1
|
Li XW, Li S, Yang Y, Talukder M, Xu XW, Li CX, Zhang C, Li XN, Li JL. The FAK/occludin/ZO-1 complex is critical for cadmium-induced testicular damage by disruption of the integrity of the blood-testis barrier in chickens. J Hazard Mater 2024; 470:134126. [PMID: 38554509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known testis toxicant. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is a crucial component of the testis. Cd can disrupt the integrity of the BTB and reproductive function. However, the mechanism of Cd-induced disruption of BTB and testicular damage has not been fully elucidated. Here, our study investigates the effects of Cd on BTB integrity and testicular dysfunction. 80 (aged 1 day) Hy-Line white variety chickens were randomly designed into 4 groups and treated for 90 days, as follows: control group (essential diet), 35 Cd, 70 Cd and 140 Cd groups (35, 70 and 140 mg/kg Cd). The results found that Cd exposure diminished volume of the testes and induced histopathological lesions in the testes. Exposure to Cd induced an inflammatory response, disrupted the structure and function of the FAK/occludin/ZO-1 protein complex and disrupted the tight junction and adherens junction in the BTB. In addition, Cd exposure reduced the expression of steroid-related proteins and inhibited testosterone synthesis. Taken together, these data elucidate that Cd disrupts the integrity of the BTB and further inhibits spermatogenesis by dissociating the FAK/occludin/ZO-1 complex, which provides a basis for further investigation into the mechanisms of Cd-induced impairment of male reproductive function and pharmacological protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Wei Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Sheng Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Yu Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Milton Talukder
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal 8210, Bangladesh
| | - Xiang-Wen Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Chen-Xi Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Cong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Xue-Nan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Jin-Long Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|