Tsga10 expression correlates with sperm profiles in the adult formalin-exposed mice

Testis-specific gene antigen10 (Tsga10), as a cytoskeletal protein in the sperm tail, impacts the sperm motility. This study investigates the correlation between sperm profile alterations and Tsga10 gene expression in adult mice exposed to formaldehyde (FA) and then treated with antioxidant effect of manganese (Mn²⁺ ). In this regard, we examined 35 NMRI adult male mice (6-8 weeks age) in 4 groups of control, sham, FA-exposed and FA+Mn²⁺ . The mice in FA+Mn²⁺ group were exposed to FA (10 mg kg^-1 twice a day) for 2 weeks and treated with daily Mn²⁺ administration (5 mg kg^-1 ) in the second week prior to sacrificing the mice for testis dissection. The right testis was dissected in each group and subjected to RNA extraction and cDNA syntheses for gene expression analysis by real-time PCR. The findings revealed that FA decreased sperm parameters and Tsga10 expression (52.6 ± 24.37%). However, the injected powerful manganese antioxidant improved sperm profile through overexpression of Tsga10 (121.6 ± 27.13%) under FA-induced stressful condition which proves the correlation between sperm profile and Tsga10 expression (P ≤ 0.05). This study also shows that Tsga10 expression protects sperm dysfunction in FA+Mn²⁺ group and resulting in better preservation of spermatozoa and improvement of male fertility.