is to investigate key elements involved in these seasonal changes, specifically in males: the histology of the testis as well as the expression of the G-protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) in the testis. During the breeding season, the seminiferous tubules were full of spermatozoa, and their epithelium contained germinal cells embedded in Sertoli cells. Amidst tubules, well-developed Leydig cells were observed around blood vessels, with peritubular myoid cells providing structural and dynamic support to the tubules. GPER1 was largely expressed throughout the testis. Notably, Leydig cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes showed strong immunohistochemical signals. Sertoli cells, spermatozoa and peritubular myoid cells were moderately stained. During the resting season, spermatogenesis was blocked at the spermatocyte stage, spermatids and spermatozoa were absent and the interstitial space was reduced. The weight of the testis decreased significantly. At this stage, GPER1 was found in Leydig cells, spermatocytes and peritubular myoid cells. Sertoli cells and spermatogonia were not marked. Overall, the testis of the gerbil, Gerbillus gerbillus, has undergone noticeable histological, cellular and weight changes between seasons. In addition, the seasonal expression pattern of GPER1, with pronounced differences between resting season and breeding season, indicates that this receptor is involved in the regulation of the reproductive cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meriem Fernini
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Laboratory of Sciences and Techniques of Animal Production (LSTPA), Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Mostaganem, Algeria
| | - Rafik Menad
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Small Vertebrates Reproduction, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, Algiers, Algeria
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Laboratory of Valorization and Bioengineering of Natural Resources, University of Algiers, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Mansouria Belhocine
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Laboratory of Sciences and Techniques of Animal Production (LSTPA), Abdelhamid Ibn Badis University, Mostaganem, Algeria
| | - Lynda Lakabi
- Natural Resources Laboratory, University Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Souaâd Smaï
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Small Vertebrates Reproduction, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Thérèse Gernigon-Spychalowicz
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Small Vertebrates Reproduction, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Farida Khammar
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Laboratory of Research on Arid Areas, Mammal Ecophysiology, Houari Boumediene University of Sciences and Technology, El Alia, Algiers, Algeria
| | | | - Jean-Marie Exbrayat
- UMRS 449, Laboratory of General Biology, Catholic University of Lyon, Reproduction and Comparative Development/EPHE, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Elara Moudilou
- UMRS 449, Laboratory of General Biology, Catholic University of Lyon, Reproduction and Comparative Development/EPHE, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
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Nguyen HT, Martin LJ. Classical cadherins in the testis: how are they regulated? Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 35:641-660. [PMID: 37717581 DOI: 10.1071/rd23084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadherins (CDH) are crucial intercellular adhesion molecules, contributing to morphogenesis and creating tissue barriers by regulating cells' movement, clustering and differentiation. In the testis, classical cadherins such as CDH1, CDH2 and CDH3 are critical to gonadogenesis by promoting the migration and the subsequent clustering of primordial germ cells with somatic cells. While CDH2 is present in both Sertoli and germ cells in rodents, CDH1 is primarily detected in undifferentiated spermatogonia. As for CDH3, its expression is mainly found in germ and pre-Sertoli cells in developing gonads until the establishment of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). This barrier is made of Sertoli cells forming intercellular junctional complexes. The restructuring of the BTB allows the movement of early spermatocytes toward the apical compartment as they differentiate during a process called spermatogenesis. CDH2 is among many junctional proteins participating in this process and is regulated by several pathways. While cytokines promote the disassembly of the BTB by enhancing junctional protein endocytosis for degradation, testosterone facilitates the assembly of the BTB by increasing the recycling of endocytosed junctional proteins. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are also mediators of the BTB kinetics in many chemically induced damages in the testis. In addition to regulating Sertoli cell functions, follicle stimulating hormone can also regulate the expression of CDH2. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on regulatory mechanisms of cadherin localisation and expression in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Tuyen Nguyen
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
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Peña-Corona SI, Vargas-Estrada D, Juárez-Rodríguez I, Retana-Márquez S, Mendoza-Rodríguez CA. Bisphenols as promoters of the dysregulation of cellular junction proteins of the blood-testis barrier in experimental animals: A systematic review of the literature. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23416. [PMID: 37352109 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Daily, people are exposed to chemicals and environmental compounds such as bisphenols (BPs). These substances are present in more than 80% of human fluids. Human exposure to BPs is associated with male reproductive health disorders. Some of the main targets of BPs are intercellular junction proteins of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in Sertoli cells because BPs alter the expression or induce aberrant localization of these proteins. In this systematic review, we explore the effects of BP exposure on the expression of BTB junction proteins and the characteristics of in vivo studies to identify potential gaps and priorities for future research. To this end, we conducted a systematic review of articles. Thirteen studies met our inclusion criteria. In most studies, animals treated with bisphenol-A (BPA) showed decreased occludin expression at all tested doses. However, bisphenol-AF treatment did not alter occludin expression. Cx43, ZO-1, β-catenin, nectin-3, cortactin, paladin, and claudin-11 expression also decreased in some tested doses of BP, while N-cadherin and FAK expression increased. BP treatment did not alter the expression of α and γ catenin, E-cadherin, JAM-A, and Arp 3. However, the expression of all these proteins was altered when BPA was administered to neonatal rodents in microgram doses. The results show significant heterogeneity between studies. Thus, it is necessary to perform more research to characterize the changes in BTB protein expression induced by BPs in animals to highlight future research directions that can inform the evaluation of risk of toxicity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila I Peña-Corona
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Dinorah Vargas-Estrada
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ivan Juárez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Socorro Retana-Márquez
- Departamento Biología de la Reproducción, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico
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Rempuia V, Gurusubramanian G, Roy VK. Evidence of the inhibitory role of visfatin in the testicular activity of mice during the infantile stage. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 231:106306. [PMID: 37024018 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Adipokines have emerged as regulators of gonadal function in many mammalian and non-mammalian species. In the present study, we have investigated the developmental expression of testicular and ovarian visfatin along with its possible role in the testicular activity infantile stages. Previously, our group has the extensive role of ovarian visfatin in relation to steroidogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis in female mice. To the best of our knowledge, no study has shown the role of visfatin in mice testis. Our results from the previous study and present study showed that visfatin in the testis and ovaries are developmentally regulated. To unravel the role of visfatin, we have used FK866, as visfatin inhibitor. FK866 was used as a visfatin inhibitor, to decipher the role of visfatin in the testis of mice. Our results showed that visfatin expression in the testis was developmentally regulated in the testis. Leydig cells as well as germ have shown the presence of visfatin in mice testis, which suggest its role in testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. Furthermore, visfatin inhibition by FK866 significantly increased the testosterone secretion, and expression of AR, Bcl2, and ERα. The expression of GCNA was upregulated by FK866 treatment. These results suggest that visfatin has an inhibitory role in testicular steroidogenesis and germ cell proliferation in the infantile stage. Further research is required to define the precise role of visfatin in infantile mice testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanlal Rempuia
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, Mizoram, India
| | | | - Vikas Kumar Roy
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, Mizoram, India.
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12
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Expression of estrogen receptors, PELP1, and SRC in human spermatozoa and their associations with semen quality. Hum Cell 2023; 36:554-567. [PMID: 36577884 PMCID: PMC9947025 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00847-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Sperm cells are target cells for both estrogens and xenoestrogens. Due to the specific structure of spermatozoa, these hormonal compounds may act on sperm in a non-genomic mechanism only. However, the ESR-mediated signaling pathways are still poorly understood. In this study, we obtained 119 samples from male participants of Caucasian descent who donated semen for standard analysis. We analyzed gene expression of estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) and their coregulators-proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein 1 (PELP1), and cellular kinase c-Src (SRC). RNA level was established using reverse-transcribed RNA as a template, followed by a polymerase chain reaction. Proteins' presence was confirmed by western blot and immunocytochemistry techniques. "Normal" values of semen parameters were defined as follows: > 32% sperm with progressive motility, > 4% sperm cells with normal morphology, > 15 × 106 sperm per mL, > 58% live spermatozoa and leukocyte amount < 106 cells per mL, according to WHO 2010 reference. Semen parameters that deviated from these "normal" values were labeled as "abnormal". Gene expression ratios revealed significant, moderate, and negative correlations for ESR1/ESR2 and weak, negative ESR2/PELP1 correlations in the subgroup of patients with abnormal values of semen parameters. In addition, SRC/PELP1 was moderately and positively correlated in the subgroup with parameters within the reference values established by WHO 2010. Our study showed that both PELP1 scaffolding protein and SRC kinase might influence semen quality via ESRs. It seems that not the expression of a single gene may affect the sperm quality, but more gene-to-gene mutual ratio. Characterization of estrogen-signaling pathway-related genes' modulated expression in sperm cells could aid in better understanding sperm biology and quality.
