Circadian effects of ionizing radiation on reproductive function and clock genes expression in male mouse.
10.1186/s12199-021-01021-4
- Author:
Fenju QIN
1
;
Ningang LIU
2
;
Jing NIE
2
;
Tao SHEN
3
;
Yingjie XU
3
;
Shuxian PAN
2
;
Hailong PEI
2
;
Guangming ZHOU
4
Author Information
1. School of Chemistry and Life science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China. qinfenju@usts.edu.cn.
2. School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
3. School of Chemistry and Life science, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China.
4. School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, China. gmzhou@suda.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Circadian rhythm;
Clock genes;
Ionizing radiation;
Reproductive marker
- MeSH:
ARNTL Transcription Factors/genetics*;
Acid Phosphatase;
Animals;
CLOCK Proteins/genetics*;
Circadian Rhythm/radiation effects*;
Epididymis/radiation effects*;
Gene Expression/radiation effects*;
Genitalia, Male/radiation effects*;
Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase;
L-Iditol 2-Dehydrogenase;
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase;
Male;
Mice;
Mice, Inbred C57BL;
Models, Animal;
Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1/genetics*;
Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 2/genetics*;
Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3/genetics*;
RNA, Messenger/genetics*;
Radiation Exposure;
Radiation, Ionizing;
Reproductive Physiological Phenomena/radiation effects*;
Sperm Motility/radiation effects*;
Spermatozoa/radiation effects*;
Testis/radiation effects*
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2021;26(1):103-103
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Exposure to the ionizing radiation (IR) encountered outside the magnetic field of the Earth poses a persistent threat to the reproductive functions of astronauts. The potential effects of space IR on the circadian rhythms of male reproductive functions have not been well characterized so far.
METHODS:Here, we investigated the circadian effects of IR exposure (3 Gy X-rays) on reproductive functional markers in mouse testicular tissue and epididymis at regular intervals over a 24-h day. For each animal, epididymis was tested for sperm motility, and the testis tissue was used for daily sperm production (DSP), testosterone levels, and activities of testicular enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and acid phosphatase (ACP)), and the clock genes mRNA expression such as Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-β, or Ror-γ.
RESULTS:Mice exposed to IR exhibited a disruption in circadian rhythms of reproductive markers, as indicated by decreased sperm motility, increased daily sperm production (DSP), and reduced activities of testis enzymes such as G6PDH, SDH, LDH, and ACP. Moreover, IR exposure also decreased mRNA expression of five clock genes (Clock, Bmal1, Ror-α, Ror-β, or Ror-γ) in testis, with alteration in the rhythm parameters.
CONCLUSION:These findings suggested potential health effects of IR exposure on reproductive functions of male astronauts, in terms of both the daily overall level as well as the circadian rhythmicity.
