title: Effects of exendin-4 on male reproductive parameters of d-galactose induced aging mouse model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of exendin-4 on reproductive alteration in a D-galactose-induced aging mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, 72 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice (20~25 g) were randomly divided into six groups: control, exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg), exendin-4 (10 nmol/kg), D-galactose (500 mg/kg), D-galactose+exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg), and D-galactose+exendin-4 (10 nmol/kg). The aging model animals were gavaged with D-galactose for six weeks, and exendin-4 was injected intraperitoneally in the last 10 days. At the end of treatment serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels were evaluated and the cauda epididymis and testis were removed to analyze the sperm count and testis morphology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The testis weight and volume decreased in the D-galactose group (p<0.01 and p<0.05) respectively. Exendin-4 (1, 10 nmol/kg) increased these parameters in the normal and aging mouse models. Serum LH and FSH levels increased and the sperm count decreased in the D-galactose group (p<0.05). Further, exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg) decreased LH and FSH levels and increased the serum testosterone level and sperm count in both normal and aging animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  D-galactose can induce aging alternations in the male reproductive system such as decreased sperm count and increased serum LH and FSH levels through reactive oxygen species over production and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity. Further, co-administration of exendin-4 reduced reproductive complications of D-galactose in an aging mouse model.
authors.affiliation: Health Research Institute, Diabetes Research Center, Department of Physiology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahangarpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Member of Student Research Committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oroojan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heidari
keywords: Aging; Exenatide; Galactose; Spermatozoa; Testosterone