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13
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Oka S, Matsukuma H, Horiguchi N, Kobayashi T, Shiraishi K. Heat stress upregulates aromatases expression through nuclear DAX-1 deficiency in R2C Leydig tumor cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 558:111766. [PMID: 36075317 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
An appropriate balance between testicular testosterone and estradiol is required for spermatogenesis. Excess estradiol is often identified in the semen and serum of infertile men; however, the mechanisms behind this observation remain unclear. This study indicates the relationship between heat stress and aromatase synthesis in Leydig cells. We used R2C rat Leydig tumor cells, which can synthesize both testosterone and estradiol. Aromatase transcription was regulated by the PⅡ promoter with or without heat stress. Heat stress at 40 °C increased aromatase expression and decreased testosterone to estradiol ratio and nuclear DAX-1 (dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia critical region, on chromosome X, gene 1), which is a suppressor of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1). Leptomycin B and KPT-185, a nuclear export inhibitor, prevented nuclear DAX-1 deficiency induced by heat stress and inhibited aromatase transcription. These results indicate that heat stress interferes with DAX-1-SF-1 interaction and induces SF-1-dependent aromatase transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Oka
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan.
| | - Haruka Matsukuma
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Naoya Horiguchi
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kobayashi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuoku, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Koji Shiraishi
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
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14
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Zhang B, Yan Z, Gao Y, Li J, Wang Z, Wang P, Yang Q, Huang X, Gun S. Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in testes of Landrace and Hezuo boars. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:942669. [PMID: 36330159 PMCID: PMC9622794 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.942669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Precocious puberty is closely related to testicular development and spermatogenesis, and there is increasing evidence that miRNAs are involved in regulation of testicular development and spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the regulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) during precocious maturation in Hezuo (HZ) boars. In this study, serum Testosterone (T), Estradiol (E2), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were detected in HZ and Landrace (LC) boars in the postnatal period at 30, 90, 120, 180, and 240 days, and the testes of HZ and LC boars at 30 and 120 days were used for histological observation. In addition, we performed small RNA-Seq to identify miRNA at sexual immaturity (30-days-old) and maturity (120-days-old) of HZ boar testis (using LC boar as control) to reveal the key miRNA in regulation of precocious puberty. Hormone assay results showed that high levels of T, E2, FSH, and LH may be related to precocious sexual maturity of HZ boars, and that FSH may play an important function before sexual maturity. Histological observation showed that HZ boars developed earlier than LC boars and had reached sexual maturity at 120 days. Small RNA-Seq yielded a total of 359 exist miRNAs, 767 known miRNAs and 322 novel miRNAs in 12 samples; 549, 468, 133, and 247 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified between Ha vs. Hb, La vs. Lb, Ha vs. La, and Hb vs. Lb (log2 fold change >1 and p < 0.05). Enrichment analysis showed that target genes of these DE miRNAs were enriched in many gene ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways (such as PI3K-Akt, Hippo and Rap1 signaling pathways) were related to testicular development and spermatogenesis. Further screening, some miRNAs (such as ssc-miR-29b, ssc-miR-199b, ssc-miR-383, ssc-miR-149, ssc-miR-615, and ssc-miR-370) were possibly associated with precocious puberty. These results provide new light on miRNA regulatory mechanisms involved in precocious puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zunqiang Yan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yi Gao
- Jilin Rongtai Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., Changchun, China
| | - Jiyou Li
- Gansu General Station of Animal Husbandry Technology Extension, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zike Wang
- Gansu General Station of Animal Husbandry Technology Extension, Lanzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiaoli Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shuangbao Gun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Research Center for Swine Production Engineering and Technology, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shuangbao Gun
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Qin X, Lai KP, Wu RSS, Kong RYC. Continuous 17α-ethinylestradiol exposure impairs the sperm quality of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 183:114093. [PMID: 36084614 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is an anthropogenic estrogen that is widely used for hormone therapy and oral contraceptives. It was reported that EE2 exposure induced reproductive impairments through processes affecting reproduction behavior and inducing ovotestis. However, the effects of continuous EE2 exposure on the reproductive performance remain largely unknown. In this study, adult marine medaka fish (Oryzias melastigma) were exposed to EE2 (85 ng/L) for one (F0) and two (F1) generations. Our results indicate that continuous EE2 exposure reduced fecundity and sperm motility. The testicular transcriptome, followed by bioinformatic analysis revealed the dysregulation of pathways related to steroidogenesis, sperm motility, and reproductive system development. Collectively, our findings indicate that continuous EE2 exposure directly affected sperm quality via the alteration of steroidogenesis and dysregulation of reproductive system development. The identified key factors including DNM1, PINK1, PDE7B, and SLC12A7 can serve as biomarkers to assess EE2-reduced sperm motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Qin
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Keng Po Lai
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Integrative Omics, Guilin Medical University, Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Rudolf Shiu Sun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Richard Yuen Chong Kong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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16
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Katleba K, Legacki E, Berger T. Expression of CSF1, AR, and SRD5A2 during Postnatal Development of the Boar Reproductive Tract. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172167. [PMID: 36077888 PMCID: PMC9454667 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Understanding the initial development of the male reproductive system, including the prostate, should provide insight into malfunctions in the adult male. Although changes in circulating androgens during development are characterized in multiple species, potential changes in the androgen receptor, in the enzyme that converts testosterone to the presumably more potent dihydrotestosterone, and in colony stimulating factor 1, a critical mediator of macrophage influence on organ development, were previously unknown and anticipated to be influenced by androgens and estrogens. Gene expression in the testis, prostate, and seminal vesicles of these three mediators of development, including responses to reduced testosterone or estrogens, were evaluated. Each of these three genes had a unique temporal pattern of expression during postnatal reproductive tract development. However, surprisingly minimal effects of altered steroid signaling were reported on the expression of these presumed pivotal genes. Abstract The male reproductive system develops from a minimally functioning gonad and nonfunctioning accessory sex glands in the neonate; sex steroids, presumed to be primary influencers of these changes, have been characterized in multiple species. This study focused on the expression of the androgen receptor as the principal mediator of androgen-induced signaling; the 5α reductase enzyme that converts testosterone to the more active dihydrotestosterone; and colony stimulating factor 1, a mediator of macrophage influence on organ development in the pig. The time points chosen to evaluate normal developmental changes during the juvenile and prepubertal intervals included the inflection time points of 6.5 weeks of age at the nadir of circulating estradiol and testosterone concentrations in juveniles, and 11 weeks of age, when these concentrations begin to increase. The role of sex steroid signaling in the regulation of gene expression was evaluated by the blockade of androgen and estrogen receptors and reduction in endogenous estrogens. Expression of colony stimulating factor 1 in the testes gradually decreased during development; developmental profiles in the prostate and seminal vesicles were clearly different. Interference with sex steroid signaling had no effect on the expression of these three genes in testicular tissue and minimal and transient effects in prostate and seminal vesicles.
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17
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Macheroni C, Gameiro Lucas TF, Souza DS, Vicente CM, Pereira GJDS, Junior IDSV, Juliano MA, Porto CS. Activation of estrogen receptor ESR1 and ESR2 induces proliferation of the human testicular embryonal carcinoma NT2/D1 cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 554:111708. [PMID: 35792284 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to investigate the expression of the classic estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2, the splicing variant ESR1-36 and GPER in human testicular embryonal carcinoma NT2/D1 cells, and the effects of the activation of the ESR1 and ESR2 on cell proliferation. Immunostaining of ESR1, ESR2, and GPER were predominantly found in the nuclei, and less abundant in the cytoplasm. ESR1-36 isoform was predominantly expressed in the perinuclear region and cytoplasm, and some weakly immunostained in the nuclei. In nonstimulated NT2/D1 cells (control), proteins of the cell cycle CCND1, CCND2, CCNE1 and CDKN1B are present. Activation of ESR1 and ESR2 increases, respectively, CCND2 and CCNE1 expression, but not CCND1. Activation of ESR2 also mediates upregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor CDKN1B. This protein co-immunoprecipitated with CCND2. Also, E2 induces an increase in the number and viability of the NT2/D1 cells. These effects are blocked by simultaneous pretreatment with ESR1-and ESR2-selective antagonists, confirming that both estrogen receptors regulate NT2/D1 cell proliferation. In addition, E2 increases SRC phosphorylation, and SRC mediates cell proliferation. Our study provides novel insights into the signatures and molecular mechanisms of estrogen receptor in NT2/D1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Macheroni
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Thaís Fabiana Gameiro Lucas
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Deborah Simão Souza
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Carolina Meloni Vicente
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Gustavo José da Silva Pereira
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Itabajara da Silva Vaz Junior
- Centro de Biotecnologia e Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Goncalves 9500, Porto Alegre, RS, 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Maria Aparecida Juliano
- Department of Biophysics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de Maio, 100, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Catarina Segreti Porto
- Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo 669, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP, 04039-032, Brazil.
