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Evaluation of sperm chromatin/DNA integrity, morphology, and Catsper expression on diabetic C57BL/6 mice
Elnaz Khordad1, Mohammad Reza Nikravesh2, Mahdi Jalali2
1Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran. khordade1@thums.ac.ir.
Background:
Diabetes is associated with reproductive impairment on the male reproductive system and causes complications such as decreased libido, fertility, spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and morphology. High levels of blood sugar may affect sperm quality and reduce the potential for male fertility. Increased levels of sperm DNA damage is often associated with reduced count and motility or abnormal morphology.
Methods:
This experimental study was conducted in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In this work, 40 mice (C57BL/6) were divided randomly into 4 groups: 1) Control, 2) Diabetic, 3) Diabetic + Insulin, and 4) Sham. After 35 days, the right epididymis of all specimens was used for Real-Time PCR and left epididymis for evaluation of sperm parameters using Aniline blue, Toluidine blue, Papanicolaou, and immunohistochemical study. Also, testes were applied for immunohistochemical, TUNEL studies, and biochemical assay.
Results:
Results of this study showed that chromatin integrity, morphology, cation channels of sperm (Catsper) expression, and biochemical factors level were significantly changed in diabetic mice in comparison to other groups (P<0.05) and treatment with insulin improved these parameters.
Conclusion:
Our findings showed that the sperm parameters such as DNA integrity, morphology, and Catsper expression change in diabetic mice.
Insights
Diabetes negatively impacts male fertility by damaging sperm DNA, affecting morphology and motility. Insulin treatment in diabetic mice showed significant improvements in these crucial sperm parameters.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is linked to male reproductive dysfunction, including decreased libido, fertility, and impaired spermatogenesis.
- Hyperglycemia can compromise sperm quality, leading to reduced male fertility potential and increased sperm DNA damage.
- Elevated sperm DNA damage correlates with diminished sperm count, motility, and abnormal morphology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of diabetes on male reproductive parameters in mice.
- To evaluate the potential of insulin therapy in mitigating diabetes-induced reproductive impairments.
- To assess changes in sperm DNA integrity, morphology, and cation channels of sperm (Catsper) expression.
Main Methods:
- An experimental study involving 40 C57BL/6 mice randomly assigned to Control, Diabetic, Diabetic + Insulin, and Sham groups.
- Assessment of sperm parameters using Aniline blue, Toluidine blue, Papanicolaou staining, and immunohistochemical analysis.
- Evaluation of sperm DNA integrity via TUNEL assay and gene expression analysis of Catsper using Real-Time PCR.
Main Results:
- Diabetic mice exhibited significant alterations in chromatin integrity, sperm morphology, and Catsper expression compared to control groups (P<0.05).
- Biochemical factors related to male reproduction were also significantly affected by diabetes.
- Insulin treatment demonstrated a notable improvement in the compromised sperm parameters observed in diabetic mice.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes significantly alters key sperm parameters, including DNA integrity, morphology, and cation channels of sperm (Catsper) expression in male mice.
- These findings highlight the detrimental impact of diabetes on male fertility.
- Insulin therapy shows promise in ameliorating diabetes-associated male reproductive impairments.
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