甲基汞对小鼠睾丸生殖细胞凋亡作用

Effect of methylmercury on germ cell apoptosis in male mice

目的研究甲基汞对小鼠睾丸生殖细胞凋亡及其作用机制。方法采用原位末端标记(TUNEL)和免疫组织化学方法研究甲基汞对小鼠睾丸生殖凋亡及其凋亡基因的表达。结果甲基汞可使雄性小鼠睾丸生殖细胞的凋亡率增加,随着甲基汞染毒剂量的增加,1/50 LD501、/10 LD50组凋亡率与阴性对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。1/10 LD50剂量染毒组低于1/50 LD50组,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。Fas、Fas-L、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸特异性蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)表达增强,1/100 LD50组阳性表达率最高,与阴性对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),随着染毒剂量的增加,各染毒组的阳性表达率有所下降。结论甲基汞可以诱导雄性小鼠生殖细胞的凋亡。

Objective To study the apoptosis effect and mechanisms of MeHg on germ cells in male mice. Methods TUN-EL assay and immunohistochemistry assay were used to examine the apoptosis effect and the expression of apoptosis genes of germ cells in male mice. Results MeHg could increase the apoptosis ratio of germ cells. With the increase of dose of MeHg, the apoptosis ratio of 1/50 LD50, 1/10 LD50 groups were significantly higher than that in control group（ P 〈 0.05）. Furthermore, the expression of Fas, Fas- L, caspase - 3 in 1/100 LD50 group were enhanced, there was a significant difference between 1/100 LD50 and control group（P〈0.05）, while in other groups were weakened with the increase of dose of MeHg. Conclusion MeHg can induce the apoptosis of germ cells in male mice.