Cannabis and male reproduction: Impact on offspring via sperm epigenome

A 65-day study was undertaken to test the effects of two doses (10 and 20 mg/kg) of dietary fumonisin Bs (FB) on the rabbit male reproduction system. Body and testicular weight was not affected by the intoxication, neither the fatty acid composition of the testicular total phospholipids; the testis histological analysis failed to reveal any toxic effect. The FBs increased the testicular concentration and activity of reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase and decreased initial phase lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes and trienes) in a dose dependent manner. Sperm morphology and chromatin condensation were monitored on Feulgen-stained smears. No significant differences were observed between the treatment groups and between sampling time points. The live cell ratio in the sperm (as assessed with flow cytometry) was not different among groups at any of the five sampling timepoints and was also identical within groups. Similarly, the spermatozoa membrane lipid profile was also identical in all three groups after the total intoxication period. In summary, it was demonstrated that FBs in an unrealistic and unjustified high dose still do not exert any drastic harmful effect on the leporine, male reproduction system, meanwhile slightly augmenting testicular antioxidant response.

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The possible role of sirtuins in male reproduction

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry ◽

10.1007/s11010-021-04116-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chithra Loganathan ◽

Arun Kannan ◽

Antojenifer Panneerselvam ◽

Lezy Flora Mariajoseph-Antony ◽

Sekar Ashok Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Reproduction

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Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells is essential for testis development and male fertility in mice

Cell Death and Disease ◽

10.1038/s41419-021-03885-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Xiaochun Chi ◽

Weiwei Luo ◽

Jiagui Song ◽

Bing Li ◽

Tiantian Su ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sertoli Cells ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Hippo Pathway ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Male Reproduction ◽

Barrier Structure ◽

Male Mice ◽

Sperm Development

AbstractKindlin-2 is known to play important roles in the development of mesoderm-derived tissues including myocardium, smooth muscle, cartilage and blood vessels. However, nothing is known for the role of Kindlin-2 in mesoderm-derived reproductive organs. Here, we report that loss of Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells caused severe testis hypoplasia, abnormal germ cell development and complete infertility in male mice. Functionally, loss of Kindlin-2 inhibits proliferation, increases apoptosis, impairs phagocytosis in Sertoli cells and destroyed the integration of blood-testis barrier structure in testes. Mechanistically, Kindlin-2 interacts with LATS1 and YAP, the key components of Hippo pathway. Kindlin-2 impedes LATS1 interaction with YAP, and depletion of Kindlin-2 enhances LATS1 interaction with YAP, increases YAP phosphorylation and decreases its nuclear translocation. For clinical relevance, lower Kindlin-2 expression and decreased nucleus localization of YAP was found in SCOS patients. Collectively, we demonstrated that Kindlin-2 in Sertoli cells is essential for sperm development and male reproduction.

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