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18
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Brouard V, Drouault M, Elie N, Guénon I, Hanoux V, Bouraïma-Lelong H, Delalande C. Effects of bisphenol A and estradiol in adult rat testis after prepubertal and pubertal exposure. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 111:211-224. [PMID: 35700937 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, male fertility has been decreasing worldwide. Many studies attribute this outcome to endocrine disruptors exposure such as bisphenol A (BPA), which is a chemical compound used in plastics synthesis and exhibiting estrogenic activity. In order to assess how the window of exposure modulates the effects of BPA on the testis, prepubertal (15 dpp to 30 dpp) and pubertal (60 dpp to 75 dpp) male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to BPA (50 µg/kg bw/day), 17-β-estradiol (E2) (20 µg/kg bw/day) as a positive control, or to a combination of these compounds. For both periods of exposure, the rats were sacrificed and their testes were collected at 75 dpp. The histological analysis and the quantification of the gene expression of testis cell markers by RT-qPCR confirmed the complete spermatogenesis in all groups for both periods of exposure. However, our results suggest a deleterious effect of BPA on the blood-testis barrier in adults after pubertal exposure as BPA and BPA+E2 treatments induced a decrease in caveolin-1 and connexin-43 gene expression; which are proteins of the junctional complexes. As none of these effects were found after a prepubertal exposure, these results suggested the reversibility of BPA's effects. Caution must be taken when transposing this finding to humans and further studies are needed in this regard. However, from a regulatory perspective, this study emphasizes the importance of taking into account different periods of exposure, as they present different sensitivities to BPA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicolas Elie
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, SF 4206 ICORE, CMABIO3, 14000 Caen, France
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19
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Lu V, Svensjö O, Axelsson J. The association between serum estradiol levels and sperm DNA integrity. ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS 2022; 63:268-274. [PMID: 36054299 PMCID: PMC9804797 DOI: 10.1002/em.22500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In men from the general population, BMI has been associated with a lower sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). We wondered whether this could be due to estradiol, which is associated with BMI and reported important for sperm function. Our objective was to investigate the association between estradiol and DFI. In 2008-2010, we recruited 284 young men from the general population to deliver samples of semen and blood and answer questionnaires. Serum concentrations of reproductive hormones and DFI were analyzed, the latter using the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay. Associations were studied using general linear models. The first model utilized metric values of estradiol, whereas the second model compared men with high and low levels, dichotomized by the median value. A possible interaction between estradiol and testosterone was also examined. When investigating metric estradiol levels and DFI, an inverse association was seen without adjustments (p = .02), but the statistical significance was lost at adjustments for potential confounders (p = .08). Men with lower estradiol levels (<88 pmol/L, mean 71 pmol/L) had a statistically significantly higher DFI than men with higher levels of estradiol (≥88 pmol/L, mean 110 pmol/L). Mean ratio difference was 1.21 (p = .002) without adjustments and 1.18 (p = .01) with adjustments. A statistically significant difference in DFI was observed in men with testosterone levels below median when comparing high and low estradiol (p < .001). This study supports the idea that serum estradiol levels are protective for sperm DNA integrity, at least at lower testosterone levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Lu
- Reproductive Medicine CentreSkåne University HospitalMalmöSweden
| | - Oscar Svensjö
- Reproductive Medicine CentreSkåne University HospitalMalmöSweden
| | - Jonatan Axelsson
- Reproductive Medicine CentreSkåne University HospitalMalmöSweden
- Reproductive Medicine, Department of Translational MedicineLund UniversityMalmöSweden
- EPI@LUND, Department of Laboratory MedicineLund UniversityLundSweden
- Department of BiologyUniversity of OttawaOttawaCanada
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20
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Ma X, Niu X, Huang S, Li S, Ran X, Wang J, Dai X. The piRNAs present in the developing testes of Chinese indigenous Xiang pigs. Theriogenology 2022; 189:92-106. [PMID: 35738035 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The piRNA pathway plays an essential role in defense against transposable elements in the germline tissues of animals and contributes to post-transcriptional regulation of genes. Xiang pigs present an earlier sexual maturation compared with most European pig breeds, but the role that the piRNA pathway plays in the development of Xiang pigs is currently not understood. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed piRNAs expressed in the testes of Xiang pigs at four different ages, and identified endogenous piRNAs which were highly abundant at each time point. The lengths of the identified piRNAs ranged from 24 to 34 nucleotides (nt), with the most abundant length being 29 nt. Additionally, there was a strong bias for uracil at the first position, a slight bias for adenine at position 10 and frequent 5'-10 nt complementary sequences, suggesting that ping-pong-mediated silencing is present in the Xiang pig germline. We observed that the piRNA composition changed from TE-associated piRNAs in two- and three-month-old testes to predominantly gene-derived and intergenic piRNAs in six- and twelve-month-old testes, with a gradual increase in the expression level of piRNAs over the course of testis development. And more than half of piRNA reads mapped to just a few of 473 predicted piRNA clusters. Additionally, we found that several genes were highly enriched by piRNA reads, including CYP19A1, PRMT8, SUZ12, WWOX, SGSM1 and MIF. The functions of these genes are primarily associated with steroidogenesis and histone modification. Changes in piRNA composition and widespread expression patterns during spermatid development indicate that these small ncRNAs may be responsible not only for transposon suppression but also for post-transcriptional regulation of several protein-coding genes essential for normal spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Ma
- College of Animal Science/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Xi Niu
- College of Animal Science/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Shihui Huang
- College of Animal Science/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Sheng Li
- College of Animal Science/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Xueqin Ran
- College of Animal Science/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Jiafu Wang
- College of Animal Science/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Xinlan Dai
- College of Animal Science/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering/College of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Plant Resource Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region and Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
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21
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Nicy V, Das M, Gurusubramanian G, Mondal P, Roy VK. Treatment of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) for two spermatogenic cycles impairs testicular activity via down-regulating steroid receptors and inhibition of germ cell proliferation in a mice model. Nanotoxicology 2022; 16:658-678. [PMID: 36256793 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2022.2133647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Although copper is an indispensable trace metal for biological functions, its excess exposure causes hazardous effects on health. Copper in the form of nanoparticles (CuNPs) is widely used at present and therefore, the living organism is at continuous risk of its adverse effect. The prolonged treatment of CuNPs has not been evaluated yet on the male reproductive system. To demonstrate the combined adverse effects and the mechanism of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), three doses of CuNPs, 10, 100 and 200 mg/kg were orally given to mice for 70 days. The present study demonstrated that CuNPs decreased the sperm quality parameters, male circulating hormones, induces testicular damages, increased oxidative stress, apoptosis, decreases antioxidant enzymes, germ cell proliferation, and increases the expression of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase-1 (OGG1), apelin receptor (APJ) as well. CuNPs also down-regulated the expression of AR and Erα in the testis. These results suggest that CuNPs manifested their adverse effect on testis via modulating steroid and cytokine (apelin) receptors. The adverse effect of testis was most pronounced at the highest dose (200 mg/kg) of CuNPs, however, other doses show a less toxic effect on various parameters. In conclusion, results indicated that CuNPs may impair spermatogenesis via oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage and germ cell apoptosis at high doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanrohlu Nicy
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - Milirani Das
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | | | - Pradip Mondal
- Department of Zoology, Netaji Mahavidyalaya, Hooghly, West Bengal, India
| | - Vikas Kumar Roy
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
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Antonine B, Guillaume M, Philippe D, Marie-Hélène P. A comparative study of the effects of 3 testicular toxicants in cultures of seminiferous tubules of rats or of domestic cats (veterinary waste): An alternative method for reprotoxicology. Toxicol In Vitro 2022; 83:105397. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2022.105397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mebendazole-Induced Blood-Testis Barrier Injury in Mice Testes by Disrupting Microtubules in Addition to Triggering Programmed Cell Death. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084220. [PMID: 35457043 PMCID: PMC9029725 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mebendazole (MBZ) is a synthetic benzimidazole known for its antiparasitic properties. In recent years, growing evidence showed that MBZ was also used as an anti-tumor agent. However, whether (and to what extent) this drug treatment affected the male reproductive system was not well-understood. In this study, male C57BL/6 mice were injected with 40 mg/kg/day of MBZ. The treatment was for 3 and 7 days. Our results showed that the injected mice exhibited an abnormal spermatogenic phase with a significant decrease in sperm. We further detected microtubule disruption and transient functional destruction of the blood–testes barrier (BTB) in the MBZ-injected mice testes (BTB). Our data confirmed that MBZ suppressed the expression of the BTB junction-associated proteins and disrupted the Sertoli cells’ function in vivo. Moreover, MBZ-treated mice demonstrated an aberrant caspase-3 signalling pathway, which resulted in the apoptosis of the germ cells. Here, we present our data, indicating that MBZ impairs BTB by reducing the expression of the microtubules’ and BTB junction-associated proteins. The last leads to activating the caspase-3 pathway, which triggers extensive germ cell apoptosis.
