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Duarte F, Feijó M, Luís Â, Socorro S, Maia CJ, Correia S. Propolis Protects GC-1spg Spermatogonial Cells against Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Induced Oxidative Damage. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:614. [PMID: 38203785 PMCID: PMC10779084 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010614] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Propolis is a natural resin produced by honeybees with plenty of pharmacologic properties, including antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress disrupts germ cell development and sperm function, with demonstrated harmful effects on male reproduction. Several natural antioxidants have been shown to reduce oxidative damage and increase sperm fertility potential; however, little is known about the effects of propolis. This work evaluated the role of propolis in protecting spermatogonial cells from oxidative damage. Propolis' phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential were determined, and mouse GC-1spg spermatogonial cells were treated with 0.1-500 µg/mL propolis (12-48 h) in the presence or absence of an oxidant stimulus (tert-butyl hydroperoxide, TBHP, 0.005-3.6 µg/mL, 12 h). Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assays and proliferation by Ki-67 immunocytochemistry. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and antioxidant defenses were evaluated colorimetrically. Propolis presented high phenolic and flavonoid content and moderate antioxidant activity, increasing the viability of GC-1spg cells and counteracting TBHP's effects on viability and proliferation. Additionally, propolis reduced ROS levels in GC-1spg, regardless of the presence of TBHP. Propolis decreased caspase-3 and increased glutathione peroxidase activity in TBHP-treated GC-1spg cells. The present study shows the protective action of propolis against oxidative damage in spermatogonia, opening the possibility of exploiting its benefits to male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara Correia
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; (F.D.); (M.F.); (Â.L.); (S.S.); (C.J.M.)
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Molangiri A, Varma S, M S, Kambham S, Duttaroy AK, Basak S. Prenatal exposure to bisphenol S and bisphenol A differentially affects male reproductive system in the adult offspring. Food Chem Toxicol 2022; 167:113292. [PMID: 35842007 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113292] [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] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Early exposure to bisphenol may result in adverse reproductive health in later life. The use of bisphenol S (BPS) has increased considerably after bisphenol A (BPA) is regulated worldwide. However, little is known about the fetal exposure to BPS compared with BPA and its effects on the reproductive system in the adult male offspring. Here, we investigated the effects of orally administered BPS and BPA (0.4, 4.0, 40.0 μg/kg bw/d) during gestation (gD4-21) on testicular development by evaluating the sperm DNA damage & methylation and testicular functions in the 90 d Wistar rats. Male offspring prenatally exposed to BPS (0.4 μg/kg) had higher plasma testosterone than BPA and control. The testis histology reveals thickened membrane by producing a wide interstitial gap between seminiferous tubules, increased testicular inflammation, oxidative stress, TIMP-1 expression, and decreased VCAM-1 expression. BPS promotes apoptosis by up-regulating IL-6, cleaved caspases, and a spike in sperm DNA fragmentation. Prenatal BPS exposure reduces sperm motility mediated via impaired PI3K-AKT signaling and increases testicular TEX11 expression in the offspring. Exposure of the fetus to BPS interferes developmental programming of the male reproductive system in the offspring. BPS could be an equally potent endocrine disruptor affecting male reproductive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Molangiri
- National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Saikanth Varma
- National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Satyavani M
- National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Saikrishna Kambham
- National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Sanjay Basak
- National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India.
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Wu DL, Wang TS, Zhang W, Wang JS, Peng DY, Kong LY. NMR-based metabolomics approach to study the effects of Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong-Wan on triptolide-induced oligospermia in rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 265:113192. [PMID: 32889033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Wu-Zi-Yan-Zong-Wan (WZYZW) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal recipe for oligozoospermia. Oligozoospermia is a common disease that harms human fertility, there is no effective therapeutic medicine at present. However, the underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. METHODS Oligozoospermia rats model induced by Tripterygium glycosides (TG) was established to inspect the efficiency of WZYZW in the treatment of oligozoospermia by traditional pharmacodynamics combined with NMR-based metabolomics. Multivariate statistics were used to extracted the underlying biomarkers and metabolic pathways of WZYZW in the treatment of oligozoospermia. RESULTS The results showed that TG disturbed many metabolites and metabolic pathways such as oxidative stress (choline, O-phosphocholine, betaine and ascorbate), energy metabolism in mitochondria (glucose, lactate, succinate, fumarate, 3-hydroxybutyrate and alanine), mitochondrial apoptosis markers (Bax and Bcl-2) and amino acids metabolisms (arginine, branched-chain amino acids, taurine and myo-inositol). CONCLUSIONS WZYZW could significantly reverse the disturbed metabolites to their normal status by their abilities of anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, balancing the osmotic pressure regulatory molecules and regulating the amino acids metabolism. This study provides pharmacological basis and guidance for the clinical usage of WZYZW.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Ling Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.
