Establishment of an oligoasthenospermia mouse model based on TAp73 gene suppression

Background:Oligoasthenospermia is one of the main causes of male infertility.Researchers usually use chemical drugs to directly damage germ cells to prepare oligoasthenospermia models,which disregards the adhesion and migration between spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells.TAp73 is a critical regulator of the adhesin of germ cell;thus,we sought to explore a novel oligoasthenospermia model based on TAp73 gene suppression.Methods:Mice in the Pifithrin-αgroup were injected intraperitoneally with 2.5 mg/kg Pifithrin-α(TAp73 inhibitor)daily for 30 consecutive days.Reproductive hormone levels and epididymal sperm quality,as well as the network morphology of Sertoli cells were tested.Results:Sperm density,motility,and the relative protein and mRNA expression of TAp73 and Nectin 2 were obviously decreased in the Pifithrin-αgroup compared with the normal control group.No significant distinction was observed in the relative mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1.Furthermore,the tight junctions(TJs)and api-cal ectoplasmic specialization(ES)were destroyed in the Pifithrin-αgroup.Conclusion:The above results indicate that we successfully established a new oli-goasthenospermia mouse model.This study provides a foundation for further explo-ration of the roles of TAp73 genes during spermatogenesis and provides new research objects for further oligospermia research and future drug discovery.

Study on the mechanism of Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan-medicated serum interfering with the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in the GC-2 cell induced by atractyloside

Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan(WZYZW)is a classic prescription for male infertility.Our previous investigation has demon-strated that it can inhibit sperm apoplosis via afecting mitochondria,but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.The purpose of the present study was to explore the actions of WZYZW on mitochondrial permeability transition pore(mPTP)in mouse spermatocyte cell line(GC-2 cells)opened by atractyloside(ATR).At first,WZYZW-mediated serum was prepared from rats following oral adminis-tration of WZYZW for 7 days.GC-2 cells were divided into control group,model group,positive group,as well as 5%,10%,15%WZYZW-medicated serum group.Cyclosporine A(CsA)was used as a positive control.50 μmol·L^(-1) ATR was added afer drugs in-cubation.Cell viability was asessed using CCK-8.Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and TUNEL method.The opening of mPTP and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)were dected by Calcein AM and JC-1 fuorescent probe respectively.The mRNA and protein levels of voltage-dependent anion channel I(VDACI),cyelophilin D(CypD),adenine nucleide translocator(ANT),cytochrome C(Cyt C),caspase 3,9 were dected by RT-PCR(real time quantity PCR)and Western blotting respectively.The results demonstrated that mPTP of GC-2 cells was opened alpter 24 hours of ATR treatment,resulting in decreased MMP and increased apoptosis.Pre-protection with WZYZ-medicated serum and CsA inhibited the opening of mPTP of GC-2 cells induced by ATR associ ated with increased MMP and decreased apoptosis.Morcover,the results of RT-qPCR and WB suggested that WZYZW-medicated serum could significantly reduce the mRNA and protein levels of VDACI and CypD,Caspase-3,9 and CylC,as well as a increased ra-tio of BclBax.However,ANT was not significantly ffected.Therefore,these findings indicated that WZYZW inhibited mitochondri-al mediated apoptosis by atenuating the opening of mPTP in GC-2 cells.WZYZW-medicated serum inhibited the expressions of VDACI and CypD and increased the expression of Bcl-2,which afected the opening of mPTP and exerted protective and anti-apop-totic ffects on GC-2 cell induced by ATR.