Abnormal spermatogenesis in mice unable to synthesize ascorbic acid.

Futoshi Yazama; Kazuko Furuta; Miwa Fujimoto; Tomoko Sonoda; Hiroko Shigetomi; Toshitaka Horiuchi; Manabu Yamada; Norio Nagao; Nobuyo Maeda

doi:10.1111/j.1447-073x.2006.00139.x

PubMed · 16800296

Abnormal spermatogenesis in mice unable to synthesize ascorbic acid.

Futoshi Yazama·Kazuko Furuta·Miwa Fujimoto·Tomoko Sonoda·Hiroko Shigetomi·Toshitaka Horiuchi·Manabu Yamada·Norio Nagao·Nobuyo Maeda

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Abstract

Although exposure to environmental toxicants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, is thought to be a possible cause of male infertility, the pathogenesis of male reproductive disorders remains unclear. In the present study, we used Gulo-/- mutant mice, which are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid, to study the importance of dietary vitamin C (VC) on spermatogenesis. Regular chow containing approximately 110 mg/kg VC is unable to support the growth of these mutant mice, but a VC supplement in their drinking water (330 mg/L) is able to ameliorate the VC deficiency. Testes of Gulo-/- mutants born from heterozygous mothers without VC supplement (VC-deficient mice) and those born from mothers given a VC supplement (VC-sufficient mice) were examined by morphological and biochemical analyses. Morphological analysis revealed that apoptosis of spermatocytes occurred frequently in VC-deficient mice at 20 days of age. Two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis revealed the specific disappearance of heat-shock protein (Hsp) 70 in the testes of 20-day-old VC-deficient mice. In the present study, the relationship between the apoptosis of spermatocytes and Hsp70 in VC-deficient mice is discussed.

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Animals Apoptosis Ascorbic Acid Deficiency Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins Immunohistochemistry In Situ Nick-End Labeling Infertility, Male Male Mice Mice, Mutant Strains Microscopy, Electron, Transmission Spermatocytes Spermatogenesis Testis Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Futoshi Yazama, Kazuko Furuta, Miwa Fujimoto, Tomoko Sonoda, Hiroko Shigetomi, Toshitaka Horiuchi, Manabu Yamada, Norio Nagao, Nobuyo Maeda. 2006. Abnormal spermatogenesis in mice unable to synthesize ascorbic acid.. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-073x.2006.00139.x

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