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Published on: July 13, 2014
Effects of different doses of ethanol on sperm parameters, chromatin structure and apoptosis in adult mice
Marzieh Rahimipour1, Ali Reza Talebi, Morteza Anvari
1Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Objective:
Chronic ethanol abuse causes reproductive organ failure and infertility in both humans and laboratory animals. Since sperm has a critical role in reproductive function, the objective of this unique study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of ethanol on sperm parameters, chromatin structure and apoptosis in adult mice.
Study Design:
A total of 36 adult male mice were equally divided into four groups. Group 1 received ethanol (10%, v/v) containing saccharin (0.2%, w/v), group 2 received ethanol (5%, v/v) containing saccharin (0.1%, w/v), group 3 was treated with saccharin (0.2%, w/v) and group 4 served as control and fed on basal diet for 35 days. Finally, the left cauda epididymis of each animal was cut and placed in Ham's F10 medium. Retrieved spermatozoa were used to analyze count, motility, morphology and viability. Sperm chromatin condensation and DNA integrity were assessed by five different tests including chromomycin A3 (CMA3), toluidine blue (TB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and SCD (sperm chromatin dispersion) and sperm apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL.
Results:
Following ethanol consumption, the sperm count diminished in the ethanol-treated groups. A decrease in sperm motility and an increase in the rate of morphological abnormalities (coiled and broken tails) were seen in the experimental and saccharin groups in comparison with controls. We showed that ethanol consumption can disturb sperm DNA integrity and chromatin remodeling and it may also induce sperm apoptosis. The rates of sperm apoptosis were 51.57 ± 7.45 and 42.85 ± 6.76 in the high ethanol dose and low ethanol dose groups, respectively.
Conclusion:
The results showed that alcohol has negative effects on sperm parameters, chromatin/DNA integrity and apoptosis in mice. These alcohol-induced sperm anomalies may be dose-dependent.
Insights
Chronic ethanol consumption negatively impacts male fertility by reducing sperm count, motility, and increasing abnormalities. Alcohol exposure also damages sperm DNA and induces apoptosis, with effects appearing dose-dependent.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Background:
- Chronic ethanol abuse is a known cause of reproductive organ failure and infertility.
- Sperm quality is critical for successful reproduction.
- Understanding ethanol's impact on sperm is crucial for reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of varying ethanol doses on male mouse sperm parameters.
- To assess ethanol's impact on sperm chromatin structure and integrity.
- To evaluate ethanol-induced sperm apoptosis in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Adult male mice were divided into four groups, receiving different doses of ethanol or saccharin, or a basal diet (control) for 35 days.
- Sperm count, motility, morphology, and viability were analyzed.
- Sperm chromatin condensation, DNA integrity (using CMA3, TB, SDS, SCD), and apoptosis (using TUNEL) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Ethanol consumption led to decreased sperm count and motility in treated groups.
- Increased sperm morphological abnormalities (coiled/broken tails) were observed in ethanol and saccharin groups compared to controls.
- Ethanol disturbed sperm DNA integrity, chromatin remodeling, and induced apoptosis, with higher rates in higher ethanol dose groups.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol consumption negatively affects sperm parameters, chromatin/DNA integrity, and induces apoptosis in mice.
- The observed sperm anomalies due to alcohol exposure appear to be dose-dependent.
- These findings highlight the detrimental effects of ethanol on male reproductive health.