| | - Tong-Sheng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.
| | - Jun-Song Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Metabolism, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, China.
| | - Dai-Yin Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China.
| | - Ling-Yi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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4
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Zhao Q, Dai H, Wang J, Yan F, Jang G, Ma J, Wang B, Li H. A Network Pharmacology Approach to Reveal the Underlying Mechanisms of Zuogui Yin in the Treatment of Male Infertility. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2020; 24:803-813. [PMID: 32838712 DOI: 10.2174/1386207323999200824112611] [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: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a complementary and alternative therapy, has played increasingly important roles in clinical treatment and disease prevention. Zuogui Yin (ZGY) is one of the well-known TCM prescriptions used for the treatment of male infertility. To fully reveal the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of ZGY on male infertility, a network pharmacology approach was conducted at the molecular level. METHODS Network pharmacology approach was used in this study, which mainly included active compound screening, target prediction, gene enrichment analysis, and network analysis. RESULTS The network analysis successfully identified 148 potential active ingredients of ZGY and 155 predicted targets that were associated with male infertility. ZGY might play a role in the treatment of male infertility by regulating ten hub targets (VEGFA, CASP3, TNF, AKT1, EGF, EGFR, IL-6, MAPK1, TP53, and PTGS2) and six pathways (TNF signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway). CONCLUSION This study explored the pharmacological activity and molecular mechanisms of ZGY against male infertility from a holistic perspective. The underlying molecular mechanisms were closely related to the intervention of oxidative stress and apoptosis with CASP3, TP53, AKT1, and MAPK1 being possible targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhao
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Hengheng Dai
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Jisheng Wang
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Yan
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, Beijing, China
| | - Guejin Jang
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxiong Ma
- Department of Andrology, Hang Zhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, China
| | - Haisong Li
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing 100700, Beijing, China
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Lopes AC, Oliveira PF, Sousa M. Shedding light into the relevance of telomeres in human reproduction and male factor infertility†. Biol Reprod 2018; 100:318-330. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Lopes
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, and Multidisciplinary Unit for Biomedical Research (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, New University of Lisbon (FCT-UNL), Campus Caparica, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, and Multidisciplinary Unit for Biomedical Research (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- i3S- Institute of Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário Sousa
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, and Multidisciplinary Unit for Biomedical Research (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Professor Alberto Barros, Porto, Portugal
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Expression of NDUFA13 in asthenozoospermia and possible pathogenesis. Reprod Biomed Online 2016; 34:66-74. [PMID: 27789183 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility, which is characterized by reduced forward motility of spermatozoa. The cause and pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 alpha subcomplex, 13 (NDUFA13) in the spermatozoa of men with asthenozoospermia and its possible pathogenesis. Protein content of NDUFA13 in spermatozoa was measured by Western blot analysis. The results showed that NDUFA13 expression in spermatozoa was significantly lower in men with asthenozoospermic than in men with normozoospermia (P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence experiments showed that NDUFA13 was expressed predominantly in the sperm mid-piece. A lower mitochondrial membrane potential, a higher intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and more apoptotic cells were also detected in men with asthenozoospermia. NDUFA13-specific small interfering RNA was used in the mouse spermatocyte GC2-spd cell line to down-regulate the expression of NDUFA13. The knockdown of NDUFA13 in the GC2-spd cells caused a collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, an increase in ROS level and more apoptotic cells. Our study showed that NDUFA13 deficiency may be associated with asthenozoospermia through the disturbance of spermatozoa mitochondrial membrane potential and by increasing apoptosis and intracellular ROS.
