Concentrated ambient PM2.5 exposure affects mice sperm quality and testosterone biosynthesis

Author:

Yang Yingying12ORCID,Yang Tingting3,Liu Shengxin2,Cao Zhijuan1,Zhao Yan1,Su Xiujuan1,Liao Zehuan45ORCID,Teng Xiaoming6,Hua Jing1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Women and Children’s Health Care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

2. Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

3. Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

4. School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore

5. Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

6. Department of Assisted Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

Abstract

Background Studies suggested that PM2.5 exposure could lead to adverse reproductive effects on male animals. However, the underlying mechanism is still not clear. Besides, animals in the majority of previous studies were exposed to PM2.5 through intratracheal instillation which should be improved. In addition, limited amount of research has been conducted in China where the PM2.5 concentration is higher and the PM2.5 components are different. The aim of this work is to explore the effects of concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAP) on mice sperm quality and testosterone biosynthesis. Methods A total of 12 male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or CAP for 125 days using the Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System. The mice sperm concentration, sperm motility, DNA fragmentation index, high DNA stainability and plasma testosterone were analyzed. Testicular histology and sperm morphology were observed through optical microscope. Testosterone biosynthesis related gene expressions were analyzed using real-time PCR, including cytochrome P450 CHOL side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom), estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR). Results Exposure to CAP resulted in disturbance of various stages of spermatogenesis and significant higher percentage of abnormal sperm (FA vs. CAP: 24.37% vs. 44.83%) in mice testis. CAP exposure significantly decreased sperm concentration (43.00 × 106 vs. 25.33 × 106) and motility (PR: 63.58% vs. 55.15%; PR + NP: 84.00% vs. 77.08%) in epididymis. Plasma testosterone concentration were significantly declined (0.28 ng/ml vs. 0.69 ng/ml) under CAP exposure. Notably, the levels of testosterone biosynthesis related genes, StAR, P450scc, P450arom, ER and FSHR were significantly decreased with CAP exposure. Conclusion Concentrated ambient PM2.5 exposure altered mice sperm concentration, motility and morphology, which might be mediated primarily by the decline in testosterone concentration and testosterone biosynthesis process.

Funder

National Natural Science Foundation of China

Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality

Shanghai Sailing Program

Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

Publisher

PeerJ

Subject

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine,General Neuroscience

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3