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Kim SW, Jeong YD, Lee GY, Lee J, Lee JY, Kim CL, Ko YG, Lee SS, Kim B. Differential expression and localization of tight junction proteins
in the goat epididymis. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022; 64:500-514. [PMID: 35709128 PMCID: PMC9184707 DOI: 10.5187/jast.2022.e13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) forms a unique microenvironment that is
crucial for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in
the epididymis. To characterize the function of tight junctions (TJs), which are
constitutive components of the BEB, we determined the expression and
localization of TJ proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, 2, and 3, occludin,
and claudin3 (Cldn3) during postnatal development in the goat epididymis. To
assess the expression patterns of TJ proteins in immature (3 months of age) and
mature (14 months of age) goat epididymides, two different experimental methods
were used including immunofluorescence labeling and western blotting. We show
that, ZO-1, 2, and 3, and occludin, were strictly expressed and localized to the
TJs of the goat epididymis, whereas Cldn3 was present in basolateral membranes
as well as TJs. All TJ proteins examined were more highly expressed in the
immature epididymis compared to levels in mature tissue. In conclusion, our
study indicates that at least five TJ proteins, namely ZO-1, ZO-2, ZO-3,
occludin, and Cldn3, are present in TJs, and the expression strength and pattern
of TJ proteins tend to be age dependent in the goat epididymis. Together, these
data suggest that the distinct expression patterns of TJ proteins are essential
for regulating components of the luminal contents in the epididymal epithelium
and for forming adequate luminal conditions that are necessary for the
maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the goat
epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Woo Kim
- Animal Genetic Resource Research Center,
National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Hamyang 50000, Korea
| | - Yu-Da Jeong
- Department of Animal Resources Science,
Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea
| | - Ga-Yeong Lee
- Department of Animal Resources Science,
Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea
| | - Jinwook Lee
- Animal Genetic Resource Research Center,
National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Hamyang 50000, Korea
| | - Jae-Yeung Lee
- Animal Genetic Resource Research Center,
National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Hamyang 50000, Korea
| | - Chan-Lan Kim
- Animal Genetic Resource Research Center,
National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Hamyang 50000, Korea
| | - Yeoung-Gyu Ko
- Animal Genetic Resource Research Center,
National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Hamyang 50000, Korea
| | - Sung-Soo Lee
- Animal Genetic Resource Research Center,
National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development
Administration, Hamyang 50000, Korea
| | - Bongki Kim
- Department of Animal Resources Science,
Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea
- Corresponding author: Bongki Kim, Department of
Animal Resources Science, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea. Tel:
+82-41-330-1246, E-mail:
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Kang Y, Tan Y, Wang C, Yao B, An K, Liu M, Su J. Antifertility effects of levonorgestrel, quinestrol and their mixture (EP-1) on plateau zokor in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Integr Zool 2022; 17:1002-1016. [PMID: 35271766 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The plateau zokor (Eospalax baileyi Thomas, 1911) is a key species in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau ecosystem, and fertility control could be an ideal approach to manage populations of this subterranean species. In this laboratory study, we explored the effects of the mixture of levonorgestrel and quinestrol (EP-1, 1:2), quinestrol (E), and levonorgestrel (P) on the reproductive status of plateau zokors. Groups of five animals of each sex were treated with different concentrations of EP-1 (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg), E (0.33, 3.3, and 6.6 mg/kg), and P (0.67, 3.35, and 6.7 mg/kg) by oral gavage over 7 successive days and killed on day 15. Body mass reduction was observed in the EP-1 and E groups. EP-1 and E significantly reduced the weight of testis and epididymis at 10 and 3.3 mg/kg, respectively. Sperm count and motility were significantly reduced by 5 mg/kg EP-1 and 0.33 mg/kg E. The levels of serum testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone were significantly reduced by 5 mg/kg EP-1 and 3.3 mg/kg E. EP-1 and E significantly reduced the uterine and ovarian weights at 10 and 3.3 mg/kg, respectively. In the plateau zokors, treatment with P had no influence on the reproductive status. These data demonstrate that EP-1 and E have an inhibitory effect on a range of reproductive parameters in the plateau zokors. Further assessment is required to determine the effects on breeding and recruitment in enclosure or field experiments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunkun Kang
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Yuchen Tan
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Chan Wang
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Baohui Yao
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Kang An
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Ming Liu
- International Society of Zoological Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Junhu Su
- College of Grassland Science, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem (Ministry of Education), Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China.,Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
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Estrogen Receptors-Mediated Apoptosis in Hormone-Dependent Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031242. [PMID: 35163166 PMCID: PMC8835409 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that estrogen stimulates growth and inhibits apoptosis through estrogen receptor(ER)-mediated mechanisms in many cancer cell types. Interestingly, there is strong evidence that estrogens can also induce apoptosis, activating different ER isoforms in cancer cells. It has been observed that E2/ERα complex activates multiple pathways involved in both cell cycle progression and apoptotic cascade prevention, while E2/ERβ complex in many cases directs the cells to apoptosis. However, the exact mechanism of estrogen-induced tumor regression is not completely known. Nevertheless, ERs expression levels of specific splice variants and their cellular localization differentially affect outcome of estrogen-dependent tumors. The goal of this review is to provide a general overview of current knowledge on ERs-mediated apoptosis that occurs in main hormone dependent-cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of ER-mediated cell death will be useful for the development of specific ligands capable of triggering apoptosis to counteract estrogen-dependent tumor growth.
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Using adverse outcome pathways to contextualise (Q)SAR predictions for reproductive toxicity – A case study with aromatase inhibition. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 108:43-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Changes in heavy metal levels, reproductive characteristics, oxidative stress markers and testicular apoptosis in rams raised around thermal power plant. Theriogenology 2021; 179:211-222. [PMID: 34894490 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Male reproductive dysfunction is one of the damages in the organism caused by heavy metals. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the changes in heavy metal levels in serum and testicular tissue, and serum hormone levels, epididymal spermatozoa characteristics, tissue oxidative stress levels, testicular histology and testicular apoptosis level in rams raised in remote and near regions of a thermal power plant. A total of 75 rams were divided into 3 groups according to the regions, where they were born and raised, being far [250 km distance, group 1 (control), n = 25], close (20 km distance, group 2, n = 25) and very close (10 km distance, group 3, n = 25) to the thermal power plant. The blood along with testis and epididymis tissues was taken from the animals after slaughtering. In addition, soil and water heavy metal analyzes were also performed. The highest levels of serum Al, Cr, As, Ag, Sn and testicular Al, V, Ni, Ag, Cd, Cr, As, Pb, and the lowest levels of serum Cu, testicular Cu and Zn were determined in group 3 compared to control. Soil and water heavy metal results were similar to those found in serum and testis. The lowest serum testosterone level, tissue glutathione-peroxidase and catalase activities, spermatozoon concentration, and the highest tissue malondialdehyde level, dead spermatozoon rate, Bax apoptotic protein expression level and Bax/Bcl-2 rate alongside some testicular histopathological lesions were found in group 3 in comparison to control. Significant correlations were determined between some heavy metal levels and some parameters measured. As a result, heavy metals accumulate in the soil and water in the region close to the thermal power plant. The endocrine and exocrine reproductive potentials of rams born and grown in these regions were clearly damaged by the increased testicular heavy metals due to water drank and herbs consumed.
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Jeremy M, Gurusubramanian G, Roy VK, Kharwar RK. Co-treatment of testosterone and estrogen mitigates heat-induced testicular dysfunctions in a rat model. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 214:106011. [PMID: 34688845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.106011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The two gonadal steroid hormones, testosterone and estrogen, regulate spermatogenesis by proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of testicular cells. It has been reported that heat stress or increased scrotal temperature impairs spermatogenesis in many mammals. Moreover, testicular heat stress has also been shown to suppress testosterone and estrogen biosynthesis. Furthermore, it is well known that testosterone and estrogen are important for testicular activity. Therefore, we hypothesised that exogenous testosterone and estrogen, alone or in combination, might alleviate the testicular activity in a heat-stressed rat model. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first report of the exogenous treatment of both testosterone and estrogen in the heat-stressed rat. Our results showed that a combined testosterone and estrogen treatment significantly increased sperm concentration. The histopathological analysis also exhibited a normal histoarchitecture in the combined treatment group along with decreased oxidative stress. The improved spermatogenesis in the combined treatment group was also supported by the increase in PCNA, GCNA, tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, and Johnsen score in the combined treatment group. Furthermore, the combined treatment also increased the expression of Bcl2, pStat3, and active caspase-3 and decreased expression of Bax. Thus, increased proliferation, apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers, along with improved histology in the combined treatment group suggest that estrogen and testosterone synergistically act to stimulate spermatogenesis by increasing proliferation and differentiation of germ cells and may also remove the heat-induced damaged germ cells by apoptosis. Overall, the final mechanism of testosterone- and estrogen-mediated improvement of testicular activity could be attributed to amelioration of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vikas Kumar Roy
- Department of Zoology, Mizoram University, Aizawl, 796004, Mizoram, India.
| | - Rajesh Kumar Kharwar
- Department of Zoology, Kutir Post Graduate College, Chakkey, Jaunpur, 222 146, India.