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Overexpression of PRL7D1 in Leydig Cells Causes Male Reproductive Dysfunction in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17010096. [PMID: 26771609 PMCID: PMC4730338 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prolactin family 7, subfamily d, member 1 (PRL7D1) is found in mouse placenta. Our recent work showed that PRL7D1 is also present in mouse testis Leydig cells, and the expression of PRL7D1 in the testis exhibits an age-related increase. In the present study, we generated transgenic mice with Leydig cell-specific PRL7D1 overexpression to explore its function during male reproduction. Prl7d1 male mice exhibited subfertility as reflected by reduced sperm counts and litter sizes. The testes from Prl7d1 transgenic mice appeared histologically normal, but the frequency of apoptotic germ cells was increased. Prl7d1 transgenic mice also had lower testosterone concentrations than wild-type mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that Prl7d1 transgenic mice have defects in the testicular expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) and hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase cluster (HSD3B). Further studies revealed that PRL7D1 overexpression affected the expression of transferrin (TF) in Sertoli cells. These results suggest that PRL7D1 overexpression could lead to increased germ cell apoptosis and exert an inhibitory effect on testosterone production in Leydig cells by reducing the expression of certain steroidogenic-related genes. In addition, PRL7D1 appears to have important roles in the function of Sertoli cells, which, in turn, affects male fertility. We conclude that the expression level of PRL7D1 is associated with the reproductive function of male mice.
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Dysregulation of apoptotic pathway candidate genes and proteins in infertile azoospermia patients. Fertil Steril 2015; 104:736-43.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
In the mammalian testis, spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process of germ cell development, which ends with the release of ‘mature’ spermatozoa. The fine regulation of spermatogenesis is strictly dependent on sex steroid hormones, which orchestrate the cellular and molecular events underlying normal development of germ cells. Sex steroids actions also rely on the control of germ cell survival, and the programmed cell death by apoptosis has been indicated as a critical process in regulating the size and quality of the germ line. Recently, oestrogens have emerged as important regulators of germ cell fate. However, the beneficial or detrimental effects of oestrogens in spermatogenesis are controversial, with independent reports arguing for their role as cell survival factors or as apoptosis-inducers. The dual behaviour of oestrogens, shifting from ‘angels to devils’ is supported by the clinical findings of increased oestrogens levels in serum and intratesticular milieu of idiopathic infertile men. This review aims to discuss the available information concerning the role of oestrogens in the control of germ cell death and summarises the signalling mechanisms driven oestrogen-induced apoptosis. The present data represent a valuable basis for the clinical management of hyperoestrogenism-related infertility and provide a rationale for the use of oestrogen-target therapies in male infertility.
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Amaral A, Lourenço B, Marques M, Ramalho-Santos J. Mitochondria functionality and sperm quality. Reproduction 2013; 146:R163-74. [PMID: 23901129 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 320] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although mitochondria are best known for being the eukaryotic cell powerhouses, these organelles participate in various cellular functions besides ATP production, such as calcium homoeostasis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis. The aim of this review was to discuss the putative roles of mitochondria in mammalian sperm function and how they may relate to sperm quality and fertilisation ability, particularly in humans. Although paternal mitochondria are degraded inside the zygote, sperm mitochondrial functionality seems to be critical for fertilisation. Indeed, changes in mitochondrial integrity/functionality, namely defects in mitochondrial ultrastructure or in the mitochondrial genome, transcriptome or proteome, as well as low mitochondrial membrane potential or altered oxygen consumption, have been correlated with loss of sperm function (particularly with decreased motility). Results from genetically engineered mouse models also confirmed this trend. On the other hand, increasing evidence suggests that mitochondria derived ATP is not crucial for sperm motility and that glycolysis may be the main ATP supplier for this particular aspect of sperm function. However, there are contradictory data in the literature regarding sperm bioenergetics. The relevance of sperm mitochondria may thus be associated with their role in other physiological features, particularly with the production of ROS, which in controlled levels are needed for proper sperm function. Sperm mitochondria may also serve as intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, although their role in signalling is still unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Amaral
