The Importance of Gravity Vector on Adult Mammalian Organisms: Effects of Hyper-Gravity on Mouse Testis

Abstract

In the time of space explorations, the effect of hyper-gravity on the human physiology is a topic relatively neglected. Nevertheless, astronauts have several experiences of hyper-gravity during their mission. The main disturbance of altered gravity can be imputed to cell cytoskeleton alteration and physiologic homeostasis of the body. Testis has been revealed to be an organ particularly sensible, to be affected by environmental alteration and physiological disturbance. This makes testis an organ eligible for investigating the alteration following exposure to altered gravity. In our study, mice were exposed to hypergravity (3g for 14 days) in Large Diameter Centrifuge. We have observed morphological alteration of the regular architecture of the seminiferous tubules of testis as well as an altered expression of factors involved in junctional complexes of Sertoli cells, responsible to assure the morpho-functional integrity of the organ. The expression of key receptors in the physiological performance, such as Androgen Receptors and Interstitial Cells Stimulating Hormone (ICSH) receptors have been found lower expressed. All these findings indicate the occurrence of altered physiological performance of the organ such as the reduction of the spermatozoa number and an altered relationships with the endocrine physiology following hypergravity exposure.