L-Arginine alleviates the testosterone reduction in heat-treated mice by upregulating LH secretion, the testicular antioxidant system and expression of steroidogenesis-related genes

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 885
Author(s):  
Xiao Jia ◽  
Zhaojian Li ◽  
Xin Ren ◽  
Pengyuan Dai ◽  
Yansen Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant System ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Steroidogenic Factor 1 ◽  
Heat Treated ◽  
Group A ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Lh Secretion

High temperature can reduce testes function, leading to decreased testosterone secretion. Dietary l-arginine (l-Arg) supplementation improves the semen quality and libido of boars. The present study investigated whether l-Arg could enhance the production of testosterone in mice exposed to high ambient temperature. Twenty-four 6-week-old male ICR mice were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a heat-treated (HT) group and a group subjected to heat treatment plus 2mg kg−1 l-Arg (HT+Arg). l-Arg was administered to mice by oral gavage for 18 consecutive days, after which the HT and HT+Arg groups were placed into an incubator at 40°C for 30min every day for 5 days. Serum testosterone and LH concentrations were significantly increased in the HT+Arg compared with HT group, as was catalase, total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity and the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (Star), steroidogenic factor-1 (Sf1), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (Hsd17b3) and 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (Cyp17a1) in the testes. These results demonstrate that l-Arg can alleviate testosterone reductions in heat-treated mice by upregulating LH secretion, enhancing the antioxidant system and increasing the expression of testosterone synthesis-related genes.

scholarly journals The Effect of Schisandra chinensis Baillon on Cross-Talk between Oxidative Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Mitochondrial Signaling Pathway in Testes of Varicocele-Induced SD Rat

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (22) ◽  
pp. 5785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karna ◽  
Choi ◽  
Kim ◽  
Kim ◽  
Park
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Sperm Motility ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Human Sperm ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Schisandra Chinensis ◽  
Germ Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Testicular Dysfunction ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

Schisandra chinensis Baillon (SC) has been utilized for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities in a broad variety of medical applications. However; SC uses for improving fertility in males and related disorders with proper scientific validation remain obscure. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of SC on varicocele (VC)-induced testicular dysfunction and the potential molecular mechanism associated with VC-induced germ cell apoptosis. The male Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into four groups consisting of 10 rats in a normal control group (CTR), a control group administered SC 200 mg/kg (SC 200), a varicocele-induced control group (VC), and a varicocele-induced group administered SC 200 mg/kg (VC + SC 200). Rats were administrated 200 mg/kg SC once daily for 28 days after induction of varicocele rats and sham controls. At the end of the treatment period, body and reproductive organ weight, sperm parameters, histopathological damages, proinflammatory cytokines, apoptosis markers, biomarkers of oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) were evaluated. The effects of SC extract on human sperm motility were also analyzed. SC treatment reduces VC-induced testicular dysfunction by significantly increasing testicular weight, sperm count and sperm motility, serum testosterone level, Johnsen score, spermatogenic cell density, testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase level, and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) level. Furthermore, the effects of SC on malondialdehyde (MDA) level, reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) level, apoptotic index, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, Glucose-regulated protein-78 (Grp 78), phosphorylated c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), phosphorylated inositol-requiring transmembrane kinase/endoribonuclease 1α (p-IRE1α), cleaved caspase 3, and Bax:Bcl2 in VC-induced rats were significantly decreased. Treatment with SC extracts also increased sperm motility in human sperm. Our findings suggest that the SC ameliorate testicular dysfunction in VC-induced rats via crosstalk between oxidative stress, ER stress, and mitochondrial-mediated testicular germ cell apoptosis signaling pathways. SC promotes spermatogenesis by upregulating abnormal sex hormones and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6; TNF-α).

scholarly journals Long-term hypoxia represses the expression of key genes regulating cortisol biosynthesis in the near-term ovine fetus

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. R1707-R1714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean A. Myers ◽  
Kimberly Hyatt ◽  
Malgorzata Mlynarczyk ◽  
Ian M. Bird ◽  
Charles A. Ducsay
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Fetal Sheep ◽  
Steroidogenic Factor 1 ◽  
Acth Receptor ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

