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Xi H, Shan W, Li M, Wang Z, Li Y. Trehalose attenuates testicular aging by activating autophagy and improving mitochondrial quality. Andrology 2025; 13:911-920. [PMID: 39195433 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13746] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproductive aging can adversely affect male fertility and the health of offspring. The aging process is accompanied by impaired autophagy. Recent studies have shown that Trehalose plays an important role in the prevention of various diseases by regulating autophagy. However, the roles of Trehalose in testicular aging and reproductive decline remain to be clarified. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Trehalose on testes in an aging mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, an in vivo aging model in mice by administering D-galactose was established to explore the protective effect of Trehalose on testicular aging. We examined histological changes and related indicators of apoptosis, autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and sperm quality. RESULTS D-galactose treatment induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and impairment of autophagy of testicular cells in mouse testes. Trehalose administration significantly reduced germ cell apoptosis and DNA damage caused by D-galactose-induced oxidative stress. Notably, Trehalose activated autophagy activity and improved mitochondrial function in testicular cells. Furthermore, Trehalose treatment increased the expression level of the tight junction protein ZO-1, and accelerated clearance of damaged mitochondria in Sertoli cells, indicating that Trehalose ameliorated Sertoli cell function in D-galactose-induced aging testes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION These findings suggest that Trehalose administration activated the autophagy activity in testicular cells and improved mitochondrial function, thereby effectively preventing testicular aging. Trehalose and its activated autophagy are crucial for preventing testicular aging, thus restoring autophagy activity by administering Trehalose could be a promising means to delay aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaming Xi
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjing Shan
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ziqian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Technology on Green-Eco-Healthy Animal Husbandry of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Animal Health Inspection & Internet Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Animal Science and Technology & College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Chen W, Zou H, Xu H, Cao R, Zhang Y, Ma Y, Lin W, Zhang H, Zhao J. Exploring the Mechanisms of Testicular Aging: Advances in Biomarker Research. Aging Dis 2025:AD.2025.0070. [PMID: 40153586 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2025.0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2025] [Accepted: 03/07/2025] [Indexed: 03/30/2025] Open
Abstract
Aging biomarkers quantify aging progression and provide actionable targets for therapeutic interventions to mitigate age-related decline. This review synthesizes emerging evidence on testicular aging biomarkers, focusing on cellular senescence (Leydig, Sertoli, and endothelial cells), protein homeostasis disruption, mitochondrial dysfunction, germ stem cell depletion, sperm telomere length, epigenetic alterations, oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. We propose that testicular aging serves as a critical nexus linking reproductive decline with systemic aging processes, with its pathological progression being quantifiable through specific biomarkers including the Leydig, Sertoli, and endothelial cells, INSL3, ribosomal protein RPL39L, sperm telomere length, relative telomere length mitochondrial translocator protein, and sialic acid. By bridging systemic aging paradigms with testis-specific mechanisms, we emphasize the urgency to identify organ-selective biomarkers for targeted interventions, advancing strategies to preserve male fertility and address population aging challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkang Chen
- Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hede Zou
- Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Haoran Xu
- Graduate School of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Rui Cao
- Graduate School of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yapeng Zhang
- Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongjie Ma
- Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hekun Zhang
- Graduate School of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jiayou Zhao
- Graduate School of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Pinheiro EEG, Bagaldo AR, Lents MP, Dos Santos Lima MV, Mugabe LC, de Sousa MB, Santana ALA, de Araújo FL, Barbosa LP. Inclusion of cocoa bran in the diet of lambs and its effect on reproductive parameters. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:193. [PMID: 38958783 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04039-2] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of cocoa bran in the diet of lambs and its effect on reproductive parameters. For this, 40 lambs were randomly assigned to four treatments, and including 0, 10, 20 and 30% levels of cocoa bran in the concentrate. Blood was collected to measure cholesterol and testosterone and semen for physical and morphological evaluation; testicular biometry and morphometry were also evaluated. There was significant difference (P < 0.05) in body weight and tubulosomatic index between the lambs in the control treatment and those in the 30% cocoa bran treatment. There was no difference in testicular biometry, physical and morphological parameters of fresh semen, testicular morphometry, and volumetric ratio between lambs in all the treatments (P < 0.05). In addition, there was no difference in plasma cholesterol or testosterone concentration (P > 0.05). Thus, it is possible to include up to 30% of cocoa bran in diet without affecting the reproductive parameters of lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Emydio Gomes Pinheiro
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Adriana Regina Bagaldo
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Maicon Pereira Lents
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Mailin Vasconcelos Dos Santos Lima
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Lopes César Mugabe
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Máiron Barreto de Sousa
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Ana Lúcia Almeida Santana
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Fabiana Lana de Araújo
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil
| | - Larissa Pires Barbosa
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Ambientais e Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas (Bahia), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710 Centro, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, 44380-000, Brasil.