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30
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Ho SM, Rao R, Ouyang B, Tam NNC, Schoch E, Song D, Ying J, Leung YK, Govindarajah V, Tarapore P. Three-Generation Study of Male Rats Gestationally Exposed to High Butterfat and Bisphenol A: Impaired Spermatogenesis, Penetrance with Reduced Severity. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13103636. [PMID: 34684636 PMCID: PMC8541510 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational high butterfat (HFB) and/or endocrine disruptor exposure was previously found to disrupt spermatogenesis in adulthood. This study addresses the data gap in our knowledge regarding transgenerational transmission of the disruptive interaction between a high-fat diet and endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA). F0 generation Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing butterfat (10 kcal%) and high in butterfat (39 kcal%, HFB) with or without BPA (25 µg/kg body weight/day) during mating and pregnancy. Gestationally exposed F1-generation offspring from different litters were mated to produce F2 offspring, and similarly, F2-generation animals produced F3-generation offspring. One group of F3 male offspring was administered either testosterone plus estradiol-17β (T + E2) or sham via capsule implants from postnatal days 70 to 210. Another group was naturally aged to 18 months. Combination diets of HFB + BPA in F0 dams, but not single exposure to either, disrupted spermatogenesis in F3-generation adult males in both the T + E2-implanted group and the naturally aged group. CYP19A1 localization to the acrosome and estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) localization to the nucleus were associated with impaired spermatogenesis. Finally, expression of methyl-CpG-binding domain-3 (MBD3) was consistently decreased in the HFB and HFB + BPA exposed F1 and F3 testes, suggesting an epigenetic component to this inheritance. However, the severe atrophy within testes present in F1 males was absent in F3 males. In conclusion, the HFB + BPA group demonstrated transgenerational inheritance of the impaired spermatogenesis phenotype, but severity was reduced in the F3 generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuk-Mei Ho
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (N.N.C.T.); (Y.-K.L.)
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
- Correspondence: (S.-M.H.); (P.T.); Tel.: +501-686-5347 (S.-M.H.); +513-558-5148 (P.T.)
| | - Rahul Rao
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (R.R.); (B.O.); (E.S.); (D.S.); (J.Y.)
| | - Bin Ouyang
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (R.R.); (B.O.); (E.S.); (D.S.); (J.Y.)
- Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Neville N. C. Tam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (N.N.C.T.); (Y.-K.L.)
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Emma Schoch
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (R.R.); (B.O.); (E.S.); (D.S.); (J.Y.)
| | - Dan Song
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (R.R.); (B.O.); (E.S.); (D.S.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jun Ying
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (R.R.); (B.O.); (E.S.); (D.S.); (J.Y.)
- Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Yuet-Kin Leung
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (N.N.C.T.); (Y.-K.L.)
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Vinothini Govindarajah
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
| | - Pheruza Tarapore
- Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; (R.R.); (B.O.); (E.S.); (D.S.); (J.Y.)
- Center for Environmental Genetics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Cincinnati Cancer Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
- Correspondence: (S.-M.H.); (P.T.); Tel.: +501-686-5347 (S.-M.H.); +513-558-5148 (P.T.)
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Liu X, Wang H, Liu B, Qi Z, Li J, Xu B, Liu W, Xu Z, Deng Y. The Latest Research Progress of m 6A Modification and Its Writers, Erasers, Readers in Infertility: A Review. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681238. [PMID: 34568313 PMCID: PMC8461070 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic messenger mRNAs contain many RNA methyl chemical modifications, in which N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a very important role. The modification process of RNA methylation is a dynamic reversible regulatory process that is mainly catalyzed by "Writer" m6A methyltransferase, removed by "Eraser" m6A demethylase, and recognized by the m6A binding protein, thereby, linking m6A modification with other mRNA pathways. At various stages of the life cycle, m6A modification plays an extremely important role in regulating mRNA splicing, processing, translation, as well as degradation, and is associated with gametogenesis and fertility for both sexes. Normal gametogenesis is a basic guarantee of fertility. Infertility leads to trauma, affects harmony in the family and seriously affects the quality of life. We review the roles and mechanisms of RNA m6A methylation modification in infertility and provide a potential target for infertility treatment, which can be used for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuda Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bingchen Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhipeng Qi
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jiashuo Li
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhaofa Xu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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32
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Wu X, Gao S, Wang L, Bu T, Wu S, Zhou L, Shi J, Wu D, Sun F, Cheng CY. Role of laminin and collagen chains in human spermatogenesis - Insights from studies in rodents and scRNA-Seq transcriptome profiling. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 121:125-132. [PMID: 34325997 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that biologically active fragments are generated from the basement membrane and the Sertoli cell-spermatid adhesion site known as apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES, a testis-specific actin-based anchoring junction) in the rat testis. These bioactive fragments or peptides are produced locally across the seminiferous epithelium through proteolytic cleavage of constituent proteins at the basement membrane and the apical ES. Studies have shown that they are being used to modulate and coordinate cellular functions across the seminiferous epithelium during different stages of the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis. In this review, we briefly summarize recent findings based on studies using rat testes as a study model regarding the role of these bioactive peptides that serve as a local regulatory network to support spermatogenesis. We also used scRNA-Seq transcriptome datasets in the public domain for OA (obstructive azoospermia) and NAO (non-obstructive azoospermia) human testes versus testes from normal men for analysis in this review. It was shown that there are differential expression of different collagen chains and laminin chains in these testes, suggesting the possibility of a similar local regulatory network in the human testis to support spermatogenesis, and the possible disruption of such network in men is associated with OA and/or NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China; The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sheng Gao
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China; The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tiao Bu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Siwen Wu
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Liwei Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Di Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China.
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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33
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The G-Protein-Coupled Membrane Estrogen Receptor Is Present in Horse Cryptorchid Testes and Mediates Downstream Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137131. [PMID: 34281183 PMCID: PMC8269005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptorchidism in horses is a commonly occurring malformation. The molecular basis of this pathology is not fully known. In addition, the origins of high intratesticular estrogen levels in horses remain obscure. In order to investigate the role of the G-protein-coupled membrane estrogen receptor (GPER) and establish histological and biochemical cryptorchid testis status, healthy and cryptorchid horse testes were subjected to scanning electron microscopy analysis, histochemical staining for total protein (with naphthol blue black; NBB), acid content (with toluidine blue O; TBO), and polysaccharide content (with periodic acid-Schiff; PAS). The expression of GPER was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. GPER-mediated intracellular cAMP and calcium (Ca2+) signaling were measured immunoenzymatically or colorimetrically. Our data revealed changes in the distribution of polysaccharide content but not the protein and acid content in the cryptorchid testis. Polysaccharides seemed to be partially translocated from the interstitial compartment to the seminiferous tubule compartment. Moreover, the markedly decreased expression of GPER and GPER downstream molecules, cAMP and Ca2+, suggests their potential role in testis pathology. Increased estrogen levels in cryptorchid conditions may be linked to disturbed GPER signaling. We postulate that GPER is a prominent key player in testis development and function and may be used as a new biomarker of horse testis in health and disease.
