Effects of a mild heat treatment on mouse testicular gene expression and sperm quality

Abstract

The decrease in sperm quality under heat stress causes a great loss in animal husbandry production. In order to reveal the mechanism underlying the sperm quality decrease caused by heat stress, we first established a mild heattreated mouse model. Then, the sperm quality was identified. Further, the testicular proteome profile was mapped and compared with the control using 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Finally, the differential expressed proteins involved in the heat stress response were identified by real-time PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that heat stress caused a significant reduction in mouse sperm quality (P B 0.05). Further, 52 protein spots on the 2D gel were found to differ between the heat-shocked tissues and the control. Of these spots, some repair proteins which might provide some explanation for the influence on sperm quality were found. We then focused on Bag-1, Hsp40, Hsp60 and Hsp70, which were found to be differently expressed after heat shock (P B 0.05). Further analysis in this heat-shocked model suggests numerous potential mechanisms for heat shock-induced spermatogenic disorders.

Heat shock protein 60 expression and localisation in different tissues and testis development of male cattle (cattle-yak and yak)

“…This study found that the Hsp60 detected in primary spermatocyte, secondary spermatocyte and sperm cell of yak and cattle-yak. Similarly, positive reactions have recently been described in sertoli cells and spermatogonia, where it promotes testis development but may also underlie spermatogenesis [48]. Furthermore, the Hsp60 expression was low in early stages of spermatogenesis and increased with the increase in age.…”

“…When testicular tissue was exasperated by metals such as arsenic, copper and cadmium or a chemical (DEHP), mRNA and protein levels of Hsp60, Hsp70, and Hsp90 were up-regulated [11,12]. Meanwhile, Hsp40, Hsp60, and Hsp70 expression increased respectively, when mice testis was buoyed up by high temperature [13]. Many factors are responsible for the infertility of male cattle-yak.…”

Duzhong Butiansu Prescription Improves Heat Stress‐Induced Spermatogenic Dysfunction by Regulating Sperm Formation and Heat Stress Pathway

“…Heat stress induced the increased expression of Hsps. Studies have shown that heat stress induced a significant increase in Hsp70 expression in mice [43]. Our findings show that heat stress significantly decreased the expression of sex hormone-related protein and upregulated the expression of heat stress-related protein.…”

Impact of environmental factors on human semen quality and male fertility: a narrative review

“…Pesticides/ Herbicides Used in agriculture, to control insects Reduced sperm motility, sperm count, concentration, and increased sperm morphological abnormalities [134,135] Reduced sperm motility, motion kinematic parameters, sperm ATP levels, and increased morphological modifications [136,137] iv. Phthalates Found in numerous consumer products, such as toys, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products, building and construction materials, scent retainers, some medications, and personal care products Reduced total sperm counts, sperm concentration, larger sperm head sizes, an increased number of morphologically abnormal sperm lead to reduced semen quality [86,87] Reduced sperm motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction, leading to poor fertilization in mice [138] Increased DNA fragmentation and decreased sperm motility in dogs [139] v. Heavy Metals Volcanic eruptions, Weathering of metal-bearing rocks, mining, and industrial and agricultural activities Increased blood Cadmium and Barium levels and higher seminal lead, Cadmium, Barium, and Uranium result in low sperm viability and increased immotile sperm [94,96] Uranium levels correlate with decreased sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology [94] Exposure to high CuSO 4 (250 µg/ml) and CdCl 2 (500 µg/ml) results in reduced sperm motility [97] Acute and chronic cadmium exposure causes reduced sperm motility, viability, and acrosome reaction both in vivo and in vitro [140] Heavy metals adversely affect testicular morphology, sperm production, and quality [141] 3 Heat Exposure Occupational exposure in people working in furnaces, bakeries, welding, ceramic factories, laundries, dry cleaning shops, or drivers, hot climate, excessive use of hot tubs, Jacuzzi, or hot baths Extremes of temperature result in decreased semen quality including reduced sperm concentration, total sperm count, total motility, progressive motility [120] Reduced sperm concentration and total amount per ejaculate in summers as compared to winters [121] Heat stress causes a rise in sperm abnormalities, lipid peroxidation, altered mitochondrial function, decreased sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, increased DNA fragmentation, and reduced sperm quality [118,142,143] Heatwave conditions (5-7 °C above the optimum temperature for 5 days) adversely affect male reproductive potential, halve male fertility, and severely affect sperm competitive ability [144]…”