Asprosin modulates testicular functions during ageing in mice

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolism

Background:

• Aging significantly impacts male fertility, but the underlying mechanisms in testicular decline are unclear.
• Asprosin, a fasting-induced adipokine regulating glucose, has an unexplored role in testicular aging.
• Understanding asprosin's function in the aging testis is crucial for fertility research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate asprosin expression variations in mice testes across different life stages.
• To correlate asprosin levels with key testicular markers, including OLFR734, insulin receptor (IR), GLUT-8, and steroidogenic enzymes.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of asprosin in restoring testicular function in aged mice.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative analysis of asprosin expression in mouse testes at various developmental stages.
• Assessment of OLFR734, IR, GLUT-8, androgen receptor (AR), and steroidogenic marker expression.
• In vitro experiments to determine the effect of asprosin administration on aged mouse testicular cells.

Main Results:

• Asprosin expression peaked in reproductively active mice and significantly decreased in aged mice testes.
• Declining asprosin correlated with reduced testosterone, testicular glucose, and expression of OLFR734, IR, GLUT-8, and AR.
• Asprosin treatment in vitro enhanced testicular function markers, including OLFR734, StAR, HSDs, IR, GLUT-8, and increased testosterone and insulin biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

• Reduced asprosin and OLFR734 expression in aged testes may contribute to impaired insulin sensitivity and glucose transport, leading to testicular regression.
• Asprosin decline is a potential causative factor for age-related testicular dysfunction.
• Asprosin supplementation shows promise for restoring testicular function and improving fertility in aged male mice.