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Zanatta AP, Gonçalves R, Ourique da Silva F, Pedrosa RC, Zanatta L, Bouraïma-Lelong H, Delalande C, Mena Barreto Silva FR. Estradiol and 1α,25(OH) 2 vitamin D 3 share plasma membrane downstream signal transduction through calcium influx and genomic activation in immature rat testis. Theriogenology 2021; 172:36-46. [PMID: 34091204 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the rapid response pathway and gene and protein expression profiles of the rat testis in response to estradiol (E2) and 1α,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (1,25-D3), to understand how they mediate their effects on the first spermatogenic wave. To do this, we compared the effects of 1,25-D3 and E2 on 45calcium(Ca2+) uptake and the involvement of estrogen receptors (ESR) in their rapid responses. Additionally, we studied the downstream signal transduction effects of 1,25-D3 and E2 on cyclin A1/B1 and cellular cycle protein expression. As previously observed for 1,25-D3, E2 also increased 45Ca2+ uptake in immature rat testes via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, Ca2+-dependent chloride channels and via the activation of protein kinase C, protein kinase A and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK). Elevated aromatase expression by testes was observed in the presence of 1,25-D3 and both hormones decreased ESR mRNA expression. Furthermore, 1,25-D3 and E2 diminished cyclin A1 mRNA expression, but E2 did not affect cyclin B1 mRNA levels. Consistent with these findings, the immunocontent of cyclin A1 and B1 in the testes was also increased by 1,25-D3 and E2. 1,25-D3 increased expressions of the p16 and p53 proteins, supporting the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties of 1,25-D3, while E2 also augmented p16. Data indicate that both hormones trigger rapid responses at the plasma membrane that may control the expression of gene and proteins related to cell cycle regulation, and thereby modulate spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Zanatta
- Laboratório de Hormônios & Transdução de Sinais, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INRA, OeReCa, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Renata Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Hormônios & Transdução de Sinais, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Ourique da Silva
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental (LABIOEX), Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Rozangela Curi Pedrosa
- Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental (LABIOEX), Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Leila Zanatta
- Departamento de Enfermagem, Centro de Educação Superior do Oeste, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina - UDESC, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
| | | | | | - Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva
- Laboratório de Hormônios & Transdução de Sinais, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
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Guo L, Liu Y, Liu L, Shao S, Cao Y, Guo J, Niu H. The CYP19A1 (TTTA)n Repeat Polymorphism May Affect the Prostate Cancer Risk: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis. Am J Mens Health 2021; 15:15579883211017033. [PMID: 34036824 PMCID: PMC8161905 DOI: 10.1177/15579883211017033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal aromatase (CYP19A1) expression may participate in prostate cancer (PCa) carcinogenesis. However, the results of studies on the CYP19A1 gene polymorphisms and PCa are conflicting. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the associations between the CYP19A1 Arg264Cys polymorphism and the (TTTA)n repeat polymorphism and PCa. Electronic databases (PubMed, EmBase, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library) were comprehensively searched to identify eligible studies. The strength of the association between the Arg264Cys polymorphism and PCa was assessed by pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) in allelic, dominant, recessive, homozygous, and heterozygous genetic models. To analyze the impact of the (TTTA)n repeat polymorphism, we sequentially took the N-repeat allele (where N equals 7,8,10,11,12, and 13) as the minor allele and the sum of all the other alleles as the major allele. The ORs and 95% CIs were calculated in the allelic model; this analysis was performed individually for each repeat number. Pooled estimates of nine studies addressing the Arg264Cys polymorphism indicated that this polymorphism was not associated with PCa risk in the overall population or in the Caucasian or Asian subgroups. The 8-repeat allele in the (TTTA)n repeat polymorphism increased PCa risk in the overall population (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.14-1.58, p = .001) and in the subgroup with population-based (PB) controls (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.13-1.74, p = .002) as well as in the subgroup using capillary electrophoresis to identify this polymorphism (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.09-1.65, p = .006).The meta-analysis indicated that the CYP19A1 (TTTA)n repeat polymorphism, but not the Arg264Cys polymorphism, may affect PCa risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Guo
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lijun Liu
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shixiu Shao
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yanwei Cao
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jiaming Guo
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Haitao Niu
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
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Environmental Factors-Induced Oxidative Stress: Hormonal and Molecular Pathway Disruptions in Hypogonadism and Erectile Dysfunction. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10060837. [PMID: 34073826 PMCID: PMC8225220 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10060837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypogonadism is an endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate serum testosterone production by the Leydig cells of the testis. It is triggered by alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is another common disorder in men that involves an alteration in erectile response–organic, relational, or psychological. The incidence of hypogonadism and ED is common in men aged over 40 years. Hypogonadism (including late-onset hypogonadism) and ED may be linked to several environmental factors-induced oxidative stresses. The factors mainly include exposure to pesticides, radiation, air pollution, heavy metals and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These environmental risk factors may induce oxidative stress and lead to hormonal dysfunctions. To better understand the subject, the study used many keywords, including “hypogonadism”, “late-onset hypogonadism”, “testosterone”, “erectile dysfunction”, “reactive oxygen species”, “oxidative stress”, and “environmental pollution” in major online databases, such as SCOPUS and PUBMED to extract relevant scientific information. Based on these parameters, this review summarizes a comprehensive insight into the important environmental issues that may have a direct or indirect association with hypogonadism and ED in men. The study concludes that environmental factors-induced oxidative stress may cause infertility in men. The hypothesis and outcomes were reviewed critically, and the mechanistic approaches are applied through oxidant-sensitive pathways. This study also provides reccomendations on future therapeutic interventions and protective measures against such adverse environmental factors-induced hypogonadism and ED.
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Li L, Li H, Wang L, Bu T, Liu S, Mao B, Cheng CY. A local regulatory network in the testis mediated by laminin and collagen fragments that supports spermatogenesis. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 56:236-254. [PMID: 33761828 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1901255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is almost five decades since the discovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. This refers to the hormonal axis that connects the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and testes, which in turn, regulates the production of spermatozoa through spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules, and testosterone through steroidogenesis by Leydig cells in the interstitium, of the testes. Emerging evidence has demonstrated the presence of a regulatory network across the seminiferous epithelium utilizing bioactive molecules produced locally at specific domains of the epithelium. Studies have shown that biologically active fragments are produced from structural laminin and collagen chains in the basement membrane. Additionally, bioactive peptides are also produced locally in non-basement membrane laminin chains at the Sertoli-spermatid interface known as apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES, a testis-specific actin-based anchoring junction type). These bioactive peptides are derived from structural laminins and/or collagens at the corresponding sites through proteolytic cleavage by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). They in turn serve as autocrine and/or paracrine factors to modulate and coordinate cellular events across the epithelium by linking the apical and basal compartments, the apical and basal ES, the blood-testis barrier (BTB), and the basement membrane of the tunica propria. The cellular events supported by these bioactive peptides/fragments include the release of spermatozoa at spermiation, remodeling of the immunological barrier to facilitate the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB, and the transport of haploid spermatids across the epithelium to support spermiogenesis. In this review, we critically evaluate these findings. Our goal is to identify research areas that deserve attentions in future years. The proposed research also provides the much needed understanding on the biology of spermatogenesis supported by a local network of regulatory biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxi Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huitao Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lingling Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiao Bu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shiwen Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Baiping Mao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
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38
