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Effect of aging on spontaneous and induced mouse testicular germ cell apoptosis
C J Barnes1, B W Covington, I L Cameron
1Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether apoptotic cell death of mouse testicular germ cells varies with increased age, or with exposure to an acute systemic oxidative stress. Results show that the percent of seminiferous tubules with apoptotic cells, and the number of apoptotic cells/tubule cross section were not significantly altered with age. However, there were significantly more apoptotic metaphase spermatocytes at tubule stage XIV in 24-month-old mice than in 6-month-old mice. Oxidative stress significantly increased apoptotic metaphase spermatocytes in young mice, and severely reduced testicular apoptosis in old mice. Our results have potential clinical relevance to changes with increased age in human sperm aneuploidies.
Insights
Aging and oxidative stress impact testicular germ cell apoptosis differently in mice. While age alone had minimal effect, oxidative stress increased germ cell death in young mice but decreased it in older mice.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Testicular germ cell apoptosis is crucial for male fertility.
- Understanding age-related changes and oxidative stress effects is vital for reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how aging and acute oxidative stress influence apoptotic cell death in mouse testicular germ cells.
- To explore potential links between these findings and human sperm aneuploidies.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of germ cell apoptosis in mice of different ages (6 vs. 24 months).
- Assessment of germ cell apoptosis following induced acute systemic oxidative stress.
- Histological examination of seminiferous tubules and apoptotic cell quantification.
Main Results:
- Aging did not significantly alter the overall percentage of tubules with apoptotic cells or the number of apoptotic cells per tubule cross-section.
- A significant increase in apoptotic metaphase spermatocytes was observed at tubule stage XIV in older mice.
- Oxidative stress elevated apoptotic metaphase spermatocytes in young mice but markedly reduced overall testicular apoptosis in aged mice.
Conclusions:
- Apoptotic germ cell death in mice shows complex modulation by both aging and oxidative stress.
- Age-related changes in testicular apoptosis may differ from responses to acute oxidative challenges.
- Findings suggest potential clinical relevance for age-related human sperm aneuploidies.