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Reproductive Effects of Nicotinamide on Testicular Function and Structure in Old Male Rats: Oxidative, Apoptotic, Hormonal, and Morphological Analyses. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:3352-3360. [PMID: 34101148 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00647-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a natural process in which morphological and functional abnormalities in living organisms increase irreversibly. Nicotinamide (NAM) acts both as a precursor of many metabolites and as a cofactor of many enzymes involved in cell energy metabolism, homeostasis of redox balance, and regulation of signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the effects of NAM treatment on morphological and biochemical changes in testis of old rats. The rats were treated with 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg NAM doses as a gavage for 1 month. As a result, we determined the dose-dependent therapeutic effects of NAM on testicular tissues of aged rats. We found that NAM treatment decreased total oxidant status (TOS), caspase 3 (CASP3) and cytochrome c (CYC) levels and increased total antioxidant status (TAS), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels (P<0.05). NAM treatment significantly reduced the age-related histopathological parameters such as cellular loss, necrotic tissue, interstitial edema, tubular damage, and vascular congestion in aged rat testicular tissue compared to the control group. Moreover, based on histomorphological analysis, we detected that NAM treatment resulted in a dose-dependent improvement in testicular tissue damage of old rats. Consequently, the results showed that the reproductive decline caused by aging could be ameliorated with NAM treatment.
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Santiago J, Silva JV, Alves MG, Oliveira PF, Fardilha M. Testicular Aging: An Overview of Ultrastructural, Cellular, and Molecular Alterations. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2020; 74:860-871. [PMID: 29688289 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The trend in parenthood at an older age is increasing for both men and women in developed countries, raising concerns about the reproductive ability, and the consequences for the offspring's health. While reproductive activity in women stops with menopause, a complete cessation of the reproductive potential does not occur in men. Although several studies have been published on the effects of aging on semen parameters and spermatozoa DNA integrity, literature on impact of aging on the testis, particularly cellular, and molecular alterations, has been, so far, limited and controversial. This work discusses the current knowledge on testicular aging in humans and other mammals, covering topics from tissue ultrastructure, to cellular and molecular alterations. Aging affects male reproductive function at multiple levels, from sperm production and quality, to the morphology and histology of the male reproductive system. The morphological and functional changes that occur in the testes result in variations in the levels of many hormones, changes in molecules involved in mitochondrial function, receptors, and signaling proteins. Despite knowing that these age-related alterations occur, their real impact on male fertility and reproductive health are still far from being fully understood, highlighting that research in the field is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Santiago
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana V Silva
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Portugal.,Reproductive Genetics and Embryo-fetal Development Group, Institute for Innovation and Health Research (I3S), University of Porto, Portugal.,Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Marco G Alves
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- Reproductive Genetics and Embryo-fetal Development Group, Institute for Innovation and Health Research (I3S), University of Porto, Portugal.,Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Portugal.,Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Portugal
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Application of rat cryptorchidism model for the evaluation of mesenchymal stromal cell secretome regenerative potential. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 109:1428-1436. [PMID: 30551394 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.10.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility represents a severe social and medical challenge. In recent years the progress in regenerative medicine promoted the development of novel options to overcome this medical condition. We are elaborating a promising approach to restore spermatogenesis using mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) secretome components as a novel class of cell-free cell therapy medicinal products for regenerative medicine. However, the choice of the representative in vivo model of spermatogenesis failure to evaluate the effectiveness of regenerative drugs remains challenging. Using the rat model of bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism, we studied the contribution of MSC conditioned medium contained bioactive cell secreted products to the spermatogenesis recovery. The feasibility of this model to evaluate the drug-driven regenerative effects on spermatogenesis restoration after the injury was demonstrated. We revealed significant correlations between the extent of spermatogonial stem cell niche recovery, spermatozoa count and serum concentration of androgens as an indicator of Leydig cell function. The obtained results can be applied in preclinical studies to choose the proper criteria to appraise the specific activity of novel regenerative drugs developed for the treatment of non-obstructive spermatogenesis disorders.
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Senescence and declining reproductive potential: Insight into molecular mechanisms through testicular metabolomics. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2018; 1864:3388-3396. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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