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Hess RA, Sharpe RM, Hinton BT. Estrogens and development of the rete testis, efferent ductules, epididymis and vas deferens. Differentiation 2021; 118:41-71. [PMID: 33441255 PMCID: PMC8026493 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2020.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen has always been considered the female hormone and testosterone the male hormone. However, estrogen's presence in the testis and deleterious effects of estrogen treatment during development have been known for nearly 90 years, long before estrogen receptors (ESRs) were discovered. Eventually it was learned that testes actually synthesize high levels of estradiol (E2) and sequester high concentrations in the reproductive tract lumen, which seems contradictory to the overwhelming number of studies showing reproductive pathology following exogenous estrogen exposures. For too long, the developmental pathology of estrogen has dominated our thinking, even resulting in the "estrogen hypothesis" as related to the testicular dysgenesis syndrome. However, these early studies and the development of an Esr1 knockout mouse led to a deluge of research into estrogen's potential role in and disruption of development and function of the male reproductive system. What is new is that estrogen action in the male cannot be divorced from that of androgen. This paper presents what is known about components of the estrogen pathway, including its synthesis and target receptors, and the need to achieve a balance between androgen- and estrogen-action in male reproductive tract differentiation and adult functions. The review focuses on what is known regarding development of the male reproductive tract, from the rete testis to the vas deferens, and examines the expression of estrogen receptors and presence of aromatase in the male reproductive system, traces the evidence provided by estrogen-associated knockout and transgenic animal models and discusses the effects of fetal and postnatal exposures to estrogens. Hopefully, there will be enough here to stimulate discussions and new investigations of the androgen:estrogen balance that seems to be essential for development of the male reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL, 61802 USA and Epivara, Inc., Research Park, 60 Hazelwood Dr., Suite 230G, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
| | - Richard M Sharpe
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Deshmukh S, Saini S. Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Tumor Progression, and Its Possible Role in the Onset of Cancer. Front Genet 2020; 11:604528. [PMID: 33329751 PMCID: PMC7734151 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.604528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneity among isogenic cells/individuals has been known for at least 150 years. Even Mendel, working on pea plants, realized that not all tall plants were identical. However, Mendel was more interested in the discontinuous variation between genetically distinct individuals. The concept of environment dictating distinct phenotypes among isogenic individuals has since been shown to impact the evolution of populations in numerous examples at different scales of life. In this review, we discuss how phenotypic heterogeneity and its evolutionary implications exist at all levels of life, from viruses to mammals. In particular, we discuss how a particular disease condition (cancer) is impacted by heterogeneity among isogenic cells, and propose a potential role that phenotypic heterogeneity might play toward the onset of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saniya Deshmukh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Supreet Saini
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
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40
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El Zawam A, Tibary A, Patino C. Basal Levels and hCG Responses of Serum Testosterone and Estrogen in Male Alpacas. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:595856. [PMID: 33263018 PMCID: PMC7688520 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.595856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid response to human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) administration has been used in various species to study testicular function and for diagnostic purposes. In this study, two experiments were conducted to determine serum testosterone concentration response to administration of hCG and its correlation with testicular weight. In the second experiment the relationship between age, testosterone and estrogen response to hCG, and testicular histometry was in pre-pubertal and post-pubertal male alpacas. For experiment 1, males in two age groups (2 to 3 years, n = 9) and (4 to 7 years; n = 15) received 3,000 IU hCG IV, 36 to 48 h before castration. Serum testosterone concentration was determined before (T0), 1 h (T1), 2 h (T2), 8 h (T8), and 24 h (T24) after administration of hCG. Basal concentrations of serum testosterone was significantly different (P < 0.01) between age groups. Serum testosterone concentrations increased over time and doubled 2 h after treatment. The highest change (250 to 300% increase from T0) was observed at 8 h (3.5 ± 0.3 ng/ml). A significant correlation (P < 0.01; r = 0.64) was found between serum testosterone concentration and total testicular weight. For experiment 2, 60 males ranging in age from 6 to 60 months were used. Serum testosterone and estrogen was determined in samples taken just prior to and 2 h after administration of 3,000 IU hCG. Basal serum testosterone concentrations were very low (≤0.1 ng/mL) until 9 months of age then increased steadily with age. There was a significant variation amongst males within the same age group. Serum testosterone concentration increased by 2- to 4-fold 2 h after hCG injection (P ≤ 0.05). Males in the 13 to 14 months of age group had the highest rise. Estrogen concentration increased in response to hCG administration and was detected only in males with high testosterone. We conclude that administration of 3,000 IU of hCG IV can be used reliably to detect testicular tissue and study its steroidogenic activity. The response is correlated with testicular weight and Leydig cell number. Testicular growth and sensitivity to LH stimulation increases between the ages of 13 and 14 months. The aromatizing ability of Leydig cells increased significantly in post-pubertal male alpacas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymen El Zawam
- Department of Surgery and Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Ahmed Tibary
- Comparative Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Cristian Patino
- Comparative Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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Ye N, Lv Z, Dai H, Huang Z, Shi F. Dietary alpha-lipoic acid supplementation improves spermatogenesis and semen quality via antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects in aged breeder roosters. Theriogenology 2020; 159:20-27. [PMID: 33113440 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on the reproductive performance of aged breeder roosters. Sixteen 50-wk-old ROSS 308 breeder roosters were randomly allocated to two groups: roosters received a basal diet (CON), or a basal diet supplemented with 300 mg/kg of ALA (ALA). The results indicated that dietary ALA supplementation significantly increased sperm concentration, motility, viability, and membrane functional integrity. ALA also dramatically increased seminiferous tubule epithelial height (SEH) and testis scores. The ALA group had a higher serum concentration of testosterone than the CON group. ALA supplementation remarkably increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the enzyme activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) in the testes; following a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In addition, we noted significant upregulation of Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression of and mRNA expression of its Downstream Genes (GPx1, NQO1, and GCLC), as well as significant downregulation of Keap1 mRNA expression in testicular tissue of aged roosters with ALA supplementation. The protein expression of Caspase 3 was downregulated and the protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was upregulated by ALA supplementation. The mRNA expression of spermatogenesis-related genes (ER1, AKT1, and Cav1) were markedly augmented in the ALA group compared with the CON group. In conclusion, dietary ALA supplementation enhanced the testicular antioxidant capacity through the Nrf2-signaling pathway, exerted anti-apoptotic effects, and improved the reproductive performance of aged roosters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanwei Ye
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zengpeng Lv
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Hongjian Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhenwu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Fangxiong Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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Green tea consumption increases sperm concentration and viability in male rats and is safe for reproductive, liver and kidney health. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15269. [PMID: 32943691 PMCID: PMC7498455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72319-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Green tea is a popularly consumed beverage worldwide and contains polyphenols, whose antioxidant activities could improve sperm parameters and fertility thereof. We investigated the effect of green tea on the male rat reproductive system as well as its safety. Male Wistar rats were administered 2 and 5% aqueous extract of green tea for 52 days’ ad libitum, while the control group received tap water. Total polyphenol, flavanol, flavonol and soluble solids significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro (P < 0.01). Weights of body, testis, epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and liver, serum levels of testosterone, ferric reducing antioxidant power, creatinine, and sperm motility, remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Kidney weight, sperm concentration and vitality, spontaneous acrosome reaction increased (P < 0.05), while alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels decreased (P < 0.05). Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation remained unchanged in the testes, liver and kidney (P > 0.05). Histological sections of testis, epididymis, kidney and liver showed no conspicuous alteration. Diameter and epithelial height of seminiferous tubule decreased, while caudal epididymis epithelial height increased (P < 0.01). Consumption of green tea in the conditions used in the present study seems to be safe and improved sperm parameters. However, subtle structural changes observed in the decreased diameter and epithelial height of the seminiferous tubule and increased acrosome reaction needs further investigation.
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Chimento A, De Luca A, Nocito MC, Avena P, La Padula D, Zavaglia L, Pezzi V. Role of GPER-Mediated Signaling in Testicular Functions and Tumorigenesis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9092115. [PMID: 32957524 PMCID: PMC7563107 DOI: 10.3390/cells9092115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen signaling plays important roles in testicular functions and tumorigenesis. Fifteen years ago, it was discovered that a member of the G protein-coupled receptor family, GPR30, which binds also with high affinity to estradiol and is responsible, in part, for the rapid non-genomic actions of estrogens. GPR30, renamed as GPER, was detected in several tissues including germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids) and somatic cells (Sertoli and Leydig cells). In our previous review published in 2014, we summarized studies that evidenced a role of GPER signaling in mediating estrogen action during spermatogenesis and testis development. In addition, we evidenced that GPER seems to be involved in modulating estrogen-dependent testicular cancer cell growth; however, the effects on cell survival and proliferation depend on specific cell type. In this review, we update the knowledge obtained in the last years on GPER roles in regulating physiological functions of testicular cells and its involvement in neoplastic transformation of both germ and somatic cells. In particular, we will focus our attention on crosstalk among GPER signaling, classical estrogen receptors and other nuclear receptors involved in testis physiology regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Chimento
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (V.P.); Tel.: +39-0984-493184 (A.C.); +39-0984-493148 (V.P.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vincenzo Pezzi
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (V.P.); Tel.: +39-0984-493184 (A.C.); +39-0984-493148 (V.P.)
