Simulated microgravity conditions and carbon ion irradiation induce spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage.

Hong Yan LI; Hong Zhang; Guo Ying Miao; Yi Xie; Chao Sun; Cui Xia DI; Yang Liu; Yuan Yuan Liu; Xin Zhang; Xiao Fei MA; Shuai XU; Lu Gan; Xin Zhou

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Simulated microgravity conditions and carbon ion irradiation induce spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage.

Author: Hong Yan LI ^{1
,

2
,

3
,

4} ; Hong ZHANG ; Guo Ying MIAO ; Yi XIE ; Chao SUN ; Cui Xia DI ; Yang LIU ; Yuan Yuan LIU ; Xin ZHANG ; Xiao Fei MA ; Shuai XU ; Lu GAN ; Xin ZHOU
Author Information

1. Department of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine, Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
2. Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Biology and Medicine of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, China
3. Key Laboratory of Heavy Ion Radiation Medicine of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730000, China
4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Carbon ion irradiation; Simulated microgravity; Sperm DNA damage; Spermatogenic cells apoptosis
MeSH: Animals; Apoptosis; radiation effects; Carbon; Cell Proliferation; radiation effects; DNA Damage; Heavy Ions; adverse effects; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Mice; Random Allocation; Sperm Count; Spermatogenesis; radiation effects; Spermatozoa; radiation effects; Testis; radiation effects; Weightlessness Simulation
From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2013;26(9):726-734
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of simulated microgravity and carbon ion irradiation (CIR) on spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage to the testis of male Swiss Webster mice, and assess the risk associated with space environment.
METHODSSperm DNA damage indicated by DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) was measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by annexin V-propidium iodide assay. Bax (the expression levels of p53) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were measured by immunoblotting; p53 and PCNA were located by immunohistology.
RESULTSHDS, DFI, apoptosis index, and the expression levels of p53 and Bax were detected to be significantly higher in the experimental groups (P<0.05) compared with those in the control group; however, the PCNA expression varied to a certain degree. p53- and PCNA- positive expression were detected in each group, mainly in relation to the spermatogonic cells and spermatocytes.
CONCLUSIONThe findings of the present study demonstrated that simulated microgravity and CIR can induce spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage. Sperm DNA damage may be one of the underlying mechanisms behind male fertility decline under space environment. These findings may provide a scientific basis for protecting astronauts and space traveler's health and safety.