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DJ-1 deficiency causes metabolic abnormality in ornidazole-induced asthenozoospermia

Yi Sun1,2, Xinping Sun3, Lianming Zhao4

  • 1National Key Research Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Peking University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|October 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

DJ-1 deficiency in testicular tissue is linked to asthenozoospermia (AS), affecting mitochondrial function and metabolism. This study reveals DJ-1

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Metabolomics

Background:

  • Asthenozoospermia (AS), characterized by low sperm motility, is a primary cause of male infertility.
  • DJ-1 (PARK7) is crucial for male fertility and mitochondrial protection, but its role in spermatogenesis is unclear.
  • Previous studies indicated reduced DJ-1 levels in ornidazole-induced AS rat models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate DJ-1 localization and expression, along with mitochondrial complex I subunits (NDUFS3, NDUFA4), in a rat model of AS.
  • To identify metabolic alterations in testicular tissues associated with AS.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an ornidazole-induced asthenozoospermia rat model.
  • Examined DJ-1, NDUFS3, and NDUFA4 expression and localization via techniques not specified.
  • Performed metabolomic analysis on testicular tissues to identify altered small molecules and ions.

Main Results:

  • Ornidazole treatment reduced DJ-1 in spermatocytes and altered NDUFS3 and NDUFA4 expression.
  • Observed significant metabolic changes including glucose accumulation, enhanced purine metabolism, altered lipid profiles (PA, PE), and ion imbalances (Na+, K+).
  • Did not find similar metabolic or ionic abnormalities in semen from human AS patients.

Conclusions:

  • DJ-1 deficiency in testicular tissue correlates with altered NDUFS3 localization and NDUFA4 levels.
  • These changes likely contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and broader metabolic disruptions in AS.
  • Testicular metabolic alterations in AS may differ from those observable in patient semen samples.

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