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44
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Hussain A, Gilloteaux J. The human testes: Estrogen and ageing outlooks. TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN ANATOMY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tria.2020.100073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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45
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Uchida A, Sakib S, Labit E, Abbasi S, Scott RW, Underhill TM, Biernaskie J, Dobrinski I. Development and function of smooth muscle cells is modulated by Hic1 in mouse testis. Development 2020; 147:dev.185884. [PMID: 32554530 DOI: 10.1242/dev.185884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In mammalian testis, contractile peritubular myoid cells (PMCs) regulate the transport of sperm and luminal fluid, while secreting growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins to support the spermatogonial stem cell niche. However, little is known about the role of testicular smooth muscle cells during postnatal testicular development. Here we report age-dependent expression of hypermethylated in cancer 1 (Hic1; also known as ZBTB29) in testicular smooth muscle cells, including PMCs and vascular smooth muscle cells, in the mouse. Postnatal deletion of Hic1 in smooth muscle cells led to their increased proliferation and resulted in dilatation of seminiferous tubules, with increased numbers of PMCs. These seminiferous tubules contained fewer Sertoli cells and more spermatogonia, and fibronectin was not detected in their basement membrane. The expression levels of genes encoding smooth muscle contractile proteins, Acta2 and Cnn1, were downregulated in the smooth muscle cells lacking Hic1, and the seminiferous tubules appeared to have reduced contractility. These data imply a role for Hic1 in determining the size of seminiferous tubules by regulating postnatal smooth muscle cell proliferation, subsequently affecting spermatogenesis in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aya Uchida
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.,Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Sadman Sakib
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Elodie Labit
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sepideh Abbasi
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - R Wilder Scott
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - T Michael Underhill
- The Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Ina Dobrinski
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
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Anyanwu BO, Orisakwe OE. Current mechanistic perspectives on male reproductive toxicity induced by heavy metals. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART C, TOXICOLOGY AND CARCINOGENESIS 2020; 38:204-244. [PMID: 32648503 DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2020.1782116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and occupational exposures to heavy metals have led to various deleterious damages to the biological system of which infertility is one of them. Infertility is a global public health concern, affecting 15% of all couples of reproductive age. Out of the 100% cases of reported infertility among couples, 40% of the cases are related to male factors; including decreased semen quality. This review focuses on the recent mechanistic perspectives of heavy metal-induced male reproductive toxicity. The associated toxic metal-mediated mechanisms of male reproductive toxicity include ion mimicry, disruption of cell signaling pathways, oxidative stress, altered gene expression, epigenetic regulation of gene expression, apoptosis, disruption of testis/blood barrier, inflammation and endocrine disruption. The current literature suggests that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) mediate paternal intergenerational epigenetic inheritance and thus has a direct functional importance, as well as possess novel biomarker potential, for male reproductive toxicity. To identify the specific ncRNAs with the most profound impacts on heavy metal-induced male reproductive toxicity should be thrust of further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brilliance Onyinyechi Anyanwu
- World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research (CEFOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Orish Ebere Orisakwe
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
- World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research (PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
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Saraswat S, Kharche SD, Rout PK, Pawaiya R, Gangwar C, Swain DK, Kaushik R. Molecular expression and identification of caprine estrogen receptor gene 1 for fertility status in bucks. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:1080-1092. [PMID: 32531861 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Estrogen and its receptors are essential for sexual development and reproduction. Oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a nuclear receptor activated by the hormone oestrogen. In male, ERα is encoded by the gene ESR1 (oestrogen receptor1) responsible for better fertility. ESR1 is involved in the reabsorption of luminal fluid during the transit of spermatozoa from the testis to the head of the epididymis which is important for their survival and maturation during epididymal storage. The absence of ESR1 leads to reduced epididymal sperm content, reduced sperm motility and fertilizing ability. The present study was undertaken to investigate the expression and presence of ESR1 gene in fertile and low-fertile male goat breeds. We identified ESR1 gene through various molecular tools. Genotyping was carried out by high resonance melting analysis using Roche Light Cycler 480(LC-480) system and found three different genotypes. Genotypic frequency-AA (blue-0.67), BB(Red-0.2), AB(Green-0.08) with allele frequency A(0.71 and B (0.29). The predominance of this gene in head of epididymis in fertile bucks was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. From the results, we corroborated that the present study provides a useful and effective way to predict male fertility in goat breeds, which in turn increases the percentage of fertility in flock leading to more number of offspring in a kidding season.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Saraswat
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - S D Kharche
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - P K Rout
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - R Pawaiya
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - C Gangwar
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - D K Swain
- Department of Physiology, DUVASU, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - R Kaushik
- ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Santillo A, Giacco A, Falvo S, Di Giacomo Russo F, Senese R, Di Fiore MM, Chieffi Baccari G, Lanni A, de Lange P. Mild Exercise Rescues Steroidogenesis and Spermatogenesis in Rats Submitted to Food Withdrawal. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:302. [PMID: 32477274 PMCID: PMC7237727 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The present investigation was undertaken to increase our insight into the molecular basis of the physiological changes in rat testis induced by food withdrawal, and to clarify whether reduced testicular function can be ameliorated by mild exercise. Male rats were selected for four separate experiments. The first of each group was chow-fed, the second was chow-fed and submitted to exercise (5 bouts in total for 30 min at 15 m/min, and 0° inclination), the third was submitted to food withdrawal (66 h) and the fourth was submitted to food withdrawal and to exercise. At the end of experiments, we investigated (i) serum and testicular sex hormone levels; (ii) protein levels of StAR, 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and P450 aromatase, which play a key role in steroid hormone biosynthesis; and (iii) protein levels of mitotic and meiotic markers of spermatogenesis in rats, in relation to testis morphology and morphometry. We found that mild exercise or food withdrawal alone induced a significant increase or decrease in both serum and testis testosterone levels, respectively. Interestingly, we found that these levels were brought back to basal levels when food withdrawal was combined with mild exercise. The changes in testosterone levels observed in our experimental groups correlated well with the expression of steroidogenic enzymes as well as with spermatogenic activity. With mild exercise the increased testosterone/17β-estradiol (T/E2) ratio in the testis correlated with an increased spermatogenic activity. The T/E2 ratio dropped in fasted rats and was significantly reversed when food withdrawal was combined with exercise. Histological and morphometric analyses confirmed that spermatogenic activity varied in concomitance with each experimental condition. Importantly, the testis and serum T/E2 ratios correlated, confirming that exercise rescues the decline in food withdrawal-induced spermatogenesis. In conclusion, this study highlights that mild exercise normalizes the reduced spermatogenic activity caused by food withdrawal through the modulation of the steroidogenic pathway and restoring the T/E2 ratio, underlining the beneficial effects of mild exercise on the prevention and/or amelioration of reduced testis function caused by restricted caloric intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Santillo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonia Giacco
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy
| | - Sara Falvo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
| | - Federica Di Giacomo Russo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosalba Senese
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Di Fiore
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
| | - Gabriella Chieffi Baccari
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonia Lanni
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
| | - Pieter de Lange
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli, ”Caserta, Italy
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Improvement of Testicular Steroidogenesis Using Flavonoids and Isoflavonoids for Prevention of Late-Onset Male Hypogonadism. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9030237. [PMID: 32183155 PMCID: PMC7139932 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9030237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen production, being important for male fertility, is mainly accomplished by the Leydig cells from the interstitial compartment of the testis. Testosterone plays a critical role in testis development, normal masculinization, and the maintenance of spermatogenesis. Within seminiferous tubules, appropriate Sertoli cell function is highly dependent on testicular androgen levels and is essential to initiate and maintain spermatogenesis. During aging, testosterone production by the testicular Leydig cells declines from the 30s in humans at a rate of 1% per year. This review outlines the recent findings regarding the use of flavonoids and isoflavonoids to improve testosterone production, contributing to normal spermatogenesis and preventing age-related degenerative diseases associated with testosterone deficiency. With the cumulation of information on the actions of different flavonoids and isoflavonoids on steroidogenesis in Leydig cells, we can now draw conclusions regarding the structure-activity relationship on androgen production. Indeed, flavonoids having a 5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one backbone tend to increase the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), being critical for the entry of cholesterol into the mitochondria, leading to increased testosterone production from testis Leydig cells. Therefore, flavonoids and isoflavonoids such as chrysin, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and daidzein may be effective in delaying the initiation of late-onset hypogonadism associated with aging in males.
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Plasma estradiol-17β, cortisol, and insulin concentrations and serum biochemical parameters surrounding puberty in Japanese Black beef bulls with normal and abnormal semen. Theriogenology 2020; 148:18-26. [PMID: 32126392 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The associations of semen abnormalities with circulating hormones (estrogens, glucocorticoid, insulin) and common biochemical parameters are unclear in beef bulls. We compared plasma concentrations of estradiol-17β, cortisol, and insulin and serum biochemical parameters surrounding puberty in Japanese Black beef bulls (n = 96) with normal post-thaw or abnormal semen (fresh and frozen). Blood samples were collected monthly from 4 to 24 months of age (n = 50) for the assays of plasma estradiol, cortisol, and insulin and every 3 months from 6 to 21 months of age (n = 92) for the serum biochemical analyses. Semen was collected weekly from 12 months until at least 18 months of age. Fresh semen was evaluated for semen volume, sperm progressive motility, concentrations, and morphological defects. The normal fresh semen was frozen by a standard method and examined for post-thaw sperm motility and fertility, which were evaluated for rates of transferable embryos. Bulls were classified as having either normal fresh semen or abnormal fresh semen (when at least one of the above test items was abnormal for 6 months). The normal fresh semen was categorized as having either normal post-thaw semen or low fertility post-thaw semen. The abnormal fresh semen was categorized as having sperm morphological defects, low motility, or morphological defects plus low motility. Plasma cortisol concentrations in the abnormal fresh semen group were higher than those of the normal fresh semen group (p < 0.0001). Plasma estradiol-17β and insulin concentrations in the low-fertility post-thaw semen group were lower than those of the normal post-thaw semen group (p < 0.0001). Serum aspartate aminotransferase and magnesium concentrations were greater for the abnormal fresh semen group vs. the normal fresh semen group (p < 0.005). These results suggest that fresh semen abnormality in pubertal beef bulls might be associated with increased circulating aspartate aminotransferase, magnesium and cortisol. Low-fertility post-thaw semen could have been involved with the lower peripheral estradiol and insulin levels in beef bulls.
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