Basal plasma ACTH1–39 concentrations are elevated in long-term hypoxic (LTH) fetal sheep. This study was designed to determine whether the expression of genes regulating cortisol biosynthesis was altered after LTH. Pregnant ewes were maintained at high altitude (3,820 m) from day 30 of gestation to near term, when the animals were transported to the laboratory. Reduced Po2 was maintained by nitrogen infusion through a maternal tracheal catheter. On days 137–141, fetal adrenal glands were collected from LTH and normoxic control fetuses. Real-time PCR was used to quantify mRNA for steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17), 21-hydroxylase (CYP21), cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (HSD3B2), and the ACTH receptor. We analyzed mRNA by slot-blot hybridization and also quantified mRNA for transcription factors necessary for adrenocortical development by quantitative real-time PCR: steroidogenic factor 1 and dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia congenital, critical region on the X chromosome (DAX-1). Protein was quantified by Western blot analysis. Adrenal mRNAs for CYP17, CYP11A1, and the ACTH receptor were significantly reduced in LTH fetal sheep compared with levels shown in controls. Similarly, CYP11A1 protein and CYP17 protein were reduced in the LTH group. CYP21, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, HSD3B2, steroidogenic factor 1, and DAX-1 expressions were not altered in response to LTH. We conclude that expression of two key steroidogenic enzymes (CYP17, CYP11A1) regulating cortisol biosynthesis and the ACTH receptor is lower in response to LTH. This likely represents an adaptive response to LTH, to prevent excessive cortisol production that would restrict fetal growth and potentially induce preterm delivery.

Contamination with Depleted or Enriched Uranium Differently Affects Steroidogenesis Metabolism in Rat

2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Grignard ◽  
Yann Guéguen ◽  
Stéphane Grison ◽  
Jean-Marc A. Lobaccaro ◽  
Patrick Gourmelon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Depleted Uranium ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Uranium Contamination ◽  
Steroidogenic Factor 1 ◽  
Alpha Emitter ◽  
Testicular Steroidogenesis ◽  
Enriched Uranium ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
First Time

Uranium is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in the Earth’s crust. It is an alpha-emitter radioactive element from the actinide group that presents both radiotoxicant and chemotoxicant properties. Some studies revealed that uranium could affect the reproductive system. To distinguish chemical versus radiological effects of uranium on the metabolism of the steroids in the testis, rats were contaminated via their drinking water with depleted or enriched uranium. Animals were exposed to radionuclides for 9 months at a dose of 40 mg/L (560 Bq/L for depleted uranium, 1680 Bq/L for enriched uranium). Whereas depleted uranium did not seem to significantly affect the production of testicular steroid hormones in rats, enriched uranium significantly increased the level of circulating testosterone by 2.5-fold. Enriched uranium contamination led to significant increases in the mRNA levels of StAR (Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein; 3-fold, p = .001), cyp11a1 (cytochrome P45011a1; 2.2-fold, p < .001), cyp17a1 (cytochrome P45017a1; 2.5-fold, p = .014), cyp19a1 (cytochrome P45019a1; 2.3-fold, p = .021), and 5 α-R1 (5 α reductase type 1; 2.0-fold, p = .02), whereas depleted uranium contamination induces no changes in the expression of these genes. Moreover, expression levels of the nuclear receptors LXR (Liver X Receptor) and SF-1 (Steroidogenic Factor 1), as well as the transcription factor GATA-4, were modified following enriched uranium contamination. Altogether, these results show for the first time a differential effect among depleted or enriched uranium contamination on testicular steroidogenesis. It appears that the deleterious effects of uranium are mainly due to the radiological activity of the compound.

scholarly journals Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Steroid-Producing Cells

Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (9) ◽  
pp. 4336-4345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuhiro Sonoyama ◽  
Masakatsu Sone ◽  
Kyoko Honda ◽  
Daisuke Taura ◽  
Katsutoshi Kojima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Ips Cells ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein ◽  
Steroidogenic Factor 1 ◽  
Differentiated Cells ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
Mesodermal Lineage

Although there have been reports of the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells into steroid-producing cells, the differentiation of human ES/induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into steroid-producing cells has not been reported. The purpose of our present study was to establish a method for inducing differentiation of human ES/iPS cells into steroid-producing cells. The first approach we tried was embryoid body formation and further culture on adherent plates. The resultant differentiated cells expressed mRNA encoding the steroidogenic enzymes steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450-containing enzyme (CYP)-11A1, CYP17A1, and CYP19, and secreted progesterone was detected in the cell medium. However, expression of human chorionic gonadotropin was also detected, suggesting the differentiated cells were trophoblast like. We next tried a multistep approach. As a first step, human ES/iPS cells were induced to differentiate into the mesodermal lineage. After 7 d of differentiation induced by 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (a glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibitor), the human ES/iPS cells had differentiated into fetal liver kinase-1- and platelet derived growth factor receptor-α-expressing mesodermal lineage cells. As a second step, plasmid DNA encoding steroidogenic factor-1, a master regulator of steroidogenesis, was introduced into these mesodermal cells. The forced expression of steroidogenic factor-1 and subsequent addition of 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate induced the mesodermal cells to differentiate into the steroidogenic cell lineage, and expression of CYP21A2 and CYP11B1, in addition to steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1, was detected. Moreover, secreted cortisol was detected in the medium, but human chorionic gonadotropin was not. These findings indicate that the steroid-producing cells obtained through the described multistep method are not trophoblast like; instead, they exhibit characteristics of adrenal cortical cells.

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