Deficiency of the GnIH/GPR147 system induces asthenozoospermia via PI3K-mediated metabolic and apoptotic...

Obesity-related spermatogenic dysfunction has attracted growing attention. Concurrently, gonadotropin-inhibitory hor-mone (GnIH) has been recognized as a pivotal node bridging metabolic dysregulation and testicular dysfunction. Therefore, this study investigates the mechanistic role of the GnIH/G protein-coupled receptor 147 (GPR147) signaling pathway in spermatogenic dysfunction and metabolic syndrome-associated male infertility. This study employed Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database analysis and molecular biology techniques to examine the effects of GnIH/GPR147 signaling ablation on testicular morphology, spermatogenic function, testosterone levels, and blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity in mice under different dietary regimens. Transcriptomic approaches were employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying GnIH/GPR147 signaling ablation-induced male reproductive disorders. Results demonstrated a significant correlation between downregulated GnIH/GPR147 signaling and male reproductive disorders. Both GnIH deficiency and GPR147 ablation induced spermatogenic dysfunction and BTB impairment in mice under a normal diet. Under a high-fat and high-sugar diet background, these genetic manipulations only mildly exacerbated diet-induced spermatogenic abnormalities, including morphological sperm abnormalities and defective sperm motility. However, this effect was independent of changes in serum testosterone levels or BTB integrity. Instead, transcriptome analysis indicated that GPR147 knockout activates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway, thereby inducing downstream glycolytic dysfunction, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, which ultimately leads to impaired spermatogenesis and compromised sperm motility. In summary, deficiency of the GnIH/GPR147 system induces testicular metabolic dysfunction and apoptosis via PI3K hyperactivation, leading to spermatogenic dysfunction. This study highlights the essential role of the GnIH/GPR147 gene in reproductive function, providing novel insights into the pathological mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for male infertility.