High-fat diet-induced obesity amplifies HSP70-2a and HSP90 expression in testicular tissue; correlation with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

AIMS: Current study was conducted to uncover the effect of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity on heat shock proteins 70-2a and 90 expression levels and to investigate the network between these proteins with PCNA expression, endocrine status of testicular tissue and nucleotide backbone damages. MAIN METHODS: For this purpose, 20 mature male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of control and HFD-received obese animals (n = 10/group). After 8 weeks from obesity approval, the animals were euthanized. The expression levels of Hsp70-2a, Hsp90 and PCNA were analyzed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining techniques. The Leydig cell distribution/mm2 of interstitial tissue, serum level of testosterone, testicular total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and mRNA and DNA damage were investigated. KEY FINDINGS: The obese (HFD-received) animals represented a remarkable (p < 0.05) increment in the mRNA levels of hsp70-2a and Hsp90, and the percentages of Hsp70-2a+ and Hsp90+ cells/seminiferous tubules with the same criteria. The PCNA mRNA level and the percentage of PCNA+ cells were decreased in the obese (HFD-received) group. The obesity, significantly decreased testicular TAC and with no effect on the Leydig cell distribution, but by reducing their steroidogenic activity resulted in a remarkable (p < 0.05) reduction in serum testosterone level. Finally, severe mRNA and DNA damage were revealed in the obese (HFD-received) group. SIGNIFICANCE: Therefore, considering massive testicular DNA damage in the obese (HFD-received) animals, we can conclude that an increased expression of Hsp70-2a and Hsp90 with no harmony with PCNA could not properly maintain the cellular DNA integrity and/or appropriately finalize the DNA repair process.

Zeta and hyaluronic acid assessments, novel sperm selection procedures, in animal model for male infertility.

Considering varicocele (VCL)-induced severe, progressive DNA damage, histone-protamine anomalies and low sperm production, in the current study, the experimental VCL was induced and the efficiency of hyaluronic acid (HA)-binding method (HABM) and zeta preparation procedure (ZPP) in selection of appropriate spermatozoa was compared with those spermatozoa from intact animals. Following 2 and 4 months, the histological alterations in testicular tissue, sperm count and viability were assessed to prove the VCL condition. The spermatozoa were undergone simple wash, HABM and ZPP. The chromatin condensation, active caspase-3 expression, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis index were analysed after applying selection techniques and compared with the spermatozoa from intact and VCL-induced animals, which were undergone a simple wash. Observations showed that both HABM and ZPP effectively prepared the spermatozoa with higher chromatin condensation and lower DNA damage. Meanwhile, the ZPP exerted a more preferable effect by preparing the spermatozoa with higher chromatin condensation, and lower caspase-3 expression, and DNA disintegrity versus the HABM, especially after 4 months. In conclusion, ZPP seems to exert much more reliable efficiency in selecting appropriate spermatozoa for ICSI processes, while more studies are needed to find out which one is more useful in the clinical assisted reproductive technique (ART) process.