title: Prepubertal male rats with high rates of germ-cell apoptosis present exacerbated rates of germ-cell apoptosis after serotonin depletion.
abstract: Male germ-cell apoptosis occurs naturally and can be increased by exposure to drugs and toxic chemicals. Individuals may have different rates of apoptosis and are likely to also exhibit differential sensitivity to outside influences. Previously, we reported that p-chloroamphetamine (pCA), a substance that inhibits serotonin synthesis, induced germ-cell apoptosis in prepubertal male rats. Here, we identified prepubertal rats with naturally high or low rates of germ-cell apoptosis and evaluated gene expression in both groups. Bax and Shbg mRNA levels were higher in rats with high rates of germ-cell apoptosis. Rats were then treated with pCA and the neuro-hormonal response and gene expression were evaluated. Treatment with pCA induced a reduction in serotonin concentrations but levels of sex hormones and gonadotrophins were not changed. Rats with initially high rates of germ-cell apoptosis had even higher rates of germ-cell apoptosis after treatment with pCA. In rats with high rates of germ-cell apoptosis Bax mRNA expression remained high after treatment with pCA. On the basis of category, an inverse relationship between mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl2, Bax and AR and Bax and Hsd3b2 was found. Here we provide evidence that innate levels of germ-cell apoptosis could be explained by the level of mRNA expression of genes involved with apoptosis and spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, CP 75470, Tecamachalco, Puebla, México.
authors.forename: Néstor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Méndez Palacios
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Pubertad, Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Investigación, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, AP 9-020, CP 15000, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: María Elena Ayala
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Escobar
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, CP 75470, Tecamachalco, Puebla, México.
authors.forename: Maximino Méndez
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, CP 75470, Tecamachalco, Puebla, México.
authors.forename: Rubén Huerta
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Crispín
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco, CP 04960, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Octavio Guerrero
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, AP 337, CP 87149, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México.
authors.forename: Javier Hernández
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Melández
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, AP 337, CP 87149, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México.
authors.forename: Andrés Aragón
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Martínez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000187:drug effects; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D011375:Progesterone Reductase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010133:p-Chloroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C494828:Bax protein, rat; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C063572:sex hormone-binding globulin receptor; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D010133:p-Chloroamphetamine; C533068:3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II; D011375:Progesterone Reductase