- Biology of Reproduction and Stem Cell Group, CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Amaral A, Castillo J, Ramalho-Santos J, Oliva R. The combined human sperm proteome: cellular pathways and implications for basic and clinical science. Hum Reprod Update 2013; 20:40-62. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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Luo L, Li Y, Yang Y, He Y, Wang Y, Xu Z, Zhang Y. Multinucleated cells are involved in normal development and apoptosis in mouse testes. Mol Med Rep 2013; 8:865-70. [PMID: 23828630 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2013.1568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Multinucleated cells are present in impaired spermatogenesis and in the senescent testis. Following accumulating evidence from our previous studies on the identification of multinucleated cells during normal testicle development, the current study further investigated the possible mechanism and role of these multinucleated cells. Healthy male Kunming mice were used in the present study. The association between multinucleated cells and cell apoptosis were analyzed using TUNEL analysis and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that multinucleated cells are widespread in the testicular tissue of seminiferous tubules on postnatal days 23, 27, 30, 33, 36, 40, 47, 50 and 54 suggesting that these cells are involved in the process of normal development of mouse testis. Histochemical analysis revealed a lack of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1 protein expression in multinucleated cells, suggesting that these cells are not involved in the G1 and S phases of the cell cycle and cell proliferation. Increased expression of Bax and caspase 3 was detected, revealing that multinucleated cells may be associated with cell apoptosis during testicular development. To the best of our knowledge, this study demonstrated for the first time that multinucleated cells are present during normal testicular development and may be associated with spermatogonial stem cell apoptosis. Therefore, multinucleated cells may be important in the spermatogenesis process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Luo
- Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
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Almeida C, Correia S, Rocha E, Alves A, Ferraz L, Silva J, Sousa M, Barros A. Caspase signalling pathways in human spermatogenesis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2013; 30:487-95. [PMID: 23359247 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-013-9938-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2012] [Accepted: 01/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Little is known about the apoptotic mechanisms involved in abnormal spermatogenesis. In order to describe the significance of apoptosis in azoospermia, testicular tissue from abnormal spermatogenesis was analysed. METHODS Testicular treatment biopsies were obtained from 27 men. Five presented oligozoospermia, 9 obstructive azoospermia (4 congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens; 5 secondary azoospermia) and 13 non-obstructive azoospermia (5 hypospermatogenis; 3 maturation arrest; 5 Sertoli-cell-only syndrome). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for active caspases-3, -8 and -9. The presence of active caspases in Sertoli cells and germ cells was analyzed using stereological tools. RESULTS Increased active caspase-3 was found in Sertoli-cell-only syndrome. No significant differences were found in maturation arrest. In hypospermatogenesis, primary spermatocytes were the germ cells with higher active caspases. Oligozoospermia and secondary obstruction showed significant differences among germ cells for the presence of all active caspases. In oligozoospermia, spermatogonia presented significant increased active caspase-9 in relation to active caspase-8. In primary obstruction and hypospermatogenesis, germ cells presented significant increased active caspases-3 and -9. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that increased active caspase-3 might be involved in Sertoli-cell-only syndrome etiology. In cases of hypospermatogenesis, intrinsic lesions at the meiotic stage seem to be related to the pathology. In secondary obstruction apoptosis is suggested to be initiated due to extrinsic and intrinsic lesions, whereas in primary obstruction only the intrinsic apoptotic pathway seems to be present. Finally, in oligozoospermic patients spermatogonia death by mitochondrial damage additionally to meiosis malfunctioning, might be on the origin of the decreased sperm output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Almeida
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, 4200-319, Portugal.
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Expression of estrogen receptors-α in testicular biopsies from nonobstructive azoospermic patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1097/01.ehx.0000418063.67260.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Streichemberger E, Perrin J, Saias-Magnan J, Karsenty G, Malzac P, Grillo JM, Mitchell MJ, Metzler-Guillemain C. Case report of apoptosis in testis of four AZFc-deleted patients: increased DNA fragmentation during meiosis, but decreased apoptotic markers in post-meiotic germ cells. Hum Reprod 2012; 27:1939-45. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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