Sulfur dioxide inhalation lowers sperm quality and alters testicular histology via increasing expression of CREM and ACT proteins in rat testes.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the main atmospheric pollutants worldwide, and is reported to be responsible for the formation of severe haze in China. Some studies have demonstrated a potential harmful effect of SO2on the male reproductive system; however the underlying mechanism is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the roles of cytochrome P450 (P450), cAMP-responsive element modulator (CREM), and activator of CREM (ACT) in SO2-induced toxicity. Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into an experimental and control group. The experiment group was exposed to SO2in ambient air (10ppm, 4h/day), and the control group was treated with filtered air in the same conditions. After 2 weeks, the results showed a significant decrease in body weight and sperm motility, and an increase in the testis weight-to-body weight ratio as compared to the control group. Histological investigation suggested that SO2exposure led to loose arrangement of the spermatogenic cells and local structural damage in the seminiferous tubules. Moreover, the expressions of P450, CREM and ACT proteins increased in the testes by 0.22%, 47.26% and 23.38%, respectively. Taken together, SO2inhalation lowered sperm quality, altered testicular histology, and increased expressions of CREM and ACT proteins in the testes of rats. Overall, these results could contribute to a better understanding of SO2-induced male reproductive toxicity.
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China. Electronic address: Jianhaiz@163.com.
Jianhai
J
Zhang
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China.
Fei
F
Zheng
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China.
Chen
C
Liang
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China.
Yuchen
Y
Zhu
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China.
Yan
Y
Shi
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China.
Yongli
Y
Han
Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China. Electronic address: wangjd53@outlook.com.
Jundong
J
Wang
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / Q000378:metabolism*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
C497412:Crem protein, rat; D014157:Transcription Factors; C000614132:act protein, rat; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide; D051786:Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
ACT; CREM; P450; Sperm motility; Sulfur dioxide; Testicular histology